COVID Disrupters - Saving Hospitality: One Drink at a Time

We all know the food and beverage industry has been hit hard during covid times. Restaurants and bars have broken boundaries by introducing new tactics, introducing deliveries, launching pop ups, partnerships and more to keep afloat while their occupancy limits have been reduced. We have lost dozens of staple brands in our city over the past year and it’s not slowing down as the cold weather gets worse.

So far this year we have seen people like Local Motives partnered with Bar Marco to create All Hands on Deck, a sidewalk sale that raised over $750 for Restaurant Workers Aid. The Warren provides free service industry meals on Monday and prepares hundreds of meals for 412 Food Rescue & Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership alongside Dianoia’s, The Vandal and more. Pat Bruner from Bankrupt Bodega biked 412 miles to raise money for 412 Food Rescue. Scratch Kitchen completely changed their business model and transformed their restaurant into a market in Troy Hill while also providing hot meals to seniors in their community.

Now our good friends from Mindful Hospitality Group partnered with Fulton Commons & New Ivy Group to launch Saving Hospitality: One Drink at a Time, a virtual fundraiser to support Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid. Zooming from the recently completed Fulton Commons in Manchester, join virtually to learn about the current crisis facing our hospitality institutions, and explore new ways that we can come together as a city to support these businesses and the next generation of hospitality entrepreneurs.

At this Virtual Event, You'll hear from:

Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid - Taylor Stessney, Co-Founder of PRWA, will share about the current state of hospitality in our region and provide info on the work of PRWA and ways you can support their efforts

Mindful Hospitality Group - Cat Cannon and Cecil Usher, Co-Founders of MHG, will conduct a cocktail class so you can learn the attention to detail that goes into your favorite drinks

Fulton Commons and New Ivy Group - Brian Mendelssohn, Co-Founder of Fulton Commons and Botero Development, and Megan Worbs, Founder of New Ivy Group, will discuss ways the real estate development and entrepreneurship communities in Pittsburgh can support hospitality

Your Ticket Includes:

Access to the Virtual Event on 1/22 and Recording of the Event

• An Event Kit* Including Ingredients and Recipes for Two Cocktails: The Penicillin and The Aviation (Two Servings of Each)

• An Entry to The Event Raffle Drawing

Too purchase tickets and for more info visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saving-hospitality-one-drink-at-a-time-tickets-136194151373

Mindful Bartending with Cecil Usher - Finding your Quarantine Creativity.

The allure of being an apartment bartender has all but worn off as we enter the sixth month of weekend nights spent at home. In April, it felt like you won the lottery if you could even access the Wine & Spirits website. I’d grab a few cases of wine and not think about it for a month. After a while, you start to crave something a bit different. Home-cooked meals and a glass of wine just can’t compare to the experience derived from a night out at your favorite restaurant.

Now, even though restrictions are slowly being lifted, getting craft cocktails to go may not be the easiest and most affordable way fill this void. To answer some of the necessary stay-at-home cocktail questions, we reached out to bar mastermind Cecil Usher from Mindful Hospitality and asked him a couple of questions that could change the way you approach drinking at home. 

Do you have any advice for people afraid to step outside their normal purchase habits or tips for people trying to expand their horizons?

I am such a fan of all spirits and think people but pigeon hold themselves. Every spirit has so much variance and a range in their offerings. You like vodka, try some made from wheat, rye, potato or grape. See which one you like best. Then learn about the different methods of distillation. Pot still or Column still. Each one give the spirit a different nuance. Again, that’s just vodka! Try different tequilas, rums, and bourbons.

Could you recommend some online sites that you have used to find new products or equipment to use at home?

I like using barproducts.com for a wide array of items on the cheap. If it’s for my personal use cocktailkingdom.com does the trick.

What about some items at home you may already have that someone wouldn’t think of using?

