Does anyone have "fine dining" suggestions in Pittsburgh or Shady Side section of Pittsburgh. Want to give a gift certificate to someone special for Christmas--a nice romantic place. Thanks. Jan

I think your title is an oxymoron.

Try chowhound.com . Go to the PA board and do a search on Pittsburgh, or post your query there.

You can try the text search option since I thought this was discussed earlier.

Just returned from business there. I would suggest Cashbah, Bellini or Soba in Shadeyside.
Isabellas in Pittsburgh (Mt. Washington) or Dish in the South Side of the city.

Big Bubba's Burger Barn
Polish Pirouge Palace

www.pittsburgh.com has a great restaurant section with reviews etc. organized by area. I think chowhound.com is very difficult to use and not always that helpful.

The Hydehold in Coroapolis (nw of city) is definintely the most romantic restaurant. If you don't want to leave the city, go with the Monterey (seafood) on Mt. Washington.

Cracker Barrel or the Olive Garden have gift certificates in a variety of denominations.

Even tho I'm a 'burgh native, can't help because my idea of fine dining/7 course meal in Pitt is a "Primannies Sammich" and a 6 pack of Iron City on a bench by the river!

If you call a restaurant to get a gift cert, this website may help! ;-)
http://www.pittsburghese.com/nouns.ep.html
Kal

ps...Those darn Steelers!!!

I live and eat very well in Pittsburgh. I would recommend Monteray Fish Grotto at Mt. Washington. Great view and never had a bad meal there. I have heard that Isabella's on Mt. Washington is also very romantic. Haven't tried it yet but it is going to be my next trip. On the Southside, I would recommend LePommier (I'm not sure about the spelling). It's very romantic and the food is wonderful.

For great food in a wonderful environment it is hard to beat the classic casual yet elegant -
Tin Angel
1200 Grandview Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15211-1239
Phone: (412) 381-1919

Thank you all so much for your wonderful suggestions. JB

If you like Chinese food, I believe there is a place called Jimmy Tsang's in Shadyside. To this day, it's the best Chinese food I've ever had, and the setting was intimate too, from what I remember. Also, there's the Pittsburgh Fish Market downtown, as well as several restaurants on Mt. Washington.