rev:text
| - Do you know why I like coming back to Pittsburgh? It's because the finest bars aren't too fancy to put pierogies on a menu with artisinal cocktails, and the finest bar patrons aren't too preoccupied with with propriety to pair a Sazerac with sauerkraut. Even if there's going to be an inevitable, peculiar aftertaste about an hour later.
I stopped in yesterday for happy hour, to drink, eat, and read last week's New Yorker. Nobody commented on the me reading the magazine or the other guy across the bar reading his book. This puts Butterjoint in the sweet spot of Pittsburgh bars for me, a place where I casually can do my thing and nobody raises a ruckus. It's not too refined that it's uncooth to read at the bar, not to divey that a guy sitting next to me would derisively inquire "what're you reading, smartypants?"
When I arrived at 6pm, the bar was filled but for one seat. I took that one. By 7pm, things had cleared out as happy hour ended. You may want to consider your time of arrival if you are coming with a small group. It seemed like a number of people sat at the bar while waiting for their table next door at Legume.
The burger here is magnificent. It's compact, but dense and weighty, filling but not bloating. You could try the daily Fancy Burger, but know the essential is a strong offering. The default burger even without cheese is a flavorful, ideally sized sandwich for accompanying a drink or two.
Order it medium rare, I say. The shape and density of the patty means temperature more easily controlled and done-ness more even throughout, meaning you get a better low-temp burger experience here than you might elsewhere around town.
|