Mia Madre Trattoria

4

82

45

11 months ago

We've been fans of Mia Madre's for years and went there again last night. It's a great BYOB place and our meals last night were fantastic! The restaurant was crowded and energetic! We began with the meatball appetizer with Alex's delicious marina and a scoop of creamy ricotta cheese..yummy! My wife had Cod and beans..not on the menu..but Alex made it for her. The Cod was flakey, tender and delicately seasoned..so tasty. I had the veal francaise , lightly breaded and sautéed with hint of lemon...I also ordered a side of sautéed green and red peppers.. it was one of the best meals I've had! If you haven't been there you're missing an Italian gem! Make sure to make reservations! You'll enjoy it! read more

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Santana L.

61

75

149

1 year ago

Made reservations for dinner on a Saturday night. The place is very cute. Loved the decorations & vibe. Although it's a very tight place. The service was great, our server was so kind & funny. We ordered the bruschetta as an appetizer & chicken Marsala as the entree. Bruschetta was phenomenal, one of my favorites. The Marsala was also good, definitely on the sweeter side (my husband wasn't crazy about). We also ordered cannolis to go which were decent, but not my favorite. I'm giving it 3 stars because of all the add-on charges. $10 corking fee, $5 charge to split our meal, $7 charge to substitute Marsala sauce instead of marinara. The overall cost just didn't justify the experience. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Bruschetta - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Cookie S.

9

161

381

1 year ago

I had to sit on this for days before adding my review. Overall, I was very disappointed in the experience. The bread sticks were cold, hard, and had no dip of any sort (even oil), paid $10 for a cork fee but received no ice bucket, and no pasta is homemade (not even the linguine, according to our server). The meatballs were good, but nothing to write home about. The atmosphere was the best part of this dinner. The decor is very neat and old world. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Chicken Romano - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Steven M.

0

7

1

10 months ago

Lovely caring atmosphere. Family business. Host Shari is wonderful! One of the best in the burg! read more

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Nancy C.

Elite 26 All-Star

52

518

1831

5 years ago

I had always wanted to try this restaurant. My friend and I went before the holiday house tour. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. I'll start off with the positives. The owner was very nice and made it a point to talk to the guests. The waitress did come and check in on us. The fried zucchini wasn't too bad. The meatballs were very good. Unfortunately, the gnocchi was just ok. It didn't have a lot of flavor and I feel too expensive. On the menu it said it was $17. However, when the waitress asked what type of sauce and I wanted and shared the list, it would have been nice to know that the blush sauce was a $9 up charge. I would have never chosen it. They definitely should let you know. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Underwhelming gnocchi in blush sauce with tasty meatballs - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Emily C.

1

83

18

2 years ago

Cute cash only family run business! Love to support excellent local cooking! Let's talk appetizers: the beans and greens were truly amazing they were my favorite part of the meal. Also had the sausage and peppers which were perfectly spicy. The meatballs were perfectly cooked and tender! A proper meatball none of that spongy overcooked greasy meat mixture. Mains: Can't go wrong with the chicken parm! Nice ratio of breading to meat and so tender it could be cut with a fork. Veal with peppers was also really tasty but can't hold up to that parm. Dessert: WHOLLY CANNOLI!!!! Get the desert life is short and calories don't count when it's feeding the soul the way this perfect little treat will! Tiramisu gets an honorable mention. read more

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Trish T.

92

295

630

3 years ago

Boy did this place save our birthday celebration. A nearby establishment closed "because of emergency" - and with our party of 8 (!), we had to make a quick switch. Mia Madre'a host was so friendly and welcoming. Easily got a huge table. We liked our apps - beans & greens w/ sausage and meatballs. Not life changing but pretty tasty. Pasta dishes were quite good --- linguini with chicken masala; fettuccini Alfredo with chicken. The interior of the place is a bit dated - but it's kind of fitting. Dessert - we tried the sampler (tiramisu, limoncello cake, 1 cannoli). The 1st 2 yum -- the 3rd was no bueno. WARNING --- THIS PLACE IS BYOB!! ($10 corkage) All in all - we had a really good night! read more

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Tom C.

