Best downtown restaurants

[RR3100]

Greetings Pittsburgh Foodies!

A few of us are traveling to downtown Pittsburgh for two nights later this month and we're looking for great places to eat and drink while we're there. We'd love to go somewhere and enjoy a really good time - not beer-funneling-21-year-old good times - but a place that we could hang for a few hours and have some tasty food & drinks.

[Augie6]

All of these suggestions are really good. I do not know downtown all that well, however have some suggestions. In the south side area of Pittsburgh, (need cab) has a ton of places to eat and drink.
Fat Heads in the south side.. has great selection of sandwiches and micro beer etc. IMHO is best sandwich selection in city. Not as sophisticated as everythign mentioned on here so far, but GREAT place.

[Rodzilla]

I would second Tessaros for a burger, or Eleven. I hear nothing but good things.

Spoon in East Liberty was #10 on Gayot's best new Restaurants 2010, they offer a Kobe burger on their dining menu, and also have a lounge next door devoted solely to burgers - BRGR.

Seviche is within walking distance if you feel like some Mexican themed fish preparations.

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Seviche
930 Penn Ave Apt R1, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Tessaro's Restaurant
4601 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

[RR3100]

Thanks for the enticing options everyone. Looking forward to seeing Pittsburgh next week. Please tell me it's warmer than Toronto :)

- Rebecca

[Effort]

Next week should be warmer.

[burghgal]

It's warming up to the high 30's-40's. Right now it's 6 degrees this morning.. brrr!

[Burghfeeder]

Where will you be staying, and will you have a car or other transportation? While there are a number of good places downtown proper, being able to drive even a short distance opens up a lot of other options.

http://burghfeeding.blogspot.com/

[RR3100]

Thanks for the reply. We'll be at the Omni William Penn. No transportation - could take a taxi - but downtown is the preferred option.

[Burghfeeder]

Thanks. I'd second Eleven. It's a bit of a walk, but worth it! Also, near Eleven is Lidia's, a tremendous Italian restaurant owned by Lidia Bastianish. Nine on Nine is my favorite, and is a closer walk. If you want something a little less formal, take a cab (or get the hotel to take you) to Tessaro's, or to the Bettis Grille. Tessaro's is in Bloomfield and makes a tremendous burger and is a good red meat place. The Bettis Grill is between the stadiums on the North Shore and has a comfortable, upscale, sportsbar sort of feel. Both of these places are only about 10 minutes out of downtown.

http://burghfeeding.blogspot.com/

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Nine on Nine
900 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Tessaro's Restaurant
4601 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

[RR3100]

Right about now I could go for a juicy burger...will run the options by my work mates. Thank you for taking the time.

PS) I enjoyed your blog!

[Whigsboy]

Have had burgers at both Brgr and Tessaro's, and despite its history and reputation as Pittsburgh's best burger, what I had at Brgr was superior. I would recommend against Bettis. Only at there once, with a group, and to me it seemed to be no better than what you can get at typical chain restaurants.

Eleven is a no-brainer, but is expensive. If you're in the Strip, Kaya also is a fun atmosphere, good food and good drinks (and same restaurant group as Eleven).

I'd second Seviche and Spoon, but that is based on only one visit each.

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Seviche
930 Penn Ave Apt R1, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Tessaro's Restaurant
4601 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

[Jay F]

How dressy is Spoon?

[Burghfeeder]

Thanks. There is a new restaurant downtown in Market Square called Wingharts. While I haven't been there yet (I tried on a Sunday, but they were closed), the word is they have a great burger...And you can walk there.

[Effort]

Six Penn across from Heinz Hall. Eleven, but expensive.

[RR3100]

Yes, but it looks good!