Three days later and I'm still eating leftovers... and they're still just as good as the day we ate…read morethere! We made reservations for a Friday night for our anniversary, and it was steadily crowded but nothing crazy while we were there. The server was very friendly and attentive and went over the menu with us, as well as some suggestions. We started with the focaccia bread and Calabrese Pesto dip. (We were between the Calebrese Pesto and the Whipped Ricotta, but the Pesto came with a dollop of Ricotta, so it was the best of both worlds). Needless to say, we finished the whole loaf and most of the dip between us. For our meals, we had the Chicken Parmesan, a side of rigatoni, and the bucatini all'amatriciana. If you've seen the Chicken Parmesan on their socials, you know it's no joke. It was probably the best chicken parm I've ever had, and the leftovers are keeping me fed all week! The sauce on the rigatoni was delicious, and we didn't leave a crumb of the bucatini all'amatriciana in the bowl. Everything was served quickly, fresh and piping hot. Even though we were stuffed, we had to try the tiramisu as well. Just like the rest of the meal, it was amazing! We could only enjoy a few bites without exploding, so we took the rest home, and it was equally enjoyable for breakfast the next day. 10/10 experience & food!

The decor is wonderful but nothing else rises to expectations. The upstairs dining area was chilly…read morewith uncomfortable benches. Service was lackadaisical. After fifteen minutes we had to leave our table to get the requested cream for our coffee. The Chicken Parm which was highly touted by previous reviews was certainly plate filling but the taste of the pomodoro sauce and cheese blend was a failure. Took half home but now wonder why. I guess because of the money I had invested in it. There are too many really great places to dine in western Pennsylvania. Suggest you find one of those. Note: "A 3% operating fee applied to all checks." Wouldn't it be better to increase your food prices to offset the rising costs of operations rather than to add this on without prior notice?

Good food spot with pretty great happy hour deals. Just off Walnut St., Shady Grove has a pretty…read moregood vibe. Great place for brunch or dinner. They have nightly specials too. There's an upstairs balcony area and a few outdoor chairs on the street. It's definitely a great vibe in the summer. I do wish there were more TVs behind the bar but there is at least one, however unless you're going there to watch Pittsburgh sports, I doubt they carry any other teams. Anytime I've gone the service has been attentive and on key. No complaints abt that. Overall worth a visit

This place was great. The music was 80's and soccer on the TV plus a tasty Bloody Mary. The…read moreCaesar salad was delicious. The portions were generous. Great Atmosphere. Bathrooms are upstairs and they were ok-possibly need a deep clean. There is a full bar upstairs as well. Indoor/Outdoor seating. Awesome vibe.

Located on the Border of Oakland and Shadyside. Multiple visits across the last few years. Bar on…read moreone side, dining room opposite. Gastropub feel with deeply solid kitchen. The pickled items are all done in house, and menu/kitchen are very thoughtful on how they execute. They do the pickling well, and they incorporate their ingredients into the dishes without making them feel unbalanced. Some specifics: Chicken fried pickles: Great ratio of batter to pickle. Generally, I think execution of pickled spears versus chips is fraught with peril. ButterJoint does these perfectly. These remain excellent and an unequivocal "get again" dish. Crispy chicken sandwich: chicken thighs done in one of the House brines, then battered and fried. This is a generous sandwich with two thighs. The batter is light and perfect and perfectly adherent. Kitchen cooked these pieces perfectly; no overdone portions. The tallow fries served as a side remain excellent, and the serving is very generous. "You can't eat just one." Pork belly sandwich: what a completely fun bite! Generous serving of pork belly, crispy on the outside and melting internally on a perfectly toasted roll. The condiments on this sandwich are perfect. The brunch burger is excellent. The egg is hard cooked so it doesn't come apart on the sandwich. M got the corned beef hash; the brisket on it is absolutely amazing, and there is a very nice grill on the potatoes. The poached egg on top is a complete delight. This is one of the better hashes that I have had. The falafel is fantastic. Well seasoned, perfectly cooked. The goat cheese crust with hot pepper jelly is an unexpected treat. Pickle shrimp are fun. The Mississippi comeback sauce is basically a remolade or maybe big Mac sauce. Would totally have again looking for a little cold shrimpy bite. We have never walked away disappointed by the menu or the kitchen. Good bar program, good draught list. Consistently gracious front of house team. Great for lunch or dinner, couples or families. Highly recommended.

