Can I have Sonoma?

Light up night is becoming something of a tradition for PID and I. This is our third straight year of venturing into the chaotic city of steel to get a taste of the holidays and, more recently, a taste of what our local food scene has to offer.

This year, a few F.O.R.T.s decided to join us and we couldn't have been more excited. E1 suggested we dine at her all-time favorite spot in the downtown area and - since PID and I shockingly still hadn't been - we were more than happy to oblige. So, as Jingle Bell Rock bounced acoustically through the air from building to building and roller-blading Santas graciously asked us to clear their path, we made our way to Sonoma Grille.

The Capital of Pittsburgh

As you know, we typically try to review restaurants owned and operated out of Western PA, but when Capital Grille reached out to us to let us know that they were launching their new spring menu, we couldn't resist the urge to check it out.

Located a convenient 1.5 blocks from my "day-job" on the corner of Fifth and Wood Streets downtown, Capital Grille is an account person's dream. The ideal location for client meetings or new business dinners, Capital Grille boasts a menu fit for any hungry diner looking for a tasty, upscale experience.

The dim, rustic interior emanates a boy's club mentality while the friendly wait staff and refreshing spring menu lightened the mood and aroused the feminine foodie within.

This lunch marked a very special occasion indeed, for in our many years of togetherness, PID and I have never been blessed with the opportunity of lunching together amidst the work-week. We both recently accepted new positions with new companies, allowing us to be closer together, but our lunch at Capital Grille was the first time we were able to take advantage of this proximity! And happily, it was a positive experience all around.

Capital Grille launched a seasonal tasting menu in January and saw great success, especially during the lunch hours. As manager Rick McMaster put it, "It's ideal if you only have an hour or so of time but still want to experience fine dining."

And experience we did.

Given a choice of three starters, three entrees and three sides (all for $18), we in no way felt limited in our options.

PID went with the server-recommended Shrimp & Pequillo Peppers with a Clam Chowder starter and Truffle Fries.

His soup was average. PID devoured it in moments, but PID loves Clam Chowder.  I wouldn't necessarily call it exceptional in comparison to other clam chowders, but it certainly was tasty.

Clam Chowder

The truffle fries were, quite possibly, greater than you can expect. Doused with just the right amount of truffle oil and garnished with a dusting of Parmesan, these fries were the very definition of addictive. 

Truffle Fries

The shrimp, on the other hand, was nothing short of exceptional. A generous portion for lunch, the shrimp was served with deliciously roasted red peppers and Spanish Bomba rice, a firmer grain often served with Paella.   The flavors were excellent and I caught PID scraping the bottom of his pan on more than one occasion in an attempt to enjoy every last bite.

Shrimp and Pequillo Peppers

I decided on the Lobster Roll with an Asparagus Soup starter and French Green Beans. 

This was my first Asparagus Soup and I have to say I may have found my new favorite.  PID thought it tasted a bit too salty, but you know me and salt. I have a salt-tooth for sure. I gobbled it down in only a few spoonfuls.

Asparagus Soup

Sadly, my green beans were much too al dente, borderline undercooked. But well seasoned, I must say that.

French Green Beans, pictured with Assorted Mixed Vegetables

My Lobster Roll was out of this world.  I tend to gravitate towards Lobster Rolls when I see them on menus, but this one stood out from the crowd with a strong hint of tarragon to give it a unique kick and real, enormous chunks of lobster to greatly improve the overall taste.

LobsterRoll

Restaurant Information:

Capital Grille, Pittsburgh

Address: 301 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15222

Phone:  412-802-9120

Reservations: Recommended for larger lunch parties and strongly suggested for dinner. Make reservations on their website or on OpenTable.com

Hours:

 

Monday – Friday
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday
5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Cliffs Notes:

Clam Chowder, Truffle Fries and Shrimp & Pequillo Peppers @ $18
Asparagus Soup, Lobster Roll and French Green Beans @18

Tax:                        Food tax  @ 7% (Allegheny County only) @ $2.52

Tip:                           $10
Total for two:          $47.52

Overall Opinion:
I'm an account person and I have to say, I'll absolutely be taking my clients here at some point. The waitstaff was incredibly friendly, our food came in an extremely timely manner, and we were beyond pleased with everything aside from the green beans. I absolutely deem this place worthy of your downtown dinner options. And give their affordable, convenient spring menu a try.  It's so much more than a pre-fixe. It's thoughtful and delicious menu planning.