5

138

147

3 years ago

We had an enjoyable dining experience at this old-school family owned joint....it was fun. Our server, Wayne, really made the meal more enjoyable with his personality--he was fun. The zucchini app was unremarkable. The Provolone wheel however was fantastic! The cheese ravioli was fresh and plentiful. I had the chicken with roasted red peppers and banana peppers and it was super. It's not cheap--but what is nowadays? At least I can take ur own wine read more

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Mary T.

35

8

0

2 years ago

Last night we went to Mia Madre to celebrate our Anniversary. I ordered the cheese ravioli and meatballs. It was delicious!! The service was excellent! read more

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Valerie E.

2

15

2

2 years ago

A comfortable atmosphere with wonderful home style Italian food. Great portions as well as excellent service for a first time customer like we were. BYOB. We will be back! read more

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Leslie C.

0

83

10

2 years ago

Fun little mom and pop Italian restaurant. Old fashioned vibe inside. Friendly, laid back servers. Chicken Romano melted in your mouth. Zucchini appetizer was hot and delicious. Shared limoncello cake which was a perfect top off to our meal. BYOB and cash only. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Entrance - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Jonna D.

1

38

3

2 years ago

Years ago this restaurant was located in Kennedy twp (Kenmawr Plaza). Came here with my husband and our then 3 year old son for an early dinner on a weekday. When we walked in the restaurant was completely empty and the hostess told us that there were no available tables and that they were all reserved. Again this was like 3/4pm on a weekday. We were so confused, then quickly realized that they did not want to seat us and assumed it was because we brought our child. I have never experienced anything like this and was so insulted. Hopefully things have changed since then but would never give them my business because of that experience. read more

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Stacey B.

Elite 26 All-Star

144

431

1100

8 years ago

We were Mia Madre fans before they left for a different space and then returned to the same quaint location in Avalon. We're glad they are back serving up some super tasty Italian food. For a starter, we tried the beans and greens which featured very lightly sautéed escarole with northern beans and garlic in olive oil. The escarole was very firm so it added a unique texture to the dish. The flavors were light and not heavy on the garlic. Our entrees included the Linguini with Clam Sauce and the Linguini with Marinara Sauce and Meatballs. If you are torn deciding between those two dishes, I would highly recommend the Linguini with Clam Sauce. It was truly outstanding with huge roasted garlic cloves and tender clams. It was really fantastic! The Marinara was very delicious too and the added meatballs were a terrific addition. We also opted to add a side of Spinach with garlic and olive oil that was super delish! This place is BYOB - $8 corkage fee per bottle - and they ONLY take CASH, which is sort of old school. Do people really use cash anymore? It's nice that they have an ATM in their lobby and they could likely benefit from having other modern pay options available. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Greens & Beans - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - Linguini with Clam Sauce - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - Side of Spinach with Garlic - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - Linguini with Marinara & Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Shari N.

0

1

3

2 years ago

Authentic Italian and much more! I had the chicken and Peppers and my Guest had the Cod and Beans (sounds crazy but delicious) The Cannoli was the best. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Cod and Beans with just enough sauteed garlic! - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - I had the Chicken and Peppers! Excellent! - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - Veal and Peppers - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Larry C.

29

111

31

4 years ago

We have our monthly cigar dinner on their patio. They really take care of us as a group - 24-30 guys smoking cigars. They allow us to bring our own wine and enjoy a great Italian meal. What makes this restaurant a stand out is that I am gluten free and they will make me a gluten free dish. read more

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Amy B.

7

28

88

5 years ago

Amazing little spot. Large portions so order to share!!! Beans and greens were amazing, chicken piccata was really good. Everything was fresh and excellent. Owner was just the sweetest! This spot is a must try!!! read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Dining area. - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - Chicken picatta - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Jenny M.

0

12

0

3 years ago

Walked in without a reservation and they were very accommodating. Service was spotty-it wasn't busy, but our waiter disappeared for long periods of time. No bar-just BYOB. The owner said we should have been offered a complimentary glass of wine (it wasn't offered) I had gnocchi with a meatball and my husband had a hot sausage casserole. We just weren't fans of the sauce. (the same sauce seemed to be on everything we ordered) The sauce was very acidic and on the sour side. (I don't mean it was bad, but just very tart) I don't like sweet sauces-but this just seemed like the other end of the spectrum. I had just been to a different Italian Restaurant in Bridgeville and was amazed at the depth of the flavors-and how velvety the sauces were. This sauce didn't come close to that. While the food was OK, we probably won't go back. read more

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Todd P.

