The newest reasons to eat (and drink) out range from the comeback of a creative duo last spotted in McCandless to the expansion and (ever-so-slight) relocation of a beloved brewery’s taproom.
OPEN NOW
G’s on Liberty: Longtime restaurateur Grainne Trainor — the “G” in G’s — pairs with chef Eric Liebering for their new concept in the former home of Alexander’s Italian Bistro. (The two also joined forces for the now-shuttered Blue North in McCandless, and you may remember Belfast, Northern Ireland, native Trainor from her Mighty Oak Barrel tenure from 1998 to 2013.) Just opened on Oct. 28, G’s menu has some of the hallmarks of the Blue menu — namely, its breadth and creativity. Standard Italian fare is zhuzhed up, like the house-made potato gnocchi ($20), which strays from its natural cream-colored state with spinach, Portobello mushroom and a tomato coulis. Then there’s the Mediterranean lamb meatloaf ($26), served with a cauliflower tabbouleh and dressed with tahini, and the honey-brushed duck breast ($27) with a blackberry gastrique. There’s a focus on wine here, too, with pairing suggestions for each entree. Sandwiches include a lobster grilled cheese ($14) and fried chicken ($13), and the 11 appetizers range from a crab avocado tower ($17) to a Mongolian chicken taco ($9). 5104 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield
Dancing Gnome Beer: The Sharpsburg brewery Wednesday opened its airy new taproom just up Main Street — at 1025 Main, to be precise — from its original at 925 Main. The new space is an old steel warehouse artfully repurposed by Margittai Architects with more room for customers as well as more capacity to make beer in a steel-beamed and gleaming 20-barrel brewhouse. Andrew Witchey opened the very popular brewery on Oct. 1, 2016, and is keeping the original space but no longer serving beer there. The new space is open the same hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. There’s a parking lot for 28 vehicles. Bar seating is only for those 21 and older, but all ages are welcome in the taproom and on a big patio. (Animals are not.) 1025 Main St., Sharpsburg
Drowning Fish Brewing Co.: Another beer-related opening is Drowning Fish Brewing Co. The cozy little brewpub serves its own beers and some food in the former site of Frank’s Pub & Grille. 5454 Library Road, Bethel Park
Gus Franco’s: After years of perfecting a dough recipe, Patrick Elston and his wife, Mandy, started cooking pizzas out of their home oven in 2017 before graduating to a Kamado-style grill, then to an imported Italian wood-fired oven, and then to a trailer to do popups and catering gigs. Now they have a brick-and-mortar spot for their Neapolitan pies, which have been selling out daily. 2637 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell
Pizza Crush: Washington County native Jeff Katrencik spent the past decade living in Mexico, where he opened a brewpub in Playa del Carmen before moving back home at the pandemic’s outset. In 2020, he opened Carmen Tacos in Finleyville, and last month he launched Pizza Crush, a neighborhood pizza shop featuring New York-style slices and pies. 3540 Washington Ave., Finleyville
COMING SOON
Elements @ QBC: You can stretch out even more to enjoy a drink at Quinn Brewing Co. in North Huntingdon. The original location has opened a new adjacent event space in Banco Business Park called Elements @ QBC, which has space for about 100 people, a bar with taps of house brews plus Pennsylvania wines and spirits, and a stage for entertainment. A grand opening comedy show there Saturday night benefits Pet Friends. 3000 Commerce Loop, North Huntingdon
Bob Batz Jr.: bbatz@post-gazette.com | Dan Gigler: gdgigler@post-gazette.com | Polly Higgins: phiggins@post-gazette.com
First Published: October 29, 2021, 1:21 p.m.
Updated: October 29, 2021, 1:28 p.m.
