The Primanti’ s in the Strip District is the one to go to. Lots of local color! I’m originally from Pittsburgh and will be going there next week so glad to see this thread. I love Pittsburgh and still get homesick after all these years!
And Fatheads is right across the river. 5 minutes away. http://www.fatheadspittsburgh.com/
NOM!
Thant French fries sandwich sounds delicious!!
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Mallorca on the Southside is a wonderful Spanish restaruant. mallorcarestaurantpgh.com - 15 minute drive from UPMC
Legume is in Oakland close to UPMC… really good food http://legumebistro.com/
Point Bruge is in Point Breeze… 10 minute drive pointbrugge.com
These are three of my favorite “local yocal” restaurants that are not big box franchises. I would go to any one of these for a special occasion. And yes Primanti’s is great for their famous sandwiches.
Mallorca, Legume, and Point Brugge are all good (great frites at Point Brugge). Legume’s bar, Butterjoint, has a nice happy hour with some good bar food. Haven’t been to it myself but my sister likes Joseph Tambellini in Highland Park - very nice. For pizza, Proper Brick Oven and Tap House (downtown) and Mineo’s (Squirrel Hill) are good. Mineo’s has expanded and has a nice bar area with tables .
Maybe Primanti’s is an acquired taste. The original place from the 1930’s is in the Strip District and is open 24 hours. I always have the capicola and cheese and an Iron City. Doesn’t get any better than that! 
I see the restaurant has already been chosen, but for future reference here are some of my favorites (mostly more upscale places) in Pittsburgh, in no particular order:
Legume
The Porch
Casbah (not the most consistent, but can be really good)
Square Cafe (best brunch ever! Don’t go to Pamelas ;))
E2 (have only been for brunch)
Point Brugges
Meat and Potatoes
Noodlehead (more casual, but really good)
Salt of the Earth
Eleven
Cure
BRGR (fancy hamburgers and milkshakes)
Franktuary (fancy hotdogs!)
@CaliforniaDancer Glad you mentioned Franktuary. I had only been to the downtown location and didn’t realize they had a Lawrenceville location until I looked on their website just now. Looks like the downtown location is closed but the Lawrenceville location looks cool and I like Lawrenceville so may try to check it out. Thanks.
I also liked BRGR but have only been there once. I thought the communal tables at Salt of the Earth were interesting. I know my sister also likes Casbah, Meat and Potatoes and The Porch. Café at the Frick is nice for lunch. Girasole (which has been mentioned) was nice as well but it’s been a while since I was there.
OP needed a place that could do an online gift card last night so that greatly narrowed the options.
@Marilyn, We’ve known the restaurant was chosen by the OP many posts back. Other people have mentioned they will be visiting or have visited so people are just adding on ideas of good places to go in Pittsburgh. In terms of who does gift cards that can be emailed- the Commoner, the restaurant at the new Kimpton downtown has gift cards that can be emailed. The restaurant is new so pretty popular right now.
The Grand Concourse (old historic railroad station) is nice for Sunday brunch .
OP here. Son said that he’s been to Lidia’s and liked it. He was very happy with his gift certificate. He said he’s been there but forgot about it and has been trying to think about a good Italian restaurant so he and the gf will enjoy it.
I really appreciate all the great restaurant suggestions. S should be living in Pittsburgh for a while and now I have a great list of restaurants to try. He’s not always the best at suggesting so these recommendations are greatly appreciated.
D got EColi food poisoning at The Porch. But I’m sure it’s fine now…