Final two stops during Pittsburgh Restaurant Week. I actually ordered both of these places to go because I wasn't feeling to good but I wanted to fit them into my week of tasting, not only for me to try but to advise all of you about the menu's and quality of food.
First, The Carlton, located in the Mellon building. 3 courses - $35. There were a lot of options; my three choices: WILD MUSHROOM CROSTINI, BEEF TENDERLOIN & CAPPUCCINO TORTE.
For the wild mushroom crostini - the mushrooms were sauteed in a Sherry-Garlic Butter and piled over grilled Crostini with Feta Cheese and Basil Oil. I will only say this once...anything good cold is equally good, if not better, warm. This crostini was very, very good. The feta and the basil oil were a great pairing to the wild mushrooms.
Next up, Beef Tenderloin. Broiled to a perfect medium-rare and served with an Herbed Risotto Cake, Wild Mushroom Ragout, Vegetable Medley, Cabernet Glaze and crumbled Blue Cheese. Perfectly cooked, well-rested as to not lose the juices and the side pairing was delicious.
Finally, the cappuccino torte. This dessert was divine. Only thing missing, a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Final stop on my culinary journey through Pittsburgh Restaurant Week - Braddock's, located in the Renaissance Hotel.
Three courses - $30. Starter - Mushroom/Applewood Smoked Bacon Pierogies. For a to-go order, they were a little over cooked, but I am sure if they were fresh, they would be good. Have you noticed a pattern and my love for mushrooms!
SECOND COURSE - Petite Filet, Gouda Smoked Scalloped Potatoes, and Roasted Root Vegetables. Filet, of course, medium rare and for Braddock's not typically a steakhouse, the steak was tender, well-seasoned and cooked perfectly. I love Gouda cheese and the potatoes were soft and creamy and gone very quickly!
THIRD COURSE - Apple Crisp with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Great crisp and soft apples, but the only flaw would be that were wasn't enough ice cream! I'm not really a fan of hot/baked fruit. But there is something about apple crisp and vanilla ice cream that is sooo delicious and comforting. Braddock's was probably my favorite of them all. I can't wait to try it when the food is not in to-go containers! Definite worth the trip back - to both places!
Showing posts with label Downtown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Downtown. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Six Penn Kitchen
Six Penn Kitchen is located downtown. This is the second time that I've eaten there. I have to say, both times haven't really been all that great. The first time was for my birthday, 4 years ago. I remember getting the roast chicken with plantains but not really the taste of the dish. Now, for Pittsburgh Restaurant Week, it just reminded me why my birthday dinner was not so memorable. The food really wasn't good at all.
The 3-course, fixed-price menu started with Shrimp Bisque, Surf & Turf and peanut butter mousse cheesecake. The shrimp bisque was good; however, the corn-bread croutons tasted more like rye bread that was not nearly crispy enough to stand up against a cream-broth soup. Other than the croutons, the flavor of the soup wasn't too bad.
The Surf & Turf was not good at all. It consisted of a 4 oz crabcake: malt aioli, brussel, bacon, shallot hash cream and a 4 oz filet: topped maytag bleu cheese and portobellas, and onion mashed potatoes.
The crabcake had entirely too much parsley in the batter and the malt aioli just was not good. There was way too much aioli and it completely over-powered the crabcake itself. The brussel, bacon and shallot hash was probably the best thing on the dish. The brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly and the bacon was a great accompaniment. The filet, which the only way to eat a filet is medium-rare, was medium at best. It wasn't too bad in flavor but if I would have preferred my beef any more cooked, it would have been very tough. And, the onion mashed potatoes, were absolutely just not good. There was a huge mound of them, which was double the ratio as anything else on the plate and the onions that were mixed in were just cooked, not caramelized, and the piece were huge. Overall, disappointing.
Finally, the peanut butter mousse cheesecake. It had an oreo crust and topped with whipped cream. Didn't appear to be homemade, but was, by far, the best thing I ate.
The staff and service were good and the drinks were good. However, my return to Six Penn will only be during the warmer months when the rooftop bar is open! Six Penn has a great atmosphere and is very close to Heinz Field and PNC Park, but the food just wasn't up to par. Let me know what you think!
The 3-course, fixed-price menu started with Shrimp Bisque, Surf & Turf and peanut butter mousse cheesecake. The shrimp bisque was good; however, the corn-bread croutons tasted more like rye bread that was not nearly crispy enough to stand up against a cream-broth soup. Other than the croutons, the flavor of the soup wasn't too bad.
