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    Alta Via

    4.2 (266 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

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    AV Burger, beef, short rib auto, braised cipolllini onions, arugula, and melted cheddar cheese
    Roseanne W.

    It was a cold and snowy night, and I decided that I needed a good dinner so I went to Alta Via in foxchapel and got my usual Apperol spritz, tuna tartare, crispy brussels sprouts w/lemon and Parmesan cheese, and linguine with lump crab meat/pine nuts. It hit the spot and I have enough left over for another meal

    Filet mignon with potatoes
    Tiffany Y.

    Alta Via Ristorante has two locations--this one in Fox Chapel and another one in Market Square. This restaurant has an upscale-casual atmosphere and is open for lunch and dinner. The menu lists foods such as eggs benedict, pancakes, salads, brussels sprouts, sandwiches, pastas, meatballs, mussels, tuna tartare, salmon, chicken, veal, steaks, tiramisu, etcetera. The bar offers many wines, cocktails, beers, non-alcoholic beverages, and more. My husband and I ate one dinner here. We arrived at 4:10 PM when the restaurant had very few other customers, but our wait times for our foods were long. We ended up leaving over 1.5 hours later. Our waiter did speak very nicely with us. Here are my ratings for what we ate: Complimentary bread - 4 stars - I liked the slices of bread, but sometimes they and their butter were too salty. Beet Salad - 4.5 stars - My appetizer was an arugula salad with roasted beets, ricotta salata, orange vinaigrette, and almonds. These ingredients were fresh and tasted very good. Forest Mushrooms - 4 stars - My husband ordered these mushrooms to eat with his steak, but they were brought out as an appetizer so got cold. The oyster, shiitake, and cremini mushrooms had a nice flavor of herbs. Tagliatelle - 4.5 stars - The tagliatelle noodles were cooked well and were mixed with large chunks of lobster, cream, spinach, sundried tomatoes, and focaccia bread crumbs. I really liked this entree. Steak Fiorentina - 4.5 stars - An 8-ounce filet mignon was cooked medium-rare as requested, and it tasted delicious. The side potatoes tasted alright. Olive-oil Cake - 4.5 stars - A large slice of olive-oil cake was topped with some marmellata fruit jam and mascarpone cheese. Strawberry-mint Margarita - 3 stars - My alcoholic beverage was a margarita that contained tequila, strawberry, mint, lime, etcetera. I did not taste much strawberry, so I drank only a little of this beverage. This meal cost $162 plus a tip. I am interested in returning and trying more foods.

    Bread w butter oil mixture to add
    Mary S.

    Trendy bustling atmosphere. Delish food and menu selections. Bar stop first w martini n knob creek and dinner seating promptly at our reser time. Victoria did a great job too. Branzino for me, filet for my guy! Caesar's salad. Stuffed banana peppers. My dad's stuffed hot peppers were the best and we are used to peppers a tad softer but was still very tasty. Tagliatelle with lobster small plate pasta was delish. Espresso for us with amazing sfogliatelle w a candle topped it off perfectly! Our first time there and will be back! Leftovers to go!

    Eggplant special, fritto misto n warm ricotta toast
    Antoinette S.

    Stopped by for dinner as the place had good reviews. Located in a strip Mall w ample parking. Friendly welcoming staff w lovely ambience. Clean bathrooms. We tried the eggplant special, fritto Misto n warm ricotta toast. Eggplant was v good w goat cheese, arugula n balsamic glaze. The fritto misto was good too . Warm ricotta toast was good n something different that I've never had before. Had the chicken parm, lumache and fusilli . The house made pastas were good. I ordered half portion of lumache n it was a lot . The fusilli was v tasty n spicy. There was LO for lunch today. We topped it all w olive oil cake, crepe brûlée n gelato. Olive oil cake tasted really good but didn't taste olive oil. Cane w a raspberry compote which was a good pairing for that. And w vanilla gelato was good. All in all a good dinner. Tx u . Will certainly come back again .

    Sarah L.

