Whaddya mean you don't bowl?

by Diana Nelson Jones/Feb 23

Our mavens of fun-at-a-bargain - http://www.livingpittsburgh.com - weigh in at Walkabout this week with a plan for your Sunday.

Yes, the day of rest for some is a day of cheap bowling for others in one of our favorite ‘hoods. We like Larryville every day of the week, but on Sundays, you can get 50-cent shoe rental at Arsenal Lanes. Wahoo!

Here are Heather and Rachel with your itinerary:

We recommend you start the day with a late morning Sunday brunch at Coca Cafe, (3811 Butler Street, 412-621-3171). Enjoy unique omelet selections like smoked salmon ($7.75), sun-dried tomato pesto ($7.25), or Four Cheese with Ham ($7.75), all served with grilled potatoes and fruit. Add a croissant for $1.25. They don't take reservations, but they do take seating requests if you call ahead, so give them a ring when you're on your way and get your name on the wait list.

After brunch, it's time for some good ol' fashioned bowling at Arsenal Bowling Lanes (212 44th and Butler Streets, 412-683-5992) from 1 to 4 p.m. For a $6 admission price, you get 50 cent shoe rental, games, soda and hot dogs.

After bowling, stroll down Butler Street and stop in some of the great independent stores like Wild Card, where we're pretty sure you'll be able to score a very unique purchase.  You'll also want to hit Zombo Gallery (4900 Hatfield St., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), which features "hip lowbrow art" (according to the website - http://www.zomboworld.com), artwork that is rooted in 1950's and 60's pop culture and kitsch. Inside Zombo Gallery, you'll also find some reasonably priced vintage men & women's clothing, by Wear It Clothing Co.

The shops begin to close around 5 or 6 p.m. on Sundays, perfect timing for your final destination: Brillobox (4104 Penn Avenue
412-621-4900). Every Sunday Brillobox features a $5 starving artist vegetarian dinner at 6 p.m. Past meals have included vegetarian lasagna and veggie stew. The evening includes $3 craft brews and tunes from the juke box.

We like the sensibility that would pair bowling with a starving-artist dinner. As a post script, Larryville also has one of the best cemeteries anywhere, and you can tour it for free. See the beautiful houses for which some illustrious people sprang mucho bucks to take eternal rest.