Indian Summer In The Square

Don't look now, but November is just around the corner. Still, in these last gorgeous days of Indian summer, there's no better Downtown destination than Market Square. So grab that comfy sweater you've been waiting to slip on again because there are plenty of reasons to head to the Square.  

First of all, there's always lunch. And Downtown diners can get a taste of everything from Mexican to seafood to that perennial Pittsburgh fave — Primanti's. Now, even though there's a bit of nip in the air lately, the Square warms up pretty fast during these sunny autumn days for the midday office break.  For those chilly mornings we suggest a good warming beverage to keep those hands happy. 

Of course, there's always shopping in the Square. That's a season that never ends, thank goodness. Of course, there's always a bit of Serendipity for femme fatale fashionistas on the prowl for those must have handbags and other accessories. And for the guys, there are the classic looks of Heinz Healy and the Nettleton Shoes store.  WEAR has great looks for less for both men and women.  For the very best "look," check out the tres chic 3 Guys Optical Center for the trendiest specs around. 

And don't forget that the Farmer's Market is still in the Square well into November. That means you can take home wholesome foods fresh from local fields — or just enjoy some of the delicious dishes served up al fresco style. 

Now, here's our very best reason to visit the Square soon. Just because. Honestly, we can't think of a better place to spend some downtime Downtown than the urban oasis that just keeps getting better and more inviting every day. 

Steelers Rally Rocks The Square Tomorrow

Okay, for us, the only thing better than the Steelers adding another Super Bowl championship to the team's six-pack of Lombardi trophies is watching the Black and Gold smash the Cleve Brownies on the gridiron — especially in front of the hometown crowd at Heinz Field. Which is exactly where the Steelers and Browns will do battle this Sunday. 

Now everyone knows that Steelers fans are the best in the NFL. And that's why we're hoping you show your true colors — you know, Black and Gold — during tomorrow's Steelers Pep Rally in Market Square. Ther merchants in Market Square and Pittsburgh's favorite classic rock radio station, WDVE, are teaming up to host the rally from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We're pretty sure your boss will understand why you want to take a longer lunch. 

So along with maybe a grabbing a bite to eat from one of the sponsoring merchants, you'll rock out to the hard driving sounds of Pittsburgh's own SuperMonkey. DVE's Morning Show newsie Val Porter will emcee the proceedings and former Steelers defensive back and hometown hero Mike Logan will join the fun. As part of the Super Bowl XL championship team, Mike is a real winner.  

Of course, if you don't have seats for the big game, you can always return to the Square on Sunday to catch the game at Primanti's, where the cooks will be serving up cheesesteaks and just about anything else you can squish between two thick slices of Mancini's delicious Italian bread. And one of the great things about stopping by the Square during the weekend is that many parking garages charge a flat fee of $5 — and that's a lot less than the rates near Heinz Field. Check it out on this interactive parking map.

After the game, there's still plenty to do in Market Square and all over Downtown while you wait for traffic to ease up. Check out the PDP's Evening & Weekend Dining Guide to see which of your favorite restaurants and taverns are open for business. 

And don't forget to bring your Terrible Towels to the Square tomorrow cheer on the Black and Gold in the Square.  

Zombies Invade Market Square

We weren't really counting. But to us, it seemed like a zillion zombies invaded Market Square on Sunday. That's why we're glad that the organizers of World Zombie Day kept track of the undead in the Square. Just in case you're keeping score at home, more 4,800 than creatures from the crypt crept into Market Square to bury the previous record of 4,300 set in Seattle last year.

Now, even though these zombies weren't exactly a sight for sore eyes — actually some of them didn't even have eyes — it warmed our hearts to see so many cold-blooded bodies packed into the Square for a good time and a good cause, namely helping to raise much-needed funds for a local food bank. Best of all, we applaud this mass of massacred unmankind for being on their best behavior in the Square and all over Downtown. You were all a credit to your non-species.

Well, sometimes we really do believe that a picture or two is worth a thousand words. Which is why we put together a few photos of the zombie-palooza in the Square. Oh, just a fair warning, the squeamish might want to avert their eyes since some of the photos might be hard to stomach for the faint of heart. Enjoy!



Square of the Living Dead

We really don't want to scare you. Well, maybe just a little. But we thought we should warn you anyway.  The undead are coming to Market Square. That's right, this Sunday is World Zombie Day in Market Square. We get shivers down our spine just thinking about it!

