Vol. 21, No. 49
Best of Pittsburgh 2011
City Paper readers identify the city's masterpieces in our annual round-up.
By CP Staff
At the Mattress Factory, American and Egyptian artists put a fresh spin on global politics.
"'Tahrir2' celebrates the use of public space as an instrument of change and a crucial indicator of democracy in action."
By Nadine Wasserman
Re: alpolitik
How does the UPMC/Highmark battle look from the inside? This memo, discovered by Chris Potter*, gives us a clue
Political Capital: City officials weigh how much to spend on city infrastructure
"Just because you want a Cadillac, and you found a bank willing to give you a loan for one, doesn't mean you can afford a Cadillac."
By Charlie Deitch
As temps drop, Occupy Pittsburgh tries to rekindle hope
"Winter is our new spring"
By Chris Young
Best Local Twitter
Evgeni Malkin, @malkin71_
By Andy Mulkerin
Rumors that Edgewood is a "dry" municipality are all wet
"We have never been a dry borough. People have just never applied for a permit over there."
By Hal B. Klein
Move Over Yogurt, It's Kefir
Tips on "growing" your own fermented milk product
By Bill O'Driscoll
Alchemy N' Ale
Lawrenceville gets a gastropub, a convivial place to meet over beer and comfort food
By Angelique Bamberg and Jason Roth
Famed book-designer Chip Kidd, department-store historian Michael Lisicky and poet Naomi Shihab Nye visit Pittsburgh this week
Kidd is probably the best-known book-designer around.
After some delays, The Red Western and Delicious Pastries release debut albums
"When we play live, it's fun and it's energetic, but it's not a true representation of how we sound."
Critics' Picks: December 9 - 14
Local shows from Diego Garcia and Beirut; Sun Ray, Shining Light opens for David Mayfield Parade; Ali Spagnola releases an album with a drinking game attached
Jasiri X goes from MC to activist to activist MC
The local rapper known for his topical lyrics prepares a pair of releases
By Rory D. Webb
CD Reviews
New releases from Slim Forsythe, Eve Goodman, Nina Sainato and George Benson
Paradise Gray on conscious music and Jasiri X
Choreographer Mary Miller's latest work accompanies an art exhibit about war's aftermath.
"At the same time it represents the positive way we band together and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps."
By Steve Sucato
Fat Beckett
Good clowning isn't enough in Quantum's Waiting for Godot spinoff.
By Gordon Spencer
Mad Forest
Jed Allen Harris directs a quite strong student company in this really epic piece of Epic Theater.
By Ted Hoover
The Mask of Moriarty
For fans of classic British mystery, The Mask of Moriarty is an unbridled romp of knowing chuckles, nodding guffaws and the occasional horselaugh.
By Michelle Pilecki
Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles
A fascinating documentary examines those mysterious tiles in city streets
By Al Hoff
Film Kitchen
Artist Virgil Cantini is profiled, among other short films
The Women on the Sixth Floor
A French comedy of manners offers wry smiles and a lesson or two
Savage Love
Power, as a gross old man once observed, is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
State of Inertia
Preparing for a winter of discontent
By Chris Potter
Best of 2011: Culture and Nightlife
Best Alt-Folk/Alt-Country Band
The Armadillos
Best Museum
The Andy Warhol Museum
Best Bar to Karaoke
Nico's Recovery Room
By Margaret Welsh
Best of 2011: Food and Drink
Best Bakery
Oakmont Bakery
By Lauren Daley-Maurer
Best Burger
Burgatory
Best New Bar & Best Bar to People Watch
Local Bar + Kitchen
Best French Restaurant
Paris 66
Best Frozen Treats
Razzy Fresh
By Anjali Sachdeva
Best Thai Restaurant
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
Best New Restaurant
Meat & Potatoes
Best of 2011: People and Places
Best Pittsburgh Zoo Animal
Polar Bear
Best of 2011: Goods and Services
Best Store to Buy Comics
Phantom of the Attic
Best Local Salon
Pageboy Salon & Boutique
Best Hotel
Omni William Penn, Downtown
Best Place for a Wedding Reception
Phipps Conservatory
Short List: December 8 - 15
By Mars Johnson
Pittsburgh’s street trees are free upon request. So why do they often go to the city’s wealthiest residents?
By James Paul
Sophie Masloff seldom talked about her childhood. Were seedy family ties the reason?
By David S. Rotenstein
Mrs. Soffel was a cougar who might still haunt The Shiloh Gastro, pining for her Biddle brothers boy toy
By Rachel Wilkinson
Dave and Andy's says goodbye, Construction Junction turns 25 with wine, and more Pittsburgh food news
