PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

It’s no surprise that our carefully vetted annual Best Restaurants list is our most popular post of 2021. From sandwiches worth a drive to fine dining, PM Dining Critic Hal B. Klein has you covered.

PHOTO VIA HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS FACEBOOK

Looking for the best outings around town? PM Associate Editor Sean Collier offered up hundreds of ideas in 2021 in his popular weekly Things to Do This Weekend in Pittsburgh feature.

All year long, columnist Rosa Colucci has focused on the Pittsburgh real estate market in her weekly Hot Property feature. Homes for sale such as this small, but mighty Cape Cod in Green Tree attracted thousands of readers. Other popular properties included an Alpine chalet in Beaver County, a classic Tudor in Mt. Lebanon and a modernized Lawrenceville Row House.

PHOTO BY RICHARD COOK

It wasn’t the best autumn for fall foliage, but people were still out there looking, which explains the popularity of this list of 14 places in Pennsylvania to see colorful leaves.

PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Our fifth most popular story of 2021 was Hal’s deep dig into Pittsburgh’s unique pizza styles and where you can get them. For 75 years, the region’s idiosyncratic pizzaioli have put their spin on what it means to make a pizza.

KEVIN SOUSA IN 2015 | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

One of the most talked-about stories of the year was Hal’s extensive reporting on Chef Kevin Sousa, who has opened a number of new restaurants over the years then moved on from those projects with troubling questions left behind.

PHOTO BY LISA BRENNEN | LB PHOTOGRAPHY

HOME Editor Jessica Sinichak provided an inside look in March into a 1960s-era school in Greene County that was converted into a mansion. The uniqueness of the property attracted a lot of attention but the key question at the time was, would it sell? According to the real estate listing, the sale is pending as of this writing.

PHOTO BY MAYABEE DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

What design trends did you leave behind in 2021? You can test your answer against Jessica’s annual look at what’s in and what’s out in decorating and style.

PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

If you prefer a meatless diet — and judging from the size of the readership of Hal’s 12 Best Vegan and Vegetarian Eateries list, you are not alone — you can find the best spots to dine out here.

PHOTO BY RICHARD COOK

Rounding out our top stories of the year is a photo essay from Presque Isle State Park. Covered in snow and ice, the popular summertime destination is a sight to behold.