OT: North Hills restaurant recs

[FattCatt]

Long time season tix holder from out of town. Will likely stay in the Burgh from L'ville game thru Miami game at in-laws home in far north hills. Mrs. FattCatt and I have been impressed with development of restaurant scene in the city in recent years. Favorites include Smoke BBQ & Taqueria, Everyday Noodles, Pipers Pub and Piccolo Forno, among others. All have good food and/or a good vibe (and are not chains).

We will be marooned in the sea of North Hills chain restaurants, mediocre pizza joints and insipid bulk eating pasta palaces. Since we are so far out we likely won't venture into the city much. Are there any places worth trying that 1) are not chains, 2) are not pizza joints (do people in the Burgh eat pizza about 5 nights a week?), or pasta-centric? We have found a few places we like including the Whisper Pub on Hartwood (great outdoor area where we can bring Fido in good weather) and House of a 1,000 beers in New Ken (OK, not NH) with surprisingly good food.

I am sure that there have to be at least a few decent places somewhere in this wasteland. Would be interested in Lair posters recommendations.

 

[NTOP]

Long time season tix holder from out of town. Will likely stay in the Burgh from L'ville game thru Miami game at in-laws home in far north hills. Mrs. FattCatt and I have been impressed with development of restaurant scene in the city in recent years. Favorites include Smoke BBQ & Taqueria, Everyday Noodles, Pipers Pub and Piccolo Forno, among others. All have good food and/or a good vibe (and are not chains).

We will be marooned in the sea of North Hills chain restaurants, mediocre pizza joints and insipid bulk eating pasta palaces. Since we are so far out we likely won't venture into the city much. Are there any places worth trying that 1) are not chains, 2) are not pizza joints (do people in the Burgh eat pizza about 5 nights a week?), or pasta-centric? We have found a few places we like including the Whisper Pub on Hartwood (great outdoor area where we can bring Fido in good weather) and House of a 1,000 beers in New Ken (OK, not NH) with surprisingly good food.

I am sure that there have to be at least a few decent places somewhere in this wasteland. Would be interested in Lair posters recommendations.

Pines Tavern on the Red Belt..east of Babcock Blvd. Tack Room....great little place. Off The Hook in Warrendale (Red Belt @ Rt. 19) Great Oyster bar....expensive, but good stuff. Walnut Grill on Rt. 19 (South of Red Belt a couple miles. Atria's Just North of Walnut Grill.

 

[thom67]

Double wide on 228 just past Springfield grill(also good).

 

[pitt-girl]

Well, you're in luck that a bunch of restaurants have been opening in the North Hills (compliments of McCandless Crossing). Most of those are chain restaurants. However, 2 new privately owned restaurants just opened. One is Emporio's in the Village of Pine on Rt 19 (across from Arhaus Furniture). We stopped in for a drink - very casual and the third restaurant in the city from this group.

http://emporioameatballjoint.com

The other is Pig Iron Public House located up the street, north on 19. We have not been there yet but I have heard it is very good and has a TON of craft beers on draft (as does Emporio's FWIW).

http://www.pigironpub.com

I highly recommend downloading the NoWait app. Being new I expect both of these places will be jammed. You can put your name on the wait list while still at home. The other rec's from NTOP are equally as good. Pines Tavern and Off the Hook are definitely not as casual as the ones I mentioned above, but both have great food. Depends on what you're looking for. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Have fun! (And if you go to either that I mentioned stop back with a review, okay???)

 

[Las Panteras]

May I suggest......

A) Narcisi Winery. Very nice restaurant on the Red (Orange?) Belt in Gibsonia

http://www.narcisiwinery.com/

B) For something blue jean casual.......The Middle Road Inn in Allison Park. Family owned bar/restaurant with terrific meals for the $$$

And......I concur re: The Pines Tavern

 

[JS School]

Pines Tavern on the Red Belt..east of Babcock Blvd. Tack Room....great little place. Off The Hook in Warrendale (Red Belt @ Rt. 19) Great Oyster bar....expensive, but good stuff. Walnut Grill on Rt. 19 (South of Red Belt a couple miles. Atria's Just North of Walnut Grill.

