your neighborhood: Regent Square

It’s no surprise that Regent Square has so much to offer. After all, the neighborhood lies within four different municipalities: Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg. Whether you’re looking to eat, shop, or be active, you can easily find what you’re looking for in Regent Square.

Although it’s short, the Braddock Avenue business district is packed with attractions. Dining options, in particular, abound.

D’s Six-Packs and Dogs is heaven for beer connoisseurs and hot dog lovers alike. Customers who dine in can choose a frosty beverage from the well-stocked walk-in cooler, while others can stop by to grab a mix-and-match six-pack from the Beer Cave’s impressive selection of craft brews and imports. The restaurant’s Chicago-style dog is the real deal, complete with a poppy seed bun and green relish.

Dunning’s Grill and Murphy’s Tap Room are two more neighborhood spots with ample libations and conversation. At the intersection of Braddock and Forbes, Ryan’s Pub is renowned for its Sunday karaoke nights. Its patio is the perfect spot for enjoying the warmer spring weather, too.

The Map Room is another inviting restaurant and bar, but don’t plan on lunch there; the establishment is only open for dinner. The neighborhood is home to an outstanding lunch (and breakfast, for that matter) locale in the Square Café. It’s one of those spots where you have to be willing to wait for some time on Saturday or Sunday, unless you’re able to get there early to stake your claim to a table. Katerbean is more than adequate in its role as the neighborhood coffee shop, too.

Want to munch on ethnic fare? Stop in DeFlavio’s on the Square Pizza for a great pie, or hit up the Green Mango for some tasty Thai cuisine.

Diners in search of a more upscale experience will delight in Legume, which offers an ever-changing seasonal menu featuring the freshest ingredients. After your meal, why not catch a movie? The Regent Square Theater not only shows the latest films but also the classics, giving modern-day Pittsburghers the rare opportunity to catch flicks like “Casablanca” on the big screen. As part of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, the cinema screens films that are part of special showcases, including the Three Rivers Film Festival and the Silk Screen Asian Film Festival.

Shoppers can indulge their habit in Regent Square without breaking the bank. A visit to the eclectic LeMix can give any vintage jewelry lover a fix. Ambiance, a consignment store that benefits Bethlehem Haven, offers couture on the cheap.

While Ambiance offers high-quality secondhand goods year-round, another special event draws in bargain hunters, too. Regent Square is home to an annual community yard sale that is held the Saturday after Mother’s Day.

The neighborhood also offers an impressive array of wellness and fitness activities. The Center for Contemporary Health and Hearing provides services ranging from massage to naturopathic medicine to Reiki. Yoga on the Square combines attention to the mind and the body, while Shaolin Studio does the same through martial arts.

With Frick Park just blocks away, Regent Square residents have access to one of Pittsburgh’s premier outdoor recreation resources. In fact, one of the city’s most enjoyable 5K races, the Run Around the Square, takes place on Frick’s trails each August. Wilkins School Community Center (WSCC) is another site where Regent Square residents can get fit by taking classes like Zumba and Capoeira. The WSCC’s class schedule reaches beyond the exercise realm, though. You can explore topics ranging from wine tasting to photography to rug braiding. The center even holds a monthly book club.

Want to find out more about this intriguing neighborhood?

The Regent Square Civic Association’s Web site (www.regentsquare-rsca.org) provides a comprehensive overview of everything Regent Square has to offer.