<p>Does anyone have any good ideas for restaurants to take our daughter out to dinner on Parent’s Weekend? Something a little bit special, it does not need to be in Oakland but close by or easy to get to with car would be ideal.</p>
<p>If you like Caribbean/Island food, Kaya in the strip district is very nice.
[Kaya</a> * Island Cuisine in The Strip District](<a href=“http://www.bigburrito.com/kaya/]Kaya”>http://www.bigburrito.com/kaya/)
A reasonably priced French restaurant in East Liberty:
[Welcome</a> to Paris66 - Best French Restaurant in Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.paris66bistro.com/default.aspx]Welcome”>http://www.paris66bistro.com/default.aspx)
In Oakland, a good middle eastern place is
<a href=“Alibabapittsburgh.com”>Alibabapittsburgh.com;
or for an American Burger place
[Union</a> Grill - Oakland - Pittsburgh, PA](<a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/union-grill-pittsburgh]Union”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/union-grill-pittsburgh)</p>
<p>There are so many options, it’s difficult to know what to suggest without further guidelines as to price and type of food - I’ve not included any truly upscale places if that is what you want.</p>
<p>My ds had us take him downtown to a place called Seviche ( [Seviche</a> - Downtown - Pittsburgh, PA](<a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/seviche-pittsburgh]Seviche”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/seviche-pittsburgh) ) . Trendy and cool, bit pricey and portions were bit small. Personally more local, I loved this dive in Oakland called Spice Island Tea House (253 Atwood), really sketch from the outside but good authentic Malaysian/Indonesian food.</p>
<p>Thank you for your suggestions. We have been to Union Grill a couple of times when we visited. We like it for its traditional american fare.
These all look like good ideas. I was looking for something more interesting than cafeteria food…so these might have hit the spot. We may have to visit more often to try them all.</p>
<p>If you want some more upscale, special occasion-y selections, consider</p>
<p>Eleven (near Strip District)
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto (top of Mt Washington- beautiful view)</p>
<p>We have also liked Kaya- upscale casual carribean menu</p>
<p>Legends of the North. Best italian food around. This is a small neighborhood place and fills up quickly - make sure you call for a reservation if you are interested.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your ideas. Some of the restaurants are already booked, not surprisingly, but I will keep all of these on a list for future visits.</p>
<p>We like the Hofbrau Haus for German food. South side, I think. There are lots of restaurants at the Waterfront. I cannot remember the name of the microbrewery there. There is a nice steakhouse there too.</p>
<p>Up on Walnut St in Shadyside. Best scallops I’ve ever tasted.</p>
<p>Not dinner, but breakfast and brunch. I try to hit Pamela’s every time I’m in Pitt. The closest one to campus is in Shadyside or Squirrel Hill
[Pamela’s</a> Diner! | Welcome to (P&G) Pamela’s Diner](<a href=“http://www.pamelasdiner.com/]Pamela’s”>http://www.pamelasdiner.com/)</p>
<p>Church Brew Works is great. Varied menu and great beer!
[Home[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Mad Mex in Shadyside–love their Mole sauce!
<a href=“http://www.madmex.com/shadyside/[/url]”>Mad Mex Shadyside | Mad Mex](<a href=“http://www.churchbrew.com/]Home[/url”>http://www.churchbrew.com/)</a></p>
<p>I second the Pamela’s idea - but there is one actually in Oakland on Forbes.</p>
<p>I know it’s past Parents Weekend, but here are some great restaurants that</p>
<p>A) Don’t kill the budget
B) Are delicious
C) Most only exist in Pittsburgh</p>
<p>Oakland:
–Fuel & Fuddle (American Food, great craft beer selection)
–Spice Island Cafe (Asian food, but more along the lines of Thai, Indonesian, Java flavors)
–Mad Mex (Mexican and super tasty)
–Black Bean Cafe (Cuban and Chinese, both authentic, both awesome)
–The Porch at Schenley (Great American food, love their lunches, good pizzas)
–Thai Hana (Awesome Thai food)
–Lulu’s (Good noodles, Asian)
–Oishii (Asian)
–Union Grill (American)
–Orient Express (Asian)
–Joe Mama’s (Italian)
–Tamarind (Indian)</p>
<p>Shadyside:
–Mad Mex (same as in Oakland, but larger)
–Elbow Room (American, great pasta and sandwiches/wraps)
–Shady Grove (American, good sandwiches and burgers)
–Steel Cactus (Mexican)
–Sushi Too (Good sushi, Asian food)
–Mercurio’s (Good Pizza, Gelato)
–BRGR (Burgers, amazing shakes)</p>
<p>Squirrel Hill
–Aladdins (Mediterranean/Middle Eastern)
–Rose Tea Cafe (Great Asian food)
–Bangkok Balcony (Great Thai Food)
–How Le (Great Asian Food)</p>
<p>Station Square
–Buca di Beppo</p>
<p>South Side
–Hofbrauhaus
–Cheeseacke Factory</p>
<p>Waterworks
–Burgatory (burgers, amazing shakes)</p>