Pittsburgh Zoo plans to upgrade food plaza and restaurant

Jonathan D. Silver / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Parents weary from pushing a stroller uphill at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium should have a more inviting place to park it, take a breather and get a bite come next summer.

The zoo is seeking city approval for a privately financed $2.5 million renovation of the food plaza and restaurant that sits smack in the middle of the Highland Park property and its 77 acres.

Situated in the existing Safari Plaza, the proposed 7,100-square-foot facility will expand seating and permit patrons to look out over giraffes, zebras and elephants, according to a design plan submitted by longtime zoo partner Indovina Associates Architects of Pittsburgh.

The idea is to have your lunch while having the feeling of being in the wild, according to Indovinas proposal.On one side, you will see giraffes, zebras and elephants and on the other there is a new cheetah area.

Currently the only views are contained in conceptual art, but that alone is enough to excite zoo staff.

The views are supposed to be spectacular, zoo spokeswoman Jaime Szoszorek said Thursday.

The planned restaurant, 1,000-square-foot covered terrace overlooking the giraffe yard, open patio seating and upgraded and expanded serving, kitchen and support areas are meant to update facilities Indovina calledoutdated and inadequate. The existing structures, dating to the 1980s, will be demolished.

Seating capacity will jump to about 140 people indoors from 40 now. Outdoor seating will be able to accommodate 540 people, up from the current 368.

One thing that wont change is the menu.

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Pittsburgh Zoo plans to upgrade food plaza and restaurant