September 28, 2022 - Pittsburgh City Paper

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS SERVING PITTSBURGH SINCE NOV. 6, 1991

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PGHCITYPAPER PITTSBURGHCITYPAPER

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER’S 2022

BEST Of

PittSbuRgH

READERS’ POLL

pghcitypaper.com

SEPT. 28-OCT. 5, 2022 VOLUME 31 + ISSUE 39 Editor-In-Chief LISA CUNNINGHAM Director of Advertising RACHEL WINNER Director of Operations KEVIN SHEPHERD News Editor JAMIE WIGGAN A&E Editor AMANDA WALTZ News Reporter JORDANA ROSENFELD Art Director LUCY CHEN Photographer/Videographer JARED WICKERHAM Graphic Designer JEFF SCHRECKENGOST Digital Editorial Coordinator HANNAH KINNEY-KOBRE Senior Account Executive OWEN GABBEY Sales Representative MARIA STILLITANO Marketing & Events Coordinator HANNAH MORAN-FUNWELA Digital Sales Coordinator EMILY RADAMIS Circulation Manager JEFF ENGBARTH Featured Contributors REGE BEHE, NATALIE BENCIVENGA, MIKE CANTON, LYNN CULLEN, TERENEH IDIA, JORDAN SNOWDEN Interns ALICE CROW, MATTHEW MONROY Photo Intern PATRICK CAVANAGH National Advertising Representative VMG ADVERTISING 1.888.278.9866 OR 1.212.475.2529 Publisher EAGLE MEDIA CORP.

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COVER DESIGN: LUCY CHEN

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Getting spotted on the street by this year’s Best Lifestyle Influencer has become a badge of honor in the Steel City. With an Instagram feed documenting the region’s most interesting people and streetwear, he’s helping prove the city deserves its little spot in the galaxy. And that’s just one of the hundreds of out-of-this-world Best of Pittsburgh winners in this year’s poll, which highlights your favorite people, places, restaurants, bars, shops, and more.

From the hundreds of thousands of nominees you initially submitted to the winners in this issue, everyone in this year’s space-themed Best of Pittsburgh was decided by you. It’s the one issue a year we give all control over to our readers, and our staff is always just as excited as you are to see who ends up on top.

Sure, there are also lots of repeats. Pittsburghers know what they like. (Seriously, is anyone ever going to beat photographer Dave DiCello?) But within this issue, you’ll also discover plenty more folks who help make Pittsburgh a little less dreary. Inspiring businesses like this year’s winner for Best Nonprofit, which works to feed people in need. The winner for Best Yoga Studio, who is making the industry more inclusive to all body types. The Best Black-owned Salon, whose owner helps build her clients’ confidence. And don’t worry — we’ve included silly categories to keep you entertained, too. Like the Best Person to Represent Pittsburgh to Aliens. (OK, confession: We don’t always agree with the winners, but this guy? He’s one of our all-time favorites, too.)

BY LISA CUNNINGHAM LCUNNING@PGHCITYPAPER.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Culture and Nightlife >>>> >>>>> > 06 Food and Drink >>>>> >>>> > >> >>> > 18 Goods and Services >>>>> >>>>>> > 30 People and Places >>>> >>>>>> >>> > 38

A FULL NIGHT OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!

THURSDAY 9.

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JIM DONOVAN AND THE SUN KING WARRIORS SIERRA SELLERS DANCE PARTY WITH DJ SELECTA

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For more information and tickets: pghcitypaper.com VIP S Admission: OLD OUT $50 • General Admission: $30 (Open bar for first hour & early access)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS! •

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BACARDI TOTAL PEACE & WELLNESS NIUM INC ORGANIC REMEDIES EASY STREET PROMOTIONS AUDACY COMMONWEALTH PRESS YA JAGGOFF PITTSBURGH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY BROADCASTING SHENDEROVICH, SHENDEROVICH & FISHMAN, P.C. MCKEES ROCKS CDC CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER MOONSHOT MUSEUM

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BAG POLICY: To reduce staff contact with guest belongings, Roxian Theatre has implemented the following bag policy: Any clear bag, or a bag 6.5x4.5 or smaller is allowed.

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BEHIND THE SCENES

What went into this year’s Best of Pittsburgh issue

Here are the facts: From the nominees in the first round to the top 10 finalists in the voting round to the top three winners you’ll find in this issue, everyone in this year’s Best of Pittsburgh was decided

by Pittsburgh City Paper readers.

What sets City Paper’s poll apart from others? Besides the obnoxiously large number of categories (yeah, we know — we keep trying to edit them down, but every year, we hear from readers who tell us we’ve missed some important ones), the Best of Pittsburgh is 100% determined by reader input. We use SecondStreet, an online voting platform, which automatically tabulates the results.

No, City Paper staff members aren’t allowed to vote. And no, despite rumors which have existed since the poll first launched 30 years ago, no one can win a category by buying an ad. (But yes, winners are notified before this issue hits the stands and our sales team does sell them ads, which help support our local journalism throughout the rest of the year.)

What we do, though, is factcheck your noms. And we don’t just check them for spelling errors or to make sure you actually nominated Pittsburgh folks. We spend months checking each entry and eliminate any nomination we find to have posted anything racist,

sexist, homophobic, Islamaphobic, transphobic, or harmful to others.

We also listen to your feedback and adjust the categories before the poll starts every year based on your recommendations. Did we miss a category you’d like to see next year? Spot one you’d rather we delete? Reach out and let us know.

This is your poll, after all, and we aim to have each year’s poll better than the last.

Why the space theme? Well, besides making this issue look cool as hell, there are spacethemed events happening all over the city this year. For one, Pittsburgh is home to the Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park and a planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center, where yinzers can dream of life in another galaxy. The Science Center also just launched a new exhibit, Sun, Earth Universe, focusing on the solar system, the universe, and “the big questions NASA is trying to answer about each.” In November, the Center will also debut its Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit, which explores the possibilities of traveling to and living on the Red Planet. But mostly, we were inspired by the Moonshot Museum, Pennsylvania’s first-ever space museum, opening soon in the North Side. We can’t wait to see if it ends up on next year’s winners’ list.

Now onto the winners!

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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CULTURE NIGHTLIFE BEST Of PittSbuRgH

AND

P I T T S B U R G H C I T Y PA P E R ’ S R E A D E R S ’ P O L L

fEaturiNg

Best Bartender Best Event Planner Best Comedy Troupe Best Electronic Group

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Best of CultuRe & niGhTliFe

JOEMYGOSH & JAXA FROOT BEST COMEDY TROUPE

BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

J

OEMYGOSH of the sketch comedy duo JoeMyGosh and Jaxa Froot says they will perform anywhere that has them. That extends outside of Pittsburgh, where they have done shows in Boston and San Francisco, and in Columbus, Ohio.

The pair say that since they started doing sketch comedy three years ago, they’ve performed in clubs, bars and restaurants, theaters, and other venues, as well as doing private gigs.

Many past shows have taken place at Blue Moon, a popular LGBTQ bar in Lawrenceville. youtube.com/c/JoeJaxa

Their combination of raucous humor and drag has earned the best friends the title of Best Comedy Troupe in this year’s Best of Pittsburgh readers’ poll.

“The biggest thing for us is to just make people laugh,” JoeMyGosh tells Pittsburgh City Paper in a phone interview. “And honestly, it’s such an honor for us to be nominated at all.

And then for us to have won is just really, really cool because being able to make Pittsburgh laugh has been like our goal the entire time that we started doing sketch comedy, and to

be here in this moment, it just feels like very surreal and very, like, honoring, you know?”

The win caps a journey that started in West Virginia when the two met in high school and began performing theater together. They relocated to Pittsburgh, where they continued to perform. “[JoeMyGosh] had been doing drag for a couple years, I think, at that point,” says Jaxa Froot, “and they needed help with one of their numbers. And after just performing together doing a drag event, we decided to try to get into comedy and start writing stuff together.”

They perform as different characters, including playing the directors of a Pokémon cruise line, sex phone line operators, and more. Many sketches were filmed and can be found on their YouTube channel.

They have another Pittsburgh show in December at Mr. Smalls Theatre, where they will join Steel Kitty Productions for a “femmes and thems” show featuring lesbian, femme, and nonbinary performers.

In terms of their style, JoeMyGosh puts it simply, saying, “I think people can expect a really stupid time.” •

PHOTO: RAYNI SHIRING

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BEST OF CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE

BEST AMERICANA ARTIST/GROUP

JIM DONOVAN AND THE SUN KING WARRIORS sunkingwarriors.com

2nd: Buffalo Rose 3rd: The Shiners

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST BAR (DOWNTOWN & STRIP DISTRICT)

COOP DE VILLE

2305 Smallman St., Strip District. coopdevillepgh.com

2nd: Con Alma Downtown 3rd: The Warren Bar & Burrow BEST BAR (EAST)

KELLY’S BAR & LOUNGE

6012 Penn Ave., East Liberty. kellysbarlounge.com

2nd: Spirit 3rd: Thunderbird Café & Music Hall BEST BAR (NORTH)

JERGEL’S RHYTHM GRILLE 285 Northgate Drive, Warrendale. jergels.com

2nd: Federal Galley 3rd: Max’s Allegheny Tavern BEST BAR (SOUTH)

MINDFUL BREWING COMPANY 3759 Library Road, South Hills. mindfulbrewing.com

2nd: Rugger’s Pub 3rd: Jack’s Bar

BEST BAR (WEST)

RILEY’S POUR HOUSE

215 E. Main St., Carnegie. rileyspourhouse.com

2nd: The Parkway Theater & Film Lounge 3rd: Rockefeller’s Grille BEST BAR TO DAY DRINK

SOUTHERN TIER BREWERY PITTSBURGH 316 N. Shore Drive, North Side. stbcbeer.com

2nd: Trace Brewing 3rd: Coop De Ville

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CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

LARA BORASSO

AT RUGGER’S PUB

BEST BARTENDER

BY JORDANA ROSENFELD // JORDANA@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

L

ARA BORASSO DOESN’T HAVE a signature cocktail; she’s not that kind of bartender.

“I’m a volume girl,” she tells Pittsburgh City Paper on a recent Saturday night at Rugger’s Pub, the South Side dive where she’s tended bar for the last nine years and managed for the last six. “I’d rather spend five minutes making 20 things than five minutes making one thing.”

40 S. 22nd St., South Side. ruggerspub.com

Rugger’s is the official home of Forge, Pittsburgh’s rugby club, but Borasso isn’t a player. She likes it at Rugger’s, she says, because everyone is chill. Despite the bar’s focus on rugby, Borasso says not

all of Rugger’s patrons are athletes, and everyone is welcome.

Borasso has been a bartender for 15 years and also won Best Bartender in 2019. She got into bartending after realizing it was easier and more lucrative than the barista job she had been working.

She works quickly and efficiently, rarely having to ask customers to repeat their orders or remind her what they’re drinking when it’s time for a refill.

Fingers flying through Rugger’s aging point-of-sale system, Borasso says she likes to challenge herself to brain games while she works, like trying to match patrons to their open bar tab without asking their name.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Borasso

says her style behind the bar has been shaped by the Steel City. She rinses off the top of every can of beer before opening it all the way and handing it to a customer.

This is muscle memory, she says, from when she tended bar at a place that stored their beverages in a musty Pittsburgh basement.

She’ll probably take that habit with her to Key West, Florida, where she and her fiance plan to move at the end of the year. Both visual artists, they hope to find a more robust fine art market down south.

