Whether by chance or choice, this fall and early winter brought an unusual number of restaurant closures in town, with many stopping service at the start of this month.Still, eateries with unique twists are finding their footing. From Cranberry to Shadyside, here are the newest concepts breaking into the Pittsburgh market and one chain that’s “proofed” it can last.OpeningsMediterra 526 Northpointe Circle, CranberryJust shy of two years since the Ambeliotis family opened their third Mediterra location in Lawrenceville, the local cafe chain is growing again. Mediterra opened its fourth location in Seven Fields on Thursday, Dec. 5. It comes with the usual suspects: bread by the loaf, pastries, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, soups and salads.The same address was previously home to a Big Spring Spirits location, which quietly closed at some point within the last year — social media pages for the cocktail bar have since been deleted, making it hard to pinpoint the date it closed.In any case, residents of northern Allegheny County and southern Butler County can now celebrate our first sprinklings of snow with good bread. What else can you ask for?Mediterra is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Uncorked 703 Main St., SharpsburgYa like jazz? The crew over at Uncorked does too. Since it opened on Saturday, Nov. 9, there’s been a constant stream of artists in the door.The restaurant serves homemade pastas and a smattering of entreés from lamb to scallops. It also has an extensive beer, cocktail and martini menu, as well as wine by the glass or bottle.My picks? A cheese board, roasted brussels sprouts and fresh bread while soaking in the sound.Uncorked is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m.Three dishes made of Latino Spot buffet menu items. Photo courtesy of Latino Spot.Latino Spot Bar & Buffet 212 Oakland Ave., OaklandGet ready for two words you’ve never seen next to each other in Pittsburgh: Latino. Buffet.Latino Spot opened on Sunday, Nov. 10, and heralds itself as the city’s first Latino buffet. Its website doesn’t note what dishes are on the buffet, but its proper menu features American classics like pizzas and wings alongside empanadas and yuca bites. It also serves new takes on Latin American classics: the Peruvian dish Lomo Saltado, for example, finds its way onto the menu in sandwich form.The Latino Spot is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.Palm Palm 5996 Centre Ave., ShadysideAs soon as next spring, Shadyside will be home to a restaurant inspired by Palm Springs, California.The concept comes about through a partnership between Lisa and Herky Pollock — a local entrepreneur and co-owner of Ritual House — alongside Chef Ed Smith and his spouse Amanda Smith.Palm Palm will serve dishes inspired by Californian and South American cuisine, alongside craft cocktails and homemade sodas.An opening date is yet to be announced. Keep an eye on our food and drink page for future coverage.ClosingsMerchant Oyster Co. featured fresh oysters along with four varieties of seafood chowder. Photo by Tracy Certo.Merchant Oyster Co. 4129 Butler St., LawrencevilleNo pearls here; Merchant Oyster Co. closed on Tuesday, Dec. 4, after seven years in Lawrenceville.The eatery announced its closure via social media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, but didn’t explain what had spurred the decision. Still, it seems the spot may return in some form in the future.“This isn’t fair winds forever — just the end of a beautiful chapter. Stay tuned,” the post reads, in part.Sugar Spell Scoops 1014 N. Canal St., SharpsburgAfter six years in its Sharpsburg storefront, vegan scoop shop Sugar Spell announced on social media that it won’t reopen after its usual January winter break.“Unfortunately, we just weren’t able to come to an agreement with our landlords,” the post reads, in part. “And, because of that, some general issues with the building, and other factors, our time here is coming to an end.”The post hastened to add that Sugar Scoops is already pursuing another location, with “things in the works for later in 2025.”Sugar Spell did not respond to a request for comment.Photo courtesy of Sultry Food & Bar.Sultry Food & Bar 1719 E. Carson St., South SideThis South Side bar and restaurant announced its closure after five years in familiar form: on Facebook.“With heavy hearts, we share that we’re making the difficult decision to close our doors,” owners Melissa Barth and Brian Forrester write. “This year has presented challenges that have become too much to bear.”The restaurant officially closed on Sunday, Nov. 24, after a final Sunday Brunch.NatuRoll Creamery 4318 Butler St., LawrencevilleThe Lawrenceville storefront of “Pittsburgh’s original rolled ice cream” company closed at the beginning of October with no announcement or explanation. NatuRoll’s Cranberry location is still open, but the business’s website says it’s closed for the season.NatuRoll did not respond to a request for comment.Riley’s Pour House 215 E. Main St., CarnegieRiley’s burned down following a kitchen fire on Thursday, Nov. 14.Posts to Riley’s social media accounts seem to suggest that the popular Irish pub will be rebuilt, but the prospect hasn’t been officially confirmed. In the meantime, Riley’s staff are promoting GoFundMe pages for employees who were displaced by the fire before the holiday season and for the resident of the neighboring apartment, which was also destroyed.The post 5 Pittsburgh restaurants we’re saying goodbye to, plus 4 new ones we’re itching to try appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.