Pittsburgh Bottleshop in Bridgeville more than just a place for brews
The dinner plates at Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe in the Collier Town Square plaza in Bridgeville are lined with pictures of 98 beer bottles, suggesting that maybe the drink complements the entrees.
“It certainly does,” general manager Erik Grieco says. “We thought those plates were perfect. We are more than beer and cocktails. People definitely love the choices of beverages here, but customers usually come back for the food.”
Grieco makes sure to change out the menu every three days. Many food items are made with specialty beers such as Guinness onion soup or the apple dumpling that has a brown-sugar bourbon sauce.
“I have a book of special recipes that I use to find new menu items,” Grieco says. “The customers like to see new items on the menu and in the (display) cases. It keeps things interesting, which you need to do when you own a business, because customers can choose to go other places. So, we do everything we can to create a fun place to come to have a drink, something to eat and watch a game or hang out with friends and family.”
There are 450-plus beers on hand, 31 on tap, and an array of liquor such as high-end bourbons and tequila. Brews consist of those from around the world as well as within driving distance. The selection is from obscure to classic — Belhaven Scottish Ale, 2XIPA Southern Tier, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale and Coors Light, for example.
The bottleshop continues to grow, having expanded three times, with two different storefronts and one major overhaul to keep up with that growth. There is seating for 150, including a U-shaped granite top bar that fits 31. They recently added a 90-inch television to go with the 11 others.
Grieco came in as a customer and met owner Mark Davis, whose brewing careers spanned more than two decades. Eight years ago, Grieco took over day-to-day operations. The place is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
“It's the best of the local bar but it's not a dive bar,” says regular Craig Tumas of Heidelberg. “Mark Davis and Erik do a great job of creating a fun atmosphere with a great beer selection, good food and top-notch service.”
Starters include red, roasted pepper hummus ($7.99) or loaded cheese fries ($6.99). Choose from one of nine sauces for the jumbo wings, which are 50 cents each on Mondays.
There are various salad selections from grilled shrimp to tuna vinaigrette ($4.99 to $10.99). Wraps are $7.99.
The signature half-pound burgers, such as the bacon cheddar, are served on a freshly baked bun with lettuce, tomato and onion on the side ($7.50 to $8.99). Sandwiches include the hand-breaded fish, Reuben and cheesesteak ($6.50 to $8.99). There also are several dinner entrees, including chicken parmesan.
“It's just a cool place to be,” Grieco says. “There are lots of celebrities who come here and area coaches. The Monday Night Football announcers were here over the weekend. People come from across the city. They hear about us and want to see what we have to offer. It's a neighborhood kind of place.”
Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe, 1597 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, Collier Town Square plaza, is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Sundays. Details: 412-279-8170 or bottleshopcafe.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at jharrop@tribweb.com or 412-320-7889.
