Pittsburgh is a big foodie town filled with folks making small batches of gourmet goodies. From jam and pie to pasta and pickles, these eight artisan treats are perfect pick-me-ups for life under quarantine. Stock up for yourself or give the gift of yum this holiday season.
Bridge City Brinery
When Piccolo Forno’s kitchen closes for the evening, chefs Mark Mammone and Joe Bardakos often find themselves in a pickle. The co-workers spend many nights fermenting Kirby cucumbers in a homemade brine of fresh dill, onion and garlic. After about a week, they package the Smithfield Sour Dill Pickles in 16-ounce jars and sell them online and at various shops throughout Pittsburgh such as Mayfly Market & Deli and 52nd Street Market. Order from Bridge City Brinery today … they’re kind of a big dill.
Maple Street Jam Co.
Since the pandemic started, Caitlin Girdwood and her mom Donna Varley have been jamming at home. The pair whip up fruit spreads in flavors such as Blueberry Lemon, HoneyRum Strawberry, Pepper Jam, Apple Pie and Lucky Sign Citrus Marmalade, a collaboration with a Lucky Sign Spirits, a new distillery in Millvale. Get your 8-ounce jars online or at local shops such as love, Pittsburgh, Niche and Gifted Hands.
Pittsburgh Soup Club
Winter is coming. It’s the perfect time to join the Pittsburgh Soup Club. Chef Brian Annapolen, food and beverage director for the Omni William Penn Hotel, wants to warm your body and soul with a pint or quart of his homemade favorites such as wedding, butternut squash, chicken tortilla and roasted tomato. Currently, Annapolen makes “soup drops” several times a week at pre-determined locations throughout the city and suburbs. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for the latest list of available soups, links to online ordering and recipes.
Forma Pasta
Carbs have made a comeback during the pandemic. As proof, Forma Pasta, a monthly subscription service dedicated to Pittsburgh’s noodle needs, now has its own storefront at 708 E. Warrington Ave. in Allentown. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday to get fresh and dry pastas, sauces, pestos, meats, cheese and sandwiches — or get the goods delivered to your door.
Pittsburgh Pot Pie
Pot pies pack a lot of flavor into a little dish. Pittsburgh Pot Pie’s ready-to-bake, compact comfort food is available for appointment-only, curbside pickup at its commercial kitchen at 3909 Washington Rd. in McMurray, Pa., or for delivery within a 20-mile radius. The products — which range from the chicken pot pie to classic desserts such as pumpkin pie — are so popular, there’s often an waiting list for orders.
The Give Gift Box
Get three signature food offerings in one package for the holiday season! The Give Gift Box includes Liokareas Olive Oil, Edward Marc Chocolatier sweets, baklava made by the Neofostisos family and a Seasoned & Savory Cookbook featuring more than 100 top recipes from all-star chefs. In addition to tantalizing your tastebuds, proceeds from sales benefit the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation. There are 500 available for pre-order with sliding discounts for corporate and bulk orders.
Commonplace Coffee
Drinking coffee and communing with nature: two activities that can fight the Covid blues. Now you can sip a cup of joe and support local parks. Commonplace Coffee is collaborating with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy on a series of blends designed to capture the essence of the city’s five regional parks. Frick Park Blend is the first release. The dark roast has a woodsy, bold flavor. Fill your thermos and head out to the historic, 644-acre space for a long walk.
Pittsburgh Pothole Filler
This town has two seasons: winter and construction. Combine the two by nibbling some Pittsburgh Pothole Filler by the fireplace. Sarris Candies and Yinzer Cards paired up to poke fun at the city’s rocky road conditions with popcorn covered in dark chocolate. Each six-ounce box features artwork by cartoonist Rob Rogers and retails for $9.95. It’s available in the candy aisles at Giant Eagle, Market District, Kuhn’s Market, Laurie’s Hallmark, Hall of Cards, Shop’n Save, Apropos, Riverstone Books, Ambridge Do It Best Home Center and online.