3 minute read
Pittsburgh’s Dining Explosion
30 photos from left to right: The Carlton, Nakama Japanese Steakhouse, Las Velas, Grandview Saloon & Coal Hill Steakhouse
Over the past several years, downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding area have blossomed into one of the most diverse and exciting dining scenes in the country. New restaurants are rapidly opening - and most importantly - have been met with great success, enthusiasm, and the accompanying staying power.
The dining in the downtown area truly represents a multi national tour of some of the finest cuisines and recipes to found anywhere. Latin, American, Mediterranean, Italian and other combinations of world class dining are only a few steps from your hotel.
In an effort to showcase Pittsburgh’s dining destinations, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week has created a concept throughout the city. Twice a year, in January and in August, Pittsburgh restaurants offer special menus highlighting some of their best dishes at special prices that encourage you to visit as many as you can during the week long festivities. We recently asked several downtown restaurateurs for their opinion and experience with the ever-expanding dining options in the area and the renewed attention paid to them by both visitors and locals. Of course all were very positive about the current and future of the dining scene here and
many chefs in Pittsburgh, as likewise in other cities, have spent significant time outside the market in various situations with exposure to all types of cuisine. These experiences have led many of the chefs back home eager to share their knowledge and expertise with their customers. All of this comes together for an eye opening experience for both the chef and their customers.
A common theme amongst our Pittsburgh chefs is rising to the challenge of giving a person a great experience through their cooking. Their customers in Pittsburgh are good people who have a love for good food. Pittsburgh is home to a diverse population which creates the demand for new and innovative choices. It keeps everyone in the business on their toes and they keep coming up with new dining adventures that seemingly spring up overnight.
We asked three of our restaurant partners about
their experience as part of the current and future Pittsburgh dining scene. Kevin Joyce of The Carlton shared: “When The Carlton opened in 1984 there were very few fine dining options in Downtown Pittsburgh. Downtown did not have a true "Steakhouse" before we opened our doors with the tag line of "Purveyors of Fine Meats and Fish." The more recent dining explosion in the past five years has really changed our culinary scene. Pittsburgh is now a tourist and dining destination. We have locally grown talent using their entrepreneurial instincts to develop and grow great new concepts.” David Montanez, of Las Velas, offers his perspective from Market Square, “To watch the growth of the downtown restaurant scene from Market Square these past seven years has been a privilege. I believe it was the change in Market Square that began ushering in the new downtown restaurant scene. Operating a restaurant in this ever-expanding restaurant scene is a blessing and I’m confident the next five to ten years will bring even more growth and eclectic options for the city.” Chef Sang Woo from the South Side’s famous Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar has a unique perspective. He was born in Korea but his family moved to Pittsburgh when he was five years old. “I consider Pittsburgh to be my home. The people are so friendly and loyal. We continue to see the same faces in Nakama along with new faces of those who typically become our new followers.“
While you’re here start with your favorite cuisine
and then try to experience as many restaurants as you can and enjoy these fine meals in a wide variety of settings, both indoor and outdoor, with all types of views whether from the street or the mountaintop. And for you return visitors, there will certainly be a new destination to try that wasn’t here on your last trip! For more information please visit:
