Outstanding experience from start to finish with delicious meals and beautiful presentation. The welcoming staff and warm atmosphere made the evening memorable and worth recommending to friends everywhere. read more

Why haven't I been here yet? Probably because I'm pescatarian. But I wanted to for a while because I love that the original final is from NY like me. I went here today for brunch with my friend and we had the vegetarian empanadas. Wow. I think they were the most delicious ones I have ever had. That's saying a lot cuz I'm Latina. The dough was the perfect texture and you could taste the freshness. And the filler ingredients were a delicious balance of flavors. For lunch I had the Ensalada nicoise. I'm very picky about my tuna - I only buy tuna from Basque Country in Spain. The salad was absolute perfection. The tuna was incredible. Each ingredient was fresh and absolutely wonderful. The salad was a perfect voice for lunch. The service was wonderful. The space was beautiful. Can't wait to return. read more

I really wanted to love this restaurant. I love the backstory, the location is good, but to me personally, the restaurant felt very cold, and the food was mid. When I dined here I was following the carnivore diet, which means yes to meat (without sugary sauces) and no to carbs. My server had absolutely no idea what no carbs meant. I thought that was very peculiar. I gave him the basic rundown, and he just couldn't wrap his mind around it and told me that I would need to guide him... There's not one plate that we had that stands out in my head. I would go back and give it another shot now that I'm following a different way of eating. Hopefully I can edit my stars. read more

I miss Argentina so much and I'm glad we have Balvanera in the Strip District to remind me of a country I love! The space inside is pretty large with multiple tables, booths, and a sizable bar area. The service here is impeccable with the lovely staff clearing off our used plates between courses. We ordered a good variety of dishes to share and my favorites were the empanadas, the provoleta (which sold out and we luckily got the last one!), the ribeye, and the almendrado dessert. Pro tip: they don't have pisco sours on the drink menu but you can ask them to make you one! read more

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I finally tried Balvanera's brunch and it did not disappoint! I made a reservation on Open Table for a Sunday morning. We were greeted and seated right away. The brunch menu consists of a variety of different items such as sweets, small plates (platitos), brunch items, sausages (embutidos), steaks (carnes), sides (guarniciones) and brunch cocktails. We started with Harlow's Caesar (of course! lol) my friend ordered the huevos florentinos which is their take on eggs Benedict. I ordered the huevos a caballo which is their take on steak and eggs. Everything we tried was delicious as usual. Our server was also great - attentive but not overly. The space is gorgeous and the natural light helps to make it feel more magical. read more

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Balvanera wow. I enjoyed every moment of this experience. This restaurant in the Strip District provided such a great dining experience from start to finish. I ended up going on my own and sat at the bar, which I actually really liked. The service was great and I felt comfortable the whole time. The inside is really beautiful. There are large windows that let in a lot of natural light during the day and the lighting inside at night gives it a warm, cozy feel. It feels upscale but still comfortable. Depending on the time you go it can get a little loud, but it still works perfectly whether you are going for a romantic dinner, meeting friends, or even going with family. For food, I had the Caesar salad, the carrots, a steak, and mashed potatoes. I enjoyed every single bite. The steak was cooked perfectly. I ordered it medium and it came out exactly how I wanted it. It was soft, high quality, and full of flavor. You can tell they use good cuts of meat. The sides were just as good and everything felt well put together. Overall I had such a great experience and I would definitely come back again. This is a really nice spot in the Strip District if you want a good meal and a great atmosphere. read more

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We now have been frequenting for brunch. Balvanera is now one of our favorite locations in the Strip District. The Clasico is my favorite and my wife love the Ensalada Nicoise (tuna). Ask for River or Madi! Their service is top level. Solid choice of beverage, Cosmosa! Cheers, thanks, and enjoy!! read more

