My son and his girlfriend just moved to the Pittsburgh area, near the UPMC. His birthday is tomorrow, 27 how did I get so old :). I’d like to send him a restaurant gift card and was wondering if anyone had any good restaurant recommendation.
I know it’s last moment, his birthday always creeps up on me. Someplace I could email a gift card to would be great.
We ate at a very famous sandwich place called Primanti Brothers something or other. Everyone mentions it as a place to go to when visiting Pittsburgh. Unless you are looking for fancy, which this isn’t! 
We enjoyed Legume. http://www.legumebistro.com
Primantis is definitely a go to place…but not for a special occasion!
It’s been a while since we’ve been there but two popular casual places in the neighborhood are Fuel N Fiddle and Pamela’s. But I doubt they sell gift cards online.
Oh - found some good ones; we’ve eaten at all these places a few years back:
Lidia’s: http://www.lidias-pittsburgh.com/gift-cards/
Girosole: http://www.733copeland.com/gift-cards.php
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto: https://montereybayfishgrotto.com/pittsburgh/gift.php
Never been here but it seems to get very nice reviews and they do ecards: http://altiuspgh.com/gift-cards/
Thanks so much for the suggestions!
By UPMC, do you mean the med school? There are UPMC hospitals all over the county.
In OAkland, where Pitt is, is a nice restaurant that is right by the Pitt library called The Porch. My 30 year old niece planned her own birthday party there and I have been there for several other occasions.
In the downtown area which is not far, Meat and Potatoes would be a good choice. We also like Bravo Franco and 7 Penn.
Yes, I’m sorry. They are in the area by the med school. I was thinking of someplace special where S and gf could have a nice dinner nearby.
Thanks so much, I’m not familiar with the area. My S works near the baseball stadium. The gf found it confusing to drive when she met him for dinner near his office so I was thinking of somewhere that wouldn’t be too far from where they live.
Pittsburgh is a very confusing city even for natives. It took me years before I was brave enough to drive downtown and then I would drive to one parking lot and walk. When we go to baseball games, we park in the downtown area and either walk across the bridge or take the free subway for one stop.
Ate at a nice small Italian place called Pinos not long ago. It’s not too far and would be easy for them to get to.
I’ve lined in this area for nearly 30 years and have yet to eat at Primanti’s. The idea of sandwiches with French fries and coleslaw piled on top of them has never appealed to me.
We went to Mallorca for a special occasion and really liked it.
In Pittsburgh, it’s customary to go to restaurant row on Mt. Washington for a special dinner. Someone mentioned Monterey Bay, which is exquisite, but is currently closed for renovations. I have not eaten at any other restaurants in that area, but perhaps do a google search for Mr. Washington restaurants and see what you think they would like.
Thanks, I decided to go with Lidia’s. The menu looked good. I think the gf is a bit picky so I’m sure she can find something there. This kid is not that interested in fancy food, so I’m thinking this is a great middle ground.
Monterey Bay looked great, except that it is currently closed. I wasn’t sure when it would reopen so I decided not to. Looks like somewhere to take the kids though when we go visit.
^^mamabear:
I would never eat a sandwich with french fries on it either. I’m sure that’s probably one of many sandwiches to get there…just the sound of it makes me sick. If I remember correctly, the sandwiches are so big, that you just split it with someone else and eat half. Without the french fries! [-X But the OP is looking for nicer restaurants anyway!
Fatheads saloon. Great draft selection, huge sandwiches, awesome apps. My daughters and their friends loved it.
I’m going to bookmark this. Lots of great suggestions for when we visit.
I knew I would get great suggestions here.
I actually loved Primantis…but not for a special occasion. If you go…get half a sandwich…and split that between two people. It’s more than enough.
The flavors of the coleslaw, potatoes, and corned beef (my favorite) actually meld well.
I woildnt eat it every day!
My daughter took us to Primantis her graduation weekend because it’s a Pittsburgh tradition and she wanted to do it before she left. I could barely get the sandwich down. I just don’t understand the appeal. Neither did the other three members of my family.
DH tried Primantis on one of our visits but was not impressed.
Lidia’s is a great choice for non-adventurous eaters; DS and I are both picky and enjoyed it. The owner has an interesting background as a celebrity chef. Also parking shouldn’t be too bad in that neighborhood compared to Mt. Washington. (Sorry, didn’t know Monterey Bay was closed. We went there to celebrate DS’s graduation.)
Hope they enjoy lidia’ s. My sister went for a birthday celebration at Altius in December. Loved it and felt it was very special. Great view of the skyline from Mt. Washington.
I had the sandwich with fries on it at Primanti’s, and I thought it was pretty good, as a one-time local experience.