In case you haven’t already heard, Kevin Sousa’s Salt of the Earth won three of Pittsburgh Magazine’s special awards in its annual Best Restaurants issue. The restaurant was awarded Best New Restaurant and Delicious Design, and Sousa won Chef of the Year.
And I’m going to give you the chance to enjoy his food for free at Pittsburgh Magazine’s annual Best Restaurants Party, along with bites from dozens of other 25 Best and Reader’s Poll winners.
But first I’m going to pontificate, because I have one word to say about Sousa’s success: YAY.
I can't remember anything about this soup except how gosh-dang delicious it was.
I’ll start with two confessions. The first is that I’m just about the last person to try a new restaurant. Scheidt and I tend to go out to dinner when we’re tired; when we’re firing on all cylinders, we want to cook! We cook for friends at our place and gather at friends’ homes for communal meals. On the occasions when we do plan a dinner out, we’re apt to return to a well-known place for a favorite dish.
And this is because of my second confession, the one that is sad but true: We tend to stay on the beaten path because restaurant food is so often disappointing. When you have limited time and limited funds, there’s nothing worse than a lackluster restaurant meal wasted.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I think a fantastic restaurant meal is well worth the cost. After all, you’re getting the food itself, usually prepared in ways that you wouldn’t (or couldn’t) do at home. You’re getting attentive service by someone who knows what they are talking about. You get to share a table in a unique environment that shakes up your daily routine in the most welcome way. And you don’t have to do dishes.
Definitely frisee. Pistachio? Maybe. Beets that I actually liked. Miracle.
The 25 Best Restaurants fit this bill. These are mostly the kinds of places where the meal is the star of the evening. You want to order a bottle of wine, stuff yourself with three or four courses to soak up said wine, and spend the whole evening laughing around your table without worrying about post-dinner plans.
That’s all great.
And also just a giant preamble to why I’m so happy for Kevin and the whole staff at Salt. They’ve created a great restaurant that is so much more than just that.
(Fangirl alert. Fair warning.)
- Eating at Salt of the Earth is not just a great meal out. It’s an adventure that includes all that other nice restaurant stuff as a bonus. This is not Sunday dinner for Grandma. Finally.
- Food doesn’t have to always be the same. Making delicious chicken parmesan is a noble pursuit – I love chicken parmesan! – but it’s hard to make it more than just delicious.
The fish that someone else ordered. House-made pickles.
- That said, there’s a difference between a perfectly delicious restaurant meal and a work of art. At Salt of the Earth, you’re getting art. The level of decision-making and personal attention that has gone into each dish is obvious.
- When you make art, you have to accept that some people just won’t like it, and Sousa does that with panache… perhaps even relish. In a world of media training and talking points, Sousa is authentic and unafraid to take a stand. His sometimes-incendiary blog of years past is gone, but the chalkboard still says it all: “No substitutions.”
- Stand taken, Sousa’s a** can cash the checks his mouth is writing. There’s a reason he put those ingredients together, promise.
- I’ve never had so many emotions inspired by food in one single meal. It starts with, “Your cocktails have what?!? in them?” and then “I don’t even know what that is,” followed by “Do I have the guts to try this?” Then there’s, “I need to man up and not order the chicken.” Fortunately, when the appetizers arrive, you switch to, “Whoa, this is gorgeous,” and then “Wow, the ___ actually goes with the ___! How is that possible?” A few courses later, you end with “I am stuffed. And impressed. And need a nap.”
- It might be New York urban food, but the prices are all Pittsburgh. Seriously. $24 for one of these entrees is a crazy steal. And for the record, I am a cheapskate. Just ask Scheidt about our camera debacle.
- There are so many other chefs eating at this restaurant. That’s like eating at the Chinese restaurant with actual Chinese people – you know it’s the real thing.
Hangar steak with bourbon dashi
- It is good to challenge yourself. It is good to try something you think you don’t like. It is good to order something that you’ve never had before. And at Salt, they know that’s what you’re doing. They will take care of you. They actually want you to enjoy yourself.
