Kristy Graver, Pittsburgh Magazine Journalist Profile

Articles

Lawrenceville Market House Looks to Refresh Its Food Offerings

1 week ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

You have until June 29 to dig in at Lawrenceville’s Main Street Diner & Kickback Cafe before it goes 6 feet under. As a diehard fan of the 1988 film “Beetlejuice,” it’ll be a sad day-o for me, indeed. In a social media post on Monday, the owners of Lawrenceville Market House, a co-retailing space that debuted on Butler Street in 2022, announced the decision to close the Beetlejuice-themed bar, restaurant and pinball arcade that’s located on the lower level.
This Local Nursery Specializes in Plants —and Penn State Ice Cream | Pittsburgh Magazine

1 week ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

Flora Park Garden Center’s creamery sells 24 flavors of the university’s legendary dessert. To the owners of Flora Park Garden Center, the place isn’t just about plants, it’s about people — and Penn State ice cream. Randy Stetor and Debra Galob, who opened the business in Bethel Park in 2000, now have an onsite sweet shop that serves 24 flavors of ice cream made at Penn State University’s 160-year-old Berkey Creamery in State College.
Hey Babe Is Open for Business

1 week ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

The East Liberty cocktail lounge is the brainchild of industry veterans (and lovebirds) Danielle Cain and Rob Hirst. Married couple Danielle Cain and Rob Hirst took their favorite term of endearment and turned it into a throwback lounge that serves swanky cocktails with bites to match. Now that’s true love!Hey Babe opened June 16 inside East Liberty’s historic YMCA building on South Whitfield Street.
What’s the Buzz About Kyuramen?

1 week ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

One of the largest ramen restaurant chains in the country has two locations in the Pittsburgh area. Kyuramen’s motto is “Every Day is Ramen Day,” so I took heed and dined there on consecutive nights. Within the past six months, one of the country’s largest ramen restaurant chains opened spots in East Liberty and Cranberry. During my first visit, I was accompanied by friends who, despite rush-hour traffic, mazelike streets and construction zones managed to find me.
Links Brewing Co. Taps Into its Target Audience at Local Golf Courses

2 weeks ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

Links Brewing Co. is filling a divot in the saturated beer market by catering directly to golfers. The Carnegie-based business supplies suds to 16 local courses and makes private-label beers for Allegheny Country Club, St. Clair Country Club, Fox Chapel Golf Club, Chartiers Country Club and Oakmont Country Club, site of the 2025 U.S. Open. Founder Jeff Becker’s goal is to see Links on tap at the top 50 golf courses in America.
Where to Get a St. Louis-Style Pizza in Pittsburgh

3 weeks ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

Caliente Pizza & Draft House locations now offer the thin-crust, Midwestern favorite. When it comes to St. Louis-style pizza, it’s all about the cheese. Or, in this case, Provel, a processed, slightly smoky blend of Swiss, cheddar and provolone that’s a staple in the Midwest. It has a low melting point that creates a smooth, gooey layer over tangy, red sauce and a thin, crackery crust that’s cut into squares. Caliente Pizza & Draft House now offers the Midwestern favorite.
Hello, Baby! Meet “Babs,” Southwestern Pa’s Mobile Infant Formula Bank

3 weeks ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

As Megs Yunn leads me through the headquarters of Beverly’s PGH in North Huntingdon, we are dwarfed by towering metal shelves lined with toys, diapers, clothing, books and other childhood essentials. It’s the most adorable and welcoming warehouse I’ve ever seen, complete with an event space and cozy lactation lounge. In the parking lot, Pennsylvania’s first-ever mobile infant formula bank is stocked and ready to roll.
Where Can You Find Bread Beer, Barrel & Flow Tunes and Pints in a Park?

3 weeks ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

Voodoo Brewing Co.Voodoo Brewing Co.’s North Shore location is closed. June 3 was the last day of operation for the pub, which opened in 2022 on North Shore Drive in the former Rivertowne Brewing space. “After almost three years, we’ve made the call to close the pub so we can double down on what we do best: brewing world-class beer and making it more available throughout Pennsylvania,” the company stated on social media.
The Steel Curtain Reopens This Saturday at Kennywood

1 month ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

At 220 feet, it’s the tallest coaster in Pennsylvania. After being sidelined for the 2024 Kennywood season, The Steel Curtain reopens this Saturday at 11 a.m.At 220 feet, the tallest coaster in Pennsylvania takes riders on a 76-mile-per-hour journey along 4,000 feet of track that includes nine upside-down moments (the most in the United States) and the highest inversion in North America.
Songs For Hope, Hair For Peace

1 month ago | pittsburghmagazine.com | Kristy Graver

On a private estate in Belle Acres, people will gather to fight cancer with jazz, rock, R&B and soul. “I want to battle the beast,” growls Barbara Cooley Thaw, a breast cancer survivor who’s lived on the property since 1988. The disease doesn’t stand a chance. Thaw and her husband, Robert, raised two children at the beautiful homestead overlooking the hills of Sewickley. Now the empty nesters enjoy hosting charity events there.