Soju

Love the ambience and vibes of this place. We went for happy hour, which was $10 featured cocktails…read moreand $8 classic cocktails. In this economy, we'll take it! And each drink I got was delicious, but my favorite was the Pitchfork. My burger was double stacked and delicious. Street parking or a small paid lot is in short walking distance.

This craft cocktail bar has the best deviled eggs and macaroni & cheese! So good…read more They do a nice cheese plate as well as a good whipped ricotta too. You can even get an Isaly's Chipped Ham Sandwich!! That's a must for any true Yinzer! Their cocktails are definitely unique and standout from other craft cocktail bars. I'm a fan of the Amethyst and the Peridot. The decor is dark, cozy, and romantic with exposed brick. The service is friendly. Really like getting to stop by when I'm back home visiting from Austin.

Very good old fashion. Top 3 in the world

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Drinks

Eleven

4.3(1k reviews)

2.9 mi•Strip District

Potentially's Pittsburgh's most potent place to partake in a formal pig out…read more Eleven is polished, it's stylish, and prominent on the strip. The bar is cozy, yet large and glitzy. Very very hip, but also not - As it may be slightly more upscale than hip if that makes sense. Service is phenomenal, from check-in to drinks to waiters to servers. This is a great place to entertain and throw some money at the wall to see if it sticks. If it doesn't stick - Fine - You'll still have a lovely meal. As I mentioned in a prior review, I was in these Pittsburgh parts to chat, to brighten the mood and to lend some of my low-end very niche expertise when called upon in order to showcase my stature as a boy with potential to become a man. I selectively stoop myself down as to not fall from pride as my venture into Hamartia. Take yourself seriously, not too seriously, says a wise man named Linguini. I start blurting out a fat NY Italian accent. Really playing into my "roots." Folly into the youth of myself as to remind others of what they miss on the day to day. I subtly went into takeover mode as a few others couldn't hang nor could they entertain. I casually allowed everyone else to order as I respectfully decided not to fill my face in this fine establishment unless called upon to complete a plate. We basically tried everything on the menu so I have a true right to throw five stars. Tried every cheese. Scallops, crab cakes and the tartare were best apps, calamari solid as well. Of the salads I'd opt for whichever had the crème fraiche dressing. Of the entrees the standout was the short rib, but the strip steak did some business as did the black cod. We tried every single dessert as well. The candy bar was a crowd favorite, followed by the tart and toffee pudding. Now imagine this, all different taste buds across many differently lands (but not seas.) Everyone please with their meals. But does it really matter if they were? No. You care about if Linguini was pleased. Pleased I was. If I were to do it again, I'd drop the company - but keep the company card ya feel me? Real nice meal. Happy to have attended, and happy to have made others happy. Because what is life if not to do good onto others? The number 11. It's insightful. It's spiritual. It's enlightening in its endeavor to grow into the double digit world. It's the first repeat number - It knows of its importance. "11" - Small Street - Pittsburgh - Potent in its spirit and its enlightenment of the dark, dreary and desolate Steel City.

We came here for dinner when I was pregnant and I was super picky about everything and I loved it…read moreso much. I had my baby shower here. We dined on the second floor, which was really cool because you overlook the main floor as well as have a decent view of the city-I'm nosey so that was ideal. We did the oysters and the meatballs. The oysters were good, I don't really remember anything about the meatballs. For the main, I got the salmon and I really enjoyed it. I appreciate that they source from local farms. For dessert, we had the candy bar and the sticky toffee pudding. I feel like I have seen such an uptick in sticky toffee puddings recently. This one was really good, I enjoyed both.

Men's Room Upstairs

Tuna Tartare was amazing

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Dodo Birf

The Commoner

4.0(989 reviews)

