Pittsburgh Restaurant Mini Reviews

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Ratings are based on how well a restaurant does what it sets out to do. In other words, a really good casual place will be rated higher than a poor fine dining restaurant.

Reviewers:  Matt – This is my site. Email me with feedback. I’m a medical resident.

Check the Blog for updates and the Submit page for how to become a reviewer.

17th Street Cafe
 (www.17thstreetcafe.com)
Style: Continental/French Upscale ($$$)

Location: South Side

Matt  – One of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh. Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. The owner, Pat, even sent me a personal email when I signed up for the mailing list on their website. The menu is large and varied, and the flavors are wonderful. Ingredients are of exceptional quality. The veal, crab, shrimp, and scallops are all amazing and they don’t skimp on the portions. Also, wine prices are pretty good for a restaurant of this quality.

Abay
 (www.abayrestaurant.com)
Style: Ethiopian ($$)

Location: Shadyside

Matt  – This is a difficult restaurant to review, since it’s my only exposure to Ethiopian food. Nevertheless, I think it’s excellent. You eat with your hands and the entrees are sitting on a bed of thin, soft bread that you use to scoop them up. It’s fun, and the flavors are great. Basically, if you like Indian food, there’s a good chance you’ll like this. Go for the combination platters… great value.

Aladdin’s
 (www.aladdinseatery.com)
Style: Mediterranean Casual ($-$$)

Location: Squirrel Hill
, North Hills, South Hills
Matt   – My favorite med here. (Update 11/19/08: Not anymore. Now it’s Kassab’s.) Hummus is as good as I’ve had in the middle east. Spicy kafta is great. Salads are good, too. Incredible cake selection, but I’m usually too full.

Alchemy N’ Ale

Style: Upscale Pub Food ($$)

Location: Lawrenceville
Matt   – Solid pub food with a more interesting menu than similar places. Everything from burgers to fried chicken to shepherd’s pie to steak tartare. I’ve been impressed with their wait staff so far. Atmosphere is so-so for me. Bottled beer selection is excellent but there hasn’t been anything too interesting on tap when I’ve been there. Good place overall. I refuse to link to their website because it’s a Facebook page.

Alla Famiglia
 (www.allafamiglia.com)
Style: Italian Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Allentown

Matt  – Might be the best restaurant in Pittsburgh. Amazing food with great presentation. Sides are served family style, which is interesting for a restaurant at this price level. You need a reservation since there’s only a few tables. BYOB, too, but still bring lots of money. Really bad neighborhood. Update 8/7/08: No longer BYOB. Bring even more money.

Alma Pan-Latin Kitchen (almapgh.com)
Style: Pan-Latin? ($$-$$$)
Location: Regent Square

Matt  – Great flavors at very reasonable prices for this level of food. I love their skirt steak. They always manage to have good daily specials, as well. The bar also has some nice drinks. They instantly earned a spot on my regular rotation.

Baba D’s

Style: Mediterranean Casual ($)
Location: South Side
Matt  – Terrible food. Stay away. I don’t know why anyone eats here.

 Update 5/8/11: My review was based on the Oakland location, which has closed. I haven’t tried the South Side location yet.

Bangkok Balcony
 (bangkokbalconypgh.com)
Style: Thai ($$)

Location: Squirrel Hill
Matt   – Pretty good thai food, but can be inconsistent. They never get my spiciness level right from one visit to the next. I prefer the Silk Elephant now.

Bites N’ Brews
 (www.bitesandbrewspittsburgh.com)
Style: Bar/Pizza/Sandwiches ($)

Location: Shadyside

Matt  – Great beer selection and surprisingly good (and huge) pizzas. Fun place to go and hang out with friends. Insiders tip: You can order off the Elbow Room menu.

Brgr
 (brgrpgh.com)
Style: Gourmet Burgers ($-$$)
Location: Shadyside / East Liberty

Matt  – Their regular burgers can’t stand on their own, though some of the jazzed-up ones are better. Compared to Burgatory, the food just isn’t as good. However, the atmosphere and location are fantastic which push it into the 3 star category. Good beer selection and spiked milkshakes. Great wait-staff, too. Just wish the burgers were better.