The Surf & Turf was not good at all. It consisted of a 4 oz crabcake: malt aioli, brussel, bacon, shallot hash cream and a 4 oz filet: topped maytag bleu cheese and portobellas, and onion mashed potatoes.
The crabcake had entirely too much parsley in the batter and the malt aioli just was not good. There was way too much aioli and it completely over-powered the crabcake itself. The brussel, bacon and shallot hash was probably the best thing on the dish. The brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly and the bacon was a great accompaniment. The filet, which the only way to eat a filet is medium-rare, was medium at best. It wasn't too bad in flavor but if I would have preferred my beef any more cooked, it would have been very tough. And, the onion mashed potatoes, were absolutely just not good. There was a huge mound of them, which was double the ratio as anything else on the plate and the onions that were mixed in were just cooked, not caramelized, and the piece were huge. Overall, disappointing.
Finally, the peanut butter mousse cheesecake. It had an oreo crust and topped with whipped cream. Didn't appear to be homemade, but was, by far, the best thing I ate.
The staff and service were good and the drinks were good. However, my return to Six Penn will only be during the warmer months when the rooftop bar is open! Six Penn has a great atmosphere and is very close to Heinz Field and PNC Park, but the food just wasn't up to par. Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
PRIME RIB SHOWDOWN
Hi everyone,
Recently, I had a follower ask me where she could find good prime rib. Then I knew, that was my next venture, to find the best prime rib in the city.
I did some research: 5 places - Pgh Steak Co. in South side, Getaway in Brookline, Grant Bar in Millvale, August Henry's downtown, and Damon's in Robinson....Surprisingly, Morton's was the only steakhouse in the city that offered Prime Rib on the menu. Due to my follower wanting to keep this dinner budget friendly but still have a nice romantic atmosphere, I opted between Pittsburgh Steak Company and August Henry's.
First up: Pittsburgh Steak Company. Now, I'm not really into any other cut of steak besides Filet, due to all the fat that comes with prime rib; however, after I cut all the fat away from the prime rib, it was pretty good. I got mashed potatoes, which could've been creamier and green beans, which were excellent. Good atmosphere and wine was fairly priced. It was only accompanied by Au Jus not a horseradish sauce but it was still tender and tasty.
Finally, August Henry's: The flavoring on the Prime Rib from August Henry's is insane. I got it to go and ate it cold and the flavor was still so so much better than Pgh Steak Co. Plus, nowhere near as fatty either. This is the place! Its $29 and you get a twice baked potato and a side or ceasar salad or cup of soup.
Although, Pittsburgh Steak Company has a Monday night special of all-you-can-eat prime rib. If you arent going on a Monday night, I would suggest August Henry's. It's $5 more and the taste and preparation far more out weigh the cost. But if you're not picky about your dinner out and want to get a good cut of meat for a good price, try Pittsburgh Steak Company on a Monday night! Stay tuned for the next posting.
Recently, I had a follower ask me where she could find good prime rib. Then I knew, that was my next venture, to find the best prime rib in the city.
I did some research: 5 places - Pgh Steak Co. in South side, Getaway in Brookline, Grant Bar in Millvale, August Henry's downtown, and Damon's in Robinson....Surprisingly, Morton's was the only steakhouse in the city that offered Prime Rib on the menu. Due to my follower wanting to keep this dinner budget friendly but still have a nice romantic atmosphere, I opted between Pittsburgh Steak Company and August Henry's.
First up: Pittsburgh Steak Company. Now, I'm not really into any other cut of steak besides Filet, due to all the fat that comes with prime rib; however, after I cut all the fat away from the prime rib, it was pretty good. I got mashed potatoes, which could've been creamier and green beans, which were excellent. Good atmosphere and wine was fairly priced. It was only accompanied by Au Jus not a horseradish sauce but it was still tender and tasty.
Finally, August Henry's: The flavoring on the Prime Rib from August Henry's is insane. I got it to go and ate it cold and the flavor was still so so much better than Pgh Steak Co. Plus, nowhere near as fatty either. This is the place! Its $29 and you get a twice baked potato and a side or ceasar salad or cup of soup.
Although, Pittsburgh Steak Company has a Monday night special of all-you-can-eat prime rib. If you arent going on a Monday night, I would suggest August Henry's. It's $5 more and the taste and preparation far more out weigh the cost. But if you're not picky about your dinner out and want to get a good cut of meat for a good price, try Pittsburgh Steak Company on a Monday night! Stay tuned for the next posting.
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