    Excellent pasta and service. I've been here more than once and the service has been consistently good. On one occasion our pasta was a bit too al dente. More like uncooked and I prefer my pasta al dente too. We just ate the pasta because the flavors were still good. We only commented on the pasta because our server asked. But the manager did comp our meal even if we did not ask for that to happen. I will continue to be a returning customer. The food is excellent and I believe the incident was a one time thing. Highly recommend for a great experience and great flavors! The complimentary bread and salted butter is amazing!

    Italian Mule & Hugo Glen Coco
    Alyssa T.

    We always have the best experience at Alta Via. Service is always excellent and food is always exceptional. This time we chose to visit for lunch. They had a nice selection of lunch and drink options. Gary was super friendly and even offered free desserts for my birthday.

    Pappardelle
    Marla C.

    We went for my dad birthday. We loved everything we got. I got the fusilli with grilled chicken, it was very good. Not pictured was my dad meal, he got the branzino and said it was good. I will be going back because I need to try more of the menu. Our waiter was great. Gave recommendations and checked on us. And he was just very nice. We had an early reservation. It isn't fully necessary but I would recommend just to be safe.

    Eggplant parmigiana

    Used to go here and enjoy their food and atmosphere. Sadly, place has gone downhill. Ordered Pasta Carbonara. Unbelievably salty. Could barely touch the night I was there and had taken home to see if I could remedy. Also order Brussel Sprouts. Delicious. Asked for left over to also go home. Nothing in box when I got home. Drinks were good as were appetizers, but main entree was inedible. While wait staff was nice, not once did they ask how I like meal. Maybe they knew the pasta carbonara was inedible. Meal, appetizers and drinks cost $175 with tip. Not going back anytime soon. Bummer because they're local.

    short rib pappardelle
    Emma C.

    One of my favorite Italian spots in Pittsburgh. Cozy atmosphere, accommodating staff, and the best beef short rib pappardelle i've ever had. Recently opened a new location is Market Square but I think this one is better.

    Bucatini small
    Natalie H.

    Our server was very friendly and attentive. She recommended the scallop dish and it was delicious. Very flavorful and fresh. The bread was also yummy and such a nice touch. We will definitely be returning.

    Beef Carpaccio
    Angela M.

    Alta Via never disappoints. The service was great and the food is exceptional. We always have to try out a few of their appetizers. Their warm ricotta toast with fig was delicious. I am a big cocktail drinker so had to get a few of their rotating cocktails. The ambience is welcoming and dimly lit. Perfect for a date night or dinner with friends.

    Jada

    Great atmosphere and spotless interior! We were seated right away and our waitress was awesome! I ordered the 8 oz filet medium rare, came out cooked to PERFECTION (photo does not do it justice)! Demi-glaze was delicious and the potatoes were the right amount of crisp!! My only complaint was that the service was a tad slow. We waited about an hour for our meals to come out, but it was still worth it

    Sophia P.

    Always hits the spot! Their cesar salad is nice and cold and crisp just the way I like it. Their house made bread is amazing!! Service is friendly and so quick. A go to. Also, the inside is so cute!

    Bone-in Strip Steak Florentine

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    4 months ago

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    Bill F.

    Thank you for your kind words, Bruce!

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    4 months ago

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    Bill F.

    We are so glad you enjoyed, Ken!

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    4 months ago

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    Bill F.

    Thank you, Roseanne! We hope you see you again soon!

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    Bill F.

    Thank you, Alyssa! We hope you will visit us again soon!

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    Bill F.

    So glad you enjoyed, Angela!

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    6 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Horrible experience.... Pasta I ordered was very undercooked. The waiter (Gary) was very rude after I sent my pasta back. I will not return.

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    Bill F.

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    8 months ago

    Food is great, and place is very cozy and service is very nice. Definitely will come back again!

