Restaurants in Pittsburgh

[tjhdtm]

Hi,

We're from Berkeley and coming to Pittsburgh for one week (two days to see Fallingwater, etc.) on Good Friday. We would like recommendations to eat. One or two really good restaurants and maybe a few others. We'll be staying downtown and in Oakland. I read the NYTimes article and also some posts on Chowhound. Salt of the Earth looked good for a dinex. Yes/no? What do you think about others that have been mentioned? And other restaurants? We don't necessarily need California cuisine, but probably not Asian and not too heavy (but we eat meat).

Thanks.

[David W]

Count me in as another fan of Salt of the Earth-we ate there on a recent trip throught Pittsburgh and I'm already plotting on how to return.
I love the space-you can sit at the kitchen, at the long shared tables or reserve an upstairs table. We reserved, since we didn't want to risk our one night there-we had a table overlooking the kitchen-I liked it, though I could see how some would prefer to be in the middle of things.
We started with shad roe-very nicely done, sunchoke soup and the dish of the night-cockscomb with grits and morels etc-get this dish! Please! It is simply amazing, and not at all disgusting-really. An amazing mix of flavors.
We followed up with soft-shell crab-which was very good, though I could have done without quite so much seaweed/potatoe mix, and chicken in malt with nettles and ramps - very nice.
The simple white chocolate dessert was a great ending.
The service was perfect, with a relaxed yet professional pace. Just a great restaurant, with inventive fare and reasonable prices for the quality.
Note-it's an easy walk from the Shadyside Courtyard Marriott. I can't wait to go back.

[tjhdtm]

Hi Pittsburgh people,

We did go to Salt of the Earth (twice) and NIne on Nine and Out of the Fire. We really liked Out of the Fire (good food) and Salt of the Earth --- very interesting and cool ambience. We found NIne on Nine to be so-so -- too much like a lot of other places and not that great execution, but a very nice staff and a good wine list.

We would have loved to try some of the other places, but with limited time and no car (except out of Pittsburgh) and a slow pace, we did as much as we could.

Thanks for the advice.

PS: we also loved fallingwater/kentuck knob and saw two pirates/giants games --- fabulous ball park.

tjhdtm

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Out of the Fire Cafe
3782 State Route 31, Donegal, PA 15628

[Effort]

Thanks for the update. Wish I had known. I was at the Giants games too.

[MonMauler]

Thanks for the update, tjhdtm. I love it when people come back to the board and report on their experience.

But that's funny, Effort. We could've had a meet-up at the Bucco game. I was at the Giant's game on Tuesday, myself. Had tix Wednesday, too, but they had to go unused - the Pens game took precedence.

[Rodzilla]

agreed, I love it when people report back. I'm really glad you got to experience Salt of The Earth. Though I do reviews I'll out myself as a die-hard fan boy.

[Panini Guy]

You can't go wrong with Salt. I'd second Point Brugge as well specifically for moules & frites. Downtown you've got Nine on Nine and Eleven for solid sit-down, Seviche for lighter fare. You may also find Tamari in Lawrenceville an interesting choice. And I'll throw in my standby for visitors, Yo Rita! on Carson at 12th street because it's pretty novel and very affordable (high level gastronomy on a taco).

[Effort]

Agree with Out of the Fire in Donegal. It is BYOB so go to the state store and get a good bottle of wine..specialty store in East Liberty 5956 Penn Circle South..next to whole foods, drive up ramp to second level.
Salt is good recommendation.
In that area Toast, www.toastpittsburgh.com
Point Brugge Cafe is good but no reservations so expect to wait. www.pointbrugge.com

Have fun! Fallingwater is great. Look into going to Kentuck Knob also. Only about 10-15 minutes past Fallingwater.

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Point Brugge Cafe
401 Hastings St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Out of the Fire Cafe
3782 State Route 31, Donegal, PA 15628

[MonMauler]

Salt of the Earth is currently my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. I think it is, hands-down, the best restaurant in or around the city.

[Augie6]

I have never been to Salt, but hear only the best reviews. IF you going out to Falling Water there is a restaurant in Donegal, PA. called Out of the Fire Cafe (BYOB) . Great Specials , changing menu, nice service. Doesn't look like much from outside but very nice inside. Make a reservation for a a sit near window or outside patio (wheater permitting) .. Not best looking time of year, but still decent view.

http://www.outofthefirecafe.com/index...

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Out of the Fire Cafe
3782 State Route 31, Donegal, PA 15628