Kyo Matcha and Meetcha soft opening in Squirrel Hill today, holding Grand Opening on July 27 and 28.

Dessert spots Kyo Matcha and Meetcha are holding a soft opening in Squirrel Hill today followed by a Grand Opening this weekend. They'll be located at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) in the former Footers Cleaners spot where signage first went up in October. Kyo Matcha, according to its official site,

is an international chain of Matcha desserts dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.

Meetcha is a bubble tea place. This is the latest in a recent batch of Asian dessert openings in Squirrel Hill, following Meccha Matcha, Mango Mango, and Tiger Sugar.

Work progresses on KYURAMEN, TBaar, both coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Work is progressing on national ramen chain KYURAMEN and national bubble tea chain TBaar, both coming soon to East Liberty. KYURAMEN was announced last July for Eastside Bond in East Liberty. TBaar was not announced, though signage went up recently in the spot next door and on the signposts. In response to an inquiry, KYURAMEN ownership indicated a potential September opening.


The Eastside Bond building welcomed Tous Les Jour, the international Korean bakery, in March, the first of the huge Korean chains to open in Pittsburgh.

Grapow Asian Street Food opening July 17.

Grapow Asian Street Food will be opening in Oakland on July 17. Signage first went up in early June at 411 S. Craig St. (map) in what was briefly and most recently the neighborhood's second Chick'n. It will be open 11 am to 9 pm. Grapow is the name of a Thai street food dish, and sneak peeks at the menu are available on the restaurant's Instagram.

Annual "Ihaw-Ihaw at Halo-Halo and Fundraiser" with Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh, August 11.

The Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh will hold its annual "Ihaw-Ihaw at Halo-Halo and Fundraiser" on August 11 in North Park.

Sample Filipino homemade meal for only $10 each! Come and eat with your family and friends (and grab sweet desserts from our bake sale)!

It runs 12:00 to 8:00 pm at the Rose Barn in North Park (map).

Itamae Thai & Sushi Bar now open in Mt. Lebanon.

Itamae Thai & Sushi Bar has recently opened in Mt. Lebanon, holding its Grand Opening on July 5. Mt. Lebanon Magazine profiled the restaurant on May 10 when it was still in the works:

Hungry for sushi? A new restaurant called Itamae is coming soon to 193 Castle Shannon Boulevard, replacing Yum Yum Asian Cuisine, which closed in February.

Itamae is Japanese for chef, or someone who works behind a cutting board. The new concept will be Thai and sushi. The decor will be Asian/Japanese.

Indonesian-born Vick Oktavian and his wife, Katie Kaewwangworn, are self-proclaimed foodies with years of culinary experience. “We love checking out different restaurants and trying different cuisine. We are firm believers that in order to make good food, we must train our taste buds by eating good food,” said Oktavian.

It is located at 193 Castle Shannon Blvd. (map).

Seven Samurai (七人の侍) w. Sake Tasting, July 14 at Row House Lawrenceville.

The 1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍) plays at Row House Lawrenceville from July 12 as part of the Samurai Remix Series, and the theater will host a sake tasting to accompany it on July 14.

Taste several different rice wines from Bierport’s premium sake collection before a screening of Akira Kurosawa’s epic film in a brilliant 4k restoration. Must be 21+

Special sake samples with a screening of the new restoration of Seven Samurai.

MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD OR OLDER

Tickets for the 5:00 pm event are availabble online, as are tickets for the other screenings of the film. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba to open in East End's Meridian development next spring.

Sushi Atarashi, a small chain of sushi restaurants in Pittsburgh, and national bubble tea chain Wushiland Boba are confirmed as tenants for the East End Meridian development in Shadyside set to open next spring, according to restaurant ownership and a June 25 Pittsburgh Business Times article.

Sushi Atarashi is the rebranded outcome of Sushi Fuku, as the two split back in 2015 with the S. Craig St. location in Oakland retaining the original name. Sushi Atarashi---atarashi means "new" in Japanese---has several locations around the Pittsburgh area in addition to the original Oakland Avenue location, and is aiming to open a revolving sushi restaurant in Robinson later this summer. Restaurant ownership confirms revolving sushi will be part of this new Meridian location as well. Wushiland Boba is a growing chain that opened its first Pittsburgh location in January. Sushi Atarashi and Wushiland Boba will join Market District, Shake Shack, and Barnes & Noble at The Meridian, which is replacing a small strip mall in Shadyside.

Spice Island Tea House holding its final take-out offer through 3 pm today, June 25.

Spice Island Tea House, the longtime Oakland restaurant that closed its doors on September 30, will hold its final take-out event through 3:00 pm today, June 25. The restaurant has been holding occasional pop-up events since the fall. Supplies and quantities are limited, but orders may be placed via their Squarespace site.

