Sushi Kim

Sushi Kim - www.sushikim.com

1241 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-9956
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Sushi Kim is one of only two Korean restaurants in and around Pittsburgh. It has a slightly unfortunate location which places it just out of downtown but not quite in the Strip District, however the food and the walls papered with awards make up for it. The cuisine is a mix of Korean and also a smattering of Japanese dishes as well as Mr. Kim's outstanding sushi. They also offer a buffet-style Korean BBQ at certain times and days which is a worthwhile excursion, call for details.

It is a bit pricey both for lunch and dinner, but for such a rare treat in this city it is worth the splurge. Lunch will run about $10-15 and dinners go from the same range and upwards. A favorite lunch is the "Sushi Lunch" which is a tasting tour of 10 pieces of Nigiri started off with a small bowl of some of the best Miso soup you will find. Mr. Kim offers a number of great rolls with items like: Bulgogi Roll, Pittsburgh Roll, Atomic Roll, and many others beyond the standard fare. "Box" lunches resemble Japanese Bento Boxes and come with the main item and three sides which rotate daily and there will surely be at least one new experience in there. Salmon skin fried and served cold, super tiny fried whole fish, delicately pickled radish, and some truly phenomenal kimchi. The tiny fried fish sat uneaten once the first time I was served them, but after trying them they have since become my favorite side dish and totally addictive.

Soups and dinners are a whole other ballgame and offer some amazing food unattainable elsewhere in the 'burgh. I highly recommend the Bulgogi which is cooked at the table on a conical grill and consists of tender beef marinated in a soy/sesame/Asian pear sauce placed on a lettuce leaf with rice... it is pure heaven. They also do great Katsu which is a breaded crispy fried cutlet (I go for pork), but I have never been fond of their Katsudon which is the same but cut up with vegetables over rice with sauce in a bowl. The sauce ruins it.

If you are looking to try something new, or just more authentic than standard "Chinese" takeaway then treat yourself to Sushi Kim.

Overall Sushi Kim earns a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

The Quiet Storm

The Quiet Storm - www.quietstormcoffee.com

5430 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

(412) 661-9355
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Without a doubt The Quiet Storm is one of my favorite joints in Pittsburgh. It is slightly out of the way, unassuming, and vegetarian, yet even for an omnivore such as myself it eclipses almost anything available in this city. It's hard to figure out where to begin describing this coffee shop/restaurant, the menu is as unique as you will find and daily specials that are truly special as well as daily exotic curries. Prices are beyond reasonable for the portions and quality with lunches in the $5-7 range and dinners just $9! In addition they serve great bottomless coffee, desserts, and a dizzying array of other options. The only problem is that you will be hopelessly torn between at least two items each and every visit.

B.Y.O.B. (Build You Own Burritos) out of around 30 options and Gyro Burgers of seitan steak to salads, quesadillas, sandwiches, and sides all worthy of song and dance. Specials could be a spinach and rice burger with salsa and chips or stuffed cabbage and salad with their smashed taters and almost anything else the magicians in the tiny kitchen dream up. The dishes are all prepared and served with such attention to detail and care that you almost feel guilty it costs so little. Meat is substituted with standards like tofu, but also seitan, tempeh, and soysage and you won't miss it for one minute.

My last lunch trip resulted in feasting on the Home Fries. Not your average home fries, but a full plate of smashed taters, soysage, cheddar, mozzarella, carmelized onions, tofu (or eggs), and topped with an aioli sauce. My grand total, $6.00. Truly unbeatable. Other notables and unique items like the quesadillas and sandwiches are what will have you torn and leave you counting the minutes until you can return. The Artidilla with artichokes, spinach, roasted red peppers, cheese and aioli or even the Monkeydilla featuring peanut butter, bananas, apples, and raisins drizzled with honey.

The ambiance is a bit eclectic as are the patrons, with a nod to the "hipster" crowd, and it certainly is not a destination for a formal meal, but that is what makes it unique and special. Don't miss this one.

Overall The Quiet Storm earns a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

Tram's Kitchen

Tram's Kitchen - (no website)

4050 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224-1336
Phone: (412) 682-2688
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After covering the real soup nazi's foray into Pittsburgh, it begged to be followed up with our very own hometown version. Tram's has a sort of polarizing effect on many Pittsburgh diners who fall into one of three categories: Love it, Hate it, Love it but hate the service/environment. I'm actually somewhere happily in between them all, but can understand anyone who does fall squarely into one of the above groups.

Tram's is a small Vietnamese restaurant near Lawrenceville which specializes in Pho, the quintessential Vietnamese soup. It is run by a sometimes gruff and quick paced owner who serves as the wait staff most of the time, although in my experience he is generally very nice, and while certainly not personable, he keeps things moving which is important when the small space is packed (as it usually is). The decor is very plain and some find it a bit dirty. I like the decor, but it could certainly benefit from a top to bottom cleaning and some maintenance. I'm never worried about the cleanliness but it would put many at ease. It isn't a fancy affair, but honestly for a soup joint it is perfectly fine for me... bottom line, it could be cleaner though.

