The Tartan

Dear avid pillbox readers, 

If you know who I am, you’re a true fan. You’ve followed my burgeoning journalistic career, seen my first music reviews, pored over my pillbox layout redesign, and congratulated me on my thoughtful direction of the paper as Co-Editor-in-Chief. As you might be able to tell, I am feeling self-aggrandizing: I am in the last semester of my college career, and I have decided that it is time for me to be glamorous, to be wise, to be… Carrie Bradshaw?

I hope and pray you’ve watched “Sex and the City.” It’s a cultural classic and a veritable textbook on love, life, and fashion. I would recommend it to anyone. If you’re dreadfully behind, let me catch you up. “Sex and the City” focuses on main character Carrie Bradshaw, a New York City-based writer with a popular column about dating, life, and, of course, New York. Carrie Bradshaw DEFINES fabulous. Everything about her is whimsical, beautiful, sexy, etc. 

Now, I bow at her feet to say it is my time to write my own Carrie Bradshaw-inspired column. Welcome to “CMU and the City.” I’ll be using this space to muse on my experiences and observations of college, relationships, and Pittsburgh. I hope not to talk down to anyone, but rather to use this column as a medium to get to know myself better — and hopefully to prompt you, dear reader, to reflect on your own unique experiences. 

Without further ado, I present my first article: A personal guide to dating in Pittsburgh, based on seven years of experience (and counting).

I think Pittsburgh is one of the most fantastic cities in the country in which to date. Its size makes it easy to have several different kinds of adventures. It’s walkable. Its seasonality frequently fosters cozy energy as well as lively, hot summers. There are restaurants and museums galore, good public transportation, and nothing is too expensive (unless you seek that out, in which case you can find it. It’s easy to meet many different kinds of people here, but it’s also the sort of place where you can have a favorite date spot that you keep coming back to with the same person.

Carnegie Mellon is well positioned to give its students access to several good areas for dates (even beyond Flagstaff Hill, Phipps, and the Carnegie Museum of Art). I’d like to give my recommendations based on season, as that is a significant aspect of any Pittsburgh experience. Note that my recommendations are heavy on walking, talking, seeing, and eating. I think these are critical components for bonding with another person. More on this in a future issue.

Summer

Berry Fresh: Located on Murray Avenue just past the Forbes and Murray intersection lies one of the few frozen yogurt shops in Pittsburgh to survive beyond the 2012 craze. While being outrageously inexpensive, this little shop is also open late, allowing you to sit outside on a warm summer night with a cup of literally whatever you desire — chocolatey, fruity, and with any toppings you want. Good conversations have been had there.

Washington’s Landing: If you find yourself in possession of a car, drive out to Pittsburgh’s only island. Take the walking trails along the island’s edge to see stunning views of the city and Allegheny River, or grab dinner at Redfin Blues. There are lots of people who boat out of the marina here in the summer.

Mellon Park: Outstanding location for a picnic just down Fifth Avenue. There are gorgeous gardens and an art festival every August and September. At night, one of the gardens lights up to reflect the constellations above. There’s a reason why most Pittsburgh kids take their prom pictures here.

Fall

Hemmingway’s: If you are 21 or older, grab a cozy seat in a two-person booth at Hem’s and split a pitcher and a snack. This is great for someone you’ve been on a few or more dates with.

Mercurio’s Pizza: I have no words to describe this place besides pizza, gelato, and go right now.

Biddle’s/Madeline’s: Good first or second date, but only if you’re excited about going out with the person. Take the 61A or B all the way into Regent Square and head for Biddle Avenue. There is a short commercial area with an adorable French bakery (Madeline’s), a bookstore, a coffee and tea shop (Biddle’s), and a few other things. Regent Square has insanely good vibes.

Winter

Aiello’s Pizza: Best American pizza by-the-slice, cash-only, in Pittsburgh. Good for couples who are also friends. 

Dobra Tea: Good place to have an extremely long conversation. Located on Murray Ave, this place is so cozy that the windows fog up when it gets cold outside. They have hundreds of teas you can order, and each comes in a unique glass, sometimes with a teapot or another method of pouring. There are snacks as well. You will likely be sitting on some sort of pillow and it will be fantastic. Pittsburgh is so lucky to have Dobra.

Strip District: Do this as close to Christmas as you possibly can. Pittsburgh residents flock here in the winter for holiday food supplies. It takes a bit of bussing and walking, but if you get there you can walk down Penn Avenue and wander into shops for samples or to buy random yummy things like cheese, olive oil, coffee, pepperoni rolls, etc. It’s like Diagon Alley but for Italian Americans.

Spring

Mattress Factory/Aviary: This is my personal favorite set of museums in Pittsburgh (both free with the Carnegie Mellon Arts Pass), but truly just go to any museum for an early date. I think it’s a fabulous way to get to know someone, and it gives you space you need if you’re not feeling the vibes.

The Number Garden: I wanted to include a campus spot in case work has you so down bad that you need to spend time with your person as close to Doherty Hall as possible. There is rarely anyone here, and you can sit and talk or lie on the numbers and stare at the sky. It’s a little quiet space on our busy campus.

Petersen Events Center Parking Lot: For peak stargazing or to see the most giant cell tower the closest you’ll ever get to one, walk to the top of this parking lot at night. This is probably the quirkiest spot on this list, and it works best if you’re going for a high school date feel (I don’t know why you would be, but it’s quite fun).