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| - Summary: The food is delicious. The constantly changing menu ensures freshness and variety. The well trained staff is possibly the best in the Pittsburgh area. The location is out of the way, and the price is high for what it is.
Bona Terra occupies the perfect space for a cozy neighborhood bistro, but it has sets for itsef up more ambitious aims. It not only features a talented chef, but has also trained a set of polished wait-staff whose services are smooth and attentive yet unobtrusive so that the food takes the center-stage.
My dinner consisted of a seared tuna appetizer, followed by duck as the main course, ending with the peach cobbler dessert. The preparation was bold, not fussy. The quality of the ingredients allows the flavor to speak for itself. For my vegetarian companion, the chef prepared a dish off the menu, taking care not to include ingredients that she didn't like (you need to call ahead for vegetarian choices). The Asian-influenced soup that another companion ordered, however, was less felicitous; it's the one off-note all evening. Overall, the chef seems at his best when preparing contemporary dishes with strong flavors; I recommend staying away from plates that require deft hands and subtlety.
This restaurant reminds me a bit of Pangea in Shadyside. BT has a greater variety, but Pangea handles fusion flavors better. BT is attempting to give its diners a more refined experience with way better service; on the other hand, Pangea is convenient, costs 10% less, and offers a bar and live jazz. for a more lively atmosphere.
I enjoyed my meal at Bona Terra, and would not mind eating there again. However, I suspect that it wouldn't be an option that pops up in my mind frequently.
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