Lidia's Pittsburgh Pasta

The dining experience at Lidia's was the best italian I've encountered in Pittsburgh. I had the homemade pear and cheese ravioli, which was part of the pasta sampler & they were exceptional! Our server Jack was pleasant and when we inquired about wine, Mr. Conley confidently suggested a bottle of Italian Pinot Noir, which he believed would compliment all of our meals. He was professional and pleasant. We were celebrating an anniversary and he sent out a Tiramisu on a special chocolate inscribed plate. We will certainly recommend Lidia's to our friends and family! Pros: Professional Staff, Wine selection Cons: Parking more

I've been to Lidia's for both brunch and dinner. It has large portions of food that's more interesting than the average spaghetti-and-meatballs-type Italian restaurant, but it's a wee bit pricey for what it is and nowhere near as good as Felidia's in New York. The restaurant itself is pretty, bright and colorful. Some of the food is excellent (manicotti with spinach and mushrooms, and the pork shank), but some of it is bland or just off. For example, the salmon with lentils had no seasoning on the salmon at all and way too much vinegar in the lentils; and the Caesar's salad, while OK-tasting, was made with so-so-quality lettuce and was more like something you'd expect at a place serving food at a third of the cost. Brunch is a good deal if you like desserts (all you can eat tiramisu, cannoli, cakes and tarts) but the antipasto table is blah and the entrees are less good than at dinner or lunch. Even though it's been open over a year, Lidia's has the feel of a restaurant that's still trying to get its act together. It lacks the bold, cohesive food philosophy that people love about Lidia's books and TV show, and the service falls a bit short, too. (-- The servers seem to be trying hard to be nice but they are all so tense that they screw up a lot. It sort of smacks of a tyrannical or misguided management, but I don't know. ) All in all, I guess Lidia's-Pittsburgh is worth a visit, but Eleven, just up the street , is just a few dollars more expensive, and a world above in quality. Pros: Some dishes are great, decor is nice Cons: Inconsistent quality, some real flop-dishes, tense & fumbly waitstaff more

What a fabulous experience! It was like eating at Lidia's table. The staff were so friendly and explained everything carefully. The three pasta were so light and full of flavor I almost wondered if Lidia was in the kitchen herself. The food is true Italian, the portions perfect and what a gorgeous space. I can not think of a better place to eat in all of Pittsburgh. Pros: ambience, excellent food, great service more

I have read some other reviews and have to say I disagree with them all except the ""bland food"". This place is not upscale. They think they are upscale by attitude alone, but Lidia's is a posers paradise. Remember to wear your most expensive suit, for if you do not, be prepared to be seated in the back with dim lighting. On top of the ""I'm better than you attitude"", the food stinks and the menu is light. A very sorry excuse for a chain. We live in the Burgh-go out to a nice ethnic, family owned establishment with better service and better food. Cons: Bad Service, Bad Attitude, Too Rushed more

I have now dined at both of the the ""Lidia's"" franchises (Kansas City and Pittsburgh). I was not disappointed at either of them! I have tried the Pasta sampler both times and both times have been pleasantly surprised. The waiter suggested that my girlfriend and I try the Frico, which we did. It was something very different, but very tasty. We went on a Sunday, so the restaurant was not that packed. I believe that they have a special on Sunday, where many dishes are offered Family style. This can definitely make it more affordable. The initial sampler refill was slow, but quickly improved for the rest of the night. The waitstaff was very knowledgable. The affordable wine list was great too! I highly recommend this gem. Go and sit at Lidia's Table.... you will not be disappointed! Pros: Food, Food, Food more

I have dined at Lidia's many times, usually for lunch, but also for supper. I am always pleasantly surprised with the pasta tasting. If you happen not to care for one, you will have another that you love. What a terrific way to try new things! Everything from the parking (which can be a problem anywhere in the city) to the restaurant layout being a courteous, non-smoking eatery, to the rich coffee & light panacotta is a treat. Pros: pasta tasting, good parking, good service Cons: costly for family, close midday, smaller menu more

Lidia's is an absolute gem. If you are looking for delicious Italian food beyond the standard chicken parm and spaghetti w/ meatballs, then Lidia's is the place to go. more

Just like Lidia. the restaurant bearing her name is a blessing to this little piece of the planet. the food is fantastic! The care given to each dish is amazing. The service is surberb. Everything , from soup to dessert, is carefully chosen and prepared to make your dinning experiecne extrodinarie. ENJOY!!!!!! Pros: fun, great food, astounding more