Butterjoint offers good New-American kind of food with a Pittsburgh twist. If I had one note, the…read moreportions on the apps are a little small for the prices. Entrees are good, though, and the tallow fries are awesome. The vibe is chill, and the servers I've had have been speedy and genuine. Though probably well known as a place to take your paying parents as a Pitt student, this is a great spot for any occasion.

A friend and I went to dinner at One by Spork to celebrate our friendship because we actually first…read moremet there on their first night of service! This was our first time back since they opened December 2024 and there's been so much growth since then! They've tightened up service and we thought the menu was more cohesive now. We started off with some amuse-bouche before heading over to the dinner table for the main courses. They did a great job of explaining the ingredients and techniques used in each course and everything felt very intentional. My favorite dishes were the swordfish, duck breast, and parsnip cheesecake. Each course comes with a drink pairing and I was really impressed by the complex and unique cocktails. They give you a printout of everything you ate and drank at the end in a goodie bag along with some cookies! This is such a fun and delicious elevated dining experience that's great for special occasions or really whenever you just want to treat yourself.

This is a rarity in Pittsburgh and I'm glad it exists. We dined at Spork before they switched to…read morethe tasting menu and wasn't too fond of it-my opinion has changed! There is a hard start time as the tasting menu is done in a large group setting-serving everyone at once. So, we found ourselves wandering around the neighborhood and then standing in front of the door waiting for 6pm to strike, I felt like a creep. The area itself is an open floor plan so when they welcome you in, it's confusing to see the table we will be seated around but also see little stations for the canapés. Little awkward. We found a two-seater, and as a plus size woman I felt a bit cramped. My husband and I are both tall (5'11" and 6'3" so we were both fighting over who got the bench seat vs the little stool. There's always that awkwardness when you're looking around trying to figure out what the heck is about to happen and wondering..when is it time to EAT. We did 3 or 4 canapés which were all enjoyable-one that stands out to me had goat cheese and beets-yum! We are asked to take our seats at the large table and ...awkward again bc we are just kind of all looking around waiting. I have a sensitivity to alcohol so I did the N.A. pairing and I didn't feel like I missed out on much. The sommelier did a great job at explaining the notes and why each pairing happened. I really enjoyed the tasting menu. The chef kept us abreast of what we were trying and looped in other accompanying staff which gave us some of their backstory which was nice. I love that the restaurant has an urban garden and tries to reduce waste-that's so important. Minus 1 star because of the clunkiness of the bench area vs the large table where we ate and the cost. $275/pp plus tip isn't something that many can swing in a blue collar city.

We arrived at 9am on a Saturday which is when they allegedly open according to their website…read more(Google says 8am) and there were already tons of people seated and even a table that diners had finished eating at so there is definitely something inaccurate with their published hours. Thankfully we didn't have to wait for a table for 3 (the folks in front of us in line most have had a bigger table and were given a wait time). I really enjoyed the vibe here as well as the food. I tried the waffle Benedict and thought it was great. Definitely worth a visit for breakfast but their weekend hours should be updated if they open they open before 9am...

