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| - Five stars for atmosphere and service...um...but wait...I don't EAT atmosphere or service...why do I go out to eat...
Gimme a sec...I'll get it...oh YEAH!
For FOOD.
So out for dinner we went, a friend and I, and wanted to try something different and reasonably nearby, and my buddy asked if I'd ever tried this place. I had not. I am by no means a suburbanite, and having bought a house in Bellevue, well, that's about as 'suburban' as this guy can take. Rarely do I ever even drive farther north of my new little corner of the world, but I had passed this place a few times and had the feeling that it would be a tad on the over priced side since it WAS leaning in the direction of Sewickley. Ding, ding, ding...and the prize goes to...my being right.
The atmosphere is lovely and cozy. The burning fireplace adds an even cozier touch. The decor is very pleasant and comfortable. The staff was very kind and attentive without being over the top, or under the radar.
When I first looked at the menu I realized immediately that I was out of my CHOSEN league. I'm not really good with the 'average' price of an entree being $20 or more. To 'add' chicken or steak to a salad cost about what I'd be most comfortable paying for a burger, at the highest end (basically ten bucks, give or take a nickle).
Since my friend was treating, I would never take advantage of that kind of situation, and under even the most normal of circumstances, I would aim low.
The burger was about the lowest coming in at $17. My friend ordered an appetizer of spinach dip and his main course of a Martguerita pizza. The pizza was about $10, and was the size of a small pita bread...nothing fancy. The dip was very small, about three regular sized table spoons, and a short line of some kind of dried bread to slather the dip onto. The bread was almost too crunchy, and the dip itself was bland and mediocre at best. The burger, ordered medium rare, came rather dark on the outside, and perfectly grey on the inside which to me indicates frozen patty. It was topped with a few salad greens and sliced cherry tomatoes. Another 99 cents gave it blue cheese. Served with a side of 'home made' potato chips, which were...well...potato chips. Winghart's serves a burger with fresh ground beef, made to order for under $9. So why for $17 was I eating an obvious frozen patty? Um...because it was a first try at something I should have listened to my instincts about.
Would I have paid $20 plus for a pasta dish? Not on your life.
I would have to call this Cafe NOT...
With so many other more reasonable options nearby, there's just no need to make this any kind of regular haunt. Points for the service and atmosphere...but the food and price completely negates all of that.
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