0

6

1

4 years ago

Yummy Italian food with a comfy atmosphere. Well worth a visit. The owners and staff are friendly and make you feel at home. read more

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Jim G.

778

1

0

4 years ago

on this night, Mia Madre REFUSED to take my order stating that their kitchen was TOO BUSY!!?? I've heard the food is only mediocre anyway so I wasn't that disappointed...but my wife did want to go there and check it out. Imagine turning down an order because your kitchen is busy. You'll never see me again and I hope all my friends read this yelp review as well. Bye! read more

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Megan P.

0

7

2

3 years ago

Four out of five stars only because I didn't get to try dessert. Don't expect a fast meal, but the food was delicious. The server, Alex, was wonderful and made you feel like family. Would recommend and will be returning soon (with more time!) read more

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Aurelio B.

17

5

0

4 years ago

Made a reservation for 3/7 for a special occasion. When we arrived the restaurant was closed. We called and left a message thinking we would get a call back the following day. We did not get a call. An explanation would have been helpful read more

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Jeff N.

0

3

0

3 years ago

This was our first visit for dinner. First off, really liked the atmosphere and we were sat on time. The meatball app was amazing! I had the veal Mia and my wife had the eggplant parm. Both were very good, served hot and on time. The restaurant is very close to our home and we will be back. I actually like the fact that it's BYOB. We recommend this for good Italian. read more

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Sheila T.

0

3

1

6 years ago

We love eating at Mia Madre's.....great food and atmosphere! We weren't sure the quality would be there with takeout, but they didn't disappoint us! We ordered the chicken parm special and it Was delicious!!! Came with ziti, salad and breadsticks!! During this time we should support local restaurants....trust me ... you will not be disappointed! read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - two pans of food - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Scott B.

4

1

0

4 years ago

We thoroughly enjoy the food, atmosphere and service every time. Be ready for a lot of good food!

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Scott S.

161

92

9

4 years ago

Visited recently. Highly disappointing, silverware was dirty, service was rude and abrupt. 0/10 do not recommend

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Janice B.

16

2

1

3 years ago

Nice, intimate family owned Italian restaurant. Friendly attentive staff & the food was wonderful. It looked like the place was full of regulars. read more

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Gary W.

1

118

8

6 years ago

In the current environment is it great to be able to get the top notch Italian food delivered to your house, courtesy of Grunhub Once again we ordered the veal romano, which is the best veal dish I have ever had. The veal is tender and juicy, far better than typical restaurant fare. The sauce is amazing. For dessert, the limoncello cake is great. On a Saturday I had it delivered to me 15 miles away within under an hour. Veal was hot. Courteous driver. I will continue to order from Mia Madre. Until I can go back into their restaurant. read more

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Kat V.

Elite 26 All-Star

182

622

2397

11 years ago

Wow. I've had some bad service in restaurants, but never THIS bad. Not only was the one server close to the rudest person I've ever met, but management was just as bad. It was TERRIBLE! The restaurant was COMPLETELY empty when we were there and we were a party of three. Two of us were waiting for the third and though we were sitting on one side of a normal table and there was a third table setting (which they had to set up when they seated us), the waiter brought us two small slices of bread. I guess they're rationing, but you'd think if they're going to charge around $20 for a pasta dish they could afford a couple slices of bread. Guess not... When I asked a question about happy hour, the waiter didn't know (it was his second day), so he got a waitress who would. After she'd already answered the question of whether the happy hour specials were available in the restaurant or just the bar) she said, "In the bar" when I asked more about the happy hour. I explained that I knew that, since she'd just answered that question for me and asked what happy hour was there. She said, "Drink specials." SERIOUSLY??? I don't believe ANYONE could be that clueless, so she was clearly just being rude. Management supported this horrible waitress and said if I wanted to know the drink specials, I should go to the bar. REALLY??? I'd NEVER been to a restaurant where the wait staff (even in the restaurant) couldn't tell me what the happy hour drink specials were... Add this horrible service to the fact that the little restaurant, which is in a strip mall next door to the Wine and Spirits store, charges INSANE prices for the area.... for PASTA. $19 for linguini with clam sauce (which from the review I read in their other restaurant probably includes canned clams)? I could see that in a nice stand alone restaurant, but this is a strip mall. In Kennedy. It's not a fancy restaurant downtown or in Sewickley. We happily went down the street to friendly service, better prices, and great food. STAY AWAY. With the horrible service and management combined with high prices in a strip mall, the odds of them lasting long are slim. Wait for them to close and go to the next restaurant that opens there. read more

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Rob K.