It’s certain that customers of Rugger’s, where Borasso turned bartending into a fine art, will miss her when she heads for sunnier climates. •

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BEST OF CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE, CONTINUED FROM PG. 8

Thank you for voting Steel Mill Rising : Highway Traveler 1st place for Best Local Album of the Year!

BEST BAR TO DRINK ALONE

BEST CHARITY FUNDRAISER

JACK’S BAR

MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATION 6.6K

1117 E. Carson St., South Side. instagram.com/jacksbarpgh

mariolemieux.org

2nd: Gooski’s 3rd: Blue Moon

BEST BAR TO PREGAME

SOUTHERN TIER BREWERY PITTSBURGH 316 N. Shore Drive, North Side. stbcbeer.com

LYNNCULLENLIVE every Monday thru Thursday at 10 a.m. at pghcitypaper.com

JCC is #1

HAPPY. HEALTHY. WHOLE. It’s all here

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2nd: Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar 3rd: Tequila Cowboy BEST BARTENDER

LARA BORASSO at Rugger’s Pub

BEST CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA pittsburghsymphony.org

40 S. 22nd St., South Side. ruggerspub.com

2nd: Chris Miller at Hidden Harbor 3rd: Derek Blankenship at The Smiling Moose

BEST BLUES ARTIST/GROUP

BILLY PRICE billyprice.com

2nd: The Fabulous Booze Brothers 3rd: Miss Freddye

The Grammy Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2021, has come out on top in this brand new category.

Whether you’re a fan of classics from the likes of Strauss and Mozart, concerts pairing live scores over screenings of movies like Star Wars, or the PNC Pops, featuring upbeat productions like The Doo Wop Project, the PSO has something for everyone as it attracts new and younger audiences.

2nd: River City Brass Band 3rd: Cello Fury

BEST BOUNCER

LAMONT MOORER at Mr. Smalls Theatre and Gooskis

BEST CLUB

SPIRIT

242 51st St., Lawrenceville. spiritpgh.com

2nd: Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive 3rd: Tequila Cowboy

instagram.com/batmetal

membership@jccpgh.org 412-697-3522

2nd: Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wags, Whiskers & Wings End of Summer Pawty 3rd: Women Who Rock

2nd: Big Pete at Smiling Moose 3rd: Thomas Ross at P-Town Bar

BEST CLUB DJ

SELECTA

instagram.com/selecta720

2nd: DJ Solo Dolo 3rd: T.J. Harris

BEST CAMP FOR KIDS

ZOO CAMP AT PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM

BEST COMEDIAN

JIM KRENN

7370 Baker St., Highland Park. pittsburghzoo.org

2nd: Girls Rock! Pittsburgh 3rd: Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

jimkrenn.com

2nd: Bill Crawford 3rd: Chrissy Costa BEST COMEDY TROUPE

ROB ROGERS

JOEMYGOSH AND JAXA FROOT

2nd: Marcel Walker 3rd: Randy Bish

2nd: Knights of the Arcade 3rd: Nebby Neighbors

BEST CARTOONIST robrogers.com

youtube.com/c/JoeJaxa

CONTINUES ON PG. 12

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING

FIRST PLACE AGAIN! 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017

BLENDING GOODNESS TO FUEL YOUR GREATNESS

11199 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090

www.smoothieking.com PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BEST COUNTRY ARTIST/GROUP

CHRISTIAN BECK

facebook.com/ChristianBeckBand

2nd: Buckwild 3rd: Justin Fabus

BEST COVER ARTIST/GROUP

DANCING QUEEN

facebook.com/DancingQueenBand

2nd: Totally 80s 3rd: Gary Prisby

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST DANCE COMPANY

PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE pbt.org

2nd: Attack Theatre 3rd: Point Park University Conservatory Dance Company BEST DANCE STUDIO

STUDIO G DANCE CENTER 995 Greensburg Pike, Forest Hills and 1454 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles. studiogdancecenter.com

2nd: Bell School of Irish Dance 3rd: Abby Lee Dance Company

BEST ELECTRONIC ARTIST/GROUP

VENUS IN FURS venusinfursrocks.com

2nd: The Gay She’s 3rd: Ky Vöss BEST EVENT PLANNER

MONTIA ROBINSON of M. Robinson Group mrobinsongroup.com

2nd: Shayla Hawkins 3rd: Lito Corpuz

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PHOTO: RAYNI SHIRING

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

MONTIA ROBINSON

OF M. ROBINSON GROUP

BEST EVENT PLANNER

BY MATTHEW MONROY // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

M

O NTIA RO BI NS O N kn ows event planning is all about the details. Whether it be festoons, balloons, lighting, or getting just the right shade of table linens, she tries to perfectly capture her clients’ visions for their events.

Voted this year’s Best Event Planner, Robinson, owner of M. Robinson Group, organizes events that range from corporate parties to baby showers.

“I am obsessed with that first look,” Robinson says. “I like to know that I am in some way helping by taking those details off their hands.”

When meeting with a client, Robinson asks them creative questions: “What song best describes this theme?” Or “what movie do you want the event to

feel like?” Along with her team of planners, Robinson then builds an event plan with details like a budget and vendor list. When it’s time for the actual event, Robinson makes sure everything runs smoothly.

“We really want to be immersed in the vision of what that person wants to see when they walk in the room,” Robinson says.

Robinson has worked in the planning business for over 10 years and has been around events even longer. As a child, she would accompany her mother, who was an artist, to festivals around Pittsburgh.

“This is not just a wake up and start putting ribbon on,” says Robinson. “My whole life has been immersed in the art and culture of event planning.”

Robinson says she also shares her skills with the community. Her company works with several programs, including Bedford Connect and Allegheny Dwellings, to teach residents in marginalized communities how to organize events. She also makes an effort to work with nonprofit groups such as When She Thrives, which holds an event focused on empowering local female writers. mrobinsongroup.com

Moving forward, Robinson hopes to grow her business to encompass larger events while continuing to make her clients’ lives easier.

“Life is hard,” she says. “Partying shouldn’t be.” •

BEST FILMMAKER

BEST LITERARY EVENT

CHRIS PREKSTA

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

chrispreksta.com

2nd: Alistair McQueen 3rd: Max Cianci

carnegielibrary.org/battleofthebooks

BEST GALLERY FOR LOCAL ARTISTS

REDFISHBOWL

4327 Butler St., Lawrenceville. redfishbowl.com

2nd: Abolition Is Everything at White Whale Bookstore 3rd: Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures’ Ten Evenings Series

2nd: Baron Batch Art Gallery 3rd: BOOM Concepts

BEST HAUNTED ATTRACTION

HUNDRED ACRES MANOR 1 Hundred Acres Drive, Bethel Park. hundredacresmanor.com

2nd: The Scarehouse 3rd: Kennywood Phantom Fall Festival BEST INDEPENDENT MOVIE THEATER

ROW HOUSE CINEMA 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. rowhousecinema.com

2nd: Manor Theatre 3rd: Dependable Drive In Theater BEST LOCAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

HIGHWAY TRAVELER

by Steel Mill Rising facebook.com/SteelMillRising

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST JAZZ ARTIST/GROUP

PHAT MAN DEE phatmandeemusic.com

2nd: Big Blitz 3rd: Kenny Blake

BEST LEGACY ARTIST/GROUP

Steel Mill Rising is the ultimate nofrills Pittsburgh bar band. With a little country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, the band’s April 2021 release, Highway Traveler, features 10 songs that would fit in on any local jukebox. Sing along to the title track as you’re swiggin’ down an Iron City.

2nd: No Gloryholes in Heaven by God Hates Unicorns 3rd: Smile, You’re Alive! by Benji.

THE CLARKS

BEST METAL ARTIST/GROUP

2nd: Anti-Flag 3rd: Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers

facebook.com/ladybeastofficial

clarksonline.com

BEST LGBTQ BAR

5801 VIDEO LOUNGE & CAFÉ 2nd: Blue Moon 3rd: P Town Bar

LADY BEAST 2nd: Greywalker 3rd: Windchimes

BEST MUSIC FEST

5801 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 5801pgh.com

Thanks Readers for Voting WYEP the Best Radio Station in Pittsburgh

listen now at wyep.org

MILLVALE MUSIC FEST millvalemusic.org

2nd: Deutschtown Music Festival 3rd: Three Rivers Arts Festival

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BEST OF CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE, CONTINUED FROM PG. 13

BEST MUSIC VENUE (CITY)

STAGE AE

BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY

2nd: Thunderbird Café & Music Hall 3rd: Spirit

4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com

400 N. Shore Drive, North Side. stageae.com

BEST MUSIC VENUE (SUBURBS)

MR. SMALLS THEATRE 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. mrsmalls.com

2nd: Roxian Theatre 3rd: Jergel’s Rhythm Grille

KENNYWOOD 2nd: Arsenal Bowl 3rd: DiAnoia’s Eatery

BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE YOUR DIVORCE

LUMBERJAXES AXE THROWING

Multiple locations. lumberjaxes.com

2nd: Club Erotica 3rd: Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive

BEST PLACE TO DANCE

BELVEDERE’S ULTRA-DIVE CP PHOTO: LUCY CHEN

BEST NEW BAR

CON ALMA DOWNTOWN

4016 Butler St., Lawrenceville. belvederesultradive.com

2nd: Tequila Cowboy 3rd: Spirit

613 Penn Ave., Downtown. conalmapgh.com/downtown

2nd: The Getaway Bar & Grill 3rd: Ceasars Ale House and Eatery BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (CREATIVE)

DAVE DICELLO davedicello.com

2nd: Dustin McGrew 3rd: JP Diroll BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (WEDDING)

RACHEL ROWLAND rachelrowland.com

2nd: Wild Native 3rd: Taylor Ollason Photography BEST PICK-UP BAR

BELVEDERE’S ULTRA-DIVE 4016 Butler St., Lawrenceville. belvederesultradive.com

2nd: Spirit 3rd: Blue Moon

BEST PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT

PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 1 Schenley Park, Oakland. phipps.conservatory.org

2nd: Pusadee’s Garden 3rd: Coop De Ville

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CP PHOTO: PAM SMITH

BEST PLACE TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

KENNYWOOD

4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com

2nd: Carnegie Science Center 3rd: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium BEST PLACE TO KARAOKE

BOB’S GARAGE

1372 Freeport Road, Blawnox. instagram.com/pghbobsgarage

2nd: COBRA 3rd: Jekyll and Hyde

BEST PLACE TO SEE A LOCAL BAND

MR. SMALLS THEATRE 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. mrsmalls.com

2nd: Jergel’s Rhythm Grille 3rd: Thunderbird Café & Music Hall

BEST PLACE TO TAKE ALIEN VISITORS

MOUNT WASHINGTON OVERLOOK

visitpittsburgh.com/neighborhoods/mt-washington

2nd: Randyland 3rd: South Side on a Friday night BEST POET

RACHEL ANN BOVIER

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

facebook.com/Rachel.Ann.Bovier

BEST RAP/HIP-HOP ARTIST/GROUP

2nd: Joe Szalinski 3rd: vanessa german

BENJI.

facebook.com/AvatarBenji

2nd: Miss Money 3rd: Tjuan Benafactor

BEST POP ARTIST/GROUP

MEETING OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE

BEST ROCK ARTIST/GROUP

2nd: Katie Simone 3rd: Donora

clarksonline.com

meetingofimportantpeople.com

THE CLARKS

BEST PUNK ARTIST/GROUP

FUCK YEAH, DINOSAURS! dinopunks.com

2nd: Bastard Bearded Irishmen 3rd: The Cheats

Thank You

FOR VOTING US

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT & BEST FOOD TRUCK!