Bucca di Beppo
 (www.bucadibeppo.com)
Style: Family Style Italian ($$)

Location: Station Square

Matt   – Yes, I know it’s a chain, but I like it. Good for families or big groups. The food is a little greasy, but pretty good. I always roll out of there. Decor is great. If you call and request it, you can eat in the kitchen. Don’t skip the tiramisu. Pretty reasonably priced if you go with a few other people.

Buffalo Blues (www.buffalobluespittsburgh.com)
Style: Sports Bar ($)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – Greasy food, terrible wings, poor TVs, and awful service. So why am I there so often? Updated 10/1/07: Remodeled over the summer. Now the TVs aren’t poor.

Burgatory Bar (www.burgatorybar.com)
Style: Gourmet Burgers / Sports Bar ($-$$)
Location: Waterworks Aspenwall
Matt  – Their thing is burgers and milkshakes. Burgers are solid, but they won’t blow you away. A comfortable 3 stars except for those incredible milkshakes that push it close to the 4 star category – bring your Lactaid pills. I like the build-your-own-burger option. Appetizers are pretty good, too. How many places in Pittsburgh can you get truffle oil fries? Nachos are delicious at first, but don’t they know that when you top them with chili they get soggy in like 8 seconds? Shame. Good beer selection.

Cafe du Jour
Style: French Upscale ($$-$$$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – The food is fine dining, but the atmosphere’s sort of granola. Whatever, it works… the food is fantastic. A little expensive, but it’s BYOB so you end up ahead in the long run. Make a reservation, though, since it’s small and fills up quick. Cash only.

Cafe Sam (www.cafesam.net)
Style: Continental Upscale Casual ($$)
Location: Bloomfield, Corner of Baum and Liberty
Matt  – Huge, diverse menu and nice atmosphere. But food is surprisingly average. I’ve never had anything bad here, but I’ve never had anything great, either. A solid choice, but nothing special.

The Capital Grille (www.thecapitalgrille.com)
Style: Steakhouse / Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Downtown
Matt  – The atmosphere is awesome. It’s dark, but trendy and alive. Try to sit in the main room, if you can. Lobster bisque is great, and I can’t seem to get past the wedge salad with the gobs of blue cheese dressing. The lobster macaroni and cheese is one of the best sides you’ll ever eat. While the steaks are excellent, they’re not at the same level as Ruth’s or Morton’s. Go here for the atmosphere and variety of dishes and sides… not for the steak. Oh, and valet parking is free – nice touch.

**Read my blog post on the steakhouse chains.

Casbah (www.bigburrito.com/casbah)
Style: Mediterranean Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt – Great atmosphere. Very interesting menu, usually with some excellent locally raised lamb dishes. Overpriced, but at least it’s consistent – the common theme for the Big Burrito restaurants. Tapas are tiny and expensive, so don’t bother.

Chaya (www.chayausa.com)
Style: Japanese and sushi ($$-$$$)
Location: Squirrel Hill
Matt –  This was a great sushi place that was crammed into a terrible location. They’ve moved up the street to a much larger and nicer space.  The sushi, I think, is even better than it used to be. It’s also served on wood platforms – nice.  Service can be spotty. (Updated 5/6/10)

Cheesecake Factory (www.thecheesecakefactory.com)
Style: Casual Continental with Variety ($$)
Location: South Side Works
Matt – Definitely not worth the long wait. Fake elegant decor looks cheesy. Menu is enormous. Portions are huge but the food is typical chain fare. Not a bad spot for lunch if you’re really hungry.

Church Brew Works (www.churchbrew.com)
Style: Continental Upscale Casual ($$)
Location: Bloomfield
Matt  – Once you get over the sacrilegious look of the place, there’s not much to it. Food is expensive and not all that good. I think the beer is highly overrated, too. Pizza in the bar side or a salad is the way to go. Update: Ok, it’s better than I make it seem. Pizza is actually very good and food can be decent and daring (rattlesnake anyone?). Also, great place to go with a big group. Beer is still overrated, though.

Crepes Parisiennes
Style: Uh, Crepes? ($)
Location: Shadyside
Matt– Pretty good crepes with good variety. And hey, it’s an alternative to Pamela’s.

Cuzamil (www.cuzamilpgh.com)
Style: Mexican ($-$$)
Location: Squirrel Hill
Matt – This is the place on Murray Ave that was formerly Casa Mi Mexico. Don’t expect anything fancy, but this is really good, simple Mexican food. It reminds me a lot of the restaurants I used to eat at in California, so that’s a good thing. Combos are a good value. Solid enchiladas.