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    Alta Via Reviews in Other Languages

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    Dietch's 1

    Dietch's 1

    3.8(4 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    There wasn't a lot of information about this restaurant online, so I decided to go check this out…read morefor myself and get some information going here. The restaurant is on the main drag at Freeport Road, but it's a little hard to spot due to various trees being in the way. This is more of a bar than a restaurant. They have counter seats, a couple of elevated seats and a few regular seats. The place is very clean and the waitress was very nice. The restaurant does not have paper menus, just a menu written on a chalkboard on the wall. It's not a major issue, but they need to get menu's. The restaurant also does not have silverware ready at your table for you. That also needs to be fixed as while most of their foods are items you pick up with your hand, sometimes forks and knives are needed. The prices are reasonable and you can get two apps and two meals for under $50. The main draw of this place is the chicken wings. They are one of the few places in Pittsburgh with full-sized wings with both the leg and the flat part together. The wings are breaded and are good enough to eat without even putting sauce on them though they give you a box with 8 different sauces to choose from. You can get 6 of them (which is 12 wings elsewhere) or a full dozen (which is 24 wings elsewhere). 6 wings for $12 and $12 for 22. They have wing night on Wednesdays, and the price drops to 75 cents a wing which is very cheap these days. We also ordered burgers, fries and onion rings. The burgers were good. They give you a nice big piece of meat on them and the bacon was good. The fries were okay and the onion rings were very heavy on the onion part of it. The pretzel was a standard pretzel but the cheese for it had either an alcohol or possible honey flavoring to it. The restaurant also does offer happy hour where the apps are half off which makes a big difference. Finally, the restaurant has a lottery machine, darts, a slot machine and some table board games. Overall, I liked the place and would return.

    Great place to get good priced drinks and amazing deep fried full chicken wings. The wings come…read morewith an array of sauces that are all amazing. Great bartenders too!

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    Dietch's 1
    Dietch's 1
    Dietch's 1

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    Tree Tops Restaurant - Another view of the entree trays, with the meat tray in back.

    Tree Tops Restaurant

    4.1(147 reviews)
    33.1 mi
    $$$

    I loved treetops! Incredible ambiance, incredible service, great food. Presentation was impeccable…read more They brought out warm bread and butter, a Brie appetizer with pita, salmon and butternut squash ravioli entree, creme brûlée dessert. Probably the best salmon I've ever had. Server was really kind! Lots of parking. Would definitely recommend! Such a unique restaurant - I hope to be back soon!

    I've been wanting to get here for quite a while, and found it to be a truly lovely, memorable…read moreexperience. This is not your average day/evening out. You're probably here for some type of special occasion, because it is certainly pricey. I decided to splurge for a friend's birthday for brunch, which runs $95 per person and includes a mimosa. The same friend has visited a number of Frank Lloyd Wright houses with me, from this PA region to New York to Illinois, so it felt like the perfect place. I made a reservation on OpenTable and indicated that we had one vegetarian (myself). The restaurant followed up to make sure there were no other notes they needed to know, and also to see if I wanted to add anything on. You can add things like rose petals on the table and a single rose to the celebratory person, wine options, or an individual-ish celebration cake. I decided to add the celebration cake, which costs $20 and serves two people. There is a main restaurant, but the special experience this place has certainly become known for are the individual dining pods, which are out in the trees but well screened from any weather. There are heaters and fans available in your pod. It is a truly lovely private dining experience. You can just slightly hear conversations of other diners in nearby pods if you listen very hard, and there is piano music playing on speaker, which is instrumental version of popular songs like Britney Spears, Shakira etc. We found this funny but simultaneously enjoyed it. They had nice little touches like a Happy Birthday sign on the wall and an embossed happy birthday note for the birthday person to keep, and brought out chilled plates for a dessert involving frozen custard. It was nice attention to detail that reminded you this is a special dining experience. Service is attentive but unobtrusive and wants to make sure you are happy with your experience. Onto the food. The mimosas were already on our table when we arrived. Our server indicated they were sending out a complimentary amuse-bouche from the chef, which was an individual vegetable stuffed mushroom. It was delicious and a nice starting note. Then came the appetizer, a smoked burrata with pita, arugula, grape tomatoes and an edible orchid. Everything is so beautifully presented here, and just delicious. The entrées were crazy. There were two portions each of stuff French toast, potatoes and frittata. Those were all vegetarian and shareable. On a separate board came enough meat for two people to share as well, salmon, pork, sausage and carrots. Since that tray was not for me they also brought me a vegetarian bowl including veggies, chickpeas and quinoa. It was a lot of food and we ended up taking a nice amount of leftovers home from this part of the meal. Everything was wonderfully prepared, with the stuffed French toast probably being my favorite bite. Our server said she would be bringing dessert which I assumed was the celebration cake. But no, there was a French pastry each, presented with some fruit. They have a nice cocktail and cocktail menu and we elected to add an espresso mocktini each with this course. Those were on point and I've missed espresso martinis so much since I've largely given up drinking. After all of this came the celebration cake, which either came entirely or just the frozen custard from Tropical Bungalow, a local business. The Tahitian vanilla flavor was just delightful and the frozen custard was a wonderful texture. It was truly such a feast. We ate every bit of the desserts. One thing I appreciated here is that often when a place is known for the experience, the food is beautifully presented but not always plentiful. That is far from the case here, you are not going home hungry. My total bill came to $252, which included the two $95 brunches, the $20 celebration cake and two $14 mocktails. Adding a tip, I was a little over $300, which is a lot but it is a special occasion. We heard folks talking about staying overnight and looked up more information, and found that you can tour the four homes on the property here, two designed by Wright and two by his apprentice. In reviewing the tours I noted that there are package options, with one offering a tour of three of the houses and lunch at Tree Tops for a total of $75 per person (!). This is an incredible value and I think I would take this option next time, as the houses would definitely be worth touring as well. I look forward to my next visit here.

