Con Alma Combines Latin Fare and Jazz Music; Subba Features Nepali Cusine (Mon.,7/8/19)

1) The newly opened Con Alma (Spanish for “with soul”) combines Latin cuisine with a jazz setting. The cuisine includes tacos, quesadillas, and entrées such as arroz con pollo (“rice and chicken,” Cuban style). There are also vegetarian items, including a jimaca salad that incorporates mango. Every night features live music. Guitarist and music director John Shannon and his Nosmo King Trio are the weeknight house band. Weekends will feature other renowned local jazz artists. The bistro is 1900 square feet; plenty of room to bust a move. Sundays is jazz brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This might be a good time to try one of the restaurant’s contemporary cocktails, like Root Down, which mixes Anejo Rum with coffee liquor among other ingredients. Con Alma is closed Tuesdays but opens 5 p.m. every other day except Sunday. An outdoor patio and daily vinyl happy hour are other big draws here. 5884 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. (CM)

2) As a sign of Pittsburgh’s growing cultural diversification, Nepali cuisine has been cropping up around the Steel City, with the North Side’s Subba generating some serious buzz among foodies. Quick geography primer: Nepal, home of Mt. Everest, is a country bordering India to the northeast. Unsurprisingly, then, Nepali food is reminiscent of Indian food. But, if you’re a Pittsburgher looking for something more familiar, something, say, pierogi-like, try momo—Nepalese dumplings filled with chicken and spices. Get them pan-fried or steamed. Other popular favorites include mango lassi (a yogurt-based drink) and a variety of meat and vegetarian dinner plates. Subba also serves Indian and Chinese dishes. Although the restaurant’s inside decor may be somewhat bare, it’s the food that’s bursting with color. 700 Cedar Ave., North Side. (CM)

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