Dear Pittsburgh, help a visiting (this weekend) Canuck out? (I've learned some, need more!)

[newtothegame]

Greetings from Toronto, Canada! My friends and I are road tripping to Pittsburgh this labour day weekend and I am looking for "can't miss" places. I think we'll be staying at the Omni William Penn.

I want to thank Manhong for this post http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/798059. Frankly I'm temped to just go everywhere you went.

I'm hoping someone could expand on that and recommend a few great breakfast spots: I love a good greasy spoon OR a fancy brunch.. as long as it's the best in the neighborhood I'll enjoy.

Also: great pubs around the hotel for lunches, or some other amazing spot for lunch would be wonderful.

Is there any great food on the top of the mountain? Dinner on a patio looking over the city seems like an amazing idea - if such a place exists.

Finally: We are all late 20's / very early 30's and single: After we eat, where are some places to indulge in a few adult bevvy''s and perhaps meet some fair company?

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to seeing you all in Pittsburgh, even if I don't know it's you I see ;)

[Whigsboy]

Wife and I were in Toronto about a month ago. Liked the city a lot. Ride home sucked. Black Hoof rocked!

Round Corner Cantina is worth a visit just for the Red Pepper Red Pepper cocktail. In my experience, also seems like a place where you might come across some fair lasses.

[Jay F]

For some reason, the link you provided doesn't work for me. Here's another one to Manhong's list: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/798059

For brunch, I would add Lidia's and Pamela's, both in the Strip District. Lidia's is more expensive, but more worth what you pay, IMO. You get so much for $25 at Lidia's: http://www.lidias-pittsburgh.com/. Pamela's has really good pancakes and worthy versions of standard egg dishes, but they serve their regular pancakes with fake maple syrup. I'd rather spend more and get really good food at Lidia's.

My favorite place is the Penn Avenue Fish Market, either in the Strip District (lunch only M-Sat) or Downtown (lunch M-F, dinner W-Sat). http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/1555862/restaurant/Downtown-CBD/Penn-Avenue-Fish-Company-Pittsburgh

http://www.pennavefishcompany.com/

I don't know about pubs or Mt. Washington. Sorry.

[yammers]

I'm 30 and my sister lived in toronto for 7 years so I think I can help you out a bit. First, I probably wouldn't eat any asian food in pgh as the asian food scene in toronto is so far superior.

Greasy spoons - Pamela's and Deluca

I really love meat and potatoes (www.meatandpotatoespgh) it's a gastropub not too far from where you are that I really enjoy for dinner. Bossanova is a scene-y place from Thursday-Saturday. If you're willing to take a cab, I live in shady side and it's crawling wit late 20/30 somethings that are single...Mad Mex, BRGR , Harris Grille, Shady Grove are all popular spots for drinks/dinner/meeting singles.

Top of the mountain, Isabela's on Grandview is my pick, but it's not very casual. If you want casual river views and drinks, Redfin blues on washington's landing is outdoors and on the water. Have fun!

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Shady Grove
5500 Walnut St Ste 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Deluca's Restaurant
2015 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

[yammers]

If you have a car, Point Brugge is one of my favorite brunch places and they have a really great bloody mary. I could eat the thai coconut curry mussels and liege waffle any day!

Also if you have a car, Lawrenceville is worth exploring. Piccolo Forno is a great BYOB italian restaurant and during the wait, we go across the street to round corner cantina for drinks.

Here's a drinks/meet people breakdown...if you are 20's/30s and you are:

- Preppy casual wasp-y style -
Shadyside - William Penn, Harris Grill, Shady Grove, Mad Mex
Southside - Hofbrauhaus beer garden, Double wide grille

- Trendy/see and be seen -
Shadyside - Shady grove, Soba, Casbah
Downtown - Bossanova, Seviche, Savoy
Southside - Elixir, Nakama

- Hole in the wall, dive bar-
Pretty much any bar in Southside

- Hipster-
Shadyside - Kelly's, BRGR
Lawrenceville - brillobox, Round corner cantina, remedy, alchemy & ale,

If you want trashy dance party club - anywhere in Station Square.

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Casbah
229 South Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Southside Cafe
21 Crooked Ln, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Piccolo Forno
3801 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Point Brugge Cafe
401 Hastings St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Seviche
930 Penn Ave Apt R1, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Shady Grove
5500 Walnut St Ste 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Harris Grill
5747 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Station Square
2 E Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

[newtothegame]

Spot on.. I need more than a weekend. Thanks loads!

[newtothegame]

Jay, thank you! Great suggestions! I read about the fish market and I definitely want to go.. we'll see how convincing i can be to the seafood phobic member of the group.. he might just have to stay home ;) haha

[magic]

I'm also from Canada and decided to check out Penn Avenue Fish Company on the Strip based on this and a few other recs.

It was fantastic, thank you! Real theatre too!

Went to many places in Pittsburgh over the labor day long weekend, and Penn Avenue was easily in my top 3 faves.

[Jay F]

I'm having lunch there (downtown) tomorrow.

[magic]

Lucky. I wish I were too. Maybe next year, who knows.