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    Tree Tops Restaurant - Inside the restaurant

    Inside the restaurant

    Tree Tops Restaurant - Salmon

    Salmon

    Tree Tops Restaurant - Inside the treehouse

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    Inside the treehouse

    Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar

    Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar

    4.3(220 reviews)
    9.2 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Full bar

    A real gem of a restaurant. I have been here on numerous occasions with parties of various sizes…read moreand it has yet to disappoint. It is great to have a place that serves upscale food but isn't stuffy and pretentious. Service is always friendly and efficient. I love that they have a rotating seasonal menu. It is on the higher end price wise, but you get what you pay for. And that means nice portions, quality ingredients and excellent taste. If you are looking for a place for a great date night or a special occasion, this is a perfect place.

    Lots of parking- busy at 6pm Fri Dimly lit, but cozy. No…read moremusic, just conversations. Staff very nice, accommodating, friendly. Got a Pinot noir wine and waters Starter=soup of the day: tomato w/ chickpea and chorizo- bold tomato flavor and lots of arugula in it. Not so much chorio but flavor was very good, not overly salty. 10/10 After the soup we put our nit-picking goggles on as we knew this was a pretty sophisticated meal. Daily special- pan seared mahi mahi with asparagus fennel kohlabi and arugula salad citrus buerre Blanc. Light citrus flavor is found thru the mahi mahi, its sauce and the salad. Very congruent. Asparagus was a neutral addition. Not flowing with or against the mahi. Fish was cooked well. Just lots of raw red onion on the salad was a little overpowering. 7/10 Red wine braised short rib- didn't ask how well done, so seems chefs choice. We have a preference towards med rare. This was cooked well done making it a tad tough-stringy. Mashed potatoes with some larger pieces of potato, but very neutral plain flavor, great with the beef sauce. Carrots cooked well, just neutral, natural flavor. Overall a very classic flavor combo that works.7/10. Would stop by again to try more dishes. Ps- when paying we noticed final bill to sign was more than first bill at table. When we asked why the difference we were told it's the credit card fee of $3. This was really the first time I've seen this at a restaurant, yet alone at a decent place like one. Would have been best for them to tell us this upfront.

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    Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar
    Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar
    Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar

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    Siempre Algo - Rhubarb Crepes

    Siempre Algo

    4.7(166 reviews)
    6.7 miNorth Side
    $$$

    From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a complimentary glass of brut, which immediately…read moresets the tone. I ordered the Vesuvius Spritz and absolutely loved the flavor profile. It was refreshing, well balanced, and beautifully presented. I also appreciated the metal straw, such a small detail but it elevated the experience. The ambiance is cozy and eclectic, making it the perfect spot to settle in for the evening. The bartender is incredibly talented, truly like a wizard behind the bar. Every drink that came out looked stunning and tasted even better. We ordered the demi baguette, French onion soup, and the braised lentils with a side of buttery chive whipped potatoes. Everything was delicious, just as I've come to expect here. My only wish is that the portions were slightly larger because it's so good you don't want it to end. Already looking forward to coming back.

