Dining Guide: Shadyside

By Staff Report
September 30, 2010

AMERICAN:

Bagel Factory

5825 Ellsworth Ave.

6 a.m. to 7… AMERICAN:

Bagel Factory

5825 Ellsworth Ave.

6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

412-362-6666

Panther Funds? no

The only independent bagel bakery in Pittsburgh prides itself on making everything from scratch.

Bites and Brews

5750 Ellsworth Ave.

Sunday to Wednesday 4 p.m. to midnight, Thursday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday to Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-361-4425

www.b2restaurants.com/

Panther Funds? no

This combination bar-and-restaurant serves pizza and sandwiches and has 30 beers on tap.

Bruegger’s

806 S. Aiken Ave.

Monday to Friday 6 a.m. 8 p.m., Saturday to Sunday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

412-612-2335

www.brueggers.com/

Panther Funds? no

This local franchise of the national chain serves bagels and other breakfast and lunch items.

Buffalo Blues

216 S. Highland Ave.

Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday midnight to midnight, Sunday noon to 10 p.m.

412-362-5837

www.b2restaurants.com/

$ to $$

Panther Funds? no

This bar represents a cross-section of American culture. Far from a nameless bar, customers are known by name and what they drink.

Elbow Room

5744.5 Ellsworth Ave.

Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

412.441.5222

www.elbowroompittsburgh.com/index.html

$ to $$

Panther Funds? no

Whether stopping in for burgers or a taste of one of the 85 varieties of wines in stock, The Elbow Room provides a casual environment and eclectic menu for everyone.

Doc’s Place

5442 Walnut St.

Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday to Saturday noon to 2 a.m.

412-681-3713

www.docsplacepittsburgh.com/index.html

$ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Called the “the ultimate comfortable bar” by BarAmerica.com, Doc’s Place offers a warm atmosphere, a full smoke-free bar on its second floor and a wide selection of foods from its menu.

Harris Grill

5747 Ellsworth Ave.

Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 2 a.m., Kitchen open till 1 a.m., Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-362-5273

www.harrisgrill.com/

$ to $$

Panther Funds: no

A bar, a grill or a little bit of both? Harris Grill offers a full food menu in addition to festive theme nights to keep the atmosphere fun and lively.

Highlander Pub

228 S. Highland Ave.

4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

412-361-2747

Panther Funds: no

A hole-in-the-wall bar, the Highlander Pub offers an intimate atmosphere and affordable drink prices for an escape from the typical Oakland scene.

K&T’s Fish and Chicken

4521 Centre Ave.

noon to midnight

412-455-5485

$ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Specializing in, well, fish and chicken, K&T’s offers both individual meals and catering with salads, wings and sandwiches in its menu.

Pamela’s

5527 Walnut St.

Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

412-683-1003

www.pamelasdiner.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Come to the Shadyside location of this classic local chain for breakfast or lunch, especially if you’re in need of some good old-fashioned comfort food.

Pittsburgh Deli Company

728 Copeland St.

Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 to 2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

412-682-DELI

www.pghdeli.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

If you’re looking for a fun twist on traditional deli food, the Pittsburgh Deli Company offers drinks and unique sandwiches.

Shady Grove

5500 Walnut St.

11 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week

412-697-0909

www.eatshady.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds:no

Stop into restaurant-and-bar Shady Grove for a diverse menu and a full service bar.

Sharp Edge Beer Emporium

302 S. Saint Clair St.

Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday to Saturday 11 to 1 a.m.

412-661-3537

sharpedgebeer.com

$ to $$

Panther Funds? no

It’s really a cohesion of fancy food and varied beers. The Emporium offers wild game burgers, ostrich and buffalo burgers, 45 draft beers and 300 bottled beers.

Walnut Grill

5550 Walnut St.

Tuesday-Saturday 11 to 2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

412-688-8220

www.eatwalnut.com

Price: $ to $$$

Panther Funds: no

The Walnut Grill offers contemporary American cuisine, featuring seafood, burgers, steaks, pasta and vegetarian options.

William Penn Tavern

739 Bellefonte St.

11 to 2 a.m.

412-621-1000

www.williampenntavern.net/

$ to $$

Panther Funds? no

An eclectic sports bar, the Tavern has a comfortable Pittsburgh atmosphere, where food is not too fancy but still a step up from regular bar food.

ITALIAN:

Girasole Restaurant

733 Copeland St.

Sunday to Thursday 11:30a.m. to 10p.m., Friday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

412-682-2130

733copeland.com

$ to $$

Panther Funds? no

A cozy little restaurant in Shadyside, one could describe it as “cute.” Girasole is family-run and it is well regarded for its different salads, though it offers a variety of Italian dishes.

Minutello’s Restaurant-Lounge

226 Shady Ave.

Sunday to Thursday 11a.m. to 11p.m., Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

412-361-9311

www.minutellosrestaurant.com/

Panther Funds? no

The interior has the charm of an old-world Italian restaurant. It offers some of the finest pizza at affordable prices.