- It’s ok not to like it. And if these kinds of food experiences don’t excite you, it’s totally fine not to go. That’s the point. This is a particular experience for people who crave it – an experience that was wholly lacking in Pittsburgh until Salt of the Earth opened. But if it’s not your thing, no problem.
And isn’t that the thing with food? There’s so much, you needn’t worry about the things you don’t like. It’s what I love about Pittsburgh in general. If you don’t love it, git aht, no hard feelings.
And now, since you’ve stuck around for 868 words of pontification, your giveaway:
I’m handing out a pair of tickets to the 22nd Annual Pittsburgh Magazine Best Restaurants Party. It’s Monday, June 6, from 6 – 8:30 pm at Heinz Field, with an after party across the way at the Rivers Casino. At least 55 restaurants will be there, and trust me, 55 tastes = you are so stuffed you never want to eat again. (Don’t worry, that feeling passes.) A portion of proceeds benefit WQED.
To enter:
- Leave a comment below about your favorite Pittsburgh restaurant, the one you return to again and again.
- Make sure to use your real email address, because otherwise I won’t be able to reach you if you win. (Email addresses are never, ever published on the site, so you are always safe from spammers.)
- You must leave your comment by 11:59 p.m. EST, Wednesday, June 1, 2011. I will email the winner Thursday morning. If you don’t respond by Friday at noon, tough noogies: the tickets are going to someone else.
- Only one entry per commenter.
- If you aren’t able to go to the party, you’re still free to comment because I want the party ideas. But please say in your comment that you don’t want to be in the contest so I can pick a different winner. It would be a shame for these tickets to go to waste!
Bright pink escolar sashimi
The giveaway is sponsored by Pittsburgh Magazine, but no one paid me off for all the Kevin Sousa fawning fangirl blathering. That’s 100% me.
{ 65 comments… read them below or add one }
The restaurant(s) I return to again and again?
Salt: because when I eat Kevin’s food, I involuntarily do little dances of joy in my chair.
La Feria: because it’s beautiful, tasty comfort food (and I’m addicted to their salad dressing).
Zenith Cafe: because I got married there, and my husband and I go back for peanut noodles every anniversary.
Pan Asia, i know, lame, but we can take our kid there and it’s quiet. Also: I have to be the only checking blogs this late.
Luma in Castle Shannon: For a special dinner out. We love the food, we love the atmosphere, we even love the music they play! It’s our little favorite spot we return to again and again.
My favorite restaurant ,even though I have only been there once, is Alla Famiglia. I can still taste their veal in my mouth even though its been months since I was there.
This isn’t in Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh Magazine has included Beaver County restaurants in its Best Restaurants issue before, so I think it counts! The restaurant I find myself returning to again and again is Biba, in Beaver, PA. Not only because it’s close, but the food is amazing and the menu is always new and inventive.
You can never go wrong with Tessaro’s . At one point, before having kids, we were regualars. The waitresses, bartenders and Kelly knew us by name. It’s almost always our first stop on date night and I can’t wait until the kids are old enough to go as well.
Salt of the Earth is my favorite right now!! Just went there to celebrate a special occastion and loved it.
I also love Soba!!
recently went to Salt — love it! But for a restaurant we return to again and again, it would be Stoke’s Grill. Small place, owned and run by a wonderful young couple. Soup, salad and sandwiches, always good food.
Sausilido in Bloomfield. BYOB and have never had a bad meal. Yum!
I un-abashedly will admit that Pho Mihn is one of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh! Among other favorites: Kaya, Sushi Kim, and breakfasts at Coca Cafe.
My favorite right now is Jacksons in Southpointe. The menu changes seasonally and every single thing on the menu is amazing!
I’ve been dying to try Salt, but my favorite Pittsburgh restaurant that I return to again and again is Bistro19. I also LOVED Habitat but have only been there once.
