UPCOMING EVENTS
Depending on which night you're here, you can pair your favorite dish with talks from acclaimed authors, multi-lingual poetry readings, or concerts from award-winning musicians playing everything from afrobeat to traditional jazz. Three nights a week, in addition to enjoying world-class cuisine, you can satisfy your cultural palette with a free program hosted by City of Asylum and experience cultures from around the globe.
Please Note: Cucina Alfabeto shares a space with City of Asylum, where live performances may take place during your reservation. Please check the COA event calendar in advance to see what’s scheduled, as some guests enjoy the experience while others prefer a quieter atmosphere.
Boyd and Blair Partnership Pairing Week
Cucina Alfabeto is proudly partnering with PA distillery Boyd and Blair, bringing you new menu items using Boyd and Blair’s signature craft cocktails and award-winning potato vodka.
Boyd and Blair Partnership Pairing Dinner
Cucina Alfabeto is bringing you a special event, featuring a partnership dinner with local PA award-winning distillery Boyd and Blair.
Thursday Night Jazz: Tony Campbell’s Alto Sax Madness (A Tribute to Richie Cole & Eric Kloss)
Tony Campbell, Victor Garzotto, Dwayne Dolphin, and Roger Humphries pay tribute to legendary saxophonists Richie Cole and Eric Kloss in the final Thursday Night Jazz concert of the summer.
World of Music: Hugo Cruz’s Voice of the Drums ft. Chantal Joseph
Drummer Hugo Cruz shines a spotlight on percussion with vocalist Chantal Joseph and an all-star lineup of local musicians to fuse traditional Cuban drums with classic jazz compositions.
World Literature: Cleyvis Natera’s “The Grand Paloma Resort”
Praised as a “gripping…lush and suspenseful summer read” (Al Dìa) with echoes of the pop culture phenomenon The White Lotus (Crime Reads), "The Grand Paloma Resort" grabs readers and refuses to let go.
Thursday Night Jazz: Theron Brown’s “Spirit Fruit” (Album Launch)
A discussion and performance from master pianist Theron Brown, in conversation with Grammy Award–winning producer Kamau Kenyatta, on his expertly blended gospel and jazz album, "Spirit Fruit."
Writer-in-Residence: Rania Mamoun (Sudan) & Reem Alghazzi’s “Becoming Iphigenia”
A film screening curated by Writer-in-Residence Rania Mamoun, highlighting filmmaker Reem Alghazzi’s feature-length creative documentary following the story of nine Syrian women’s escape from war.
On Topic: Nina Sharma’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” (Interracial Relationships)
Author Nina Sharma shares her debut memoir, “The Way You Make Me Feel: Love in Black and Brown,” a hilarious and moving story of her interracial relationship, told in essays.
World of Music: Kinetic (Senegalese Drumming)
Senegalese drummers Cheikh and Papa join Joe Sheehan’s Kinetic ensemble for a concert blending traditional Senegalese rhythms with modern American sounds.
Writer-in-Residence: Volodymyr Rafeyenko (Ukraine) & Translator Mark Andryczyk
City of Asylum Writer-in-Residence Volodymyr Rafeyenko discusses three of his works with his translator Mark Andryczyk, exploring the process of translation and the relationship between writer and translator.
Thursday Night Jazz: Salsamba's Tribute to Cal Tjader ft. Chris Barrick
Pittsburgh-based Latin jazz quintet and DC-based vibraphonist Chris Barrick honor a titan of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz.
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz: Etta Cox
Etta Cox brings her incomparable stage presence and vocal prowess to Alphabet City to regale audiences with beloved jazz favorites and reimagined hidden gems. Admission is FREE, but please register through City of Asylum.
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz: Thursday Night Jazz: Kente Summer Madness Presents The Godwin Louis Quartet
Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Godwin Louis takes to the stage for Kente Summer Madness Part 3. Admission is FREE, but please register through City of Asylum.