D’s Six Pax ‘n Dogz (www.ds6pax.com)
Style: American Bar Food ($-$$)
Location: Regent Square
Matt  – In this page’s spirit of doing what it sets out to do, D’s succeeds. There’s virtually nothing even close to healthy on the menu, but all their food tastes great. My personal favorite is the Chicago dog, but the pizzas are surprisingly good. The highlight is a cooler in the back where you can grab your favorite microbrew and bring it to the table. Atmosphere is only so-so, but this is a great place if you just want to go out and have some fun.

Del’s (www.delsrest.com)
Style: Italian Casual ($)
Location: Bloomfield
Matt  – Some people love it, some people don’t. I’m in the latter group. Just seems like mediocre Italian food to me.

Dinette (dinette-pgh.com)
Style: Wood-fired Pizza ($$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – Great, modern decor. The wood-fired pizzas are very good. Probably not as good as Il Pizzaiolo, but still tasty and a bit more daring in the toppings department. Wine list is pretty good, too, with prices in the $30/bottle range. Good choice of you’re looking for a light, casual meal in Shadyside.

Dish Osteria (www.dishosteria.com)
Style: Italian/European Upscale Casual/Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: South Side off Carson St.
Matt  – We didn’t have a great meal here, but everyone else seems to love it. Reminds me of small BYOB places in Philly and NYC, but more expensive and not as good. They don’t take credit cards. Update: They take credit cards now.

Double-Wide Grill  (doublewidegrill.com)
Style: American Bar Food (with a little Mex) ($-$$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – Fairly boring and mediocre food, but they do have special items on the menu for Vegetarians and Vegans. Weekend brunch is pretty solid. Great drink menu and always a great variety of beers on tap. The outdoor seating area is fun if the weather is nice. Pro Tip: The burgers look better than they taste, so skip ‘em.

Elbow Room (www.elbowroompittsburgh.com)
Style: Continental Upscale Casual ($$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt – Locals tell me it had some down years recently, but I’ve never had a bad meal there. Great salads, good entrees, and surprisingly good burgers. Great choice if you live nearby and just want a good, solid meal. Update: They moved to Walnut St. Same solid food.

Emiliano’s (www.emilianos.net)
Style: Mexican ($-$$)
Location: South Side, North Hills
Matt – Three stars because I just like Mexican food and this isn’t half bad. Glossy menu and bright interior make it feel like Don Pablo’s, but it’s better than that. Good fajitas. Salsa has lots of cilantro.

Fajita Grill (www.thefajitagrill.com)
Style: Quasi-Mexican Upscale Casual ($$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – Fajitas are pretty good, but every other entree I’ve tried has been poor. I still go because I like the desserts, but it’s really not worth it. BYOB.

Fat Heads (fatheadspittsburgh.com)
Style: American Bar Food ($$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – Great beer selection. “Headwiches” are monstrous. I don’t love the wings, but there are a lot of other great appetizers that will help you develop heart disease in a hurry. I like this place.

Five Guys Burgers (www.fiveguys.com)
Style: Burgers and Fries ($)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – Not gourmet burgers like Tessaro’s or Elbow Room, but more towards the fast-food end of the spectrum (though head-and-shoulders above any fast-food joint). This is a popular chain in the D.C. area and it’s easy to see why. The burgers are big, greasy, and delicious, and you can add any topping you want for free. Fries are good too, and a small fry is big enough to share between 2 people. Takes a while to get your food. (For the record, I still think In-N-Out is better.)

Franco’s Trattoria (www.francostrattoria.com)
Style: Upscale Italian ($$$)
Location: Dormont
Matt– Fantastic old-school Italian. Conventional wisdom is that this one is better than the Fox Chapel restaurant, but I haven’t seen much difference in the food. If you don’t like the old-school atmosphere of the Fox Chapel one, you’ll like this classic decor more. Again, make sure you get the fried zucchini. Update: The Fox Chapel location is closed.

Fuel and Fuddle  (www.fuelandfuddle.com)
Style: Continental Casual ($-$$)
Location: Oakland
Matt – Good food. Good beer. Good prices. Good lunch place. Pretty boring, though.

Girasole (www.733copeland.com)
Style: Italian – High Side of Casual ($$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – A little too crowded inside, but the food is very good. Love the desserts. Great bread, too. Eat outside if possible – more room and not nearly as loud.