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Most tender steak that ive have in a long time. It was also cooked PERFECT at medium rare!!!!! We started our dinner off with the Octopus Small Plate (Pulpa de Playo) which was paired with some greens and olive mixture that was very tasty and the octopus wasnt over cooked. Then we ordered our meal and decided on the Argentinean Filets. They were amazing! To go with our steak we ordered the Ceasar (which is big enough for 2-3 people), the Mushrooms (Setas Salteadas), and the Pure de Papas which was very creamy mashed potatoes with olive oil. There was only one thing I didn't like from the assortment and only because it had too much salt in my opinion and that was the Ceasar Salad. The anchovies made it too salty but I did add pepper to it and that made it all better. After dinner we got an Espresso Martini (super strong and delicious) and the Dulce De Leche Flan as well as the Almendrado which was homemade vanilla icecream with an almond brittle and it was by far the best dessert I have tasted in a LONG time that was gluten free from a restaurant. The service was also very friendly and attentive and our server was very knowledgeable on the menu and was good at offering option for us since we are gluten free. I really enjoyed the restaurant and the atmosphere and will most definitely be back! read more

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Impeccable service and ambiance. The food was excellent but we were not super impressed with the steak. Don't get me wrong, the ribeye was very tasty but it's not a major stand out for this place. We loved our setas salteadas so so much. If you like mushrooms, you must get this. They had a nice variety in the dish and it was perfectly cooked. I could eat this everyday. The branzino and crudo were both so very outstanding. We thought the empanada was ok. Again, it is excellent but the other dishes outshined it. I will definitely come back again. Thank you for the fabulous meal. read more

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I've heard a lot about Balvanera and stopped for brunch this morning with a friend. It was just okay overall. We split a Caesar salad which was likely the highlight of the meal. I loved the croutons and fresh parmesan on the salad! I ordered the Huevos Florentinos for my meal. It wasn't much to write home about. The sauce didn't have much of a flavor and the portion was quite small for the price (it came with no sides). The waiter was nice and it's very cutely decorated. I'm thinking this might just be more of a dinner place than it is brunch. read more

Balvanera - Huevos Florentinos - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We come to Balvanera for special occasions and love every bite. The service is also top notch and it's a really classy place. Now to the most important part, the food. We like to get a couple different things to try and share. We love the complementary bruschetta. We always get the jamon iberico which is amazing since it's aged for three years. Last time, we had the chorizo especial which was very good. The waiter sold us on the salchicha was so much more flavorful. We really enjoy the Acosto steak from Argentina. Nothing like a good steak from Argentina. Best in the world. The super whipped buttery potatoes are the stuff made of dreams. Soooooo good. If you love meat like I do, you have to try it. You'll love it. read more

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Super expensive for the food they offer. I'm from Argentina and this food is not Argentinian style. The service was very good and attentive. The ambience was really nice. I liked the place. The only food similar to Argentina was the empanadas, but were really small for a $12.00 price point. The flan was really disappointing, they don't even put dulce de leche or cream on it, it tasted t like one bought at a supermarket, so dull and again $12.00 ?? The Milanese de pollo was really good but not close to Argentinian style, no fries no fried eggs included. My issue is that they use the Argentinian style label as a marketing tool and they are not even close. The price was ridiculously high for the experience. read more

What a wonderful brunch experience! We found on-street parking near the Strip District, and it only took us a few minutes to get to Balvanera. The hostess asked for the name on the reservation and sat us down, where we were greeted immediately by our waiter. He was so professional and had excellent service skills! We selected a handful of dishes: Caesar salad (the amount of cheese was so generous, it looked like sheep's hair), beef empanadas, steak with eggs, potatoes, and salad, blood sausage, and monkey bread. Everything was delicious and complemented each other well. I was actually surprised by how great blood sausage turned out because by its name alone, it doesn't sound appetizing. The texture and taste were both fantastic. As far as ambience goes, I was pleasantly surprised by the noise level, despite how busy the restaurant was, it remained comfortably quiet! read more