NTOP, I think you mentioned in the past that the Tuscan Inn was under new ownership and had gone downhill somewhat. I had avoided it recently for that reason, but I went last weekend and was pleasantly surprised. It was a lot less crowded than in the past, however, so I guess they may have had some issues.

 

[pitt-girl]

NTOP, I think you mentioned in the past that the Tuscan Inn was under new ownership and had gone downhill somewhat. I had avoided it recently for that reason, but I went last weekend and was pleasantly surprised. It was a lot less crowded than in the past, however, so I guess they may have had some issues.

Our last 2 trips were not good, at all, but that was a year ago.

 

[jcpitt]

Long time season tix holder from out of town. Will likely stay in the Burgh from L'ville game thru Miami game at in-laws home in far north hills. Mrs. FattCatt and I have been impressed with development of restaurant scene in the city in recent years. Favorites include Smoke BBQ & Taqueria, Everyday Noodles, Pipers Pub and Piccolo Forno, among others. All have good food and/or a good vibe (and are not chains).

We will be marooned in the sea of North Hills chain restaurants, mediocre pizza joints and insipid bulk eating pasta palaces. Since we are so far out we likely won't venture into the city much. Are there any places worth trying that 1) are not chains, 2) are not pizza joints (do people in the Burgh eat pizza about 5 nights a week?), or pasta-centric? We have found a few places we like including the Whisper Pub on Hartwood (great outdoor area where we can bring Fido in good weather) and House of a 1,000 beers in New Ken (OK, not NH) with surprisingly good food.

I am sure that there have to be at least a few decent places somewhere in this wasteland. Would be interested in Lair posters recommendations.

I live in the North (Franklin Park) and you're right, the pickins are slim up here for non-chain establishments. All the good spots are in or around the city but here are a couple of our local Northern favorites:

Pig Iron Public House Rt 19 Cranberry http://www.pigironpub.com
Breakneck Tavern Rt 228 Mars http://www.breacknecktavern.com
Vivo Kitchen Sewickley http://www.vivokitchen.com
Mambo Italia Sewickley byob http://www.mamboitaliasewickley.com
Della Terra Harmony http://dellaterrapgh.com
Cala Lilly Cafe Rt 8 Gibsonia http://calalilyrestaurantandbar.com/about.htm
Barrel Junction Rt 8 Gibsonia http://www.barreljunction.com

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Lots of good suggestions there. I especially love Narcissi Winery and the Pine Tavern. What about North Park Lounge? That is always a winner for my out of town guests.

 

[OaklandPanther139]

Siebs pub on Babcock is decent Irish pub, and Rum Runners across the street was good my one visit there.

Smoke Taco has good food, but is way overpriced and no Taco is worth an hour long wait.

 

[87PittFan]

The Tuscan Inn has been improving slowly since their new ownership. I stopped going for awhile because I was so disappointed in their food but returned a few months ago and it had improved a bit. There is still more room for improvement though compared to the quality of the food prior to the ownership change.

 

[drunkinoakland]

Bonnie and Clyde's is great food in a neat theme. Service was incredibly slow the time I went, but food was good. Think it is owned by the same people who own North Park Lounge.

 

[MartyInLawrenceville]

My go to is Monte Cello's at the corner of Babcock Blvd. and Thompson Run Road. Good food, nice menu, reasonable prices, and they get their deserts from Lincoln Bakery in Bellevue. There are other locations, but I've always liked this one heads and tails above the rest. Here's their menu;
http://www.montecellos.com/Locations/RossTownship/Menu.aspx

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Siebs pub on Babcock is decent Irish pub, and Rum Runners across the street was good my one visit there.

Smoke Taco has good food, but is way overpriced and no Taco is worth an hour long wait.

yeah, one of those hip places in a hip location that can get away charging $6 for one taco served wrapped in aluminum foil. I think Edgar in the strip or Las Palmas in Oakland do a much better taco without the pretentiousness.

