This restaurant was located on the second floor of a building in the market square area when we visited pittsburgh. They had a big staircase, but also elevator access. I really enjoyed this restaurant and would say it was one of the better meals i had when visiting. The service was phenomenal and the staff very attentive. Food came out quick and was extremely tasty, generous portions, and with incredible flavor. I highly recommend the truffle fries, corn bread, and penne vodka. Overall great restaurant and worthwhile to add to your list if visiting the area. read more

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Great service and perfect portions! We came in during the NFL draft for happy hour and Amy took great care of us. We had a few questions about cocktails and she made sure everyone was ordering something to their liking. The truffle fries were massive and all 3 of us were able to share and didnt finish. Can't wait for next time! read more

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I've been here a bunch of times and it's always amazing. The food they do well they do WELL! I typically get some appetizers, their Ceasar salad, and espresso martinis. Those are always reliable and delicious. This night we decided to try their crab cakes and pork chop dinners. The crab cakes were delicious. They were perfectly crispy on the outside and the sauce that pairs with it is perfection. We were a little disappointed in the pork chop. The carrots and stuffing were both amazing, but the pork chop itself was pretty fatty. The parts we were able to cut off and eat were cooked well, we were just disappointed we weren't able to enjoy all of it! Overall, I do love this place. It's perfect for a girls night if you want to share a bunch of apps and get some cocktails!! read more

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I would like to give another five star review to Emerson's since this time I went on a weekend night. The vibes are truly immaculate at this place. The lighting is perfect, and the way its decorated gives it a cozy home feel. The food was delicious as always and the drinks were perfectly curated. My table got banana bread espresso martinis, dirty martinis, and I got the Irish Maid and every single drink was delicious. The only thing I will say was the music was a little loud, hard to talk in a larger group and it was very warm in the restaurant. Other than that, I love this place so much and will be back many more times to come! We were also celebrating two birthdays and the handwritten birthday note was such a sweet touch that you dont see anywhere else! read more

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I came here for with my coworkers for a birthday dinner after work today. The service on point - they had two server checking in constantly which was nice for the size group we had. We ordered a few appetizers, my favorite was the truffle fries and the Brussels sprouts. The truffle fries come with a really large shareable portion ( and I love fries so that was great). The vibe was really nice, the dim lighting and the ambiance was nice where one could go there for a date night but it was also really nice to go to with my coworkers to have a conversation where we didn't feel like we were interrupting. I will definitely be back to try their girl dinner with some friends! PS the banana bread espresso martini was 10/10 would definitely recommend read more

Emerson's - Banana Bread Espresso Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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A recently met a friend here for dinner and I can't believe I haven't been here before! Emerson's is in market square. The door is a little unassuming. Once you go up a flight of stairs, you enter the cozy space of Emerson's. My friend and I both tried the banana bread espresso martini. It was SO good! We started with the mezze platter which has hummus, grilled pita, cucumber, red pepper, carrots, marinated artichoke hearts, and feta. Not only was the presentation beautiful, but the platter itself was delicious! For dinner, I ordered the salmon which comes with basil lemon risotto, and micro greens. The salmon was booked perfectly and paired so well with the risotto. Our waitress was very sweet and helpful. This was such a neat place. I can't wait to visit again! read more

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I can't believe I haven't been here before. This place is well known and loved among my friend group, yet I somehow had not been. Tonight I was out for a couple of drinks nearby with a friend, we were hungry and she suggested this spot nearby. I was excited to finally check it off the list, but now I fear I have to become a regular. This place is so good! The food here is beautifully presented and upscale, while not being super expensive or pretentious. We wanted to split the grilled Caesar salad, but one of us is GF and the other is vegetarian. This meant we needed a non-anchovy dressing for the vegetarian, both dressings on the side, and the croutons in a separate bowl. Our server couldn't have been more happy to accommodate and I never felt like we were a problem. My friend got a beautiful looking filet with green beans and I got their vodka penne which was creamy and cozy and a perfect fall/winter meal. The portion was large and I ended up taking some home. I liked that I asked our server whether there was anything about the pasta that wasn't vegetarian, such as chicken or beef stock, and she immediately knew the answer. They just seem very thoughtful of all types of diners here. They had a beautiful and long list of specialty cocktails and wine selections, and also had three mocktail options right on that same menu which I as a non-drinker super appreciate as it makes me feel not like an afterthought. The vibe here is also very cool. Lots of cozy living room types of seating areas to enjoy a drink in addition to the bar and restaurant seating. One wall has an industrial, exposed look. I just really enjoyed everything about it. Note that there is a big flight of stairs you need to go up/down right at entry; I did not think to ask whether there was another way if someone has accessibility needs. read more