But, these creatures from the crypt are coming together to inject a little "life" into the Square on a Steelers bye week, along with helping to raise money for the local food bank. While those of us who are more than glad to be among the living can get our fill of special Zombie donuts from Dunkin Donuts or a Zombie margarita at Moe's Southwest Grill, the real zombies among us will be participating in a brains eating contest and Zombie Olympics. To join in this UnDead Fest, come to the Square between Noon and 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Now we don't have to draw you a picture of what sights will await you at World Zombie Day. However, we do want to appeal to the artist in you with an invitation to visit the Square tomorrow for Sketch Crawl. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., you can join us on this drawing marathon that takes you on a journey through some of Downtown's most scenic plazas, which include Market Square, of course. To help you render your best sketches, a team of artists from the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators. To create your Pittsburgh masterpiece, all you need to do is bring a pencil or two, some paper and a bag lunch.


For more literary pursuits, we want to remind you that next week is the last time to purchase a few books during the Carnegie Library's Tuesday Reading Room in the Square. Librarians from the Downtown branch will roll into the Square with a cart full of best-sellers, page-turners and other great reads. So make sure you bookmark this one - Tuesday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.



Sketch courtesy of the Cultural Trust. 

Baby, It's Cool Outside

Seriously, it seems like just last week that we strolled across Market Square, sipping on a cool cola to beat the early fall heat. Now, here we are listening to the weather guy talk about frost warnings and shivering from temperatures chilly enough to make us toss a blanket on the bed. Well, that's Pittsburgh for you.

Still, even as the days and nights grow cold and autumn leaves turn to read and gold, we're here to suggest a few specialty beverages that will leave you with a warm feeling inside the next time you happen to find yourself in or near Market Square.  

First off, let's suggest a stop at Nicholas Coffee & Tea Co. as one of the best ways to start your day. Just let your nose follow that wonderful fresh roasted aroma across the Square to the building with topped of with a wonderful Chippendale facade. Inside, you'll find plenty perking, as the talented beanmeisters brew one of the best cups of morning Joe in town. Now you can go traditional with a tall mug of black java to go. Or you can order one of the custom concoctions with LOL names like Voodoo Daddy, Chocolate Banana Bread or the Fat Man in a Little Coat. No matter what you pick,  you're sure to walk out of Nicholas Coffee with a smile on your face. 

Maybe you won't find your 15 minutes of fame at the Fairmont Hotel's fab fab watering hole named after a certain Pittsburgher Carnegie Tech grad who exploded on the New York art scene with a giant "Pop." But what you will discover at "Andys" is the appropriately named "Andy Warhol." This Warhol blends exact measures of Hennesey, Benedictine and brandy, lillet —an oh so French aperitif wine — orange bitters and a twist of lemon to create a true masterpiece.  And for a bit of musical flavor, drop in for a drink any Wednesday through Saturday October evening for some cool Jazz at Andys, with local talents such as Etta Cox, Maureen Budaway and Fred Pugh on stage to add the perfect grace note.

Now Pittsburgh rightly takes a lot of pride in being a blue-collar, shot-and-a-beer type of town. So, we decided to visit the Square's own Bella Sera, which is Italian for "beautiful evening" any season of the year. Well, the imported and micro brews at this cozy hideaway certainly got our night off to a good start. Our first round started with a tasty Pietra Amber from Corsica, a tiny French governed island off the coast of Italy. This heady brew's dual lineage feels right at home here in the Steel City. On a more seasonal note, a zesty Screamin' Pumpkin spiced ale provided far more treat than trick. Best of all, you don't have to wait for Halloween to imbibe this bedeviling brew.

Maybe it's just us. But a margarita seems to be a perfect for any time of the year. Which is why we journeyed up a flight of stairs to Las Velas, the Square's numero uno Mexican cantina. Perched above the nearly completed Square, we slowly savored a strawberry 'rita and noshed on crispy nacho chips and muy picante salsa and watched the late afternoon Downtown desk set scurry across the terrazzo plaza below. Sure, it's getting colder outside. But there's always a nice warm indoor spot to be found for everyone in Market Square. 

Meet Me In The Square

Frankly, we're not surprised one bit at what's happening. After all, everything is turning out exactly as we planned. But just in case you haven't noticed just yet, Market Square is quickly turning into Downtown's newest place for people to get together in groups both small and large.

Just the other day, on our morning stroll through the Square, we noticed a group of ladies sipping coffee and chatting about their weekend. And, of course, the Downtown office lunch time crowd swarmed to the new Square almost as soon as we pulled away the construction fences. We expected that to happen all along. Still, since the Square reopened earlier this year, we've cried at a wedding, partied with our neighbors at a block party and admired the antique autos of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix when they parked their classic chassis in the Square.

Now this past weekend, the Salvation Army set up camp in the Square for an event that really put the "fun" in fundraiser. Based on TV's "The Amazing Race," the Army held "The Most Amazing Race" ever that pitted teams against each other to see who could tackle hilarious challenges such as eating a sardine sandwich at Primanti's on the Square — with their  hands tied behind their backs — and learn and perform a "Give My Regards to Broadway" song and dance routine taught by performers from the CLO to get the clue to their next location. While the competition was tight, Team Shankopotamus outpaced the pack with only a few minutes separating the next few racers from the winners. Actually, all the teams were champs because their efforts will help our neighbors in the region through the great work of the Salvation Army.