    I've been wanting to try Siempre Algo for a while now and finally snagged a Friday night…read morereservation. It's in a really awesome space that feels intimate without being too crowded. You're given a complimentary glass of champagne when they seat you which is such a fun touch. The menu changes daily! The food was outstanding. We had the spinach and artichoke dip, a warm baguette, the wagyu shortrib, the dungeness crab salad, and the vanilla bourbon & sea salt ice cream for dessert. Everything was delicious. 4 stars because the server asked us to leave immediately after we finished (about 1 hour and 45 minutes after we were seated) so the next reservation could have the table-which felt a bit rude.

    Photos
    Siempre Algo - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Siempre Algo - Honey semifreddi

    Honey semifreddi

    Siempre Algo - Focaccia, beef tartar, passion and warfare cocktail

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    Focaccia, beef tartar, passion and warfare cocktail

    Wexford Public - Tower Sundae

    Wexford Public

    4.4(118 reviews)
    13.7 mi

    Wexford Public is a local, family-owned restaurant that offers lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch for…read moredining in and takeout. They also offer catering. Examples of menu items are appetizers (e.g., shrimp cocktail and nachos), soups, salads, wings, burgers, flatbreads, entrees (e.g., pasta primavera, chicken, duck, pork chop, swordfish, and A-5 wagyu), desserts (e.g., limoncello and cheesecake), and drinks (e.g., mocktails, cocktails, wines, whiskeys, and beers). My husband and I have eaten here twice--once for lunch last year and once for dinner this year. Both times, we enjoyed the employees' service and the foods. Here are my ratings for what we ate: Passionfruit-Paloma Mocktail - 4 stars - sour. Spring Sangria - 4.5 stars - slightly fruity. Jumbo Pretzel - 5 stars - huge size with beer cheese and mustard sauce. French Onion Soup - 5 stars - This soup had a rich broth, onions, and cheese. Ybor Cuban sandwich - 4.5 stars - nicely crunchy toast with tasty pork, ham, and Swiss cheese and a side of crispy onion rings. Salmon - 5 stars - I ordered this entree both times. The salmon was perfectly cooked and came with flavorful farro grains, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. Filet Mignon - 5 stars - This 8-ounce steak was cooked mid-rare as my husband prefers. It came with whipped potatoes and his choice of au poivre style (black pepper crusted with bourbon cream).

    Excellent Food in a Family-Owned Spot, But Transparency, Noise, and a Few Service Touches Need…read morePolishing (4/5 Overall)** I visited Wexford Public (12087 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA) recently for dinner with my family, drawn by its reputation as a locally owned, chef-driven American restaurant in the heart of Wexford. Owned by longtime locals John and Melanie Dober, it positions itself as a warm, community-focused spot blending upscale comfort food with a welcoming vibe--think handcrafted sandwiches, premium Black Angus steaks, fresh seafood, flatbreads, and daily specials, all with thoughtful wine and bourbon selections. We were excited for what promised to be a polished neighborhood gem, and in many ways, it delivered. The food was genuinely great and the clear highlight. Our dishes were flavorful, well-executed, and creative without being fussy--fresh ingredients shone through, portions were generous, and everything arrived hot and beautifully plated. It's easy to see why so many reviewers rave about the crab cakes, steaks, and chef specials; the kitchen clearly knows what it's doing. This is elevated American fare that feels special yet approachable, and we'd happily return just for the meals. That said, a few aspects fell short and left us feeling the overall experience wasn't quite as seamless as the food deserved. First and foremost, the billing transparency issue was disappointing. They add a 3% bank/credit card processing fee to the check (which adds up quickly on a family dinner), but this isn't disclosed on the menu, at the table, or in any obvious way during the ordering process. There's only a small sign posted outside the restaurant. We only noticed it when the bill arrived, and it felt like an afterthought rather than a clear policy. In an era where many restaurants are upfront about surcharges (or absorb them), this lack of disclosure came across as sneaky and detracted from the otherwise positive value perception. The atmosphere was another mixed bag. The space itself is attractive--soft lighting, comfortable seating, and that friendly "upscale brew pub" energy the owners aim for. However, it was noticeably noisy during our evening visit. Conversations required raised voices, especially as the dining room filled up, which made it hard to relax and enjoy the meal fully. OpenTable rates the noise as "moderate," but on our night it tipped louder than that, possibly due to the layout or lack of sufficient sound absorption. A bit more attention to acoustics could make a big difference. Service was mostly attentive and efficient, but the management interaction stood out in a negative way. When we politely mentioned the surprise fee at the end of the meal, the response was an apology that felt scripted and insincere--like it had been delivered many times before without real follow-through or ownership. It didn't leave us feeling heard or valued as guests. On a brighter note, the owners John and Melanie genuinely come across as lovely people. The restaurant has that personal, homegrown touch you can sense even when they're not physically present, and locals speak highly of them. They were absent during our nighttime visit, though, which is understandable for owners juggling a busy operation--but their warmth is missed when the front-of-house team is handling everything solo. In summary, Wexford Public excels where it matters most: the food is consistently excellent and worth the trip on its own. The family-owned charm and diverse menu make it a strong neighborhood choice for special occasions, casual dinners, or even happy hour in the cocktail bar. However, clearer communication about the credit card fee (ideally on the menu or bill upfront), better noise management, and more authentic handling of guest concerns would elevate it from very good to outstanding. We'll likely go back for the cuisine, but with tempered expectations on the finer details. If you're in the Wexford area and prioritize great American plates, it's still a solid recommendation--just check the small print before you pay.