I came across The Nook, after spending quite some time, looking for a unique place to have…read morebreakfast. I didn't want biscuits or an Egg Sandwich, so I chose this cafe because it had the most menu options to choose from. Also, the location was close enough to our hotel, without driving too far, which was perfect. Although the space is small, this cafe has a lot of charm. It was vibrant and full of energy, and the staff was attentive, ensuring our visit was comfortable and orderly. I'm so happy that my husband & I visited around 9am, because we were seated right away. We came hungry, so we quickly placed our orders, and the food arrived shortly after. The food was excellent. We both ordered the Spicy Chicken Omelette and it was very good. The chicken was flavorful and cooked well. It wasn't spicy at all. Even the breakfast potatoes were crispy and lightly seasoned. And our beverage, two Peach Palmers, was lightly sweetened and refreshing. This cafe is a good place to visit if you're in the area. Plenty of street parking, quick and efficient service, and reasonable prices. I highly recommend it.

Oh my goodness, what a hidden gem! Recently visited Frick Park Tavern for a friend's birthday…read moredinner and I was blown away by the charm and the food at this lovely spot. It's cozy and well-decorated inside, not unlike a nice British pub, and the food offerings were plentiful! I enjoyed the special deviled eggs (lemon poppy, which sounds strange, but they were great!), the spinach and artichoke dip, and a salmon salad with fries on the side. Everything was excellent! Service was friendly and attentive to a large group, which I was impressed by throughout the evening. A great place for a date, bringing parents for a nice meal, or sitting at the bar for snacks and drinks. I'll be back ASAP!

OK. First of all, I like this place. I would come in for weeks and order this one dish which was…read morejust amazing and that was their Steak Salad. It was a slightly less embellished Pittsburgh Steak Salad but let me tell you, the combinations of ingredients blended so wonderfully and the steak was tender. I come back after about two months and ordered my favorite Steak Salad only to find out that someone decided it needed to be improved. When it was placed in front of me I just stared at it for awhile wondering what the hell mistake was made in the kitchen. It now featured black beans, corn, pepper jack, tortilla strips, salsa and ranch. All of those ingredients belong in a T-A-C-O, not on a classic, iconic Pittsburgh Salad. Plus! All of these south of the border add-ons has shot the price to almost $30.00. It's too bad because the other three diners who come with me tried the "original" version of the salad and they loved it and also ordered it on subsequent visits and when I was served the new and not improved version, a one word criticism was common at the table and that one word was "Eeewww." Not everything has to come with a Sombrero on it and if I get the taste for Mexican food, I'll go to a Mexican restaurant. So. I'll stop back, but not as often, but I won't be getting a certain salad. Like I said in the beginning, It's a great restaurant. A great restaurant that disappointed me.

Stopped for a bite with my daughter after Waterworks Tuxedo Cinema watching WICKER ( must…read moresee)....seated in lounge in a big comfy booth....whoever designed the interior certainly had an eye for detail....the lounge and bar area...the dining area....even the restrooms all had special touches making them unique...I especially loved the textured walls in the lounge...restaurant is very well lit and service is quick and gracious....would be a great date night place....Fritto Misto...Baby Artichokes and Caesar Salad please....my goodness!!!! Everything was delish....I will definitely return again!!!

Fresh housemade pasta, elegant charm, and unbeatable service!…read more Alta Via is a hidden gem in Fox Chapel, not because you won't notice the restaurant, but because the worn down strip mall doesn't appear to have such a fine dining establishment tucked inside. Fairly unassuming from the outside... with dark tinted windows too... it is worth the adventure to unlock a wonderful date night! S/o Big Burrito Co. that runs this restaurant and many others in Pittsburgh... we visited because they send you a free entree (up to $30) as a birthday reward! The interior is stunning. Elegance achieved! With long booth seating weaving between the tables, upscale decor, and yes... window tints that make it always feel like date night inside. Our waiter was phenomenal from clearing the full table set between courses, wiping off the crumbs between settings, and just genuinely enjoying his job and making every detail matter! We enjoyed the: - Free Bread Service - a warmed focaccia with a butter/oil blend infused with fresh salt and herbs! Such a great start to a meal - Glass of Chianti Classico - probably our favorite red wine! A perfect red blend that's not too sweet/not too dry and the scent alone should be bottled as a perfume - Little Gem Romaine - upon first bite, it seemed bitter, but once you enjoy the full accompaniment of Parmesan shavings and bread crumb, it really is a perfect starter and base layer for a night of carbs - Fusilli - fresh handmade pasta with a delightful vodka sauce perfectly tossed to coat every noodle and don't worry the listed Calabrian chili is not seedy or spicy but just and aspect of the depth of the sauce. The amount of chive was overwhelming, but it was able to be picked off carefully to level it down. A half portion was the perfect size for my wife's meal. - Basil Spaghetti with Grilled Chicken and Prosciutto - even the waiter said ordering two meats was a POWER PLAY, but for anyone who hasn't had prosciutto and chicken paired with pasta... he wasn't lying! A thoughtful basil infused pasta with a very rich garlic sauce and heirloom tomatoes roasted to the point of rupture. If only the prosciutto had been crisped, I would have found my favorite new Italian pasta dish! We will definitely be back! Thankful for such a gem!