The Green Mango (www.thegreenmango.com)
Style: Thai ($$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – Good, fresh thai. Appys and soups are fantastic. I love their tum yum soup. Some of the entrees can be hit or miss, though. Stick with the curry. This is a good alternative to the Squirrel Hill thai places if you want something more casual.

Gypsy Cafe (www.gypsycafe.net)
Style: Eastern European ($$$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – Really interesting flavors. Can’t say it’s definitely my thing, but I enjoyed it a lot. Atmosphere is very bohemian. On Thursday nights, they have a band playing Eastern European music, which was cool. Somehow, there were a lot of people in the restaurant singing along. Service left a little to be desired, but this is definitely a place you should check out.

Harris Grill (www.harrisgrill.com)
Style: American Casual ($-$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – Great appetizers. Try the Goat in a Boat. Food is pretty good. Nice beer and drink selection. Front porch in the summer is one of my favorite hangouts. Update 9/2/07: Come back soon! Update 4/18/08: It’s back.

Ibiza (www.ibizatapasrestaurant.com)
Style: Tapas – Upscale Casual ($$-$$$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – Beautiful, trendy decor. Sit out back if the weather’s nice. The tapas are very good, but unfortunately the best ones are usually very expensive. I used to love this place, but now I feel like I spend a lot of money and don’t very get much for it. I’d rather go to a Big Burrito spot. However, flights of wine are a great value, as they fill the glasses pretty well and many are $15 or less. Food deserves 3 stars, but poor value brings down to 2. (Updated 12/7/08)

Il Pizzaiolo
Style: Italian – High Side of Casual ($$)
Location: Mt. Lebanon
Matt  – Good, big pizzas and excellent pasta. Usually a long wait, but you may be able to avoid it if you eat in the wine bar out back.

India Garden (www.indiagarden.net)
Style: Indian Casual ($$)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – I used to love this place. Now I don’t. Seems more expensive and not as good. I don’t go there for dinner anymore. The lunch buffet is still pretty decent, though.

Kassab’s
Style: Mediterranean ($$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – I went there for lunch once when I first moved here, and then I never went back. Big mistake. This is some of the best med in Pittsburgh. Definitely the best falafel, great hummus and baba, and the schwarma is to die for. Even the french fries are delicious. Best of all, the prices are excellent and it’s BYOB. This is now on my regular rotation.

The Library (www.thelibrary-pgh.com)
Style: Continental Casual ($$-$$$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – Great new restaurant with food that ranges from sandwiches and bar food to fine dining. They play up the library theme well, with old-style lamps, menus in books, and dishes named for favorite literary works. Surprisingly great wings. I’m tempted to give it four stars, but the wine list had Yellow Tail.

Lin’s Asian Fusion (www.linsasianfusion.com)
Style: Chinese ($$)
Location: South Side
Matt – Despite the name, the menu is mostly typical Chinese food.  Throwing some pad thai and teriyaki on a menu with the Chinese fair does not fusion make. The food is pretty hit or miss. The avocado spring rolls are a clever idea, and I like the Mandarin Tofu and the mai fun. Stay away from anything that could be in a heavy sauce, like the General Tso’s. Their sauces lack delicateness (it’s a word, trust me) and are completely overpowering. Overall, decent food but nothing special.

Lot 17 (www.lot17.net)
Style: Continental Casual ($-$$)
Location: Bloomfield
Matt – Surprisingly good and creative continental fare for a bar. A great choice if Tessaro’s is too crowded. Get the cajun fries. Salads and appetizers are good, too.

Lulu’s Noodles
Style: Asian Casual ($)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – Not very authentic, but everything I’ve had tastes really good. Portions are big and the prices are great. Soup and appetizers are good, too. Some people don’t like this place, but I always have. Lots of students there.

Mad Mex (www.madmex.com)
Style: Mexican – Sort Of ($$)
Location: Multiple
Matt  – Consistent quasi-Mexican food. My favorite wings in Pittsburgh. Ask what their special margarita flavors are. They’re tasty. Good happy hour specials and I appreciate the funny menu.

Mallorca (www.mallorcarestaurant.com)
Style: Spanish ($$-$$$)
Location: South Side
Matt – Huge portions, tons of side dishes, and a waitstaff that practically hovers over you. Inconsistent though – can be fantastic or downright disappointing. The only time I had the paella I was not impressed. They tend to do seafood pretty well.