2

16

15

10 years ago

Pricey for the area, but that can be a good thing. The food and service was nice. I sat at the bar and the other guests were talkative and inviting. Which tells me that they were comfortable too. My meal with 2 beers and pasta was about $29. I gave a customary 20 plus percent tip. read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Elyse G.

150

56

26

6 years ago

We've ordered from here twice now and both times were exceptional. Everything is so tasty including their homemade dressing for their salads. read more

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Stephanie P.

Elite 23

4

61

15

6 years ago

Delicious Italian food, warm & welcoming atmosphere, socially-distanced seating - Mia Madre is our official go-to for date night! The hot pepper loaf is not to be missed. Fettuccine Alfredo is a generous portion full of flavor. All the Romano dishes are great. Chicken Parmigiana is excellent. read more

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Al O.

0

9

0

4 years ago

Love the food and the atmosphere!! Great local Italian restaurant. We have had several larger gathering here and they always handle it well

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Kristin B.

0

2

0

4 years ago

Beautiful and quaint restaurant. The Chicken Romano was absolutely delicious as was the pasta with shrimp. Portions are large so it made two meals for us. The staff working there were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Great place for a night out. read more

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Dana C.

0

11

0

6 years ago

While everyone is home and cooking a lot more during these uncertain times, it is great to treat yourself and/or your family with a wonderful, authentic, affordable Italian restaurant in the North Boroughs. We have always loved Mia Madre's delicious food (best homemade cannoli and Chicken Piccata in the 'burgh!), but it's the owners -- the Nicholas Family -- and their warmth, kindness and humor that keeps us coming in. They always offer family specials, and now they take credit cards (order directly through them or through Grub Hub). Please continue to support this fantastic local business -- Mia Madre is the best! read more

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Marilyn Y.

0

18

0

6 years ago

We recently celebrated my husband's birthday with family at Mia Madre. It definitely is a 5 star restaurant. Al, Shari and staff (mostly family) were great. We started with a Pittsburgh staple - fried zucchini which was great. Our dinners varied from Baked Cod to Veal Marsala; each entree was excellent and plentiful. For dessert you have to try to Cannoli! The highlight of the evening was when Al sang "Happy birthday" to my husband....he has an awesome voice. I highly recommend Mia Madre- excellent food, excellent service in a warm inviting atmosphere! read more

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Aaron S.

2

217

453

4 years ago

Wonderful meal!! One of the best italian meals I've had!! Service is also 10/10. Strongly recommend!!

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Sue E.

Elite 18

68

59

20

9 years ago

Nice neighborhood Italian spot to check out. We dined there on a Thursday and they had a wine special with dinner. A good place to satisfy those cravings for the classic southern Italian dishes. Owners and staff are full of personality. The owner also sang an Italian happy birthday song while we were there which was impressive and entertaining! read more

Mia Madre Trattoria - Manicotti - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mia Madre Trattoria - Mediterranean pasta with sausage - Italian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Roxanne L.

2

17

14

9 years ago

Truly authentic Italian food that is always delicious!! The atmosphere is cute and cozy and it's BYOB, which I love!! The owners, Alex and Shari, really do a great job of making you feel like family while you are there. The greens and beans are an excellent choice for an appetizer. The pizza is fabulous also - we often will order that as an appetizer as well. The pastas are amazing and the portions are large, so you will most likely have leftovers. Pictured below is spaghetti with a mix of marinara and alfredo with meatballs - simple, but one of my favorites!! Also try the cod with white beans - very authentic. We like to go with a big group, order a bunch of food and just share everything. read more

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Tareq R.

