Very nice Italian restaurant with good food and a nice bar. The service is excellent and the ambiance is cool, as it's connected to the City of Asylum performance space. On the opposite side is an excellent bookstore. The desserts are excellent featuring the Italian classics. read more

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Pictures on the website and Yelp set high expectations. Three definite sections, restaurant, concert venue, & bookstore. Our waitress reviewed the new fall dinner menu and suggested a new cocktail. We started with the olive appetizer. Mozzarella balls, thyme, (un)pitted olives, and toasted bread. Large portion. Very good. Surprised when the table was cleared for next course, we weren't asked if we would like to take remainder home. (I didn't think to ask until next course was served.) The focccaia bread with dipping oil was good. My guest had the Agnolotti. Enjoyed fresh pasta with roasted butternut squash and ricotta. I had the Tagliata di Manzo. The steak was served as I requested (medium well). It was sliced in the kitchen. Both sides of the steak had a ribbon of fat which resulted in me having to cut off the ends. Had the kitchen removed the fat, It would have been a very good steak. The creamy parmesan polenta and horseradish marscapone were very tasty. I like radicchio in salad and discovered I like it grilled. I was looking forward to the butter braised parsnips. I couldn't cut the slices with a steak knife. My guest abstained from dessert "was too full" I ordered the blood orange sorbet. The two scoops served in a coffee cup were a little bigger than a melon baller scoop. I ordered the Torta al Cioccolato (blood orange cake) with vanilla bean ice cream to go. I received a sturdy to go box. When I arrived at my next destination I discovered the ice cream wasn't in a container and had melted. Thankfully, the sturdy to go container didn't leak on my new car seat. We left before the jazz concert started. It was well attended. GPS showed a parking garage behind the restaurant. It was affiliated with the Medical Center. Didn't see a parking attendant and was concerned parking lot would be closed when I returned to my car. Restaurant staff didn't have any knowledge of hours of operation for the parking lot. So I parked on Federal Street. It was sketchy. If the restaurant was in a safer neighborhood, better parking options, and tweaked some of the kitchen practices - I could see myself becoming a frequent guest. read more

Cucina Alfabeto - To go order: Torta al Cioccolato with ice cream on the side - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Haley did an outstanding job with service and explained everything to us. It was relaxed and very quiet as we were the only ones there most of the time. The Burrata was ok but lacked the strawberries as advertised. The airline chicken was excellent but risotto was disappointing. The filet di Manzo was great. We will come back especially if the menu updates regularly as it is quite limited. read more

Cucina Alfabeto - Filet di manzo - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Came for lunch with some friends for the first time. The place is really cool and a nice intimate size. We had a reservation but didn't need one as there were plenty of open tables. Our waiter was friendly and helpful but he was the only one for the whole place and there were multiple times I was chewing ice cubes when I wanted more water. Since there were 3 empty tables I can't imagine it would be better if it was busy. Was debating between the pancakes and the Alfredo, but went with the pasta after they said it was made in house. It was the wrong choice. The pasta was just noodles in oil, no real flavor to it and definitely not creamy Alfredo. At the very least add some color so it's not so bland looking. One of my friends got the pancakes and they looked and tasted delicious....big pass on the Alfredo though. read more

Cucina Alfabeto - Alfredo? Very odd. - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I came here for a birthday party, so it wasn't typical restaurant service. With that said, I still really enjoyed the food and place! A delicious Italian restaurant and a library all in one? It's a win-win!! My favorite bites of the night were the arancini and the Brussel sprouts. Both had excellent flavor! I loved the pancetta (I think) in the arancini!! I would love to come back and try more menu items. read more

Cucina Alfabeto - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

For how expensive the food was, I did expect better. We started off strong with the arancini and brussel sprouts, but after that wasn't a huge fan. The pappardelle potion was so tiny, literally three noodles and nothing beyond a basic recipe. The risotto came out a bit cold and the flavors were okay, nothing strong. Dessert was a huge miss. The lady fingers were not soaked at all for the tiramisu so they were a hard bite. The ice cream served in a stemless wine glass with a tiny spoon for the affogato made the dessert impossible to reach! And sipping it was a bit disappointing. The service was pretty good, there was a bit of a wait when we initially were being seated and until we got out first drinks but the food was nicely spaced. read more

Cucina Alfabeto - Pappardelle - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Amazed by the reviews as our experience was not close In food and service. Ambiance lovely, except for one exception and that was a patrons fault. read more

I was invited to check out their new brunch. I got the chilaquiles and it was really good. My friend got the seasonal frittata it was good but could have been better, definitely needed hot sauce. Then they brought us out an order of pancakes and they were delicious. We both couldn't stop eating them. And lastly they brought us a piece of carrot cake. Carrot cake is not something I would ever order but it was good! The staff were very nice. It was quiet in there. They do have live music occasionally I think that would be great during brunch. I love the bookstore on the other side. read more

This place was such a surprise! So cool and unique inside. Loved the ambiance. Food was great, cocktails were exceptional!! Chris, the bartender might be one of the most creative bartenders in the city. So good at his job and a wiz at making cocktails. The food we tried was the bar menu and everything was tasty and definitely more "elevated" bar food with a yinzer comfort meal vibe. Will be back! read more

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What a great night! Music was excellent, food was great, service was very good and we will be coming back!!

