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| - (11/10/2014) Was wondering around downtown on a self-guided restaurant crawl and after having a failed experience at Sienna Mercato down the street came across Nine on Nine. Was in Pittsburgh in 2011 and remember a good bar experience with Nine on Nine. Place was quiet for a Monday night, music was set to someone's mid-70s playlist (just fine by us), we sat at the bar. Space was small, plush, gilded, draped, bejeweled, with some whimsy. One other local and what seemed like a group of family members or friends of the owners/managers were there. The menu read as pretty pedestrian on the day we were there, so was going to skip eating...then they announced they had foie gras. It was phenomenal, so, so glad we got to have it. The livers were seared perfectly, had a caramelized crust that was sweet and savory a little like burnt sugar. The garnishes or condiments complemented the unctuous foie gras well, cut some of the richness with tart fruit flavors (green apple, mandarin, dried cherries) and balance the creamy mouthfeel with contrasting texture (Marcona almonds, mache, brittle). It was possible the dish was made on the fly, if so, genius!
Our bar experience also a highlight. The Monday special is $8 vodka drinks all night. For dahntahn, that's a steal. Joseph made us fresh muddled cucumber vodka gimlets with fresh limes. Delicious! Atmosphere is upscale without being stuffy and sophisticated while still down to earth. Perfect for date night, out on the town with friends or flying solo.
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