Ethnic neighborhoods in Pittsbugh (Pittsburgh, York: club, rating, metro area)

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by norcider

Do the old guys still play Bocce in Bloomfield? Bloomfield would be my suggestion, the Italian grocery etc. Otherwise Max's Allegheny Tavern is the most authentic (by its age, location, etc) German bar as you're likely to find.

There's still a Bocce court at the park tucked behind the Bloomfield Bridge tavern. Whether it's used I don't know.

But yeah, Bloomfield still has two Italian groceries, a bunch of Italian restaurants (even if most of them are terrible) and a number of other Italian-owned businesses. I think the Jewish influence in Squirrel Hill on Murray Avenue is a bit stronger still, but it's close.

[Rust Belt Kid]

They have a bocce tournament during little Italy days but I'm not sure if those old timers get together on the regular anymore.

It's a shame that there aren't better Italian options in terms of sit down restaurants. Groceria Italia is great for a hot take out lunch, but once Stagioni left for the South Side it left a void.

[ElijahAstin]

In response to the sundry ethnic restaurant shoutouts: S&D Deli, Jozsa Corner, and Max's Allegheny Tavern are all credited. Bloomfield Bridge Tavern was a disappointment. I sorely miss Rosie's Pierogies. I went to their Pittsburgh Mills perimeter location, which had cafeteria-style service and a small sit-down area, for Sunday dinners. They also had a retail location in Plum, which I never went to.

Originally Posted by eschaton

There's still a Bocce court at the park tucked behind the Bloomfield Bridge tavern. Whether it's used I don't know.

But yeah, Bloomfield still has two Italian groceries, a bunch of Italian restaurants (even if most of them are terrible) and a number of other Italian-owned businesses. I think the Jewish influence in Squirrel Hill on Murray Avenue is a bit stronger still, but it's close.

Squirrel Hill feels much, much more Jewish to me than Bloomfield does Italian. Squirrel Hill is still over 40% Jewish. Bloomfield is now less than one quarter Italian and (being mindful of ACS margins of error) may no longer be the most Italian neighborhood in City limits. Squirrel Hill is also highly unique as a desirable, fourth-generation, in-city Jewish enclave that has healthy representation of Jews from all denominations, including no denomination.

Speaking of food, I used to think I disliked Pittsburgh-style Italian food (which doesn't include nouveau/gourmet places like Piccolo Forno or Lidia's, which I love) because I'd had the bad luck of eating it at places that served a bad to mediocre rendition. The best I'd probably had was La Tavola, which was a solid eh.

Then, I ate at Legends of the North Shore, which is now my favorite home-style spot (the chicken Romano being my favorite). I've heard Alla Famiglia is good, too, but haven't been.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

Speaking of food, I used to think I disliked Pittsburgh-style Italian food (which doesn't include nouveau/gourmet places like Piccolo Forno or Lidia's, which I love) because I'd had the bad luck of eating it at places that served a bad to mediocre rendition. The best I'd probably had was La Tavola, which was a solid eh.

Then, I ate at Legends of the North Shore, which is now my favorite home-style spot (the chicken Romano being my favorite). I've heard Alla Famiglia is good, too, but haven't been.

My favorite Pittsburgh-style Italian food story concerns a restaurant that, fortunately, no longer exists. It was called D'Amico's, and it was on Liberty Avenue in the heart of Pittsburgh's so-called Little Italy. The first time I ate there (1999), I asked for a bottle of San Pellegrino and was told by the waitress, "Oh, honey, we're not that kind of restaurant." "Well," I replied, "what kind of restaurant are you?" To which she responded, "Oh, let me bring you a can of Canada Dry club soda."

I only went back once, when Coupon King found a twofer in his Entertainment book. How glad I was to find Piccolo Forno not much later. And later, Lidia's. And later still, yes, Legends (courtesy of former forum member Eve Kendall). In fact, some friends took me to Legends for my birthday recently; I had chicken parm and the butter pecan cake. Thankfully, birthdays come but once a year.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by jay5835

My favorite Pittsburgh-style Italian food story concerns a restaurant that, fortunately, no longer exists. It was called D'Amico's, and it was on Liberty Avenue in the heart of Pittsburgh's so-called Little Italy. The first time I ate there (1999), I asked for a bottle of San Pellegrino and was told by the waitress, "Oh, honey, we're not that kind of restaurant." "Well," I replied, "what kind of restaurant are you?" To which she responded, "Oh, let me bring you a can of Canada Dry club soda."

I only went back once, when Coupon King found a twofer in his Entertainment book. How glad I was to find Piccolo Forno not much later. And later, Lidia's. And later still, yes, Legends (courtesy of former forum member Eve Kendall). In fact, some friends took me to Legends for my birthday recently; I had chicken parm and the butter pecan cake. Thankfully, birthdays come but once a year.

make it out to cenacolo if you get the chance

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

make it out to cenacolo if you get the chance

This one? Sounds good. I've eaten Fede pasta in other restaurants. Thanks.

Cenacolo | Fede Artisan Pasta | North Huntingdon, PA

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by jay5835

This one? Sounds good. I've eaten Fede pasta in other restaurants. Thanks.

Cenacolo | Fede Artisan Pasta | North Huntingdon, PA

correct.

[norcider]

Some years back La Prima had a scruffy small Italian man who served drinks. You had to know your order or he'd appear angry. If you got there early you may catch a group of well dressed men speaking in Italian and drinking espresso from those little cups, complete with a goon standing nearby in his matching Adidas track suit and bad toupee.

[shadowfax]

There is a Russian grocery store on Murray ave in Squirrel Hill.

[fjy3]

D'Amico's in Bloomfield was awesome! I worked there for years as a waitress. It was owned by an Italian man, Frank D'Amico. All of the Italians in the neighborhood hung out at the bar drinking espresso and sambuca. There was an eccentric elderly Italian man who used to walk down Liberty Avenue who shouted "Bella! Bella!" at any woman who walked by. Bloomfield had a strong Italian community when I lived there from 2002-2004. Bloomfield might be totally Hipsterfied now, though.
I'd also suggest checking out Fredo's in Dormont Munch goes to Fredo's Deli. Greenfield also has an Eastern European/Russian grocery store.