1

2

0

4 years ago

Very good food and very friendly service , very relaxing and beautiful decorations and it's more of a family place , it's great , you should try it out too read more

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Susan C.

0

21

9

5 years ago

Very disappointed, slow service. Everything ala crate. Shrimp overcooked, squid undercooked and tough. Will not go back

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More info about Mia Madre Trattoria

See outside
649 California Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Directions
(412) 766-6662
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.miamadretrattoria.com/

Full menu

Hours

What time does Mia Madre Trattoria open?

Mia Madre Trattoria opens at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Mia Madre Trattoria close?

Mia Madre Trattoria is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday.Mia Madre Trattoria closes at 8:00 PM on Wednesday and Thursday.Mia Madre Trattoria closes at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Tue, Sun ClosedWed-Thu 4:00 PM - 8:00 PMFri-Sat 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Mia Madre Trattoria take Bitcoin?

No, Mia Madre Trattoria does not take Bitcoin.

Does Mia Madre Trattoria take credit cards?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Mia Madre Trattoria have a happy hour?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria has a happy hour.

Does Mia Madre Trattoria serve alcohol?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Mia Madre Trattoria allow dogs?

No, Mia Madre Trattoria does not allow dogs.

Does Mia Madre Trattoria have TVs?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Mia Madre Trattoria have bike parking?

No, Mia Madre Trattoria does not have bike parking.

Does Mia Madre Trattoria have outdoor seating?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria has outdoor seating options.

Does Mia Madre Trattoria have parking?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Mia Madre Trattoria wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Mia Madre Trattoria is wheelchair accessible.

Does Mia Madre Trattoria have free WiFi?

No, Mia Madre Trattoria does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

A Unique Family Italian Trattoria located in Pittsburgh (Avalon), PA. We offer Fine Italian Dining at Casual Prices

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I loveeeee DiAnoia's. I come here a lot for dinner. I've never tried their lunch menu and finally…read moregot to go! We started with the whipped ricotta and potatoes and both of those never miss. We also shared the house salad. Both sandwiches we had were delicious. Everything was so fresh and light. The sandwiches are HUGE, real bang for your buck! DiAnoia's is a Strip District staple and I never leave hungry or disappointed!

For some reason, I had a feeling that something was amiss regarding this dining experience. I made…read morethe reservation on RESY and we were set. We got to the restaurant, approached the podium, I expressed the reservation and was told that they did not have one for me. We were asked to sit in the penalty box until they were able to find a table. We were fortunate and were seated. Our server was great. Very personable, helpful with the menu, made recommendations, etc. We ordered cocktails, which were very good. We then placed our order for dinner. My spouse had the beans and greens which were found to be quite good. I had the house salad which was also very good. For an entree, Bo ordered CACIO E PEPE and I ordered, BUCATINI all'AMATRICIANA. This is where we started to descend into food limbo. The cacio e pepe was flavorless with as little pepper as possible. So few, in fact that you could accurately count them. The pasta was overcooked and mushy. My entree was another disappointment. In the description, it states: "Bucatini Pasta, Guanciale, San Marzano Tomatoes, Pecorino Romano" Now, can any of you, off the top of your heads, tell me what Guanciale is? Guanciale just happens to be, an Italian cured meat made from pork jowl or cheek. Its name comes from guancia, the Italian word for cheek. It is rubbed with salt, black pepper, and spices, then aged for several weeks, creating a rich meat with a high fat content that is prized for flavoring classic pasta sauces. In my entree they were small cubes, meat-like, and one side of each cube was burnt to a crips, solid black and real crunchy. It gave the whole dish a burnt taste. Not the best. For dessert, Bo ordered the Banana Sundae Cheesecake. I bet you thought it tasted like bananas. Nope. It tasted like cheesecake. I passed on dessert. My choice was determined by the quality of my entry. Atmosphere. There are some restaurants, these days, where you have to raise your voice to talk to one another. Here we had to literally scream but still not be able to hear one another. It's all too common now to forego a suspended tile ceiling and carpet on the floor, which absorbs the sound. This was absolutely the loudest dining establishment I was ever in. Looking around, it seemed that most people have bought into the notion that this is as good as it gets when it comes to dining ambiance. Look, I'm old school and this just didn't cut it for us. There certainly are a lot who love the restaurant and grade it accordingly. I'm just not one of them. Bon appetit!