*Capital Grille supplied PID and I with a Spring Menu lunch free of charge in order to facilitate this post, however all opinions expressed within this review are honest and my own.



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Pittsburgh Restaurant Week at Alma

A busy week proved villain extraordinaire when it came to participating as much as we would have liked in Pittsburgh Restaurant Week (nooooo!), but we did manage to make our way out to Alma in Regent Square before the week came to a close.

We met a few F.O.R.T.s for a night out on the town and were excited to try some new food and delicious cocktails. I really enjoyed the warm, intimate atmosphere at Alma. The walls and decor were very colorful and made it feel a little larger than it was by clearly separating the two dining rooms and emphasizing that pan-Latin feel.

Thanks, Almapgh.com!

 Mrs. F.O.R.T and I each opted for a different  Pittsburgh Restaurant Week prix-fixe choice while the men of the table went rogue, ordering straight off the menu.

But first we started with a few cocktails.  The men tried beers from breweries throughout Pennsylvania while the ladies caved in to the temptation of the sangria, which was refreshing and delicious.  But their cocktail menu was extensive and intriguing and I was dying to give at least one of them a try.  I had a tough time deciding, but I went out on a limb with the Jalapeno Gimlet.

Jalepeno Gimlet

For gin lovers, this baby is a dream.  Made with Hendrick's gin, cucumbers and, yes, jalapenos this little treat had multi-dimensional flavor which journeyed from bitter to heat to cool in one fell sip.

The table ordered three cups of black bean chilli while I had the fresh arugula salad.  Unfortunately Mr. and Mrs. F.O.R.T. are vegetarians and we were all uninformed that the black bean chilli actually contained beef.  But PID thoroughly enjoyed the depth of flavor in his chilli which was served with shredded cheddar and crumbled feta.  I also really liked my simple salad as the sweet vinaigrette cut the bitterness of the arugula.

Black bean chilli

Arugula salad

We each ordered an appetizer as well: the Peruvian Conchitas a la parmesana (Parmesan crusted scallops on the half-shell) and Yuca fritas, a dish inspired by Dominican cuisine.

The scallops were disappointingly small and in my mind, the Parmesan was far too overpowering.  I like to taste scallop when I eat scallops. Weird?

Peruvian Conchitas a la Parmesana 

The yuca fritas (yuca is a root vegetable more popular in Latin cultures similar to a potato) were actually very good -- perfectly crispy and very delicious with a freshness you don't really find in a run-of-the-mill potato.  The sauces -- one seemed to have a chipotle/mayo base and the other a cilantro/jalapeno pesto-like taste -- complemented the fritas wonderfully.

Yuca Fritas

For our fixed-price meals, Mrs. F.O.R.T. and I were each entitled to a starter (our chilli and salad), entree and dessert. I chose the Grilled Pork and she went with the fish special, the Baramundi.

Her fish was perfectly cooked and flaky with a beautifully crispy skin.

Baramundi

My pork was ever-so-slightly overcooked and dry, but I really enjoyed the jalapeno and cilantro pesto (yep, again, but I was OK with that). It was also served with a white sweet potato puree which, for those who enjoy mashed sweet potatoes, would have been wonderful.  Unfortunately I am not one of those people because I am a salt fanatic and I find the flavor to be too sweet to accompany savory dishes like pork and jalapeno.  But they were creamy and had a delightful texture, so others may enjoy it much more.

Grilled Pork

PID and Mr. F.O.R.T had Cuban Shrimp in a housemade lime sauce and the "Torrejitas de frijolitos," or legume patties, respectively.

PID's shrimp were cooked to perfection and the lime sauce gave them a well-deserved kick, but he longed for something more than "shrimp and rice."  He said other than the perfection of the shrimp, he felt as though he could have made this dish at home.