City of Asylum: George Heid III’s “Intentions” (Album Launch)
This special Thursday Night Jazz performance features the album launch of George Heid III’s Intentions, a tribute album to his father’s bravery, sacrifices, and the bond the two shared as kindred spirits.
Midweek Mixer Happy Hour: The Whisper & Sage
Join us every Wednesday for the Mid Week Mixer Happy Hour at Cucina Alfabeto! Experience a showcase of our featured cocktails with our expert mixologist, Chris, who will be doing live demos & bar tutorials, while crafting your cocktails to perfection. This week we will feature the Whisper & Sage. The full cocktail menu will also be available all night. Space is limited—reserve your spot now by calling Jareth!
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz: Roger Humphries + The RH Factor
Join us for dinner and drinks during City of Asylum’s weekly Thursday Night Jazz show. Enjoy a world-class jazz performance, fueled by the passion, knowledge, and immense talent of a man who has been drumming since the age of three. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please check the City of Asylum calendar for additional show details.
Cucina Alfabeto: BYO Nights
Make a reservation to unwind midweek at our BYO Nights! Bring your favorite bottle of wine—no corkage fee—every Tuesday and Wednesday for a relaxed, flavorful evening.
Block Party at Alfabeto
Join us for a classic summer sidewalk party in partnership with our neighbors at City of Asylum Bookstore!
We’ll be grilling hot dogs, serving homemade punch and popsicles, and offering Happy Hour specials and Bar Bites inside. Meanwhile, the bookstore will host a sidewalk sale full of great reads.
Stop by for snacks, stories, and summer vibes—the perfect way to kick off your Independence Day weekend.
City of Asylum: Story Club PGH Presents: Story Slam! (On the Edge)
Join us for dinner and drinks during City of Asylum’s Story Club PGH Presents: Story Slam! (On the Edge). This July, Story Club Pittsburgh (created by the former producers of The Moth Pittsburgh) shares tales from the brink in Story Slam, their monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please check the City of Asylum calendar for additional show details.
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz
Join us for dinner and drinks during City of Asylum’s weekly Thursday Night Jazz show. This production will feature the powerhouse vocals of local Pittsburgh divas Anita Levels and Anqwenique paying tribute to the work of Angie Stone. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please check the City of Asylum calendar for additional show details.
BYO Wine Night
Unwind with us every Tuesday and Wednesday for our BYO Nights! Bring your favorite bottle of wine—no corkage fee— for a relaxed, flavorful evening. Reservations are recommended.
Closed for Private Event
We’re closed today for a private event, but we’ll be back to our regular hours tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming you later this week!
BYO Wine Night
Make a reservation to unwind midweek at our BYO Wine Nights! Bring your favorite bottle of wine—no corkage fee—every Tuesday and Wednesday for a relaxed, flavorful evening.
BYO Wine Night
Unwind with us every Tuesday and Wednesday for our BYO Nights! Bring your favorite bottle of wine—no corkage fee— for a relaxed, flavorful evening. Reservations are recommended.
Mother's Day
Join Us for Mother’s Day & Celebrate Mom with all her favorites!
We’ll be offering our full menu—plus a specially curated brunch menu just for the occasion. Whether she's craving a classic or something new, we’ve got the perfect plate waiting. Plus, every mom will receive a special gift as our way of saying thank you for all that she does.
Reserve your table today!
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz
City of Asylum Thursday Night Jazz FT. Scott Boni Quartet’s Sounds of Pittsburgh
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz
Join us for dinner and drinks during City of Asylum’s weekly Thursday Night Jazz show. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please check the City of Asylum calendar for specific show details.
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz
Join us for dinner and drinks during City of Asylum’s weekly Thursday Night Jazz show. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please check the City of Asylum calendar for specific show details.
Closed for a Private Event
Please note: Our restaurant will be closed on February 28, 2025 for a private event. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
City of Asylum: Thursday Night Jazz
Join us for dinner and drinks every Thursday during City of Asylum’s Thursday Night Jazz show. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Please check the City of Asylum calendar for specific show details.
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