Beautiful Spot, Amazing Food and Service. The DJ at Sunday brunch is a great time! What an experience!

We had a reservation here for my friend's birthday dinner and they seated us at a large table to the right of the entryway. We ordered a variety of food items and drinks. The inside was a cool ambiance that gradually got clubbier as the night went on. It is really spacious inside with a huge bar, multiple tables, and multiple booths. I had the crab fried rice for the first time and it was incredible, would absolutely get again. All of the other food items I sampled were pretty good. Our server must've been on the new side since it took quite some time to wrap up the meal and get our checks and there was some confusion because one person in our party was nut free and some items got mixed up but she was nice. She did separate checks for us no problem which was great. read more

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Genuinely the coolest restaurant we've been to in years. We ordered a variety of things including a sushi roll, the mezzanine sampler, and the Turkish dumplings. Each dish was unexpectedly beautiful, and so full of amazing flavor. read more

I felt like I was on vacation. There are a lot of chic, trendy and aesthetically pleasing places in Pittsburgh but, in my opinion, none that truly feel as if you're not IN Pittsburgh. We went on Father's Day, a Sunday, and it turns out the only do brunch on Sundays. Bummer, I really wanted to try a few items from the dinner menu so I guess we'll have to time that better. My complaint here is that it wasn't clear from the website that they were only offering brunch on Sundays. We got: mezze platter, Purple sweet potato, gyro, pancakes and the beets. Weird combo but we did the best we could. I will say that the brunch menu is a little bit light on protein. They do have an excellent offering of cocktails. I never expected beets to be one of the highlights of brunch, but this dish completely won me over. The beets were perfectly roasted, bringing out their natural sweetness, while the lemon yogurt and pomegranate vinaigrette created a fresh, vibrant contrast. The nasturtiums added both beauty and a subtle peppery bite that made the whole dish feel incredibly thoughtful and refined. Don't skip the Heirloom Masa Pancakes. They were nice and fluffy with a delicate toasted corn flavor from the masa that made them stand out from traditional pancakes. The lemon mascarpone added a fresh citrusy brightness, the honey maple butter was rich without being overly sweet, and the nixtamal berries gave the dish an unexpected texture that made every bite interesting. The Bloody Mary bar was a standout. I loved being able to customize my drink with an abundance of fresh garnishes and unique toppings. My husband added like 3 pieces of bacon and so much shrimp because there really wasn't any other way to add protein to his meal. We will be back! Also, there is a 3% operating fee charged to the bill which was pretty offputting because I did not see that listed anywhere on the menu. This restaurant is part of the Richard DeShantz group-not really sure why we have to pay a 3% operating fee for a restaurant group, that's a bit weird. read more

I must say the ambience is soooooooo amazing in this restaurant even the bathrooms are amazing! The service was amazing as well me and my home girl went for cocktails and BOYYYYYYY they were super strong we were feel niceeeeeeeee ...the menu was not my cup of tea but if you like Mediterranean food, this is the place for you. This place is also good for groups, special events, date, night girls night or just a solo night. So check this place out my yelpers read more

I came here with a friend during the week for dinner, so it was a much different experience than the busy nightlife scene most people probably associate with Sea Monkey. It was nice to be able to enjoy the atmosphere without the crowds. We started with appetizers, and they were delicious. We got the fried oysters, mezza sampler platter with pita, and purple sweet potatoes. Everything was flavorful, and the pita was especially amazing. I also ordered a Ranch Water cocktail, which was light, refreshing, and definitely something I'd order again. For sushi, I'd say it was just okay. The fish itself tasted fresh, but many of the rolls had so many toppings and sauces that they overpowered the actual flavor of the sushi. It was good, but it didn't really feel like I was eating sushi, if that makes sense. I was also surprised that the California roll is made with imitation crab while being one of the more expensive rolls on the menu, which didn't really make sense to me. The service was good, and our server was very friendly and attentive throughout our visit. The atmosphere is definitely one of Sea Monkey's biggest strengths. It's trendy, fun, and has an almost tropical vibe that makes you feel like you've escaped Pittsburgh for a little while. Overall, I'd definitely come back for drinks and the atmosphere. While I enjoyed parts of the food, I personally found it to be pretty overpriced for what you get. read more

