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dave and andy's in oakland for delicious ice cream. i hear they've won a few awards, and they've got interesting flavors like cinnamon and pumpkin pie.

pamela's for breakfast -- the pancakes are a bit much by themselves, but get them with some fruit and they're to die for. in the past three years, i've only ever gotten the strawberry hot cakes. if you have less of a sweet tooth, ask for no brown sugar or whipped cream.

A great article, and obviously a restaurant with great food and talented chefs.

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"When I was thinking about Ko, I didn't think much about the service."
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But from an outsider (me), seeing this quote from the chef/owner is a bit troubling. And then to see him explain that he doesn't want good service to interfere with the "core values" makes it sound even worse. After all -- shouldn't good quality service be included as part of the "core values" ??

I get his point about the food. It's all about the food.

But shouldn't good service be a basic, fundamental element of most any long-term successful business, whether it's a fine restaurant or a muffler shop?

I think I lucked out by having David Chang there when i went, but it was very friendly service. David was cracking jokes with us and when I asked him how they made some dishes he was happy to get into a discussion. At one point we had two other diners involved in a conversation and David was telling us a story, from the other end of the kitchen one of his sous chefs stated "good story Dave" and the place busted out in laughter for a few minutes. I acknowledge this was unique and not the norm, but it certainly was a very relaxed, casual atmosphere with the highest caliber of food - which in a sense was a mind trick of some sort and makes it so unique. Other experiences I've had at a dining counter range from TKC @ Beacon to Degustation or even just a sushi bar, but this was different than all of them (closest to Degustation, but better food). I'll save up for another meal later in the year, but I fully know my experience with the service may be better or worse. Kudos to the Ko staff for a 3 star review.

Thanks for the recommendations, I hope we can find some of them.

please, for the love of all that is holy, visit Uncle Sam's Subshop in Oakland (near Pitt campus). I lived in Pittsburgh for 5 years, and now live in Philly, and I have to say Uncle Sam's steak and their fries kick Philly's "authentic" variety to the curb.

Spice Island is also in Oakland, and has pretty good Burmese/Thai/Chinese food. Tip: skip the noodles and get a curry or the 5 spice chicken, very very good and you won't pay more than $10 for a big meal. Also extensive tea menu.

Southside (Carson St) is great, lots of energy and interesting people, and amazing restaurants. Perfect place for a night on the town.

I used to live in Pittsburgh in my 5 years at CMU and I just have to toss in my 2 cents about some of the places already mentioned:

1) Church Brew Works: Take the trip. Beautiful atmosphere, some very good food (I really enjoyed their venison meatloaf the one time I went), and some excellent beer as well. For me that's really something because I really don't like most beers!

2) Chaya: I went there numerous times with my friends when we decided that Friday night meant emptying our wallets and eating big. While you may have to wait for seating at dinner hours (usually crowded) it's worth it. Absolutely magnificent food, spot-on every time. The sushi boats are quite a sight to behold and are quite fresh.

3) Lulu's: Yup, a fine place for the collegiate crowd to go for some good Pan-Asian eats. Very reasonable prices, some excellent takes on old classics. I still miss their wonton soup quite a bit, mostly because it involved bonito broth instead as well as many other veggies and ingredients I usually don't expect. Quite flavorful!

Great, now I miss the ol' place. Guess I'll have to go back eventually to catch up with friends and food!

Primanti's is awful so don't bother.
Must visit Pamela's for breakfast.
Tissaro's for burgers.
Fiori's for New York style pizza. It's the best by far.
Mineo's for sicilian style pizza.
Sesame Inn for Chinese.

@OrigCyn: Food writers seem to be turning an eye to the culinary underdogworld already. For example, Andrew Knowleton - you may recall him from TVFN's "Next Iron Chef" - wrote a _Bon_Appetit _ article a few months ago called "Humble is Hot," where he profiled exceptional restaurants in small towns. If it isn't already, Knowlton's profiling article should be a permanant part of B/A's monthly magazine. It encourages small town chefs to improve and innovate when they're getting big-time kudos like that.

