YUM! I've been to Penn Brewery a couple times and have to say, I really, really enjoy eating at this place and I am so glad it's part of Pittsburgh! Well done German food + authentic German beers: what's not to like?
The first time I stopped in was for lunch and I fell in love immediately. The place wasn't hopping but that was fine by me - my dining companion and I had plenty of room to stretch out in their tavern/hall-like dining area as we peered into the brewery and tried remembering which flags on the walls and in the rafters represented which countries. For our meal, we ordered their ginger beer - an excellent brew! - and a specialty veal sandwich (which I wish they'd add to the menu full-time!), amazing pierogies and an absolutely delicious green salad. Seriously, you know you're doing something right when I get super happy about a salad - what's not to like about being able to eat well without giving up taste? This one had smoked pork belly, dried cranberries, mozzarella, and almonds dressed with garlic oil vinegar. Talk about yummy!
My second visit was during dinner hours with a group of friends, and I honestly think I'll be sticking to lunch only visits. The place was much more packed in the evening and once you added in loud music, it was impossible to talk to anyone at my table aside from the person right next to me. Not cool - if I'm out with friends, I want to be able to talk to them. Still, the food was as awesome as ever - we split the fried pickles (quite unusual in this city, I think, but not bad) and I continued my streak of ordering "healthier" options here by getting the portobello stack. Given it's price I wouldn't have minded a bit more food on my plate - but it was still VERY good. Well cooked (but not overdone) mushrooms plus tomatoes plus creamy goat cheese and dressing - what a simple but delectable combination. Seeing as I'd eaten beer and pizza at work that day, a dinner of just vegetables sounded perfect, and it's good to know that Penn Brewery's menu isn't entirely comprised of heavy German food, a common sin of restaurants that offer it.
I definitely plan on stopping in to sample more of their sandwiches, appetizers and burgers the next time I want to go out for lunch - just thinking about trying their Deutschtaun Burger and their flatbreads makes my mouth water!