The Vandal is an intimate spot in the heart of Lawrenceville with trendy bistro vibes, a focused seasonal menu utilizing local ingredients, and helpful, friendly service. Although the restaurant's concept has grown and evolved over the past decade of its existence, we feel like it's really hitting its stride now.
It's the kind of cozy spot perfect for a date night or friend's night out- just be sure to make a reservation since seats are limited.
Reva is a casual restaurant in East Liberty serving up modern Indian cuisine. The communal tables and huge menu are perfectly suited for bringing a group of friends and ordering tons of dishes for family style dining.
On our visit it was just the two of us, but we still tried several appetizers and entrees and loved it. The dishes were customized with our spice preference, and everything was packed with flavor.
Every once in a while a restaurant leaves us feeling so happy, nourished, and cared for that we are still thinking about it weeks later. Pocha by Kye-Won in Saxonburg is just that kind of restaurant.
The food includes classics like mandu; bibimbap; and complete meals with meats, japchae, and rice, but it also includes American classics with Kye-Won's own personal spin like burgers topped with kimchi and gochujang mayo. On top of all that, the hospitality here is off the charts- you're guaranteed to leave feeling like family.
We were guests of Pocha courtesy of Butler County Tourism, and immediately fell in love with this unassuming gem in Saxonburg.
Note: Pocha by Kye-Won also has a Sunday brunch menu that primarily features non-Korean dishes. The regular menu is not available until the dinner hours on Sundays. We have not visited for brunch yet and have not included it in our review.
Camino is a Mexican restaurant in Bloomfield with a fast-casual vibe. From the owners of other local Mexican spots Tocayo and Totopo, Camino offers a similar menu with cocktails, burritos, bowls, tacos, and more.
The space is bright and cheery, and while some of the entrees hit the mark for us more than others, the cocktails were respectable, and, perhaps most important of all, the food came in at an incredibly good value.
So if you want a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant, Camino has a lot to consider.
Hyeholde is a Pittsburgh fine dining institution housed in a castle in Moon Township.
Built in 1937 originally as a combination restaurant and living space, the ambiance here is hard to beat with dining tables tucked into dozens of nooks and rooms around the castle. It's a special occasion spot for sure, serving up seasonal, high-end food and drinks.
Palm Palm is a vibrant small plates restaurant located in Shadyside near East Liberty. The restaurant, the second venture from the folks behind Ritual House, aims to blend the vibes and food from Palm Beach and Palm Springs, along with nods to other cuisines from around the world.
With good flavor combinations in the dishes, tropical-leaning cocktails, and coastal vibes, the spot has a feel-good ambiance that's sure to draw crowds.
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings got its start in Flushing, New York, a few decades ago and has since garnered a huge following, expanding to multiple locations in several states. Needless to say, the opening of a location right here in Pittsburgh created a huge initial buzz and anticipation.
We visited soon after opening and enjoyed the fun vibe, the variety of soup dumplings on offer, and several of the non-dumpling menu offerings.
Kyuramen is a fast-casual lunch and dinner spot in East Liberty, serving up ramen and other Japanese food like omurice and yakitori. Although the chain has dozens of locations around the US, the location in Pittsburgh was the first in Pennsylvania. With casual vibes, a great price point, and Instagram-worthy dishes and decor, it's easy to see why this is a popular spot that often has long waits.
So we put our name into the virtual queu, spent some time at Tous Les Jours, a French-Asian bakery chain located around the corner, and waited until our table was ready.
Uncorked is a wine bar and restaurant featuring live jazz, located in the main business district of Sharpsburg. With prohibition-style cocktails, a full food menu, plentiful wine options, and live music, this intimate spot is a great addition to the neighborhood. Although the noise level on our visit made it somewhat difficult to have conversations with our table, we appreciated the cocktails, homemade pasta, and small plates.
Esquina Cantina (formerly known as Round Corner Cantina) has been a Lawrenceville institution for more than a decade, serving up tacos and other Mexican fare plus cocktails utilizing Mexican spirits and ingredients. The interior bar has a great cantina vibe, but there's nothing like sitting out on the cozy patio with outdoor bar on a nice summer night.
So whether you're a regular of the former Round Corner Cantina, or simply want to check out a new-to-you spot in Lawrenceville, check out Esquina Cantina!