Most pressingly: when did East Liberty get so nice? Where are the rundown buildings I saw as a kid on the way to the zoo? Where is the bartender I met in Boston who couldn't believe I knew people from the neighborhood? And when did GOOGLE put its offices on Penn Ave?
We were totally impressed by Salt of the Earth. There are enough article-length reviews already, so I'm not going to ramble, but it's the kind of place that makes you remember Pittsburgh's a lot nicer than people give it credit for. Drinks were well-mixed, the food was delicious, and the big tables weren't NEARLY as awkward as you might imagine.
Bottom line: I would never have expected such a big-city place in a neighborhood we were told to avoid as kids. I need to investigate this phenomenon further.