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| - Decided to try Alihan's on a Sunday before a Pirates game. Figured it was right near the Clemente bridge, so we could park for the game in one of the nearby garages. I also saw that they had a Sunday brunch and an extensive delicious-sounding menu.
We pulled into the garage around 11 am, which happened to be RIGHT next to Alihan's (and I think the closest garage in downtown to the Clemente bridge). How convenient!! AND, the event rate was $7! $7 for a garage close to PNC park?! Unbeatable!!!
We were a little skeptical walking into Alihan's - not one table was occupied. But we decided to proceed. Very nice inside - linen tablecloths and napkins. The front doors were wide open, and we briefly considered sitting on the front patio, but decided against it since it was starting to heat up quite a bit outside. They brought out menus, but I didn't see anything about a brunch menu, so I asked. The hostess was very apologetic, said she forgot it was Sunday, and brought some other brunch menus. We had some great coffees, and ordered a hummus app. It was a nice sized dish, accompanied by some really good Turkish bread. I ordered off the brunch menu - a cheese omelet, and my companion ordered off the regular menu - döner, which is basically gyro meat. After I saw his plate I knew I should have gone with something off their regular menu. It was a huge portion of perfectly charred lamb, with a nice side salad and a portion of bulgur. My omelet was perfectly fine, although somewhat generic, and came with a nice side of sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
After stuffing ourselves, we sat and sipped coffee, watching the procession of fans walk by to the Pirate game since we were a bit early, and the waitress was very nice to let us sit and kept our coffees and waters filled. By a little after noon, a few other people had come in to dine. All in all, I have to say it was a PERFECTLY leisurely way to ensure getting to the ballgame on time, eat great food and drink great coffee beforehand, and get a bargain on close-in parking. Will DEFINITELY do this again on my next Sunday game!
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