We had a large group dinner for 50 people at Eddie Merlot's. A group banquet like this is often hit or miss - even for the finest of restaurants, but Eddie Merlot's brushed off the challenge like lint on a suit jacket.
First of all, we were seated in a private room that looked like it could hold up to 75 people and featured floor to ceiling windows. It is a beautiful setting that accentuates the restaurant's location in downtown Pittsburgh and gave us plenty of comfort to browse around the room and talk with each other. The room featured 5 top round tables with comfy chairs.
Our appetizers were served buffet style with shrimp cocktail the size of my index finger and an awesome cheese board. My only complaint was that their cocktail sauce was little more than ketchup.
A steakhouse - let alone an expensive steakhouse - choosing to serve a large group is a disaster in the making, but I was amazed with the quality in presentation that they were able to achieve. As expected, the alternate entrees were great, but the magic was in the steaks. Every steak came out well plated, at the right level of doneness, and served hot. Side dishes were served family style.
The meal was capped off with an amazing caramel and sea salt chocolate cupcake.
Please consider Eddie Merlot's for your next large group event - it may be expensive, but your peeps will love you for it and that is worth any cost.