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| - This is my go-to place for dates, in-town visitors, nice occasions. Been a customer for years and have no plans to change that. While it has several notable flaws, the all-around strengths of this establishment make it a top any-occasion choice in Pittsburgh.
Situated in what looks like a small white house than you'd never see unless looking for, this is a quirky, unique interior. There is a piano at the bar, and a mannequin sitting there you'd swear was real until you looked with a startled grin.
One of two managers always greet you and check in at least once at your table. They are friendly, solicitous, and helpful.
The service can be under-experienced at times, but always, ALWAYS pleasant and helpful. They bring out a card at the beginning of each meal and read of a seemingly endless list of specials not on the menu. These are amazing - they vary from the simple (pierogies fried in butter and onions) to the weird (duck mousse and pita). As if these aren't options aren't enough, your large menu, including seafood, steak, meats, and pastas, has each option prepared in your choice of three different ways. This makes it perfect for the picky and the adventurous both.
A winning touch is the staff that circulates with free drink samples and hors-douvres. I've been to many a restaurant and yet to find any at this level that offer this touch of service that makes you glad you're there.
The price for all this is quite fair! After taking my mother there and having a drink, appetizers, salads, dinner, and dessert, the check was under $70 with tip. I don't think these prices can be beat.
The cons are only two: (1) Not every dish is executed well. They strive to be new, adventurous and different, and don't always succeed; (2) I'm a huge fan of desserts and, though there's always quite the variance, I've yet to have one that I enjoyed. The coconut ice cream was in particular a failure: vanilla ice cream with tasteless, dry coconut flakes on it is pretty inexcusable.
All in all, I couldn't really recommend a place more highly for any occasion more fancy than McDonald's and less fancy than Ruth's Chris.
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