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Celebrated a friend's birthday here and enjoyed a nice brunch overall. The purple sweet potato dish was a standout, and I was happy to revisit some of my favorite savory options from a previous visit. Slow service and an unpleasant sewer smell that lingered in parts of the restaurant could be addressed. read more

Sea Monkey - Spicy tuna roll (Chili Crisp Crunch, Gochujang, Scallion, Yuzu Tobiko), California roll (Red Crab, Avocado, Scallion, Aonori, Yuzu Butter) - Mediterranean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I went here for my birthday celebration because it looked like a nice place. It is cute and aesthetically pleasing inside. The music wasn't too loud, but it seemed like the same song being played over and over again. They also had a DJ. We were sat at a table that was far too low for eating, but we managed. The happy hour drinks were decent but had a ton of ice and minimal drink. I will say the food that I ordered was tasty. I have no complaints about service. read more

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Everything was great included the food as the Hummus the ambience and service, fun place read more

Sea Monkey - Mediterranean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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My first time visiting Sea Monkey was with a group for weekend brunch. They offer a brunch menu that includes an extensive Bloody Mary bar! We made a reservation and were seated right away by the welcoming hostess. There was a terrific DJ spinning adding to the overall chill and fun ambiance. Our server anticipated our every need. We were also checked on by managers. The tables are nicely spaced apart and the natural lighting brightened the warm and inviting space. I really enjoyed the brunch time vibe! read more

I really hope Pittsburgh embraces Sea Monkey, it just brings something truly special to our restaurant scene. I appreciate restaurants that are willing to be bold, take risks, and get creative with both their menu and the overall experience...and Sea Monkey absolutely does that. We loved the cocktails, the food, the atmosphere, and the thoughtful design of the space. It feels welcoming whether you're grabbing dinner for two or celebrating with a larger group thanks to the variety of seating throughout the restaurant. The menu has so much to choose from. I love getting to mix n match small plates alongside larger protein mains, for a sharable meal. I started with the Amalfi Coast cocktail, a fun, fruity take on a spritz. Light, bubbly, refreshing, exactly what I was looking for in a summery after work cocktail. For food, the beet salad was delicious. I loved that the beets were shaved instead of served in chunks, and the crispy pumpkin seeds added a nice crunch. The crab fried rice absolutely lived up to the hype. The sushi rice, layered with rich umami flavors, had incredible texture and was packed with rich flavor. One of my favorite bites of the night was the fried halloumi. The phyllo wrapper was perfectly crisp and light, finished with a salty seasoning and honey that balanced beautifully. Paired with the spicy and cooling dips, this was rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying without feeling heavy. The fancy fries were another standout. Perfectly crisp with just the right amount of salt. The caviar dip felt indulgent but was balanced and not overpowering. Also shared the branzino, which was beautifully presented and perfectly cooked. It was fresh, vibrant, and full of herbs and citrus. I appreciate a bold creative dish. Sea Monkey feels fresh, exciting, and unlike anything else in Pittsburgh right now. Thank you for the invite Sea monkey team. some of these dishes were comped, my views and opinions in this review are my own and honest. read more

Can you remember the last time a restaurant completely blew your expectations out of the water? I sure didn't, until this past weekend. Reading the description of this restaurant had me feeling uneasy. This place is an EDM club at night? Ehhh, not my thing. But the food, my god, the food. I was completely blown away, and I am much better suited for the 5:30PM reservation we have. The thinly sliced beet dish? Probably the best I've ever had. The purple sweet potato with crispy garlic, their mini "turkish" dumplings, the Mezze plater and homemade naan-like bread, the rice pudding, and the list could go on and on. An absolute stellar meal with impeccable service. read more

Your next night out needs to be at Sea Monkey. The vibes are Miami meets Pittsburgh, the staff was knowledgeable on the menu items, and the food was picture perfect and delicious. From tuna carpaccio to the fry service, there wasn't a bite that didn't blow me away. Can't wait to go back and try more. read more

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Sea Monkey in the Strip District completely nails the upscale, tropical coastal resort vibe. Richard DeShantz & his team have done it again! They've transformed the space on Smallman Street into a gorgeous, South Beach-style oasis that transitions effortlessly from a relaxed dinner to a full late-night lounge with great house music. The food leans toward high-end Mediterranean and coastal tapas that pairs well with a phenomenal cocktail list. read more