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Across from the terminal in the strip district. This restaurant has a delicate elegance to its woods marble lighting. The staff was attentive service at times too good. The assistant staff a little bit too eager to clear the table. The food was different. It was delicious. First time trying octopus and I will probably have it again The steak, a tad bit overdone my request to medium. But I must say it was delicious. There were four of us sharing numerous small plates the beats excellent, the lamb sausage wow, and the blood sausage was different than what I'm used to. And yes, I would order all of these again. The biggest surprise was a sweet potato ice cream highly suggested. Our waitress was Whitney very beautiful woman answered all our questions and quite attentive to our needs read more

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Came for dinner with some girlfriends and enjoyed ourselves! We ordered a few different things to share and with the help of our wonderful server the options were perfect! The space itself is also modern and sophisticated. Started with the Cesar salad and salmon crudo, both light, refreshing and tasty. We then tried the beef and veggie empanadas- one was a little on the saltier side and the other lacking some salt. For our main course we had the steak cooked medium and the chorizo. These were probably my least favorite dishes, they were a tad lackluster. The steak was a little too charred for my liking and lacked flavor. The cocktails and wine selection here were lovely. If you are looking for a unique dining experience definitely give this a try! read more

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Argentina has the highest beef consumption per capita and someone once told me that "a vegetarian in Argentina is just someone who forgot to light the grill." So, I had to have beef when we went to lunch at Balvanera in Pittsburgh. The restaurant itself is beautiful--bright, stylish, and welcoming, with a design that makes it feel both relaxed and special. We started with the Gildas--a perfect salty, briny bite of anchovy, olive, and piparra that set the stage for the meal. The Harlow's Caesar was crisp and flavorful, a really nice Argentine spin on the classic. The Ensalada Niçoise was also lovely: generous chunks of tuna, ripe tomatoes, potatoes, and perfectly cooked egg. It was almost like a composed salad--balanced and refreshing. The star, though, was the Entraña (skirt steak). Skirt steak is often chewy, but here it was outstanding--tender, juicy, and full of flavor. One of the best preparations of this cut I've had anywhere. The accompanying chimichurri was bright and lively, enhancing the steak without overwhelming it. All in all, Balvanera is my Steel City favorite! read more

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I came here after hearing mixed reviews from friends, but we had a great experience. We ordered purely off recommendations from our server and he nailed it. It was the perfect amount of food for us and we got to try a little bit of multiple items, which is my favorite way to eat! read more

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I'm (still) obsessed with Balvanera Pgh. If you haven't been here yet make your reservations now! & plan to get the: - Romera Spritz or the Julep American cocktails - the the lamb sausage & cauliflower arancini small plates are a must - and the tarta de chocolate with dulce de leche for dessert is absolutely everything I want in a dessert read more

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We always have a delicious meal! The cocktails and the atmosphere are also amazing. One of our favorite places for a steak dinner in the city! read more

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Lux food, to the max! FANTASTIC! I'd eat here every night if I could afford it. I'm not joking!

Came here with a few friends for the first time. We order a bunch of small plates for the table. The highlights were definitely the sardines and the crudo. I got the ribeye steak and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked. For dessert I got the cheese cake and it was truly amazing. All the cocktails I got were good. The espresso martini with dessert was excellent. Can't wait to go back again. read more

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Fantastic place for a nicer dinner. We didn't have reservations and only waited for ten minutes. Their menu selection is divine and we ordered multiple apps for the table. The drinks are not too sweet nor super strong. Everything was cooked to perfection. Our waiter wasn't the best and would disappear for 10 minutes at a time. We had to ask for more water and for a dessert menu. P.S order dessert read more

