Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
An industrial powerhouse in the late 19th and early 20th century, Pittsburgh has today reinvented itself as a center for finance, information technology, robotics, healthcare, and education. Located at the confluence of three great rivers—the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela—this breathtaking city is sure to excite even the most blasé of business travelers. As the road from the airport emerges from a long dim tunnel, a dramatic vista opens up to reveal what's known as the Golden Triangle—a downtown area shaped by the rivers, punctuated by a soaring fountain backed by a startling skyline of sophisticated architecture. The Steelers' Heinz Field and Pirates' PNC Park enliven the North Shore, and construction of a Gambling Casino is beginning in the area near Heinz Field.
Except for Alcoa and Delmonte Foods, which sit across the Allegheny, the headquarters of most large corporations and financial institutions are located in the compact downtown area. Westinghouse resides in the eastern suburb of Monroeville, while Bayer USA is found on the airport highway known locally as the Parkway West. Healthcare is big business. The city enjoys an international reputation for excellence in clinical medicine, research and organ transplantation, with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center dominating the market. The city's many colleges and universities, including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, boast an international student body and faculty that lend a cosmopolitan ambience to this mid-sized town.
Pittsburgh's hilly topography constructs a remarkable cache of neighborhoods, each with a unique and often ethnic identity. Riverside walks and beautiful parks add grace-notes to the urban landscape. World-class art, a jaw-dropping, recently re-installed dinosaur collection and a rich program of cultural events provide the business traveler with enriching "time-out" opportunities. |
Facts
to Know Before You Go |
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Transportation:
Pittsburgh
International Airport, rated one of the world's
best, is located fifteen miles northwest of the
city center. Taxis are readily available, as are
scheduled bus services and airport limousines. Private
planes can arrive and depart here or at the Allegheny
County airport 15 miles southeast. Downtown hotels
do not provide shuttle service from the airport,
but those adjacent to the airport do.
Taxis
are mostly yellow (www.pghyellowcab.com).
The fare from the airport to Downtown runs approximately
$38. Within the city, taxis are found only at hotels
and cab stands or by telephoning the company dispatcher.
The
Port Authority operates a regional public transportation
bus system and the T, a subway and light rail transit
system that, with four downtown stops, makes a quick
way to cross the city's center. Two historic
funiculars, known locally as inclines, are an unusual
and scenic way to ascend Mount Washington. Though
it's a local neighborhood, Mount Washington
boasts an observation deck and—from numerous
restaurants and bars—a grand view that makes
an impressive backdrop for business entertainment.
In summer, water taxis, with a limited number of
stops, operate on the rivers. The Gateway Clipper
Fleet runs year-round river excursions. River craft
can be rented for special events, like a floating
cocktail party for your clients.
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Newspapers:
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review publish daily, the Pittsburgh
Business Times and City Paper weekly.
For events, restaurant listings, art and gallery listings
and lifestyle features, Pittsburgh Magazine
publishes monthly and also offers an annual City Guide.
The city has five television stations, including WQED,
the first Public Broadcasting station in the country
and home to Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. The first
commercial radio station in the country, KDKA, resides
here still. |
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The soaring marble and glass-domed lobby welcomes you
to this stylish hotel, an affiliate of Historic Hotels
of America. The spectacular renovation of a 1906 landmark
building melds its Gilded Age charm with amenities required
by the contemporary business traveler—complimentary
Internet access in the guest rooms, a Club level and lounge,
a Business Center, meeting facilities, smart phone service
and a fitness center. The hotel is conveniently located
for walks along the Allegheny River and the North Side,
which includes PNC Park, Heinz Field, The Warhol Museum,
and the theaters and galleries in the Cultural District.
Also within walking distance are the David L. Lawrence
Convention Center and most major downtown businesses.
Rooms, many with a fine river view, are furnished in the
style and quality of this upscale Marriott brand. In the
lobby, the attractive Wine Bar, with resident sommelier
Philip Real stands ready to pour the perfect vintage for
that important dinner on which the big deal hinges.