Pizzutti’s Restaurant

709 Bellefonte St.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dinner 5 to 9 p.m.

www.pizzuttisrestaurant.org/

412-687-1022

Price: $$ to $$$

Panther Funds: no

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called this BYOB Italian bistro, owned and operated by Chef Susan Pizzutti herself, “an oasis off Walnut.”

EUROPEAN:

Crepes Parisiennes

732 Filbert St.

Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

412-683-2333

Panther Funds: no

Price: $ to $$

Serving thin and crisp crepes with friendly and fast service, Crepes Parisiennes offers a cozy, relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy Parisian-style crepes.

La Casa

5884 Ellsworth Ave.

Monday-Thursday 4 to 11 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon to 11:30 p.m.

www.casablanca212.com

412-441-3090

Price: $$ to $$$

Panther Funds: no

Combining music with an extensive selection of Moroccan and Spanish tapas and fine wines, La Casa offers visitors a Mediterranean experience like no other.

Pangea

736 Bellefonte St.

Tuesday-Sunday serving dinner starting at 4 p.m.

www.pangea-shadyside.com

412-621-3152

Price: $$ to $$$

Panther Funds: no

A creation of Chef Ronald Deluca Jr., Pangea focuses on its international menu, featuring an eclectic variety of culinary influences.

Paris 66

6018 Centre Ave.

Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

www.paris66bistro.com

412-404-8166

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

At this quaint French bistro, which was called “intimate, noisy and throbbing with energy” by Pittsburgh Magazine, you can enjoy savory crepes and French pizza.

Sunnyledge Boutique Hotel & Tea Room

5124 Fifth Ave.

Tuesday-Sunday, Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tea 3 to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, Dinner 6 to 9:30 p.m.

412-683-5014

www.sunnyledge.com

Price: $$

Panther Funds: no

Just a quick walk from the Walnut Street shopping area, Sunnyledge Hotel currently features an affordable, casual bar menu.

LATIN AMERICAN:

Fajita Grill

5865 Ellsworth Ave.

Tuesday-Thursday 5 to 10 p.m.

412-362-3030

www.thefajitagrill.com

Price: $$

Panther Funds: no

This is no Taco Bell. The Fajita Grill has been serving up authentic Mexican recipes for 23 years.

La Feria

5527 Walnut St.

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

412-682-4501

www.laferia.net

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Want a taste of Peru? Check out La Feria to see what the daily special is — meat or vegetarian — to experience some traditional or fused Latin American and Peruvian cuisine.

Umi

5849 Ellsworth Ave.

Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 to 10:30 p.m.

412 -362-6198

www.bigburrito.com/umi/

Price: $$-$$$$

Panther Funds: no

Part of the Big Burrito group that includes Mad Mex and Soba, Umi is a Japanese-themed restaurant, featuring many popular Japanese items including sushi and special omakase meals — from $75 up per person.

ASIAN:

China Palace II

5440 Walnut St.

Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 2 to 9 p.m.

412-687-5555

www.chinapalacepittsburgh.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Whether dining in or taking out, China Palace II offers a large variety of elegant Asian meat and vegetarian dishes. Each meal at the restaurant begins with hot tea and ends with a sliced up orange. Classy.

Jimmy Tsang’s

5700 Centre Ave.

11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

412-661-4226

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: yes

Serving both Chinese and Korean food, Jimmy Tsang’s is a great place to pick up or eat inside. Check out its cheap lunch specials.

Soba

5847 Ellsworth Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 to 11 p.m.

412-362-5656

www.bigburrito.com/soba

Price: $$$

Panther Funds: no

Zebra wood accents and a silent wall of water greet those entering this Pan-Asian restaurant. The menu changes often, and reservations are suggested.

Sushi Too

5432 Walnut St.

Daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 to 10 p.m.; Sunday 4 to 9 p.m.

412-68-SUSHI

www.sushitoo.net

$-$$$

Panther Funds? no

Tasty Japanese and Pan-Asian specialties, this restaurant delivers within a 3-mile radius and also caters special events. It prides itself on using the finest quality of seafood and vegetables.

Tasty Chinese

213 South Highland Ave.

3 to 9:45 p.m.

412-253-6040

Panther Funds? yes

Hosting a menu full of specialties and entrees under $10, Tasty Chinese provides cheap and satisfying takeout options.

Thai Place

5528 Walnut St.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 9:30 p.m.

412-687-8586

www.thaiplacepgh.com

$ to $$$

Panther Funds? no

Voted one of America’s Top 10 Thai restaurants by the International Restaurant and Hospitality Rating Bureau, Shadyside’s Thai Place provides spicy takeout and sit-in dining. Try its Thai Place Curry Puffs appetizer.

Tokyo Japanese Food Store

5855 Ellsworth Ave.

Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Closed Monday

412-661-3777

www.tokyostorepgh.com/

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

This Japanese grocer has plenty of items that are hard to find elsewhere in the city. Fresh sushi and daily Bento boxes consisting of whatever is freshest, are highlights of the store.

