The new restaurants in Market Square just keep coming. Several eagerly awaited openings are almost ready, as Vallozzi's and Bluebird Kitchen put finishing touches on interiors and menus, and several restaurants have already celebrated grand openings.
Bluebird Kitchen, which in August became the final tenant to complete the Market Square Place redevelopment, is hoping to have construction finished and a soft opening by early March.
Owner Liz Moore-Pessaro says Bluebird Kitchen aims to offer high-quality, quick-service food for people working Downtown. The cafe will offer breakfast and lunch, and a full-service coffee and espresso bar, featuring direct-sourced, Counter Culture beans.
Moore-Pessaro says Chef Steven Thompson will lead the kitchen, with a lunch menu that includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot plates like quiche, and corned beef and potato hash. Chef Thompson has worked for many years in Pittsburgh, notably at Nine on Nine, Lucca, and Hyeholde.
Bluebird Kitchen will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
La Cucina Flegrea, formerly of Squirrel Hill, opened last fall at its new location in Market Square. Located in the former Costanzo's space (near Bella Sera), La Cucina Flegrea is open for lunch and dinner six days a week, serving regional Italian cuisine.
Owner Anna Fevola says she wanted to relocate to a great lunch location, and thought there was no better place than Downtown and Market Square.
Of the public space’s recent renovations, Fevola says, “It looks so nice now, sort of a European look.”
Noodles & Company, a Denver-based chain noodle shop, opened in the square last month. And last fall, the popular Mt. Lebanon restaurant
Il Pizzaiolo announced they would be bringing a similar Neapolitan pizza concept to the former Lubin and Smalley flower shop next to Starbucks.
Finally,
Vallozzi's, the 33-year old Greensburg Italian restaurant, is nearing completion of its Fifth Avenue space, and has begun hiring. Julian Vallozzi says he hopes to have the restaurant open within four weeks.
In addition to the main space, an adjacent take-out-only section, Mattiniero, will serve breakfast and lunch, offering sweet and savory pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches and salads.
Writer: Andrew Moore