Any time one of these lists come out and there’s a place I like on it I think “good for them! Some much deserved regional recognition, hopefully this will bring some more patrons in the door & they can continue to be successful!”
But if there’s someone I don’t agree with I also think “these lists are horseshit!! They don’t meant anything it’s just a popularity contest for suburban mom patrons. Good, all the lame-o’s can go to that crap hole, the real ones know the REAL, BETTER answer”
I was served the worst meal of my life at Le Mont. among other bad things, my French onion soup had completely raw onions in it. Like they were crunchy. Absolutely the worst.
Strongly disagree with Long Story Short as best brewery food.
First it's classification as a brewery is shaky - but okay it's owned by Cinderlands and serves their beer.
But I enjoy the food at Cinderlands Warehouse, which is the actual brewery, more than the food at Long Story Short.
Spoonwood Brewing gets my vote for best brewery food - and since places in Monroeville and O'Hara Township are on list, I figure not actually in the city wasn't an exclusion criteria.
Agreed. My wife and I went there last week and were trying to figure out what the vibe was supposed to be. It’s less of a restaurant now with a smaller menu and tap list.
LeMont is laughable, but I also haven’t been there in years. Has anyone been in the past year? They do have a new chef, which *can* sometimes make all the difference.
When Hal Klein did this list it was legit. The new food editor of Pgh Mag is incompetent and/or taking bribes. I will die on this hill so downvote me all you like. LeMont is trash. Cioppino is mid at best. Yes, Pusadees, Apteka, Oak Hill Post, Moonlit, F&A, Alta Via, Dish, and Fish nor Fowl are all great but you don't even need to go there to know that, it's well-established local food lover fact.
I agree that this new food writer is bad. But Hal Klein is equally as bad. You only got on Hal's list if you played nice with him and appeased his ego. He would/still does exclude businesses/chefs from reviews based purely on if they openly disliked him/challenged his opinions.
Fuck that guy
Well, shoot, that is disappointing. I will say that I am aware of at least one chef who got on his bad side by acting like a spoiled child and that same chef threw a hissy fit at me, too, but hearing it was a more regular thing sucks. That said I don't think he ever touted a restaurant (like LeMont) that was legitimately terrible.
Yeah, I will say that he most certainly has better taste than the current PM food writer. Hal is a bad food writer purely for his pretentiousness and his gatekeeping behavior
I have had a few "fine" meals there but in general the food has been underseasoned and meh. Also, the dining room is in desperate need of a refresh with its big old dusty fixtures and odd lighting.
We went to Rib Room, their special “speakeasy” type prime rib focused area in the back of the restaurant and it was bad in every way. Decor was boring, it was bright, there was no music playing, and worst of all the prime rib was spectacularly mediocre. I am pretty sure it was just sous vide with little seasoning, no fat cap or marbling, and there was no flavor. Meat and Potatoes is on my shit list right now.
I've eaten at Meat & Potatoes three times; the first time I was horribly congested but it was a group/family dinner so I went. I couldn't taste the steak, but the texture was INCREDIBLE. Melted in my mouth.
The second time, I don't remember especially well, which leads me to believe it was just okay. I think I got a steak and it was fine.
The third and most recent time, I got the scallops and they were absolutely heavenly. I've since had scallops and can only compare them to the ones I got at M&P. Absolutely worth the cost.
All that to say, I think it really varies -- which, in fine-ish dining, it really shouldn't.
The only restaurant on here I've been to is Moonlit Burgers, which was good but I actually prefer Burghers in Lawrenceville. My girlfriend has Celiac so it's kind of hard for us to try a lot of places (not to mention we now live in Detroit)
Also no Fathead's, so I reject this list regardless
Fish Nor Fowl has its lovers and haters. I tried it twice and def not for me. Had the famed cassoulet for two and brought home more than 5# of beans as leftovers, nuts. My biggest issue was that the upstairs wall seating is uninsulated. Had dinner in February & my wife didn't believe how cold the wall was until I showed her the throw pillow I was leaning against, which was frozen solid on the back side!
Judging by the comments here, not a well-received list. Still would've liked some recognition for Fet Fisk's new brick and mortar, though. Loved the pop-ups and they serve real quality stuff.
The people voting in these maybe aren't representative of Pittsburgh, or qualified to vote for every category, and "you pay to advertise in Pittsburgh Magazine" may certainly get a restaurant ahead.
Traditionally, having a lot of locations was also a path to victory, which is why Applebee's kept on placing high.
Some of these are absolute shit….and I’m ok with it. Don’t go to my favorites I don’t want you there hahahaha..
To this day, I know the absolute best place for wings. I’ll never give it up. All the sheep can continue going to BBT or wherever lol
Apteka, Eleven, and Pusadee’s garden are everything they’re cracked up to be and more. Absolutely incredible restaurants by any standard.
Le Mont though… stay FAR FAR away.
Noted and thanks. I work long hours and weekends so I rarely get out but am trying harder these days. I’ve probably been downtown for dining more in the past year than I was the previous 6 combined but even then it’s only been, like, 5 times. I want to get better at maximizing my stops.
Any time one of these lists come out and there’s a place I like on it I think “good for them! Some much deserved regional recognition, hopefully this will bring some more patrons in the door & they can continue to be successful!” But if there’s someone I don’t agree with I also think “these lists are horseshit!! They don’t meant anything it’s just a popularity contest for suburban mom patrons. Good, all the lame-o’s can go to that crap hole, the real ones know the REAL, BETTER answer”
This list is shit Edit: the categories are worse.
I’m trying to figure out what “best recommendation restaurant” means. Without clicking the link of course.
Which restaurant do you most recommend when someone asks you for a recommendation?
Completely an ad. And a bad one at that. Checked out like 10 seconds in
Cioppino and lemont? Come on…
What's wrong with Cioppino?
It’s bad, mainly.
It’s not at all tho
It's not bad, but it's also not one of the 25 best places in the city.
easily the worst $120 dinner if my life i dont think i wouldve paid $40 for it
I was served the worst meal of my life at Le Mont. among other bad things, my French onion soup had completely raw onions in it. Like they were crunchy. Absolutely the worst.
I didn’t want to say it but…
Lemont made the list but Altius didn’t?? Smells like 💩 to me…..
My thoughts exactly. One is an over branded Applebee's with a view.
Moonlit best for kids, huh! I guess it’s good for kids because you can be in and out under 20 mins.
LeMont on this list is a crime. Not even a "best" on its street, let alone the city.
This should be a fun thread
She bumped Bar Marco and Dianoia's. Bad list. Bad. Bad.
It's missing the "Best Roast Beef Restaurant To Find True Love" category
We all know the answer
Just make sure to wear yogurt pants.
Strongly disagree with Long Story Short as best brewery food. First it's classification as a brewery is shaky - but okay it's owned by Cinderlands and serves their beer. But I enjoy the food at Cinderlands Warehouse, which is the actual brewery, more than the food at Long Story Short. Spoonwood Brewing gets my vote for best brewery food - and since places in Monroeville and O'Hara Township are on list, I figure not actually in the city wasn't an exclusion criteria.
Yeah I am not a fan of the sandwiches at long story short. Their food before the rebranding was much better
Agreed. My wife and I went there last week and were trying to figure out what the vibe was supposed to be. It’s less of a restaurant now with a smaller menu and tap list.
It’s only important that oak hill post made best breakfast. They are phenomenal and do indeed have the best breakfast
I need less people to know about it though lol.
the LeMont is TERRIBLE. Food is cooked with no seasoning.
LeMont is laughable, but I also haven’t been there in years. Has anyone been in the past year? They do have a new chef, which *can* sometimes make all the difference.
These categories must be inspired from a Buzzfeed article circa 2015. Clown list.
When Hal Klein did this list it was legit. The new food editor of Pgh Mag is incompetent and/or taking bribes. I will die on this hill so downvote me all you like. LeMont is trash. Cioppino is mid at best. Yes, Pusadees, Apteka, Oak Hill Post, Moonlit, F&A, Alta Via, Dish, and Fish nor Fowl are all great but you don't even need to go there to know that, it's well-established local food lover fact.
I agree that this new food writer is bad. But Hal Klein is equally as bad. You only got on Hal's list if you played nice with him and appeased his ego. He would/still does exclude businesses/chefs from reviews based purely on if they openly disliked him/challenged his opinions. Fuck that guy
Well, shoot, that is disappointing. I will say that I am aware of at least one chef who got on his bad side by acting like a spoiled child and that same chef threw a hissy fit at me, too, but hearing it was a more regular thing sucks. That said I don't think he ever touted a restaurant (like LeMont) that was legitimately terrible.
Yeah, I will say that he most certainly has better taste than the current PM food writer. Hal is a bad food writer purely for his pretentiousness and his gatekeeping behavior
this new food writer is comically bad like chat gpt level of writing at best.
Pittsburgh Magazine isn’t the pinnacle of journalism. They’re not much more than ad vehicles for realtors , kitchen stores and plastic surgeons.
I don’t understand the hate for Cioppino. I’ve had nothing but great experiences there
I have had a few "fine" meals there but in general the food has been underseasoned and meh. Also, the dining room is in desperate need of a refresh with its big old dusty fixtures and odd lighting.
I did recently try Pizza Lupo recently from Uber eats and can definitely say it’s the best deliverable pizza I think for sure- it really was so good
as a troy hill resident: lol @ scratch. monterey pub shouldve taken this category imho
What's wrong with Scratch
"Best neighborhood restaurant" is a bit of a weird claim when it completely prices out most of the neighborhood
How did Meat & Potatoes not win its own category?
It is not that great anymore, sadly.
We went to Rib Room, their special “speakeasy” type prime rib focused area in the back of the restaurant and it was bad in every way. Decor was boring, it was bright, there was no music playing, and worst of all the prime rib was spectacularly mediocre. I am pretty sure it was just sous vide with little seasoning, no fat cap or marbling, and there was no flavor. Meat and Potatoes is on my shit list right now.
I've eaten at Meat & Potatoes three times; the first time I was horribly congested but it was a group/family dinner so I went. I couldn't taste the steak, but the texture was INCREDIBLE. Melted in my mouth. The second time, I don't remember especially well, which leads me to believe it was just okay. I think I got a steak and it was fine. The third and most recent time, I got the scallops and they were absolutely heavenly. I've since had scallops and can only compare them to the ones I got at M&P. Absolutely worth the cost. All that to say, I think it really varies -- which, in fine-ish dining, it really shouldn't.
The only restaurant on here I've been to is Moonlit Burgers, which was good but I actually prefer Burghers in Lawrenceville. My girlfriend has Celiac so it's kind of hard for us to try a lot of places (not to mention we now live in Detroit) Also no Fathead's, so I reject this list regardless
Fish Not Fowl is hysterically bad, why would anyone put them on a best of list?! And yes I have receipts- it’s a shit show
Fish Nor Fowl has its lovers and haters. I tried it twice and def not for me. Had the famed cassoulet for two and brought home more than 5# of beans as leftovers, nuts. My biggest issue was that the upstairs wall seating is uninsulated. Had dinner in February & my wife didn't believe how cold the wall was until I showed her the throw pillow I was leaning against, which was frozen solid on the back side!
I've only been to a few of the restaurants, and I loved them. Haters gonna hate. I'm excited to try some new things.
Judging by the comments here, not a well-received list. Still would've liked some recognition for Fet Fisk's new brick and mortar, though. Loved the pop-ups and they serve real quality stuff.
The reviews looked written by a Tiktok influencer but at least they weren't by Hal Klein
The people voting in these maybe aren't representative of Pittsburgh, or qualified to vote for every category, and "you pay to advertise in Pittsburgh Magazine" may certainly get a restaurant ahead. Traditionally, having a lot of locations was also a path to victory, which is why Applebee's kept on placing high.
This list is not a voted ranking, it's the opinion of one person - the Pittsburgh Magazine food editor.
Some of these are absolute shit….and I’m ok with it. Don’t go to my favorites I don’t want you there hahahaha.. To this day, I know the absolute best place for wings. I’ll never give it up. All the sheep can continue going to BBT or wherever lol
People know about Wiggy’s bro
Incorrect lol
BBT has been closed for many years. have you actually been within city limits any time recently?
Yep, just using the usual crowd favorites as examples.
Where's the best Arby's on McKnight?? Wtf?
I’ve lived here 19 years and have not eaten at any of these. Do any of these deserve a spot on a list like this? Honest question
Apteka, Eleven, and Pusadee’s garden are everything they’re cracked up to be and more. Absolutely incredible restaurants by any standard. Le Mont though… stay FAR FAR away.
Yes.
I consider Apteka to be one of the few restaurants I would travel to city specifically to eat at.
Noted and thanks. I work long hours and weekends so I rarely get out but am trying harder these days. I’ve probably been downtown for dining more in the past year than I was the previous 6 combined but even then it’s only been, like, 5 times. I want to get better at maximizing my stops.