Dig in With Graver: Rooftop Sushi, Supermarket Smashburgers and a Coffee Cruiser
The summer food scene continues to heat up.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Okane is taking sushi to the next level.
The restaurant, located in a three-story building at 245 Fourth Ave. offers three distinct experiences for Downtown diners.
At the ground-floor, counter-service Sweet Spot, guests can enjoy Vietnamese coffee, fruit teas and desserts such as the Matcha Taiyaki, matcha cream stuffed inside a waffle shell that’s fish-shaped to symbolize good luck. Might as well order two.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Okane’s second floor features a dimly lit, intimate setting and two chef’s tasting menus that celebrate the art of sushi through multiple courses. Dishes include slow-cooked duck breast with red wine sauce and torched shiitake mushroom; Wagyu tartar inside a spring roll chip; salmon belly, jalapeno and mango rolled with an edible logo made of rice paper and a side of pistachio for dipping. To complement the tasting journey, Okane boasts a large selection of small-batch sake.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Head to the roof, which has a retractable awning, for great views of the city and a menu that includes sushi tacos and handcrafted cocktails. The Pink Peony, made with Roku Japanese Gin, has a meringue of fresh squeezed grapefruit, grapefruit elixir and aquafaba, and fresh rose petal floating ice.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Located in the former Harris Grill, Okane is the 26th business to open Downtown this year. During a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 13, Mayor Corey O’Conner half-jokingly asked the new owners to open at 5:30 a.m. and serve green beverages on March 17, so he could keep his St. Patrick’s Day tradition going.
“Only if you dress like a leprechaun!” someone shouted from the back of the room.
The mayor might just have to settle for a fish-shaped waffle.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
Giant Eagle wrangles Beef Graffiti
Chef Mark Mammone is stepping away from his smashburger eatery inside The Waterworks’ Giant Eagle to focus on pickles.
In October, Walmart will begin selling his Bridge City Brinery brand in 25 to 30 of its regional stores — a big boost for a tiny company.
While he’s busy cold-packing Kirby cucumbers fermented in a homemade brine of fresh dill, onion and garlic, Giant Eagle will take the reins of Beef Graffiti.
“As of Monday, Aug. 17, Giant Eagle will reopen the restaurant with a limited menu so we can ensure we deliver on the high quality and great taste customers have come to expect from Beef Graffiti,” says Janah Drexler, Giant Eagle’s public relations manager. “We will also continue to offer Bridge City Brinery products across our Pittsburgh-area Market District locations.”
The burger concept debuted at Federal Galley on the North Side in 2025 and opened at the Freeport Road supermarket in May.
Bitty & Beau’s hits the road
After closing its brick-and-mortar cafe in the Strip District last December, Bitty & Beau’s is back with a Mobile Coffee Cruiser.
The North Carolina-based chain, which hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, launched the mobile concept in 2025 and now has 12 vehicles operating throughout the country, with more in production.
Local franchisees Kaylee and Eli Wynkoop of Oakmont debuted their cruiser on July 4. Since then, they’ve made stops at area businesses, schools, churches and festivals. Track the truck online here.
The menu features freshly brewed hot coffee, hand-crafted iced lattes and mochas, iced chai, hot chocolate, signature ready-to-drink beverages and a selection of pastries and snacks.
“We look for people who are kind, dependable, eager to learn and passionate about serving others,” says Amy Wright, who started the company with her husband Ben in 2016. “No previous coffee experience is necessary — we provide all of the training. We believe potential is far more important than experience.”