Mario’s South Side Saloon (www.mariospgh.com)
Style: American Casual ($$)
Location: South Side
Matt  – South Side bar that happens to have pretty solid food. Nachos are awesome. Beer specials are usually good, and they have a ton of nice new TVs which makes it a great place to watch a game. Atmosphere is good, too. Kind of a modern yet rustic thing goin’ on.

Meat and Potatoes (meatandpotatoespgh.com)
Style: American Bar and Pub ($$-$$$)
Location: Downtown
Matt  – Trendy gastropub that apparently never has a reservation open until 10:30pm and will offer it to you with a straight face. But I digress. This is actually a great bar. Their drinks are seriously top notch. A few of their bartenders really know what they’re doing. Food is decent, but nothing transcendent. Truffle risotto is great and fried pickles are done right (sliced into chips… I’m looking at you BRGR). Burger is a little above average, but that’s all. Go for the drinks, not for the food.

Michael’s Pizza
Style: American Casual ($-$$)
Location: South Side off Carson St.
Matt  – A cozy neighborhood place set a few blocks off Carson. Pretty solid bar-style pizza and good fried appetizers too. Perfect if you’re hungry and just want a beer and a simple meal. I like this place.

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto (www.montereybayfishgrotto.com)
Style: Seafood Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Mount Washington
Matt  – The best place for visitors to Pittsburgh. You go there for two reasons: the food and the view. The dining room is large with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide an amazing view of the city. The menu is almost entirely seafood, and the dishes are excellent. The staff is good, so ask them for recommendations. Great crab cakes – get one as an appetizer.

Morton’s The Steakhouse (www.mortons.com)
Style: Steakhouse / Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Downtown
Matt – The twin-cut filet is amazing and on par with Ruth’s. Morton’s does it without the butter, and they offer you bernaise sauce which you should politely refuse (or at least get on the side, if you’re curious). The option of choosing your raw steak from the cart is a nice touch. Atmosphere is classy and old-school. Appetizers and sides are all solid. Hot chocolate cake and cheesecake are both amazing desserts. You can’t go wrong here.

**Read my blog post on the steakhouse chains.

Original Fish Market
Style: Seafood and Sushi Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Downtown in the Marriot
Matt – Chilean sea bass is fantastic. I hear great things about the sushi. I’m not big on the atmosphere. Feels too run-of-the-mill, especially at those prices. Hence, only three stars.

Original Hot Dog Shop
Style: Hot Dogs, French Fries, Pizza, etc. ($)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – Ate fries there two nights in a row, took me a week to recover. Kosher dog is great. 10% surcharge for the security guard after 9pm? That’s priceless. Try it, but be careful.

Pamela’s (www.pamelasdiner.com)
Style: Breakfast ($)
Location: Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Oakland, Strip
Matt  – Oh wow, a crappy breakfast place! Let’s go! I can’t believe other places haven’t opened to drive them out of business. If you have to eat there, get the california french toast… it’s pretty decent.

Penn Avenue Fish Company (http://www.pennavefishcompany.com/)
Style: Sushi and Seafood ($$-$$$)
Location: Strip and Downtown
Matt – Arguably the best sushi in the city with wonderful quality ingredients. Specialty rolls are the way to go. Try the Spicy Senorita with the cilantro. Downtown location also serves dinner and the entrees are fantastic. Don’t skip dessert either.

Pi Coal Fired Pizza (picoalfired.com)
Style: Uh…coal fired pizza ($$)
Location: South Side – Carson St.
Matt – I love this pizza. It has it’s flaws, but the taste is unreal. The ingredients are some of the best I’ve ever had in my life… the cheese is amazingly creamy, the sauce has a fantastic sweet tanginess, and the charred crust is perfectly chewy with a taste that will blow you away. The only problem is that the crust is so thin it can’t support the toppings. But it doesn’t matter because it tastes so good. Calzones are great too. Nice beer and wine selection. Not cheap for what it is, but worth it.

Piccolo Forno (www.piccolo-forno.com)
Style: Italian – High side of casual ($$)
Location: Lawrenceville
Matt – Very solid italian food. Mostly pastas and interesting pizzas. The menu isn’t huge, but it’s got decent variety. Nice atmosphere and BYOB. This is one of those places you go to and say, “Why don’t I eat here more often?”

