The Carlton is a go-to place in downtown Pittsburgh where you are assured to have solid service, a great meal and a strong drink at their bar. Although you are not going to find a lot of trendy items in the entree selection, the lack of such items keeps the Carlton true to form as a classic American upscale restaurant. I have eaten dinner and lunch about 45 times at the Carlton and never had a bad meal or poor service. The wine list is quite deep and the selections are excellent. (You can find some deals on the wine list with modest markup despite the PA state store monopoly) For regulars, this is the kind of place that will remember your name, what you drink and who your friends are and how they've been. You don't get that at even more expensive places or private clubs anymore. Get the filet mignon rare with asparagus and the garlic mash and ask for the bernaise sauce on the side. (You have to ask for the fillet it is not in the big list of entrees) Let the server pick you a full bodied red by the glass to go with it and you will be on a whole new level of epic. Finish the meal off with their signature whisky bread pudding paired with a single malt scotch or decent port and you will never feel better legally.