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| - *** 1/2
I am always wary of newer restaurants in Pittsburgh, and I always have low expectations since Pittsburgh isn't considered a gourmet food city. I have to say for Pittsburgh, I was delighted with Avenue B!
We were a group of eight and had the front table by the window. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly and patient. The atmosphere inside the small restaurant is upbeat, but not overly noisy and crowded. I would never sit outside on the sidewalk, though, as you have to contend not only with the people walking by, but also the fumes from the buses at the stop right outside the door. Street parking on a Friday night was easy!
There is a small regular menu at the table which changes seasonally, but the ever-changing daily menu is up on chalkboards on either side of the room. Depending upon where you sit in the room, you may or may not be able to read the daily list. With help from my glasses, I could see most, but awkward angles made it difficult to read some of the available choices. I think that it would be a good idea if they had at least one copy of the daily menu in print at each table.
The food was delicious, from the small plates to the main course. We shared several appetizers, lobster spring rolls, calamari, sashimi, all of which were flavorful and fresh. The soft shell crab and scallop entree was succulent, and the Kobe meatloaf was tasty. Nothing was over the top, but it was all very satisfying. Absolutely no complaints across the board, and remember, there were eight of us!
The restaurant is BYOB. I am still trying to wrap my head around that concept, the good and the bad. Most of our group are wine drinkers so that we could bring better bottles of wines at reasonable prices rather than order from an overpriced wine list is a real plus. On the Filip's, I am more of a cocktail gal, typically a martini girl, and I can't envision bringing a big bottle of vodka, mixers, etc. Maybe that's what those mini bottles are for?
All in all, a lovely experience. I definitely would go again, if the opportunity presented itself.
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