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| - Meat and Potatoes (M&P) is the somewhat new gastropub from Nine on Nine Chef/Owner Richard Deshantz. I have only been there twice but I have a strong feeling that it will be a fixture in the Cultural District for a long time. It is a prohibition-era themed restaurant that is heavy on marble and velvet. One fun aspect of M&P is their tableware: it is not uncommon for food to be served on cutting boards, or in mason jars with ceramic lids.
During our first trip over the summer, my girlfriend and I split the ahi tuna appetizer ($13); I got the Ribeye ($42) and she got the softshell crab tacos ($13). The appetizer was raw chunks of tuna with wasabi infused tobiko on top. It was served with some sort of rice chips on the side that were there to provide some texture to contrast the tuna. It is an interesting take on a tuna appetizer and is still one of my favorite dishes.
Our dinner took a while to arrive but that is to be expected when ordering a 26 oz. steak. My girlfriend enjoyed her softshell crab tacos and at only $13 it was quite a deal for 3 large tacos with an entire crab in each. The crabs did not look like any softshell crab I have had in spider rolls or on sandwiches. It was more high quality than what I am used to, but then again it should be considering the restaurant and price.
I was hesitant about the ribeye being $42 but with some goading from our excellent server I could not resist. It is served on a wooden cutting board with a massive steak knife. It comes with confit steak fries, housemade steak sauce, and bone marrow butter served directly on the bone. The fries were good and the steak sauce was fantastic. I normally disagree with ruining the integrity of a steak by dipping it in a sauce, but this wasn't your typical A1. The sauce, paired with the marrow butter, took an already great steak to another level. They had four beers on draught during this trip but I enjoyed my dinner with a can of Wittkerke ($5) and a Belhaven Scottish Ale ($7).
On our last trip we went in for dessert and drinks. We got the chocolate bread pudding and my girlfriend loved it but I wasn't too interested. I became intrigued by cocktails that require egg whites, or meringue, and my attention could not stray from them. My first one was the Old Canadian ($8), it consists of Old Grandad Bourbon, meringue, vanilla, maple, bitters, orange, and lemon. It is served in a small rounded cocktail glass with a dehydrated orange slice that is supported by the thick meringue. This was my first experience with meringue in a cocktail but it will surely not be my last. The airiness and sweet texture of the meringue added an entirely new dimension to cocktails. I normally find cocktails to be one note, either all alcohol and no mixer, or no alcohol and all mixer. The meringue on top provided a sweetness that mellowed out the strong flavor of bourbon. I also had the Tequila Fizz and although vastly different in styles of alcohol, it was similar in how effectively the flavors contrasted each other.
It is an expensive place, but it is worth every penny. Keep M&P in mind for your next birthday or special occasion.
My only qualm is the clientele. The location and food served doesn't allow for a typical, blue collar Pittsburgher to be comfortable. I don't believe it is the restaurant's fault, as they are more than accommodating. The Downtown suits just don't seem to like sitting beside someone wearing a flannel (me). Ultimately, it is about the food and the food is superb. That, paired with the service, make this one of my absolute favorite restaurants.
Oh yeah, you can add foie gras to anything...
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