Nicky’s Thai on Western Ave on the Northside. Especially eating out on the back patio—it’s amazing!
Salt is amazing and I will gladly go again, but my favorite restaurant is still, hands down, Umi.
I’m going in a totally different direction that everyone else, but I love Max’s Allegheny Tavern! (In our BC days-before children) we went there all the time! It’s still a favorite, but we don’t get to go as often.
I love eating at Coca Cafe. It’s special when I do go there because I can only go on the weekends and I always have the most amazing brunch there!
I have only been to Casbah once and it was for Sunday brunch, but I dream about going back. The food was incredible and very interesting. It was our server that made the experience so wonderful though. She chatted with us about the food and discreetly pointed out what other people were eating around the restaurant so we could see what the other plates looked like. She seemed quite content and did not show any sort of impatience with us despite how indecisive and intrigued by the menu we were. I walked out of the restaurant the happiest person in the world (and extremely full for that matter too).
I would also like to say that I have eaten at Enrico’s Biscotti several times and had equally amazing experiences. Once they messed up a peach pie coming out of the oven, so they gave it to our table for free. There is so much life if that kitchen that it’s a lot of fun just watching them go about their business. Lovely place and great food!
Return to again and again? Park Bruge in Highland Park. The frites are the best french fries I’ve ever had, all the other food is great, the wine list is good, the staff without exception is professional. It also is just two blocks from my house, making it a great place to have some wine without having to drive.
Taj Mahal on McKnight Road has never let me down. They’ve been under construction for as long as I can remember, so it’s not much to see. But the daily buffet — a phenomenal (and affordable!) mix of North and South Indian specialties — is the best the meal the city. So flavorful and fresh and exciting. I could eat nothing but their sambar and coconut chutney and be happy.
I adore Dish. They treat everyone that walks through the door like family and the food is without fail, delicious. I’ve never left unsatisfied with any aspect of the meal, and that has me coming back again and again.
I’m biased, but of course Toast! is my fav
My favorite place is Bocktown in Robinson..amazing fresh food..local friendly…and a craftbeer list to die for..
Fav is Mad Mex..awesome food and margaritas..I am a vegetarian and the options there are numerous..
we go to Shiloh Grill all the time..nice homey place..great menu and the cocktail are fabulous!!..plus we live around the block..
My restaurant? Yo Rita’s. A small soft taco place in the South Side, I like to come on weeknights when there isn’t much activity–the chefs will talk to you, the bartender will give suggestions, and the tacos are unbelievable.
A close second would be The Rock Room in Polish Hill–Thursday nights ushers in 15 cent pirogies and 1 dollar IC/IC Light.
Just wanted to say I loved the post and I hope to be able to try Salt sometime. We have Kindy graduation nonsense going on that day. No contest for me. Just a drive-by, “Great Post”.
There are so many restaurants in Pittsburgh I want to try that it makes it tough to go to the same place over and over again, but Kaya is a place we return to again and again.
Do I have to pick just one?
The place I go back to most frequently is La Feria for the food, the casual atmosphere, and the nostalgia that I had my first date with my boyfriend there.
I am also a huge fan of Casbah, but have only been once, same for Paris 66 Bistro.
Our favorite place to go to all the time is Fatheads. We are big beer lovers and they never dissapoint. Sandwiches are always good, just need to get there early
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, THE PENN AVE FISH CO ON FORBES AVE. ANGEL ALWAYS TAKES CARE OF US, AND THE FOOD IS AMAZING, PLUS IT’S BYOB. HAVE THE SPICY SENORITA ROLL, AMAZING WITH A BARBERA OR PINOT NOIR. KMM
OTB Bicycle Cafe is one place that I crave every time I end up in Pittsburgh. I want to try other places, but I’m addicted, addicted I tell you, to their turky dirt rag.
However, their are two places that top that and when I bring someone to Pittsburgh, these are the two places we must go eat at.
