This place got five stars because it's by far my favorite restaurant downtown. My best friend took me out to dinner here not long ago and I was actually blown away by how beautifully, succulently cooked the meats were.
I'm not a huge carnivore - I only like meat when it's brilliantly prepared, and this place does it.
The only other restaurant I know of in town that does equally wonderful preparations of meat is Union Pig & Chicken in East Liberty.
As for the atmosphere - it's fun, lively, youthful - and usually packed fully with theater go-ers, so I suppose that reservations are a great idea.