2nd: Weird Paul Rock Band 3rd: Byron Nash BEST SPORTS ANNOUNCER

MIKE LANGE

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Lange

660 WASHINGTON RD. MT. LEBANON www.totopomex.com

2nd: Bob Pompeani and Andrew Fillipponi 3rd: Bill Hilgrove BEST SPORTS BAR

PRIMANTI’S

Multiple locations. primantibros.com

2nd: Bigham Tavern 3rd: Rugger’s Pub

BEST STREET ARTIST BEST R&B ARTIST/GROUP

BARON BATCH

billhenryband.com

2nd: Mook 3rd: Jeremy Raymer

THE BILL HENRY BAND 2nd: The Commonheart 3rd: Sierra Sellers BEST RADIO DJ

BEST STREET FESTIVAL

KELLY 100.7 STAR FM facebook.com/kelonair

2nd: Mikey & Big Bob 3rd: Randy Baumann BEST RADIO STATION

91.3 FM WYEP wyep.org

2nd: 102.5 WDVE 3rd: 96.1 KISS FM

baronbatch.com

THREE RIVERS ARTS FESTIVAL traf.trustarts.org

2nd: Picklesburgh 3rd: Little Italy Days BEST STRIP CLUB

CHEERLEADERS

3100 Liberty Ave., Strip District. cheerleaderspittsburgh.com

2nd: True Diamonds 3rd: Real Luck Café CONTINUES ON PG. 16

Thank you for voting us

BEST PODCAST PITTSBURGH!

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BEST THEATER COMPANY

PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER ppt.org

2nd: City Theatre Company 3rd: Stage 62 BEST THEATER PRODUCTION

PITTSBURGH CLO’S THE WIZARD OF OZ at Heinz Field pittsburghclo.org

2nd: The Nutcracker by Carnegie Performing Arts Center 3rd: City Theatre’s An Untitled New Play

by Justin Timberlake BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

5801 VIDEO LOUNGE AND CAFÉ

5801 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 5801pgh.com

2nd: Bigham Tavern 3rd: Radical Trivia at Trace Brewing

BEST UNSIGNED MUSIC ARTIST

WEIRD PAUL weirdpaul.com

2nd: Matthew Kamenicky 3rd: Letizia Collini BEST VISUAL ARTIST

BOB FREYER bfreyerart.com

2nd: Baron Batch 3rd: James Wodarek BEST WORLD OR INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ARTIST/GROUP

THE TAMBURITZANS thetamburitzans.org

2nd: Ishtar 3rd: Gavas Beat

BEST WRESTLER OR WRESTLING TAG TEAM

KURT ANGLE kurtanglebrand.com

2nd: Lee Moriarty 3rd: Ziggy Haim BEST WRITER

DAMON YOUNG damonjyoung.com

2nd: Sean Collier 3rd: Tony Norman

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CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

VENUS IN FURS

MIchael T. Nolan of Venus in Furs

BEST ELECTRONIC ARTIST/GROUP

BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

W

HEN ASKED WHAT MAKES Venus in Furs stand out from other electronic groups in Pittsburgh, the duo’s founder and frontman Michael T. Nolan answers humbly: “Nothing. We are all great and work hard.”

However, there must be something that makes the rock-infused band distinctive because readers choose Venus in Furs as 2022’s Best Electronic Artist/ Group.

“It was quite a bit of a surprise,” says Nolan. “I’m glad someone is listening.”

During the early 1990s, while Nolan was still in college, he and his friend Michael Routh thought it would be a good idea to try their hand at electronic music. So, Nolan bought a drum machine, sampler, and a Casio CZ101 keyboard, and

Venus in Furs was born. Once the duo started booking gigs, John Routh, Michael Routh’s brother, took over for live shows.

Nolan describes Venus in Furs’ sound as “dance music with guitars” and points to the group’s top Spotify track — their namesake “Venus in Furs” — to get a feel for their dark, glitchy energy. But it may be better to catch a Venus in Furs’ live show.

According to the duo, their unique performances are a “next-level experience when the lights go up and the dancing girls go-go on.” venusinfursrocks.com

Yes, you read that correctly. Venus in Furs hires dancers, often scantily clad in leather and lace, to take their live sets to the next level. An example of this can be

seen in the music video for the group’s cover of “Relax,” the original controversial hit by Liverpool legends Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Their version highlights vocals from Alicia Lynn and powerful guitar solos from featured player Jason Sichi, as well as the work of Suz Pisano, one of this year’s top three winners in the Best Fashion Designer category, who zhuzhed up the go-go dancers in an exciting nod to prominent disco fashion designer Roy Halston.

But Nolan recommends Pittsburghers take in everything the Steel City’s electronic music scene has to offer.

“There is quite a lot of great local music out there,” he says. “People are creating all around you. Don’t be afraid to listen to it.” •

Order Online & Curbside Delivery

RELIEF FOR YINZ! Voted 1 Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary #

Dispensary Locations including McKnight Road & Bethel Park PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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FOOD DRINK BEST Of PittSbuRgH

AND

P I T T S B U R G H C I T Y PA P E R ’ S R E A D E R S ’ P O L L

fEaturiNg Best African Food Best Bar Snacks

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Best Cocktail List Best Bubble Tea

BEST Of fOoD & dRiNk

KILIMANJARO FLAVOUR BEST AFRICAN FOOD

BY MATT PETRAS // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

A

S A LITTLE GIRL growing up in Tanzania, Africa, Grace Mbowe would cook for imaginary diners. As she got older, she started to cook professionally as a means to support her family while doing what she loves. After moving to America, she stayed on the same path.

“Cooking is my passion,” Mbowe says.

In 2019, Mbowe started Kilimanjaro Flavour, a beloved and successful food truck that sells East African food throughout Pittsburgh.

The blue-and green-truck, adorned with pictures of animals like lions and giraffes, has visited Bellevue, Downtown, Ross Township, and many more local neighborhoods. A message pasted around the truck says, “If You Can’t Make It To Kilimanjaro, Climb It Here!” facebook.com/Kilimango.kitchen

Food sold in the truck includes entrees such as Wakanda Braised Beef, Coconut Shrimp, and Chicken on a Stick, as well as desserts like Sweet Plantains and Coconut Puf Pufs. In order to successfully sell authentic African food, Mbowe says she had to acclimate to American tastes, such

as a penchant for condiments that didn’t exist back home. One solution she found was embracing coconut flavoring.

“As I grew up with my grandparents, we had a coconut plantation in our house,” she says. “Surrounding the homes, there were a lot of coconuts, and my grandmother used to cook everything using coconuts, even if it’s a chicken stew, beef stew.”

Running the truck proves to be difficult work. It’s not uncommon for Mbowe to wake up at 4 a.m., and she often works alone.

“This is something that I love. I pray so that I won’t give up and keep on going because I’ve already given people something good,” Mbowe says.

“If I quit, I will be disappointing so many people who have been behind my business.”

Mbowe prides herself on running a successful business that provides a unique style of food.

“People have been honest and they appreciate the work that I put into this type of work,” Mbowe says, adding, “I’m so proud of coming up with the creativity of twisting our actual food back home and making sure everyone here enjoys.” •

CP PHOTOS: PAT CAVANAGH

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BEST OF FOOD & DRINK

BEST AFRICAN FOOD

KILIMANJARO FLAVOUR facebook.com/Kilimanjo.kitchen

2nd: Tana Ethiopian Cuisine 3rd: African Eats Cuisine

BEST ALCOHOL-FREE SPIRITS

SHORTY’S PINS X PINTS 353 N. Shore Drive, North Side. shortysx.com

2nd: Hidden Harbor 3rd: Grand Concourse

BEST ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT

BAE BAE’S KITCHEN 951 Liberty Ave., Downtown. baebaes.kitchen

2nd: JJ Poke Bowl & Taiwanese Bubble Tea 3rd: The Slippery Mermaid

BEST BAKERY

OAKMONT BAKERY

1 Sweet St., Oakmont. oakmontbakery.com

2nd: La Gourmandine 3rd: Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery BEST BAR SNACKS

FAT HEAD’S SALOON

1805 E. Carson St., South Side. fatheads.com

2nd: Dive Bar and Grille 3rd: Bigham Tavern BEST BBQ

WALTER’S BBQ SOUTHERN KITCHEN

4501 Butler St., Lawrenceville. walterspgh.com

2nd: Showcase Barbeque 3rd: Off the Rails Barbeque and Drafthouse BEST BREAD

MANCINI’S BAKERY

1717 Penn Ave., Strip District and 601 Woodward Ave., McKees Rocks. mancinisbakery.com

2nd: BreadWorks Bakery 3rd: Oakmont Bakery BEST BREWERY

GRIST HOUSE CRAFT BREWERY

10 Sherman St., Millvale. gristhouse.com

2nd: Voodoo Brewing Co. 3rd: Hitchhiker Brewing Co.

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BEST Of PittSbuRgH

FAT HEAD’S SALOON

CP PHOTO: PAT CAVANAGH

BEST BAR SNACKS

BY MATT PETRAS // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

K

ELSEY BENIGNI, bar manager at Fat Head’s Saloon, has a lot of fun at her workplace.

“When I’m not working, I love to hang out here, or my friends like to come and hang out and get nachos or something while I’m working,” Benigni says. “It’s fun.

Food and drink is just a fun way to socialize, I think.”

While many know Fat Head’s Saloon for its large sandwiches and brewed beers, folks also love its bar snacks such as its wings, nachos, and flatbreads.

Fat Head’s Saloon, located in the South Side, has been around since 1992. In addition to wings, which can be ordered house-smoked or fried with sauces like smoky BBQ, garlic parm, and “Black and Yellow,” the bar has an extensive

“Munchies’’ menu category. Options include a giant pretzel, Buffalo cauliflower, fish and chips, chicken tenders, the “Frickles” fried pickles, flatbreads in chicken Choke Dip and Buffalo Chicken varieties, pierogis prepared either sautéed or deep-fried, the spicy “Arrogant Onion Rings,” and more.

1805 E. Carson St., South Side. fatheads.com

While the sandwiches and “headwiches” remain incredibly popular, according to Benigni, many customers start the night out with some munchies.

“A lot of times, our guests will come to the bar, grab a drink, and start with wings or munchies before diving into the rest of the menu,” she says.

Benigni became the bar manager last summer after rising through the ranks over seven years. In that time, she’s gotten to know repeat customers.

“We have a lot of regular customers that like to come in, so it’s always fun to see them coming in and having an opportunity to enjoy themselves and hang out with their friends and get something good to eat, too,” Benigni says.

She loves the munchies herself and has a top choice.

“My favorite would probably be the three cheese corn dip,” Benigni says.