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Built
in 1986 and smartly renovated in 2004, the hotel has changed
ownership many times—beginning as a Vista, morphing
into a Doubletree and now operating as a Westin. But this
hotel has always maintained its own high-profile brand
image and reputation. Conveniently located at one edge
of the downtown area, it offers easy access to the Cultural
District and sports venues. Nearby you'll also find
the entrance to the Strip District, a section of food
markets, warehouses, restaurants and nightlife. A skyway
connects the hotel to the new David L. Lawrence Convention
Center, nationally lauded for its "green"
design and construction. Extensive meeting rooms, exhibition
spaces, a full business center, complimentary high-speed
Internet service and an expansive fitness center comfortably
accommodate business travelers. Large, pristine rooms
lure with the Heavenly Bed.
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A
reflection of the city's wealth at the height of
the Industrial Revolution, the William Penn was built
by industrialist Henry Clay Frick in 1916. Today, this
Grand Dame of Pittsburgh hotels blends historic grandeur
with modern conveniences and business amenities. Fronting
Grant Street and bordering charming Mellon Square Park,
the monumental structure occupies the very heart of the
city. Stunning public spaces include a soaring lobby created
from elegant marble, crystal and gilt. The Palm Court
is ideal for discussing the finer points of business over
cocktails, while the dramatic Art Deco Urban room is designed
for special events. While there remains an undercurrent
of fading dazzle, restoration of this lavish lady is ongoing.
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Built
in the 1960s, this downtown hotel—which is non-smoking—is
typical of the Marriott chain. Select rooms have been
tailored specifically for the business traveler with high-speed
Internet access and a work desk. Fourteen meeting rooms,
where the Internet is wireless, and three foyers add up
to 24,000 square feet of meeting space. There's
also a Business Center and two Concierge levels. All guest
rooms boast complimentary broadband Internet access. The
hotel's location is ideal for attending events at
Mellon Arena. Another plus is The Steelhead Brasserie
and Wine Bar, led by an accomplished, award-winning chef.
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One
of the city's largest hotels, built during Pittsburgh's
"First Renaissance" in the 1950s and ‘60s,
the Hilton was once favored by visiting professional sports
teams and other celebrities. The hotel is also grandly
positioned at the "Point," where the city's
three rivers converge.
Its luster is returning under the new ownership's major remodeling project.
The lobby itself is lovely
and hosts a hub of activity. Many rooms offer exciting
views. The comfortable feather beds garner raves. There's
a Towers level with Executive lounge, and a business center.
All rooms and public spaces enjoy complimentary high-speed
Internet access. Shopping, cultural events and sports
venues are nearby, but the Convention Center, government
offices and some business addresses require a hike, despite
the claim on the web page. Shuttle service is offered
between the hotel and destinations in downtown. |
At Nine on Nine, treat yourself, business associates, clients
or prospects to sophisticated ambience, gorgeous décor,
informed service and cutting-edge cuisine. Elegant appointments
in a color palette of navy, silver and white, along with
quality artwork, are impressive. The menu, which changes
daily, filters French cuisine through a contemporary American
sensibility with a focus on fresh, superior ingredients.
All breads are artisanal and baked in-house. Signature dishes
include grilled quail in a blackberry sauce, Kobe-style
beef carpaccio with porcini oil, and Pittsburgh surf &
turf—grilled filet, lobster pierogie and thyme-roasted
onions, topped with black truffle béarnaise. The
dessert list, including Fresh Berry Vol au Vent, house-made
fruit sorbets and banana-chocolate bread pudding, is short
but sweet! The wine list, with 29 wines available by the
glass, is quite respectable. The chef is formally trained
as an artist, so expect presentations to quicken the pulse. |
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Look out Morton's and Ruth's Chris: Capital Grille steakhouse is rocking Pittsburgh's fine dining market. Both the food and the ambiance are impressive. A chef-driven kitchen and well-trained front of house staff create an exceptional dining experience for business entertaining. Private dining accommodations include a fully-equipped conference room. The sophisticated and lively bar makes a great meet, chat and relax venue. Though part of a national chain, each city's restaurant fine-tunes the comfortable "clubby" environment. Here art extols such local notables as Mister Rogers and Steelers' founder Art Rooney. Premium steaks are meticulously dry-aged on-site, and top quality seafood arrives daily. Best bets: Steaks, of course, but also genuine Japanese Kobe beef carpaccio, pristine Blue Point oysters on the half-shell, a wonderful cold shellfish platter, lamb chops and the lobster "mac & cheese." For dessert—all are made in-house—splurge on the sinful flourless chocolate-espresso cake. |
At the Downtown edge of the Strip District, Eleven delivers
executive-class American fare with a wine cellar to match.
