On the Menu
What do you do when the weather is this gorgeous? You dine al fresco of course! Lucky for us, there are a number of restaurants in the area with outdoor dining spaces. We’re highlighting a few and a few delicious reasons to return all summer long.
Gin Blossoms

Photo courtesy Juniper Grill
Juniper Grill’s elderflower margarita
Juniper Grill in Peters Township recently unveiled its newly-renovated outdoor space. The open-air, enclosed porch, which overlooks Canonsburg Lake, is the perfect place to grab a bite and sip something made with TLC. The restaurant specializes in fresh-squeezed juice margaritas (not to mention sipping tequilas, craft beers and an extensive wine list), so it’s no surprise an elderflower margarita is featured on the summer drink menu. Made with St. Germain rum, hand-squeezed sours and agave nectar, it’s a delicate and fragrant cocktail with the ultimate balance of citrus and floral. Other summer drink specials include Peach Tea Lemonade, made with peach moonshine, peach schnapps, ginger simple syrup, lemon, mint and sodas, and a Ginger Mojito, mixed with local Single Prop rum, ginger beer, ginger simple syrup, lime, mint and grapefruit bitters. Cheers! For more information, visit junipergrill.com.
Mad for Mexican

Mad Mex’s Strawberry Rhu-marg
Through Father’s Day, you can savor the taste of summer at Mad Mex with its seasonal margarita flavors, including strawberry rhubarb (our favorite!) and blackberry thyme, while enjoying a lakeside view from its patio. In to Moscow Mules? Go for the watermelon mule, a clean, tasty spin on the traditional, fitting for the summer months. Look for Mad Mex’s annual corn menu to be launched this month (date TBD as of press time). We’re all ears! For more information, visit madmex.com.
A Night at the Races

Al fresco libations at Bistecca
Whether you’re looking for a quick drink, a comforting meal, or some R&R with a cigar, Bistecca SteakHouse in The Meadows Racetrack and Casino has you covered. Play the ponies and on-look on the patio over a crisp glass of Ruffino Orvieto, or dine in the open air then check out the Casino’s live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. On June 9, watch and wager the third leg in the Triple Crown race, the Belmont Stakes. Enjoy a barbecue tent on the apron with a la carte options like barbecue chicken, ribs, smoked brisket and pulled pork, and Ryan Cain & The Ables live from 3:30-5:30 p.m. before the start of the race at 6:30 p.m. For more on The Belmont festivities and the summer music series lineup, visit meadowsgaming.com. bisteccapittsburgh.com.