I have moved to New Jersey, and really, the only good thing about this place is that I live close to Philly/New York. Maybe I haven't tried hard enough to explore my area, but it seems pretty boring and the most exciting thing that has happened to me so far was a close encounter with a deer. (I'm lame I know).
Good thing I go back to the city every weekend huh? :)
I will be changing up the blog to ensure that it encompasses the great foods I eat all over the country, not just Pittsburgh. So to end my 'Pittsburgh blog' I wanted to make one more post about one of me and Eric's favorite places in the great steel city. Sonoma Grille.
Eric has been surprised that I hadn't made a post about it yet as I have been to Sonoma Grille probably 5 times within the last month I was in Pittsburgh. I call it my lucky restaurant as I went to Rivers Casino (which is close by) after my meal there, and won a ton a money. :)
But it's been so long ago since you've been in Pittsburgh, how can you remember, you ask? Well, Sonoma Grille is just that memorable. I sadly deleted my pictures from my phone, but don't you worry, I most definitely remembered my meal.
4 out of the 5 times I've been to Sonoma Grille, I got the tasting menu (and that's only because the first time I went with Eric, they didn't even have it on their menu yet). The tasting menu is unique in that you can choose from 3, 4 or 5 selections off their menu. I usually start out with the avocado and crab meat tian. The avocados are always very fresh and large lumps of crabmeat are very sweet. The crunch and cool from the cucumber balances the spicy chili oil drizzled on top as well as the soft texture from the avocado and crabmeat. This was my dad's favorite.
The potato gnocchi was my favorite, ok second favorite dish. The portion on the tasting menu was small and left me wanting more, but that goes for all of their dishes I guess. The gnocchi is cooked perfectly and is soft and light while the crunch for the vegetables compliments it. So delicious and most definitely a vegetarian's delight!
My favorite dish is the veal. Always cooked perfectly, and very tender the veal melts in your mouth. Finished off with a garlic demiglace, with wild mushrooms (we all know how big of a fan I am of mushrooms) this dish is absolutely perfect.
I've also had the char su duck which I didn't like, since most things done 'asian style' at non asian restaurants never appeal to me (i'm asian. im sorry). The lamb ravioli is good, but the moroccan spiced vegetables that came on top was not to my liking as it is very tart and tangy. I ended up pushing off the salad of vegetables (that were placed on top of the ravioli) and avoided the sauce and hoped to just eat the ravioli on its own.
I don't think i've ever had a dessert here. Why would I waste a course on dessert when I could get another main entree!?!
Sonoma Grille is great for many occasions. I came here for an anniversary date with Eric, but I've also had a more casual dinner with friends in my jeans (nice jeans of course). I'm sad im no longer in Pittsburgh and can't visit Sonoma Grille more often, but I will definitely return the next time I visit Eric!
Price: $$$
Ambiance: A
Service: B+
Food: B+