Signage up at Shadyside's Paris Baguette.

Temporary window signage is up at 5514 Walnut St. (map), where a Paris Baguette is coming soon. It is one of two Pittsburgh-area locations for the Korean bakery chain, though the franchisee aims to open five throughout the region.

Paris Baguette will be the second international Korean bakery chain to open in Pittsburgh, following Tous Les Jours in March 2024. The bakeries are part of a recent wave of national and international chains finally opening locations in Pittsburgh after ignoring the area for years; these chains include Mango Mango, Tiger Sugar, Kpot, Kyuramen, Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ, and Wushiland Boba, among others. In my view these chains are a healthy, welcome complement to local restaurants and cafes, a sign that Pittsburgh is able and very willing to support the franchises we see in many larger or similarly-sized cities.

Bellevue's Thai Tamarind to open second location in Glenshaw.

A second Thai Tamarind location is coming soon to Glenshaw. It will be located at 2909 Mt. Royal Blvd. (map) in what is currently Le Thai Cafe. Expansion was foreshadowed by a new Thai Tamarind Noodle & Rice LLC created last month. Updates will be posted on its newly-created Instagram page.

Taiwanese bubble tea chain Gong cha's first Pittsburgh location to open June 15.

Pittsburgh's first Gong cha is set to open on the South Side on June 15. It will be located at 1303 E. Carson St. (map). Its official site tells the story of the chain, which has locations around the world:

Founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor” opened its doors to the bubble tea market. Gong cha’s success in Taiwan launched our stores all over the globe with customers loving our premium quality tea, products & services:

• Fresh Tea brewed throughout the day 
• Pearls (bubbles) freshly prepared to perfection continuously through the day 
• Tea sourced from the finest tea estates in Taiwan 
• Strict quality controls for all ingredients 

Gong cha is known across the world for its signature Milk Foam. Its creamy, sweet and savory flavor balance and whipped texture make it the perfect complement to our freshly brewed teas. Our delicious milk foam is hand-crafted for each customer and made from the freshest milk and highest quality, signature ingredients.

There are obviously dozens upon dozens of bubble tea places around Pittsburgh, but recently these have started to include national and international chains like Tsaocaa, Wushiland, Tiger Sugar, Chatime (since rebranded), and now Gong cha.

Many More Asian Market to have limited soft opening at its new location, June 15.

Many More Asian Market announced this afternoon that it will have a limited soft opening at its new location on Saturday, June 15.

Guess what??? bad news… Our refrigeration line exploded!!! but thankfully, it happened outside and no one was hurt. We'll have to redo the entire process, meaning no cooler/frozen items can be added, and the food court will remain closed...also more bad news… someone took down the new cherry blossom tree we just planted!! (What did our baby tree ever done to deserve this ? They are so small and just started to meet this world… )

Despite this and that, some good news!! we're still excited to announce our soft opening this Saturday at our new, bigger, and better location! It is not what we are hoping for, not 100% ready, but we still are excited to just be able to open the door and see you guys! lots of items to buy and check out! So comeeeeeee~~~ We are hoping to have our grand opening next month, complete with lion dance and an opening ceremony! Woo! Thank you!! See you guys!

New location:

2767 liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh , Pa 15222

Date:

Saturday, June 15, 2024

The new location has been beset by challenges since plans were first announced back in October 2022, troubles that delays and theft of equipment and appliances. The new location remains one of the most anticipated openings due to its expanded footprint and its food court, as it will the first large Asian grocery in the Pittsburgh area to incorporate one.

Newest big plans for the Kbox site.

For almost as long as Kbox has been in operation as an Asian karaoke place in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood there have been plans to redevelop the site. Recently, the latest designs under review have called for replacement of its wood building with a two-story structure and a rehabilitation of the formerly residential structure behind it into apartment bulidings. Mike Wu, whose family owns a number of restaurants in the area and who is leading the redevelopment, said during a meeting this spring that the restaurant will play with three concepts, including an Asian restaurant and possibly a bakery. No further details were made available, though Wu reiterated that the space will not be occupied by chain restaurants, which would be a welcome development for the neighborhood.

A business formerly in Wu's portfolio is Pink Box Bakery, and the earliest plans for redevelopment 10 years ago involved a Pink Box that would be four times the size of the Squirrel Hill location. The first logos of Pink Box, which opened in Squirrel Hill in 2014, featured addresses for both Oakland and Squirrel Hill. The idea was to open the second location in late-2014 or 2015, but this never came to pass.

The next concept came in 2019, when Wu and Fisher ARCHitecture imagined a five-story structure replacing both buildings. More information about the design is available from Fisher ARCHitecture.

