You'll see me here next time I'm in Pittsburgh. And every time after that.
Decor is like one of their dishes--a wild mix of communal tables, two bars, and a hidden upstairs for reservations. I'll opt for the food bar next time; the drink bar is too cramped and faces away from all the action, including the wall menu that is annoyingly difficult to read. Service was spot on, questions and engaging without interference. And they confirmed which dish I wanted first, always nice.
My first drink was an absolute failure.. fernet too light, the ice chipped so finely and the glass jammed so full that you'll use your teeth to filter it out. It's a chore. Went off menu next with a french 75, which happened to be the best I've drank, ultra delicate and even fruity right down to the snaking S-shaped lemon peel garnish.
Cue Pacino from Heat: the food will kick your mother* ass.
Tartare is amazing if done "right". This isn't but it's still awesome. Perfectly chopped. The chok sauce adds light tang. Peanuts add woody notes without blurring the texture (which they do at M&P). The mussels add salty weight without any contrasting sea notes. The pickled carrots and daikon round out the texture with a crunch though the daikon can overwhelm.
That was the weaker of my two dishes.
The sashimi is better than amazing. It explodes with flavor while knitting a textural medley so delicate you'll forget how much is on the plate. Pillowy avocado puree is softer and less oppressive than any seafood garnish I can remember. Sour dehydrated kimchi awakens your buds with a crunch. The fish sparkles with freshness, folding over your sticks with soft weight. The jalapeno foam dances over all of it with incredible grace. Perfect use of foam. Perfect integration. A masterpiece dish among that rarefied company of plates where you wake up during and sadly realize it's half gone.