I typically go here every now and then for lunch. Food is always good. Nice selection of salads. I…read moretypically get a customized salad with Kale as the base and chicken or half bbq tofu/half mushrooms as the protein. Today I had the "El Torro" salad. Very good. Will be back again. Nice clean place with friendly and helpful staff. I have an egg and shellfish allergy so the staff are always helpful with letting me know foods with and without these items to help me navigate the menu.

Imagine fast food, but healthy... and actually tastes good…read more High quality ingredients, with real preparation (roasted veggies, pickled items) and even fun seasonal options (candied pecans and honeycrisp apples for fall) The options are endless. Every thing was delicious. Portions are absolute huge. At first, you'll think the bowl is not full until you realize the bowls are huge. You could easily feed two people with a single entree. The staff is always ahead of schedule. I've never walked in and had to wait. Plus, the place is super clean and welcoming.

We stopped by for a quick drink after dinner. All the tables outside were full but we were able to…read moreget a table inside immediately. Rick Seback was there and playing records which added a nice touch to the ambiance. Our drinks were tasty, came out quickly, and were reasonably priced. Would come back!

Vibes are good here! It's a little dark inside for me but I'm glad they have seating outside as…read morewell. They have a good selection of beer of course but I like that they have other things like Arsenal cider and cocktails as well since I don't drink beer. Love that they have a ton of space for groups and that they have a food truck outside always. Staff was nice and service is quick. Definitely worth checking out in Lawrenceville.

We came to City Kitchen in Bakery Square for my 45th birthday. We wanted to eat outside, but that…read morewas iladvised due to the smog from the Canadian Wildfire that had sat in Pittsburgh for a couple of days. Needless to say, the indoor seating is quite nice also. This place is very unique, seemingly four restaurants in one. I was determined to try something a little different, and while they have many sandwich options, I went with a Poke bowl that included salmon, ahi tuna, and shrimp tempura. It was amazing. Ridiculously fresh and so tasty. I want to go back and eat outside, maybe while watching a game on their huge screen.

A bunch of family members gathered here after a funeral service on a Thursday night and found that…read moreit was a perfect spot to come together to grab food as there's a little bit of everything for everybody and beverage. They have a lot of outdoor dining space available, which is great and they have a large green area that #MIN kids were running around on. They were watching the world soccer game amongst other things. There are several different kitchen options to order from everything is done through the app. There is a parking garage nearby, which I highly recommend parking in as parking is super tight in this area. There are multiple other businesses here and dining experiences, which is great because you can walk around and experience them all if you want to. It is super loud outside, so it's very hard to hear people even just sitting across from you and having a conversation. We ordered from the City kitchen and chose the beef Bulgogi eggrolls to start with. Only two come in order which I was disappointed by so we ended up ordering two orders, but the food was good. Later on in the evening, I also ordered the coconut curry stir fry with chicken. Definitely a hearty dish with great flavor and there are noodles in this. I honestly wish that there would've been more of the curry in it because the noodles soaked up everything so there was really no additional broth or anything in the bowl.