Amazing restaurant. I was a little hesitant when I looked online at the menu. There is nothing very "normal" about it; it is creative and fabulous! And it's a little costly, but with everything that you get in addition to what you order, it's actually reasonable. I ordered the sea scallop small plate and it was anything but small! It was more than I could eat on my own so I shared scallops with my dining partners. But first our waiter brought an incredible chilled soup course, then a puff pastry appetizer, and a housemaid rye rolls and focaccia. And then there was the palate cleanser and afterward, truffles for dessert. Oh, and I forgot about the cocktails... Creative and delicious. I can't drink anything too spicy and the bartender crafted my drink perfectly. Do yourself a favor and try this restaurant. I can guarantee you you will go back again and again. I know that I am! read more

The food was amazing - we sampled a salad, and several small plates all of which surpassed all expectations! The octopus was incredible and the mushroom small plate wonderful. Because our food was so terrific, we decided we needed to further treat ourselves with the dessert trio. My husband is a carrot cake lover and the carrot cake with saffron and ginger ice cream was a step above any other carrot cake. On top of the wonderful food the service was exceptional- our server offered insight and suggestions which were much appreciated. She helped to make our evening out a happy event! We can't wait to come back in the summer when the garden is in full bloom. read more

My experience is limited to happy hour at the bar.... which was lovely! The bar tender was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. The Happy Hour specials are from 5 - 7pm and include $2 off wine and beer and they have a happy hour bar menu that includes reasonably priced options. I went for the pork tacos and a glass of Cab. We had a question about one of the kinds of wine and were offered a nice sized sample so we knew what we were ordering. The tacos were very good! The pork was cooked well and the toppings were tasty. It did have jalapenos to add spice, but oddly, I must not have had any seeds in mine because the taco didn't really have spice to it (which I love). The atmosphere is completely redone (the space used to be Quiet Storm, and it just feels like a whole new space now). Very modern, and on a Tuesday night it was quiet and had plenty of seats open. I've heard the weekend is very different... hard to get a space at the bar and tables are packed. read more

DELICIOUS! Small plates. Perfect wine. We couldn't get a table reservation so we sat at the bar. Wes was the bartender and our server. He was great. We enjoyed the bread & spreads, corvina, ceviche, veal- pork - beef meatballs and the sweet breads. Perfect! read more

People...get your booties here asap! What a way to spend my first night in Pittsburgh. The restaurant has ample table seating, but on a Friday they were booked so we got a reservation on the bar. Service was great. Our waiter painted the prettiest picture of every item on the menu it was hard to make a decision. The chef even came out to see how we were enjoying everything. Top notch! Starter: Scallops with some ravioli. So good! Is it acceptable to lick ones plate in public??? No?!? Ok I didn't, but thought about it. Main Course: Smoked Brisket Ravioli. I thought I wasn't a fan of brisket. Well Spork changed that. This entree is a home run and you won't be disappointed. Dessert: I can't remember the name, but it had peaches and ice cream. Ummm I def are it all, bc it was delicious! Thanks Spork for a great meal!!! read more

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Amazing local spot outside of Eastern Liberty. An adventurous food menu with great side dishes. The chef gave us a sneak peak of other items off the menu such as the home made bread which was SO delicious. The staff from hostess to server were really great! They were all so welcoming and kind. We can't wait to come back. Thank you for accommodating our big group!! read more

Great little BBQ situation outside in open areas next to Spork. Lots of tables, umbrellas and space. Had the Ribs, buddy had the Brisket. Side of mac and greens. Greens are , give'em a splash of vinegar. Mac was okay. Ribs were moist, tender with a hint of smoke. I prefer more dry rub/seasoning. There's two cuts of brisket, my not-so-bright 'buddy' got the "lean" brisket...who does that!!?? Get fatty cut, lean was dry, as it has to be. They are open Wednesday and Saturday. And will be open 6 days a week in threee months, down the street near Penn dairy, or something. read more

Spork - Ribs mac greens (free bread) brisket - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Had dinner here with my boyfriend and had such a wonderful experience! We loved our meal and overall experience and definitely plan to return next time I am in town. Our server and the staff altogether were so attentive and made it a memorable time. read more

Came here for happy hour recently and it was not too crowded at all. I had never been before and the restaurant is very cozy. They have a nice happy hour menu consisting of a page of vegetarian and non vegetarian options. We shared one of the pizzas and the wings. The pizza were a nice sized portion and the wings were crisp and smokey! The prices were very good as well. Overall, would definitely come back for dinner! read more