Cuban Shrimp 

As for Mr. F.O.R.T., he was a big fan of his vegetarian patty and adored bitterness of the collard greens.

Torrejitas de Frijolitos

Finally we were graced with dessert.  Mrs. F.O.R.T. had the renowned Tres Leches cake and I the raspberry sorbet.

Her cake was moist and dreamy with complex flavors (like a lovely taste of strawberry) that left her pretty satisfied.

Tres Leches cake

My sorbet was extremely refreshing, with a sweet burst of berry.

Berry sorbet

In a surprising turn of events, PID decided to try the Horchata Martini, a Cinnamon vanilla made with vanilla rum and cream for his dessert. He sipped daintily and seemed to really dig it!

Horchata Martini

Restaurant Information

Alma Pan-Latin Kitchen

Address: 7600 Forbes Ave, Regent Square

Phone: 412-727-6320

Reservations: They do not take them, so show up 30-45 minutes before you're hungry!

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday

            5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cliffs Notes:

As you may have noticed, I typically don't list our bill price when we dine with friends as a courtesy.  Meals were moderately priced and their online menu lists each price.

 

Overall Opinion:

This was the third time we've attempted to eat at Alma, mostly due to the fact that they don't take reservations. We came prepared this visit, making sure to put our names in about 30 minutes before we actually wanted to eat. There is a small wine kitchen around the back which is a nice place to wait for an open table.  The wait wasn't along as it had been in the past this week which was perfect.  Our server was extremely friendly and punctual. There were high points and low points of our meal, but overall we enjoyed ourselves. Should we ever go back, PID and I will be sure to try something different to give it a better shot.

Electric Avenue B

This post has been a long time coming. A very, very long time coming. But worth the wait, I'd have to say!

In early March, PID and I finally decided it was time to take a few of our FORTs out to celebrate their recent engagement. We batted around a few locations, including Spoon and Willow -- two of our favorites.  But we simply couldn't ignore the untapped mystery that lay on the corner of Graham Street and Center Ave in  Friendship, Avenue B.

That's right -- the so-proclaimed sensation specializing in American Cuisine was one that PID and I had been anxious to discover.  It came not only  highly recommended by local restaurant critics galore, but also by our newly engaged FORTs who couldn't wait to give it a second go-round.

So we picked a date and my forgetful mind forgot to make reservations until a mere three days prior to our visit.  By that time all tables were booked well in to 9 p.m. So I snagged the 9:30 spot and we decided to eat heavy lunches to avoid starvation.

We were greeted at the door by a pleasant host at the forefront of a charming dining room and chalkboard menus featuring the specials of the evening.

Keep in mind that Avenue B (the B, if you were curious, stands for Bonfili -- as in chef and owner Chris Bonfili) is quite unique in that they have a very small core menu (about 6-8 items) and feature ever changing "chalkboard menus" that update constantly to please any palate.

We......were definitely pleased.

It all started with the wine. Which we brought with us because it's a BYOB establishment. How much do I love that? A small corking fee and the ability to choose absolutely any wine I want (for a much lower cost) is very appealing to me.

So on to the bread... nice and warm and came with a homespun-tasting butter ball with what I thought to be just a touch too much herb.  

We started off with the deconstructed rainbow roll which called to us from the chalkboard. The roll brought together familiar flavors of a traditional favorite, introduced in a whole new and delicious fashion. Our only complaint about this appetizer was that we didn't order two.

We also tried our taste-buds at the General Tso's Rock Shrimp with a spicy vegetable slaw.  I'm going to be honest.  I don't remember this dish.  May have something to do with the fact that I ate it nearly two months ago.  But then again I remembered a few other dishes so maybe this one just wasn't for me.  Regardless -- I do remember that it was all gone very quickly.

 

Finally, PID and I decided to round out the appetizers by ordering a bowl of the Butternut Squash Soup which we gobbled up immediately competing with thrown elbows for the final bite.