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Everything from the ambiance, drinks and food was a 10/10. Our serve was so sweet and gave us extra time while we had our first book club meeting here! We had Brussel sprouts and muscles for an appetizer, both very tasty. I split the famous caesar salad and Emerson's burger with one of my friends and both were fantastic. I dream about the truffle fries! Would 100% go back for the Hot Girl dinner special on Thursdays read more

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Ten of us stopped by on a whim on Wednesday around 8pm. They put a table together for us and we waited only a few minutes. The ambiance inside is lovely and I like that the fireplace is actually warm. After seating us they took our drink orders and then our food orders. The drinks were lovely and the food even better. I really enjoyed my fried chicken sandwich and like how the sandwiches come with a choice of regular fries or truffle fries. They did separate checks for all of us which is amazing for a group this big and took a group picture of us at the very end. read more

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This is a hidden gem - you'd never know it was there from the street! They knock it out of the park with a very relaxing, intimate yet lively atmosphere. All of the food was fresh and arrived at the right pace. For starters, we got the burrata and mezze platter and for the entree, crab cakes and butternut squash rigatoni. I've had a lot of crab cakes and I think Emerson's makes the best in the city! read more

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I went for the hot girl combo. Was this my favorite Caesar salad? No, I wish the chicken had been cut into stripes so easier for me to enjoy. I also didn't love the Caesar dressing it felt very thick more like an aioli. I also realize I'm not a huge fan of the grilled lettuce. For apps we got the Brussels sprouts and burrata to share and both were so good. I got the devil went down to Georgia and I liked it. I do want to go back and try the rest of the menu. And the vibe in there is great. Perfect for a girls night. read more

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After visiting about 20 times, I still have only good things to say about Emerson's. The vibes are immaculate in all corners- cozy and chic. The service is always great, attentive, and a good pace of the meal. I've had almost everything on the menu, but the burrata and truffle fries are a must-order every single time. read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I really enjoyed the Thursday special at Emerson's-- this special was a Caesar salad, fries (I upgraded to truffle fries) , and a Diet Coke for $18 or martini for $28. I did the $28 meal and had a dirty martini with vodka. They had a large selection of add ons and upgraded including blue cheese olives. My drink was excellent and so was the food. The shaved Parmesan was so fluffy and I appreciated how the lettuce wedge had been charred. The fries were great too and the aioli was solid. The space was super attractive also-- lots of natural light, exposed brick, and a clean feel. The staff overall were friendly and our waitress was especially nice. read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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We stopped in for dinner and were pleasantly surprised by the cocktails -- well-balanced, creative, and genuinely enjoyable. A standout starter was the truffle fries: perfectly crispy with just the right amount of truffle flavor. Honestly, I'd return just to sit at the bar with a cocktail and those fries. The atmosphere was lively, but it did get quite loud at times -- something to keep in mind if you're hoping for a quieter dinner or conversation. For the main course, I ordered the pork chop. While it was beautifully plated and the accompanying carrots were deliciously sweet and tender, the pork itself was unfortunately overcooked and a bit dry. It wasn't bad, but it didn't quite live up to the promise of the presentation. That said, the overall vibe and drink program are strong. There are plenty of other entrées on the menu -- the chicken sandwich, in particular, looked like a smarter pick. I might have just chosen the wrong dish this time. Still, I'd definitely come back for the cocktails and fries, and I'm open to giving the rest of the menu another try. read more

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Emerson's is hands down one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh right now. Such a unique spot with a cool crowd. The food is absolutely divine. Service was excellent. Dinner was perfectly paced. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Their special espresso martinis were fab! The other drinks tasted like jungle juice so I sent it back. The truffle fries were good, but that was it. Our other entrees were very underwhelming. I don't recommend unless you're coming for a drink and a shareable. Don't eat here read more