Pizzuti’s (pizzuttisrestaurant.org)
Style: Italian Upscale Casual ($$-$$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – Heavier food than Girasole, but quite good. Stay away from the price fix menu. It’s a good value, but the entrees are among the weakest on the menu. Once I stopped ordering from that, I started to really like the place. Specials are great, but can be very expensive. Ask what the price is before you order, unless you’re on a date. Then it’s tacky.

P.F. Chang’s (www.pfchangs.com)
Style: Casual Chinese ($$)
Location: Waterfront
Matt  – Typical overpriced chain. Really no reason to go there with the authentic alternatives. There’s a dessert with bananas and ice cream that’s really good.

Plum  (www.plumpanasiankitchen.com)
Style: Pan-Asian ($$-$$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt – Solid sushi and pretty good food, as a whole. Nothing really groundbreaking. I like their noodle dishes.

Point Brugge Cafe (www.pointbrugge.com)
Style: French Upscale ($$-$$$)
Location: Point Breeze
Matt – Just to get it out of the way, the mussels are apparently the best around. So if that’s what you’re going for, you’ll love the place. I have to say that all the meals I’ve had there were excellent, however, the mussels are really the only thing that’s special. They don’t take reservations and there’s always a really long wait. I know I’ll catch a lot of flack for this review, but I just don’t get as excited about Point Brugge as everyone else.  The food is good, I admit, but it’s pricey and not worth the wait.

Primanti Brothers (www.primantibros.com)
Style: Sandwiches ($)
Location: Strip, Oakland, South Side, suburbs
Matt  – If you live in Pittsburgh, you have to eat there once. But really, just once. You’ll get the idea. And maybe a heart attack.

Prince of India
Style: Indian ($-$$)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – I used to love their lunch buffet, but the last few times I’ve been there it’s been pretty bad. Dinner buffet is even worse, since it’s less crowded and the food turns over slowly. I remember this place being better a few years ago.(Updated 3/2/07)

Red Oak Cafe (redoakusa.com)
Style: American ($-$$)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – Wonderful salads and sandwiches made with quality ingredients. A great alternative to the fast food and chains that pervade Oakland. Unfortunately, it gets really crowded at lunch and it can be hard to find a table. Pay attention to the sepia wallpaper with historic Pittsburgh photography.

Redfin Blues (www.redfinblues.com)
Style: American / Seafood ($-$$)
Location: Washington’s Landing
Matt  – Great deck on the bank of the Allegheny. It doesn’t feel like you’re in Pittsburgh. This is my favorite place in the summertime. The crab cakes are the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot. Fish sandwich is great, too. All-you-can-eat crab legs for $20, but they’re small. There are kids there as well as 70 year-olds. Some people are dressed up, some are in bathing suits. You can bring your dog. Don’t bother going unless the weather is nice. Oh, and they have tiki torches. ‘Nuff said. Update 8/7/08: Had the crabcakes for the first time this year. They were nothing like they used to be. Tons of filler. Hopefully, this was a fluke, but I doubt it. I no longer stand by my previous statement. I’ve also dropped it to three stars out of spite.

Rose Tea Cafe
Style: Chinese ($-$$)
Location: Squirrel HIll
Matt  – Great authentic food. I’ve always gone with Chinese friends, so I never know what we order. But it always tastes great.

Round Corner Cantina (roundcornercantina.com)
Style: Mexican ($-$$)
Location: Lawrenceville
Matt  – Hipster bar with amazing drinks and delicious homemade mexican appetizer food. Love the Mahi Mahi Tacos. Fair warning: you’re probably not cool enough for this place.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House (www.ruthschris.com)
Style: Steakhouse / Fine Dining ($$$)
Location: Squirrel HIll
Matt – Ruth’s is famous for drizzling their steaks in butter and serving them sizzling on 500 degree plates. It’s spectacular. The filet is second to none, in my opinion. The taste is unreal. And if you just don’t want the butter, they’re happy to do it without. But seriously, try it. Their sides are always perfectly cooked, and the chop salad is one of my favorites. Desserts are probably the weak spot on the menu, though the bread pudding is pretty good. I’m not a huge fan of the atmosphere in the Pittsburgh location… a little bright and generic. Still, this is the place if you’re serious about steak.