Came in for a girls night and left with a new favorite place in Pittsburgh! Alina was our server she was 10/10 from the start of service until we headed out. She guided us through the menu and spotlighted some of her favorites. I really appreciated that she asked if we had any allergies. The general manager was also lovely and he greeted us right away when we came in. For drinks we ordered: The Goldmember Mojito Verde Carajillo Martini (Espresso Martini) For food we ordered: Lamb Neck Hummus & Pita (a MUST!!!) Hamachi Crab Rice Okinawa Sweet Potato Pineapple Tapocia with Coconut Crème Everything on the food and beverage menus were seriously so good. I can't wait to go back and try more! There is a dress code but it is strictly enforced at 10pm when they transition some of the lounge tables to a dance floor. I wore tasteful jeans to dinner and was fine. I can't wait to go back and am truly obsessed with the vibes! read more

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I came in with pretty high expectations, just based off of their website, social media posts, and prices. However, the "elevated experience" I was expecting fell flat. It is nice that they take reservations, and we were immediately seated when we arrived. We had a group of 7, so decided to order a bunch of items from the menu to try a little of everything. Most of us started with one of their speciality cocktails, but none of us were super impressed. There's a variety to choose from, and they're fine, but nothing great for $18+ The best part of the meal was probably the dips and pitas. My favorites were the Labneh and Clam Dip. Some of the food we ordered was the Truffle Grilled Cheese, Caviar Toast, Lamb Rack, California Roll, and Spicy Tuna Roll. The food came out quickly and looked "pretty". Again, I feel like expectations were high based on the prices and vibes shown on the website, but the food and drinks did not live up to that. Nothing was bad but also nothing blew us away. In regard to service, our server was friendly but we had to ask for more water, enough plates and silverware for everyone, and refills of drinks. The service also didn't match the elevated vibe they're projecting. The decor is definitely very "vibey" and Instagram-worthy, but I wouldn't rush back there for dinner again. read more

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The food was absolutely delicious and the service was absolutely terrific. I enjoyed the atmosphere very much.

Officially opening weekend here at Sea Monkey and boy we were excited to check this place out! First: food. So the best thing we ordered was the Mezze Sampler. It was really good and nice to try 4 different dishes. We did have to order more pita though, as the ratio of dip:pita was not enough. We also got the salmon maki (2nd best), salt roasted beets (3rd best) and beef tartare (pass). Our waitress was kind and attentive but there were major kinks in the flow of the restaurant. Hostess took a while to seat us despite having a long-standing reservation, and the pita that we ordered was the absolute last thing to arrive on the table. Vibes here were clear and the concept was obvious that it was for an older crowd but still club/techno music vibes. The fish detailing was fun but when I asked the hostess if we could sit closer to it, she said no. Overall--not sure if I would come again. There are a lot of obstacles that need figuring out. I understand the motive--it needs some tweaking. It is incredibly expensive for what you're getting, and I'd be cognizant of this fact when coming to visit. read more

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Hidden fees and prices brought down what could of been a good experience. You'll find several undisclosed fees tacked on to the bottom of your bill in addition to a 3% fee that is the fine print on the menu. Gave it 2 stars bc the food and service was pretty good, but the markup means I won't be returning. read more

Sea Monkey - Bar area - Mediterranean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My friend and I recently tried out Sea Monkey in the strip. I made a reservation online prior to our visit. Upon our arrival, we were seated right away. We were seated at a couch RIGHT next to the DJ booth. My friend and I were concerned about not being able to hear each other talk once the DJ started playing. Additionally, we were hoping for a more traditional dining setting, instead of just sitting on a couch. We asked to more to a high top table and we were able to move, thankfully. We ordered a few different items off of the menu: we ordered a cocktail that was delicious! I can't remember the name but it had mango, tajin, and some other goodies. For food, we tried the clam dip, Spanish octopus, lamb rack, and the "filet o fish" sandwich (seasonal item). Everything we tried was very good. I also thought prices were reasonable. The staff were all very kind and helpful throughout our whole visit. The only downside is that once the DJ started playing, it was really loud in the dining area. I'm so glad we moved our seat. read more