Typhoon

242 S. Highland Ave.

Monday-Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 to 11 p.m., Closed Sunday

412-362-2005

www.typhoonpgh.com/

Price: $$-$$$$

Panther Funds: no

Available for private daytime and evening events, Typhoon is a Thai-themed dinner restaurant featuring items such as pumpkin curry and steak with panang curry.

MIDDLE EASTERN:

Casbah

229 S. Highland Ave.

Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 to 11:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5 to 9:00 p.m.

412-661-5656

www.bigburrito.com/casbah/

Price: $$-$$$$

Panther Funds: no

A Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar from the Big Burrito group, Casbah’s menu has North African influences and includes such dishes as Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto and Red Pepper Casereccia.

CAFES:

Cappy’s Cafe

5431 Walnut St.

www.cappysonwalnut.com

11 to 2 a.m.

$ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Opened in 1981, Cappy’s combines the intimate feel of a standing-room-only bar with an expansive, affordable beer selection and several exciting theme nights, including its legendary Friday “Cappyoke” karaoke event.

Coffee Tree Roasters

5524 Walnut St.

Monday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 7 a.m to 10 p.m.

412-621-6880

www.coffeetree.com

Panther Funds: no

With two locations in easy reach of Pitt students — Shadyside and Squirrel Hill — Coffee Tree Roasters quenches its patrons’ thirst for caffeine with reasonable prices and free refills.

Crazy Mocha

5830 Ellsworth Ave.

7:30 a.m. to midnight

www.crazymocha.com

Panther Funds: no

With multiple locations in the vicinity of Pitt’s campus and a host of appetizing drink and dessert options, this growing regional franchise is the coffeehouse of choice for many students.

Jitters Cafe and Ice Cream

5541 Walnut St.

7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

412-621-2316

www.jittersshadyside.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

Calmer and slower-paced than Starbucks, Jitters offers specialty coffees, homemade ice cream and baked goods from Prantl’s.

Juice Box Cafe

735 Copeland St.

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

412-802-7070

www.juiceboxpitt.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

With its emphasis on using uncooked, local produce, the Juice Box Cafe is a fresh and health-conscious alternative to a burger and fries.

Starbucks

730 Copeland St.

Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

412-621-7733

www.starbucks.com/store/15884

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

It’s a Starbucks.

SWEETS:

Karmic Yogurt

731.5 Filbert St.

Tuesday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 7 p.m.

412-567-3959

www.karmicyogurt.com

Panther Funds: no

Karmic specializes in tart frozen yogurt — a healthy, 90 calories-per-serving treat that can be topped with fresh fruits or dozens of dry toppings.

Mercurio’s Mulberry Creamery

733 Copeland St.

Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday-Monday 1 to 9 p.m.

412-621-6220

www.mercuriosmulberrycreamery.com

Price: $ to $$

Panther Funds: no

If you like gelato, an Italian ice-cream product, go to Mercurio’s. If you don’t like gelato, you should try it again.

Oh Yeah! Ice Cream and Coffee Co.

232 S. Highland Ave.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

412-253-0955

www.customswirl.com/

Price: $

Panther Funds: no

For those hard-to-please ice cream eaters, Oh Yeah! offers just about any ice cream combination you can imagine. With more than 100 different mix-ins, you can mix and match the typical candy, granola and fruit, or — for the daring — try some less common treats: avocado, habanero, figs and more. Also, it’s dog-friendly.

Prantl’s Bakery

5525 Walnut St.

Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

412-621-2092

www.prantlsbakery.com/

Panther Funds: no (cash only)

Founded more than 100 years ago, Prantl’s has been dealing out delicious sweets like Ronald McDonald hawks Happy Meals. Though known for its burnt almond torte, Prantl’s offers a variety of cookies, donuts, coffee cakes, cakes, pie and just about any other baked good there is.

Vanilla Pastry Studio

6014 Penn Circle St.

Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

412-361-2306

www.vanillapastry.com/

Price: $-$$

Panther Funds: no

For those who struggle with the choice between having your cake and eating it too, you might want to avoid Vanilla Pastry Studio — its confections are so adorable that you might not be able to bring yourself to actually eat them.

PIZZA:

Pizza Parma

217 S. Highland Ave.

Sunday-Thursday 10 to 1 a.m., Friday-Saturday 10 to 2 a.m.

412-441-6600

www.pizzaparma.us/

Price: $-$$

Panther Funds: no

A local pizza joint with two other locations, Pizza Parma offers many of the standard pizza shop entries, with a collection of specialty pizzas, ranging from broccoli-chicken to steak-rodeo pies.

Pizza Perfecta

258 S. Highland Ave.

10 a.m. to midnight

412-661-9991

$ to $$

Panther Funds: no

This popular Shadyside pizzeria offers hearty portions of quality pie and reliable delivery options.

S Aiken Bar & Grille

815 S. Aiken Ave.

11 to 2 a.m.

412-682-6878

Panther Funds: no