The dining scene in a city as diverse as Pittsburgh is anything but simple.  With restaurants ranging from cash-only, take-out to exclusive, fine dining, the differences between any two given establishments can be vast.  Pittsburgh Restaurant Week embraces the melting pot of restaurants in our great city in a week-long celebration of dining and food.

As PRW’s holiday gift to the city of Pittsburgh, the list of participating restaurants has been posted.  Restaurant week diners will find restaurants ranging in location from downtown Pittsburgh to the outer suburbs.  Reservations are recommended for many restaurants, so be sure to make your plans early.

Special events for the week are in the planning stages and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Restaurants still wishing to participate are encouraged to complete the online application and join in on the celebration.

A special message from Brian McCollum, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week Event Director and passionate Pittsburgh Food Blogger:

Pittsburgh has been without a restaurant week for several seasons since May 2010.  In 2012, it is my goal to catalyze restaurant week with a rebirth. I invite all of Pittsburgh to celebrate.  This week is a time for the Pittsburgh community to celebrate the wealth of options in the dining scene by enjoying a wonderful meal at a participating restaurant at a discounted price.  In return, Pittsburgh’s restaurants are celebrating their food, cuisine and livelihood.  Their participation in Pittsburgh Restaurant Week demonstrates their dedication to and appreciation of the Pittsburgh community – a community that has supported their passion for food and dining.

As Pittsburgh Restaurant Week approaches, I encourage each and every person in Pittsburgh to go try out a new restaurant or support their local favorites.  As you do, please take a minute to appreciate all of the hard work that goes into running a restaurant, cooking the meals and serving the food.  Perhaps even bring in a Thank You card to that special owner/chef/waiter to express your appreciation – for without them, we would not have the vibrant dining scene here in our hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

– Brian McCollum