For years South Hills residents have had to visit Downtown Pittsburgh to find out what what makes Bruschetta’s one of the city’s best and most popular restaurants. But now getting the Bruschetta’s experience is as easy as taking a short drive down Route 19.
Last month saw the quiet opening of Bruschetta’s al Lago, a local version of the South Side restaurant. Famed for its delicious regional Italian pastas and unrivaled service, Bruschetta’s has been a fixture in the city for a decade. One noted dining critic cited it as the rare restaurant that has actually gotten better with time.
With the success of the original, owners Ed and John Lewis have long considered opening a second location, but were waiting for the right opportunity. That came along when they learned that a building that once housed a bar adjacent to Canonsburg Lake had become available. The Lewises drastically renovated the building, turning the old bar into a thoroughly sleek and modern dining space, with an addition that offers gorgeous views of the nearby lake. The new room’s garage bay-style windows can roll up to allow fresh air on seasonable days, while a heated concrete floor keeps the room cozy in the winter.
But at Bruschetta’s, the food is the key, and to that end the restaurant brings to the South Hills the same menu that made it one of the region’s premier dining spots. Staples include Bruschetta’s Rotolo, a pasta rolled with sausage, mushrooms and onions, topped with marinara and fontinella cheese; Veal Zurich, a sauteed veal loin with fried onions and Swiss cheese in a marsala wine sauce, served with mushroom risotto, and Vegetable Orzo, an award-winning dish topped with grilled chicken breast and served in a natural chicken jus. Entrees range from $11 to $28 and come with the restaurant’s namesake garlic bread. This location also adds something new to Bruschetta’s — a wood fired oven for making pizza. Several new pastas and appetizers are also exclusive to this location.
“Given the area, and the fact that we get more kids in here than the South Side, we wanted to make the restaurant more flexible and family friendly,” John Lewis says. “We wanted to create a place where everybody feels comfortable, whether you’re here for cocktails and appetizers, pizza and salad, or fine dining and wine.”
Bruschetta’s al Lago includes nearly 40 of the restaurant’s most popular wines by the bottle, and more than a dozen by the glass.
Behind it all is the same team that started it all in Pittsburgh. Executive chef-partner Tom Rebstock, who has been with the restaurant since its inception, is overseeing the food side of things, along with kitchen manager David Kreul, a six-year veteran of Bruschetta’s.
“Both of them have been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the quality of our South Side location, and they’ve brought the same commitment to excellence to this location,” Lewis says. Lifelong Peters resident Lou Chamberlin is the restaurant manager. Previously she was assistant manager at Rolling Hills Country Club.
To make sure that al Lago meets Bruschetta’s high standards, the restaurant opened with little notice last month.
“There’s been a lot of anticipation,” Lewis said, “and people are expecting great food and service. We started slowly to make sure that we got things right.”
Bruschetta’s al Lago is located at 200 North Lakeside Drive, just across from Donaldson’s Crossroads. Kitchen hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday. Reservations are available for parties of six or more. For more information, call 724-747-5050.
