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Sushi on the Southside.. (We visit Nakama)

Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar has been a South Side hotspot since opening in 2003.  On any given night you will find Nakama packed full of people enjoying drinks and appetizers or sitting at one of the many hibachi tables watching the chefs create their dishes in real time.

View of the Entrance to Nakama from East Carson

When Nakama first opened, I ate their quiet frequently.  However, as its popularity grew exponentially, it became increasing difficult to get seating, so I reluctantly found myself eating elsewhere.   Needless to say I’ve missed the Nakama experience and with a friend visiting from Manhattan I figured it was time to return.

If first impressions are important, Nakama delivers immediately. The restaurant occupies the entire corner of South 17th and East Carson Street.  The facade is almost completely comprised of glass floor to ceiling windows affording patrons the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Nakama’s layout is both stylish and tasteful.  Two bars flank your entrance while numerous hibachi tables encompass the back.  As to be expected, the restaurant was quite busy, full of patrons enjoying the food and atmosphere that has earned Nakama a reputation of style and sophistication.

Despite the crowd, we were able to find seats at the sushi bar providing us with an excellent view of the sushi preparation.  I started with the basics: sashimi and nigiri, convention wisdom being: without good fish the potential creativity and precision of the chefs will have little impact on the final result.  This fish was indeed very fresh, leading us to sample the many rolls that are exclusive to Nakama.

Nakama’s signature rolls have helped elevate Nakama above the average chain hibachi restaurant.  We began with the Rainbow Maki roll which is a mixture of tuna, salmon, snapper & yellow tail and continued with the Spider Roll, Nakama Maki & my personal favorite: the Hawaiian Style Roll.

Nakama’s signature rolls are good enough to win over even the most skeptical sushi enthusiast.  My friend, who frequents many of the Manhattan sushi spots, remarked how much she enjoyed the Red Dragon Maki roll.  As the evening progressed we enjoyed more sushi, Japanese beer and sampled the different types of sake.

Upon reflection, I was reminded of why I frequented Nakama so often when it initially opened.   Nakama is one of Pittsburgh’s few successful answers to the quandary of where to go for both dinner and drinks.  Pittsburgh has many nice restaurants as well as appealing bars but only a select few that provide both.

If you have not been in a while, or maybe not at all, I suggest that you “Eat at Nakama”. I can assure you will not be disappointed.

Nakama is located at 1611 East Carson Street in Pittsburgh, PA 15203.

2010
09/21
CATEGORY
Restaurant
Review
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Jerome Bettis Scores with Grille 36

When I came to Grille 36, I came to do what most people do at a sports bar: watch a game, have a beer, and maybe have a bite to eat.  This led me to ask, “Why should I come here instead of somewhere in my neighborhood?”  The main reason is location—this is a sports fan’s paradise!  Flanked by the river, the skyline, and two major league stadiums, this is as close to spectator paradise as you can get without a ticket.

View of Jerome Bettis Grille 36

Grille 36 boasts a striking profile with its direct view of the entire downtown skyline, including the point and Mt. Washington.  A multitude of expansive bay windows surrounding the restaurant gives almost every table an equally scenic view of the river and skyline.

The north shore of Pittsburgh has long been the city’s premiere destination for both sports fans and entertainment seekers.  With two stadiums, the Carnegie Museum of Science, and a brand new casino, it is no surprise that numerous restaurants and bars have opened around these venues to support the needs of the area’s patrons.  After stepping into Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36, it was immediately apparent why it has become one of the area’s most popular.

The inside of Grille 36 is comparable to some of the nicer metropolitan sports bars that I’ve visited.  The focal point of Grille 36 is an immense, oval shaped bar surrounded by pub style tables.  This area is flanked on both sides by separate dining sections.  As in every sports bar, there are flat screen TVs mounted around the bar so that patrons can enjoy numerous games at the same time.

A second reason to come to Grille 36 is the way the creators have managed to strategically place large displays in almost every part of the bar without creating eye sores.  This within itself is a huge victory for the establishment.  With overwhelming sports memorabilia and product paraphernalia, I don’t know many women who honestly enjoy hanging out in sports bars, Grille 36 passes the test.

My food experience at Grille 36 was limited since I wasn’t particularly hungry.   I basically sampled what my friends ordered—nachos, wings, and spinach dip.  All basic pub style food, everything I tried was good.  The beer list is not overwhelmingly large, yet it better than what is offered at a restaurant chain.  Grille 36 is what its creators intended it to be:  a great sports bar with a tremendous view that will persuade even non-sports enthusiasts to give it a try.