Spork - Wings & pizza - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The quality of the food here is outstanding. I had the duck breast and it was well cooked and all the pieces of the best complemented each other perfectly. My husband had the taglietelle Bolognese and it was also delicious. We went with a group of 8 and our server was very nice. Unfortunately, it took an hour to get our meals. Also, the menu isn't labeled and some dishes were bigger than others, but there was no way of knowing how much food you were getting until it arrived. This led to a friend ordering the scallops as a meal, only to receive 2 scallops and half a dozen tiny ravioli. The pricing for the quality of food is spot on, but for the quantity of food, it is too high. The decor is very nice and it's a quiet enough to have conversations. I'm glad I have been here and tried their food since I've been wanting to come for awhile now, but I don't think it is a place I will going back to. read more

Wonderful service and amazing food! It's such a perfect place for special occasions.. I loves how they bring chef's specials in between your meals and they all were such a treat to the taste buds! Its a little on the expensive side but we thought it was worth the money. The service was impeccable, our server was so friendly and professional at the same time. Absolutely enjoyed our evening there with friends and would love to go back! read more

Perfect place with exceptional service! The food is amazing and the ingredients are all fresh. The drinks are amazing. I will be back soon. read more

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I can't explain the experience we had at Spork last night celebrating our anniversary! Top notch service and top notch food and presentation. This is a meal and perfectly crafted cocktails (get the gin based Monkey cocktail) that we will be talking about for quite awhile! Our highlights were the grilled octopus, the dry aged duck, the wagyu spinalis and lobster corn dog and all the amuse bouche's along the way. The head chef came over multiple times and I just wanted to jump out of my seat to hug him, but #covid. Thank you again for making our night so special and two foodie's dream! read more

This was not just a dinner it was an experience. The thoughtful small bites really kept you looking forward to the next explosion of flavor. Everything was unbelievably fresh. read more

We really enjoyed eating here with some new friends. The wait staff was good, so was the sommelier and the chef came by twice to check in. Standout was the halibut. My tagliatelle was also excellent. We will be back read more

Pretty special. Get a starter and settle in, the food takes a bit but they'll bring you little bites while you wait. We had the crispy octopus, the lamb shank, and the wagyu eye and all of it was top notch. Service was great. The staff works well together and backs each other up. read more

My wife and I came here on a Friday night. We sat at the chef's table, which was fun. We ordered 4 small plates and shared them: ceviche, quail, meatballs and green pasta with scallops. All but the meatballs were a fairly small serving size. The meatballs, on the other hand, came with a big plate of 5. Every dish we ordered was delicious and tasty. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. I would go back. read more

Great spot! Menu is absolutely incredible! Had such a difficult time making decisions so we tried nearly everything, and nothing disappointed. Cocktails we had were a bit too strong (can't believe I'm saying that), but aside from that it was a perfect experience. Will be coming back again very soon to try more. read more

Spork - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Ridiculous. This place is sooooo good. I've tried oodles of their amazing tapas with a group of friends one night. We were all so impressed...and stuffed. Everything was so good that we left nothing to waste. Check out the wine list. It is well selected and will not disappoint. The new bartender is pretty hot as a plus. Service was very good, not excellent. Save room for the vanilla ice cream. I know- it sounds lame but it is THE most amazing sweet buttery creamy happiness ever. read more

I do not give out 5 stars lightly--3 is 'a-ok' for me. This really is one of the best experiences in Pittsburgh I've had in some time. Found Spork as an accident. It's located in the old 'Quiet Storm' space but has been completely renovated--interior is elegant and has a NY feel to it. The chef, Christian Frangiadis, and backed by David Tepper (just read that on-line when I was looking up info) just returned from Pittsburgh after spending several years working out of town. Service was excellent--off the charts when you consider this place has only been open two days (typically lots of kinks to work out). Small plates with an Italian influence. Everything from the pastas to the the curing of the meats are done in house. Had the cookie plate for dessert--everything was fantastic. Pittsburgh really is becoming a food hub. We're so lucky to be here now! read more

