Is it just me or is BYOB (bring your own bottle) in Pittsburgh the best thing since sliced pumpernickel bread? I am a big wine enthusiast and while I am not a huge fan of the PLCB rules here in Pennsylvania (a topic for another day) the great selection of BYOB restaurants in Pittsburgh really is wonderful. Ultimately it allows you the best of both worlds. On the one hand you can go to a restaurant like Eleven, Monterey Bay or the Wooden Angel where the wine lists are extensive, well thought out and well maintained and get great wines that you can’t find in the state stores or anywhere else for that matter. The major drawback to restaurant wine lists of course is the huge mark up but many of these places are reasonably priced. (especially Monterey Bay) On the other hand you can go to a great BYOB restaurant, get a fabulous meal, and bring a special bottle from your personal collection, all while paying only a few bucks in stem fees. By far my favorite BYOB restaurant is Bona Terra in Sharpsburg, (another topic for another day), but I also really like Café Du Jour on the South Side, Café Zinho in Shady Side and La Cucina Flegrea in Squirrel Hill. Bottom line … enjoy the restaurants with wine lists and try something new, then dust off the bottle of Kosta Browne Pinot Noir you have been saving for that special occasion and head to a BYOB restaurant to celebrate! P.S. – I’m trying Legume in Regent Square for the first time tonight … more on that tomorrow.
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Map of BYOB Restaurants
I have created a map on Google to mark the various BYOB restaurants in Pittsburgh, PA. Feel free to add your favorites.
Check out the map here.