The first is Deluca’s. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, is it not? I’m a buckwheat pancake girl, the toppings change depending on my mood that day. ‘
The other is Bloomfield Bridge Tavern. I grew up with all of this food, eating it at family gatherings and then eventually learning how to make them myself, but there is something about having a beer, listening to good live bands, and eating Polish food with good friends.
Love salt, had one of the best dinners of my life with a group of friends this past month.
As for restaurant I return to again and again (only because I can’t afford to just always eat at salt of the earth) is probably cambodican. Seafood wontons always hit the spot and the times I get entrees they know exactly what I want every time and make it perfectly.
sadly, I have no “return to this restaurant” at present. I used to recommend Mojo Bistro, but that has sadly closed. I am “in search of” and I am hoping to try Salt and perhaps make it my new “go to reco”. thank you for your glowing review, it is certainly added to my “must try next!” list.
but just for the sake of helping, I had an amazing burger yesterday at Burgatory in Waterworks and plan to return again soon…
Pittsburgh has so many great restaurants. I love Tamari in lawrenceville for their sushi. D’amicos in bloomfield for Italian. Big Jims in the run is a total dive but the food is awesome. We go every couple if months or so.
I’ve only been to Tamari once, but plan to return again and again!
Yo Rita is my stand by. There might be some that are nicer, have a wider menu, or even a better overall experience, but for the value and flavors, it can’t be beat. Salt, BRGR, Habitat, Point Brugge, Dinette, and Eleven are all outstanding, but Yo Rita is always on my mind.
I must admit, Point Brugge is a tried and true favorite.
Our (Brookline) neighborhood go to fav has to be the Moolite on Brookline Blvd. Always fabulous, always friendly, and always plentiful!!! Great service, great food, great price. Yum
Spice Island Tea House is a hidden treasure in Oakland. The food is great, the prices are affordable, the staff is pleasant, and the environment is calming. Definitely my first choice for a date or a quiet meal with a good friend!
Right now, Toast, Brgr, Eleven, Spoon and Quiet Storm. It changes but those are the restaurants I dream of and crave. I could wax poetic abt each one for hours but on my phone its too awkward.
I’ve been procrastinating trying Salt, mostly because of the “how does that go with THAT?” factor, but those pictures made up my mind! My favorite restaurant in town is Point Brugge, it never disappoints.
I love Eleven! Fresh, local, perfect.
My new favorite restaurant is Cucina Bella in Brideville. Warm and friendly place to meet up with friends and share fabulicious fresh pizzas with fresh ingredients- my favorite is arugula with truffle oil! I also love to get dessert and a great coffee after sharing a pie and a great bottle of wine. Byob!
Not to copy JenEngland entirely, but I do love Toast, Brgr, and Spoon to pieces. Also Avenue B and Salt. It’s very dangerous to live so close to all of them! That said, there are a ton of places I’m still itching to try. Pittsburgh really has kept us interested in eating out, that’s for sure.
bocktown is my go to joint!! beer and well priced food..that is how i roll…
Point Brugge…hands down..frites baby..frites baby
Thanks for the post – I can’t wait to try Salt of the Earth! As for a restaurant that I keep going back to, being fairly new in town means I haven’t really gone back to many places, but I really like Braddock’s American Brasserie, Sababa Grill, and Zuppa’s Deli in Wexford. And I definitely keep going back to Razzy Fresh for froyo. (How’s that for variety??)
I would say the best restaurant in town for me is Il Pizzaiolo’s in Mt. Lebanon. Best italian food outside of my mother’s kitchen! Yum!
I love Salt of the Earth and go there when I am celebrating or when I try want to impress the person I am dining with. That being said, I most consistently frequent Kaya and have gotten nothing but rave reviews from the friends and family from out of town I have brought there. The Kaya burger is the most monstrous burger I have seen and it doubles as a comedy to watch whomever I am with try to eat it. I am unabashedly addicted to their pulled pork and banana sandwich!
