#acepgh

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Pittsburgh greats Heinz 57 ketchup and Andy Warhol catch up. 

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ACE HOTEL PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh

We’ve been dreaming of opening this place forever-ever. Our former YMCA building in the heart of East Liberty is ready. It’s time, it’s happening. There’s 63 rooms for you to sleep and study and love and divine plans great and small. There’s a ballroom for love & fame, and in the basement there’s a pool that Mr. Rogers used to swim in (necket) that doesn’t have any water in it. You can even book a room starting now. We live here. Here we go.

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Notes from Underground: BRENT YOUNG, PITTSBURGH

We’re getting ready to open our Pittsburgh doors to you and you and you very soon, and it may be true that one of our favorite PGH pastimes is talking about food with those dyed in the woolrich. Brent Young, the unshakably charming captain of Whitfield (neé the Meat Hook), as well as Pittsburgh native son, gave us the inside scoop over some beers brewed in a church and fermented on a pulpit with a background blue. Here’s Brent: 

Pittsburgh is a city of opportunities. If you want something, you just need to go get it. You can start a business, start a band, start a robotics project, or somehow make the three of those collide. The opportunity is there. I felt that early on when I applied for my first job, and thought, hey, if I’m gonna make pizzas, is there a place that grows the tomatoes that go in the sauce? I want to work there. And there I did. This isn’t a comprehensive list of Pittsburgh food, it’s just my list. The places I love, that have always embraced the go-getters through the decades. 

Tomato Pie Cafe

My first job, so I’m partial. It’s in suburban North Park, but man, if there were ever a destination first date spot, this is it. It’s right across the street from a driving range, batting cages, and par-3 golf course… nestled right next to a put-put course! Give me a break! Tomato Pie is also BYOB, so you can plow through a six pack and a pizza after some healthy competition, and then you’re tipsy enough to make out! Dream date. Get the Dipasatano Pizza. 

Girasole

Also partial because this was my college job. Italian joint run by the reality tv show worthy Girasole family. They’re a ton of fun to hang out with and the restaurant is never dull. Super satisfying Italian food without being too heavy.

Bread & Salt

Literally says what it does, does what is says. Rick is an amazing baker that’s crazy enough to open a fermented dough bakery in 2015. It’s so much work, for such a humble product, but so fucking worth it. Also don’t bullshit the guy, cause he’ll call you on it before you can even place your order. Get a slice and an espresso.  

Max’s Allegheny Tavern 

German style beer hall that satisfies your sausage cravings before and after a buccos game. I’ve recently started insisting that all of my drinks come in their enormous goblets, which has only led to me hitting on the sixty-year-old bartenders, and I’m still not quite sure if they’re interested when they toss me out. 

The O

The Original O - The only restaurant in town where there are more cops than patrons. It’s really only at it’s best after 2am on the weekends, when it’s legitimately terrifying. You’re never quite sure who has the upper hand when you’re in there, but it’s worth the risk. Don’t eat more than one hot dog, and a small fry is enough for an army. 

Lou’s Corner Bar 

No food is offered here but they have a pool table and you can smoke inside. 

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We’re dreaming, too. 

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We’ve been prepping these past few years for our Steel City debut — it’s no secret we’ve walked our century old YMCA building, breathing its air, finding scrip scraps and posting them to the cork dream-board in the hallway. Above, two from the archives reassuring us the water is, indeed, fine. You can sign up to find out when you can book a trip, too.