I have two tips for people at home that would spice up their cocktails. One would to look into alternative acids. We all know lemon, lime and other citrus fruit but try working with different vinegars. They add acidity to your cocktail and when paired with sugar and some type of fruit juice in equal parts you have something called a shrub. Get creative. And the second tip would be making some “complex”syrups. We all know simple syrup is 1:1 sugar and water, however you can get creative with the liquid side of that equation. Instead of water, use fruit juice, tea, coffee, anything! That will for sure take your old fashion game to another level.

Have you came across any safe alternatives other than at home for getting a drink with a friend?

Acacia, in Southside before the last closure was probably the safest place you could drink. They went above and beyond for their guest safety. Another place that is doing a great job is Kelly’s in East Liberty. Both places have bartender owners so they get service really well.

To learn more about Cecil Usher and his business Mindful Hospitality: Visit his website at https://www.mindfulhospitalitygroup.com/ or follow him directly on Facebook and Instagram.

#staythefuckhome

In what is absolutely the weirdest of times, staying at home is one of your biggest responsibilities right now. Maintaining our previous lifestyles has become harder and harder each week. One way to support the brands and local restaurants that you can't wait to get back to is by ordering delivery from your favorite spots. Listed below are a list of some local Pittsburgh businesses offering take out, delivery and others making a difference for society. Support what you can, and please stay the fuck home.

“Hey, gimme an I.C. Light.” - IC Light Beer launched a new T-Shirt and is donating all revenue to the USBG National Charity Foundation to support beverage industry members. #GimmeAnICLIGHT

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - Is working with local school districts to get children the resources they need and offering grab and go meals at their locations around the county.

Ryan Peters - Learn how to make pasta from scratch on IG live with local chef Ryan Peters from Iron Born Pizza.

Iron Born Pizza - Online ordering on their website offering pizza and take and bake pastas.

Market Street Grocery - Online order and delivery for prepared food and wine is available.

Reed and Co - Walk up window for orders. (New window hours M-F, 11-7pm starting April 6th) and online via Grubhub.

Primanti Bros - Free Beer 12oz beer with every take out order for April 2nd.

Boyd & Blair - Are selling spirits online plus working with State and Local governments to distribute hand sanitizer made in their distillery.

Penn Cove Eatery - Wine and beer to go

Pennsylvania Libations - Online ordering of local liquor brands.

Acorn - Pick up and Delivery

Streets on Carson - Delivery and Take out. Also on Uber Eats.

Dianoias - Family Meals take out

Richard Deshantz Group is teaming up with restaurant supplier The Chefs Warehouse to launch a high quality curb side pick up of local meat, poultry and pantry items.

Pitamyshawarm - Takeout via their website.

El Burro - Pick up and Delivery available.

If you would like to be added to this list please email codybaker@creativesdrink.com

On ya side with Mars Jackson - D.S Kinsel Artist's Talk

“On ya side on Saturday” read the text which included a link to his artist talk on the North Side of Pittsburgh at City Books, I replied “I’m there bro”. 

Tucked off on Galveston Avenue, City Books is a small, independent bookstore that moved to the North Side around 5 years ago. The owner Arlan Hess, conducted the artist talk with Kinsel. She asked a series of question about the artist’s background, upbringing, and what inspired his style. Kinsel who I often look up to as a mentor, is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and cultural agitator. Kinsel is also the co-owner of BOOM Concepts, a creative hub dedicated to the advancement of black and brown artists representing marginalized communities located in Garfield. To be honest, D.S is somebody who you may want to tap in with when you’re in the city of Pittsburgh on many levels, especially when it comes to community. 

During the artist talk he explained the cultural differences many black men and women face in Pittsburgh. Including stories of his own parents’ journey, which struck a conversation with one participant in the audience. As Kinsel explained to the participant as well as the rest of diverse group, you must listen with open ears to what black people in the city of Pittsburgh are telling you from their OWN experiences. Something you can strongly see from Kinsel’s art. 

