Abode Kitchen & Bar brings classic American fare — redefined — to Oakmont’s thriving culinary landscape. Located in the former Chelsea Grille space, Abode is a new venture by veteran restaurateur John Keefe, who also owns The Lot at Edgewater, Michael A’s Italian, The Pub at 333, Vinnie’s Tavern, Carnivores, and Hoffstot’s Café Monaco, all in Oakmont — as well as Twin Boro Bar & Grill, which opened in June in neighboring Verona.
Find a Seat at the Table at Abode Kitchen & Bar in Oakmont
Abode leans into a vintage vibe, with executive chef (and Chelsea Grille alum) Rob Coulson putting a sophisticated spin on beloved old-school staples. Meatloaf is made with buttery Beemster cheese and served with paprika pommes puree, braised brown-sugar greens and crispy cabbage. Guest favorites also include jerk chicken, Swedish meatballs (inspired by those Coulson’s grandmother made) and Nordic cod in brown-butter Ritz crust with trout roe.
“The goal in many dishes is to remind you of a meal you loved while growing up, viewed through a different lens,” says Jen San Rocco, COO of Keefe’s restaurant group.
Weekend brunch is a big part of Abode’s appeal and aligns with its relaxed ambience. The menu includes birria hash, featuring birria- braised beef, breakfast potatoes and sunny-side egg; the “Low Country” benedict; green shakshuka; a char-grilled “shotgun” burger; and cereal-milk French toast.
A Beverage to Match the Comfort Cooking
The bar program is “playful, thoughtful and designed to complement the overall [Abode] experience — while having a little fun along the way,” says San Rocco.
Brunch cocktails range from the rum-centered Fruity Pebbles to a Bloody Mary made with fresh-pressed juice. Retro-inspired drinks include the Vanilla Cherry Royale, an elevated cherry-soda vodka, and the bourbon-based Co-Co-Bop (the name is a nod to bandleader Little Anthony). The drink menu also includes spirit-free options.
Abode was originally planned as a Mexican restaurant, but San Rocco and Coulson pitched Keefe on a different vision. “To his credit, John said, ‘If you believe in it, do it,’” San Rocco recalls, noting that it has been “an opportunity to build something that feels very personal.” As the name suggests, Abode evokes the warmth of home, with a richly wooded interior and botanical flourishes, including a floral canopy over the bar.
“We weren’t trying to create a concept for the sake of creating a concept,” says San Rocco. “We are creating a place we want to spend time in ourselves.
Story by Deborah Weisberg
About the Photographer
Dave Bryce is Shady Ave and TABLE Magazine’s contributing architecture, interiors, and food photographer, based in Pittsburgh. He photographed Fallingwater: Living With and In Art (Rizzoli, 2025) and regularly shoots for Pittsburgh Magazine and American Farmhouse Style, working with architects, interior designers, and hospitality brands. See more at davebrycephotography.com.