 

[drunkinoakland]

My go to is Monte Cello's at the corner of Babcock Blvd. and Thompson Run Road. Good food, nice menu, reasonable prices, and they get their deserts from Lincoln Bakery in Bellevue. There are other locations, but I've always liked this one heads and tails above the rest. Here's their menu;
http://www.montecellos.com/Locations/RossTownship/Menu.aspx

I too like this location a ton, which is funny because I think downtown and Shaler locations look like trash, and the Wexford and Cranberry locations look like suburban strip mall hell. Though this kinda defeats the "not pasta centric" part of his request.

 

[MartyInLawrenceville]

I too like this location a ton, which is funny because I think downtown and Shaler locations look like trash, and the Wexford and Cranberry locations look like suburban strip mall hell. Though this kinda defeats the "not pasta centric" part of his request.

Drunk,
Although an Italian restaurant, there's a ton of non pasta choices. I've been in there probably 100 times, and have never gotten pasta. I love the hot sausage hoagie, and the pepperoni rolls.

 

[NTOP]

Well, you're in luck that a bunch of restaurants have been opening in the North Hills (compliments of McCandless Crossing). Most of those are chain restaurants. However, 2 new privately owned restaurants just opened. One is Emporio's in the Village of Pine on Rt 19 (across from Arhaus Furniture). We stopped in for a drink - very casual and the third restaurant in the city from this group.

http://emporioameatballjoint.com

The other is Pig Iron Public House located up the street, north on 19. We have not been there yet but I have heard it is very good and has a TON of craft beers on draft (as does Emporio's FWIW).

http://www.pigironpub.com

I highly recommend downloading the NoWait app. Being new I expect both of these places will be jammed. You can put your name on the wait list while still at home. The other rec's from NTOP are equally as good. Pines Tavern and Off the Hook are definitely not as casual as the ones I mentioned above, but both have great food. Depends on what you're looking for. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Have fun! (And if you go to either that I mentioned stop back with a review, okay???)

We're pretty frequently in the Tack Room (bar area) at the Pines.....very casual, with their own meny + the dining room's. Sitting at the barr is just fine, very informal.

Well, you're in luck that a bunch of restaurants have been opening in the North Hills (compliments of McCandless Crossing). Most of those are chain restaurants. However, 2 new privately owned restaurants just opened. One is Emporio's in the Village of Pine on Rt 19 (across from Arhaus Furniture). We stopped in for a drink - very casual and the third restaurant in the city from this group.

http://emporioameatballjoint.com

The other is Pig Iron Public House located up the street, north on 19. We have not been there yet but I have heard it is very good and has a TON of craft beers on draft (as does Emporio's FWIW).

http://www.pigironpub.com

I highly recommend downloading the NoWait app. Being new I expect both of these places will be jammed. You can put your name on the wait list while still at home. The other rec's from NTOP are equally as good. Pines Tavern and Off the Hook are definitely not as casual as the ones I mentioned above, but both have great food. Depends on what you're looking for. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Have fun! (And if you go to either that I mentioned stop back with a review, okay???)

Drunk,
Although an Italian restaurant, there's a ton of non pasta choices. I've been in there probably 100 times, and have never gotten pasta. I love the hot sausage hoagie, and the pepperoni rolls.

Their place on the Wexford Flats is about as basic pizza & spaghetti as you can get. We used to go there before there were ANY good pizza shops out that way. Now there are several....Aviva & The Oven, esp. But I don't put them in the "fine dining" category.

 

[pitt-girl]

We're pretty frequently in the Tack Room (bar area) at the Pines.....very casual, with their own meny + the dining room's. Sitting at the barr is just fine, very informal.


Their place on the Wexford Flats is about as basic pizza & spaghetti as you can get. We used to go there before there were ANY good pizza shops out that way. Now there are several....Aviva & The Oven, esp. But I don't put them in the "fine dining" category.

I have to agree with this. Monte Cello's is fine but not anywhere near some of the other suggestions in this thread.

Has anyone been to Heinz Ward's restaurant Table 86 yet in Cranberry? Another good choice up that way is the Springfield Grille which is located by the same owners as Log Cabin Grill.

http://www.hineswardstable86.com
http://www.springfields.com/springfield-grille-mars-pa/

 

[drunkinoakland]

I have to agree with this. Monte Cello's is fine but not anywhere near some of the other suggestions in this thread.