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I came with a group for a networking happy hour. The high top tables and lounge areas were fun. We had servers stop by and ask us about drinks. I got the amalfi coast which was delicious and came pretty fast. We also had some light apps like wings, and sushi which were tasty. I want to stop by another time for dinner. read more

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TL:DR: - hidden "Pittsburgh nightlife operating fee" added to your bill, not mentioned anywhere else. - had reservations, waited 15 mins to be seated - drinks took 30 mins to come out - given the same incorrect dish twice in a row by the kitchen, had to wait each time. - completely forgot final course until they were reminded. Arrived to the table tepid + Octopus dish was solid, everything else was decent but not memorable. FWIW - the executive chef is a super talented guy, One thing I do have to praise about the DeShantz restaurant group is their ability to hire big time talent from around the PGH area i.e. Dave Racicot (previously Nemacolin, Notion) I would be more considerate of Sea-Monkey having recently opened and likely still working out the kinks. But for the newest restaurant from the largest restaurant group in Pittsburgh, service really should not have been such an issue. However, my biggest gripe is the 3% "Pittsburgh nightlife operating fee" that is tacked on to the bottom of your bill and mentioned nowhere else on their menu and seen nowhere else in the region. Especially from a restaurant group that doesn't exactly "need" the additional profit. Why not just raise the prices? This is exploitative of patrons and will only negatively impact the kitchen and wait staff. Could have been such a better spot. read more

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Do you like a hip vibe and overly sweet drinks? Then this is the place for you. The food is surprisingly good considering how poor the service was. Our app came out after our main, the drinks (house specialty) were quite simply not good. Quite surprising considering how much effort is spent promoting them. The marg was so sweet it had to be sent back. The food flavors were excellent, but I prefer if my lamb Is served warm. And the service was so disjointed you would think they opened last week. Not a fan. read more

VIBES VIBES VIBES! This is just the place Pittsburgh needed for an elevated night out experience. There is nothing like it in Pittsburgh. I was utterly impressed by their early preview and can't wait to spend many more nights here read more

Sea Monkey - Mediterranean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

First off: this is a lounge not a bar so they have a dress code. Their website and all social media outlets are VERY open and upfront about their dress code so people shouldn't be surprised if they're not let in since it's all over their socials. If the dress code bothers you then this place isn't for you anyways. This is a really nice space that recently opened up next to Coop in the Strip. The ambiance was modern and the group I was with said it reminded them of White Lotus. The group I was there with was there for drinks and thought the drinks were pretty good but the service wasn't that fast. The place has only been open for about a week and is still trying to work out the details. The drinks were not overpriced and are comparable to other locations in the city. Some individuals in the group had dinner prior and mentioned the food was great. read more

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Got a little sick after eating here. Food was fine in the moment for me, although my friend has the chicken and could not eat more than 2 bites. However, service was amazing and our server was SO attentive and sweet. read more

Went for Father's Day brunch and it was as amazing. The Bloody Mary bar had so many options reminiscent of the old Meat & Potatoes. Everything we ordered was delicious. The price point wasn't bad either. I've paid more for lower quality at other places. Definitely a great brunch option! read more

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***UPDATE*** The owner of the restaurant called me to apologize. While didn't change our experience that night of course, it meant A LOT to me that they cared enough to make the call. We will return because of this! This was our first time here - fantastic vibe and great food. Our server was also wonderful and extremely knowledgeable about both the food and drink menu. Our party of 6 was truly enjoying our experience as we celebrated our friend's birthday. Lots of people, a DJ with good music and a loud, lively environment. Our experience turned completely sour when the manager Jason unexpectedly came over to our table and asked if we were celebrating a birthday. He had 2 glasses of champagne in his hand and referred to one as the good stuff and one as the "okay" stuff. At this point we were a bit confused but he proceeded to ask the birthday guy which one he would prefer. Thoroughly confused at this point (mostly because the birthday guy doesn't drink champagne), the birthday guy said to Jason "I guess the good one?" It was at this time that Jason told our table he would leave the good champagne only if we would "stop yelling" (we were no louder than the tables around us or the DJ playing music) and he attempted to very passive aggressively scold our adult table of 40+ yr olds. In the restaurant business, it's all about how you talk to people. It's about connecting with people and if there a problem, it's about knowing how to approach your concern without sounding like a parent to a paying customer. Our night was completely turned around (not for the better) at this point for a reason that could have been totally avoided. We then later overheard Jason talking down to another group of customers. It appears he needs some training and redirection. Our overall night at Sea Monkey would have been top notch if it were not for our experience with Jason. Please take this into consideration if you choose to dine here. read more