**Read my blog post on the steakhouse chains.

Salt of the Earth (www.saltpgh.com)
Style: Haute American Cuisine ($$-$$$)
Location: Bloomfield
Matt  – Flavors are daring and completely unique – and mostly wonderful. The menu seems to change daily – hence they never print it and just have it in chalk on a big wall. Check it online before you go to make sure there’s something you want. To be honest with you, it’s not always my thing… but it’s well deserving of four stars for its originality and quality. Also, really good cocktails.

Seviche (www.seviche.com)
Style: Upscale Latin Tapas/Seafood ($$-$$$)
Location: Downtown
Matt  – The tapas are really unique and the flavors are great. Ditto for the seviche. Portions are small, so not the place for big appetites. Atmosphere is too trendy, with the over-40 crowd well-represented. They specialize in mojitos and other latin drinks, which, despite being $8-12 each, contain virtually no alcohol whatsoever.

The Sharp Edge (sharpedgebeer.com)
Style: American Bar Food, Belgian Ale House ($-$$)
Location: Friendship, Downtown
Matt – Beer selection is a little ridiculous. I love Belgian brews, so this is the place. Crazy expensive, though. Half price beers during happy hour are the only way to do it at this place. As far as the food, the Buffalo Bites are solid, as is the pizza – but overall not very impressive.

Silk Elephant (www.silkelephant.net)
Style: Thai Upscale Casual ($$)
Location: Squirrel HIll
Matt – My favorite thai place now. Good atmosphere and very consistent food. Love their green curry. Pad-thai is good but nothing to write home about.

Six Penn Kitchen (www.sixpennkitchen.com)
Style: Continental Upscale Casual ($$-$$$)
Location: Downtown – Corner of 6th and Penn (Get it?)
Matt – Love this place. Lobster Mac and Cheese is to die for. Pizzas are great if you’re on a budget. Wonderful, eclectic menu and very consistent. Waitstaff have great personalities. Rooftop deck is a good place to have a drink. Great value for the money… entrees are mostly below $20.

SMOKE
Style: BBQ Taqueria ($-$$)
Location: Homestead
Matt – Flavors are so good it’s absolutely ridiculous. The tortillas are homemade and so soft. All the ingredients have this amazing smoky flavor to them. I’m a huge fan of the chicken taco and the ribs taco. The brisket has been amazing too, but it’s sometimes too dry. And as far as sides, the mac & cheese and the coleslaw are among the best I’ve ever had. Potato salad with bacon is fantastic, too. Oh, and they do breakfast. And they have fresh agua fresca every day. And did I mention I love this place? If you’re at the Waterfront and you need food, go here.

Soba (www.bigburrito.com/soba)
Style: Asian Fusion ($$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt– Great atmosphere, great food. Not a bad bar, either, if you want to class it up. My favorite of the Big Burrito restaurants. Hostesses tend to be bitchy.

Sonoma Grille (www.thesonomagrille.com)
Style: Continental Upscale/Fine Dining ($$-$$$)
Location: Downtown
Matt – Based on the crowd that’s always there, I get the impression that this is one of the hipper restaurants in the city. I’ve had a lot of their appetizers and all have been wonderful. Only had one meal there, but my veal tournedos were excellent. Huge wine list and nice bar. I don’t like the decor… it reminds me of a chain. For what it’s worth, I know a few people who don’t like this place.

Spice Island Tea House (www.spiceislandteahouse.com)
Style: Pan-asian Fusion ($)
Location: Oakland
Matt – I love the rice dishes, but the noodle dishes are inconsistent. Cool atmosphere. I’m always thirsty for a while afterwards.

Sun Penang (sun-penang.com)
Style: Malaysian Upscale Casual ($$)
Location: Squirrel Hill
Matt– I have no malaysian to compare this to, but everything I’ve had there has been great. Ask your server for suggestions. BYOB last time I checked. Update: Not BYOB anymore.

Sushi Kim (www.sushikim.com)
Style: Korean BBQ and Sushi ($$)
Location: The Strip
Matt  – Sushi downstairs and Korean BBQ upstairs. The Korean BBQ is fun. You go to a buffet for raw ingredients, then cook them in the pan on your table. Ingredients seem like pretty good quality and it ends up tasting pretty good. Mara (my sushi expert) tells me the Sushi is good, but not up to the level of Umi or Fish Market.