We had such a fantastic experience during Restaurant Week! Every course was delicious, and you could really tell how much care went into each dish. The service was also wonderful--attentive, friendly, and made the whole evening feel special. We absolutely loved our experience and would definitely come back again! read more

Such a fantastic dinner -- we're already planning our next visit! The menu leans into Northern Italian flavors, with a real emphasis on organic, locally sourced ingredients, and you can absolutely taste the difference. The vibe inside is exactly what you want for a night out: cozy, welcoming, low music. Service was excellent too -- everyone was friendly, knowledgeable, and you could tell they genuinely care about what they're bringing to the table. We were chatting with the staff & discovered there's a lot of long-time friendships between the staff, so you know they're all in on making this restaurant something special. Some of the menu highlights for us were the: Meatballs: So flavorful with just the right touch of heat. Scallops: Perfectly seared and super fresh -- you can tell they're sourcing top-notch seafood. Pappardelle Bolognese: One of my all-time favorite dishes, and this version might be the new gold standard for me. Perfect seasoning and incredible pasta texture. Beef Tenderloin: Tender, packed with flavor, and that red wine jus was next level. Burger & Fries (from the bar menu): You could taste the quality of the beef blend, and the hand-cut fries were crisped to perfection. Fancy Carrot Cake: We absolutely inhaled this -- super moist, beautifully spiced, and the whipped icing was pure magic. Honestly, I regret not ordering a second slice to go. We did not love the carrots, they seemed a bit overcooked. And the fried chicken, while really interesting, was not for us. These are just notes. Our overall experience was really enjoyable! If you love thoughtful, food thats locally sourced and a chill atmosphere, you're going to fall in love with this place just like we did. read more

Great to have Jareth back as GM & running the bar! Excited for Chef Skyler to make his mark as well. Already seeing the impact. Food is excellent and the new cocktails rock! This is a hidden gem and such a cool space with the bookstore & stage space...give it another try if you haven't been there lately!! read more

I had such a delicious meal here recently. My husband and I decided to share small plates so we could try a little of everything. We started with the confit carrots with whipped goat cheese, they were very good but I wish there was more goat cheese. Next we had the beef meatballs, these were probably the best meatballs I've ever had! They had a nice spice to them and the tomato sugo sauce was incredible. Then we split the side orders of fettuccine Alfredo and tomato sugo penne. The fettuccine was unlike anything I've had before - it wasn't super thick and creamy. It was amazing. The actual pasta itself was incredible and very clearly homemade. The penne was also to die for!! Our server was incredibly friendly. This spot is super cool because it's inside of a bookstore and they have live entertainment sometimes too. I think the pricing is a little high for the prices but the quality of food makes up for it. Would definitely recommend! read more

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Good bread. Service times were pretty good even when it got a bit more crowded. Server was nice and explained which menu items were available for relevant dietary restrictions (gluten free person in group). Bread was really good. Not a particular fan of the atmosphere (quiet in an open layout) but thats a matter of personal preference. read more

Unfortunately I didn't have a good experience here. The server was nice enough but was the only person working, so service was slow. Several menu options were unavailable due to Valentine's weekend (not Valentine's Day), which was not advertised on their website, or were out. My salad was good but missing a listed ingredient. My main course was a boneless chicken breast with mushroom sauce without vegetables or starch, making it seem incomplete. It was overseasoned and the chicken slightly overcooked. The tiramisu was a small portion, with an excessive amount of cocoa powder and served in a plastic cup! For the price and the caliber of the restaurant, have a premade dessert in a disposable cup was insulting. Overall, the menu was uninspiring. read more

We live in the neighborhood. First of all the book store is the best in the city. The service has always been great, efficient and the food is good, the trout is excellent and there are some kid friendly options. read more

We sat at the bar. Really enjoyed the bartender. He said they were short staffed that night but he was on top of everything. Wine list is Italian wines. List is OK. Ordered the Tagliatelle pasta that has beef tomato ragu. A nice tasty meal. Others had arancini and salads and everyone enjoyed their meal. read more

Cucina Alfabeto - Sept 2024 menu - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I was passing through the neighborhood and stepped in for a moment. Immediately loved the accessibility details so I decided to stay and support the business. They have a cozy space that has a bookstore, lounge area with games, a bar, and a seated restaurant section. It was the perfect Saturday with a glass of wine and a community space to read for a few hours. read more

2 nd time I've been here- horrible service. Food was bad. Lettuce wilted- food burnt. Took 50 min to get a tea. No water refill. Rude waitstaff. The quality of the food has been poor both times. read more

We can't be happier Jarreth is back! We love his cocktails, special attention to detail and Skylar is spot on with his menu features! Looking forward to exciting new options coming this spring ! Welcome back Jarreth ! read more