I’m a huge fan of People’s Indian restaurant! We have always had consistently delicious food every time we go there. Plus the family who owns it is so wonderful.
I haven’t experienced many “awesome” Pittsburgh restaurants. Apparently, I don’t get out enough. Out here in Greensburg, though, we have a wonderful little tapas bar called Headkeeper. Wonderful food and an amazing drink selection. I go there sometimes weekly in the summer!
My two favorites are Someone Elses’s Bar, in Castle Shannon, and The Shiloh Grille. Loved the Shiloh’s old menu, but the Harris Grill has done a great job too!
I would normally say Legends of The North Shore. I love how tiny it is, I love the specials, I love the mainstays on their menu, I love how I make inappropriate noises in public when I eat their butter pecan cake (oh, mama). I just love the experience of eating there.
However… someone took me to Tamari recently, and it blew my mind. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’ll be back there when I have the slightest shred of an excuse.
We are smitten with Salt of the Earth. I recommend sitting at the kitchen bar if you can snag a stool.
We also love all the big burrito restaurants (Kaya, Casbah, Soba). I’m dying to go to Eleven someday.
I read through all the comments and nobody has chosen the Square Cafe in Regent Square. This has become my go-to brunch restaurant. Always good and enough variety to please everyone!
Oh, gosh…it’s hard to pick just one! If I was made of money, I’d eat at Bona Terra every day, because the food is transcendant. But I’ve also had great meals at Casbah and Spoon. My more affordable favorites are Spice Island Tea House and How Lee in Squirrel Hill (it broke my heart when I moved out of their delivery zone!), plus Primanti’s. There’s so much awesome food in this city.
…Aaaaand now I’m hungry.
I agree with Cate that it is hard to pick just one. I haven’t been to Salt of the Earth yet, so shame on me.
Burgatory has an offering that I will go to again and again, so I would call it the best Burger in Pittsburgh. But as for the best overall restaurant, Luma, Sausilido and Kaliedoscope Cafe are all highly ranking restaurants. But then again, I do have a bias for BYOB restaurants.
Toast…. I think it is the most delightful, reliable, can’t go wrong, always have a great meal there restaurant in Pittsburgh. The ambiance and service are warm and wonderful, and the wine list is great too. Toast is the only restaurant (save Bona Terra) that can seriously compete with Salt for my affections…..(drool).
Casbah…. Not to be morbid, but that is where I would go for my last meal! As it is, I go there every year for my birthday and indulge. The food is fabulous, the presentation is great, and the servers are knowledgeable… And did I mention that the food is amazing??? LOVE!
Toast has been a favorite of mine for the special occasions!
We went to Aladin’s Eatery for my Birthday, and loved it. I cannot wait to go back on a cool summer night! Their baklava is melt your pants off good!
My new favorite place is the Dorstop for breakfast in Dormont. They have the most amazing raspberry stuffed french toast. Very cool atmosphere and reasonable.
One that didn’t make the list, but is an all time favorite –> Thai Me Up on Carson Street in South Side.
Coca Cafe. Hands down best Sunday brunch in the ‘burgh!
My two favorites are completely different – Thai Gourmet in Bloomfield and Zenith’s Sunday brunch on the Southside. I was lucky enough to attend a Best Restaurants party a few years back and I’d be thrilled to experience Pittsburgh’s culinary deliciousness again this year!
Eat ‘N’ Park. I love the atmosphere and the midnight breakfast buffet.
In all seriousness, my go-to restaurant is Di Pietro’s in West View. It is home-style Italian fare that never fails to please me. Great sauce, they make their own sausage, and the pizza is my favorite in the north-of-the-burgh communities. When I want dinner at a restaurant that I KNOW will leave me happy, I go to Di Pietro’s.
We don’t get out much, but when we do, we always try to hit Cafe Giorgio’s near South Hills Village. An old house redone as a small neighborhood restaurant, it’s a great place for an intimate meal for two.