Year: 2020

Coming off of an exceptional week of learning some cool things about some cool Pittsburgh people and places!

First off, what a party we had at Eddie Merlot’s this past weekend! They helped me put together an incredible evening and let us take over the entire lounge area, so a big thanks to them.  Chef Magg, Kim and all of the incredible staff were wonderful. The service was outstanding, the wine was flowing, and the food; always impeccable. When you frequent a place long enough, you can almost count on the fact that you will eventually have a bad meal or service. Not at Eddie Merlot’s.

This restaurant is always on point, the steak melts in your mouth and the ambiance is unbeatable.  We took tons of photos in front of their huge glass wine cellar. They have gorgeous private rooms that overlook the beautiful courtyard.  It’s a great place to host an event or go for a date night for so many reasons:

• The Food & Beverage: It’s a scratch-made kitchen with prime hand-cut steaks with an extensive wine list.

• Location, Location, Location: The location and parking couldn’t be easier. Its right at gateway center across from the Wyndham hotel and the parking garage connects straight into the restaurant which is free after 5 pm and no inclement weather concerns.

My favorite part beyond the food and the atmosphere is something even more important as I got to know Chef Jeff Magg.  I first covered Eddie Merlots for Savor Pittsburgh, which is an epic annual event where the finest chefs in Pittsburgh compete and all proceeds go towards UPMC Magee-Women’s Research Institute & Foundation.  It’s a great time and a great event, but it’s what I discovered once the cameras stopped rolling that just won my heart over. 

Chef Maag participates in endless philanthropic food drops all over the city and beyond all year and is heavily involved with several charities, but there is one charity, Best Buddies that has created a beautiful bond of friendship and mentorship that is extra special.  Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending social, physical and economic isolation of millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Chef Magg mentors a young man, Chef Chris Lofink and they do everything together! Chris cooks in the kitchen, he does deliveries with Chef Magg, and it’s simply just awesome. I got to see the photos and see the smiles that this bond brings not only in each other, through Eddie Merlot’s but through the City of Champions, and it is truly inspirational and time for everyone to know about it.  

Hidden Gem: Genoa’s Pizza

Turning the story now to an inside, secret skinny that some service industry peeps gave me on Saturday night. Genoa’s Pizza!  This place is a hidden gem if you’re looking for an awesome, off the beaten path, low key bar and pizza spot.  It’s snuggled in between 1st and Boulevard of the Allies on Market Street.  Don’t be surprised if you can’t see past the simple pizza parlor when you first walk in.  You have to cut through the Pizza Shoppe and loop your way to the back and BOOM, you’re in!

There is a full bar, cool mixed crowd, great bartender and did I mention they serve pizza until 3am? We had a table of 6 friends and we laughed and had such a fun, chill hang. It was great! Very NYC in the PGH! We met the nicest people and I made the coolest connection to one of my all-time favorite Pittsburgh celebrities, Mr. Water Heater! Yes, Mr.Water Heater.  I love to sing along to his catchy jingle, and it’s rumored that I once chased him down at the Home & Garden Show, which starts this weekend, by the way, that is held at the convention center to take a picture. I made a new friend, and am hoping to snag some great new apparel to show off my love for the famous Mr. Water Heater. 

You see, Pittsburgh, it’s all about our sense of community that is strong enough to anneal steel. That’s what it’s all about. And if you have a something N’at needs to know about, be sure to reach out so I can get the word out.

Next week it’s all St. Patty’s Day picks ; tune in for my top things to do and some Nat exclusives. Have a great week Pittsburgh!

It has been an intense stretch of 17-hour days this week. Sun up to sun down! The First Annual Pittsburgh Fashion Summit was a huge success! Mayor Peduto was there to kick the day off, and they officially announced me as host for the Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance and we filmed our first episode at the Summit that day!

I left the Summit and attended a private dinner for Pittsburgh Influencers at Bridges & Bourbon, and caught a sneak peek of their Spring Menu that blew me away! It’s all in the details and this place amazes me! From the smoking (literally) cocktails, gold utensils and the uniforms that were designed by Kiya Tomlin, Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin’s wife, this place is top-notch, and unlike anything else in Pittsburgh.

Night on the Town

Speaking of, let’s talk downtown! I’m so excited to share a few Nat fave hot spots that are diverse and in walking distance from one another. My friends and I just did a night out on the town; here’s what went down!

Start on Penn Avenue, and nestled between 10^th and 9^th is Bridges and Bourbon. Sample the menu and soak in the incredibly unique experience the mixologists will give you.  It’s like dinner, education and a show! After you’re warmed up and got your pre-game on, leave Bridges and head to 7^th Avenue and stop in at Howl At The Moon. 

You and your friends will have great service, sing- along and have some laughs at this full band, live, dueling piano style, interactive entertainment right in the heart of the city.  From there, go just a couple doors down to Social House Seven. They have a diverse Asian menu, but a cool hidden gem is that on certain nights it turns into a DJ dance party. I also love crossing over the Koi fish walkway as you enter! 

I have a HUGE surprise…I chatted with the managers while I was out and each of these places are going to give our listeners their very own “Natalie, Behind the Velvet Rope” experience if you go and mention my name or show name, N’at Around Town. So exciting! Here are those specials:

N’at Around Town Exclusive Offers

Bridges & Bourbon: Mention my name and receive 10% off their Bourbon Masters Society, a special membership program for those who enjoy and want to become more educated on whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. The membership includes special gifts, invites to special events and masterclasses, and discounts on select whiskey/bourbons/scotches.

How at the Moon: Mention my name and get your cover fee waived at the door! No cost to get your sing and dance on.

Social House 7: Mention my name and get a delicious, complimentary eggroll appetizer!

It’s all about helping each other and building a strong ‘Burgh community. If there’s something N’at needs to know about, be sure to reach out so we can get the word out.

Red Light Release Day!

And of course, today is the big day; the highly anticipated release of my latest single, Red Light Featuring Gallo Locknez! It’s now available across all streaming platforms; Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.  The song was mixed by 6-time Grammy winner Jimmy Hoyson, and Recorded at Fire K Studios – an amazing team of all ‘Burgh Peeps and created and produced right here in Pittsburgh! I’m trying my best to keep all I do, even for my national and global audiences, all sourced from right here in the ‘Burgh, baby!

Tomorrow (Saturday) night is my Single Release cocktail party at Eddie Merlots at 7 pm! I thought I was going to dinner with a couple of friends as I normally hideout on release day, but now it’s turned into a giant Entertainment Industry Pittsburgh Party; so grab your friends and come down! Have a great week Pittsburgh!