Future Mrs. FORT (FMF) had ordered the meatloaf upon her first visit.  Really? Meatloaf?  Um....no thanks.Yeah, that was my reaction too.  Until she ordered it again out of a sheer love for it and I had a taste. I can't say I tasted a hint of mama's meatloaf.  This was the real deal.  Kobe meat, tomato jam and "gourmet" onion straws brought this dish together with amazing flavors.  Though I didn't try the goat cheese & chive whipped potatoes, I believe it was only because I didn't have the chance to do it before FMF finished them off.

Mr. McFORT (MM), though equally captivated by his first experience with the Kobe Meatloaf, decided to take a new route and go with the NY Strip Steak with truffled smashed Yukon gold potatoes.  Seared to perfection, this dish was one MM would not soon forget (but would VERY soon finish).

PID and I chose the fish dishes.  PID went with the Wild Striped Bass with Rock Shrimp Etouffe. What the heck is etouffe? Just think of it similar to gumbo, but with more seafood. PID loved his dish and I did too. It was far from overdone which I often find bass to be. If this meal makes it's way back to the chalkboard anytime soon, I definitely suggest casting your line its way.

As for me, I went with the Arctic Char.  A fish I've not tasted is a rarity indeed, so this was particularly enticing for me. Plus it came with brussel sprouts and a pepper relish so...it was pretty much a no-brainer.   I will say of all four dishes, mine was the one with which I was the least pleased.  But that doesn't mean I didn't thoroughly enjoy every bite.  I would absolutely suggest any of the above options over mine unless you're a Char-nut. In which case g'head and reel'er in!

To wrap up the night, we knew that nothing paired better with our Papa PID homemade red wine than CHOCOLATE!  Don't shoot me, but I cannot remember what this beautiful looking, delicious tasting dessert was actually called.  But best believe when I say "delicious" I really mean it. Four of us sharing this thing was an awful idea. We all wanted nothing but more.


Restaurant Information:
Avenue B
Address: 5501 Center Ave
Phone: 412-683-FOOD
Hours: Lunch -- Tuesday-Friday, 11a-3p
           Dinner -- Tuesday-Thursday, 5p-10p
                          Friday/Saturday, 5p-11p
Reservations: Call ahead, and call early.  We went on a Tuesday, called 4 days in advance and still couldn't get in until 9:30.

Cliffs Notes:
I'll be honest -- I don't at all recall the corking fee or non-alcoholic beverage cost.  Don't yell at me.
Appetizers:    Butternut Squash Soup @ $6
                     General Tso's Rock Shrimp @ $12
                     Deconstructed California Roll @ $12
Entrees:         Kobe Meat Loaf @ $21    
                     NY Strip Steak @ $26
                     Wild Striped Bass @ $24
                     Arctic Char @ $24
Dessert:       Chocolate thingy @ $8


Overall Opinion:
Though two months later I'm still steaming that I made the least appealing decision in terms of the entrees up for grabs, I'm still remembering the good times and great food that we all enjoyed that evening.  The ambiance was absolutely something worth remembering as well -- a small but charming establishment in an up-and-coming neighborhood.  All of the eateries that had occupied this space prior to Avenue B had failed rather quickly, but I certainly foresee chef Chris Bonfili and his staff sticking around for a very, very long time.

Moonliting

I'm sad to write this post.

I'd thought I might have discovered a gem.  PID and I searched for something very specific for this week's date night.  Inexpensive and on our side of town. I used the Urbanspoon application on my iPod Touch to try to find the perfect spot. I must have spun the reel about 105 times before I landed on the Moonlite Cafe on Brookline Blvd. 

I read a number of reviews that all said the same thing: don't judge a book by its cover, it has a dive appeal with delicious cuisine.

I was excited to experience it for myself and tell you all about this hidden treasure in the South Hills.  But sadly, I was far from impressed.  We walked in to a half-full dining room. There were many empty tables throughout and we were seated in a booth adjacent to a family with two screaming crawling children.  Really? We couldn't have had one (or two, or three) booths in between?

Sean looked at me the moment we sat down and abruptly admitted "It smells like the 70's in here."  Which oddly enough, he was right.  It did have a Partridge-Family aroma.