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I made a reservation and we showed up right on time. The hostess said that the table was just finishing up, so we were able to grab drinks at the bar to start. I ordered the espresso martini because I had heard such good things...This is definitely in the top 3 of my fav espresso tinis (and it might even be number 1 !?!?) I tried my friend's dirty martini (I'm slowly easing my way into them lol) and I liked it! We got a few small plates to share: -Harlow's Caesar - this was good, I loved the croutons! But tbh I don't know if anything will top my homemade Caesar -Tartare - my first time having beef tartare! I was nervous to try it but I loved it! So flavorful and delicious, and the chips paired with it were tasy. -Empanadas de carne - smaller than I was expecting but absolutely delish! Amazing flavors. I love me some empanadas! -Pure de papas - I think these were the best mashed potatoes I've ever had! They were perfect. We were putting spoonfuls on top of our empanadas, which was a fire combo and kind of resembled shepherd's pie. Also the complimentary cookies they gave us with the check were scrumptious! Overall the service was great from everyone (the hostess, the bartenders, our main server, and the manager checking on everyone)! The ambience was perfect! You can definitely tell this restaurant originated in New York. Next time I want to try a steak dish; I don't normally get steak at restaurants (would rather cook it at home) but I saw some other guests' plates with steak and it looked incredible. Definitely recommend this spot. read more

Balvanera - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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We snagged the first rezy available on a stormy Friday night at 5PM so the place was not full when we were seated but gradually filled up a bit. There was a huge team of servers/bussers that, at times, were clearing our plates before we had finished. I almost had to karate chop this poor woman's hand to keep the last tasty morsel of Iberico ham from being whisked away. Our server was really great and very attentive as was the front of house manager. This is clearly a great team that cares about your experience. The front dining area is a very beautiful and open area. I was glad we walked back to see the cute private booths and back room dining areas that would be great to try on a date night. They also allow bar seating for walk ins or popping by for a delicious cocktail. We marveled at how wonderful the Strip District dining scene and general walkable ambiance is becoming. This restaurant really adds to the options for upper scale casual dining. The three of us started with some tasty craft cocktails that were perfect for the tapas menu. We ordered a special menu item of spring hummus that came with toasted bread that was so delicate and perfectly seasoned. We loved that dish. And, you know you're somewhere special when even the dish of orange spiced olives is fantastic. Those paired so well with our white wines and other foods. The Iberico ham is truly unique and "light as air" thin. I kiddingly said I think they cut it with razors. I could eat three plates of just that with the delicious tomato bruschetta bread that came with it. It's pricey but unique and worth trying. The grilled octopus was tasty and very tender but could have been crispier on the edges. We really enjoyed the corn empanadas and the lamb sausage with a super yummy herb salad and pear chutney. We ended with the basque cheesecake that was very delicious but on the too small side. This was a great meal and we really had fun trying all of these dishes. We'll definitely return. read more

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Came by for a weeknight dinner recently -- we had reservations for around 7pm and were able to get seated immediately, and it seemed that the place was pretty full throughout the time we were there. Our group of 5 ordered a bunch of dishes to share -- some highlights: - We tried a few different cuts of steak. My favourite was the lomo (filet mignon), which was so tender and juicy and just cooked perfectly. I also really liked the entraña (skirt steak). - The chorizo especial was delicious. The pork/guanciale mix was so savoury, and I liked it didn't feel too oily or fatty. Peppers were an interesting touch. - Milanesa de pollo was great. The chicken was fried really nicely, crispy without being too oily.  - We had the flan for dessert, definitely would recommend. The caramel flavour was rich without being too heavy or sickly sweet. Price point was fair for the quality of food -- good for an occasional splurge, I think. Service was very kind although a bit slow at times (but no fault to the servers -- they seemed to have had their hands busy with a full restaurant). Ambiance can be a little loud for conversation. read more

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everything here was divine. we had the best time, the service was amazing, and i loved the casually chic atmosphere. Me and my friends ordered a bunch of different tastings, but the octopus and crudo really stood out to me!! mouth watering. also side note: if you collect match boxes like i do, they have them here! read more

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We've dined at the original nyc location and loved it so when we heard there's a location in Pittsburgh while we happened to be in town for the weekend, we had to try it. Place is huge compared to the nyc location. All the appetizers were top notch (both the sausages, the empanadas, the Gilda's and anchovies) . unfortunately the steak just fell flat, it was overcooked (I asked for medium rare) and was a huge steak to be served as part of a brunch menu and under seasoned. Bit of a bummer but maybe the dinner experience would be better? Service was great though and the Bloody Mary was solid. read more