Jerome Bettis Grille 36 is located at 375 N. Shore Dr, Pittsburgh PA 15222

2009
08/14
CATEGORY
Beer
Restaurant
Review
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A Stop By Sweet Tammy’s in Squirrel Hill

Baking without milk might not seem like a good idea to those of us who grew up loving milk chocolate cookies and traditional cakes and brownies, but Sweet Tammy’s in Squirrel Hill has set out to debunk that baking myth.  As Pittsburgh’s only certified Parve (non-dairy) kosher bakery, co-owner Daniel Berkowitz explained that baking without milk definitely does not detract from taste.

People with milk allergies or those following certain dietary laws will frequent this bakery out of necessity, but I ventured in simply because I’d heard rumors of the excellent chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls within.

As Daniel showed me around Sweet Tammy’s, he elaborated on all of the remodeling work that he and his wife, co-owner and head baker Tamara, have put into renovating the store.  Complemented by a beautiful chandelier, the vaulted ceiling gives way to walls that have been refinished and adorned with decorative sconces.  The custom-built display case acts as a focal point for the bakery, ensuring that Tammy’s baked goods take their rightful place at center stage.  In addition to the display case and counter, Sweet Tammy’s has a nice sitting area where customers can enjoy Tammy’s creations with either a cold drink or an espresso.

Although the setting and presentation is top notch here, the real test, of course, had to be with the cinnamon roll that I had elected to try.  Upon my initial inspection, I noticed two things about the treat that I believe are imperative to an outstanding cinnamon roll:  it was large and there was no lack of frosting.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I had my doubts about Sweet Tammy’s product.  The entire no milk idea had been something I was having trouble getting past.  However, as soon as I bit into this cinnamon roll, my doubts were completely erased.   The pastry was nice and sticky and not too dense at the center.  The frosting tasted creamy and sweet, without being so sugary that it overwhelmed the taste buds.

If you’re ever on Murray Avenue, I suggest that you stop by Sweet Tammy’s and see what non-dairy baking is all about.  With taste this good, chances are you won’t even miss the milk!

2009
08/07
CATEGORY
Review
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Chris the Credit Manager stops by Bado’s Pizza Grill and Ale House in Mt. Lebanon

A while ago a friend suggested I leave the east end to sample some of the great pizza the suburbs had to offer.  Although this seemed like blasphemy at the time, I agreed to give her the benefit of a doubt.

A few blocks away from Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon you will find Bado’s in a small plaza on Beverly Road.  This plaza is home to a few businesses including another restaurant, ice cream shop and café of some sort.  The location is pleasant because it is completely surrounded by quiet residential streets.

Bado’s is a quaint establishment consisting of a large oak bar area and separate dining room.  The beer selection is larger than I expected featuring some great English drought that is not served in many other similarly themed establishments in Pittsburgh.

Although Bado’s has a wide variety of items on their menu, I was most interested in two things: tasting their Pizza and chicken wings.  It is my belief that the strength of a “pizza Grill” is in their staples, which I believe to be pizza and chicken wings.  (You might disagree with this assessment, however you are not writing this blog.J)

I went with the thin crust pizza and the classic red hot buffalo wings.  At first inspection the wings looked good, much like the kind I grew up eating in Upstate, NY.  Bado’s makes good wings, holding just the right amount of heat to them without being so spicy that one has to struggle through the fire.

At first glance the pizza looked equally as appetizing.  The bare necessities of pizza were taken care of.  It wasn’t burnt, the toppings looked fresh, and there was plenty of cheese.  Bado’s Pizza is good, but what really separated it from other pies I’ve had was the crust.  This is some of the better crust I have tasted in the city of Pittsburgh. Bado’s crust is thin without being overly dry and crusty while possessing a doughy consistency that is not expected from a thin crust pizza.

I don’t claim to be an experienced food critic, but I know good pizza when I taste it and the crust makes Bado’s pizza shine.  The bottom line is that if you are looking for a nice change of pace from your favorite neighborhood pizzeria, Bado’s is an excellent choice.  They offer enough menu choices to accommodate a wide range of tastes while still providing top notch pizza and wings.

Bado’s is located at 307 Beverly Road in Mt. Lebanon.