“It’s just really good. It’s a great one for if you’re just hanging out and having a couple drinks and you don’t want a whole sandwich or anything, but you just want something to munch on.” •

BEST BRUNCH

BEST COCKTAIL LIST

Multiple locations. pamelasdiner.com

930 Penn Ave., Strip District. bridgesandbourbonpgh.com

PAMELA’S DINER

BRIDGES & BOURBON

2nd: Grand Concourse 3rd: Square Cafe

BEST BUBBLE TEA

JJ POKE BOWL & TAIWANESE BUBBLE TEA 110 Atwood St., Oakland. jjpoke.com

2nd: Fuku Tea 3rd: Banh Mi & Ti

2nd: Hidden Harbor 3rd: Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery

BEST COFFEE SHOP

BLACK FORGE COFFEE HOUSE

1206 Arlington Ave., Allentown and 701 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. blackforgecoffee.com

BEST BURGER

2nd: Carnegie Coffee Company 3rd: BeanThru

Multiple locations. burgatorybar.com

BEST CRAFT COCKTAILS

BURGATORY

WIGLE WHISKEY DISTILLERY

2nd: Tessaro’s American Bar & Hardwood Grill 3rd: Moonlit Burgers

2401 Smallman St., Strip District. wiglewhiskey.com

2nd: Bridges & Bourbon 3rd: Hidden Harbor

BEST CANDY STORE

GRANDPA JOE’S CANDY SHOP

STEAM PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

FREE AFTERSCHOOL DAY CAMPS SATURDAY CRAFTERNOONS BIRTHDAY PARTIES YOUTH MAKER NIGHT AND MORE!

Find out more: assemblepgh.org 4824 Penn Ave 412-661-6111

Multiple locations. grandpajoescandyshop.com

2nd: The Milkshake Factory 3rd: Betsy Ann Chocolates

Building confidence through making

BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT

KAYA

2000 Smallman St., Strip District. kaya.menu

2nd: 2 Sisters 2 Sons 3rd: Leon’s Caribbean Food BEST CATERER

PASTA TOO

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST CSA

5260 Library Road, Bethel Park. pastatoorestaurant.com

2nd: The Cooked Goose Catering Company 3rd: DiAnoia’s Eatery

412 FOOD RESCUE 412foodrescue.org

2nd: Who Cooks For You Farm 3rd: Harvie

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BEST CHEF

DAVE ANOIA at DiAnoia’s Eatery 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com

BEST DELI

PENNSYLVANIA MACARONI CO.

2nd: Matt Christie at Streets on Carson 3rd: Bill Fuller at Big Burrito BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

SESAME INN

Multiple locations. sesameinn.com

2nd: Chengdu Gourmet 3rd: Everyday Noodles

2010 Penn Ave., Strip District. pennmac.com

2nd: Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar 3rd: Labriola’s Italian Market BEST DESSERT MENU

OAKMONT BAKERY

1 Sweet St., Oakmont. oakmontbakery.com

2nd: Page’s 3rd: The Butterwood Bake Consortium CONTINUES ON PG. 22

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BEST OF FOOD & DRINK, CONTINUED FROM PG. 21

BEST DINER

PAMELA’S DINER

BEST DONUTS

Multiple locations. pamelasdiner.com

2nd: Ritter’s Diner 3rd: Kelly O’s Diner

1 Sweet St., Oakmont. oakmontbakery.com

2nd: Duck Donuts 3rd: Valkyrie Doughnuts

BEST DISTILLERY

WIGLE WHISKEY DISTILLERY

2401 Smallman St., Strip District. wiglewhiskey.com

2nd: Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery 3rd: McLaughlin Distillery

OAKMONT BAKERY BEST FOOD TRUCK

facebook.com/totopoonwheels

2nd: HibachiLou412 3rd: Blue Sparrow

BEST FRIED CHICKEN 2305 Smallman St., Strip District. coopdevillepgh.com

2nd: Bird On The Run 3rd: CHiKN

GRIST HOUSE CRAFT BREWERY

10 Sherman St., Millvale. gristhouse.com

From hops to sours, it’s clear why this Millvale brewery with a huge variety of beers on tap is a repeat winner of Best Brewery. It also has become a popular spot for dog owners and large groups alike thanks to its generous outdoor seating. Grab a brew, and a bite from a visiting food truck, and hang outside at one of the picnic tables.

2nd: Double Wide Grill 3rd: Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh

MIKE & TONY’S GYROS

TOTOPO FOOD TRUCK

COOP DE VILLE BEST DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

BEST GREEK RESTAURANT

BEST FRIES

POTATO PATCH

4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com

2nd: Primanti Bros.

3rd: Point Brugge Cafe

BEST GLUTEN-FREE MENU

CONDADO TACOS

Multiple locations. condadotacos.com

2nd: Onion Maiden 3rd: Square Cafe

Multiple locations. mikeandtonysgyros.com

2nd: Pitaland 3rd: Amel’s Restaurant

BEST HAPPY HOUR

MAD MEX

Multiple locations. madmex.com

2nd: Primanti Bros.

3rd: Mike & Tony’s Gyros BEST HOAGIE

TRIANGLE BAR & GRILL 2122 Monongahela Ave., Swissvale. trianglebarswissvale.com

2nd: Peppi’s 3rd: Uncle Sam’s Submarines BEST HOT DOG

D’S SIX PAX AND DOGZ 1118 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square. ds6pax.com

2nd: Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe 3rd: Franktuary BEST ICE CREAM

MILLIE’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM Multiple locations. millieshomemade.com

2nd: Page’s 3rd: Leona’s Ice Cream

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

TAJ MAHAL

7795 McKnight Road, North Hills. tajmahalinc.com

2nd: People’s Indian Restaurant 3rd: Udipi Cafe BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

DIANOIA’S EATERY 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com

2nd: Alla Famiglia 3rd: Pasta Too

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

NAKAMA

Multiple locations. instagram.com/nakama_pgh

2nd: Umami 3rd: Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi Bar BEST JUICE

THE PITTSBURGH JUICE COMPANY 3418 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville. pittsburghjuicecompany.com

2nd: Live Fresh Cold Pressed Juice + Smoothie Bar 3rd: East End Food Co-op

CONTINUES ON PG. 26

FIRST PLACE

WINNER BEST BED & BREAKFAST

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703 SOUTH NEGLEY AVENUE • PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15232

ThankYou Pittsburgh!

FOR VOTING EAT’N PARK ‘BEST OF PITTSBURGH’ BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT / BEST PLACE TO EAT CHEAP

22ENP5560

We’re proud to be recognized as Pittsburgh’s Best Credit Union.

Whether you’re looking to save, spend, borrow, learn, or grow financially, we’re here for you.

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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STORYTELLING IN MOTION OCT. 7-9

AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER

412-456-6666 | PBT.ORG Artists: Tommie Lin O’Hanlon and Josiah Kauffman | Photo: Duane Rieder

Paper 4.5625 x 4.8125.indd 1

9/16/2022 2:37:44 PM

Congrats to the winners!

THANK YOU PITTSBURGH FOR RECOGNIZING WE ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK! - from the Partners & Team at Shenderovich Shenderovich & Fishman

24

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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CONTINUED FROM PG. 22

BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

EAT’N PARK

Multiple locations. eatnpark.com

2nd: Mad Mex 3rd: Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe

CP PHOTO: JARED MURPHY

BEST KOREAN FOOD

BAE BAE’S KITCHEN 951 Liberty Ave., Downtown. baebaes.kitchen

2nd: Soju 3rd: Green Pepper

BEST LATIN RESTAURANT

GAUCHO PARRILLA ARGENTINA

146 Sixth St., Downtown. eatgaucho.com

2nd: Cilantro & Ajo 3rd: Mi Empanada

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

TOTOPO COCINA & CANTINA

660 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon. totopomex.com

2nd: Condado Tacos 3rd: El Campesino

BEST MIDDLE-EASTERN RESTAURANT

SALEM’S MARKET & GRILL 2923 Penn Ave., Strip District. salemsmarketgrill.com

2nd: Aladdin’s Eatery 3rd: Pitaland

BEST MILKSHAKE

THE MILKSHAKE FACTORY Multiple locations. themilkshakefactory.com

2nd: Burgatory 3rd: Page’s

BEST NEW FOOD TRUCK

TAQUERÍA EL PASTORCITO facebook.com/taqueriaelpastorcitopgh

2nd: Stuntpig 3rd: Bridge City Brinery

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CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

BRIDGES & BOURBON BEST COCKTAIL LIST

BY JAMIE WIGGAN // JAMIE@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

A

LTHOUGH a Pittsburgh native, Scott Shaffer spent his formative professional years immersed in the flavors and aromas of Chicago’s acclaimed food scene during a time when Pittsburgh had no culinary culture worth speaking of.

But he moved back in 2016 with the hope of bringing a little taste of the Windy City to the Steel City, where he saw new signs of promise.

930 Penn Ave., Strip District. bridgesandbourbonpgh.com

“I felt like [Pittsburgh] was evolving,” he says. “And there was a demand for something we’d like to do, and so you have more independent restaurateurs

and chefs and mixologists coming in and pushing to try to better the overall scale.”

Shaffer’s contribution to that emerging scene has been running the bar at Bridges & Bourbon, a Cultural District bar and eatery voted by Pittsburgh City Paper readers as the best cocktail outlet in town.

The drinks menu at Bridges & Bourbon includes an extensive and ever-rotating curation of cocktails split between new takes on old classics and in-house creations supplied by the chemically-curious bar staff. The team can help you pair any of these with the restaurant’s selective but satisfying food list.

While taste is paramount, the bar staff places equal emphasis on presentation, meaning libations are sometimes served

out of colorful bird-shaped glasses or paired with smoke-emitting tree stump props, for example.

But the impressive pyrotechnics shouldn’t scare away the uninitiated, says Schaffer, who notes the bar always stocks a sample of wines and local beers to ensure there’s something on hand for everyone. Aside from mixing the best drinks in town, bartenders at Bridges & Bourbon also work hard to help guests taste their way through the menu in accord with their distinctive palette.

“What we’re trying to do,” says Shaffer, “is give you a really nice experience with a high-quality product, but make it approachable where you feel like you want to sit here for hours.” •

BEST PLACE TO DRINK FANCY

BRIDGES & BOURBON 930 Penn Ave., Strip District. bridgesandbourbonpgh.com

2nd: Butcher and the Rye 3rd: Con Alma

Orders taken from Oct 31 – Nov. 10th, 2022!

CP PHOTO: RYAN DETO

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

MOONLIT BURGERS

2nd: Gi-Jin 3rd: Rear End Gastropub & Garage

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST PLACE TO DRINK OUTSIDE

NARCISI WINERY 4578 Gibsonia Road, Gibsonia. narcisiwinery.com

2nd: Grist House Craft Brewery 3rd: Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh

THE BEST

in Pgh!

2520 East Carson St PittsburGH, PA 15203

EAT’N PARK

PUSADEE’S GARDEN

Multiple locations. eatnpark.com

5319 Butler St., Lawrenceville. pusadeesgarden.com

2nd: Over The Bar at North Park Boathouse 3rd: Redfin Blues

2nd: Noodlehead 3rd: Big Jim’s in the Run

BEST PLACE TO EAT FANCY

PUSADEE’S GARDEN

BEST PIEROGIES

PIEROGIES PLUS

342 Island Ave., McKees Rocks. pierogiesplus.com

2nd: APTEKA 3rd: Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church BEST PIZZA

FIORI’S PIZZARIA

103 Capital Ave., Dormont and 3801 Washington Road, McMurray. fiorispizzaria.com

2nd: Mineo’s Pizza House 3rd: Iron Born Pizza

5319 Butler St., Lawrenceville. pusadeesgarden.com

2nd: Monterey Bay Fish Grotto 3rd: Grand Concourse BEST POKE BOWL

JJ POKE BOWL & TAIWANESE BUBBLE TEA 110 Atwood St., Oakland. jjpoke.com

2nd: Sushi Fuku 3rd: Kahuna

BEST PLACE TO DRINK CHEAP

BEST RESTAURANT (DOWNTOWN & STRIP DISTRICT)

2021 Penn Ave., Strip District. facebook.com/leftys.bar.14

2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com

2nd: Dee’s Cafe 3rd: William Penn Tavern

UR SUPPORT!