Emerson's - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Emerson's restaurant is located on the second floor above the Market St. store. It is open for happy hour and dinner. The menu lists foods such as charcuterie, salads, sandwiches, pork chop, filet, salmon, mussels, and penne. This restaurant also serves cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers. My husband and I ate one dinner here. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our reservation, and the seating hostess immediately seated us. Our waiter spoke courteously to us, but he took some time to bring us a drink, our foods, and our check. Here are my ratings for what we ate: Sherry Cobbler Sour - 3 stars - This cocktail contained bourbon, sherry, lemon, demerara, egg white, and cherry bitters. I thought that its flavor was OK. Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - 4 stars - Two crab cakes were a medium size and contained much crab meat. They came with sweet chili aioli, lemon, and arugula. I liked their flavor. Emerson's Burger - 2.5 stars - The burger consisted of a brioche bun, beef patties, American cheese, onion, lettuce, special sauce, and pickles. My husband ate about one-fourth of this entree, and he described it as "bad." I took my one bite of his burger, and I thought that it tasted OK. I ate a couple of the side truffle fries, and I agreed with him that they were overcooked and too crunchy. The total cost for this one drink and two entrees was $73 *plus* a tip. read more

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I have a tricky time writing up a review for Emerson's. On one hand, the ambiance, cocktails, apps, & service is great! On the other hand, the entrees are very mediocre (verging on not good). I think the key is to come for drinks/apps (more of a happy hour vibe) vs full sit down dinner. I do love their "Tini Tuesday" deal where martinis & truffle fries are on discount! If you plan to come with a big group, definitely make a reservation as it isn't a big space. Positives: after work, atmosphere, cocktails, girl's night, great service, hidden gem, large group, photos, sharing, wine list Negatives: bad food read more

The only thing I can find wrong with this place is their Signage out Front ... I Walked by the "Door" Like 5 times ‍ PUT A SIGN OUT THERE THE FOOD WAS SO TASTY. My tastebuds were watering while I was reading the menu & the food didn't disappoint ... the drinks where just as good The decor was so cool def added to the ultra chic vibe the place has going on read more

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2 stars. Emerson's is definitely a beautiful spot and great for pictures, but the experience didn't match the aesthetics. We waited over an hour even though the place didn't look very full, and when the food finally came it was surprisingly bland. Low on sauce and seasoning, which was disappointing given how gorgeous the dishes looked. Would be worth it if the flavor matched the presentation. read more

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This spot is ALWAYS a 10/10 and I have recommended it to so many friends recently! I'm just getting around to posting about their winter drink specials, but the Toffee Tinsel Tini they had for the holidays was something special, and so delicious. A friend and I stopped in on wine Wednesday and also shared a bottle of Sauv Blanc! (50% off on Wednesdays!!) and we of course indulged in the truffle fries because you just have to. They're cheesy, salty, and perfectly seasoned served with a garlic aioli you'll want to eat with a spoon, I promise. Special shoutout to MC, who took excellent care of us as we sat by the cozy fireplace. read more

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I don't know where to begin. This place is amazing!!! We sat right by the cozy fireplace and had a delicious meal of so many flavors. Our waitress was wonderful and service was quick! I can't rave about the vibe enough - you have to check it out. It's eclectic! The food: Meatballs. Get these. So tender and packed with flavor. I wanted another order. Mezze platter - so good. The toasted pita were perfect for the BEST hummus I've had. The whole chickpeas speak to both freshness and texture. So yummy, and I loved the accompanying crudités. Burrata - I couldn't shovel this down fast enough. It was so good, and I loved the peppers and arugula it came with. The combination of flavors was on point. Crab cakes - I hate when crab cakes are overloaded with lemon flavor, and thankfully Emerson's was not. Chunky crab pieces with a perfect salt level. Trust me - these are fantastic. The dressing it came with tasted like French dressing but with a nice slight heat. I had a pumpkin espresso martini, and tis the season for sure; I chugged this! It was so good. Tiramisu dessert was the perfect night cap. Perfectly done. Come here, folks. You'll make your next reservation while eating your dinner. What a great meal!!! read more

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My friends and I had an incredible time at Emerson's taking advantage of their hot girl combo! Everything was so tasty from the chicken, to the fries, to the salad. Don't even get me started on how good the Caesar dressing was (an extra container had to come home with me). On top of the food, the service was amazing. We were celebrating birthdays and were gifted with a complimentary bottle of Prosecco AND two desserts which was completely unexpected and took the experience to the next level. Our table was right next to a window with gorgeous natural light and the vibes were just so lovely. I can't wait to come back! read more