2009
07/31
CATEGORY
Bado's
Beer
Pizza
Restaurant
Review
Wings
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Chris the Credit Manager ventures out to the Franklin Inn

Living in the city I don’t make it out to the suburban Pittsburgh restaurants as often as I’d like. However on the advice of a very good friend of mine who lives in the North Hills I decided to take a trip to the Franklin Inn.

The Franklin Inn is located on Rochester Road in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. More specifically, its located is in a quiet residential suburb tucked away from the crowded suburban sprawl one is forced to deal with on McKnight Road.

The restaurant is not a large one, yet not small to the point of having to dine uncomfortably close to other patrons. In addition to the main dining room there is an adequate size bar where you can enjoy the entire menu and/or simply enjoy drinks.

The staff seemed friendly and the atmosphere is nice and laid back. As my friend pointed out a couple dozen times, the Franklin Inn’s cinematic claim to fame is a scene from the Kevin Smith film “Dogma” which was shot in the restaurant. Although this is an interesting fact, I was more interested in trying the Mexican food I had heard so much about.

We started with some basic cheese nachos: This is my litmus test for a Mexican restaurant; if the nachos don’t have real cheese on them and lots of it, I rarely return. The Nachos came, and to my delight, they were served with large amounts of real melted cheese. Afterwards I ordered the seafood enchiladas. I have never excelled in giving lengthy descriptions of good food; so I can simply say they were some of the best enchiladas of any kind that I’ve tasted in the Pittsburgh area.

With all the food I had ingested I had no room for dessert, however I was able to wash everything down with one of their house margaritas which was equally as good as the meal.

In conclusion, the food was by far some of the best Mexican I’ve had in this area, which has never been known for its diverse selection of Mexican restaurants. The prices were more than fair for the quality of food being served there. Therefore, regardless of whether you are a fan of Mexican food or not, the next time you are looking for a new place to dine, I suggest you try the Franklin Inn. If you experience there was like mine, I can promise you will not be disappointed.

2009
07/10
CATEGORY
Beer
Franklin Inn
Mexican
North Hills
Review
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Bobby “The Best Dressed GM” Enjoys Seviche

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I had tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony on Saturday night. On our way through downtown we decided to grab a bite to eat beforehand. My wife wanted something on the lighter side preferably with fresh fish and tapas style plates; therefore we decided that Seviche was the perfect choice.

The chances of getting seats at Seviche are slim on a Saturday night because of the large theater crowd that consumes the Cultural District. Thankfully we were able to locate two seats at the tapas bar with a good view of the chefs. As I gazed across the crowded restaurant, I noticed the large canvasses that appeared to depict Cuban life illuminated by the soft glow of neon lights. This gave the atmosphere a distinct south beach feel.

Once in our seats, we watched the chefs toss a variety of raw and blanched seafood in metal bowls with selected marinades and spices. We ordered the Pomegranate Mojito which is Seviche’s house specialty drink. This is a well made cocktail that was refreshing yet not overpowering. Once settled with our drinks, my wife selected a variety of dishes to sample.

We began with “Fire & Ice,” a traditional Seviche recipe prepared with more spice adding habanero peppers and red onion and finished off with cool homemade prickly pear granite. Second we sampled the Asian Tartare seasoned with soy sauce, scallions, sesame oil and capers. This dish is presented on sushi rice with nori rolls, white truffle oil, wasabi mayo and Tobiko caviar.

Our meal continued with an order of the Tiradito, a Peruvian style sashimi cured in a balanced mixture of lemon juice, cilantro, red chili and sea salt. The Walu had a buttery texture with a substantial flavor falling somewhere between a scallop and a snapper. The Tiradito was paired with a jicama and calabaza slaw that added an element of freshness and crunch to the dish.

Finally we concluded our meal with the Ahi Tuna prepared with tomatillo and curried mango. The marinade was comprised of lime, jalapeno scallion, red onion, green curry, fresh mango and a disk of blackened tomatillo. This dish was accompanied by plantains and malanga chips, creating a triumph of sweet, sour and salty flavors all complimenting and heightening one another.

At the conclusion of our meal I realized what many patrons of Seviche assumingly already know: That Latin Tapas does not do justice to what Yves Carrau has created at Seviche. In truth Mr. Carrau has brought an entirely new concept of seafood to Pittsburgh; which is one that I plan to enjoy for years to come.

Seviche is located at 930 Penn Ave in downtown Pittsburgh. It’s owned by Yves Carreau who is also behind the Sonoma Grille.