BEST PLACE TO EAT CHEAP

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

LEFTY’S

THANK YINZ FOR ALL YO

Thank you for voting us

1426 Potomac Ave., Dormont. moonlitburgers.com

Only in Pittsburgh would a burger joint win the title of Best New Restaurant.

But, believe us, Moonlit Burgers is worthy. The Dormont restaurant specializes in smashburgers, the trendy American fast-food sensation that involves smashing a hamburger onto a hot grill as it cooks, resulting in a thin patty with crispy edges. Pair one up with Moonlit’s smash fries.

This year be sure to order your FARM FRESH TURKEY from Pittsburgh’s BEST BUTCHER SHOP!

DIANOIA’S EATERY 2nd: Gaucho Parrilla Argentina 3rd: Salem’s Market & Grill

CONTINUES ON PG. 28

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CONTINUED FROM PG. 27

BEST RESTAURANT (EAST)

NOODLEHEAD

242 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside. noodleheadpgh.com

2nd: Tessaro’s Restaurant 3rd: Casbah

BEST RESTAURANT (NORTH)

NICKY’S THAI KITCHEN Multiple locations. nickysthaikitchen.com

2nd: Fig & Ash 3rd: Off The Hook

BEST RESTAURANT (SOUTH)

PASTA TOO

5260 Library Road, Bethel Park. pastatoorestaurant.com

2nd: Dish Osteria 3rd: Totopo Cocina & Cantina BEST RESTAURANT (WEST)

MIKE & TONY’S GYROS 5980 University Blvd., Moon. mikeandtonysgyros.com/moon

2nd: Pizzeria Davide 3rd: Central Diner & Grille

CP PHOTO: PAT CAVANAGH

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST RESTAURANT BEER LIST

INDUSTRY PUBLIC HOUSE 4305 Butler St., Lawrenceville. industrypgh.com

2nd: D’s Six Pax and Dogz 3rd: The Urban Tap

BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

LEMONT RESTAURANT 1114 Grandview Ave., Mt. Washington. lemontpittsburgh.com

2nd: Pusadee’s Garden 3rd: Monterey Bay Fish Grotto BEST ROOFTOP BAR

IL TETTO - Sienna Mercato 942 Penn Ave., Downtown. siennamercato.com

2nd: Biergarten at Hotel Monaco 3rd: Over Eden

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JJ POKE

BOWL AND TAIWANESE BUBBLE TEA

BEST BUBBLE TEA

BY LUCY CHEN // LUCYCHEN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

J

ENNY LIN has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to bubble tea. She and her husband use to run a shop featuring bubble tea, also known as boba, in Taiwan for many years before they moved to the United States.

“Late one night, I wanted to satisfy my craving for boba milk tea I grew up with in Taiwan,” Lin says. “However, what I got in hand did not satisfy me. I felt things could be done better. So, it struck me that Pittsburgh was missing great boba tea.”

She says the idea of serving bubble tea was always a part of JJ Poke Bowl and Taiwanese Bubble Tea’s menu plan, even a year before opening.

More commonly known as JJ Poke, the restaurant is a partnership between

Lin and Joe Wu and their spouses, hence the name “JJ.” They opened in Oakland in August 2019 just before the craze around boba started slowly making its way to the Steel City.

110 Atwood St. Oakland. jjpoke.com

Their tea is customizable, with multiple options from base to flavor, as well as a broad collection of toppings including egg custard. And, in a world where bubble tea prices can break your wallet, the cost of boba at JJ Poke is sure to please.

Manager Jackson Chen says that the original Taiwanese bubble tea flavor is definitely their most popular, and for good reason. It’s the original flavor that started the bubble tea craze.

“If you are someone who prefers richness and savoriness in a drink, I definitely would go with this one,” Chen says. Though if you are lactose intolerant or just need something lighter, try the JJ Honey with black tea.

If you find yourself in need of lunch or dinner, add a poke bowl (JJ Poke is also Pittsburgh City Paper’s readers’ choice for Best Poke Winner) to your order of bubble tea.

“We want to set the benchmark for what boba should be,” Chen says. “No compromises, the best tea, the best ingredients, and the best business practices to create the best cup of boba tea you have ever had, every single time you stop in.” •

BEST SEAFOOD

MONTEREY BAY FISH GROTTO

1411 Grandview Ave., Mt. Washington. montereybayfishgrotto.com

2nd: Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille 3rd: Off The Hook BEST SMOOTHIES

SMOOTHIE KING

1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville and 11199 Perry Highway, Wexford. smoothieking.com

BEST TEA SHOP

DOBRÁ TEA PITTSBURGH

1937 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. dobrateapgh.com

2nd: The Steeping Leaf 3rd: Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange BEST THAI RESTAURANT

NICKY’S THAI KITCHEN Multiple locations. nickysthaikitchen.com

2nd: Pusadee’s Garden 3rd: Noodlehead

2nd (tie): East End Food Co-op 2nd (tie): Tropical Smoothie Cafe BEST SOUL FOOD

CARMI SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT 1825 E. Carson St., South Side. carmirestaurant.com

2nd: Grandma B’s 3rd: Wings & A Prayer

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST VEGAN MENU

APTEKA

4606 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. aptekapgh.com

2nd: Onion Maiden 3rd: Aladdin’s Eatery

BEST VEGETARIAN MENU

APTEKA

4606 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. aptekapgh.com CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

2nd: Onion Maiden 3rd: Mad Mex

BEST STEAK

GAUCHO PARRILLA ARGENTINA

146 Sixth St., Downtown. eatgaucho.com

2nd: Tessaro’s American Bar and Hardwood Grill 3rd: Napa Prime Chophouse & Cigar Bar BEST SUSHI

NAKAMA

Multiple locations. instagram.com/nakama_pgh

2nd: The Slippery Mermaid Sushi Bar 3rd: Little Tokyo Restaurant

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

TRAM’S KITCHEN 4050 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. tinyurl.com/TramsKitchen

2nd: Two Sisters Vietnamese Restaurant 3rd: Banh Mi & Ti BEST WINE LIST

NARCISI WINERY

4578 Gibsonia Road, Gibsonia. narcisiwinery.com

2nd: Allegheny Wine Mixer 3rd: Mary’s Vine BEST WINGS

CONDADO TACOS

BIG SHOT BOB’S HOUSE OF WINGS

2nd: Las Palmas Tacos 3rd: täkō

2nd: Bigham Tavern 3rd: Sidelines Bar & Grill

BEST TACO

Multiple locations. condadotacos.com

Multiple locations. bigshotbobs.com

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GOODS SERVICES BEST Of PittSbuRgH

AND

P I T T S B U R G H C I T Y PA P E R ’ S R E A D E R S ’ P O L L

fEaturiNg

Best Black-Owned Salon Best Psychic/ Best Antique Shop Tarot Reader

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BEST Of GOodS & seRvicEs

ARTS & CRAFTS: BOTANICA & OCCULT SHOP BEST PSYCHIC/TAROT READER

BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

A

S FAR BACK AS she can rem-ember, Amber Epps, co-owner of the Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop in Garfield, has always had a connection to the occult.

“When I was young, I can recall s e n s i n g s p i ri ts a n d h avi n g a n extremely strong intuition, which some may refer to as psychic abilities, as well as prophetic dreams,” Epps tells Pittsburgh City Paper. She adds that her mother also saw spirits and could sense the moment a person died. “So none of this was strange to me.”

4901 Penn Ave., Garfield. artsncraftspgh.com

As Epps entered her 30s, she became more invested in “various spiritual practices, and all the things that go along with that.” That investment turned into Arts & Crafts, winner of this year’s Best Psychic/Tarot Reader.

Epps says she and her fellow co-owners, her sister Pamela Schön and best friend Elizabeth Kivowitz, opened Arts & Crafts in September 2016. Since then, the shop has offered readings, spiritual cleansings, and consultations for both individuals and private events. It also hosts events for

those interested in everything from creating an ancestral altar to spending an evening with a trance medium.

In addition to its spiritual services, the shop provides a wide range of items used in pagan and folk magic practices, including incense, tarot and oracle decks, crystals, and much more. Epps says they specialize in products for those who practice African Traditional Religions, or ATR for short. As an ATR practitioner, Epps says these kinds of resources can be difficult to find in Pittsburgh.

“We wanted to create a space that could fill that gap,” says Epps. “For all three of us, our personal practices are very important to us for many reasons.

By opening the shop, we have a space where we can fulfill our own needs but also be of service to others.”

While the shop attracts longtime practitioners, Epps feels honored that newcomers visit Arts & Crafts for advice.

“So many people come in and tell us that they love the energy in our shop and they thank us for being there,” says Epps. “That always makes us feel really good and is confirmation that all of our hard work and effort was worth it.” •

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BEST OF GOODS & SERVICES

BEST BEER DISTRIBUTOR

DUFFY’S BEER & MUCH MORE

​BEST ADULT STORE

ADULT MART

Multiple locations. adultmart.com

294 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills. duffysbeer.com

2nd: Sassy Sensations 3rd: exxxiteme

2nd: Liberty Beer 3rd: Bellevue Beer

BEST ALTERATIONS SHOP/TAILOR

ALTERATIONS EXPRESS

BEST BICYCLE REPAIR SHOP

2nd: Topaz Thimble 3rd: Old Flame Mending

5003 Penn Ave., Garfield. kraynicksbikeshop.weebly.com

KRAYNICK’S BIKE SHOP

Multiple locations. alterations-express.com

2nd: Thick Bikes 3rd: Kindred Cycles

BEST ANTIQUE SHOP

THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY HUB

BEST BICYCLE RETAIL STORE

BICYCLE HEAVEN

1404 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles. thelincolnhighwayhub.antiquetrail.com

1800 Preble Ave., North Side. bicycleheaven.org

2nd: Thick Bikes 3rd: PRO BIKE+RUN

2nd: Miller’s Crossing Fleatique

3rd: Wexford General Store Antiques

BEST BIPOC-OWNED BUSINESS

BEST ATTORNEY

SHENDEROVICH, SHENDEROVICH & FISHMAN

429 Fourth Ave., Downtown. ssf-lawfirm.com

2nd: Blaine Jones Law 3rd: Joseph Horowitz

BEST AUTOMOTIVE SHOP

WALTER’S AUTOMOTIVE

5775 Baum Blvd., Bloomfield and 5446 Penn Ave., East Liberty. tinyurl.com/WaltersAuto

2nd: McNeilly Automotive Service 3rd: Baum Boulevard Automotive

BEST BARBER SHOP

HOUSE OF HANDSOME Barbershop and Boutique 2906 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont. houseofhandsome.com

2nd: Mister Grooming & Goods 3rd: ManKind Pgh BEST BED AND BREAKFAST

THE INN ON NEGLEY

703 S. Negley Ave., Shadyside. innonnegley.com

2nd: The Inn on the Mexican War Streets 3rd: Brownsville Road House: Bed & Breakfast

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CP PHOTO: PAT CAVANAGH

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

SALON S.C.

BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

W

326 Atwood St., Oakland. tinyurl.com/LasPalmasPgh

2nd: Fudge Farm 3rd: Tal & Bert

BEST BLACK-OWNED SALON HILE OTHER BUSINESSES were closing their doors during the pandemic, Shanna Cochran, owner of this year’s Best Blackowned Salon, chose to do the opposite. As a result, her hair studio Salon S.C. debuted in December 2020, becoming a thriving, multicultural salon offering an extensive level of education and experience in a wide variety of services.