Tamari (www.tamaripgh.com)
Style: Asian Fusion ($$-$$$)
Location: Lawrenceville
Matt  – Fabulous restaurant that I can’t get enough of. The menu has a ton of variety, from sushi to grilled items. The flavors are very original and the presentation is fantastic. The portion sizes are smaller, but I guarantee you’ll be completely full by the end of the meal. Don’t skip the appetizers. The green tea cake for dessert is one of the best cakes I’ve ever eaten. All wine bottles are $28. The only downside is how small the restaurant is, making it tough to get a seat on a weekend night.

Tamarind (www.tamarindpa.com)
Style: Indian Casual ($$)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – Very good. Not amazing, but very good. Appetizers were solid, albeit a bit greasy. Main courses were very tasty, but my chicken was a little tough. Naan was weak, but our waiter brought us a bunch of sauces, which was cool. Service was excellent. It’s basically the main floor of an old house. Very cozy.

Tessaro’s
Style: Burgers, Steaks, Bar ($-$$)
Location: Oakland
Matt  – My favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. Amazing burgers, steaks, and ribs. Seafood is not on the menu, but there are daily specials. Nothing for vegetarians except plain salad. Love the atmosphere and staff. Sit in the main area/smoking section because it’s more fun. Crowded between 7 and 9pm.

Tusca (www.tuscapittsburgh.com)
Style: Mediterranean/Italian ($-$$)
Location: South Side Works
Matt  – The food is actually pretty good for a chain. I enjoyed their pizza and I hear some of the tapas are really good, too. Service was a disaster, though. This has been confirmed by others. Waitresses hired on the basis of looks, not brains. Update 1/25/08: Went there again and the service was equally awful. Twenty minutes to flag down the waitress and ask for the check. I hope I never go back.

Typhoon (www.typhoonpgh.com)
Style: Thai – Upscale Casual ($$-$$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt  – The pad thai is their signature dish and it’s truly the best I’ve ever had, hands down. Other stuff seems good, but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere is nice. Great place for a date. This is borderline four stars.

Umi (www.bigburrito.com/umi)
Style: Japanese / Sushi ($$-$$$)
Location: Shadyside
Matt – I admit that my sushi palate is unrefined, but even I can tell that this is the good stuff. Menu changes often, but they’ve always got the staples. The tasting menu is, from what I’m told, what really sets them apart. Also, don’t skip dessert. You can make the meal really expensive or relatively reasonable. Decor is boring for a Big Burrito Group place, and I would’ve expected real chopsticks instead of the wooden break-apart ones.

Uncle Sam’s (www.unclesamssubs.com)
Style: Cheesesteaks and Subs ($)
Location: Oakland, Squirrel Hill and others
Matt  – Good cheesesteaks and great fries. But they don’t give you fries if you order to go. That irks me. Share a sandwich with a friend if you don’t want to feel awful afterwards.

Union Grill
Style: American – High Side of Casual ($-$$)
Location: Oakland
Matt – Typical American fare that’s pretty good and consistent. Salads are enormous and I like the French Onion Soup. You’ll get a good meal, but you probably won’t remember it.

Walnut Grill (www.eatwalnut.com)
Style: Continental Casual ($$)
Location: Oakland, Squirrel Hill
Matt  – I can’t get a sense of the conventional wisdom on this place, but I’ve never been that impressed. Atmosphere is nice, but food seems pretty bland and uninspired. Some decent appetizers. I like their french onion soup.

Winghart’s Whiskey & Burger Bar (winghartburgers.com)
Style: Burgers ($-$$)
Location: Downtown – Market Square
Matt  – Incredible burgers cooked on a griddle and served on a perfectly buttered and toasted sweet brioche bun. This is the kinda of burger I dream about. True to the current trend, there’s a bunch of wild topping styles to choose from. That would be a mistake. Get a plain cheeseburger and appreciate the spectacular meat that the owner butchers himself. They have pizza, too, but I can’t get past the burger. Fries are OK. Why isn’t this place 4 stars, you ask? The space is just way too cramped. I can’t get comfortable there. Great, friendly staff though.

Yo Rita (www.yoritasouthside.com)
Style: Upscale (?) Mexican ($$)
Location: South Side
Matt – I didn’t get this place at first, and my original version of this review was pretty scathing. My bad. They specialize in unusual gourmet tacos. Be a little daring and you’ll really love this place. Drinks are still way too expensive, but whatever. Great chips and salsa. I find myself here fairly often now.