Friendship is a nice compromise neighborhood option. Bordered by Penn Ave. Garfield with new restaurants and awesome Voluto coffee, Bloomfield, East Liberty & Shadyside it's very convenient to a wide variety of options.

Also endorse Girasole. If open, try some gelato at Mulberry, was above Girasole, now on Walnut. Have a great visit!

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Girasole
733 Copeland St Ste 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

This area has many options but nothing too terribly exciting. Here's a few you may find adequate: Springfield Grille, Mad Mex & Aladdin's.

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Springfield Grille
1226 Perry Hwy, Mercer, PA 16137

Tram's father who runs the front and serves is greatly misunderstood - and yes language is part of it. This is a very busy, hectic joint where the food is prepared fresh. This is not fast food. He works his butt off doing twice the work of others who have both hands. He's intelligent and well read. The fresh spring rolls are excellent and are made fresh. If they see you have not eaten one and it's been sitting in the open air they'll come with plastic wrap to protect it from drying. They do have a 2 piece minimum which can be confusing. So go, relax and enjoy.

haven't been yet but lots of buzz over Yo Rita on Carson/Southside. If you are mobile, head to Highland Park, take a walk around the reservoir and have lunch or dinner at Smiling Banana Leaf. If near Shadyside, we enjoy Girasole then dessert upstairs at Mulberry Gelato

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Girasole
733 Copeland St Ste 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Yo Rita
1120 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Hi! We're familiar with Bethesda and District but staying in Silver Spring for an AU graduation weekend and looking for recs in general but some of us do not eat red meat nor poultry. Thanks for help.

you'll probably want to get yourselves over to Southside/Carson St. Strip District has Kaya and variety of other options. Sixth St b/w Penn Ave and Clemente Bridge has some options. Enjoy

as far as where to stay, especially if bidding, go with Downtown 4 star. Renaissance, Omni William Penn, Westin Convention Ctr and brand new Fairmont are all downtown. Check out Big Burrito family of restaurants. Kaya is in Strip as is Eleven. Shadyside, both Walnut St. & Ellsworth Ave. have dining options. I've enjoyed Girasole. Then there's Carson St. on Southside. Enjoy

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Girasole
733 Copeland St Ste 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

where starting from and what route? I-80 or Turnpike?

Kaya, which is across river in Strip District. It's not huge so if interested check out reservations.

you may find these options acceptable: http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/cafes.shtm

there is a small restaurant row on Craig St. b/w Fifth & Forbes with Star of India, Lu Lu's Noodles as well as Middle Eastern and others. Not too far away is the neighborhood
Shadyside. Lots of restaurants on Walnut & Ellsworth. I like Girasole off of Walnut and there is good gelato in same building.

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Star of India
412 S Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Girasole
733 Copeland St Ste 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pit... might help too

21st Street Coffee while cruising Strip District., Enrico's Biscotti. If you're not staying at the Renaissance you may want to experience the lobby while enjoying a drink. Their new restaurant, Braddock's, has opened to mix reviews but may be worth a look.
Carson St/Southside has too many options. Lots of buzz over Yo Rita. We've had good meals at Cafe Du Jour

Teaism, 2 Amys, Amsterdam Falafel, Julia's Empenadas, expand into Bethesda, Eastern Market,

understood, BUT being a very specific request for a tough day...it's an option. hopefully they'll get it together.

which end of the state are you interested in?

how about the restaurants in the upscale downtown hotels? you might enjoy the new Braddocks in the Renaissance.

with some extra time available, head up Mt Washington for the view - not necessarily the food.

if beer is important perhaps you'd like to cruise by the touristy hofbrauhaus, but you'd be skipping the true pgh experience of carson st. I agree, if you're sleeping on southside - stay and enjoy it. doublewide probably has good beer selection but better food options. I haven't been but what about tom's diner for bfast?

take a look at Girasole in Shadyside. they would know their ingredients. not typical red sauce joint.

these are not hidden gems by any means. but if not from the area you may find them to be acceptable alternatives. They are pat "local" chains and I'm not sure how their quality compares with other locations - I'm sure we'll find out shortly!
Mad Mex & Atria's were my 2 thoughts.

www.pennavefishcompany.com in the Strip District should be a good start for Clam Chowder and other seafood. Fish Mkt with some items to eat in - not a restaurant per se.
We like Girasole in Shadyside for Italian. Although it's had it's detractors of late. Not typical
"red sauce" joint. Generally take a look at the various Big Burrito restaurants. Point Brugge in Point Breeze. You may find City Paper and Pittsburgh magazine helpful.

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Girasole
733 Copeland St Ste 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Point Brugge Cafe
401 Hastings St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Wow, this is fun but not much help for our visitor. We recently dined at Taste of India and were pleasantly surprised it survived the recent hospital transformation. The food was good, the prices were fair and the service appropriate. However I've also always enjoyed Peoples Indian. We've eaten many times at Trams and admit the atmosphere and service can be quirky. I'll acknowledge the food had become inconsistent but our most recent visits were good. For Thai I must insist you try Smiling Banana Leaf on Bryant Ave. in Highland Park. Very good food with a pleasant small dining room. We've had great meals, including pumpkin ravioli, at Girasole in Shadyside. Some have commented it's gone down hill. A few spots from June's Pittsburgh Magazine are:
Church Brew Works, Bangkok Balcony, Kaya, Braddock's at Renaissance.

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Taste of India
4320 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Church Brew Works & Restaurant
3525 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Girasole
733 Copeland St Ste 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Bangkok Balcony
5846 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

won't meet your request for Thanksgiving but if get close to Reseda be sure to check out
Vinh Loi Tofu. good quality vietnamese.

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Vinh Loi Tofu
18625 Sherman Way Ste 101, Reseda, CA 91335

Will be in Seal Beach area for next Sunday's Steeler - Viking's game. Any suggestions for a "Steeler" bar/restaurant around Seal Beach, Long Beach area? thanks

if you're open to very casual but excellent South Indian cuisine...check out Udipi Cafe

After many enjoyable meals over past 20 years we were pleasantly surprised that Taste of India across from the new Children's Hospital is alive and well. The interior has been upgraded, the service quite good, the prices very affordable and the vegetarian thali quite good. There was a steady flow of patrons many of which seemed to be regulars. We looking forward to returning, perhaps for even more affordable lunch buffet.

might Jo Jo's be open then? (Strip District Big Greasy Diner)

Sq Hill should be on the list of neighborhoods to house/apt shopping. Interesting, eclectic and fair number of eating establishments and centrally located to some of the other neighborhoods. Good pizza options as well as Asian, including Zaw's takeout.