Submitted by rry100 t3_10m3dwh in pittsburgh
starchyewexbox t1_j60urle wrote
A bunch of Lawrenceville / Strip options:
Salem's if you haven't been there and like Indian / Middle Eastern food (plus they have some more American staples like steak and burgers.) It's more unique in it's style and culture. Lunch counter / cafeteria style, no waiters. Probably your best portion size value.
Parlor Dim Sum - Dim Sum hasn't had a huge presence here in the past, so I'd call it unique. The super general idea is that you order a bunch of small sharable dishes instead of 1 entree per person - I guess like Chinese tapas.
Umami Izakaya - A Japanese "street-food" style restaurant, also sort of like tapas. Multiple smaller dishes.
Smoke - a mix between tacos and bbq. Not authentic mexican, but still good in it's own right. You may come out smelling like wood smoke tho.
Kaya - Unique since it's Caribbean. It's not amazing, but it's decent enough and okay priced. Conch fritters are pretty good - but only on site (fried so it doesn't travel well.)
Coop De Ville - unique in that it's bar / coffee shop / chicken sandwich restaurant / arcade / pool hall / duck pin bowling alley all in 1 building.
Downtown
Tako - it's sorta expensive, but a unique setting with some cool art (bike chain chandeliers, doors on the ceiling with light bulbs everywhere.) Tacos and cocktails are all good - get the papas bravas side dish.
​
*I'd say the Parlor is what best qualifies for as unique and interesting for me - but it is closer to authentic Chinese (like you could see people suckin' chicken feet) - and might require a slightly more adventurous palate. The meat cuts may have bones in them, and they just start you off with chopsticks. So while it might feel strange, it's an authentic part of the experience to suck the meat off and spit the bones back out. If you go here, pay the small extra fee for their dim sum sauce and chili crisp.
DarkKnyt t1_j63f5ko wrote
Last time I went to parlor, the chow fun was overpriced for the size but the dim sum itself was decent..also 2/3 desserts were interesting. Cocktails were meh but only tried the most adventurous one below the duck sauce one (I think - I have a policy against duck sauce cocktails)
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments