Timely that the opening of this establishment coincides with the release of Gatsby. Why? This place is fancy and has that old-school look to it. From the very obvious regal maroon walls to the more subtle additions including a type-writer posted on a ledge behind one of the booths, this place is fancy. They should have kicked me out for walking in here with hospital scrubs on...
Luckily they were kind enough to let me be and allow me to stimulate the local economy. Four of us were able to enjoy an early dinner one weeknight evening. We shared numerous plates including the mac n' cheese, hush puppies, vegetarian chili, among others. The menu is unique in that food offerings are stratified across geographical regions-a very different and creative way of doing things. All dishes were tasty and hit the spot.
What perhaps makes Tender even more unique are the cocktails. Very unique selection, carefully crafted, perfectly executed...can't really think of any other places around here that compete. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy dining in Pittsburgh, but this establishment has more of a NYC/DC/NYC/Chicago/LA feel to it. It's super fancy, high-end...blown away.
Pittsburgh needs more places like this. It's a great addition to the neighborhood. Don't come here expecting a cheap meal. Don't come here expecting to get super full off your meal. Don't come here for leftovers. If you want a good bang for your buck, take your game to a dive bar. Expect to spend about $30-40/person for a satisfying meal with a drink. It's worth it.