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    Wexford Public
    Wexford Public
    Wexford Public

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    Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen - Short rib and pork belly meatloaf

    Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen

    4.5(344 reviews)
    6.6 miNorth Side
    $$$

    Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen is a local restaurant and bar that is in the North Side neighborhood…read moreand is open for dinner and private events. It serves wood-fired cuisine that uses locally raised meats, house-made pasta, and seasonal vegetables. Currently, during the winter, examples of menu items are small plates (e.g., roasted beet salad and heirloom carrots), mid courses (e.g., linguine and blue-bay mussels), large plates (e.g., sesame soy-glazed eggplant, pork chop, and picanha), desserts (e.g., pistachio cake and Kahlua fudge brownie), and alcoholic beverages (e.g., cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers). For my husband and me, I made a reservation for dinner through the Resy website. I chose from options of the dining room, a four-season patio with awnings and heaters, and a chef's counter with a view of the kitchen. Please note that although the foods are upscale, the dress code seems to be smart casual. We parked our vehicle in a lot a short walk away. Upon our arrival to the restaurant, a seating hostess promptly greeted and seated us. Our server provided courteous and attentive service, such as taking our order and bringing our foods on time, refilling our waters, and cleaning my crumbs. We started with a Crab Cake with decent amount of crab meat, mushroom duxelles, tasty truffle aioli, and a side of arugula salad. My main course was Branzino with sides of beans-vegetables and parmesan cornbread. My husband's main course was Duck Breast with a blood-orange demi-glace, asparagus, and potatoes. I thought that everything tasted very good. The total price was $96 plus tax, 3% credit-card surcharge, and tip.

    First time at fig & ash did not disappoint! I rarely think higher priced meals are worth it but…read morethis one was! The setting is nice - mix of people casually dressed and dressed up. Low lighting but not too low. We sat at chefs counter and could see into the kitchen which was fun. Our server and the other service staff were great! We enjoyed the crab cake with mushrooms and roasted carrots with whipped ricotta as our starters. The carrots were to die for!! We are going to try and recreate at home. My husband had the short rib and pork belly meatloaf, which he raved about! I enjoyed the soy glazed eggplant, which has edamame, farro and mixed veggies. The eggplant was super tender but I found the dish to be a bit salty. We ended with the pistachio cake which was light and tender and the orange whipped cream was so tasty.

    Photos
    Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen - Table setting

    Table setting

    Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen - Eggplant caponata

    Eggplant caponata

    Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen - Cast iron skillet Kahlúa brownie a la mode

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    Cast iron skillet Kahlúa brownie a la mode

    Alta Via - italian - Updated May 2026

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