3.2 mi•Downtown

LOVED our dinner at this place…read more We came here for dinner while visiting Pittsburgh. The first thing that struck me was the interior decor. Very industrial and moody with an open kitchen/preparation area that adds some intrigue. I do like to see the happenings of what's going on as someone with zero attention span. Service was excellent. George was fantastic. He kept a close eye on us without being overbearing. He anticipated what we might need so we didn't spend one second waiting to order anything. The menu is not endless or overwhelming which, presumably, allows them to focus on the items that are listed. I have decision panic so it was kinda nice to have less things to choose from. They asked if there were any allergies or dietary restrictions so I mentioned my vegetarianism. George went through the menu and pointed out the vegetarian options including what seems like it is vegetarian but isn't. They had TWO vegetarian entree options and fortunately the non-mushroom one was something I probably would have ordered anyway: pesto with walnuts, arugula, and a very generous amount of grated cheese. To start, I ordered the Brussels sprouts whichc I was warned had fish sauce. This was fine but nothing that blew me away. GF, on the other hand, loved this. GF ordered the wedge which was brought to our attention as vegetarian with the bacon on the side, which was her request. We ended up sharing both, a large part of that was because hers came out first and I couldn't wait but I'm so glad because the wege was FANTASTIC. The dressing? holy fuck pure ecastasy. The wedge was more like a filet shape which was much easier to eat. Who decided on the wedge shape anyway? The lettuce was so fresh and crisp and went wonderfully with that orgasmic dressing and breadcrumbs. Back to my pasta. Also delectable. Noodles were al dente. The sauce was creamy and packed that pesto umami flavor. The walnuts were a really nice contrast in texture. Everything about it absolutely fucking slapped. GF ordered the mushroom entree which came served on a bed of barley which, don't mind if I do, had a few forkfuls to "sample" for "my review". Again, so fucking good. Because it was my birthday, George provided a dessert (yuzu maybe?) that was served inside a meringue-esque igloo, creamy perfect balance of sweet and tart custard with some berry business underneath. Wonderful. I almost forgot their spectacular cocktails! Holy shit, literally they have a CORN CHIP cocktail that I could not pass up. It comes with two massive cornchips on top of a flavored foam. When you bring the glass up to sip, the cornchips are right in front of your nose and their aroma sets the stage for the drink which was STRONG. It wasn't as corn chip forward as I expected but I understand that flavor is probaly hard to create. For my second drink, I ordered the blue one which was refreshing, light, and really good. GF ordered a spritz which was gorgeous "it was good". For second round, I picked out some uranium thing that was very cucumbery, GF says, "it was good". I just read it outloud to her. "it's true!" Fantastic meal at a great place.

Decor was impeccable, service was top notch, and the food was solid. Wasn't the biggest fan of the…read moreseasoning of the half chicken, but the cook on the chicken was perfect. Really liked this spot. The staff was great, the location was central, and its very upper crust. Great place for date night, drinks, and fellowship. I definitely will need to try another dish on my next visit.

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Altius

4.4(951 reviews)

4.4 mi•Duquesne Heights

•$$$$

Wow! This place has it all! Beautiful location with a great view of downtown Pittsburgh and the…read morerivers. Very attentive service. And super delicious food. Our cocktails were subdued but very tasty. First we were served a pea soup shooter--we all wanted a whole bowl. Then a couple of appetizers--the 'compressed pineapple' with frisse was interesting with a flavorful dressing, but not too sweet. I got the special, seared tuna with a shrimp over udon noodles and a Hoisin sauce with some sort of wasabi. Again, the flavors were unique but not overpowering. Also got the chicken with couscous and peas. Sounds plain but it was anything but plain. The other mains were just as good. We finished off with three desserts. The carrot cake got rave reviews from my dining partners (not my style). The Creme Brulle was very large and perfectly cooked. But the best dessert was the deconstructed Smore. The chocolate, the merengue, the graham crumbs, a little ice cream. Oh, I'm going to be dreaming of this dessert for a long time! The price is also quite high for pittsburgh standards--over 100/person--but well worth it for a special occasion!

The wait staff are superb! The atmosphere is close quarters and often felt like I was sitting with…read moremy neighbors. It was very noisy and difficult to have conversation. The food was good, not great. The views were the best part of the experience!

Banana dessert

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Fantastic view

täkō

4.3(2.1k reviews)

3.4 mi•Downtown

Chicken in the taco was very dry and seemed to possibly be old. Drinks were good. Service was good…read more We were seated on the second floor and our shoes literally stuck to the floor with every step. The ambiance is naturally eclectic which is fine.

Fast and delicious…read more The tacos and creative and delicious. A perfect option for a quick snack or meal. The staff is helpful.

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The Nook

4.4(265 reviews)

1.1 mi•Lawrenceville

Everything was excellent! The food was spot on delicious, the service was excellent, the atmosphere…read morewas quirky-fun but pleasant. We had a little bit of a wait but it gave us time to review the menu. Hubby had the chicken and waffles, my son had the salmon eggs Benedict, and I had the pancakes with berries. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food. The waiter was fantastic as well!

