Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar

This was my first time dining at Ibiza. However, my friend has been to Spain and vouched that it was not authentic in anyway.  It was more an Americanized version of the spanish tapas, especially the portions. As a food critic/blogger, I ordered many different items from the menu, including: Bruschetta, Crab Cakes, Four cheese lobster ravioli, Spanish meat and cheese plate, and the Patatas bravas, along with the initial bread and hummus. The bruschetta was the best thing that I ate; however, not sure that it originated in Spain and the bread and hummus was equally delicious. The crab cakes had entirely too much spanish mint in the batter, which overpowered the crab. The four cheese lobster ravioli was underdone; even under al dente. For an establishment that portrays high-class, noodles should be one of the easiest things to make. Also, the four cheese sauce was too dense and too thick; it did not complement the lobster at all. Then, there is the meat and cheese plate. There was such an abundance of balsamic marinated olives, that the balsamic ran into the meats and cheeses and that flavor was absorbed into everything. Finally, the patatas bravas. This was, by far, the worst dish on the menu. In fact, just looking at the menu online, it is no longer indicated as an item. It was pretty much chunks of potatoes with Frank's Red Hot poured on top. There was no developed flavor of the sauce. Unless, there is a coupon or special advertised, I will not be returning to dine at Ibiza.

La Casa in Shadyside has a more authentic tasting Tapas and Casbah & The Wine Loft have incredible meat and cheese plates.

Moreover, the service was awful. The waitress was training someone and he was just following behind her like Lurch from The Munsters. He did fill my water glass, but that was only once. Even with two people working the tables on the back porch/patio,   it took a little while for them to return to the table. No where near good tapas.

Let me know what you think or if there is another hidden Tapas gem!

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.