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I don't dish out 5 star reviews often but I give Spork a 5 across the board for multiple reasons. Let's just start with the ambiance...the setup of this restaurant is adorable. It's a very small place with mostly 2 person tables, a few tables for larger parties in the center, a bar to your left, and a bar overlooking the kitchen. We were told when we entered they only had seating at the kitchen and the bar left. We chose the kitchen and I honestly think it may have been one of the best seats in the house. We were able to watch them cook right in front of us which was very cool. Another big thing I was impressed with was all of the staff. You could see how focused and organized the kitchen staff was at all time. Turning over beautifully prepared plates very quickly. They checked in with us a few times to ask how our dishes were. The waitress was very helpful to explain anything and offer suggestions. Which is always nice when you don't always know how many plates to order at each tapas style restaurant. Upon leaving the restaurant the staff behind the bar was very friendly and wished us a good night which you don't see often. It's the little things that go a long way! Saving the best part for last, the food. My friend and I ordered a total of 6 plates for our meal. We started with the breads and spreads and the arancini to share. The bread came out very warm and was served with a orange butter, sea salt butter, olive oil, and white bean spread. Pretty hard to mess up bread but I think the spreads were very interesting and unique. The only complaint about the arancini is that it's very small and hard to share just 1 little ball. Main courses we got the following: pasta rag, scallops, mussels, and chestnut gnocchi. I was very impressed with my scallops which were paired with butternut squash Raviolis in a pesto sauce. The scallops were seasoned absolutely perfectly! The gnocchi was also delightful. It was my first time having gnocchi so I don't have anything to compare it to unfortunately. Overall I think Spork perfected everything. I really hope they keep up the good work and continue to do well. If you haven't been there yet, get there ASAP! read more

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I love love love the light fixtures in this place! Seriously, Spork has a great ambiance for a date night. It's cozy, but not too dark, and you still have enough room to fill your table with delicious small plates to share. Our server was very friendly and offered some great recommendations. We ordered family style, getting two things per person, which was a bit too much for our six girl group - I would get 1.5 things per person if I came back with the same group of girls who don't eat a lot. The bread was deliciously chewy in both the bread and spreads, as well as the smoked trout toasts, which was like a whitefish salad. The pork cheeks with delicious crunchy polenta were fabulous, as were the lamb meatballs, and scallops. Unfortunately, they were out of the octopus pasta, but we tried the smoked brisket ravioli which I thought was a little too plain. We also tried the straw and something pasta with peas - that was delicious. The smoked salmon pasta came out a little on the underdone side but we were too full to really complain at that point. The flavors were very good nonetheless and it probably would have been my favorite if the pasta were a little less raw on the inside. The only thing that I wouldn't get again were the fries. They were large cut wedges with aioli and sriracha mayo dipping sauces, but they were a little boring compared to the rest of the food. Overall, we had a fabulous dinner and service was excellent as well. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed my evening at Spork. The ambience is trendy and cool, while the food is inventive and interesting. Throughout your experience the kitchen sends out different bites of food which were fun and tasty. Standout dishes include the crispy octopus, lamb shank, pastrami amuse bouche, and the koji rye fried chicken. The cocktails were delicious and the waitstaff was incredibly attentive. I can't wait to come back. read more

Amazing charcuterie, cocktails and small plates! Charcuterie: "Small board" and it was a good amount to share between two people. The in-house cured cayenne salami was our favorite, and you can't get it anywhere else. Small plates: The tapas size of the linguine was amazing, and super filling. The pasta was also made in-house. read more

Our first time here and everything was fantastic. We started with the Pork Cheeks which practically melted in your mouth and was served with a delicious tempura polenta. Also we had the crab souffle which was fluffy and rich and served with a butter sauce on the side. For my entree, I had the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which came with a thick meaty sauce and a large meatball. My wife had the Buffalo Tenderloin which was cooked to perfection and served with duck fat potatoes which she particularly enjoyed. Highly recommended and we will be back again! read more

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My husband and I checked out Spork for an early dinner last week. We had been fans of the Quiet Storm when it was in the same location and were quite impressed with the redesign! The hostess and servers were all super-friendly, and our drinks and food were delivered promptly. The waitress was also very knowledgeable about the menu and made sure we understood the tapas-sized portions. We shared two meatball dishes, lamb with a cucumber yogurt sauce, and a more traditional veal/pork/beef meatball in a red sauce. Both variations delivered in flavor, while the lamb was the spicier of the two and the veal/pork/beef was more rich in flavor. Both held up on their own without sauce, which I think is key when it comes to meat! We also shared the ceviche, which was fine, but my skirt wasn't blown up. I think my husband said it best, "I've had better ceviche at a lesser price." There you go! Lastly we had the chestnut gnocchi, which DID blow up my skirt. The sauce had this welcoming smokiness to it that complimented the prosciutto component of the dish, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. However, this dish would have been a bit too heavy on a warmer day. But, fall/winter I could eat a portion and a half. We weren't all that impressed with the cocktail menu. I ended up with a simple vodka/tonic and it tastes like they make their own tonic, which is a nice touch. And even though the waitress was upfront about the portions of each dish I expected more than 3 meatballs per order, at least an even number. Overall, we would definitely go back, their brunch sounds interesting. My only real "negative" note is that the food/plating/potion seems a bit too precious, i.e. too light/delicate of a hand. Full disclosure that's my meat and potato background rearing it's head. read more

