It is hard to believe February is right around the corner. Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day yet? Today, Valentine’s Day is more than just spending it with one special person. You can spend it with friends, family or even your favorite neighbors from our Franklin West community. 

Here are a few places to help organize the perfect plans for your Valentine’s Day, no matter who you spend it with. 

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s on Penn Ave is a great place to pick up your weekly produce, but they also have an affordable selection of flowers and cards for anyone you might want to make feel extra special this year. Not interested in dining out? Pick up items for the perfect meal and enjoy a night in. 

BRGR

This burger joint on Centre Ave is great for date night or a group outing. Enjoy the variety of apps they have to offer or try customizing your own burger. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat on Valentine’s day? Finish off your meal with one of their deliciously crafted milkshakes. 

Prantl’s Bakery

Cupcakes, cookies, pies – oh my! Prantl’s Bakery over on Walnut Street has nothing short of every sweet you would desire. Treat someone else (or yourself) to a delicious dessert like their famous Burnt Almond Torte or a decorated cupcake. 

Casbah

Nothing says love like sharing a few plates of pasta. With sunset hues and tables gathered close together, Casbah’s interior exudes warmth and coziness perfect to share with close friends or a special someone. Plus, it’s a short walk over to S Highland Ave.

Phipps Conservatory

This Valentine’s Day enjoy hundreds of orchids, plus their cosmic collection of tropical bonsai at the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Out of This World! Finish the visit with something special from the gift shop or a visit to Phipps Cafe. 

Noodlehead

This neighborhood hotspot on S. Highland Ave always seems to have a line out the door but it is worth the wait. Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy a dish of Pad Thai or one of their other specialties. In addition to a menu with a ton of delicious options, it is also extremely affordable and a BYOB establishment. 

Millies Homemade Icecream

Tempted to splurge on some dessert after dinner or maybe even second dessert? Stop by Millies on S Highland Ave. Whether you grab a bite at Noodlehead, Casbah, or BRGR, make sure to save room for the most delicious ice cream!

Enjoy these delicious places with someone (or a few people) you love.

Adding a delicious twist to winter, Restaurant Week 2020 is here! Close to 100 restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week across Pittsburgh and it’s the best time to try something new. 

Plus, several eateries are just a short distance from Franklin West apartments. Here are a few fantastic and local eateries participating in Restaurant Week with 3-course dinners for $35.20.

Spoon

As one of Pittsburgh’s premier dining destinations, Spoon (South Highland Ave) is serving a new dish during Restaurant Week. The specials at Spoon will give you the choice with the 3-course meal. First is your choice of a winter citrus salad or a fennel and mushroom soup. A roast chicken breast or miso-glazed cod is your choice of entre, and finally, enjoy either pavlova or chocolate date cake for dessert!

Con Alma

Eat, drink, and listen to classic jazz at Con Alma (Ellsworth Ave) during Restaurant Week. To get you started, Con Alma is making roasted Brussel sprouts, crispy shallots, and cascabel chile-miso caramel. As an entre, you’ll get tandoori spiced jumbo prawn, pork belly, escarole with salsa verde, roasted yams. For dessert, enjoy Tres Leches.

Dinette

Focused on sustainable meals, try Dinette over on Center Ave during Restaurant Week. The first course is your choice of Soup of the Day, or Grilled Shishito Peppers with goat cheese, fried almonds and fleur de sel. For the entre, you’ll also have a choice of gourmet pizza with the freshest ingredients. But make sure to save room for dessert!

Fish nor Fowl

This American eatery celebrating Restaurant Week is over on Penn Ave. Fish nor Fowl is offering two choices for each course. Start with a house salad or charred broccoli. Then move on to the second course with your choice of Chicken Parmesan or Cacio e Pepe. Last but certainly not least, have Pannacotta or Affogato for dessert. 

 

Some honorable mentions with an expansive menu include Fujiya Ramen, Paris 66, and The Twisted Frenchman.

The week is coming to a close on Sunday, January 19th, marking the end of those specials. Visit Pittsburgh Restaurant Week to see all meal specials at several eateries across Pittsburgh. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you!

The new year brings one constant tradition, resolutions. The most common resolution is to become the healthiest version of yourself. Thankfully, our very own Shadyside neighborhood has a variety of workout areas, fun classes, and good eats.

