663875 Sun Nov 01 09:36:37 -0800 2009 6 15 Pennsylvania 0 5146825 It's hard to believe, but for the first time since I've moved here five years ago, there's a Mexican joint in the city that I'm really excited about (aside from the taco vendor outside Reyna in the Strip). The Round Corner Cantina on Butler Street in Lawrenceville is in the old Round Corner Hotel building. They're primarily a bar but have been serving up about 20 different small plates of Mexican street food at really reasonable prices. Choices range from great tacos (carnitas, asada, pollo, and uh, seitan), pickled vegetables (escabeche), ceviche, elote (grilled corn on the cob), queso fundido con chorizo, and more. Service was pretty spotty my first few visits, but they seem to have worked out the new restaurant kinks and things were humming nicely last week when I stopped in. The food is really straightforward, but of consistently high quality in a really fun atmosphere (if you enjoy dark interiors and a really interesting drink list). I wrote a lengthier review on my blog at http://hungrycanuck.blogspot.com/2009/11/round-corner-cantina-pittsburgh-pa.html and would definitely recommend that local hounds check this place out. Has anyone else been there yet and had a similar rave reaction? http://hungrycanuck.blogspot.com Sun Nov 01 09:36:37 -0800 2009 243027 hungrycanuck 1 5147331 The tacos and Patatas Gratinadas are pretty good. The guacamole was under seasoned and chicharrones were a bit under fried, but this was possibly due to the kitchen just opening. There also seems to be a few growing pains as they become more popular with people outside the Larryville/East End area. It's nice to see this part of Butler growing; I'm a fan. Sun Nov 01 13:54:24 -0800 2009 5146825 179691 k squared 2 5152432 Good to hear! Great Mexican in Pgh tends to be an oxymoron....do they serve beer? Tue Nov 03 11:03:34 -0800 2009 5147331 219381 MrKotter 3 5179691 They do serve beer. I counted about 20 bottles on their menu, although almost half of them are lager-style Mexican beers in the Corono/Sol/Dos XX vein which aren't necessarily so interesting. They have a few offerings for more serious beer drinkers like Victory Hop Devil, and a few seasonal drafts to complement the ubiquitous Pittsburgh Yuengling. It's not a beer Mecca like Sharp Edge or even quite as interesting as someplace like Harris Grill from a beer standpoint, but there should be something for everyone. http://hungrycanuck.blogspot.com Fri Nov 13 13:48:36 -0800 2009 5152432 243027 hungrycanuck 4 5180074 Pittsburgh Yuengling? Wouldn't that be Iron City? Fri Nov 13 16:47:29 -0800 2009 5179691 13048 leepinleemur 1 5180788 We went last Saturday night. I had two of the specialty cocktail--a Margarita and I forget the other. Both were good. My husband ordered the Dale's Pale Ale and we were surprised when it came out in a can. But my husband loved it. We had empanadas, which were delicious and carne asada tacos, which also were very good. The ceviche was different. It was big chunks of the veggies and fish, instead of a chopped dish. We prefer the traditional. I ordered the tortilla soup and it was a puree that tasted very cheesy. Although it was a decent soup, it's not what I would call tortilla soup. Overall, I would recommend the Round Corner--especially the empanadas and the tacos. Sat Nov 14 05:06:55 -0800 2009 5146825 189144 dmjordan 2 5184956 Round Corner Cantina 3720 Butler St., Lawrenceville 412-904-2279 On our way to see the Aviation Blondes whoop it up at the Rex Saturday night, we thought we should stop for a quick bite to eat and a pre-concert libation. Friends have talked about the Round Corner Cantina, but we had yet to give it a whirl. It seemed like the perfect place to saddle up to the bar and enjoy a meal. Alas, it was not meant to be even at 6:30 PM. The bar was packed but luckily the back dining room was not. We were fortunate to get a table because within 15 minutes all were filled and people began to file out the cool backyard area to wait for a table to open up. We started with our drinks. Jeff had a Victory Hop Devil which is always delicious but I wanted to try one of their tempting sounding drinks. I settled on the Perfect 10. It consisted of Tanqueray 10, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, Mint, and Sugar. The drink, overall, was tasty. It could have used a more vigorous shake because it only stayed well chilled for about 5 minutes. The bartender was a bit heavy handed on the sugar as well. There were many enticing sounding drinks and plenty of versions of the good ole margarita. I will be back to taste a few more in the near future. The dinner menu was one side of a square sheet of dark brown paper…I liked the look and feel of it. We settled on the guacamole as an appetizer because, yes I am a slut for guacamole. I can’t pass it by. The chips reminded me of pita chips and very nicely seasoned. The guacamole was good but the chips stood out. I like my guacamole to have more pungent flavors like cayenne and cilantro but you just can’t go wrong with a nicely ripened avocado with lime. Next, the entrees… I usually go for fish tacos when available (and they were) but I settled on the chicken tacos. They were very nice – served in softened corn tortillas with queso fresco, radishes, and lime. They were served with what seemed to be a spicy puree of jalapeños. The winner of the evening however, was the pork belly tacos that Jeff chose. These delights had juicy flavorful pork belly with apple, cilantro, radishes and lime. They were delicious. Next time, I have my eye on the seasoned pickled vegetables as an appetizer and most likely – the pork belly. There are a few vegetarian items on the menu if that is your thing. I would like to finish by commenting on the bar/restaurant itself. It was cozy, lively, perfectly decorated and inviting. I love that many drinks are served in mason jars. I love that the music is not too soft and not too loud. I love the grass in the backyard and hope they throw a little backyard bar-b-que when summer comes around. This is a great place. Mon Nov 16 06:11:16 -0800 2009 5180788 123090 chinacat1969