Pittsburgh food in November: What’s opening and what’s closing

We found your bar for winter hibernation.

Fl. 2 at the Fairmont.

Fl. 2 at the Fairmont.

Rossilynne Culgan / The Incline
Rossilynne Culgan
Rossilynne Culgan

In the past few weeks, Pittsburgh has welcomed an oyster bar, a cider shop and a swoon-worthy Downtown restaurant. Next up: a fried chicken and empanada shop, a neighborhood bar (once the drama over its Mr. Rogers title settles) and Insomnia Cookies (hurry up and get here, cookies).

With new restaurants opening at a breakneck pace in the city, we’re keeping tabs each month on what’s opening and what’s closing. (ICYMI: Here’s October’s round-up and September’s new eats.) Dig in.

Hello

Fl.2, Downtown

Replacing Habitat at Fairmont Pittsburgh is Fl.2, a bar-restaurant that’s equal parts swanky and cozy. The design (and you know we appreciate some good restaurant design) first ushers diners up the stairs to the restaurant (it’s on the second-floor obviously). Then, a plush waiting area unfolds into the grand floor-to-ceiling bar, where shelves of glasses and bottles stretch sky-high.

This bar is ?

This bar is 😍

Rossilynne Culgan / The Incline

A set of bar-side tables feature tapestry-inspired chairs and mismatched plates for a vintage vibe.

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Rossilynne Culgan / The Incline

Next, there’s the Instagram-worthy room where we’re planning to hibernate all winter, with its palatial stone fireplace and leather couches.

Winter hangout acquired.

Winter hangout acquired.

Rossilynne Culgan / The Incline

Finally, the dining room includes an open kitchen, framed by mosaic tiles of the city skyline.

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Rossilynne Culgan / The Incline

There’s all of that to enjoy, plus a sweeping cityscape view and a solid oft-changing menu.

Merchant Oyster, Lawrenceville

After months and months of anticipation, this Butler Street spot is open. Expect a Northeast style oyster bar and chowder house from Dennis Marron (of Downtown restaurant “or, The Whale.”)

Threadbare Cider and Mead, Spring Garden

Just in time for fall, Threadbare Cider and Mead joins the Pittsburgh booze scene, offering cider, cocktails, pizzas and other bar bites.

Bae Bae’s Kitchen, Downtown

An addition to the Downtown dining scene, this fast-casual spot is open for lunch and dinner (and Saturday brunch) for Korean-inspired, healthy, local cuisine. “Everything is made fresh daily with a lot of love…” Bae Bae’s says on its website.

Red, the Steakhouse, Downtown

Welcome to Pittsburgh, another restaurant with a random comma in its name. Joining the pondersome punctuation ranks of “or, The Whale” is “Red, The Steakhouse,” a new steak chain the Trib talks about here.

Espresso a Mano part two, South Side

The Lawrenceville coffeeshop has opened a second location in the South Side, filling in where Amazing Cafe used to be. Breakfast and lunch service will begin later this month, the Post-Gazette reports.

See you soon

Ki Pollo, Lawrenceville

From the folks who brought you Ki Ramen, Ki Pollo is coming to Lawrenceville today (!!!) as a fried chicken and empanada shop. Chef Claudia Moyano will bring an Argentinian twist to this fast casual spot, per Ki Pollo’s Facebook page.

The Penn Cove Eatery and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Bar, Downtown

There’s some drama over this bar’s name, but it’s still on track to open in November … under what name, though, is yet to be seen.

Piada Italian Street Food, Ross Township

Joining its Oakland eatery, the Italian chain is opening another location along Northway Drive, with an opening date yet to be announced.

See you soon-ish

Farewell

Carmi Soul Food Restaurant, North Side

Carmi is leaving its long-time North Side spot — but fear not, you can soon get the restaurant’s beloved soul food in the South Side, per the Post-Gazette.

Bloomfield Bridge Tavern, Bloomfield

Known for its pierogies and live music, the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern closed its doors in October after more than three decades of business. Good Food Pittsburgh bids a fond farewell to the neighborhood spot.

James Street Gastropub, North Side

In a shocking announcement, the North Side pub said it will close its doors as of Nov. 11. The Post-Gazette looks into the circumstances surrounding the closure.