Fantastic new Northern Italian Restaurant. Beautiful setting adjacent to a bookstore. We love that the music volume was low so we can actually hear ourselves talk! Outstanding artichoke appetizer. Pasta with goat cheese and lamb was amazing. Crispy duck was tender and crisp with excellent sauce. Cannoli very creative with a chocolate shell. Very attentive and polite staff. Highly recommend! read more

Cucina Alfabeto - Desserts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Not good at all. We had a 12p reservation on a Sunday - as in, brunch. But when we got there they told us there was no brunch today, just a frittatta special. I'd suggest that they should have called us but I don't think it was an oversight - they know we wouldn't have come. That left us with the regular menu which consists of $30 pasta's and $40 entrees. Again, not appropriate for brunch. I'm unlikely to order a $50 Wagyu steak on Sunday afternoon. I asked about a Bloody Mary and its from a mix so I declined. One person got an Americano and it was undrinkable. Everyone else got the frittata which didn't have any seasoning and the group was underwhelmed. Plus you could have potatoes or bacon but not both (huh?). So, eggs and potatoes for $18. I had the french onion soup and the bread was on the side (which is actually a really good idea) but it was crazy burnt. Like black all around the edges. So, I cut that part off and ate what was left; and the soup was fine. Nothing special, but fine. Overall, this was our first trip since they switched from 40 North and we won't be back. We spent most of the time talking about other restaurants that are MUCH better for brunch (Eleven, Alihans, Alta Via). Also, most of the Open Table reviews seem to be fake (did Nancy and Diane really eat there 14 times since mid-Oct?). To the owners - I live in the 'hood and really wanted this to be good. While how you came about was shitty, I'd still like a nice place to go for brunch or happy hour or dinner. I wish this was it but, sadly, it is not. If you care, Brugge had the best menu of everything that has taken over that space - mussels, burgers/sandwiches, good happy hour snacks and full dinner if that's what you want. I am confident that if Covid hadn't happened, they would have done well and you would be smart to make a more accessible, neighborhood friendly restaurant. read more

We had a WONDERFUL experience we had here! I always fill out the occasion box when I'm making a reservation. If it's read, I can't remember the last time that it was acknowledged in any aspect of the evening. NOT SO at Cucina Alfabeto! We're having a baby (due this week!) and this past Saturday was our last date night before the little guy comes. I noted this in the reservation and didn't think anything else of it. We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes late. When I said who we were, I got a big smile from Erik (our server) who said, "Oh, we know who you are! Welcome!" They had a wonderful table in the corner in the window for us. After we sat down, Erik came over with a children's book and a card! The book was from the book store in the Asylum building and the card was signed by everyone on the staff! We were truly moved at the act of human kindness. It was as if the entire staff wanted to share in our happiness. Lord Christopher (our bartender) big shoutout for the well poured burbon! We've read the book to our little guy (still in the womb ) and can't wait to read it to him once he's born. The food was fantastic! I love bolognese and theirs was delicious! A tiny touch heavy on the salt, but not a complaint by any means. Just an observation. Kelly had the Bronzino and it was also delicious! They treated us to desert, and we chose to split a tiramisu. Wow! Perfect end to a delicious meal served by a wonderful staff. The restaurant business is tough today. Friendly, and reliable servers are stretched thin and hard to find. Rude service is more common than I ever remember in my 59 years. There may be "legitimate reasons" but rude is rude. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that's my opinion. THIS PLACE was a master class in authentic, engaged customer service. It will be a stalwart in our dining out rotation. And chef, we will absolutely be back with the little guy for buttered noodles as soon as he can eat them! read more

The atmosphere was beautiful and the service by Jareth was perfect. The food however lacked flavor. We got the Italian wedding soup, that only tasted like broth in a bowl. And we got tiramisu that had impossible to cut through ladyfingers and a concerning amount of cocoa powder on top. This experience wouldn't be too terrible if the bill wasn't +$120. read more

Nice vibe and server/ service was lovely, but the food was not good. The "ceasar salad" was lettuce and a side of not-ceasar dressing. Nothing else. Just shredded lettuce. The "house salad" the same. Just leaves. Like they're not even pretending to try. Two different pastas both undercooked to the point of crunchy, with nondescript sauces. Not even trying. This was especially disappointing because 40 North was a great restaurant. Appears so be the same ownership- perplexing why replace a great place with a bad place. read more

Went for dinner with a group of friends. The server was terrible. We wanted to order a variety of entrees and appetizers to share, and she was rude and made ordering difficult. It was not busy for a Friday evening. The food was not seasoned well at all, very bland other than the Red sauce - had a nice kick to it. Halibut and shrimp overcooked, dry. Like the venue. The food is way overpriced. Will not return to eat there. Maybe sit at the bar and have a drink. Read less read more

Expensive for what you get and an uninspired menu. It's hard to pay $20+ for pasta you can make easily at home for a fraction of the price. For upscale food, the northside has better options. For Italian food, the northside also has better options. Save your money and go somewhere worth it. read more

Fantastic food, we had the agnoletti, the papardelle and the artichoke confit. All really delicious!!