Last Chance for Cheaps Eats at Restaurant Week

Plus, Winghart's adds a location in Warrendale and Mon Aimee's hot cocoa will warm your cackles.

BY PM STAFF

Mon Aimee hot cocoa photo by Laura Petrilla

Restaurant Week ends Sunday
Although the holidays are now behind us (and your wallet is in full recovery mode), it's still nice to get a break every now and again. That's why Pittsburgh Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday, couldn't come at a better time. Several regional eateries are offering prix-fixe meals at discounted prices, which works out nicely for those who'd like to try a new eatery on the cheap. Want to check out the authentic fare at Garfield's newest addition, Verde Mexican Kitchen & Cantina? Or how about one of the decadent creations at Meat & Potatoes, a new downtown favorite? Good news: You can ... for a limited time.

(Pittsburgh Restaurant Week. Runs through Jan. 22. Info: pittsburghrestaurantweek.com)
—Kristina Martin, PM Associate Editor

Winghart's to add another location
After opening in January 2011, Zachary Winghart and his team —including his chatty chum, “Shipwreck”—instantly impressed patrons with their huge, tasty burgers (for starters, the meat is ground in-house) and perfectly crispy fries. In the fall, Winghart announced that he’d be opening a Warrendale location, one that’s larger than the downtown site and will offer liquor right off the bat. That location is scheduled to open sometime in February; however, Winghart’s second eatery, located in South Side, should (finally) be open by the end of this month. With fresh ingredients and a friendly staff, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t venture north to try one of Winghart’s crowd-pleasers, like the Tallulah Hula burger with caramelized onions, pineapple, cheddar and barbecue sauce.

(Warrendale Village, Warrendale. Info: winghartburgers.com)
—K.M.

Strip District shop offers tasty way to warm up
Decadent, rich and so thick you may want a spoon: Mon Aimee doesn't serve “hot cocoa” at its hot chocolate bar — it serves “drinking chocolate.” Made with premium Guittard chocolate and a handful of other (carefully guarded) ingredients, the cup of indulgence provides a delicious way to warm up on a cold Pittsburgh day. Choose from one of three varieties: dark, milk or fragrantly spiced Mayan-style.

(Mon Aimee Chocolat, 2101 Penn Ave., Strip District; 412/395-0022, monaimeechocolat.com)
—Kate Chynoweth, PM Food Editor