Has anyone been to Heinz Ward's restaurant Table 86 yet in Cranberry? Another good choice up that way is the Springfield Grille which is located by the same owners as Log Cabin Grill.

http://www.hineswardstable86.com
http://www.springfields.com/springfield-grille-mars-pa/

I also think the Ichiban in Wexford is one of the better Hibachi places I've eaten in Pittsburgh. Have you had Bonnie and Clyde's?

 

[Piranha]

MonteCello's is our go to for pizza, calzones, etc. in Cranberry. Pitt supporters as well.

 

[JoseLind13]

I have to agree with this. Monte Cello's is fine but not anywhere near some of the other suggestions in this thread.

Has anyone been to Heinz Ward's restaurant Table 86 yet in Cranberry? Another good choice up that way is the Springfield Grille which is located by the same owners as Log Cabin Grill.

http://www.hineswardstable86.com
http://www.springfields.com/springfield-grille-mars-pa/

Table 86 has good food and atmosphere (I will go back), but I preferred the Siba Restaurant that was previously at that location. It was among my local favorites and I was bummed when it closed it's doors.

 

[pitt-girl]

I also think the Ichiban in Wexford is one of the better Hibachi places I've eaten in Pittsburgh. Have you had Bonnie and Clyde's?

I have a few times. Great bar, and the food is good, not really sure why this isn't more of a go to location for us. Not a big fan of Walnut Grill up the street. We do like Dive Bar across the parking lot, but obviously it is much more casual. Try Emporio's across the street.

 

[JoseLind13]

MonteCello's is our go to for pizza, calzones, etc. in Cranberry. Pitt supporters as well.

Nothing against Monte Cellos (we have rented their party room for family before and enjoy it), but if just going out or picking up for pizza, we find Pizza Roma next door far superior, in our humble opinion.

Don't laugh, but Primanti Brother's pizza at the suburban locations is actually pretty good, too.

 

[pitt-girl]

Nothing against Monte Cellos (we have rented their party room for family before and enjoy it), but if just going out or picking up for pizza, we find Pizza Roma next door far superior, in our humble opinion.

Don't laugh, but Primanti Brother's pizza at the suburban locations is actually pretty good, too.

Cenci's on 19 down from Monte Cello's is another option in the same category.

 

[NTOP]

Cenci's on 19 down from Monte Cello's is another option in the same category.

But don't use take out. Really not good if it cools. Good wings, too. Have you tried Emporio's??

 

[pitt-girl]

But don't use take out. Really not good if it cools. Good wings, too. Have you tried Emporio's??

We stopped in for a quick drink with friends and shared some meatballs. It was good - but I am already a fan of Siena on the Square and Siena Mercato, so this is basically the same food. Small-ish and I imagine will be quite crowded. I'm really looking forward to trying out Pig Iron. I've heard really good things about it.

 

[NTOP]

We stopped in for a quick drink with friends and shared some meatballs. It was good - but I am already a fan of Siena on the Square and Siena Mercato, so this is basically the same food. Small-ish and I imagine will be quite crowded. I'm really looking forward to trying out Pig Iron. I've heard really good things about it.

Is it the same folks who run Siena?? That's a fav of ours.

 

[NTOP]

Double wide on 228 just past Springfield grill(also good).

Park there & walk across the lot to Andorra. The DW is just a bar...Jergel's w/o the music. Of course, I'm above mixing with riffraff!!

 

[drunkinoakland]

I have a few times. Great bar, and the food is good, not really sure why this isn't more of a go to location for us. Not a big fan of Walnut Grill up the street. We do like Dive Bar across the parking lot, but obviously it is much more casual. Try Emporio's across the street.

I no longer head out to the North Hills, but I love Siena downtown, so I already know Emporio.
Walnut Grill if it is the same as the one at the Waterworks than it is not very good, IMO.

 

[drunkinoakland]

Don't laugh, but Primanti Brother's pizza at the suburban locations is actually pretty good, too.

Once you get passed the crappy "legendary" sandwiches, suburban Primanti's locations actually have pretty good bar food. And their menus vary from place to place.

 

[pitt-girl]

Is it the same folks who run Siena?? That's a fav of ours.