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The best hidden gem in Market Square! Small and quaint restaurant that is a great date night or girls night spot. We got drinks and appetizers. The truffle fries were amazing. I cannot express that these are the best fries I've had in my life lol they taste better than the picture!!! Also the bartender was the sweetest and most accommodating. read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I love the ambiance in Emerson's The cocktail bar is so quaint and unique This bar gives you a city bar feel The cocktails are always amazing & the apps are some of my favorite The pork chop is so good - and my fiance loved the chicken sandwhich The burrata is always my go to app - so yum Love the staff - they're always so kind. read more

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HOT GIRL DINNER. What a vibe. Such good food. Pretty expensive but worth it for a restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh and amazing food and cocktails. read more

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To be fair I have only been to Emerson's for their Thursday night "hot girl combo" deal which comes with a salad, fries, and drink. I got reservations early (be sure to book in advance, they often fill up!) and went with a few girlfriends. We had a great time. Each of us ordered the combo, and I added chicken to my salad. The salad was great. It had a unique char on it which I appreciated and the dressing was perfect. I also am a sucker for truffle fries. Lastly, I got a dirty martini which was top notch. The restaurant itself is located off a side street of market square, so parking is difficult. I suggest finding a nearby garage. it is also located upstairs. It got quite loud in there which was our main complaint, but the place itself is very cute and cozy. I love the bar area too. I have spoken with others and it seems like this is a great spot for either their deals or snacks/apps and drinks. I have not ordered off their entrees but enjoy what I have gotten here enough that I plan to come back, try more things, and update my review accordingly! read more

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I have been going to Emerson's since it opened, and I will continue to go back. I have nothing but overwhelmingly positive things to say about the food, drinks, and service. I have dined at Emerson's in large and small group settings, and it has been an incredible experience in both settings. The servers are attentive, the bartenders are personable, and the entire menu is a hit. The truffle fries can't be beat, especially when paired with their house aioli. Their pasta changes seasonally, but it has yet to disappoint me. RUN to Emerson's once the butternut squash sauce makes its appearance for the fall. Their house-made pesto from 2023 was also a major hit. Though it is not advertised on the menu, be sure to ask your server about dessert options! They change seasonally, but they are always delicious. read more

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Great restaurant with amazing drinks and great food. Love their truffle fries and their crispy sprouts for appetizers and Emerson's burger and Penne Pasta for dinner! read more

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Server was very helpful and nice. She gave great descriptions of the drinks and gave very good recommendations - she was very passionate about the bar offerings and the bartender's abilities. Truffle fries are incredible, with an awesome aioli sauce. I would absolutely recommend the burrata (the blistered tomatoes made it exceptional). The filet was honestly average, and I would recommend getting another dish for the price you pay for the steak ($50). Ambiance was very cool. Will definitely be back for drinks and appetizers, but I probably wound get the steak (or salmon that my girlfriend got) again. I hear the sandwiches are good though. read more

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This is such a hidden gem in Pittsburgh! When you're in here it's hard to imagine you're in market square. We booked reservations for dinner in honor of our 10 year wedding anniversary. Although I love the vibe and atmosphere, the tables are a little squished together. At times I felt like we were involved in the tables around us personal conversations. I think they could easily fix this with adjusting some of the lay out. During our visit we were told that Martini's and truffle fries were the special of the night. My husband and I both had a martini and we opted for truffle fries for our sides. The truffle fries are out of this world. Garlicky and seasoned well. I have heard a lot of people say Emerson's had the best espresso martini in town, and I would definitely say it's one of the better ones I've had! I ordered the tie dye chicken sandwich, which was sauced in vodka sauce, and topped with pesto and burrata. It was really good, I had to eat it with a fork and knife only because I didn't want to make a whole mess! Lol. We also split the cornbread which was okay. It felt more like a dessert option. Overall this is a solid place. I would love to come back with some girlfriends for martini night! read more

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What a gem in Market Square! We had an amazing dinner last night. The vibe was spot on--stylish yet cozy. I started with an espresso martini, and wow... hands down the best one I've had in the city. I ordered the crab cakes, and they were absolutely delicious. Everyone at the table raved about their entrees--everything was flavorful and beautifully presented. We'll definitely be back! read more

Emerson's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mussels were solid the biscuit however was very underwhelming but let's talk about this places vibe which was very relaxed and the waitresses were great too. read more

Celebrated my husband's birthday with a dinner at this modern yet cozy restaurant. Love the location, the large windows and style of the restaurant make it the ultimate downtown restaurant. Food and wait staff were accommodating and kind! Still so many things I want to try on the menu, so I will definitely be heading back. read more