The project will be discussed at a Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on June 13. Those interested in learning more about the project, including a video walkthrough of the proposal and architectural designs for the space, can do so online via the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation.

Taiwanese bubble tea chain Gong cha coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh's first Gong cha is coming soon to the South Side. It will be located at 1303 E. Carson St. (map). Its official site tells the story of the chain, which has locations around the world:

Founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor” opened its doors to the bubble tea market.

Gong cha’s success in Taiwan launched our stores all over the globe with customers loving our premium quality tea, products & services:

• Fresh Tea brewed throughout the day
• Pearls (bubbles) freshly prepared to perfection continuously through the day
• Tea sourced from the finest tea estates in Taiwan
• Strict quality controls for all ingredients

Gong cha is known across the world for its signature Milk Foam. Its creamy, sweet and savory flavor balance and whipped texture make it the perfect complement to our freshly brewed teas. Our delicious milk foam is hand-crafted for each customer and made from the freshest milk and highest quality, signature ingredients.

There are obviously dozens upon dozens of bubble tea places around Pittsburgh, but recently these have started to include national and international chains like Tsaocaa, Wushiland, Tiger Sugar, Chatime (since rebranded), and now Gong cha.

Grapow Asian Street Food coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Signage went up recently for Grapow Asian Street Food, a new restaurant coming soon to Pittsburgh. It will be located at 411 S. Craig St. in Oakland (map), most recently and for a very brief time the home of Oakland's second Chick'n location, for which the painted chickens on the facade are a temporary reminder. Grapow is the name of a Thai street food dish, but details about the menu are not yet available.

Franchisee aims to open five Paris Baguette cafes in Pittsburgh.

While searching for updates on the two Paris Baguette cafes in progress in Pittsburgh I found an online interview with Ali Shah, the franchisee behind these two restaurants. The chain's official publicity outlet delves a little into his background and motivations:

Asif Shah, a long-time entrepreneur who has owned both gas stations and restaurants for nearly 20 years, is bringing Paris Baguette, the global bakery café franchise, to Pittsburgh with a five-unit agreement. The first café is projected to open at 8013 McKnight Road in May with a second at 5514 Walnut Street following later this year.

Partnering with his daughter, Shah says he looks forward to bringing the Paris Baguette experience to a neighborhood that has nothing like it. Compared to the drive-thru and pick-up models that run rampant today, Paris Baguette provides “a more beautiful experience,” he said.

. . .

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Shah: In Pittsburgh, we have Starbucks and Panera. They are okay, but it’s totally different at Paris Baguette. Paris Baguette wants to make sure guests come in and take a look at what we have. We want the guest to walk into the café and stay a while. I really like that model.

Walking in, looking around and picking your own pastries from a buffet-style display, then being able to sit down and relax to enjoy your food… It’s a more beautiful experience.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 150 locations across the United States. The menu boasts a wide variety of cakes, baked goods, sandwiches, juices, and coffees, in addition its eponymous French bread.

Progress at Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette, coming soon to McKnight Road.

Temporary window signage has recently gone up for what aims to be Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette, coming soon to The Block Northway on McKnight Road. Paris Baguette is one of the largest of the Korean bakery chains that has expanded worldwide, and finally its first Pittsburgh location in August 2023. It aims to open in May, though work on the interior is in the very early stages. A Shadyside location was announced in January 2024.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 150 locations across the United States. The menu boasts a wide variety of cakes, baked goods, sandwiches, juices, and coffees, in addition its eponymous French bread.

Many More Asian Market eyeing June opening for its new location.

After nearly 18 months of development, Many More Asian Market is eyeing a June opening for its new location, it announced on social media this afternoon.

Hi everyone! For the question everybody been asking, “When will we be open?” it has been a long journey… since the first expected opening date dated back in …. Last years June ….. 🫠We are finally confident enough to tell you guys…. We are expecting to open around this year June!!!!!! wooo!🥳 can’t wait! Really excited!! 😆

Work began in October 2022, and initial delays were compounded by theft of materials last fall. The expanded location at 2767 Liberty Ave, Strip District (map) will feature not only more groceries and housewares but also a small food court.

Meccha Matcha opening its first Pittsburgh location April 26, with a soft opening on April 24 and 25.

Meccha Matcha has just announced a grand opening for its first Pittsburgh location, coming to Squirrel Hill on April 26, with a soft opening on the 24th and 25th.

Wai Wai Chinese Cuisine to open second location in Greenfield.

Wai Wai, which currently operates a Chinese restaurant in Bloomfield, announced on social media they will open a second location in Greenfield in what was formerly China Star. The spot at 4219 Murray Ave. has held Chinese restaurants for decades, the last closing in February after a lengthy list of health violations.