2009
04/13
CATEGORY
Beer
Review
Theater District
tapas
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Bruce “Master of the Web” Lemaire recommends you check out the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium

If you are a fan of different types of beer especially ones that are not widely available, this place is for you. The Sharp Edge serves beers you’ve been looking for, beers you can’t find other places and beers you’ve never even heard of!

Nestled in the heart of the friendship area between East Liberty and Shadyside the Sharp Edge draws a very eclectic crowd. This usually consists of a mix of graduate students, young professionals & artists that reside in this up & coming neighborhood. The atmosphere is one that is lively enough to encompass any weekend night yet not to the point of denying friends interactions at normal volume.

The Sharp Edge features a menu that is almost as diverse as their beer selection. This includes everything from standard bar food to entrees that would be expected to find at any of Pittsburgh’s upscale restaurants. My personal favorite is their “works” pizza which uses a thin crust and is topped with just about anything you could want on a pizza.

Now there is no doubt that the Sharp Edge takes pride in their food, however with a beer selection that boasts 53 different beers on tap and an astounding 276 beers in the bottle, it’s hard not to take notice. This selection is updated and altered constantly insuring that even the most loyal of patrons will have something completely new to try nightly. Drafts from Norway and bottle beer from Sri Lanka, chances are if it’s being brewed somewhere in the world, it’s made an appearance at The Sharp Edge.

Overall when it comes to their draft choices, The Sharp Edge subscribes to a very simple yet important theory. That is that certain beers demand differently shaped glasses to deliver the proper experience. This can be compared to wine service at upscale restaurants. Conveniently, many of these specialty glasses are available to be purchased, which is something my wife insisted we take advantage of.

In closing The Sharp Edge is on my short lists of places I can go regularly for a good night out. Without making this blog obscenely long, I cannot list all the reasons why I believe this to be true. If you’re a fan of any of what I’ve written about, I suggest you give The Sharp Edge Beer Emporium a try for yourself.

The Sharp Edge Beer Emporium is located on 302 South Clair Street in the friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh. They also have locations in Crafton, Sewickley & Canonsburg.

2009
04/01
CATEGORY
Beer
Frendship
Review
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Chris the Credit Manager Visits D’s Loft in Regent Square

A couple of months ago I heard that the owner of D’s Six Pax & Dogz was planning on opening D’s Loft up stairs from their Regent Square location that would feature a cigar bar. With the city of Pittsburgh only boasting one true cigar bar & the east end having not one, this was something that was worth investigating. Truly, if there is one thing I enjoy, it’s the combination of a good cigar and a glass of single malt; therefore you can imagine my excitement at the prospects of D’s Loft.

A couple of weeks later, on a random Thursday night a friend and I decided to check out D’s Loft. The entrance to D’s Loft is directly next to D’s Six Pax & Dogz, where a narrow staircase leads you up to the quaint second floor bar. On first entrance you gain an instant appreciation for how intimate the setting is. A small bar with stools is immediately flanked to your left with a roaring fireplace set into the far wall. Complementing this is a large flat screen TV mounted right above it. There are small chairs and nice leather couches that are positioned against both walls next to the bar as well.

Directly next to the bar is a small humidor with a decent selection of moderately priced cigars. The bartender was very friendly and the small group of people that were present seemed to be enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the room.

I was impressed by the intimacy of the space. In an era of overwhelmingly large crowded, loud bars, where is bigger is automatically concluded to be better, this was a welcome and wonderful change.

I asked the bartender where I could enjoy a cigar and I was directed to a door towards the back of the bar. We grabbed drinks and headed out the door to an outside area that was illuminated by a single light. Was this it? This seemed like a big joke! I was worried that it would end up being a very disappointing night. Then we noticed a door on the other side of this exterior space.

We opened the door and there it was: A room, full of nice leather couches and easy chairs, two flat screen TV’s and a smoke eater that quietly hummed from the ceiling. For two people who were just looking to be able to catch up without having to scream over a crowd, I can’t imagine a better spot.

D’s Loft is located at 1118 South Braddock Avenue in Regent Square 15218, upstairs from D’s Six Pax & Dogz. I was told that they are open Wednesday – Saturday.

We stayed at D’s Loft for about two hours. People came and went, but the group never really swelled to capacity. I have a feeling that this will become one of the East Ends’ best kept secrets for people just looking to get out and find a place to have a drink and relax. If you’re in the neighborhood, cigar smoker or not, I recommend checking the place out.

2009
03/24
CATEGORY
East End
Regent Square
Review
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