“This was a scary time to start a business,” Cochran tells Pittsburgh City Paper. But, she says, they have “grown immensely.”

“We have partnered with foster and kinship programs as a resource for families in need,” she says, “and we also expanded our reach in working with health care professionals to assist women suffering from hair loss.”

Hair loss is one of the multitudes of areas Salon S.C. specializes in, and they accept insurance for qualifying clients.

Cochran was certified as a hair loss specialist in 2021, allowing her to work with dermatologists and oncologists, and to fit clients for hair loss systems and/or units.

LAS PALMAS

BEST BLACK-OWNED BARBER SHOP

THE NATURAL CHOICE 109-111 Meyran Ave., Oakland. naturalchoicehair.com

Among the salon’s other specialties are coloring, braiding, natural hair styling, and more. Plus, the stylists at the Braddock business also provide standard services like haircuts, extensions, blowouts, and children’s hair care.

“Salon S.C. goes above and beyond to ensure our stylists are not only experts in their specialty, but we continue to invest in our learning and development in hair care,” says Cochran. “We at Salon S.C. are simply confident in what we do.”

Knowing one’s hair is in the hands of experts is comforting enough, but a step inside the salon creates even more ease. Relaxing and intimate, Cochran says Salon S.C. is sure to welcome every guest with a very friendly, calm, and laid-back atmosphere.

704 Braddock Ave., Braddock. salonsc412.com

“We would like to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all of our clients for voting,” Cochran says, “and a humble welcome aboard to the new clients willing to join us on this healthy hair journey.” •

2nd: JP’s Barbershop 3rd: Hair On Bedford Square BEST BLACK-OWNED HAIR SALON

SALON S.C.

704 Braddock Ave., Braddock. salonsc412.com

2nd: Twisted Color Lounge 3rd: Loc ‘N Loaded

BEST BODY-PIERCING SHOP

HOT ROD PIERCING CO. 95 S. 16th St., South Side. hotrodpiercingcompany.com

2nd: Pittsburgh Tattoo Company 3rd: South Side Tattoo & Body Piercing BEST BOOKSTORE

WHITE WHALE BOOKSTORE

4754 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. whitewhalebookstore.com

2nd: City of Asylum Bookstore at Alphabet City 3rd: Mystery Lovers Bookshop

BEST BUTCHER SHOP

STRIP DISTRICT MEATS 2123 Penn Ave., Strip District. stripdistrictmeats.com

BEST CREDIT UNION

CLEARVIEW FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Multiple locations. clearviewfcu.org

2nd: Tom Friday’s Market 3rd: Salem Market & Grill

2nd: PSECU 3rd: Hill District Federal CU

BEST CHILDREN’S STORE

S.W. RANDALL TOYES & GIFTES

BEST DAY SPA

ONYX + AURA

431 Beaver St., Sewickley. onyxandaura.com

630 Smithfield St., Downtown. swrandalltoys.com

2nd: Swoon Aesthetic Spa 3rd: Magnolia Studio

2nd: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop 3rd: Castle Toys and Games

BEST DRY CLEANER

RUBY’S CLEANERS

BEST CIGAR SHOP/BAR

LEAF AND BEAN

300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Mt. Lebanon. drycleanerpittsburgh.com

Multiple locations. leafandbean.com

2nd: Old Allegheny Smoke Shop 3rd: Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar

2nd: Owl Cleaners 3rd: Chuong’s Cleaners BEST E-RETAILER

ZURI BEADS

BEST CLOTHING STORE

THRIFTIQUE

zuribeads.com

2nd: Sleepy Hollow Handmade 3rd: Maude’s Paperwing Gallery

125 51st St., Lawrenceville. facebook.com/thriftiquepgh

2nd: Three Rivers Vintage 3rd: Vintage 416

BEST FARMERS MARKET VENDOR

BEST CORNER STORE

SQUIRREL HILL MARKET 2329 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. squirrelhillmarket.com

2nd: Groceria Merante 3rd: Tom Friday’s Market

FREEDOM FARMS freedomfarmspa.com

2nd: Mediterra Bakehouse 3rd: Who Cooks For You Farm BEST FITNESS CENTER

ASCEND PITTSBURGH

2141 Mary St., South Side. ascendclimbing.com

2nd: Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh 3rd: Iron City Boulders

BEST COWORKING SPACE

EMERALD CITY

213 Smithfield St., Downtown. emeraldcitypgh.com

Prioritizing Black entrepreneurship and Black professionals is the main goal of Emerald City, a coworking space in Downtown Pittsburgh launched in 2021 by Samantha Black and Khamil Bailey. The 12,000-square-foot space features gorgeous, bold architectural details, sound-resistant phone booths, and an assortment of services including curated programming and multiple memberships for those seeking an affordable spot to work without distraction.

2nd: The Maverick Pgh 3rd: Fulton Commons

BEST FLORIST

THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER FLOWERS 502 E. Ohio St., North Side. thefarmersdaughterflowers.com

2nd: Dormont Florist 3rd: Z Florist

BEST FURNITURE STORE

CONSTRUCTION JUNCTION

214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. cjreuse.org

2nd: Levin Furniture and Mattress 3rd (tie): Hot Haute Hot Inc 3rd (tie): Pittsburgh Furniture Company CONTINUES ON PG. 34

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BEST OF GOODS & SERVICES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 33

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY HUB BEST ANTIQUE SHOP

BY HANNAH KINNEY-KOBRE // HKOBRE@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

W

e’ve all had the experience of going to an antique store that feels exactly like your grandmother’s basement: stuffy, overcrowded, and requiring real fortitude to sort the gold from the garbage. Sorting through grandma’s basement may have its own appeal, but sometimes you simply don’t want to work hard, especially when participating in America’s top form of recreation: shopping.

1404 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles. thelincolnhighwayhub.antiquetrail.com

Enter The Lincoln Highway Hub, an antique mall so meticulously curated and organized that you’re able to actually appreciate the huge variety of items it has to offer. Owners Sue and Tony Bazzo have been dealing antiques for nearly 30 years in various shows and antique shops. Their son and one of the Hub’s managers, Nicholas Bazzo, tells Pittsburgh City Paper that “one day they decided they wanted to open their own local mall, and the rest is history.”

The Hub features over 125 dealers, spread out over an 18,000-square-foot space. When it comes to the kinds of things you might find, the selection is so wide-ranging as to be unpredictable.

“Whether it’s celebrity-signed memorabilia, pieces of local history, props from famous Pittsburgh films, or a band of taxidermied frogs playing instruments, we never really know just what is going to come across the counter,” Bazzo says.

If you’ve never shopped for antiques before, he has a few words of advice: “Do your research! Knowledge is often just as valuable as the items we sell, and you’ll never know what kind of treasures you will happen across just waiting to have their secrets uncovered by a discerning eye. It also gives you an appreciation of the item’s unique place in history. Also, make sure you allocate plenty of time to browse!”

On a recent trip to the store, I scored a vintage black lace top and a piece of uranium glass — a slightly radioactive kind of glass popular in the early 20th century, which is tinted green by the addition of uranium and glows neon under a UV light. But my favorite find? An animatronic gorilla that gyrates violently to the “Macarena,” which, when shown to others, elicits reactions ranging from “horrifying” all the way to “epic.”

It’s true what they say: one person’s trash really is another’s treasure. •

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

We welcome you to visit the Sanctuary and experience love, peace, and friendship with our rescued farm animals.

9 AM – 5 PM

Celebration of our heritage in Amish Country • Over 100 working artisans • Pennsylvania Dutch Food • Hayrides • Music All Day

www.springspa.org

814-442-4594 • 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562

We regret due to experience, only service dogs are allowed during Festival days.

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www.hopehavenfarm.org

WORKING FROM HOME?

BEST GARDEN SHOP/NURSERY

SOERGEL ORCHARDS

2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford. soergels.com

2nd: Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse 3rd: Shadyside Nursery

GET CITY PAPER DELIVERED TO YOUR MAILBOX

BEST GIFT SHOP

6 weeks for $32

WILDCARD

4209 Butler St., Lawrenceville. wildcardpgh.com

2nd: Kards Unlimited 3rd: Hocus Pocus

CP PHOTO: LISA CUNNINGHAM

BEST INTERNATIONAL GROCERY STORE

BEST GUIDED TOUR

HOPE HAVEN FARM SANCTUARY

PENNSYLVANIA MACARONI CO.

2506 Wexford Bayne Road, Sewickley. hopehavenfarm.org

2010 Penn Ave., Strip District. pennmac.com

2nd: Labriola’s Italian Market 3rd: Salem’s Market & Grill

2nd: Doors Open Pittsburgh 3rd: The Frick Pittsburgh

BEST JEWELRY STORE

HENNE JEWELERS 5501 Walnut St., Shadyside. hennejewelers.com

2nd: Songbird Artistry 3rd: Orr’s Jewelers

VISIT WWW.PGHCITYPAPERSTORE.COM BEST HAIR SALON

DENHAM & CO. SALON

BEST LGBTQ-OWNED BUSINESS

100 Fifth Ave., Downtown. denhamandco.com

2nd: Be Studio 3rd: Uncommon Loft

Multiple locations. leonaspgh.com

2nd: Pigeon Bagels 3rd: Square Cafe

LEONA’S ICE CREAM

BEST HEAD SHOP

BEST LOCAL T-SHIRT COMPANY

5122 Butler St., Lawrenceville. hippieandfrench.com

691 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. cwpress.com

HIPPIE & FRENCH

COMMONWEALTH PRESS 2nd: Steel City Brand 3rd: Yinzer Store

2nd: Curated Flame 3rd: Keepin’ It Glassy

BEST HEALTH ADVOCACY GROUP

PLANNED PARENTHOOD - Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center 933 Liberty Ave., Downtown. plannedparenthood.org

BEST MANI/PEDI

EMBELLISHED

411 Mill St., Coraopolis. embellished.site

2nd: Elliven Spa 3rd: Nails On Point

Become a medical cannabis patient. We provide low-cost certifications and expert assistance, over the phone. $125 - New Cannabis Card Certification $75 - Card Recertification $75 - New Certification for Veterans/SSI/Disability

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

HIPPIE & FRENCH

NIKKI REMIC at Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing

2nd: Well Oiled 3rd: Murray Avenue Apothecary

2nd: Kim Yerman at Elliven Spa 3rd: Dawn Szabo at Evolve

2nd: Central Outreach Wellness Center 3rd: Metro Community Health Center BEST HOLISTIC MEDICINE SHOP 5122 Butler St., Lawrenceville. hippieandfrench.com

Explore cannabis as a support for what ails you.

