Pittsburgh: Bridges and Bourbon (August 2019)



My spouse and I dined at Bridges and Bourbon for a late dinner on a Saturday night in late August 2019. Bridges and Bourbon is open Tuesdays through Sundays for happy hour, dinner, drinks, and late night (closed on Mondays). The restaurant accepts reservations by phone or email for larger parties only. (In the past, the property used the Yelp Waitlist feature, but it no longer seems available.) We arrived as walk-ins, as did many others.

Bridges and Bourbon opened in summer 2019 on Downtown’s Penn Avenue in the space previously occupied by Seviche. The long L-shaped bar is the focal point of the room (it seats about 18 patrons on its backless leather-topped stools), surrounded by stand-alone tables (with marble tops and comfortable padded armchairs) and a few semi-circular padded leather booths. A few tables outdoors on the sidewalk are available seasonally, and the front window of the restaurant can be opened to join the two spaces. Indoor décor features leather, mirrors, and metal finishes for a chic look.

When we visited, the bar/restaurant served a concise but eclectic menu (the menu has since been expanded). We shared the chip (singular) and dip, which is a giant rice chip served with avocado puree topped with roe. (Other starters/small plates include truffle popcorn, wings, dumplings, tartare, and tempura). For our main courses, we shared a burger (deliciously simple with just cheese, sauteed onions, and pickles); only two additional large plates (swordfish and a rice dish) are offered. We shared the sweet corn cheesecake for dessert (a fruity tapioca pudding and chocolate mousse are also available). Although craft cocktails are the bar’s specialty, a full liquor license, wine, and beer are also available. We couldn’t resist ordering the tableside preparation of the cocktail called “Kakigori”, featuring shaved yuzu ice, layered with condensed milk, blueberries, and matcha; the diner adds the vodka afterwards. (We have eaten/drank at Chef Grant Achatz’s The Aviary at the Mandarin Oriental in NYC, and this drink rivals their most theatrical offerings.)

We enjoyed our time at Bridges and Bourbon, and we will return to try some of their other interesting drinks.










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