I've been to Lidia's couple of times over the last year and have always enjoyed the atmosphere and food. I would recommend making reservations especially for the weekend. If you're hungry and want a substantial plate, try a steak or the pasta tasting. Lidia's also has a large selection of wine that will not double your bill. Overall, it's a great place for any occasion that combines value with great food, service, and atmosphere. Pros: great Italian food, wine selection, value more

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!! Being a fan of her PBS show, I was thrilled to go to her restaurant. I expected the food to be good, but it was even better than good! The pasta trio was superb! But the service was awesome, from Mike, the manager to the bus boys - they couldn't have been more polite.....and friendly without being in the way. I can't wait to go back! Pros: service, food, price Cons: , none, none more

Awesome food....the chicken with lemon sauce!!!! The gelato is to die for!!!!! Great salad - the 3 pasta lunch special is great - especially the ravioli iwth rum soaked raisins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: Great food, affordable at lunch, great food Cons: Poor Parking, expensive at dinner more

We were there twice for lunch and had the 3 different all you can eat pasta sampler both times. And they were wonderful...creamy, tomatoy, spicy, cheesy. Squash ravs with brown sage butter were to die for. Linguine with porcini mushrooms and we were in heaven. Comes with soup or salad; we chose Caesar salads. Wonderful rosemary foccacia with white bean and lentil spreads. And get this, a peppermill on every table! So important with pasta. A nice feature about the wine list is the 20 wines for $20. We had the preseco both times! more

I have now frequented Lidia's twice and have to say I would only go back with some hesitations. I found that the ambience was quite striking and unique. The use of soft, warm shades or orange, brown, and amber gave the restaurant a trendy but comfortable feel. The service was polite, prompt, and our waitress was attentative. I found the main disappointments with the food. One party member ordered the Pasta special where one samples three different types of pasta. Only one of them, the one with lamb, had any real flavour. My spinach and mushroom filled canneloni were delicious, but another party member's pasta dish was bland, luke warm, and too salty. Overall, Lidia's promises more than it gives. Pros: Ambience, Service Cons: Uniqueness of food, Price/Good Deal more

A little disappointed with the Sunday brunch. Food was very good but portions were pretty small for the $16 fixed price attached. Service was excellent and no one cringed when we brought in our 3 small children! I would recommend to friends- just let them know not to expect the over-indulgent table of the oh-so-famous Sundays at the Grand Concourse. Pros: excellent food, excellent service Cons: pricey more

I had a WONDERFUL dinner at Lidia's when I was in Pittsburgh on business. What made it extra special was the fact that Mario Lemiuex was sitting right next to us also (-: more

Lidia's had been suggested to us as the best ""real"" Italian food in Pittsburgh. What we found was a stylish (chain) restaurant with average food. We went on a Tuesday night and found Lidia's to be busy. We were seated quickly, without a reservation, and were soon greated by our very competant server. We selected a bottle of Merlot from the ""$20 wine list"" - a fun feature that encouraged us to try something new - and ordered a calamari appetizer. The wine was good, but the calamari was bland with a bland tomato sauce on the side. Our entrees were more of the same - not bad, but bland and not worth the $20 price tag on each. Overall, great atmosphere, great service, very average food. We continue to search for good Italian in Pittsburgh Pros: service, atmosphere Cons: bland food, high prices more

The first time my husband and I went was a Sunday evening which was family style. Not the full menu, but what was offered was excellent and enough for the next day! A great place to bring a group for a birthday celebration! The second time we went we took an out of town guest. I had the three-pasta special. EXCELLENT. Only complaint was it was a little difficult to hear. Pros: Excellent Food, Reasonable Prices, Good parking Cons: Loud more

That's right Pittsburghers, you're going to have take off the white tennis shoes and jogging pants. Pittsburgh finally has a restaruant befitting of the image that Pittsburgh wishs it could have. Let's hope that Pittsburgh can support this restaraunt. The food is out of this world, the service is top notch and the wine selection is very good. The ambiance is special. It's a great date restaraunt, and in a perfect location. Now all we need is for the city of Pittsburgh to spend some money on the street scape. Maybe plant some grass, make a sidewalk and put in some trees. I guess I am dreaming if I want that to happen, but check out the restaraunt. It's wroth it. Pros: Food, Wine, Conversation Cons: View, No Deck more