Restaurant Recommendations?

[Troy Loney]

Eleven and Casbah are not in the same tranche of restaurants, so I don't its a fair comparison for Casbah. But yea, Eleven is a better restaurant.

If you were to tranche just the big burrito places, would you put Casbah with Kaya?

[slappybrown]

Yea, probably. Eleven is their elite offering and is by far the most expensive IIRC.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Casbah >> kaya

[slappybrown]

Agree Casbah is better.

Eleven
Soba
Casbah
Kaya
Mad Mex

Umi I've never had.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Umi is top notch. It's quite expensive (probably not worth the money) but really impressive.

[mac5155]

There's a place called tapped that just opened in greensburg. Any of my westmoreland county homies been there yet?

Is it open yet? Every time I drive by it doesn't look open. Therefore, to answer your question, no I haven't been there yet. I'm waiting with tempered enthusiasm.

Their facebook page didnt say they arent, so Iwas just assuming they were.

[yubb]

Went to legume once. Unimpressed. Crap service and pedestrian food. No desire to return.

Agreed. Much prefer the casual butterjoint that's attached.

Speaking of pedestrian, their fries were the best I've ever had. Butterjoint looked cool. I live too far out of town for it to be a bar I'd ever really get to go to, though.

Service was really good, though. It's surprising to hear otherwise, but I've only been once.

[yubb]

There's a place called tapped that just opened in greensburg. Any of my westmoreland county homies been there yet?

Is it open yet? Every time I drive by it doesn't look open. Therefore, to answer your question, no I haven't been there yet. I'm waiting with tempered enthusiasm.

Their facebook page didnt say they arent, so Iwas just assuming they were.

Asked a co-worker who says they're confirmed not open. Unsure on his source.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Gaucho parrilla is some seriously good eats

[Shyster]

Umi is top notch. It's quite expensive (probably not worth the money) but really impressive.

It is very expensive, but it's also totally worth the money. My brother's in-laws, who are Japanese, said it was some of the best food they'd ever eaten. There are only a handful of places in this country where you would get sushi as good or better. A friend of mine is close friends with Umi's head chef, and he has standing offers to work for restaurants like Nobu in New York. He lives and works in Pittsburgh because his wife wanted to raise their children in a smaller city. He flies to and from NY City every Monday to personally buy the fish he serves.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Has anyone been to the yard gastropub

[pittsoccer33]

Does anyone notice a trend towards banquette seating in restaurants, where 2 person tables are in long a row, and one person sits on a chair and the other on a long bench? I feel like every place thats opened in Pittsburgh over the last few years uses this.

I went to Meat and Potatoes Thursday night for the first time and the people on either side of us were pretty overweight - it felt like they were sitting at our table with us. It was very off putting and I actually began feeling claustrophobic. To make matters worse an exgf and her date were then sat right next to us.

I liked my meal but I'd rather not eat it with strangers, or worse company I'd rather not keep.

[thehockeyguru]

Does anyone notice a trend towards banquette seating in restaurants, where 2 person tables are in long a row, and one person sits on a chair and the other on a long bench? I feel like every place thats opened in Pittsburgh over the last few years uses this.

I went to Meat and Potatoes Thursday night for the first time and the people on either side of us were pretty overweight - it felt like they were sitting at our table with us. It was very off putting and I actually began feeling claustrophobic. To make matters worse an exgf and her date were then sat right next to us.

I liked my meal but I'd rather not eat it with strangers, or worse company I'd rather not keep.

I dont care for it either, but i imagine there is restaurant science behind it. Maximizing the people you can sit at once. I tend to avoid restaurants that do this just because i feel like I can hear their conversation and they can hear mine.

[mac5155]

We sat like this at Armstrongs in Moon for a group lunch. I was at the very far end of the bench and there were like 10 people to my right. I had to slide over like 30 linear feet of booth to get in. It was both awkward and made me feel claustrophobic the entire meal

[KennyTheKangaroo]

This discussion reminds this gentleman of fuel and fuddle. Way too close for comfort

[Letang Is The Truth]

is smoke open in lawrenceville yet

[ville5]

How about pic(s) of dishes you've ordered? And maybe small review of the dish itself. Kind of like foodspotting. LGP style.

[meecrofilm]

So, what are the best Italian places in and around the city? I know Alla Famiglia is good (and expensive), but I was wondering what other places LGP had to recommend.

[pittsoccer33]

Lidias
La Tavola
Piccolo Forno

I wouldnt say its great, but I really like going to the Speghetti Warehouse, especially on Wednesdays

[mac5155]

casa de slappy

[slappybrown]

casa de slappy

1. My nonna's
2. My ma's
3. My zia's
4. My other zia's
5. My other zia's
6. My house

HUGE GAP

3983939. Jooce's "Noodle and Ketchup House of Monongahela"

[jimjom]

Ate at Frontera while in Chicago last week. Enjoyed it, had some goat served on spongy tortillas (forgive my ignorance on the real name of these, Tifosi - lil help?) and a side of kale and chiles. rReally enjoyed the food, but I was unclear as to the consideration that maybe Frontera is a sophisticated chain a la Mesa Grill etc. for Bayless' empire. I'm sure it was much more grass roots when it opened. Even still, was damn good.

[Letang Is The Truth]

i think lidias is crap

just got back from 5 days in manhattan. every time i come back i am always envious of their restaurant scene. you can turn the corner and stumble on three delicious hidden gems. found this taco place in the east village when we were walking around one night. short rib tacos with bacon mango salsa. tops

[Eismann]

I had Lidia's Sunday brunch once and found it really not good.

[mac5155]

casa de slappy

1. My nonna's
2. My ma's
3. My zia's
4. My other zia's
5. My other zia's
6. My house

HUGE GAP

3983939. Jooce's "Noodle and Ketchup House of Monongahela"

There's a sister shop, in Donora.