great pittsburgh restaurants, part 1
I feel like I need to preface this by saying "SO FAR!" Pittsburgh has some really great little hidey-hole restaurants and bars, plus some nicer upscale dining.
Needless to say, I have REALLY enjoyed Pittsburgh since our move.
Though this will definitely be an ongoing series (duh, I've only been here 6 weeks!), I couldn't very well let it go on much longer.
vivo kitchen | 432 beaver street, sewickley
This place is legitimately one of my favorites. The servers are knowledgeable, the food is innovative and delicious, and the atmosphere is fun. The owner even stopped by our table to chat with us for a few minutes. That's one of the things I like best about Pittsburgh - the people are friendly AF. Though the options change seasonally to match fresh ingredients, we were pleasantly surprised at how well-thought out the menu was and how affordable the wine selections were. One of my favorite parts? The fresh herbs growing in the flowerbeds.
Must-Try's: The creme brûlée with housemade amaretto and the salted caramel cheesecake jar.
sewickley hotel | 509 beaver street, sewickley
Though the meals are expensive, the best part about the Sewickley Hotel is *drumroll* the patio. In a place that has winter, I've found a New Orleans-esque patio scene that offers a small escape from the "scorching" (HA!) late spring heat. The cheese tray is just enough for a snack and the desserts are outrageous - a triple layer almond cake with ladyfingers smashed to the outside. Lots o' frosting. However, the staff is friendly and it's a nice place to grab a quick bite. However, dinner is pricy for what it is.
Must-Try's: The lobster mac and cheese and pretty much anything on the dessert menu.
willow | 634 camp horne road, pittsburgh
Though I haven't eaten here for dinner, brunch is fantastic. The drinks are pricy, but the brunch menu items were really delicious. We sat on the patio because the weather was beautiful! There weren't many brunch options available, the ones on the menu were delicious. Everything we ordered turned out awesome.
Must-Try's: Crab cakes Eggs Benedict, cinnamon pancakes, chicken and sausage biscuit, and the side 'taters (order them!)
central diner & grille | 6408 steubenville pike, robinson
You want breakfast? Sure. You want big servings? You betcha. You want affordable prices? Done! This place is amazing. You get a diner-style atmosphere without the smoke. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful, without being intrusive. And again...the damn serving sizes. One omelet is at least 3 meals for me.
Must-Try's: The challah French toast. It's covered in cinnamon sugar. Fat. Kid. Heaven.
altius | 1230 grandview avenue, pittsburgh
I really wish I'd have gotten a better picture. This restaurant has a view of the whole damn city. Apparently, on a summer night, you can see the fireworks from the Pirates game across the river. You can see the stadiums and the Golden Triangle, the place where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio. It's a beautiful view with amazing food, wonderful service, and craft cocktails. It was really fun to dress up and go out for a bit, though it was a bit of a mess to get up on the hill.
Must-Try's: Pittsburgh duck with black pepper polenta, the Duroc pork chop, and the potato-leek soup (with caviar!).
pamela's diner | 60 21st street, pittsburgh
I have no pictures of my meal. Because I was starving and it was delicious. Pamela's is a great little diner and the breakfast is fantastic. The veggie omelet and the Tex-Mex omelet were delicious without being greasy - there was minimal morning discussion over breakfast and it wasn't because we weren't caffeinated.
Must-Try's: The Lyonnaise potatoes. O. M. G.
