Work Continuing on New Restaurant at North Park Boathouse

This article was written and reported by Editor Richard Cook

Construction workers are busy renovating the first floor of the North Park Boathouse for a new restaurant.

The "Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe ," which already has a location on Pittsburgh's South Side, will have waitress service, a liquor license, and offer a variety of foods, including vegetarian dishes.

Partner Michael Kotyk hopes to have the restaurant open by late August.

"It's an older building, and a few things cropped up that we didn't initially expect," he said. "But we're just about finished with demolition, and ready to begin construction. Once we are open, we hope the restaurant will become another hub of activity in the park." 

Kotyk plans to have the cafe open seven days a week, year-round, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kotyk said the new restaurant would concentrate on a healthy menu that will appeal to the many walkers, runners and cyclists who visit North Park. 

The county will retain the right to rent out the second floor of the building for dinners and receptions. The nonprofit organization, Venture Outdoors, will continue to operate its Kayak Pittsburgh rental concession in another part of the boathouse.

What do you think of the idea of a restaurant in North Park? Tell us in the comments section below.