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This is a great spot for a group event! There is a lot of space in this Strip district restaurant, and there's a parking garage very close by as well. The space has high ceilings and definitely feels like it can fit a lot of people. The food is medium to expensive depending on what you get, and the food is a crowd pleaser. There's not that is super excellent, but it's all pretty good. I got a couple of the appetizers including the empanada and the skirt steak, and both were fine. I've had better in Pittsburgh for similar to cheaper, but it was good enough. The servers were welcoming and attentive throughout the meal. I probably won't be back since there's better for the same price, but the place certainly has a vibe that'd be great for friends or a group. read more

I feel strongly that Balvanera is one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh at this time, and I'm eager to see them continue to thrive! I've now been twice for dinner, and on both occasions, the service and food were both absolutely wonderful. It's elegant, modern, and cozy all at once! I remember when the building that houses this beautiful restaurant was home to a nightclub and costume warehouse, so to see it so fully transformed is astonishing. All the food I've tried here has been delicious and flavorful. It's fun to try a lot of different things and split them with the table, but you can also easily build a more traditional steakhouse meal if you're less inclined to try the smaller plates. The drinks are great, too! They seem to lean into their great wine selection most of all, but I think their cocktail menu is also lovely and sophisticated. The sausages and empanadas are a must-try, in my opinion, as are the desserts. This would be my suggestion for where to take folks from out of town for a nice dinner, where to celebrate a special occasion, or where to simply have a great meal with a friend or partner. It ticks all the boxes! read more

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I so badly want to give this place 5 stars. The food is simply phenomenal. The arancini, empanadas and the salchicha were all fantastic. Had a great glass of sauv blanc. However, this is the second time in a row I've waited for a food item for 30+ minutes. Our arancini and empanadas arrived promptly. And we sat and waited over 30 more minutes for one small plate of sausage. I'd understand if these were larger entree plates but for just sharing 3 small plates we shouldn't have been here for an hour and a half. Our server was very kind, but it's easy to feel forgotten about when waiting so long and seeing all the tables around you get food. With all this said, I will certainly return to try more of their dishes. I absolutely love the vibe in here whether it's day or night time. Great date night spot! read more

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Balvanera is a great new addition to the Strip District! Ambiance is intimate and modern with high ceilings and dim lighting. Good fast service. We didn't try any steaks which I think is what they're mostly known for, but everything else was still great. Definitely recommend making a reservation online. We tried: Apps: Empanadas De Humita, Arancini De Coliflor Entrees: Pollo, Salchicha Parrillera Desserts: Bruleed Basque cheesecake, flan Our favorites were the Pollo, Salchicha, and cheesecake. The flan was a complimentary birthday dessert which was a nice gesture. With how many great fine dining options in Pittsburgh, I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon, but for those that are looking to try something new I would recommend it for a special occasion or date night! read more

Balvanera - Chicken, mashed potatoes - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Amazing. Service great and the food and wine Devine. Had the sea bass and beets app. Delicious

I came here for brunch this past Saturday with 2 of my friends. We had a really lovely meal! It was my first time here, and I am pretty picky with breakfast/brunch since it's a meal that is so simple to make at home. I had their classic breakfast- 2 eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and a side of sourdough toast. Everything was excellent! The bacon was great, very thick and cooked perfectly. Potatoes were also good, and eggs were cooked to my liking. For my drink- I had an iced latte with dulce de leche syrup which was fab!! Loved my coffee. Service was very kind, attentive, and she had a great sense of humor ( I was running very late because it took me forever to find parking- they do have a garage next door but I was on the opposite side of traffic and couldn't get over) I will definitely be back for dinner, or for brunch again- Jesus will have to take the wheel if I am driving in the Strip District on another Saturday- it was a ZOO. I will Uber next time or have my fiancé drive us to dinner here read more