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Girasole Restaurant

3.9(759 reviews)

7.8 mi•Shadyside

So this location was only about a 10 minute walk from our hotel and we are so glad that we checked…read moreit out. It is a very cozy Italian restaurant that's serving homemade Italian food like your Nonna would make for you. We showed up on a Tuesday night and it was packed. It was around six or 6:30 in the evening and when we first got there, we were told it would be about a 20 minute wait before a two top was available. But the host came back and asked if we didn't mind sitting by the kitchen they could see us right away. We chose to sit by the kitchen, which honestly was probably the best option because it was actually a little bit quieter because there was a very large party that was celebrating a birthday and they had live music going on so it was hard to hear when you were in the main dining space but back by the kitchen it's a little bit quieter and we could actually hear ourselves talk. My husband got the penne with meatballs and the penny was nicely cooked with a beautiful tomato Bass sauce and the meatballs or some of the best Italian meatball he's ever had. His only complaint was that there were only two in the order and he wished there would've been three. I got the spinach and ricotta, stuffed ravioli, and by far one of the best raviolis I've ever had. The ravioli are large so there's only about five in a dish but they're packed fully and the flavoring and seasoning is absolutely spectacular. It's got a beautiful sauce like accompanies it and the chew you can definitely tell it is handmade pasta/ravioli. Our server, Emma was absolutely spectacular and was so kind. We truly enjoyed our experience here and would highly recommend anybody to check it out if you're in the area. But we also do recommend make your reservations ahead of time. This place gets packed quickly.

Very, very good Italian spot near Walnut Street, very close by all the top shops. The ambiance is…read morevery nice, both inside and outside. Pretty tight space though. The waitresses are friendly and have great recommendations. I got to try their linguine rustica (essentially the clam pasta dish), a cappuccino, some cherry soda, and soup of the day, as well as complimentary bread. They got that bread out very quickly! Very soft, and served with quite high quality olive oil. The bottle has both olive oil and balsamic! The soup of the day was quite good as well. It was some sort of beef broth, I think may a beef and bean soup. Chickpeas in there as well. Next time, I might try the salad. The salad they have as a side is so good, an amazing portion and seems so fresh and tasty. The mains were excellent. Very good pasta with clam sauce. Lots of clam meat and a flavorful oil based sauce. My friend had some red penne with chicken and enjoyed that as well. Great portions, pretty fair prices. Finally, great drinks as well. Very memorable cherry cola that I believe the company is owned by the owner's son. Real cane sugar, very good. The cappuccino was great as well. Definitely come here!

Penne with sausage

Beef Tenderloin over Risotto & Spinach

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(Mediocre) spinach and ricotta

Saint Ravioli

5.0(6 reviews)

6.7 mi•Bloomfield

Every year my girlfriend and I find a cooking or baking class that is local in Pittsburgh to do…read moretogether. This year we decided to down our robes and become disciples of Saint Ravioli. Getting a spot in a class is very hard since they are limited to 6-8 people, but if you get the chance I absolutely recommend it. The classes are 2 hours long each and are extremely intimate. Bryan and Justin will meet you at the door and will introduce you to their workshop. There is a spread of antipasto to snack on which was curated very well. Each person gets to make 4 (four!!) dozen raviolis each. The class is extremely informative and fun. I personally haven't ordered any of their ravioli drops before, but from eating the batch I personally made, I know I will in the future. Highly recommend ordering their raviolis online or taking the class if it's available.

Although it takes some planning to order ahead, then pickup your order, the Ravioli is amazing…read more When you pick up your order, it's frozen. To prepare it, simply drop into boiling water, then after it floats to the top, wait a few minutes. I also ordered the Marinara sauce which was delicious. The owner friendly and helpful. He noticed that this was my first order, so he took some time to explain a few things and answer questions. Parking is on the street, and I had no problems finding a spot. It's a fun experience and I will definitely do it again.