This joint has been on my list of places to try for a while now. Was it worth the 53 minute wait on…read morea Saturday morning? Yes, yes it was. There was a friendly gal at the door taking names and numbers. I could hardly believe the wait time but decided to put down my name and do a little window shopping during the wait. We were eventually called and texted to let us know our table was ready. Our table was in the very back corner, next to a group of girls loudly talking about their drunken escapades the night before. It was entertaining to say the least. Our server was super friendly and accommodating to dietary restrictions/modifications. I ordered a Turkish Benedict on gluten free toast.... So. Good. Amazing flavors. My daughter got the croissant avocado toast which she loved. I also got a pistachio latte and was pleasantly surprised to see the used pistachio butter and not a syrup. It was lovely. I had to keep my child from drinking it all! While the wait was long, it was definitely worth it. The space is smaller than I imagined. The food came out fast for how packed it was. It's worth it!

Restaurant interior

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Outdoor seating

Bridges & Bourbon

4.1(415 reviews)

3.1 mi•Downtown

We stopped into B&B on Saturday and had such a nice time. We ordered prosecco along with the house…read morecut fries and chipotle aioli, which were the perfect combo for a casual bite and drinks. The fries were crispy and flavorful, and the aioli had just the right amount of kick. Cam, our bartender, was fantastic. Super friendly, attentive, and made us feel really welcome. Great service always makes a difference, and he definitely elevated the whole experience.

We've been to Bridges & Bourbon twice now. The first time, we were seated in one of the outdoor…read moreigloos with a party of 4. Unfortunately, it felt very cramped and we really struggled to fit comfortably. We were told there weren't any other tables available, so we ended up leaving. We decided to give it another try and made reservations for inside seating next to the bar. This experience was much better. The drinks were very creative and tasted great. My main course -- the tenderloins -- was cooked well and overall very good, although it came with a berry jam that felt a little odd for the dish and wasn't really my favorite pairing. Overall, the cocktails and atmosphere inside made for a much better second experience.

Brussel Sprouts

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Inside

Fig & Ash Wood Fire Kitchen

4.5(345 reviews)

3.0 mi•North Side

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

We had a private event for 10 people at Fig and Ash on Friday. There's a small private event room…read moreif you go all the way to the back of the restaurant and downstairs. There is also a bathroom down there. Their default event menu is family style for basically everything so we only had to pick our desserts. They changed our plates and silverware between courses. The food was pretty good! I really enjoyed the salad, carrots, bucatini, and miso. I thought the meatloaf and steak were decent. The desserts were pretty good. My only small critique is that it was awkward splitting some of the mains family style due to there being an awkward amount of some items. For example, there was 10 people but eight pieces of miso so it was a little tricky to split.

Table setting

Eggplant caponata

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Cast iron skillet Kahlúa brownie a la mode

Meat & Potatoes

4.1(2.4k reviews)

3.4 mi•Downtown

Incredible experience! I booked via OpenTable and put that we were celebrating a birthday, which…read morethey acknowledged when we were being seated! Service was prompt and I loved seeing how busy it was on a weeknight! We got a dirty vodka martini and the sgt pepper old fashioned and both were delicious. One of the top dirty martinis I've had! Any questions we had about the menu were answered promptly and we enjoyed everything we ordered! We started with the parker house rolls which came with a raspberry lemonade jam which was delish! I got the steak frites which was absolutely incredible, cooked to perfection and so tasty. My boyfriend got the filet mignon and subbed mashed potatoes instead of balsamic potatoes. We also got a side of mac & cheese which came with cheeto crumbs on top (so good). I can't say enough good things about this menu! I thought that for the quality of the food it was reasonably priced. I want to come back again soon!

i had some time before a show at The Byham, and this restaurant is connected to the Theater…read moreDistrict Box Office, so I wandered in after picking up my ticket and grabbed a seat at the bar. It's pretty dark in there, so they have those little green shaded lamps at the bar. I went with the Cardamadre, because it has pineapple and absinthe and sounded interesting. Definitely glad I chose that - it was fruity, but not overly sweet, with some bitterness from the absinthe and spices. I also had an order of fries, which were shoestring cut and came with a garlic aioli. They were a good snack before the show, and while $9 for fries is steep for fast casual, was not bad for a solo diner at a seated restaurant.

Inside- (private room) option...

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Black tie Manhattan - 101 bourbon / mezcal / averna / vermouth rouge / bitters

Siempre Algo

4.7(166 reviews)

3.1 mi•North Side

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

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