The setting, a dramatic contemporary space, draws on premium
materials, warm earth tones and subtle lighting to create
a comfortable ambience. For small gatherings, there's
a Chef's Table next to the open kitchen and an inviting
lounge, featuring a large green onyx-topped bar and tables
with cushy chairs. Upstairs, private dining rooms accommodate
parties, meetings and conferences. Amenities include A/V
and videoconferencing equipment. The inventive menu changes
frequently. Expect warm, rich flavors and seasonally fresh
ingredients. |
In trendy Shadyside, up two steep flights of stairs, Umi
offers cool interiors, traditional Japanese cooked dishes,
and exceptional sushi and sashimi. Business travelers looking
to impress their guests, or simply lusting for Japanese
cuisine, will delight in the world-class menu offerings.
Seating options include tatami tables (with recessed floor
space so your legs won't cramp), regular tables, and
a smart, suspended concrete sushi bar. If you're dining
alone or with one other guest, claim a seat there to watch
Mr. Shu, an alumnus of Nobu New York, exhibit his knife
skills. Ordering omakaze (chef's choice) assures you
an experience of the finest and freshest ingredients. The
New Style preparations are delectable, and the unfiltered
sake is divine. |
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Housed
in the same building as Umi, Soba defines stylish meeting,
drinking and dining. Its dramatic interiors, described by
the designer as "a modern urban Zen garden,"
include a two-story waterfall coursing down a dark slate
wall. Business diners looking for a trendy eatery to impress
guests will find that Soba hits the spot. The accomplished
kitchen serves Pan-Asian cuisine with contemporary twists
and on-target spicing. Many dishes—small plates, large
plates and bowls—can be shared, adding a sense of
affinity to the experience. Signature dishes include various
preparations of mussels, raw fish tartares and Korean barbecue
ribs. Next door there's a lively bar, private rooms
upstairs and a second-floor outdoor patio with serious heaters. |
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Also
in Shadyside, Casbah, a Mediterranean restaurant and wine
bar, offers sophisticated flavors and an upscale yet casual
dining experience. The décor taps into local artists
and artisans working in glass, ceramic, wood and metal.
The menu sails around all ports of call on the Mediterranean—Spain,
France, Italy, the Middle East and North Africa. Connected
to local farmers, the kitchen's hallmark is ultra-fresh,
often organic ingredients. Casbah is a popular lunch and
weekend brunch spot, and young professionals gather at
the end of the work day for discounted martinis, an extensive
list of wines by the glass and a thoughtful cheese tasting. |
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A
large business contingent joins shoppers during lunch
and dinner at the popular Sonoma Grille, located in the
downtown Marriott Courtyard. The kitchen issues an eclectic
menu and a pronounced California attitude about seasonal
ingredients. This is most decidedly not the typical hotel
restaurant. Servings are sized to be between appetizer
and main course portions, so select several different
dishes and share. The décor is cheerful, the presentations
creative. Most especially the wine cellar, deep for such
a young restaurant, supports an excellent program emphasizing
wine and food pairings. You'll find many unusual
bottles and a jaunty torrent of wines by the glass. |
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The
recently renovated Doubletree Pittsburgh Hotel introduces
a new dining concept: The Bigelow Grille. Housed in a
comfortable, amiable dining room, the restaurant tackles
the challenge of pleasing a varied hotel/local clientele.
