“Pittsburgh’s layout resembles a triangle situated between the two rivers. The entire area within this triangle is known as the East End, which I believe is where all the exciting and unique activities are taking place. However, even among that, each neighborhood possesses a distinctly different atmosphere, various types of cuisine, and diverse populations,” Forsberg remarks.
When he isn’t occupied serving house-made farmer’s cheese and grilled cabbage Caesars (or engaging in the countless tasks that come with running a restaurant), you might catch him unwinding at a local dive or visiting a friend’s pop-up. We managed to carve out some time with the chef to discuss his favorite locales and regular hangouts in the steel city.
How to discover Forsberg’s Pittsburgh
Forsberg presents his suggested Pittsburgh itinerary, in his own words.
Check into the Maverick hotel
The Maverick by Kasa
“It’s a nice establishment inside an old YMCA. It previously operated as an Ace Hotel—I actually worked in the restaurant there. I believe they are now developing a bar and a new restaurant. They have contactless check-in and the rates for the rooms are fair. They preserved the aesthetic from the former Ace Hotel.”
Wander through the East Side—don’t miss the cemetery
“[The area] Bloomfield-Garfield is filled with art studios and they host a gallery crawl every first Friday. However, there aren’t many restaurants or bars. Lawrenceville is where you’ll find the most concentration and variety for shopping, good dining options, and walkability. It’s situated right beside the Allegheny Cemetery, which is vast and incredibly beautiful, with many old mausoleums. It’s a perfect spot for a date or to unwind at night with some wine (which may not be entirely legal). You could easily stroll through Bloomfield-Garfield, walk down into the Allegheny Cemetery and then into Lawrenceville, getting your full experience there for an entire day.”
Pick up some local coffee
“I enjoy Redstart Roasters. They are somewhat close by, and the owners are really lovely. Generally, I frequent Commonplace Coffee. They likely have eight to ten locations in the city now. There’s one just a block away from my home, so if I need to step out quickly, that’s my go-to.”
Relish in an old-school diner atmosphere
“Dad’s Dog and Burger, is just a block away from the restaurant. It was formerly called GM Dog N’ Burger Shoppe where you could get hot dogs with or without chili, hamburgers, and fried fish sandwiches—they hadn’t increased their prices in probably 40 years. But this woman Katelyn [Bako], who is very kind, purchased the business and reopened it. She spruced it up a little but definitely maintained the original vibe of the establishment.”
Indulge in exceptionally good (and notoriously spicy) Chinese cuisine
“There’s a restaurant in Squirrel Hill called Chengdu Gourmet. The chef there [Wei Zhu] has been a Mid-Atlantic [James Beard Foundation] semi-finalist multiple times. There’s also a place in Oakland named Hunan Bar. They offer a fantastic selection of vegetables, with wild veggies sautéed in loads of garlic and chili oil. It’s simply outstanding. They also have an incredibly spicy fried pig tongue dish alongside tripe and chili oil. It’s a great spot to dine with a group of four and share a variety of dishes.”
Visit the Duolingo cafe (yes, the Duolingo cafe)
“Duolingo has actually launched a restaurant next to their headquarters, and they have my friend Marcella [Ogrodnik] as the chef. She prepares really, really excellent upscale Mexican food. It’s named Duo’s Taqueria. It feels a bit silly since the Duo bird appears on the menu. But the food is incredibly good, I couldn’t care less. It’s amazing every single time. Very seasonal. I was hesitant to admit it for a while, but I’ve come to terms with it. It’s that good. It definitely merits the slight discomfort, in my opinion. However, they really know what they’re doing. They have the resources, they are executing well, and the chef is exceptionally talented.”
Experience a red-sauce-joint date night
“Dish Osteria, located in Southside, is somewhat off my usual route, but it’s just an outstanding family-run Sicilian place that’s been operating for 25 years. It’s my go-to for a special occasion date, and they have consistently provided excellent service.
Explore the Squirrel Cage
“My favorite spot is the Squirrel Hill Cafe, but we just refer to it as the ‘Cage’ or the ‘Squirrel Cage.’ It’s a dive that has existed for ages and has consistently provided great food. It’s probably the best burger I’ve found in town. The price has gone up from six to eight dollars over the past three years or so. They also have an excellent beer selection. They make mediocre Negronis, but I still appreciate even a poorly made Negroni.
