rev:text
| - three stars because this is really not a 5 star restaurant. the locale is great, and the view is phenomenal. its actually right next to the Duquesne Incline so you can get to the restaurant on the funicular.
but onto the service and the food....
1. eventhough i made reservations for 2 a month in advance for a special occasion, they could not give me a window table. instead we were seated in a raised area in the back, which wasn't that bad, but wasn't as good as sitting next to the view. perhaps its because i didn't slip a cool 20 to the maitre d?? another couple came after and got a table setup for 4, which made me curious.
2. our waiter was friendly, but i have to say from our vantage point, the "butler" facade doesn't work. you can just tell from the minutae of the mannerisms and interaction, and from the level of detail and service you receive.
3. the interior is very dated. its got mirrors, gold trim, old chandeliers, dark carpet, etc.
4. the food is like hotel or wedding food. comes in a platter with a metal cover on it. i know some think this is the way its supposed to be served, but it leaves you thinking that it had gone through a production line and then were kept warm with those covers. you get the point. the chicken was dry but the chilean sea bass was good.
5. the food's presentation looks the same despite your order. they've got they typical carrots, green beans and smash potatoes on every dish, and worst yet, they're arranged the same on every dish. see pics i posted.
after paying a bill for dinner for 2, i'm still left wondering where the good food in Pittsburgh are if this is supposed to be at the top of the game.
oh...they have a separate line item on the check for maitre-d tips...bizarre if you ask me.
|