New Restaurant Announced for Theater Square

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TODAY’S DATE:

Monday, February 21, 2011

Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces new restaurant tenant for Theater Square

PITTSBURGH, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has reached an agreement with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Richard DeShantz who will open a new dining establishment at 649 Penn Avenue in Theater Square.

Trust CEO and President J. Kevin McMahon notes, “Richard DeShantz has been a tremendous neighbor in the Cultural District. His culinary talents and dedication to providing patrons with a quality experience clearly add to the exciting mix of retail, dining and entertainment in Downtown.”

“The timing of the Trust’s Theater Square space availability aligned perfectly with my desire to open another venue,” says Mr. DeShantz, who will maintain operating the restaurant Nine on Nine, also located in the Cultural District. “The concept for the new space is currently being refined. Our goal is to open later this spring.”

In addition to managing the new Theater Square restaurant, Mr. DeShantz will also oversee the menu of the adjacent Cabaret Theater, including events hosted by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust such as the monthly Wednesday Wine Flights and Craft Beer School. Mr DeShantz will also be one of the caterers for private events in the Cabaret.

Opened in 2004, the space at 649 Penn Avenue was formerly occupied by Café Zao and operated by Mr. Toni Pais, chef and owner of Café Zinho in Shadyside. Mr. Pais closed Café Zao in August 2010.

ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST’S THEATER SQUARE -- Designed by Michael Graves and Pittsburgh-based WTW Architects, Theater Square opened in April 2003. The $30-million, multipurpose facility has nine floors and measures 330,000 square feet. The building includes the Garage at Theater Square with 790 parking spaces; The Box Office at Theater Square. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a nonprofit organization created to stimulate the economic and cultural growth of Pittsburgh through the development and promotion of a Downtown arts and entertainment district.
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