This weekend.... (Pittsburgh: home, recommendation, dinner)

[fleetiebelle]

How small are the small children? The zoo could be a good time, or the History Center, or the Children's museum.

[kellyava1]

Originally Posted by boylocke

If you do go to Bravo, one request, get their spinach dip appetizer. It IS delicious!! I promise. I've never had a bad meal there, myself. I usually get a chicken dish from their that is very good, I'll try to find it.

Our little Italy is a place called Bloomfield. It is not far from downtown Pittsburgh, next to Oakland. There are quite a few little places, there. I've been to some very good ones, and some not so good ones.

What to do during the day? My gosh you aren't very specific. What do you and your guests like to do?? Is it going to be mostly girlfriends and children? Will men be involved?? I need more!! lol. Did you want to do something cultural? Outdoorsy? Shopping? Sports?

It's my gf and her husband and newborn and my husband, toddler and myself. We're not looking for sports. I think we're just going to go to Station Square and see what we find. Maybe do the incline and a ducky tour depending on weather this afternoon. Anything fun we should do there?

[oktaren]

The National Aviary is a really good time. Its on the northside, pretty cheap (kids may be free) and was pretty fun, especially if you or the kids love animals. Other than that I haven't found much to do, but that was alot of fun.

[Hemingway]

If you are going to Station Square, there is a Buca Di Beppo Italian restaurant right there. It is a great place to sit, eat and chat...very family style!

[guylocke]

there is a Buca Di Beppo Italian restaurant right there.

The food is really bad, though. lol.

[fleetiebelle]

There's an Italian restaurant up on Mount Washington called Satalio's that is decent, and has a great view of the city--it's kind of a hidden neighborhood place (BarSmart Bar Reviews: Satalios 27 Bailey Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15211. 412-431-9855). It's not on the Grandview drag, it's around the corner on Bailey. Though if your car is at Station Square, it'd be kind of a hike from the Mt. W incline.

[Evergrey]

Please do not go to some crappy chain Italian restaurant like Bravo, Buca di Beppo or Olive Garden. Head to the neighborhood of Bloomfield (look it up at http://www.pittsburghneighborhoodtours (broken link) ) ... you'll find a dozen or so Italian restaurants there in an authentic Italian neighborhood. Del's is my favorite. If you're looking for something uppity... I hear Girasole in Shadyside has awesome osso bucco.

[guylocke]

Please do not go to some crappy chain Italian restaurant like Bravo, Buca di Beppo or Olive Garden.
you'll find a dozen or so Italian restaurants there in an authentic Italian neighborhood.

Actually a lot of the Italian restaurants in Bloodfield are pretty crappy, too, it is very disappointing Italian food. That's why I don't always recommend going there. I would never recommend Buca di Beppo, Olive Garden, or Johnny Carrino's. However, as someone who was born and raised on authentic Italian food and someone who comes from a very traditional, loud, and large Italian family, I am here to tell you that Bravo is pretty darn good for a chain and is definitely a cut above the rest. In fact, I think Bravo has a lot better Italian food than many of the places in Bloomfield.

I just had lunch there, today, actually. :P

You have to be careful thinking a cities "little Italy" will have the best Italian food because it isn't necessarily true. Take NYC for example, their little Italy capitalizes on their name and most of the food in NYC little Italy is quite bad. Really bad, actually. I hate even going there, anymore, because they just rush people in, serve them junk, and then rush them out for the next tourist.

[Hemingway]

Originally Posted by boylocke

The food is really bad, though. lol.

My father is sicilian, and will NOT eat there I don't have a problem with it...It is a good place for Kids, it is loud and a *little* rowdy. If you are looking for better quality, my Dad says to go to the Village Inn, on the edge of Oakmont and Penn Hills maybe it is actually in Verona?? But be warned, good food, good prices, very tiny and always jam packed with people!

[guylocke]

my Dad says to go to the Village Inn, on the edge of Oakmont and Penn Hills maybe it is actually in Verona??

Excellent advice, indeed!