Wedding soup ravioli

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Garbarinos

4.5(207 reviews)

7.9 mi•East Liberty

We visited Garbarinos as part of restaurant week ... and glad we did!…read more Our meal started with an appetizer (beans and greens) then pasta and finished up with a cannoli! Street parking (free after six) but make sure to make a reservation.. this place gets BUSY! The Brussels - to die for! The beans and greens have sauce in them too - also very good! Both appeared to be full size apps too! I was stuffed when my pasta came but it was so good! The cannoli was def a 'I will take that to go' item. Def a must got back kinda place!

I had high expectations for this place given the other reviews, but it unfortunately just didn't…read morequite live up to them. No issues with service and the appetizers were fine (Brussels were fantastic, others were decent). But for my main course I ordered the special, which was gnocchi. The portion was generous which was great, but the gnocchi just wasn't cooked right. Each bite would stick inside my mouth and I had a tough time scraping the dough residue out of the inside of my mouth at times. I've ordered gnocchi many times and never once had this experience at a restaurant. I DID have a similar experience when I tried making it at home, hence why I like to instead order it out and expect it to be cooked correctly. The "house made marinara" was okay, but a little bland and watery so it wasn't enough to save the dish for me. Perhaps it was just an off night or off dish, so given the other high ratings I wouldn't necessarily write this place off, but I was certainly expecting more for a place like this. Maybe skip the gnocchi if you go here.

Bar area

Cannoli

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Inside

Lucca Ristorante

3.1(314 reviews)

7.3 mi•Oakland

The food here is really good! I have just two of the dishes shown here. The frutti di mare was…read moreabsolutely amazing. I love the different seafoods mixed in with the vodka sauce...just so good! The restaurant is a bit small, at least in the area we got sat. I did ask to move because of how narrow the walkway was between our table and another party plus the chair behind me was directly up against my head so if somebody sat right behind us it would have been awkward. The only other thing I've noticed was that they were very slow to greet us and get our order...took around 15 minutes for that. No other complaints besides that! I'm only given it 4 stars just because of the slow service and the seating arrangement being very awkward but they were nice to accommodate and move us somewhere else!

My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary and loved it. Amber took great care of us! They…read morehave a varied wine selection at different price points. The caprese pasta was delicious and my boyfriend liked his chicken Alfredo too. We sat outside on their patio and it was comfortable despite a windy day.

Shrimp, scallop, tartare and beef

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Piada Italian Street Food

3.9(378 reviews)

7.1 mi•Oakland

Food was great the service was wonderful, good atmosphere, April Alex was our server she was great…read moreI will definitely go back.

First off. Thank you April for taking good care of us - you were awesome!…read more My sis and I stopped in tonight .. it's been a minute since we have been to Piada and we both were very happy with our experience tonight Two grilled avocado Piada .. a pepperoni stick and those spinach artichoke pockets you have here ( not at our Piada - closer to home) was really delicious! Def going to come back and thankful for the entire staff here ... they work hard at this location! Ohh and keep it very clean too!

Nice, elegant, simple dining room

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Piccolo Forno

4.1(681 reviews)

5.9 mi•Lawrenceville

The pizza at Piccolo Forno is consistently excellent, with thin, perfectly cooked crusts and…read morecreative topping combinations. The Fichi & Formaggi, Mortadella & Pistachio, and Calabrese are among my favorites. On my most recent visit, I also tried the burrata appetizer for takeout. The peppery arugula and sweet peaches worked beautifully with the creamy burrata and made for a great combination. Pickup was a breeze. A friendly staff member greeted me and quickly pointed out my order among the others on the takeout table. The restaurant itself was packed, and for good reason. I've been coming to Piccolo Forno for years, and everything I've ordered has delivered. It remains one of my go-to spots for excellent pizza in Pittsburgh.

I liked this place! Not all of the dishes and not the attitude of the server at times. I just…read moredidn't like that the server kept reminding us of a time placed on each table before it needed to turnover. I thought that was very rude and off putting. Parking is difficult in this area, so keep that in mind when reserving. However, I had a great time fellowshipping with friends. The place was lovely with laughter and what I ordered, I liked. For appetizers we ordered the peach bruschetta (special), the pistachio and pesto pizza without the pork, and the insalata salad. My favorite was the brussel sprouts and carrotts app. We also ordered the lasagna which was different. It had cinnamon and nutmeg. I was expecting classic lasagna. The seafood spaghetti also was not what I expected. The spice was nice, but I didn't like the texture of the pasta and the seafood was very fishy. The pesto pasta was good but needed salt. For dessert the boomba was the best! Tiramisu was mid. Again, cinnamon and a fresh flavor that didn't provide the traditional flavors I anticipated. The wine from the package store near by can be ordered and brought to your table. Paid for separately and via an app.

