For Immediate Release - October 12, 2009
Contact: Hollie Geitner
(412) 325-0153
(412) 780-6709 – cell
hgeitner@downtownpittsburgh.com
PDP Celebrates Downtown Residents with Block Party
August Henry City Saloon Voted Best Food and Beverage
PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) celebrated Pittsburgh’s 89th neighborhood with the first-ever Downtown Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, October 3. More than a thousand residents and guests turned out for the street celebration on Penn Avenue in the Cultural District, which featured a live DJ and band, poker, makeovers by Saks Fifth Avenue, a food and beverage competition and children’s activities.
“We’re so pleased with the success of this first event, that we’re already thinking about ideas for next year,” said Patty Burk, vice president of housing and economic development for the PDP. “It was a great way for residents to meet their neighbors and an opportunity for them to share with guests why they love living Downtown.”
And the winner is…
Downtown residents voted and the winner is August Henry City Saloon for best restaurant in BOTH the food and beverage categories. Chef Wayne’s offerings that night included: creamy chicken artichoke soup, teriyaki ribs, bison sliders, and sweet hot chicken wings. The specialty drink was N9ne4ortySi6 (the restaurant’s address), which featured Effen Black Cherry Vodka. The winning sampler was even offered as one of their lunch features last week and the specialty cocktail will soon be a regular on the bar list.
“When we opened five years ago, we knew this was an emerging neighborhood and since then, we’ve marketed the restaurant as a neighborhood hangout by offering a special diners club program just for Downtown residents,” said Todd Mathias, owner of August Henry’s. “The Block Party was a perfect opportunity for us to get in front of residents and we are honored to have won over their taste buds.”
Residents Thank Mayor and Pittsburgh Police
Party guests honored the Mayor and Pittsburgh Police with Honorary Downtown Resident Status as a special “thank you” for their work during the G-20 Summit on Sept. 24 and 25.
“While the Summit was inconvenient at times, we couldn’t have been happier with how the police protected us and our families during those few days,” said Rachel Booth, chair of the event’s resident organizing committee.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl attended the party and mingled with guests as he sampled fare from local restaurants and heard their stories about Downtown living.
“All of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods are unique and it was a lot of fun to be a part of a special celebration for our City’s newest neighborhood—Downtown,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. “I enjoyed talking to residents about their experiences living in the Golden Triangle and I truly thank them for their patience and understanding during the G-20 Summit.”
A special thank you to event sponsors: Port Authority, Rivers Casino, Larrimor’s, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Saks Fifth Avenue. Participating restaurants included August Henry City Saloon, Sonoma Grille, Seviche, MixStir’s (Market Square), Istanbul Grille, Nine on Nine, R & B’s Pizza, Olive or Twist and Palazzo Ristorante.
Due to the great success of the event, the PDP plans to host another Downtown resident celebration next fall. Businesses interested in marketing opportunities, are encouraged to call 412-566-4190.
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