Even our neighbors just off the Square are busy bees - Wednesday through Saturday evenings this week you can catch live Jazz in Andys Bar at the Fairmont Pittsburgh, just a hop skip and a jump down Market Street which will be finished with construction in no time (just you wait till this rain let's up and watch how fast they move!).

And don't forget that local foodies will be flocking to the Square through Thanksgiving to enjoy fresh from the farm vegetables, meats, cheeses and other naturally produced goodies at the weekly Thursday Farmers Market. This harvest of wholesome foods is a perennial Pittsburgh favorite.

We can't spill all the beans just yet. But there are more big gatherings planned for the Square in the months ahead. One of the biggest to-dos of the year in the Square will be the 50th Anniversary Light Up Night Celebration, which is so big this year that we expanded it to two nights on November 19 and 20. And our inside sources tell us that gatherings of Steelers fans, zombies, politicians and brides and grooms are in the near future as well.

So stayed tuned for details. And we'll meet you in the Square...soon.

Rock Around The Block

Oh, the joint was rockin' all night long when more than 1,500 Downtown residents and their guests transformed Market Square into Party Central during last Saturday's second annual Downtown Neighborhood Block Party. And if you missed this year's get together, well, read on to catch up on the fun.

First off, we want to tip our party hats to the Downtown resident committee for planning and hosting the Block Party. Now, let's get back to the party. 

For starters, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening with clear skies and just perfect temperatures, especially for the end of summer. But even better was all the fun, food and fantastic people to be found in every square inch of the Square. Whether it was the finger-lickin' good Southern style cooking from A J Ribs or the Middle Eastern treats from the Istanbul Grille, the best of Downtown eateries and cuisines were well represented. And while our tummies served up four stars for all the party edibles, the Sonoma Grille nabbed the event's Best Dish award with its yummy Smoked Pork Slider with Apple-Ancho BBQ and Habanero Scented Slaw .  Bon appetit, indeed.

Of course, while we were sampling all the tasty eats, we worked up a pretty big thirst. Luckily, we found plenty of "watering holes" around the Square where Downtown's best barkeeps where mixing up their top concoctions. Let's just say that we seriously sampled all the beverages to be fair and balanced. And though we prefer to keep our fave cocktail a secret, we will tell you that the people's choice for Best Drink was the delicious "Choose your Flavor Man-jito"... feauturing a flavor choice of either Pineapple, Peach, Pomegranate or Orange - muddled with fresh mint, raw sugar, and lime. Seviche wanted to integrate Clique vodka into a Nuevo Latino-esque themed drink specifically for the event.  We had mentioned to the ladies in line that they should choose the flavor of the Man-jito they desired. And for the men we informed them of the vodka being manly and from Latvia - hence a Man-jito. It was fun and catchy, and people enjoyed it.  Thanks to Clique vodka for sponsoring that element of the evening.

When we weren't noshing and sipping our way around the Square, we got our groove on and danced the night away to the musical stylings of DJ Nugget and the super sounds of the Delaneys, who rocked under the performance tent. For the kids, clowns twisted balloons into all kinds of crazy configurations, and a gigantic, inflatable "bouncy house" gave the youngsters something to jump up about. And the inventive folks from Obscure Games invited adults and older kids to get in touch with their inner child with a fantastic four-square in the Square ball game and a Cake Hunt, with the prize - a Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl's.

We're willing to bet that just about everyone had a great time at the Block Party in the Square. But some card sharks in the crowd had us humming that old Kenny Rogers tune "The Gambler" as they played their hands close to the vest during a Vegas style Poker Tourney. Well, we certainly knew when to fold them as soon as we spied Fairmont's massage chair, where a masseuse was giving free back rubs to keep our party muscles relaxed.

So thanks again to the resident committee and Vertical Life Pgh  for making Saturday special. And here's a shout out to all the participating sponsors and restaurants listed below:

Sponsors:
      City of Pittsburgh
      Port Authority of Allegheny County
      Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
      Au Bon Pain
      Rivers Casino
      Vitamin Water

Restaurants:
      A&J Ribs
      August Henry's City Saloon
      Habitat
      Istanbul Grille
      Prantl's Bakery
      Mancini's Bread Company
      Seviche
      The Sonoma Grille


Interested in becoming a Downtown resident yourself?  Learn about your options at DowntownPittsburgh.com/Living. And hear what residents say themselves on the new, Vertical Life Pgh, a forum for residents to talk to each other and about Downtown Living.

Photos courtesy of Robert Strovers