Here are the local places you need to check out if your resolution is to find your healthiest self!

Get a nutritious meal

Love eating out, but looking for a place that puts calories to the side? More and more restaurants are embracing different dietary dishes from gluten-free or vegetarian. There are a good handful of eateries in Shadyside that specialize in delicious, healthy foods. 

Honeygrow

First up, Honeygrow. The founders bring one specific passion to this eatery, “creating awesome things through the lens of nourishing foods.” We hear good things about the Spicy Garlic Egg Noodles!

Honeygrow received a 4.9 of 5 rating on social media with a reviewer saying, “I love this place!!! There was definitely a hip vibe and the food was so fresh and flavorful!! They use locally-sourced farm-fresh ingredients and it all comes together as yummy!!!”

Photo credit: HoneyGrow Instagram

Kahuna

This poke and juice bar will take your taste buds on a ride to Hawaii itself. When you stop at this eaterie on South Highland Ave, you experience, “bold flavors and fresh ingredients!” Kahuna is committed to working responsibly sourced seafood from the most sustainable fisheries. 

From Yelp, Kahuna got a 4.5-star rating with a reviewer saying, “If you’re looking for a sit-down or take-home dinner lunch spot for poke bowls, look no further than Kahuna.”

Photo credit: Kahuna Instagram

Salud Juicery

“Salud Juicery is committed to balance and connection for your health and healing.” If this isn’t a place to go for healthy eating we don’t know what is. Visit Salud Juicery on Copeland Street!

On social, Salud Juicery received a whopping 5 of 5 rating with one visitor saying, “Great food and employees are great. Definitely worth the wait and the perfect healthy thirst quencher when shopping on walnut! Must stop in and get a wheatgrass shot and an iced cashew blender with espresso. Unreal.”

Photo credit: Salud Juicery Instagram

So Fresh

This eaterie recently opened its door in our neighborhood just in time for the new year. So Fresh is dedicated to “fuel a life in motion through fresh food. Each meal we serve is rooted in transparency using only real ingredients.” Visit them on South Highland Ave. 

With this eaterie being new to its Shadyside location, there aren’t any reviews yet. You can be the first!

Photo credit: So Fresh Instagram

Clean Juice

Take a walk over to Penn Ave and stop in Clean Juice. Don’t let the name fool you. Sure, you’ll find a wide range of smoothies and juice, but you’ll also get Acai bowls, Greenoa bowls, and other snacks. The winter menu is out now!

Clean Juice is another 5 of 5 star rating on social media. One recent visitor said, “Everyone is so welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. The products are fresh and taste sooooo good!!”

Photo credit: Clean Juice East Liberty Instagram via @bracopgh

Get your sweat on

The other half to becoming your healthiest self is getting the right exercise. Don’t worry you definitely have your choice in workouts here is Shadyside. 

Dragonfly Pilates

Head over to Walnut street to get your sweat on at Dragonfly Pilates. Here personalized experience is taken seriously with certified coaches and encouraging atmosphere. Dragonfly Pilates have classes that work to “promote strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness to tone and energize the mind and body.” See class schedule here.

Yoga Flow Pittsburgh

Also on Walnut Street is Yoga Flow Pittsburgh where you can use yoga to gain flexibility, increase strength, or release stress. Teachers bring a unique experience so each student leaves, “encouraged to explore the ancient practice of yoga in a safe environment, unveiling new perspectives about themselves and the world.” See class schedule. 

The Barre Code

Over on South Aiken Ave, the Barre Code is dedicated to “helping women transform into their strongest, fittest selves.” Whether you want to focus on cardio, strength, or restoration, there are a variety of classes for each. Check out the class schedule here. 

Steel Revolution Pittsburgh

Curious about spin class? Head over to Steel Revolution over on Copeland Street. Spin is a full-body, rock-solid workout where you pedal, climb, and sprint on a stationary bike. See the schedule.

Go for a run 

If you’re itching to go out for a run, you’re in luck. Shadyside is one of the best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for a walk, jog, run and everything in between since our community has wonderful tree-lined sidewalks. 

But if you want to shake up your surroundings, there are several nearby parks like Mellon Park, Frick Park, Schenley Park & Plaza, and Highland Park. 

Don’t give up on your resolution. After all, you have a whole community that can support you!