The noodle and rice dishes don't do much for me, but I go for the Pho. Pho Hanoi to be exact with beef. It is a massive bowl of light clear broth with great complex flavors including a fair hit of cinnamon and cilantro. It is served with a plate of mung bean sprouts and Thai basil as well as a full accompaniment of sauces to customize your Pho. The other must have is the fresh shrimp spring roll. There is a minimum order of two but that is little trouble since you'd never be able to stop at just one anyhow. They are served with a great peanutty/sweet/soy sauce which is every bit as addictive as the soft clear wrappers filled with noodles, cilantro, shrimp, etc. They are fresh and cool, not deep fried or served hot. Many folks really enjoy the other dishes offered but I've never been wowed with offerings like a chicken coconut dish over a bed of wilted lettuce, or the lemon grass tofu, among others.

Stick to a bowl of Pho and some fresh spring rolls to ensure a sublime feast, but don't be afraid to branch out as your mileage may vary - I just find it hard not to go for old favorites when I visit. If you want an authentic out of the way slice of Vietnam, where local cooks and a diverse cross-section of Pittsburgh can be found at any moment, then Tram's is it. It is BYOB, but a well selected bottle of wine or beer can be a great accompaniment. Soup is between $6-8 and a normal meal can be expected to run about $15 total, cash only.

Overall Tram's Kitchen earns a 3.5 out of 5 rating.

The Original Soup Man

The Original Soup Man - www.originalsoupman.com

410 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

(412) 697-1336
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After a week or so of endless lines stretching out forever into the cold, I finally caught a slow moment to pop in and sample this new addition to downtown Pittsburgh. Apparently Al Yeganeh doesn't like the "Soup Nazi" moniker from Seinfeld even though it is most likely the only reason for the fame, franchises, and the folks lined up at his doors... I wish I could say it was the soup.

Prices are steep for a taste of the Soup Man's creations with a typical lunch going for about $10-13. I went for a bowl of the ubiquitous Lobster Bisque but in line I had sampled the gumbo which almost swayed me. I wish I had let it. The lobster bisque did contain a few nice bits of lobster but that is about all I can say it has going for it. The flavor was odd and not at all like some of the truly heavenly bisques I've encountered elsewhere and not creamy and unctuous as I had been hoping for. The gumbo I had sampled did seem a good deal better though so I may have to give it another shot. I didn't sample the sandwich selection but they seemed quite anemic and surely wouldn't have improved my opinion.

From what I gathered while waiting in line the soups are not made on site but instead simply reheated from delivered pre-made selections. The lunch trio combinations include a half sandwich/wrap, soup, piece of bread, fruit, drink, and a Lindt chocolate. I wasn't impressed. Once the novelty has worn off there is precious little to attract customers, which it seems has quite rapidly judging from the lack of lines recently.

Overall The Original Soup Man earns a 2.5 out of 5 rating.

Amazon Cafe

Amazon Cafe - www.amazoncafes.com
555 Grant St
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 434-6830
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Fresh. That sums it up nicely. Amazon Cafe is a chain but a very good one, and unlike many chains freshness is the main attraction. A small cafe on Grant Street that offers a little bit of everything; breakfast, pastries, fresh squeezed juices, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and excellent soups. Prices are reasonable if a touch high but perfectly in line with the quality and freshness of each item. An average lunch is about $7-8 including a half a sandwich or wrap, soup, and a drink or a half sandwich and smoothie.

My most recent lunch trip involved a half Amazon Club Wrap, a bowl of the new Lobster Bisque, and a root beer. The Amazon Club consists of Turkey, Turkey Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, and low-fat ranch dressing (or alternately a honey mustard) and was very flavorful and filling while being slightly healthier than a standard club sandwich elsewhere. The lobster bisque was missing any actual chunks of lobster but the flavor was excellent and a nice new addition to their lineup.

Other notable menu items:

Black Bean Cheese & Rice Wrap
Chicken Salad Wrap
Smoked Turkey Sandwich
Veggie Sandwich
Any smoothie on the list
Tomato & Three Cheese Soup
Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup
Broccoli & Cheese Soup
Three Bean Chili

Overall the Amazon Cafe earns a 4 out of 5 rating.

Pittsburgh Eats!

Welcome to Pittsburgh Eats!

The low down on where to chow down in and around the 'Burgh. It may not be the gastronomical epicenter of the universe but there are plenty of hidden gems and outstanding eateries that go far beyond Primanti Bros. in our fine city.

Feel free to add your own opinions and comments or even email in your own reviews.