MediterraneanChef big Burrito Restaurant Group$$$$$$$shadysideMon-Thu 11:30-21:00, Fri 11:30-22:00, Sat 16:30-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00Book 1 week ahead
Casbah in Shadyside serves Mediterranean wood-grilled cooking and a serious wine list in Pittsburgh. A long-running big Burrito Group room on South Highland.
Order: Mezze and a wood-grilled main, paired off the by-the-glass list.
Tip: The patio is the seat in warm weather. Reserve for weekend evenings.
ArgentineChef Fernando Navas$$$$$$$strip-districtDaily 17:00-22:00Book 1 week ahead
Balvanera on Smallman Street in the Strip District serves Argentine asado in Pittsburgh. Chef Fernando Navas runs the wood grill in a 1920s warehouse.
Order: Empanadas, a grilled cut with chimichurri and a Malbec.
Tip: The dining room takes reservations; the bar and bodega are first-come.
New AmericanChef Siempre Algo kitchen$$$$$$$north-sideWed-Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 17:00-23:00Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead
Siempre Algo in Deutschtown serves a New American tasting menu and cocktails in Pittsburgh. A small North Side room ranked among the city's best.
Order: Let the kitchen run the set menu, paired with house cocktails.
Tip: Small and reservation-driven. Book ahead for the counter and dining room.
ItalianChef Dave Anoia$$$$$$$strip-districtTue-Thu 08:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-22:00, Sun 15:00-20:00Book 1 week ahead
DiAnoia's Eatery in the Strip District serves chef Dave Anoia's house-made pasta in Pittsburgh. A corner room often voted the city's best Italian.
Order: Whichever hand-rolled pasta is on the board, with a cocktail.
Tip: Open early for breakfast; dinner books up on weekends. Reserve ahead.
ThaiChef Pusadee's Garden kitchen$$$$$$$lawrencevilleTue-Sat 17:00-22:00Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead
Pusadee's Garden on Butler Street in Upper Lawrenceville plates fine Thai in a courtyard garden in Pittsburgh. A family-run room with a James Beard nod.
Order: A whole-fried fish and a curry built on the daily market vegetables.
Tip: Reservations open one day ahead at 07:00 on Resy. The garden patio is the seat.
Tasting menuChef Christian Frangiadis$$$$$275bloomfieldThu-Sun 18:00-22:00Book Weeks ahead
One by Spork on Penn Avenue serves a single tasting menu at an 18-seat chef's counter in Pittsburgh. Located in Bloomfield. Led by chef Christian Frangiadis.
Order: There is one menu: the chef's tasting, with the optional beverage pairing.
Tip: Doors at 18:00, dinner at 18:30. Book the counter weeks out; the pairing is worth it.