Pittsburgh Foodies Thread (most expensive, definition, room)

[Sciulli]

Originally Posted by ProFiction

My girlfriend had Bangal in Oakland and wasn't impressed at all.

I agree with your GF. Bangal was decent/OK. Their website said there was a dinner buffet but there was not... only a lunch buffet I guess.

[chocodusk]

I have only been to Taj Mahal once many years back but they are popular with catering large parties so I end up eating their food more often than I intend to. I find their food too overwhelming with masalas and spices. Very Americanized in my opinion.


I do know opinions vary by region but the three I mentioned cover food from all regions in India. I have Indian friends from all regions and I can assure you that if any of them had to cater or order in Indian food for a party they would mostly go to Mintt, Tamarind or Café Delhi.
BTW, try the pastries at Tamarind or Mint. Very light, moist and not too sweet. They make fabulous birthday cakes too.
I have heard a lot about Sree's but my friend in food safety tells me they are often cited for violations, esp at the Murray location. They are not even allowed to cook there anymore.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by chocodusk

I'm Indian and we prefer Mintt in Mt Lebanon, Café Delhi in Carnegie or Tamarind in Oakland. Would pretty much not step into the others.
Udipi in super authentic and we love it for vegetarian home-style fare.

I'm a big fan of Tamarind - definitely the best place in the city proper to get authentic South Indian food, which I'm more into these days than North Indian. I think the one in Scott Township is a bit better than the one in Oakland however.

[chocodusk]

I agree, I actually meant Tamarind in GreenTree but ended up typing the wrong one!

[MamieRose]

We had dinner at the Smallman Gallery last night. If you haven't heard about it, it's a chef incubator. They have a bar, seating (lots of communal tables) and 4 restaurant stations. We tried something from three: Toast- mussels, Provisions- bahn mi and beet salad, and Carota Cafe- gnocchi and bread/spread. Everything was excellent. The only reason why we did try Aubergine is we we too stuffed. They had cocktails from each chef, full bar, wine by glass or bottle and a large, local craft beer selection. All tabs were separate, you ordered and paid and they texted you to pick up.Great place!

Smallman Galley | Pittsburgh's chef incubator

[eschaton]

Tried out the new B52 cafe this morning.

The food was mostly great. My breakfast plate (seitan kofta, scrambled tofu, and kale) was a bit bland once I ran out of harissa. But all the other food was excellent. I think the felafel is the best I've had in the city.

My mother and I got hot tea however, which was left to steep too long. My yerba mate was almost undrinkable, tasting like smoke and grass clippings. Service was very slow too.

That said, they have only been open for a week. Things seemed quite chaotic on the service end there, with at least a half dozen people working the front end even though there were only five tables and some random seats by the coffee bar. I'm sure they'll get a handle on things within the next month or two. But it seems like they're developing into a worthy addition to the local (very sparse) vegetarian food scene in Pittsburgh.

[jay5835]

I had an excellent meal at Trapuzzano in Shadyside, Saturday at lunch, a sandwich called Chicken Abruzzo. A perfectly cooked chicken breast with gorgonzola, mushrooms, spinach, and a balsamic reduction. I haven't had something this good for lunch, and so inexpensive ($10), in a long time. It's not that much more than Primanti, if you think about it.

[SolitaryThrush]

Noodle bar and Japanese-style crepes in Oakland:

Pennsylvasia: Noodle bar, Japanese-style crepes, bubble tea at Love Yogurt in Oakland.

Before the usual suspects invariably complain about "another Asian restaurant", this is something new for the area.

[tclifton]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I'm a big fan of Tamarind - definitely the best place in the city proper to get authentic South Indian food, which I'm more into these days than North Indian. I think the one in Scott Township is a bit better than the one in Oakland however.

My favorite Indian place by far, is Zaiaka out in Plum.

I could eat their Chicken Curry every day of my life!

Zaiaka | Indian Restaurant

[sskink]

Went out Saturday night to Homestead for an alumni mixer and ate some pretty standard apps while there. We were still hungry, but not for a full meal. So on way home we went to hit up Atria's for soup and salad. The sherry crab bisque is always reliably good. But the salad... while it was perfectly fine for a house salad... it was on way too small a plate for the amount of food. Extremely difficult to eat without food getting all over the table on our your lap.

First world complaint and all, but I don't get who thought that small plate was a good idea.