But I was still overly optimistic.  Our waiter, Robert, was prompt, polite and adorable.  Our drinks came in a flash.  And then it was on to the wine...

I ordered the house Cab Sav which came before I could finish saying "savignon" and was filled to the absolute brim.  I like that. I like it a lot.  It was slightly cheap tasting but it was also cheap.  Not a horrid trade off.

And then (very quickly) came the bread.

Your typical Italian bread.  Possibly bought at one of the local markets on Brookline Blvd.  Very light and fluffy, not too hard. But nothing to write home about. Or keep writing here for that matter.

We then moved on to the appetizer...

We chose the Crab Cakes.  Are you shocked?  I didn't think so.  But we were.  When two chicken-patty wanna-be's were placed down right in front of us.

It looked, and eventually tasted, like these crab cakes (composed of imitation crab meat) were picked up from their local grocers freezer.  In a box. For $8.50/dozen.  I wish I could say better things.  But I truthfully can't.  The cocktail sauce felt store-bought also as the horseradish was nowhere to be seen in the texture of the sauce.  Overall, the crab cakes were a major disappointment.

We moved on to the soup and salad after that...

I was pleased to see that the the Chicken Noodle Soup looked authentic.  Big, hearty noodles and a foamy broth made the soup pretty tasty.  The salad was made of (GASP!) iceburg lettuce and I only received two olives, two tomatoes and one pepper. Yikes.

And finally it was on to the entree.  I was hoping -- HOPING -- this would be Moonlite's saving grace.  I'd ordered the Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo.  Many of the user reviews I'd read had praised Moonlite's alfredo.  It was my time to decide.

Upon delivery (which Robert assured happened in a very timely fashion as we'd happily discovered was his MO) the dish looked promising.  Shrimp looked cooked to perfection with a slight pink hue.  However I noticed a poor ratio of pasta-to-alfredo on the plate.  The shrimp seemed right at home swimming in a sea of sauce.  One of my biggest pet peeves is a shrimp pasta dish where the shrimp tails have not been removed.  There's nothing more messy and difficult than attempting to remove the tails from a shrimp when they're already in a pasta...especially THIS pasta. I had to hold my shrimp over the plate for 45 seconds to let the excess sauce drip off before pinching off its tail.

Once I got the tails off it was finally time to dig in.  This was it.  The moment of truth.  I took a bite and couldn't quite make out what the flavor reminded me of... so I asked PID.  He didn't even finish chewing before he blurted out "popcorn."  And...once again...he was right.  It tasted just like popcorn.  Mostly because of the outlandish amount of butter that had been incorporated in to the sauce. It was overwhelming. There was a slightly chalky aftertaste as well which made me wonder if the sauce had been birthed from a powder mixture which was not properly executed. I was devastated.

I asked PID how he felt about his meal.  He definitely had a better experience than I did.  He chose the New York Strip steak at a very reasonable price.

But it was only juicy on the fatty end where it rendered in to the meat.  He said after that it was stiff and chewy.  He was pleased with the flavor the mushrooms added, and his Italian green beans were soaked in a very delicious herbal marinara sauce, but the star of the show  seemed to forget it's lines.

Cliffs Notes:

Drinks: 2 Diet Pepsis @ $2.25
            1 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $5
Appetizers: Crab Cakes @ $4.50
Entrees:     NY Strip Steak @ $16.95
                 Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo $13.95
Tax:     @ 7% (Allegheny County only) $2.79
Tip (the service was the saving grace): $9
Total for 2:  $56.69


Overall Opinion?

I wanted so badly to deliver the happy news of a new found favorite.  But instead I'm like Fox News. Delivering earth shattering news to the public without a glimmer of hope. I will say the service was outstanding.  Very quick and my drinks were refilled (without me asking) without my ever noticing they were gone.  The prices were more than reasonable and had I have to believe that if we would have tried for something slightly more traditional, it would have been an OK trip. I won't be back, but if you live in the Overbrook/Brookline area, go in and give it a shot if you're looking for an inexpensive break from cooking.  Let me know how your experience went!  I'd love to be proven wrong!

Pittsburgh Restaurants