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| - I am so happy that an establishment like this exists in Pittsburgh! The ambiance is very cozy but sophisticated and feels like a place you can have a nice conversation or enjoy a fun -- but not raucous -- time with a group of friends. Definitely a very welcome departure from the usual Carson Street experience.
Their bar program is pretty awesome. They have a bunch of whiskeys and wines on tap, which is something I've so far seen mostly in bigger cities, and a very decent selection of craft beers as well. The cocktails are *excellent* - strong, balanced, not too sweet. I enjoyed a tasty manhattan and boulevardier and would not hesitate to try any of their other cocktails on a future visit.
I was perhaps most excited for the new chef's food, having eaten and LOVED the food at Uchi in Austin. We tried the deviled eggs, the lamb meatball, the sausage on a stick, and the deconstructed carrot cake. All were tasty, but the deviled eggs and the sausage were absolutely stand-out dishes. The sausage came on what looked like a real tree branch glazed so that it could support the food. I probably could have done without the carrot cake, maybe the deconstruction was a little too much for my tastes.
We sat at the bar initially and the service was excellent there. When asked for recommendations, the bartender was very honest about which dishes were his favorite. Based on the broad sampling we ended up having, he was spot on. After our group grew and we moved to a table, the service became a little more erratic (though still totally pleasant -- just not super organized).
Overall, this is a fantastic place and I only wish it were in Lawrenceville so I could roll down Butler Street to get there!
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