Just curious, but why wouldn't it be a good thing to have Pittsburgh profiled?

After reading the previous sharings, I thought I'd add my 2 cents to the discussion. I live about 15 minutes from dahntahn, in Oakmont. There are so many great places to eat in Pittsburgh. I have to admit though, that I do NOT like Yuengling beer, but give me a Rolling Rock especially with a great big fish sandwich, and I am a happy "yunzer".

I think the person who wrote about the Brew Church might have meant the Church Brew House in Lawrenceville. You have got to try their pierogies - they make new kinds all the time, including a black bean with salsa, etc.

I side with the person who did not like Buca di Beppo - my hubby and I have been there twioce, and both meals were horrible. I do not eat salad that has brown or plain out dead lettuce in it. Chicken should not be dry. It's sad that a pasta sauce tastes burnt...'nuff said.

I love Monteray Bay up on Mt. Washington. Their grilled scallops or the crabcakes - TDF. Yes, it's pricey, but sure worth it when it's your anniversary (and they gave us a free dessert for the occasion.) Howver, their other restaurant in Monroeville cannot compare. I had lunch with 2 friends there. The only thing that all 3 of us ate that was the same, was the sweet pea pods. We all got sick that night.

If you are going to the Strip, do go to Klaven's old fashioned ice cream parlor. Wonderful treats, atmosphere...they even make their own flavored whipped creams. The banana split is decadent. forget your calories and enjoy!!! Oh, and it's on Penn, I believe, but a few blocks away going towards Lawrenceville and beyond.

L a Prima coffee? My first visit there some yrs ago, I had no clue as to what all the sizes were etc. The staff treated me as though I were totally stupid, one woman said every word of her explanation very slkowly,as though I were deaf and dumb. And now, their coffee is being used at the former Oakmont Coffee Company on Allegheny Boulevard in Oakmont. Do not care for their coffee at all - it's just like Eat & Park's - always tastes s though it's been burned.

BUT if you want fantastic coffee, where the beans are roasted fresh, go to one of the Coffee Tree Roasters in Fox Chapel, Squirrel Hill, or - argh - can't remember where in South Hills...the Sumatra blue linton, the peaody...their estate Kona (they buy the entire crop that one Hawaii coffee plantation grows. And they roast their own!!! If you go to Squirrel Hill, and Jon is working? Ask him for a cup of black cat. It's his mixture, and you will want to buiy a couple pounds to take home for yourself.

Some more suggestions in next post...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Grand Concourse in the Station Square area over the Smithfield St. Bridge. I believe the building is an old railroad house. It's a steak and seafood place with a very extensive yet expensive menu. I went there with my girlfriend for our one-year anniversary last summer on a vacation to Pittsburgh, and they even printed a 'Congratulations' to us at the top of our menus, which we got to keep. I remember the food gave us multiple yumgasms.

@StripeyChef: The Andy Warhol Museum still has Good Fridays, including a cash bar from 5 - 10 pm and half price admission. On the second Friday of every month, I believe, The Warhol Cafe & Big Burrito Group have a wine-tasting and snacks.

Last time I was in the The Warhol Cafe, I saw John Waters having lunch with some museum board members. Exciting!

Don't miss breakfast at Pamela's in the Strip district. (they don't take credit cards though, so be prepared). Also...great Thai food at a little hole in the wall called Sweet Basil--2 locations--one on Murray Ave in Squirrel Hill and also one in Lawrenceville-both are BYOB as well...another up and coming neighborhood in the Burgh.

@chiff: I moved to Pittsburgh two years ago. I don't know how long your friend has been here, but I submitted this question to broaden my horizons. There is more culinary depth here than I ever imagined.

And Bourdain will be in town next week for his Drue Heinz lecture. I couldn't help but wonder what both culinary professionals and amateurs think of our city.

Living in the Philly area for three years lead me to include that "gentleness" caveat, as some Philly and Cleaveland folks ferociously cut-up the 'burgh. Luckily, those contingents on S/E seem most benevloent.