Inside

Seasonal Peach Bruschetta

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Tiramisu

Alla Famiglia

4.3(552 reviews)

6.7 mi•Allentown

•$$$$

This is our second time visiting this restaurant and we loved it just as much…read more We started our meal with the smoked provolone. It was very over the top and indulgent. I went with the casa salad, it had so many toppings including a lot of blue cheese. I feel it would have been enough for my meal. For my pasta, we did the cacio e Pepe, which what they are famous for. They don't do it table side for GF pasta since it would be cross contaminated. For our main my husband and I shared the margarita veal medallions and the sea bass. Both were very good and large servings. For dessert, they gave us a complimentary champagne glasses and a little dessert. We also got the crème brûlée. It had cherries on top and a chocolate ganache at the bottom. Once again, very indulgent. I had a lemon drop martini that was very good during my meal and a glass of wine. They have a very good wine list but not very affordable. Overall, it's a great place for special occasions. They have very good waitstaff and it makes the experience even better.

Outstanding service always! Caitlin & Hunter were super attentive and friendly…read more The veal Milanese never disappoints! Also ordered the walleye special- delish!! Took home the strawberry rhubarb cheesecake for later!

Upstairs Bar and Dining Area

Chicken alla limon

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Exterior of restaurant

Alta Via Market Square

4.3(178 reviews)

5.4 mi•Downtown

•$$$

I wanted to treat myself today and decided to visit Alta Via. I sat at the bar, Brook was a…read morewonderful bartender. She gave me the best recommendations for both food and wine. I was then visited by a manger named Marc during my time there. He gave me a good dessert drink recommendation, cherry chocolate martini. It was delicious. This is not my first visit at Alta Via, but I am never disappointed when I go to this location. I absolutely will return for another visit.

I've been here several times, and it never disappoints! The fresh ingredients, flavorful dishes,…read moreand careful preparation make every visit a great experience. The food is consistently delicious and clearly made with quality in mind. Located in Market Square, it's a great spot with a wonderful atmosphere and both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff are always welcoming, friendly, and attentive. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a nice place to enjoy dinner in the heart of Pittsburgh, this Italian restaurant is definitely worth a visit!

Inside

Bread

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Chocolate Budino

Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar

4.2(370 reviews)

8.0 mi•Greenfield

Big Jim's is a Pittsburgh institution. It's been 20 years or so since my last visit to Big Jim's…read more My family was headed towards town around dinner time and decided to take advantage of the opportunity and stop by. We arrived around 4:30 on a Friday. We were able to get a parking spot around the back. We were quickly seated and beat the dinner rush by a few minutes. First off, our waitress couldn't have been sweeter. Super friendly and attentive. Very kind, especially to my youngest son. My wife had a small fish sandwich, my oldest son had the baked ziti, my youngest son had chicken parm, and I had gnocchi with meat sauce. Portions were large and tasty. Three of us had cups of wedding soup. Everyone was stuffed and enjoyed their meal. I would highly recommend and will not have a 20 year gap in visits to Big Jim's (in the run).

A friend told us how good Big Jim's was and we are so glad we decided to go try it…read more We were warmly greeted when we entered. The waitress was also very nice and accommodating the entire time. A man was also very helpful and brought us things we may need. I really enjoyed the super meaty and delicious meatballs on my meatball hoagie. The Marinara was really good. My husband's Italian and absolutely loved the veal cutlet sandwich. It was huge, crunchy and tasty. It made him nostalgic for the veal cutlets his grandmother used to make. The Fresh-cut Fries were good but weren't seasoned well enough. I also wish they were crunchier. We saw a man order the Stromboli and it was ginormous but looked delicious. He was a big guy and only ate about 25% of it. Got my mom a corned beef sandwich and she said it one of the best she had ever had. We're Irish and she loves them. There are lots of great things on the menu and will be back to try other things.