Spork - Gnocchi yum! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cute place with welcoming staff. Faith at the bar was super awesome. Gave this place a 4 because the non pork options felt limited. I ordered the Monday Lasagna special which included a delicious salad filled with yummy texture and taste. The lasagne portion was much smaller than I anticipated but delicious. Special included a glass of cheap red wine that I gave to my coworker. I'd def give them another try just for the dessert selection. The cookie table is calling my name. read more

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Spork was fantastic. The food and drinks were delicious and the wait staff was extremely nice. read more

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We had a wonderful meal. Parking is right across the street and we were seated right away. Service was excellent and unobtrusive. We loved the "amuse-bouches" that we were served while we looked over the menus We got 3 small plates and the dessert, and all were great. We will be back soon! read more

I had high expectations for this restaurant given what I had heard from friends, but left extraordinarily disappointed. The food was average to good, but nothing that would justify the stratospheric prices. I had the sea bass with risotto, which was ok, but absolutely not worth the $54 price tag. I had a better fish a few days earlier at Pasha in shady side for half the price. Part of the "value" Spork purports to have is they provide mini dishes for "free" as palate cleansers. None of them were great, frankly. I also was put off by the fact that when I asked for mashed potatoes, which were a side dish for another item on the menu, I was told "no". When I asked why, I was told that "we pay the chef to know which dishes go together, and we allow no substitutions". Even after I offered to pay extra for the mashed potatoes, I was told no. Well, I can guarantee that there will be a substitution at Spork in the future, which will be that forever I will substitute them for finer eateries offering greater value, better ambience and service in the city. Spork can't hold a candle to Soba, Kaya, Alta Via, eleven and casbah, all great restaurants part of the big burrito group. All in all, I found spork to be overpriced, average in food quality and haughty to the point of arrogance in attitude. I for one will not return and will give my business to better deserving eateries. read more

I was excited to bring family when they visited town to try this place. Due to allergies and other health issues, my mom is on a very limited diet and it has never been a problem in restaurants - she just asks for plain and simple things. The waitress Nina was initially accommodating, which we really appreciated and told her so. When my moms meal came it had a red powder all over it. After explaining again that she was on a very limited diet and couldn't eat anything beyond the simple elements she and the chef had agreed on, Nina proceeded to display the rudest attitude any of us had ever encountered by a server. It was completely baffling. She then called over the chef and he was also rude, though the whole time we were very polite and apologetic for causing an inconvenience. He actually said, "what, so you just want me to make you another one?" Their attitude completely ruined our experience. At the end, my mom (in the spirit of being honest in person and not resorting to hiding behind online reviews) told Nina, "I really appreciate you being accommodating about the meal, I do just want to say that the attitude that came with it ruined the experience for us a little bit." Nina smirked and said, "wonderful" in an extremely sarcastic tone and stalked off. We were completely floored. Based on the defensive and disrespectful tone in which their online account has responded to other negative reviews, we shouldn't have been surprised. I wish I could say the food made up for the abysmal service, but unfortunately it was very subpar. To end on a positive note, the hostess was nice. read more

Excellent business. The food is a little pricey but it's worth it. Go on an empty stomach!

We came to Spork to celebrate my partner's birthday, and it was hands down the best dining experience I've ever had. The food, drinks, and service were all outstanding. Our server Taylor was so sweet, energetic, and attentive. The countless "surprises" aka amuse-bouches were absolutely delicious, and a great way for the chefs to show their creativity and skill. I had the dry aged duck for my entrée, and again, one of the best dishes I've had in my life. Everything about Spork and our experience was mind-blowing and simply perfect. We will absolutely be back! read more

