A family with a long history in the local restaurant scene is bringing a new approach to dining to Downtown Pittsburgh.
Adam, Michael and Patrick DeSimone, owners of AMPD Group, will debut The Standard Market & Pint House in late-February in the former Sonoma Grille space. The Standard is the latest addition to AMPD’s corral of hotspots, which includes Steel Cactus, Local Bar + Kitchen, Ten Penny, Social House 7 and Foxtail.
The multi-faceted space at 947 Penn Ave. will evolve throughout the day, from a coffee bar to a grab-and-go cafe to a full-service restaurant, and finally, a late-night cocktail destination.
Consider it the Amazon of eateries.
The café will operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and feature 12 to 15 quick-service items such as sushi, wraps, sandwiches and salads. The DeSimones, who also run Delanie’s Coffee on the South Side, will offer an array of caffeinated beverages from Iron Star Roasting Company in West Mifflin, as well as fresh-pressed juices, iced tea and punch.
Folks can take their meal to go, grab one of 30 seats in the café area or head upstairs to the mezzanine which features seating for 55.
The second level has giant windows that open out onto Penn Ave. and the space is open to the main dining room below.
The full-service, 100-seat restaurant opens at 11 a.m.
From shareable appetizers to salads, bowls and entrees, each dish is made with fresh, healthy ingredients, even the more decadent items, such as the wings and desserts. The Standard will also provide online ordering and room service to hotel guests at the neighboring Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown.
Whether it’s a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Adam DeSimone says hungry Pittsburghers shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality and nutrition for convenience.
The bar can accommodate up to 30 customers. In addition to 14 draft beer taps and 10 signature cocktails whipped up by expert mixologists, The Standard has a Pour My Beer self-serve tap system that dispenses 30 different kinds of beer, wine and ready-made cocktails.
After showing their ID, patrons are given a scannable card that provides access to 24 fluid ounces. They can sample a variety or go for a full pour. Once they reach the limit, they must report back to the bartender to have more ounces loaded on the card.
Throughout the restaurant, there are wooden floors and tables, exposed steel beams and brick and entire walls made of loose rocks caged by metal grates. There are 27 televisions and an area in the back filled with pinball machines, arcade classics, darts and shuffleboard.
A private room is available for rent. The pool tables in that space convert to tables for business meetings or dining.