1124 S. Braddock Ave., Edgewood. pghhealthandhealing.com

CONTINUES ON PG. 36

www.herbalcarerx.com • 215-554-4044 • HELP@HERBALCARERX.COM PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BEST OF GOODS & SERVICES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 35

BEST MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

ORGANIC REMEDIES

5001 Library Road, Bethel Park and 7402 McKnight Road, North Hills. organicremediespa.com

2nd: Ethos Dispensary 3rd: Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary BEST MUSIC RECORDING STUDIO

MR. SMALLS Recording and Mastering 922 W. North Ave., North Side. mrsmallsrecording.com

2nd: Spaceship Studio PGH 3rd: ID Labs BEST NEIGHBORHOOD GROCER

EAST END FOOD CO-OP 7516 Meade St., Larimer. eastendfood.coop

2nd: Labriola’s Italian Market 3rd: Tom Friday’s Market

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

OJ MACKLIN at OJ Macklin Fitness ojmacklinfitness.com

2nd: Ryan Harris at Fitness Factory 3rd: Chris “Steel” Edmunds BEST PET DAYCARE

THE DOG STOP

Multiple locations. thedogstop.com

2nd: Camp Bow Wow 3rd: Pittsburgh Paws Pet Resort

CP PHOTO: KAYCEE ORWIG

BEST PLACE TO ADOPT A PET

HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE 1101 Western Ave., North Side and 6926 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. humaneanimalrescue.org

2nd: Animal Friends 3rd: Trash Cat Rescue

BEST PLACE TO BUY CBD PRODUCTS

HIPPIE & FRENCH 5122 Butler St., Lawrenceville. hippieandfrench.com

2nd: Curated Flame 3rd: Total Peace And Wellness BEST PLACE TO BUY COMICS

PHANTOM OF THE ATTIC COMICS

411 S. Craig St., Oakland and 3766 William Penn Highway, Monroeville. phantom-attic.com

2nd: Eide’s Entertainment 3rd: New Dimension Comics

BEST PET GROOMER

THE DOG STOP

BEST PLACE TO BUY LOCALLY MADE CRAFTS

2nd: The AuStella Pet Parlor 3rd: Candelore’s Barking Beauties

imadeitmarket.com

Multiple locations. thedogstop.com

BEST PET STORE

PETAGOGY

5880 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. petagogy.com

2nd: Asgard Raw Dog & Cat Food 3rd (tie): Healthy Pet Products 3rd (tie): Lawrenceville Pet Supply 3rd (tie): Salty Paws Pittsburgh BEST PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM

7370 Baker St., Highland Park. pittsburghzoo.org

2nd: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh 3rd: Urban Air Adventure Park

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I MADE IT! MARKET 2nd: Handmade Arcade 3rd: love, Pittsburgh BEST PLACE TO BUY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

N STUFF MUSIC

468 Freeport Road, Blawnox. nstuffmusic.com

2nd: Volkwein’s Music 3rd (tie): Brighton Music Center 3rd (tie): Pittsburgh Guitars BEST PRINTMAKER/ POSTER DESIGNER

PGH PRINT SHIP

595 Butler St., Etna. pghprintship.com

2nd: Signs N’At 3rd: Copies at Carson

BEST PSYCHIC/TAROT READER

ARTS & CRAFTS: LITTLE’S SHOES Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. littlesshoes.com BOTANICA OCCULT SHOP 5850 2nd: Wagner Shoes

BEST VAPE SHOP

2nd: Smellis Ellis 3rd: Indigo Baloch at Maude’s Paperwing Gallery

2nd: Cool Vapes 3rd (tie): Swirling Wind Vapors 3rd (tie): Vapor Galleria Vape & CBD Shop

4901 Penn Ave., Garfield. artsncraftspgh.com

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

SARA LEITERA tinyurl.com/SaraLeitera

2nd: Pamela Simmons 3rd: Corey Kelly

BEST SHOE STORE

3rd: The SōL Collective

BEST SKATEBOARD/ SKATE SHOP

SWITCH & SIGNAL SKATEPARK 7518 Dickson St., Swissvale. switchandsignalskatepark.com

2136 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. jerrysrecords.com

2nd: Attic Record Store Inc 3rd: Preserving Record Shop

BRIDAL BEGINNING

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

ICE 9 STUDIO

BEST WEDDING VENUE

allbodieswelcomeyoga.com

2nd (tie): Pittsburgh Tattoo Company 2nd (tie): Sanctuary Pittsburgh

1 Schenley Drive, Oakland. phipps.conservatory.org

2520 E. Carson St., South Side. facebook.com/Ice9TattooStudio

JERRY’S RECORDS

BEST WEDDING SHOP

BEST YOGA STUDIO

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

4023 William Penn Highway, Monroeville and 4136 Library Road, Castle Shannon. steel-city-vapors.myshopify.com

450 Cochran Road, Mt. Lebanon. bridalbeginning.com

2nd: OneUp Skate Shop 3rd: Wicked Skatewear

BEST RECORD STORE

STEEL CITY VAPORS

BEST THRIFT SHOP

THRIFTIQUE

125 51st St., Lawrenceville. facebook.com/thriftiquepgh

2nd: St. Vincent de Paul Society - Thrift Store 3rd: Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse

2nd: Blanc de Blanc Bridal Boutique 3rd: Luxe Redux Bridal Boutique

PHIPPS Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

ALL BODIES WELCOME YOGA

SONGBIRD ARTISTRY

If you’ve resisted trying yoga because you’re self conscious about your body, look no further. Emily Anderson, a selfproclaimed “fat white woman,” is the brainchild of All Bodies Welcome Yoga, which offers on-demand videos, group classes, and private instruction. Her practice comes from the desire to reconnect people with their bodies and “build resiliency in a fatphobic, abelist world.”

2nd (tie): Pittsburgh Honey 2nd (tie): The Refillery

2nd: Yoga Flow Pittsburgh 3rd: The Om Lounge

2nd: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden 3rd: Heinz Memorial Chapel

BEST WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS 4316 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. songbirdartistry.com

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PEOPLE PLACES BEST Of PittSbuRgH

P I T T S B U R G H C I T Y PA P E R ’ S R E A D E R S ’ P O L L

fEaturiNg

Best Tiktok Account Best Lifestyle Best Dressed Influencer

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AND

BEST Of pEopLe & PlaCes

CHANCELOR HUMPHREY

BEST LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER

BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

S

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

INCE 2016, there hasn’t been a year that’s gone by where Chancelor Humphrey’s name hasn’t made an appearance on Pittsburgh City Paper’s Best of Pittsburgh list.

Some might know Humphrey simply as Keep Pittsburgh Dope. His popular Instagram account of the same name boasts over 38,0000 followers and snagged him the winning spot for Best Local Instagram Account in 2016 and 2018.

His crisp and bright photos of Pittsburghers Pittsburghing around Pittsburgh showcase a stylish side of the city that those from outside the area might not expect to see in a former steel mill town. Instead of a sea of camo and work boots, the influence of Pittsburgh’s industrious past shows itself in a unique way, one that Humphrey expertly captures with his camera.

“We’re known for blue-collar, hard work, and I think that really comes through in the street style here,” he said in a 2016 interview with City Paper. “There’s definitely an attitude with our style.”

And Humphrey himself is no exception. In between his photographs

featuring a wide variety of people and fashions, the photographer includes selfies of himself posing in everything from bright pink swimming goggles to a black denim ensemble, topped with a Pittsburgh Pirates hat. keeppghdope.com

Beyond Instagram, others might know Humphrey as a former on-air radio host at 100.7 Star and WAMO, or as one-half of the duo behind Creatives Drink, the free, local networking event that aims to connect Pittsburgh residents and businesses through alcohol and fun in eccentric locations.

Whatever the case, it’s clear Humphrey, who was a 2021 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, is definitely helping keep Pittsburgh dope.

“I want to leave a legacy, an imprint,” Humphrey told Pittsburgh Magazine last year. “I want to be the Black dude from Pittsburgh who is bigger than Mr. Rogers.”

May Humphrey, 2022’s Best Lifestyle Influencer, continue to influence both Pittsburgh residents, and Pittsburgh perception, on (and off) the internet for years to come. •

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

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BESTPEOPLE OF PEOPLE & PLACES & PLACES

BEST ATHLETE

SIDNEY CROSBY nhl.com/penguins

2nd: TJ Watt 3rd: Yinzey Lohan

CP PHOTO: TERENEH IDIA

BEST DRAG PERFORMER

PRINCESS JAFAR facebook.com/theprincessjafar

Princess Jafar tells Pittsburgh City Paper she likes to celebrate herself every day, “loudly and proudly.” And it shows. From her eccentric outfits to her creative performances and oft bizarre musical recordings, the 6’6” drag queen knows how to make an entrance … and keep audiences’ attention. See her fierceness for yourself in person as she hosts this year’s Best of Pittsburgh party.

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST BAR BATHROOM

TIKI LOUNGE

2003 E. Carson St., South Side. ordertikiloungepgh.com

2nd: Brillobox 3rd: Blue Moon

@COOKING_COMEDY_CHAOS BEST Of PittSbuRgH

BEST TIK TOK ACCOUNT

BY ALICE CROW // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

BEST BIKE TRAIL

THREE RIVERS HERITAGE TRAIL

friendsoftheriverfront.org/three-rivers-heritage-trail

2nd: Montour Trail 3rd: Millvale Riverfront Park BEST BLOG

DISCOVER THE BURGH discovertheburgh.com

2nd: Burgh Brides 3rd: Made in PGH BEST BUSKER

SAXOPHONE GUY AT PENGUINS GAMES nhl.com/penguins

2nd: Trombone Guy on Murray Avenue 3rd: Pittsburgh Steel-Man

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“W

HAT’S UP BUTTERCUP?” This is how Desarae Legros starts each video on her TikTok account @cooking_ comedy_chaos. With close to 200,000 followers, Legros’ account is a treasure trove of fun cooking videos, but her journey wasn’t always smooth.

“It was a fluke accident,” Legros says.

Back in December 2021, Legros joined TikTok after her husband bought her a molecular gastronomy kit, but her first couple of videos were “pure chaos,” she tells Pittsburgh City Paper.

At the time, Legros was struggling with self-acceptance. She had broken her ankle in 2020 and, despite multiple surgeries, her doctor said it would never fully heal. Now disabled, her 20-year career in restaurants came to an end. Starting her TikTok account and embracing who she

was allowed Legros to grow a dedicated fanbase and a community full of laughter and philanthropy.

She has multiple signature sayings and mannerisms that make her stand out from other cooking-related social media accounts, including occasional appearances from one of her most notable quirks, Linda. tiktok.com/@cooking_comedy_chaos

“I have this alter ego that I’ve blamed everything on for the last 15 years of my life. Her name is Linda,” Legros says. “So anytime anything goes wrong in the kitchen, it’s definitely Linda’s fault. I am a top-tier chef and Linda’s just a trainwreck.

So, we meet in the middle.”

Legros can also be spotted wearing a unicorn headband or declaring a recipe “certified unicorn” when she finds it

magical. Ultimately, she says her goal is to inspire people to get back in the kitchen, laugh at their mistakes, and bond through cooking.

Despite her success, Legros does not take money from the TikTok creator fund.

Instead, she believes in giving back to her community because of her history of growing up poor and in the foster care system. Legros is now involved in charity organizations such as Lasagna Love and has put together events like a recent barbecue cookoff that raised $1,765 for Monessen Middle School students.

