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| - Have you ever been obsessed with an obscure band and you live your life with an internal struggle between telling everyone to listen to them and keeping them all to yourself because... let's face it- they are TOO GOOD and God forbid if they ever make it to top 40 radio they are going to get played out and you'll be annoyed because now everyone is talking about them and you loved them first? Anyone? No one?
Well anyway, that's why it's taken me so long to review my absolute favorite restaurant/bar in Pittsburgh. I was selfish. Greedy. A low-life. But now I've seen the light and I want to spread The Smiling Moose love to the masses.
Don't be deterred by the Evil Dead posters and Pantera blasting over the jukebox. This isn't your run of the mill metal head bar (although if you're into that, they regularly host metal shows upstairs.)
The Smiling Moose is a legit restaurant with bar food prepared by a classically trained chef. So if you're into unique and delicious soups and sandwiches, this is your place. Soups change regularly. Most sandwiches are bread heavy--served on a baguette, but it's Mancini's bread so it's all good. Some of my favorites dishes include the Chinese 5 spice burgers, black bean sliders, and whatever burger they have on special. The grilled chicken/ sweet chili sandwich and tuna melt are great too! If you visit over the weekend you'll probably be blessed with their pasta salad as the "side of the day". I would eat this pasta salad as my last meal on earth. My husband has said that he's going to start bringing me quarts of this pasta salad in lieu of flowers because I get WAY more excited over the pasta than any bouquet.
The Smiling Moose has a great draft list and a huge selection of bottles. The service is always great as well. Out of the 15+ times I've eaten there, there was one time where my order didn't come out with everyone else's. In that instance, our server was so apologetic, immediately amended the situation, and bought me a shot of Fireball.
TLDR: great atmosphere, stellar food, copious drink selection, and attentive service = a 5 star experience at The Smiling Moose.
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