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Legume Bistro {PHOTO BY HEATHER MULL} PENN AVENUE FISH COMPANY. 2208 Penn Ave., Strip District (412-434-7200) and 308 Forbes Ave., Downtown (412-562-1710). These two fish restaurants fill the gap between humble lunch counter and snooty steakhouse — modern, funky and moderately priced. Much of the restaurant’s menu is casual fare such as sandwiches, sushi and tacos, with a rotating selection of higher-end dishes, particularly at the Downtown location. KF RED ORCHID. 5439 Babcock Blvd., West View. 412-837-2527. This cozy, family-run Thai restaurant offers a selection of mostly tried-and-true cuisine (salads, rice and noodle dishes, and curries), as well as chef’s specials, many involving tilapia filets. “Tulip dumplings” and Thai toast make for excellent starters, and the kitchen shows skill in balancing the flavors of more complex curries and meat entrees. KF
meat appetizers are beautifully seasoned, and the pad Thai offers a lively balance of ingredients. The assertively spicy pumpkin curry features a special variety of Thai gourd. JF SUSHI TOMO. 4812 McKnight Road, North Hills. 412-630-8666. This North Hills restaurant offers a full range of Japanese cuisine beyond sushi that is more representative of everyday fare, including various appetizers, noodle soups, hot pots and rice bowls. But, as the name suggests, there is also plenty of well-prepared sushi, including specialty maki. KE
TAN LAC VIEN. 2114 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. 412-521-8888. This Vietnamese restaurant offers the popular pho and bun entrees, but also less-common dishes. The menu has a section of com tam (“broken rice”) dishes, including some topped with a fried egg; there is also a jellyfish salad with pickled carrot and SEVICHE. 930 Penn daikon. Another Ave., Downtown. worthy entrée was 412-697-3120. banh xeo, savory crepes . w ww per This upscale Latin filled with shrimp, a p ty ci h pg American-style tapas sautéed pork and .com restaurant specializes vegetables, or try the in citrus-cured fish, while make-your-own summer also offering a small selection roll option. FK of Latin-inspired tapas and finger sandwiches. And what VIETNAM’S PHO. 1627 Penn better to wash down an Ave., Strip District. 412-281-8881. empanada or mini taco than a The menu features a manageable refreshing capirinha cocktail? KE selection of noodle and rice dishes and the eponymous pho SIX PENN. 146 Sixth Ave., soups. There’s also a tempting Downtown. 412-566-7366. Open assortment of simple vegetable late for the Downtown theater dishes and appetizers that go crowd, this cheery restaurant beyond mere spring rolls, such as satisfies theater buffs, families whole quail with lemon leaves and young professionals alike. and herbs, and ground-shrimp The seasonal menu offers lively patties on sugar-cane skewers. JF updates on comfort food from lobster mac-n-cheese to braised WINTZELL’S OYSTER HOUSE. short ribs. Gourmet burgers and 530 E. Bruceton Road, West pizzas make for quick meals. Mifflin. 412-650-9090. An Linger for homemade desserts, Alabama seafood chain claims a or stop by after the show. KE welcome northern outpost in the Pittsburgh suburbs. The menu is SMILING BANANA LEAF. dominated by seafood, with a few 5901 Bryant St., Highland Park. steak, burger, and chicken options, 412-362-3200. At this absolute prepared in a Southern style — jewel-box of a restaurant, the mostly fried, and accompanied menu emphasizes authentic by grits, gumbo, hushpuppies Thai dishes rather than Thaiand okra. And oysters, naturally, inflected Chinese food. Grilled served in a variety of ways. EK
Famo uss, BBQ R i bt & Br i s k e r i a n Ve ge t al t ie s! Sp e c i a
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Northview Plaza • North Hills • 412-366-8730
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