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Nine O’Clock Wines x The Open Road
4112 Butler St., Lawrenceville. nineoclockwines.com
Closeout Dry January with a free non-alcoholic tasting at Nine O’Clock Wines. On Thu., Jan. 30 from 5-6:30 p.m., the natural wine shop partners with non-alcoholic bottle shop The Open Road to serve a selection of NA wines and other alternative beverages. Sip non-alcoholic selections from both shops with guidance from Open Road owner Mel Babitz. Bottles will be available for purchase.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
173 Bakery Square Blvd., East Liberty and 447 Cinema Dr., South Side. jenis.com
For those enjoying ice cream in a jacket season, head to Jeni’s for its ninth Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. The annual event returns on Sat., Feb. 1 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and features pancake-inspired ice cream, breakfast-themed specials, kids’ activities, and more. The scoop shop debuts its limited-edition Blueberry Johnny Cakes flavor, promising to “[mimick] the taste and feel of a perfect blueberry pancake” by swirling cornbread pancakes and blueberry-maple jam into a buttery sweet cream. Also on the menu is Jeni’s L’affogato, a spin on Italian gelato that can be topped with coffee.
Try Jeni’s Parfait on the Beach, layered with Green Smoothie ice cream, mango sauce, granola butter, and whipped cream while the kids enjoy activity sheets, stickers, and free “campaign” signs supporting the holiday. Full details can be found on Jeni’s Ice Cream for Breakfast Day webpage, where guests can RSVP.
Hazelwood Brew House x Offroute Art
5007 Lytle St., Hazelwood. instagram.com/hazelwoodbrewhouse
Hazelwood Cafe owner Dasawn Gray was hospitalized in December, causing the coffee shop and neighborhood hub to close temporarily. On Sat., Feb. 1 from 6-9 p.m., Hazelwood Brew House hosts a community fundraiser for Gray.
Abstract Realm Brewing Co. and New France Brewing Company — housed in the historic four-story Brew House — will donate $1 per drink sold during the event. In partnership with Offroute Art, a Hazelwood-based nonprofit that supports young artists, the fundraiser will include a raffle featuring work from local artists and items from local businesses Hazel Grove Brewing and Commonplace Coffee. Comfort and Spice, the brewery’s recently added in-house food vendor, will also donate some of its proceeds to Gray.
Donations to Gray can also be made directly through a GoFundMe campaign.
Eleventh Hour Brewing Co.
3711 Charlotte St., Lawrenceville. 11thhourbrews.com
If you’re ready to cut loose after Dry January, Eleventh Hour Brewing has you covered with a Resolution Ruiner party. On Sat., Feb. 1 from 7-11 p.m., the brewery invites Pittsburghers to ditch their resolutions “together in style,” with “great music, drinks, and friends.” Enjoy specialty cocktails, music by DJ Zano, and an “Ins and Outs” board where guests can share “what trends, habits, or vibes” they’re bringing into the new year.
Half-Assed Beer Share x Allegheny City Brewing
507 Foreland St., North Side. habspgh.com
A new year means new beer. On Sun., Feb. 2 from 2-5 p.m., Half-Assed Beer Share hosts its Winter Beer Share event at the former Allegheny City Brewing taproom in Deutschtown. Beer lovers can warm up by bringing a four-pack or bottle from their favorite Pittsburgh-area brewery to share, then try a variety of local beers. HABS will also share its latest collaboration beer with Allegheny City Brewing, a hefeweizen or German wheat ale called Bier Teilen (“beer share” in German). Sign up for the Winter Beer Share through Eventbrite.
Smashed ‘N Fried x Mondays Brewing Co.
563 Greenfield Ave., Greenfield. smashednfried.com
Burgers and fries are coming to Greenfield. Smashed ‘N Fried announced on Facebook that it will open inside Mondays Brewing Co., expanding from a food truck started three years ago. The first brick-and-mortar location launches on Sat., Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. with a grand opening celebration.
According to TribLive, the new Smashed ‘N Fried menu will include double-patty burgers served on a potato roll with shoe-string fries, Maryland crab cake sandwiches, Lenten specials, and more. The eatery’s opening will also mark the first time the space at 563 Greenfield Ave. has served in-house food since the former Hough’s Taproom closed in May 2023.
Smashed ‘N Fried co-owners and brothers Rodney and Vincenzo Steele told TribLive they have generational ties to the neighborhood and “want to be the best burger in the city.”
Two Frays Brewery x Pittsburgh Thunderbirds
510 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square. pghthunderbirds.com
Two Frays Brewery will pay tribute to ultimate frisbee with a new beer. The Pittsburgh Thunderbirds announced Two Frays as the team’s official brewery partner for the 2025 Ultimate Frisbee Association season. According to a UFA press release, fans can look forward to a collaboration beer that benefits local women’s sports, a “Two Frays, Two Plays of the Night” replay series, and parties and events before, during, and after the season. Follow the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds or Two Frays for updates.
Pittsburgh James Beard Award Semifinalists
jamesbeard.org
Three Pittsburgh chefs and one restaurant were announced as semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards, considered one of the highest forms of recognition in the culinary industry.
Local chefs Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski of Apteka and Wei Zhu of Chengdu Gourmet were named Best Chef semifinalists in the Mid-Atlantic region. The recently opened Fet-Fisk in Bloomfield made the national list of Best New Restaurants.
Lasky and Skowronski have been nominated previously. Fet-Fisk chef and owner Nik Forsberg — one of Pittsburgh City Paper’s 2024 People of the Year — was also a James Beard semifinalist for best chef in 2023. Winners will be announced in June.
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2025.