I am so excited I got the chance to visit Spork this past Friday for dinner! Despite being off the beaten path of the usual busy spots of town, it was worth the trip down the road for a great meal and experience. We had a reservation for 7:30 and were seated at a high top in the corner. The restaurant itself is dark and romantic - very chic. Loved the mood of it inside. It was busy and I am pretty sure almost every other table was full. Our server was very nice, but didn't engage much with us. Some people may like not being bothered with conversation, but I wouldn't have minded a little more chit chat with him while we were there. We started with a bottle of the Cabernet and the balsamic goat cheese eggplant appetizer. It came with piping hot, crispy pieces of toast and was so so good. For my meal, I had the scallops and squash ravioli off of the small plates menu and my date had the sweet potato gnocchi that came with shrimp in a pesto cream sauce. It didn't appear that they had a Lenten menu and I don't believe we were made aware of any specials, but the normal menu had enough of a fish option to be in the clear. (Though the smoked brisket rav and rack of lamb sounded YUM). Presentation was pretty and picture-worthy and the flavor was even better. Definitely a great spot for a date night, but would've been fun for drinks and small plates/apps at the bar as well. No complaints at all about our visit and would love to come back! read more

This was a great experience, ambiance is calm and they play light music from all over the world. I went for dinner with a few of my girlfriends. Servers are professional and knowledgeable. The menu was limited but the options are quite detailed. I got the octopus which I didn't care for but it was new for me . We were told the menus changes frequently. The arugula salad was divine. Would definitely go again. read more

I've been here a handful of times since I reviewed and it's really become one of my faves. The flavors are always so thoughtfully put together and the chef seems like a really great person and always so humble and appreciative of compliments about the menu. There are items featured on the menu that in any other setting I would claim to dislike, however, this is a chef I trust. I've tried so many different tastes and flavors and I haven't disliked any. I have some I prefer and some I won't go back to but none that I've hated. I always find the flavors to be unpredictable and I guess I think of these guys as artistic with food. Service is always attentive and friendly. You don't get the vibe that they feel like you should be grateful for their service like some of the other hot spots around town. They just want to make sure you enjoy your time with them. I love it. read more

I really don't get why anyone comes here. I don't get why I've come here multiple times beyond the fact it's walkable from my house. The menu is the generic "new-American" you'll find all around the city and most of the mid-west. The food is actually pretty consistent, but nothing special. It would have been something special a decade ago, but the whole scene in the city has gotten a lot better in that time and this place wouldn't exist in any other city. The worst part is the service. I just can't wrap my head around how bad the service has been. I've given them multiple chances, but every time I've been here the staff acts like they are doing you a favor by doing the bare minimum job. Furthermore, they are times that I'm waiting and I realize there are four employees out around the side smoking. Even when you're walking up you just see a bunch of staff sitting on crates smoking on the sidewalk. In general, cigarettes are gross and unappetizing. They could easily smoke in their garden so you don't have to see them as you go in. Or they could be inside working so you aren't waiting for service for no reason. read more

Great food. Beautiful restaurant. I love sitting at the kitchen bar and watching the cooks preparing food. It'a clear this place takes their food very seriously and you will not be disappointed. The meat and cheese board will change your life. HOWEVER, I have an issue with the bartender: Both times I ate here I tried to order a drink that wasn't on the menu. Both times I did this, it was a major issue. The first time, I can't remember the details but the waiter made me feel so uncomfortable ordering off the menu that he convinced me to change my mind. The second time (same bartender too), I had my heart set on a classic Aperol Spritz. The waiter had no idea what this was and when I explained it, the bartender argued that the recipe didn't have Prosecco in it. When I pushed the issue, he gave me a splash of prosecco "as a favor". THE RECIPE IS ON THE FUCKING BOTTLE!!!! (and it's more than just a splash, thanks). This restaurant is too expensive and upscale to have a bartender this limited. Major points lost here. I am not saying he needs to know every drink but at least know the classics. Also, they have an app for that! And when you really don't know what the fuck your doing, try looking on the side of the bottle. read more

The food was really good, especially the appetizers. Love the ambiance. It is kinda similar in vibe to Spoon. Definitely worth checking out!

I really wanted to love this place but based on what we tried, the food was just average. My husband and I had the jerk chicken, lamb meatballs and for the main prime strip and squid ink pasta with octopus. We thought the best dish out of the 4 was the lamb meatballs. The steak was underseasoned and the sautéed kale, which tasted pickled, overpowered the entire dish. The squid ink pasta with octopus was on the salty side according to my husband. We expected a lot more, especially for the price point. I'd like to give this place another chance but with so many other great options in Pittsburgh, I'm not so sure if we'll be returning. read more