Hard Rock Cafe

Ah, the Hard Rock Cafe, another Pittsburgh favorite. The Hard Rock Cafe is also located in Station Square right along the Monongahela River. The prices are very reasonable there too, depending on what you order of course. Their burgers ring up right around $12, and their desserts range from about $6-$10. But, whenever ordering seafood, that is not kind on the bill-anywhere you go! They have just about any type of food you can think of to order. They have anything from salads, to steaks, to seafood, and to desserts.

The food here is delightful. I can honestly say that I have never experienced a poor time here. The last time I went, was Pittsburgh's Light Up Night in November. My friends an I all went downtown for light up night when we all got home from college. We walked around Light Up Night for a while then decided to grab a bite to eat here. We all chose burgers and milkshakes and our bills were no more than $20 each-including tip.

The restaurant is not super fancy; it's more of a causal bar restaurant. It has great atmosphere with music playing and people laughing. The music they play just makes you want to have a good time. It's a mix of throwback oldies to modern. There are steps here and there (just a few) to get to different levels of the restaurant to spread people out when they eat and just to create a different view of the restaurant. 

This restaurant is definitely more of a laid back restaurant in Pittsburgh. It's a great place to eat and have fun without it costing an arm and a leg. It's a delicious place to eat it is just not as fancy as the previous places I have mentioned. It's perfect for a night out on the town when you just want to explore. Not too fancy, but not underdressed either.

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto

I can honestly say in my 18 years of life, I have never gotten sick of eating in Pittsburgh. There are countless restaurants to try and another one of my favorites is Monterey Fish Grotto. It's a bit on the pricier side so if you're planning on taking a date there, you may want to save up some extra cash. Paying $40 for a five ounce steak is a little ridiculous nonetheless, but I have never heard a bad review about this restaurant. (Or had a bad experience any time I have eaten there) Monterey Bay Fish Grotto is a beautiful restaurant that overlooks the river (along with the other restaurants in Pittsburgh). Some people even consider this the best view in the whole city.

They are famous for their "surf-n-turf", but my favorite part of the meal when I go there, is always the dessert. Not only do they taste delicious but they are designed so beautifully that it makes me not even want to eat it. I always take a picture of it just because I am so impressed by the effort and dedication the kitchen staff put into the food to make your time there as enjoyable as possible. 

Above is my favorite dessert I like to get there. It's the Chocolate Truffle Cake. As soon as that first bite touches your tongue, the cake begins to dissolve in your mouth. It is mouthwatering! Not only is the chocolate delicious, but the vanilla, raspberry, and extra chocolate dipping sauce they put on the side, just add extra zest to the whole meal. The food there is so filling but I ALWAYS make sure that I leave enough room for the dessert because that's the best part. I've always had quite the sweet tooth if you can't tell. Even though that's my favorite dessert there, they have a plethora of other desserts there as well. For example, they also have a beautiful orientation of Creme Brûlée. (That's my mom's favorite dessert and she always lets me have a bite when she gets it) It is topped with a hint of fruit and a sweet cracker on the side to dip. It is pictured below.

Overall, I know I did not mention a lot about the main entrees at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto but, I mentioned a lot about main entrees in my previous posts so I wanted to keep my fellow bloggers entertained and switch it up a little. Therefore, I wanted to tell everyone about something sweet they could enjoy after a hearty meal.

Buca di Beppo

Ah, another favorite restaurant of mine is easily Buca di Beppo which is also located in Pittsburgh. Buca di Beppo is a tasty Italian restaurant that seems to suggest that when eating there, your order is split with another individual. They provide these large portions of any type of Italian food one could ever think of. The smell of the restaurant mixed with the scenic Italian pictures spread throughout it really gives a feel of what good Italian food can taste like. Not only do they have the pictures spread throughout the restaurant but they also have those red and white plaid table cloths that are seen at picnics and all over Italy. 

My favorite food in the whole world is chicken parmesan. The best place to get it I think, (besides my kitchen at home when my mom cooks it) is Buca di Beppo. They bring out this huge plate of chicken parm (it's meant for more than one person but it never hurts to have your favorite leftovers in your fridge at home; am I right?) and they shred fresh cheese overtop; kind of like what the waiters and waitresses do at Olive Garden. It's so fresh and right as it hits your food you can see if begin to melt since your food is so quickly brought out. 

Buca di Beppo is located in Station Square right along the river. However, it's on the opposite side of the river that the Capital Grille is located. It's right by the Hard Rock Cafe and Texas Roadhouse. (which are also very delicious; you can never go wrong picking a restaurant in in Pittsburgh) It's so nice once you finish your meal that you can go right outside and look over the river at the city. Especially, going right as the sun is setting. Nothing beats that on a warm summer evening. And, then walking up and down the little path on the river and see all the of the cities and bridges that make up our beautiful city.

The Capital Grille

There's something about people waiting for food that when they have been craving for a while, it makes the food taste that much better when it is finally eaten. For example, if someone has ever been in the mood for a delicious steak don't they normally go out to get it? Well, I know that when I'm in the mood for a mouth watering steak, I make it a point to wait until my family and I can take a trip into Pittsburgh to attend one of the most famous restaurants in the city; The Capital Grille. Each time I go, I always choose the "Slice Filet Oscar with Lump Crab and Béarnaise".  As stated in the menu, "A rich twist on our popular, classic Filet Mignon." It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The crab is delicious as well but my favorite part is hands-down the steak. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday of my life. Would my fellow bloggers believe me if I told them that I can honestly smell the food as I compose this blog? Nothing beats that aroma when the steam first comes off of your plate and to your nose as your meal is sitting in front of your face. Then, right as that first bite is taken, it basically melts in your mouth it's that good. Not only is the food delicious, but the interior design is breathtaking. It has wooden walls and windows that overlook the city of Pittsburgh and the rivers. For me, if I'm eating a well-cooked meal, I would like to enjoy it in a well designed restaurant; it makes the food taste even better in my opinion. After reading my blog, I hope it enhances each of my bloggers to try out the "Slice Filet Oscar with Lump Crab and Béarnaise" next time they take a trip into Pittsburgh and dine at The Capital Grille.

Pittsburgh

Hello, my name is Lauren Farrell and I have grown up in the city of Pittsburgh for the past 18 years. Pittsburgh is known as the City of Bridges since our architecture contains many bridges due to the fact we have three major rivers running through our city. "The Point" is where the three rivers of Pittsburgh meet; Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio River. We are also home to the three famous black and gold sports teams known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Steelers have won the Superbowl six times and the Penguins have just recently won the Stanley Cup in 2016. Not only does Pittsburgh possess those features, but Pittsburgh also brings many tourists in with the concerts they host throughout the city. They are hosted at pavilions and or the stadiums of our favorite sports teams.