When Sidney Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins back in 2005, he was thrilled to be coming to a city that's long been known for being a sports town. He truly couldn't have asked for a better place to live and work in the years since.
Players Guide to Pittsburgh
"You go through a lot of different things on and off the ice. This place has been really special, and continues to be," the captain said. "I'm very thankful and grateful that I got drafted here. It could have gone a lot of different ways, especially with it being the lottery and that sort of thing. The fact that I've been able to play as long as I have here, have some great memories and form some great friendships - hopefully, we can do more of that."
Evgeni Malkin has called Pittsburgh his second hometown, saying, "I love this city and I love these fans so much." And the quality of the people is what stood out to Kris Letang the moment he arrived here from Montreal. "Coming from a big city, Pittsburgh is a little smaller, but how nice and welcoming people are - that's what struck me right away," he said.
In honor of the team's upcoming 'Pittsburgh Night' next week, a few of the Penguins shared their favorite spots around the city. Take them up on their recommendations over the weekend while they finish up their five-game road trip, and then welcome them home while celebrating Pittsburgh's uniqueness on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.
RESTAURANTS
When asked where likes to eat, Tristan Jarry deadpanned, "anywhere that Tanger owns a restaurant."
Letang has been close with the two men behind the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group - chef and owner Richard DeShantz, and co-owner and chief operating officer Tolga Sevdik - since his rookie season back in 2006-07.
"My first year, I lived downtown. There was a place called Nine on Nine," Letang said. "At the time, Richard DeShantz was the owner with another person, and Tolga was the manager there. I was there for pregame meals, every dinner. They kind of took me under their wing, and they showed me the city. I had tons of fun with them."
A few years later, DeShantz and Sevdik opened their flagship restaurant, Meat & Potatoes, in the Theatre District. That's been followed by several popular establishments that have become staples in Pittsburgh's culinary scene, and frequented by the players… Letang most of all.
"I go often. About four times a week," he said with a grin. "I think the details that they put in everything, whether it's food or décor, is what makes their places so special."
His favorite is the sushi bar Gi-Jin, which Bryan Rust also likes. And in addition to Meat & Potatoes, Crosby listed Tako.
"I like going to the Cultural District. That whole theater area is great," the captain said.
Outside of the Richard DeShantz Group, Letang and his longtime defense partner, Brian Dumoulin, are fans of Thai cuisine. Kris likes Noodlehead, a cash-only BYOB spot in Shadyside, while Brian and his wife Kayla are regulars at Pusadee's Garden in Lawrenceville.
"It's really good," Dumoulin said. "We go there a lot."
The first Pittsburgh restaurant that comes to mind for Teddy Blueger is Umi in Shadyside, "because I do love sushi, and it is really, really good. It's also kind of a unique spot, so that would probably be my top choice."
Apart from that, Blueger also loves Italian food, and enjoys Il Pizzaiolo - which has a location in Market Square - and DiAnoia's Eatery in the Strip District.
And finally, when it comes to dessert, that's a no-brainer - Jake's Shakes (which have gained cult status) at one of The Milkshake Factory's nine locations, plus the stand inside PPG Paints Arena.
NEIGHBORHOODS
The captain is a fan of all the picturesque views that Pittsburgh offers, starting with the drive in.
"You gotta come through the tunnel, the Fort Pitt Tunnel," he said. "Take in that view, maybe at night. That's even better."
Though Letang does have a message for all Pennsylvania residents about how to approach that tunnel, and all of the others throughout Pittsburgh.
"You can't slow down when you go into a tunnel," he exclaimed with a laugh. "It's not like Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote where it's a fake tunnel. You're not going to ram the wall. It's all good. Wear your seatbelt. Nothing is going to happen."
Now that Letang's public service announcement has been completed, it's back to our guide. From there, "Mount Washington is kind of a lock, you know?" Crosby said.
"Going up the incline, having dinner up there - just going up there to hang out and take in the view if it's a nice day," Rust said.
After his rookie season, Letang moved to Mount Washington and lived there during the early part of his career.
"At the time, we didn't have a practice rink, so I think it was the best setup possible," he said. "You're not quite downtown, but you're close enough. Had the view of the stadiums on the water, so I loved it. It was my favorite."
He also likes Squirrel Hill, while Blueger enjoys Shadyside. Every now and then, he will go to Walnut Street and just walk around the neighborhood admiring the architecture.
"I've actually found some pretty cool houses, like those mansions," Blueger said. "It's kind of an interesting area."
Both he and Crosby get their hair cut in Lawrenceville, a fun and eclectic area that's consistently named among the top hipster neighborhoods in the United States.
"I like Lawrenceville. I'm a big Lawrenceville fan," Crosby said. "Just love all the little spots there. There's some fun little restaurants."
Outside of the city, Dumoulin and his wife Kayla will take their son Brayden to a park near Sewickley. "On days off, we'll go to Mediterra Café, and then go to the park after," he said.
SPORTING EVENTS
Pittsburgh's North Shore is home to Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park, and the Penguins try heading over there as much as possible to support the Steelers and the Pirates whenever their schedules allow.
"I think the other stadiums are fun, because they've got great atmospheres and they're really nice buildings that also have really nice views," Rust said. "So I think just being able to kind of take those experiences in would be fun."
Blueger has taken it one step further, having gone to Highmark Stadium at Station Square in the South Side to watch the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC professional soccer team the summer before last.
"That was pretty fun," he said.
All of the Penguins know how fortunate they are to live and play in such a passionate sports city, with Malkin's favorite thing being the fans. "They best!" he said.
"There's truly nothing like them, and we feel lucky we have the best fans in the world," Jake Guentzel said.