Conservative eaters will relish well-executed traditional
foods, including regional ethnic dishes given a twist—cornbread-
and sausage-stuffed Amish chicken; Allegheny choucroute
or house-made sauerkraut, local kielbasa, bratwurst and
ring bologna. But adventurous palates seeking wow-factor
innovation can on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
only try Alchemy, a 25-course tasting menu that pushes
the frontiers of kitchen science. Bacon ice cream; "caviar"
of beet juice globules; "blue," a stick of
blueberry-flavored spun sugar wrapped around gorgonzola
cheese—these and other feats of molecular gastronomy
claim attention. |
Bona
Terra
908 Main St.
Sharpsburg, PA 15215
412-781-8210
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15/20
$$$$$ |
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Bona
Terra, in Pittsburgh's Sharpsburg neighborhood,
produces one of the most satisfying dining experiences
in town. The twenty-minute drive or taxi ride from downtown
takes you past the first major manufacturing facility
of the Heinz Company, still headquartered in Pittsburgh,
where Mr. Heinz produced his first bottle of 57 Varieties
ketchup. Bona Terra is not an Italian restaurant, as some
suppose. It's actually Latin for "good earth,"
which is what this ingredient-driven restaurant is about—fresh,
local, seasonal, sustainable ingredients prepared with
talent, integrity and dedication to flavor. Décor
is spare, but service is exceptional. Also, note that
Bona Terra is a place where you can BYOB. Due to Pennsylvania's
liquor monopoly, you'll need to shop at a State
store on the way. There's a downtown location with
an excellent wine selection at the corner of Forbes and
Smithfield streets. |
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Owner
Robin Fernandez calls his ultra-sophisticated Spanish-themed
establishment a "comfort lounge." It's
a bar, a gathering space, a special events venue—and
sleekly modern in décor, loaded with original
art, including Picasso prints. Martinis, exotic
cocktails, Red Bull—all these you'd
expect. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, expect
standing room only, a high voltage "scene"
and a high decibel sound track. On other nights
this is a great place to relax and enjoy cocktails
and authentic Spanish tapas—with the added
bonus of a five-minute walk to PNC Park, where you
can take in a baseball game with colleagues and
guests. |
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Opened
in 2001, the PNC Baseball Park is widely considered
the most attractive baseball park in the country.
The Pittsburgh Pirates play here, and you can definitely
bond with the boss at any of the home games held
from April through September—especially if
you score access to one of the luxury hospitality
suites. The stadium's seven World Series suites,
which accommodate 30 to 40 guests and include VIP
parking, feature amazing views of Pittsburgh's
skyline—not to mention a sense of exclusivity
while you sit back and watch America's favorite
pastime. You can even plan special events on non-game
days, with several different spaces available and
an on-site caterer. |
The
Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
www.warhol.org |
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One
of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, The Warhol
contains the definitive collection of art and memorabilia
by pop-art icon and native son, Andy Warhol. You'll
discover fascinating tidbits, like how the artist
got his name. (It was really Warhola, but he decided
to keep the new version—the result of a typo
on an early exhibition poster.) In the museum's
permanent collection you'll find more than 12,000
works of Warhol art, and there are always current
shows by other modern artists. The museum regularly
features films, receptions, workshops and wine tastings.
From the gift shop, pick up a set of souvenir tomato
soup can refrigerator magnets for your secretary! |
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa
1001 LaFayette Dr.
Farmington, PA 15437
800-422-2736
www.nemacolin.com |
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In
Farmington, PA, approximately one hour and 45 minutes
from Pittsburgh, this luxury resort and spa has
several golf courses that include PGA-class Mystic
Rock, award-winning restaurants and a vast array
of activities from an equestrian center to a Hummer
driving range. Nemacolin is just the place for a
getaway business retreat or team-building exercise.
Limousine service to Pittsburgh International Airport
can be arranged, and there's an airstrip and
helipad. Among the dining options is Lautrec, frequent
winner of regional best restaurant awards, with
private dining rooms available for your business
dining group. Among the meeting options is a convention
building for large meetings or exhibits. |
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Frank
Lloyd Wright's masterpiece country house,
built around a natural waterfall, can be rented
for special events—including private tours
and receptions for business groups. Recently reopened
after reconstruction of the massive concrete slab
that anchors the house, Fallingwater cannot fail
to impress. It is widely considered the region's
foremost attraction worldwide. Recent visitors have
included Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. There's
an onsite Café, which provides comprehensive
catering services from simple fare to Champagne
and caviar. For those wanting more of the master's
work, the historic House on Kentuck Knob (www.kentuckknob.com)
is nearby. |
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| P121206 |
(Updated:
02/11/08 SG) |
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