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| - I've had dinner here twice -- once at the bar area (as a walk-in, after a 20 minute wait) and once upstairs (when I actually got my act together and called a few days ahead to make a reservation). Both times were satisfying experiences.
The main reason to like Salt is for its inventive and sophisticated menu. Every dish I've tried has been from good to extremely good. On the most recent visit, I had the venison tartare as my appetizer; it was not at all gamey, and the blood orange wedges over a white chocolate(!) sauce were a refreshing contrast to the meat. My main course was an arctic char, nicely prepared with a hint of Southeast Asian influence.
Another thing to like about Salt is its creative mixologist(s). Last winter, they served an original concoction that, the bartender promised, "tastes like Christmas." And it does! This time, I tried an intriguing non-alcoholic drink made of grape fruit juice, sage, and pepper. It's nice that they try to come up with elegant alternatives for people who don't consume alcohol.
There are a few quirks about Salt that might bother some diners. Most glaringly, they take a prescriptionist's view on dining. When in their establishment, you follow their rules. No bread. No decaf. No tea. You have a choice of two desserts, one of which always seems to be a cheese plate. Their dishes are "challenging" in the sense that you must be willing to go on a dining adventure. I recall nothing that resembled "comfort food" on their menu. It is not that kind of a restaurant.
Overall, I consider Salt to be one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh. It is fun; it is exciting. I don't frequent it perhaps as much as some other restaurants (because sometimes I just want to eat uncomplicated food without thinking about it too much), but I've not been disappointed when I do go.
4.5 stars
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