From all of this, Legros hopes to someday start a nonprofit cooking school for youth in the foster care system and have her own cooking show on Comedy Central where, she says, she’d be able to continue to spread her love of laughter and cooking. •

BEST CITY POOL

DORMONT POOL

1801 Dormont Ave., Dormont. boro.dormont.pa.us/dormont-pool

2nd: North Park Swimming Pool 3rd: Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool BEST DRAG PERFORMER

PRINCESS JAFAR facebook.com/theprincessjafar

CP PHOTO: RAYNI SHIRING

BEST HUMANITARIAN

2nd: Lola LeCroix 3rd: Dixie Surewood

GISELE FETTERMAN twitter.com/giselefetterman

2nd: Phat Man Dee 3rd: Ciora Thomas

BEST DRESSED

HEATHER ABRAHAM facebook.com/KDKAHeather

BEST INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

2nd: Weird Paul 3rd: Nix Muse @werewolfstyleguide

OAKMONT BAKERY instagram.com/oakmontbakery

2nd: @stufftodoinpittsburgh 3rd: @weirdpaulp BEST JAGOFF CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST FACIAL HAIR

BRETT KEISEL 2nd: John Fetterman 3rd: Weird Paul Petroskey

BEST LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER

CHANCELOR HUMPHREY

PITTSBURGH PIRATES mlb.com/pirates

2nd: Mount Washington Zip Line 3rd: Sharon Needles’ Career BEST FASHION DESIGNER

KIYA TOMLIN

388 Butler St., Etna. kiyatomlin.us

2nd: Kelsy Black (@thats_sew_kelsy) 3rd: Suz Pisano

pghdad.com

2nd: Wendy Bell 3rd: Mark Madden

brettkeisel.com

BEST FAILURE TO LAUNCH

PITTSBURGH DAD

instagram.com/keeppittsburghdope

2nd: Dr. Stacy Lane 3rd (tie): Hautemess Tom (@hautemesstom) 3rd (tie): Kelly (@explore_pittsburgh) BEST NONPROFIT

412 FOOD RESCUE 412foodrescue.org

2nd: Animal Friends 3rd: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

BEST HAIR

WEIRD PAUL weirdpaul.com

2nd: Trisha Pittman 3rd: Spaz BEST HANGOUT FOR TEENS

CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH Multiple locations. carnegielibrary.org

2nd: Brookline Teen Outreach 3rd: Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST PERSON TO REPRESENT PITTSBURGH TO ALIENS

RICK SEBAK

facebook.com/ricksebakwqed

2nd: Pittsburgh Dad 3rd: Mikey and Big Bob CONTINUES ON PG. 42

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

41

BEST OF PEOPLE & PLACES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 41

BEST PLACE TO DITCH A SCOOTER

BEST PUBLIC TRANSIT ROUTE

move-pgh.com/what-are-mobility-hubs

8 Grandview Ave., Mount Washington. monongahelaincline.com

A CHARGING STATION

2nd: Next to the median on Boulevard of the Allies 3rd: Middle of the street in the North Side

BEST PLACE TO HAVE SEX IN PUBLIC

THE CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. tour.pitt.edu/tour/cathedral-learning

2nd: Schenley Park 3rd: West End Overlook Park

BEST PLACE TO TAKE RECYCLING

CONSTRUCTION JUNCTION

MONONGAHELA INCLINE

BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION

1HOOD MEDIA 1hood.org

2nd: The Red Line 3rd: P1 East Busway

2nd: SisTers PGH 3rd: City of Asylum

BEST THIRST TRAP

WEIRD PAUL weirdpaul.com

Maybe it’s the phallic tower, maybe it’s because the location is so central to horny students away from home for the first time.

Either way, we’re not endorsing you drop your drawers at the University of Pittsburgh’s tallest building, but this isn’t the first time the Cathedral of Learning has been named the readers’ choice for the Best Place to Have Sex in Public. Nearly 20 years ago, we featured dozens of couples making out in front of the building on our cover when it won the same category in 2005.

2nd: Hautemess Tom 3rd: CC Daniels BEST TIKTOK ACCOUNT

COOKING COMEDY CHAOS tiktok.com/@cooking_comedy_chaos

2nd: @weirdpaulp 3rd: @oakmontbakery

BEST TINY FREE LIBRARY

COMMUNITY LIBRARY OF CASTLE SHANNON’S LITTLE FREE LIBRARY 3310 McRoberts Road, Castle Shannon. castleshannonlibrary.org

214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. cjreuse.org

2nd: Neighborhood boxes in Mt. Lebanon 3rd: Livy’s Library at The Black Cat Market

2nd: The Curb on Scheduled Recycling Nights 3rd: Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse

BEST TROLL

MARK MADDEN

BEST PODCAST

THE YAJAGOFF! PODCAST

twitter.com/markmaddenx

2nd: The guy who hands out free passes to strip clubs at Penguins games 3rd: The duct cleaners in all of the neighborhood FB groups

yajagoff.com 2nd: Making A Martini 3rd: City Cast Pittsburgh

BEST POLITICIAN TO SEND TO SPACE

DR. OZ

tinyurl.com/DrOzPA

2nd: Doug Mastriano 3rd: John Fetterman

BEST SELFIE MIRROR

RANDYLAND

BEST STARGAZING SPOT

1501 Arch St., North Side. facebook.com/randylandpgh

2nd: Brillobox 3rd: Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel

North Side. observatoryhill.net

2nd: Mount Washington 3rd: West End Overlook Park

OBSERVATORY HILL

CONTINUES ON PG. 44

42

WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM

BEST TV PERSONALITY

RICK SEBAK wqed.org/ricksebak

2nd: Bob Pompeani 3rd: Heather Abraham

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

43

CONTINUED FROM PG. 42

BEST TWITCH ACCOUNT

WEIRD PAUL twitch.tv/weird_paul

2nd: @SteelCityImprovTheater 3rd: @Mizz_Ladasha BEST TWITTER ACCOUNT

JOEY BAG OF DONUTS twitter.com/joeybagovdonuts

2nd: @OddPittsburgh 3rd: @weirdpaul

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

BEST VIEW OF THE CITY

MOUNT WASHINGTON visitpittsburgh.com/neighborhoods/ mt-washington

2nd: Fort Pitt Tunnel 3rd: West End Overlook

BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY

OHIOPYLE ohiopyle.org

2nd: Erie 3rd: Laurel Highlands BEST YINZER

PITTSBURGH DAD pghdad.com

2nd: Rick Sebak 3rd: Billy Gardell BEST YOUTUBE ACCOUNT

PITTSBURGH DAD youtube.com/user/pittsburghdad

2nd: Weird Paul 3rd: Oakmont Bakery

44

WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM

BEST Of PittSbuRgH

HEATHER ABRAHAM BEST DRESSED

BY TERENEH IDIA // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

A

S THE HOST OF KDKA’S morning talk show, Pittsburgh Today Live, Heather Abraham is always in the spotlight, which means her outfits are up for public scrutiny. Luckily, viewers approve, selecting the on-air personality as the Best Dressed in town.

“I have always been enamored by Audrey Hepburn’s classic style,” she tells Pittsburgh City Paper. “While I like some prints, I tend to go for solids and a more classic look.”

One might think her wardrobe is huge, considering her occupation, but Abraham says she tries to buy things that will last or can be reused. “In the fall and spring, I like to go through what doesn’t fit anymore and donate those items,” she says.

As for what she chooses to wear, she

says it’s “all about what makes me feel comfortable and confident.”

Off-air, she says she’s “all about that mom life: chasing after kids, cooking dinner, going to practices. I try to be as comfortable as possible!” And at KDKA, where she’s worked since 2010, she credits a partnership with Macy’s and Simon. “The stylists, by the way, are free to use and have helped me tremendously in finding what works best for my body type.” facebook.com/KDKAHeather

The outfit she chose for City Paper’s photoshoot has her in a fire leather skirt, a beautifully colored blouse, and a chic sky-blue mani. “This is an outfit chosen between me and the Macy’s stylist at

Ross Park Mall, Kim Macek,” she shares.

“I really love separates and, when I saw the skirt, I knew I wanted it. We searched for a fun top that was neutral but added a little contrast. As for the nails, getting routine manicures is relatively new for me. I love Perfect 10 and the owner, Heather. Getting my nails done somehow oddly makes me feel like my life is not in utter chaos!”

Appreciating her own body has been a journey, she tells City Paper, but says she’s “here for it now” and encourages others to focus on their self confidence.

“As someone once said to me, ‘Isn’t it amazing all that our bodies allow us to do? Run, swim, walk, play, hug.’ So love yourself,” Abraham says, “and your style and natural beauty will shine.” •

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

45

WHY I’M LATE

CONGRATS

Best of Pittsburgh

BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY // BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM

MCKEES ROCKS WINNERS Best Bread

Best Coffee

Best Perogies

Mancini's Bakery

Black Forge Coffee

Perogies Plus

Best Bar (WEST) Runners-up

Best Music Venue (Suburbs) Runners-up

Parkway Theater & Film Lounge

Roxian Theatre www.mckeesrocks.com

46

WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM

ACROSS

1. Very pale 4. Biblical queen’s home 9. Reliever’s stat 14. Letters on a Crest box 15. Serve some more wine 16. Spanish plain 17. Squalid hope?

19. Music scout’s dept. at a label 20. Back of the book listing 21. Coastal flyer 23. Coloration 24. It comes after 11 25. College head’s tumbler?

29. “Get back here, you scoundrel!”

30. Figures out 31. Smaller grommet 32. Choral works 34. Olaf Scholz’s nat.

35. November event for the Black Is King singer?

38. Grass to grow on 39. Some urinals 40. Big name in travel guides 43. Surf without comment 44. Safety’s point value 47. Get some wild felines from a store?

49. See 8-Down 50. Decorative globe

51. Game with Skip cards 52. Clear, as windshields in February 53. Dudes 55. Cafeteria item leans a bit?

59. Dude in Devonshire 60. Craze of the moment 61. Long tail?

62. Made some stitching 63. ___ Theory (postulate in sports wherein a team gets better after their star player is sidelined) 64. [Just a couple examples will do]: Abbr.

DOWN

1. Going up to one’s ankles 2. Songs in ___ (Alicia Keys album) 3. ___ the Relentless (What We Do In The Shadows vampire) 4. Underground riverway 5. “Explain it to me” 6. Prefix with Pen 7. Long way around town?

8. With 49-Across, alias of electronic musician Richard D. James

9. Like “sus” or “bet” 10. Copying, in the kitchen 11. Band that infamously stipulated “no brown M&Ms” in its riders 12. Software developer’s target audience 13. Most in pain 18. Mil. title 22. Sandwich store bread 25. Davidson of Meet Cute 26. Scottish dances 27. Great Expectations heroine 28. Some bricks 30. Ingredient of some milk 32. Red wine 33. Do a deep clean

35. It’s a gut punch 36. Besmirches 37. Fluid from a well 38. Drink similar to a lambic or a gueuze 40. They’re dropped when one’s angry 41. Stirred (up) 42. Day light 44. Feeling of regret 45. Set of pegs in cricket 46. “Almost done” 48. “Dunno” 49. Big Sri Lankan export 52. Dumb putz, for short 54. Squeeze (out) 56. Unpolished 57. Black bird with a smoothed bill 58. Yang’s companion LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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IN The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: No. GD-21-9241 In re petition of Sean Anthony Jones for change of name to Ari Bey. To all persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed the 31st day of October, 2022 at 9:30 a.m., as the time and the Motions Room, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA, as the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for.

IN The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: No. GD-22-9755 In re petition of Nancy Kristina Graves for change of name to Nancy Kristina Holton.

To all persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed the 7th day of October, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., as the time and the Motions Room, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA, as the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for.

IN The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: No. GD-22-009208 In re petition of Alexis Kimberlyn Dupee for change of name to Alexis Kimberlyn Kohlbeck.

To all persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed the 18th day of October, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., as the time and the Motions Room, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA, as the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for.

The University of Pittsburgh’s Alcohol & Smoking Research Lab is looking for people to participate in a research project. You must: • Currently smoke cigarettes • Be 18-49 years old, in good health, and speak fluent English • Be right handed, willing to not smoke before two sessions, and to fill out questionnaires Earn up to $260 for participating in this study.

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

47

Voted Pittsburgh’s Best Thai Restuarant for 11th year in a row!

Thank you for voting us Best Thai Restaurant and Best Restaurant, North!

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NickysThaiKitchen.com