Great food, excellent service, and fun atmosphere. Lots of photo worthy scenery inside. Quite pricey, but try sharing a few things instead of everyone ordering separate meals - more fun and more affordable! read more

Just what Pittsburgh needs! Went for the New Year's Eve party and it was amazing. The music, the vibes, the drinks! Everything was top tier. It is sophisticated night life, something Pittsburgh doesn't have. Can't wait to go back. read more

Sea Monkey - Mediterranean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I love this place!! The staff was amazing and me and my friends had the best time! I plan on coming back for brunch! read more

Sea Monkey - Drink - Mediterranean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is the spot I'd recommend most for anyone visiting Pittsburgh if they're interested in chic, modern, fun nightlife and great small plate and dinner options. The lamb hummus was UNREAL - a must try. The sweet potato as well. read more

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Sea Monkey is a cool new space in the Strip District. We really enjoyed the sweet potato and the cabbage. The sushi was good but would not run there for it. Salmon was my favorite. We thought the menu was difficult to explore because it does a lot at once. Maybe that's the point? Once we decided to lean more on the raw bar/sushi, we did not really want the mezze. Same with the clam chowder dip. I love clam chowder but just didn't want to eat it with everything else. The food prices are actually very fair. Drinks are pricey if you get their cocktails but we enjoyed the gin & tonic style drink and it was a nice night out. read more

Came here twice, once just for a drink and once for dinner. Its better for a drink. You pay for the ambiance inside, which is good for a girls night out. However dinner was not great. Sushi was mid, enjoyed the shishito peppers though. Service was very very bad, slow, wrong order, wrong dishes, wrong temperature. Server was nice but service itself was just awful. Maybe issued w expediting. Drinks are too sweet and too expensive. Probably wont be back unless for social reasons. read more

Couldn't get in cause I hat on even though the bouncer was wearing a hat... how do you enforce a dress code for select individuals this place is a joke read more

Ripped jeans...cost them hundreds. WOULDN'T LET US IN BECAUSE OF RIPPED JEANS. 30th birthday party with a reservation and the door men were assholes. They let someone in with sweatpants and a hoodies but couldn't let us in because 1 person in our party had ripped jeans. What a JOKE! read more

I had high hopes for this place but was extremely disappointed. We were sat at a "table" that was a coffee table with small stools. Our service was incredibly poor. Our food all came out at different times. Two of the people with us did not receive their meals for over an hour and a half, while others did. We mentioned this to the waitress and manager, and still had to wait 20 minutes on top of that. Drinks took over 30 minutes to be brought to our table. I ordered wine and waited an hour for it then eventually asked the waitress for the status on it. She then said they do not have any of that wine, which would have been nice to know when I ordered it an hour before. Even after bringing it to the manager's attention, we still had to wait a substantial amount of time. When it was time to get the checks, our server said she didn't remember what we got and had us list it to her. She then proceeded to charge us wrong THREE times. It is an expensive restaurant with a strict dress code, paired with unacceptable service and quality. read more

Interesting Deschantz idea with average execution. Busy so I guess that's good. Had a decent martini.

Not a bad spot to hang out and have some drinks. The crowd is not young which is nice. The drinks are nice, my waitress was very nice and cool read more

We were at Sea Monkey a week after they started serving food (and two weeks after opening). Considering how new if was - everything seemed to be going smoothly - no evidence of opening rocky service or food that needed to be tweeted. The food was excellent & service was very good. Even though we are not their demographic (we're all 70+) we were made to feel very welcome and everyone was highly attentive - which is not always the case. Also, we were seated in an area that had only dining tables (Not the bars or dance area) so it was not blastingly loud. If you are there with a dinner reservation you do not have to wait in the line outside to get in. This seems to be another Richard DeShantz well thought out and executed venture. We all thought it was great & it should do very well. read more