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Everything (but the server) about this restaurant was pretty much just ok. Granted, I didn't order a cocktail which looked to die for, but still. The fried chicken sandwich was soggy and all dark meat, which was unexpected. The pasta had good flavor, but unfortunately the salad also lacked dressing. The brussel sprouts were just the outer pieces roasted so hard they basically disintegrated with a fork. It was unfortunate because it is so cute inside and the server was so so kind. Would maybe go back for just drinks, i dont know read more

Emerson's - fried chicken sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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FINALLY got the gang together for a long-awaited girls night dinner! Absolutely love the idea, and a preset menu with add ons was perfect so we could order quickly and focus on catching up. I added chicken to the Caesar salad and upgraded to truffle fries and I took so much home with me. It was absolutely fantastic, and our server was so sweet! She shared how much she loves the Thursday dinner girls nights and we felt so welcomed. Cannot wait to go back with the girls soon! read more

Emerson's - Girls Night Dinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Had a delicious meal at Emerson's last week! We had a reservation at 7:30 on a Friday and were seated right away when we arrived. Our waitress was kind and friendly. While everything we ordered was delicious, the appetizers were especially good. The cornbread was more like a dessert. The Brussels sprouts were also really good. They had a great selection of cocktails, including a seasonal menu as well as bartender's choice. I did the bartender's choice and the waitress asked me a few questions so that I could have a drink to my taste. I'd definitely recommended Emerson's! read more

Great restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh! This is definitely the popular spot for young professionals, as it was filled after 5pm on a Wednesday. They do take reservations, so I highly recommend doing so because there's minimal tables and a standing bar section. They have a nice happy hour that goes until 7pm, with $2 off drinks, so I ordered the Triple Crown cocktail. It was very delicious and refreshing. With flavors of strawberry, cucumber, and hint of lime mixed with whiskey it was delicious. The food menu is a bit limited but still options with different proteins and reasonable price ranges. I got the Tie Dye Fried Chicken Sandwich and absolutely loved it! And elevated version of a chicken parmesan sandwich with deeper flavors and ingredients. The vodka sauce was creamy and not overly sweet, combining with the sunflower seed pesto to create a delicious bite to lighten the nicely breaded and fried chicken and brioche bun from Mediterra. All topped with buratta and served with a side of truffle fries and aoili. I only wish it was bigger because it was so incredible! read more

Emerson's - Triple Crown - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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love the food, almost passed out from how good it was, bathrooms are great, i l0ve how the toliets taste. love u guys, eat here every week.

One of my work husbands and I were looking for a place that wasn't too far from work to treat ourselves to a nice lunch. I did a search of local restaurants and came up with Emerson's. Meanwhile, we were both looking at each other when we went in search of the restaurant. The sign to the restaurant is almost microscopically small. Seriously! We actually walked past the entrance because the sign is so small. However, once you find the sign and walk up the steps to the place, welcome to the restaurant that you didn't know that you needed in downtown Pittsburgh. Exposed brick walls, chic bar area and a fireplace? All within a second floor walk-up restaurant? Excellent service? What in the name of everything that is good happen where a new wonderful restaurant opens and no one knows anything about it? Well, you must go to Emerson's. The ambiance alone is worth the visit, along with the excellent service. Totally chic and the kind of place that you would imagine in NYC and not downtown Pittsburgh. (Don't feel offended Pittsburghers! I'm a born and raised Pittsburgher, but we still aren't known for having notably chic restaurants.) We were both starving, so we ordered the Burrata with arugula, basil olive oil, balsamic reduction and crostini. I ordered the Grilled Salmon with with mango and red pepper sauce, jerked couscous and sauteed haricots verts(green beans y'all!) My work husband ordered the Emerson's Burger with two 4oz dry aged beef patties, American cheese, grilled onions and truffle fries. We ate like tomorrow wasn't going to happen. The burrata was on point and extremely fresh tasting. (I know that burrata is a fresh cheese, but I've had it go awry) My salmon was perfectly cooked and the jerked couscous was a welcome departure for a side dish. My buddy's burger and fries were also on point. Aged beef patties are definitely a hit with good ole American cheese. On an additional visit, I also ordered the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with lemon, parmesan and a friend ordered the Penne Alla Vodka with grilled chicken. Tasty is all that I can say. You must visit this restaurant because the food and everything will surprise you in a good way! read more

Emerson's - Burrata with sundried tomatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania