Square Dealings

Yes, school bells are ringing all over the area  — a sure sign that lazy summer days are nearly over. As autumn approaches, you can count on the Farmers Market to fill Market Square with the freshest local produce, meats, dairy products and homemade prepared foods each Thursday from 10am - 2pm through November 8.

And while you're in the Square selecting the best of this season's crop, we're inviting you to pull up a chair and enjoy another free lunchtime concert. This week's musical offering features singer Jess Sides, who teams up with partner Roby Edwards on the saxophone, to perform under the group name: Love Addiction. We're sure you'll get hooked by this local talent who blends rock, blues and folk into a style that's all her own.

Area bikers will create a little heavy metal thunder in the Square this Thursday evening as they roll into Downtown for the final ride of this year's Iron City Bike Nights in Market Square. Along with special bike-only parking zones on Forbes Avenue and all around the Square, the season finale will rock the night away with the smooth sounds of Tres Lads. Get your motor runnin' in the Square at 6pm for this revved up evening of bikes, music and fun — and remember, non-bikers are welcome too. Take advantage of the nightly Valet Parking after 5pm for cars in Market Square for only $5.

 

Everyone knows that Market Square is one of the City's hottest dining destinations, but the menu selection will be getting a little bigger and more diverse in the coming months. If you're a Square regular, you've notice that the space between Moe's Southwest Grill and Starbucks Coffee is undergoing a face lift. The fact is, there's a pretty big transformation going on inside too. That's because the Square's newest eatery will soon welcome visitors to enjoy authentic Italian meals at Il Pizzaiolo.

If Il Pizzaiolo sounds familiar, that's because it's been a favorite on the Mt. Lebanon dining scene for years. As workers reconfigure the new location's four floors into restaurant space, owner Ron Molinari promises that his Downtown menu will feature many of their well-known pizzas, paninis, and pastas prepared in the Neapolitan style.

After years of deciding on opening another restaurant in other parts of the City — including Downtown — Ron decided that now was the time and Market Square was the place to do it. He chalks up his decision to the overall improvements in Downtown and the restaurant revival in and around the Square. While Mt. Lebanon diners enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Il Pizzaiolo on Washington Road, the location in Market Square will serve customers at a brisker pace during what is an already busy Downtown lunch-hour. After work, however, the Il Pizzaiolo due will get a little more mellow during happy hour and dinner with the help of an expanded choice of wines, beers, and cocktails.

Sure summer is winding down, but remember: there's always something happening in the Square. See you there!