| rev:text
| - This lovely corner spot with its big windows, open and airy comfortable design and open kitchen is a welcome addition to Pittsburgh's downtown dining scene. With a rotisserie, pizza oven and varied menu that specializes in meats every bit as much as pasta, it's anything but a typical Italian restaurant. The pasta dishes seem rustic in nature and like almost everything else on the menu, the restaurant has clearly made it a goal to offer some menu items or twists on items that you don't find elsewhere in the city. It also offers some interesting cocktails and a nice, interesting selection of wines by the glass, that again seem to be attempting to offer items that diners won't find elsewhere in Pittsburgh. A few minor, yet very odd flaws kept it from scoring a perfect five star rating. While our server was both efficient and incredibly efficient, her mention of dessert and description of dessert items as we were in the middle of eating our entrees was a definite "first' for me. The Cheese Board is advertised on the menu as "a selection of imported cheeses" but according to the person who delivered them and introduced the three cheeses, all of which were of good portion, they definitely weren't all imported. Truth be told, I'd prefer local cheese, the presentation was lovely and the cheeses delicious, but I'd also prefer that the menu isn't misleading. The third and final flaw worth mentioning was the Primavara Salad. Consisting of dandelions, watercress, avocado, asparagus and grapefruit vinaigrette, it should have been amazing, but it screamed for a dressing with a little more flavor and zip to bring life to it. Hopefully, the wrinkles will get ironed out and Talia will become a staple in downtown dining.
|