French Bistro$$$lawrencevilleTue-Sat 17:00-22:00
Poulet Bleu in Lawrenceville serves a Parisian bistro menu in Pittsburgh. Richard DeShantz's French room sits next door to Morcilla on Butler Street.
Signature: Roast chicken, Steak frites
Order: The roast chicken for two, or steak frites with a glass off the French list.
Tip: The room runs full-on belle-epoque French. Reserve ahead; the bar takes a few walk-ins.
American Comfort$$$north-sideTue-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00
Fig & Ash in Deutschtown serves wood-fired American comfort food in Pittsburgh. A North Side room built around an open hearth and a strong weekend brunch.
Signature: Wood-fired mains, Brunch
Order: Whatever is cooked over the wood fire, and a cocktail or a brunch plate at weekends.
Tip: Brunch is the locals' pick. Reserve for weekend evenings; the bar takes walk-ins.
New American$$$north-sideWed-Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 17:00-23:00
Siempre Algo in Deutschtown serves a New American tasting menu and cocktails in Pittsburgh. A small North Side room ranked among the city's best.
Signature: Tasting menu, Cocktails
Order: Let the kitchen run the set menu; the bar pairs it with house cocktails.
Tip: Small and reservation-driven. Book ahead on Resy for the counter and dining room.
Contemporary American$$$shadysideWed-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-Tue
Lilith in Shadyside serves contemporary cooking with Sicilian and Puerto Rican accents in Pittsburgh. A women-led room ranked among the city's best.
Signature: Seasonal plates, Sicilian and Puerto Rican dishes
Order: Share the seasonal plates and whatever the kitchen runs with Sicilian or Puerto Rican flavours.
Tip: A short walk off Walnut Street. Reserve ahead; the cocktails are as much a draw as the kitchen.
Italian$$$shadysideTue-Thu 11:30-21:30; Fri-Sat 11:30-22:00; Sun 16:00-21:00; closed Mon
Girasole on Copeland Street in Shadyside serves regional Italian cooking in Pittsburgh. A below-street room locals have booked for handmade pasta for years.
Signature: House pasta, Seasonal Italian
Order: Whatever the kitchen runs fresh in pasta, with a bottle off the Italian list.
Tip: Tucked below street level off Walnut. Reserve ahead; the room is intimate and fills.
American Gastropub$$$downtownMon-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 17:00-21:00
Meat & Potatoes on Penn Avenue downtown serves a chef-driven American gastropub menu in Pittsburgh. Richard DeShantz's first room and a brunch staple.
Signature: Bone marrow, Brunch poutine
Order: Bone marrow to start, a serious steak or the brunch poutine at weekends.
Tip: Handy before a show in the Cultural District. Reserve for weekend brunch and pre-theatre dinner.