Phish in First of Two Nights at Star Lake; Picklesburgh Festival Opens; DiAnoia’s Restaurant (Fri., 7/21/23)

Friday-Saturday, July 21 & 22

1) Phish is so good you’ll be getting a chance to hear them twice. The band performs two shows at The Pavilion at Star Lake on consecutive nights, with tickets sold either as a two-night package or one by one. Phish formed at the University of Vermont in 1983. Thanks mostly to word-of-mouth and tape sharing, the musicians garnered a following with domestic album and DVD sales passing the 8 million mark. The group went on hiatus in 2000 and in 2009, but the current lineup has been intact for over 30 years. Phish is a jam band, but its sound encompasses bluegrass, psychedelic, rock, and other genres. Live shows are known for the members’ improvisation and audience interaction. The band has also been a mainstay at festivals such as Bonnaroo. 1994’s Hoist, Phish’s fifth album, increased their popularity as did their Ben & Jerry’s flavor, Phish Food, which debuted in 1997. Phish covered í rokk by Scandinavian prog-rock band Kasvot Växt on Halloween 2018 at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena—but both the album and band were fake, so the concert was really new Phish songs. 7:30 p.m. each night for the Pittsburgh engagement. 665 PA Route 18, Burgettstown. (C.M., M.V.)

Trey Anastasio performing with Phish at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado 2009. Photo: Dan Shinneman and Wikipedia.

Picklesburgh—July 21 – 23. Boulevard of the Allies (Downtown)

What would Picklesburgh be without a pickle juice drinking contest? Whoever drinks their quart of juice the fastest is named the Mayor of Picklesburgh. (photo: Renee Rosensteel for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership)

2) Sauerkraut. Kimchi. Dill-flavored popcorn. Deep-fried pickles. Pickle cocktails! It’s Picklesburgh. The ninth-annual, three-day, free event is now holding court in a new location on Boulevard of the Allies. If you can’t find it, look for the giant inflatable Heinz pickle (this year there are now two huge pickle inflatables), which resembles the company’s famous pickle pin. The festival recalls the city’s pickling history, which dates back to the 1800s, while also looking forward to our revitalized riverfronts and internationally recognized food scene. Enjoy free samples from area farms and restaurants, all of them offering their own take on pickled foods, before making the pickling purchase that’s right for you. Other “pickled” merchandise includes balloons and books. Chefs demonstrate how to pickle and can, and local musicians provide a pleasant soundtrack to your culinary wanderings. There’s a Lil Gherkins Activity Area for children. And, yes, the pickle juice drinking contest returns. Picklesburgh was three-times voted the No. 1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America in a USA Today readers choice contest. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership organizes the event with the help of numerous sponsors including Kraft Heinz. Noon – 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Noon – 6 p.m. Sunday. Downtown. (C.M., R.H.)

DiAnoia’s pickled Momma’s Meatballs at Picklesburgh.

3) Since 2016, DiAnoia’s Eatery has become a go-to dining experience with authentically Italian fare, including zuppas, made-in-house pastas, and freshly baked breads. Founded by chef Dave Anoia and his wife Aimee DiAndrea, this deli meets cafe meets full service dining experience has grown to satisfy hungry patrons from breakfast through dinner. Dave harkens from Lebanon, PA, but trained with Chef Brian Pekarchik whose local claims to fame include the former Spoon and BRGR in East Liberty. Aimee proudly “brings to the table” her grandfather’s famous meatballs among other family recipes. Theirs is a winning combination of love with extra marinara and pecorino romano.

Speaking of which, both the lunch and dinner menus feature plenty of dishes with red sauce and your favorite cheese(s). Lunch offers nine different cold or hot paninis, as well as a full complement of spaghetti and gnocchi dishes from which to choose. Come back for dinner and you’ll find even more pasta “perfectos.” Secondi dishes include Steak Florentine, porchetta and either a half or whole branzino. There are many tempting choices to be made at DiAnoia’s. In fact, this weekend, to celebrate Pittsburgh’s now famous Picklesburgh fair, DiAnoia’s is ready to challenge your sweet, sour, garlic and dill expectations with a smorgasbord of pickled and non-pickled noshery at the festival. Highlights at their booth include pickled: meatballs, lasagna, lemon-drop cookies, cannoli, and cocktails. 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. (C.P.O.)

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