Festive Flavors Warm Up Pittsburgh’s Food Scene

Both winter and the holiday season are right around the corner. Although it will be chilly outside, we can comfort ourselves with made-for-winter food and drinks. Many food businesses in the region tap into their creativity this time of year with menu items that reflect the tastes, colors and contentment of the season.

This winter at the Humble Cookie Shop in Aliquippa, bakery customers can choose from Farkleberry, Burnt Almond and Peppermint Hot Chocolate cookie flavors. “We like to bring in the vibe of a nostalgic Pittsburgh Christmas to our menu during this time,” said owner Alicia Pizer. Other varieties of seasonal cookies will include Lady Locks, Baklava, Pizzelles and Buckeyes; patrons can also purchase holiday cookie trays, which will include traditional Christmas cookies, and decorated sugar cookies.

“We will also be offering cookie cakes decorated for the holidays. One of our most popular designs is the Grinch hand with an ornament. Another item we offer at the holidays are gift boxes. People can select different sizes from a single stuffed cookie up to a dozen or more, all wrapped up in a pretty box with a bow,” said Pizer. Also expect an Elf on the Shelf mini donut box and an Advent calendar with a mini sugar cookie box, along with a cookie charcuterie board that would make a great choice for holiday entertaining or gift-giving.

“We believe that during the holidays, cookies are a serious part of holiday festivities. Not only do people want cookies to look beautiful and festive, but they want them to be full of flavor and quality. That’s what we do,” said Pizer.

DiAnoia’s Eatery in the Strip District, owned by husband-and-wife team Chef Dave Anoia and Aimee DiAndrea Anoia, offers an annual prix fixe, family-style Feast of the Seven Fishes the week or so before Christmas, which will feature baccala fritters; scallop crudo; aqua pazza; squid ink capellini; and branzino. Patrons can also order a Christmas Eve takeout meal kit at its sister shop, Pane è Pronto, which will include lemon pepper baguette; caponata di Natale; baccala soup; frutti di mare and squid ink spaghetti; veal ossobuco; and shortbread spritz wreaths and gingerbread. Both of these menus may vary. A seasonal favorite, Pane è Pronto will also offer panettone, a holiday sweet bread featuring candied orange and lemon peel, raisins and toasted pistachios.

Coughlin's Law Sugar Plum Fairy cocktail

While the food menu for the upcoming holiday season was not ready at the time of this article’s preparation, Brad Weimer, co-owner and beverage director at Coughlin’s Law Kitchen & Brew Pub at Mt. Nebo Pointe, was able to talk about the winter cocktails that will be available, many of which are infusions of different flavors. One of their most popular drinks, which will be brought back this year, is the Sugar Plum Fairy, which Weimer described as containing “…raspberry vodka, Japanese plum wine, prosecco, and a homemade butterfly pea flower simple syrup. It has edible glitter in it, which makes it fun, nice and sparkly.”

The Smoked Blood Orange Old Fashioned, referring to another highly popular infused drink, “is going to be made with our own signature barrel of Knob Creek Private Stock, blood orange purée, cinnamon chai simple and cranberry bitters,” said Weimer.

Coughlin's Law Espresso Martini Flight

“We have people come in specifically for those two cocktails,” said Weimer. But the cocktail menu has many other drinks with seasonal flavor combinations, such as a Maple Bacon Old Fashioned that comes with a candied piece of bacon that is lit up with a blowtorch at the bar. Also popular is an espresso martini flight, one of which is a frozen cookie dough flavor and another a frozen cinnamon roll, plus the traditional drink.

Weimer said that changing up the menu to reflect the season draws in new customers, especially when, in the age of Instagram, the vibrant cocktails practically sell themselves. “We like to go over the top on our garnishes to make it more fun. But the main reason we do this is we always want to stay fresh and true to the season.”

North Park Lounge Richland gets into the holiday spirit each year with its themed holiday cocktails (the exact menu of which was not available yet at the time of publication). Last year’s exquisite winter holiday cocktails included a Santa’s Hat Martini, a Holiday Red Sangria and a Peppermint White Russian. In addition to the vibrant winter drinks, perhaps what sets North Park Lounge Richland apart is the dazzling décor that reflects the season.

“This year, The Hilltop Catering & Event Center at North Park Lounge Richland (formerly The Clubhouse) is bringing Christmas to life with the Naughty & Nice Christmas Experience — an immersive walk-through celebration filled with lights, music, themed cocktails and larger-than-life décor unlike anything else in the North Hills,” said Adrienne Steckel, head of marketing and communications.

She explained that guests will move through five fully decorated themed rooms, each designed as a unique photo opportunity, such as the Santa Baby Room, which will have a pink, glam Santa theme, or the All-White Winter Wonderland Room. “We’ll also offer a long list of themed holiday cocktails, roaming characters and live entertainment on select evenings. Guests can meet Buddy the Elf, the Grinch and Santa; experience music, dancing, photo ops and interactive holiday fun throughout the space,” she added.

Barry’s Pub in McCandless, which is under the North Park Lounge Restaurant Group umbrella, will transform into a full Christmas pop-up bar. In previous years, Barry’s has served a Ginger Red Martini and a Mistletoe Margarita. Holiday-themed cocktails will also be available at the corporation’s other locations: North Park Lounge McCandless and Shooters Golf.

Seasonal Latte at Café Conmigo

At Café Conmigo, with locations in Wexford, Cranberry and at the Pittsburgh International Airport, customers can look forward to a selection of toasty coffee concoctions inspired by the colder weather. These include a Speculoos Latte, based on Biscoff brand cookie butter; a spicy hot chocolate with a dash of cayenne and ginger; and a peppermint white mocha matcha latte, according to Events Coordinator and Retail Manager Holland Taylor.

“You can also order other things on our secret menu, such as a Salted Dark Chocolate Mocha, which had been a special in the past, and Snickerdoodle Chai, which is the perfect winter treat,” she said.

Taylor said that Café Conmigo embraces celebrating the winter holiday season with its customers. “I love that a simple flavor can bring joy to people but also spark conversation.”