by Megan Trimble

A new North Shore restaurant puts a twist on American food..

Brandon Herriott, and investors Bob and Lauri Zdravkovski, opened BZ’s Bar and Grille this past winter and serve what they call “twisted American cuisine.” The restaurant is across from PNC Park at 140 Federal Street, in the former Firewaters Restaurant and Bar location.

“We believed that Pittsburgh is a great city and that the North Shore and North Side are an up-and-coming area and a great place to invest in,” Herriott, and Ann Arbor, MI native, said.  “We love blue collar, tough, Midwest cities in general.”

The restaurant offers traditional American dishes such as burgers and mac & cheese, as well as unique takes on the classics like the Turducken Burger — a Turkey Burger topped with Duck Confit, a Fried Egg, Sage Aioli and Arugula.

The bar and grille draws in a range of customers, and does not just serve Pirates fans, but North Shore workers as well.

The restaurant features a blue — paying homage to the 1971 Grabber Blue Mustang, Herriott’s favorite car — and black interior with open brick, steel beams and wood. Black and white photos of Pittsburgh decorate the walls to add to the “modern industrial” theme.

“It’s a bar/restaurant that plays sports but not just a sports bar,” Herriott said. “There is a natural progression in the space from bar to restaurant.”

The restaurant operates Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and menu prices range from around $10 to $30 per entrée. Customers can choose the menu oddities or stick to the classics.

“Several of our Twisted American Cuisine offerings are nipping at the leaders heals, but the most popular item is still the Classic Burger,” Herriott said.