Yes, same group. We stopped in for a quick bite at Siena's after the game and they told me the meatballs at Emporio's are slightly different bit everything else is the same. If you check the link I posted above you'll see the menu is not large and it really is all about different kinds of meatballs. We spied some salads sitting at the bar which looked good and some dessert shaped like balls being dipped in hot fudge?

 

[pitt-girl]

Park there & walk across the lot to Andorra. The DW is just a bar...Jergel's w/o the music. Of course, I'm above mixing with riffraff!!

Actually that is another good rec for the OP. We occasionally stop in at the original location on Mt. Nebo Road. Food is always quite good.

 

[NTOP]

Actually that is another good rec for the OP. We occasionally stop in at the original location on Mt. Nebo Road. Food is always quite good.

I didn't get this body from kale & wheat germ.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Here are some other thoughts:

https://www.wendys.com/

https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html

http://www.applebees.com/

https://www.outback.com/

 

[hungus]

Franklin Inn
2313 Rochester Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
United States

Great local non-chain Mexican restaurant. Awesome margarita's and great food reasonably priced.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Seriously......I live in restaurant hell. Natrona Heights. Some good pizza spots, really good. Some decent red sauce spots. Some okay bar food (including the legendary AK Valley whole, seasoned wings) but that is it.

I wish I had even the options of the North Hills.

What the North Hills doesn't have, is really good Asian spots. Jimmy Wans sucks. Okay. It is overpriced, average Americanized Chinese food. Yama is okay for sushi. Nakama has opened a spot on 19. But Chinese is mostly Americanized, 1950's A Christmas Story Chinese food. I want real stuff. I make pilgrammage into Squirrel Hill which has a pretty damn good thing going on, a little China Town that has actually started to get nationally recognized.

Same with Thai. Thai Place is okay.....but again, I would like real Thai. Same with Mexican. Actually, I am okay with Tex Mex, I actually really love Tex Mex (which is what a lot of places really are) but the Tex Mex places here are really weak on seafood dishes. Whereas you go to Texas, and they have great seafood dishes. Tex Mex is more than just fajitas. I also hate the Mexican restaurants follow the same formulaic approach as Chinese do, and they dumb down their food for us gringos. Why can't they be more authentic and regional?

The other complaint I have locally and the North Hills, really they don't do wings that well. I don't care if you have 100, 200, 500 combinations of sauces, you got to cook them right and you have to at least start with a good baseline, buffalo hot sauce. Then branch out from their. Wings do not need to be the size of turkey wings. They don't cook that well. They need to be crispy before you put one oz of sauce or seasoning on them. If not, they are worthless and gross.

 

[drunkinoakland]

Here are some other thoughts:

https://www.wendys.com/

https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html

http://www.applebees.com/

https://www.outback.com/

Do you remember the last time we played @ Boston College, a "notable" Lair poster said they couldn't wait to go so they could go to the famous Boston restaurant Mccormick and Schmick's (I believe it was here or another similar chain) because it had the best seafood they had ever had? Said poster was dead serious.

 

[sonofabit]

Bella Frutetta (sp.) had a nice quiet bar area last time I ventured in. Don't know if its still open in the Franklin Park strip mall off I79 exit in Wexford. Enjoy Bonnie & Clyde's as well.

 

[NTOP]

Bella Frutetta (sp.) had a nice quiet bar area last time I ventured in. Don't know if its still open in the Franklin Park strip mall off I79 exit in Wexford. Enjoy Bonnie & Clyde's as well.

They actually expanded....good place. I don't get Bonnie & Clyde. Mehhh.

 

[RoguePanther]

I was a Tuscan Inn two weeks ago and the food was very good. The atmosphere and bar could use some freshening up, but maybe that is the appeal to some folks. Like going to dinner at grandmas house.

Cala Lilly's new location is much nicer and I highly recommend checking it out. It never disappoints.

You might try Willow, although, I have not been there since it remodeled and reopened with a different theme/menu.

Lobster Bisque at the Pines Tavern is a must have.

My wife and I have enjoyed some casual dinners at Bonnie and Clydes from time to time.

Off the Hook is worth dropping in. One of the best wine lists in the North.