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Had an outstanding experience at Balvanera from start to finish. The service and ambiance are very nice. A bit loud but I'd more call it energetic. The food.... oh the food. That's why you should come here. My friend and I shared a variety of dishes including boquerones, tartare, empanadas de humita (corn empanadas), arancini, crispy skate, potato puree, and finally brûléed Basque cheesecake for dessert. Every single bite of food was on point. We loved their variations on classic dishes (like serving the boquerones on pan con tomate or serving the tartare covered with grated parmesan and with crispy potato chips for scooping). Their portion sizes were perfect for sharing, and my friend (who is from Pittsburgh) agreed that this is the best restaurant in Pittsburgh we've dined at together (and there have been bunches over the years). Hands down, this is the first Pittsburgh restaurant I would plan to revisit on future trips to town, no contest :) read more

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We had a very nice meal here and ordered a variety of small plates. I guess it's a compliment that many of them looked so good I forgot to take pictures of them before I ate them. The Steak Tartare is the best I have ever had and bursted with flavor. The fries were another star and were perfectly brown and crisp. The waitress (Kaitlyn I think her name was) was outstanding and made sure we were always well taken care of. She also had a very positive attitude which helped make the meal enjoyable. Negatives: It was very noisy as it was all hard surfaces with nothing to absorb sound. Also, we tried to order several small plates and then get some more later but were told we had to order everything at once. This is the only place I have encountered with this policy. read more

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Can't recommend highly enough for a classy date night. The service is as attentive as any I have experienced without being annoying. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list and helped us to make excellent selections. We had the yellowtail crudo, beef empanadas, and Argentine ribeye, and I would recommend all of them, especially the steak. I'm not much of a wino, so take this with a grain of salt, but the Los Chacos Malbec was probably the most complex glass of wine I've ever had. I loved it! They also gave us a plate of flan with a candle for my girlfriend's birthday which was a nice end to the evening. Check it out! read more

Balvanera - Argentine ribeye - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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My wife an I recently visited for the 3rd time. I had been excited for this place because i absolutely love the blood sausage, and it was just as good this time. However, there were many issues with the other food items. First, this place has claims to a steak house. I love ribeye so we decided to split one. It was terrible. The fat was so hard, i had to spit out several bites because I couldn't swallow it! There should never be a steak of this price and this poor quality. They cannot properly cook miscellaneous cow parts. We had the sweetbread, which is cow pancreas. It was dry, chewy and it tasted like the skillet. There was no flavor to it, other than literally a dirty tasting skillet. Lastly was the chorizo. It pretty much tasted like movie theater popcorn. It was greasy, salty, and generally hard to consume. Super disappointing after how good the blood sausage was. The sweet potatoes and octopus were quite lovely though. Both had lovely perpetrations with a lot of flavor. The sweetbread could have used a lot more of this. The server was quite friendly. But when we sent the sweetbread back, he did literally nothing to fix it. I really don't think something that poorly flavored should be on the menu. But he did agree that it was not good. We did go on a Monday between Christmas and New Year so maybe the good chef had the day off. read more

The interior is gorgeous with a lot of natural lighting and simplistic decor. There is outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. The server came around very often to check up on us. The food came very fast and each dish was amazing. read more

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I can't say enough great things about this place. The atmosphere is both modern and welcoming, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed meal. We went for brunch and shared a few small plates--the Iberico ham and the empanadas were especially delicious. Every drink we tried was fantastic, and the service was truly top-notch. We're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

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Wow! We were super impressed with Balvanera! Arrived early on a Friday night. The restaurant has a nice vibe, mix of modern in an older industrial building in the strip district in pittsburgh. We started with drinks and small plates, then shared a steak, and finished with desserts. The gin and tonic with bergamotto and amaro was very good. An interesting twist on G&T, a little sweet, but I liked it. Others got the Manhattan and raved about it. The empanadas were the best I've ever had. Not dry, not too doughy. The corn empanadas with roasted red pepper and provolone was the hit! So moist and delicious! The beet salad with ricotta and a little pistachio! Caesar salad was super lemony. The steak was also great, perfectly cooked and paired with chimichurri sauce. We finished with a lemon ice cream over cookies and topped with merengue and a chocolate torte. All in all a great meal. We will be back! read more

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