Totems, Sacrements, & Shrines by D.S. Kinsel, will run until February 29th in the IAMB Gallery. The exhibition (and accompanying book) features photographs documenting Kinsel’s street art practice of creating temporary unsanctioned sculptures/installations of public art in urban settings.  You can purchase the book from City Books or Boom Concepts.  

 Go Explore, get uncomfortable, and learn something new. 

- Mars Jackson

To find out more about this event please visit: https://citybookspgh.com/kinseltalk/

A Conversation Between Mars Jackson & PK Delay

Mars Jackson and PK Delay sat down shortly after the new year to chat about the trails and tribulations of having to produce a song every day for 365 days straight. Mars sat to interview PK and Mr. 365 had all the answers.

What were the pro's and cons to making a song a day?

Pros to song a day were working my mind daily. It’s like hitting the gym or putting up shots everyday if you’re a basketball player. Getting ya exercise in was good. Venting every day felt good. I used some of the songs as a daily journal. Cons were remembering and making time to drop songs.

What was the hardest thing you had to deal with in life up til this point?

Hardest thing to deal with is being in my head a lot and taking things too serious.

When somebody says Pittsburgh Hip Hop or Music what is the first thing that comes to mind for you?

Pittsburgh music ... I think raw talent. Originality.

How do you separate yourself from other artists?

My vulnerability separates me from other artists.. .I really don’t give a fuck.

How did your grandfather impact your your life ? And what’s some advice you still hold from him til this day?

My grandfather instilled work into us. To keep it going.

The rest of the conversation were first thing comes to mind style questions…

Major Label

• Fuck em. If it’s beneficial for ya situation do what you need. Get a lawyer & read paper work.

Lil B

• Legend. Changed the rap game. 

Bussem Black

• Love. My brother. Part of who I am today.

AEW or WWE

• AEW right now , WWE forever.

NBA 2k

• 2k I’m the best at it.

Joel

• Joel. Love. My brother. Keep me sane.

An Early Taste: Cobra

We got an early taste at the up & coming night club/karaoke bar/korean bbq concept, Cobra.

A few weeks back, we were blessed with the opportunity to attend Cobra's opening night. Before drinks even began to flow, the energy and aesthetics of the venue had given off a vibe that had potential enough to be a true game-changer in the Pittsburgh Night-Life scene. Fast forward through the evening and a week later we were able to sit down at Cobra to experience the food portion of this exciting new concept.

Let's set the tone early by saying that by no means are we food bloggers or do we typically write reviews on restaurants…but we want to share how much fun we had during this dinner. Our meal began with the Caviar Potato, a perfect start before diving into the BBQ portion of the menu. We continued the dinner with the Cobra Omakase 1 and finished the meal with the Japanese Wagyu. Our team spent over two and a half hours at the table trying different combinations, experimenting with the different cuts of meats to discover how we liked each type of meat prepared. Without realizing how much time had passed through our meal we were completely stuffed, barely making it over to the bar side of Cobra to finish the night.

Cobra's venue and the menu would be best recommended with a group of 3-4 people. Share everything you can from their tremendous options with friends and family, and I think you will be surprised at how fast time flies. This style and concept is something not easily found in the Pittsburgh nightlife scene, so keep Cobra in your plans for the early new year.

Congratulations to Cobra and the individuals who make up their team, and thank you for the opportunity and invitation to experience all of your hard work and dedication that is easily obtainable through the outstanding venue and food!

https://cobrapgh.com/

Community Service

We are very excited to announce the launch of a new content segment on Creative Drink's website titled Community Service. This blog based content network will shed light on local artists, events, businesses and stories throughout the creative community of Pittsburgh. 

As a member of this rapidly growing community in our city, we feel as if this is our duty to showcase the local creatives through the the platform that has been created, as well as using this blog to learn more about the creatives around us and how the city is growing. We hope this tool brings new eyes to artists and more footsteps to the businesses and events that make up this community. 

If you would like to get involved or contribute in any way, please use the contact form on our website.