Pittsburgh
Superior Service
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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SOUTH SIDE. With extensive draft and bottled beer options, local artwork, and live music, the BBT sits tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the South Side. Although it may sound trite, the BBT is the kind of bar where everyone really does know your name – or if they don't, they'll learn it quickly. Maybe it's the exposed brick and mellow lighting, or maybe it's the personalized service by bartender Jason "Jonesy" Jones ... whatever it is, you feel like you're settling in for a comfortable evening at home with your closest friends.
OAKLAND. Since 1895, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has provided city denizens and Allegheny County residents with free access to books. Gone are the days of shushing librarians! Today's staff is not only helpful, patient, and technologically savvy, but they want patrons to think of the local library as a community center where everyone is welcome. There are branch locations all over town, and each one is a distinct, readily identifiable neighborhood presence.
DOWNTOWN. Maybe it's because the owners are native Pittsburghers, or maybe it's because their coffee-sipping goat mascot is so darn cute, but Crazy Mocha is definitely one of Pittsburgh's best coffeehouses. Ever wanted a scoop of ice cream in your piping hot mocha? Just ask for the Mocha à la Mode, and the friendly baristas will hook you up. It's not easy keeping a local chain up and running – just ask manager Adrienne Zangrille, who spends her days going from store to store making sure everything is, well, not too crazy.
LAWRENCEVILLE. Beth McHenry, owner and stylist of Evolve, offers excellent cuts in an atmosphere that's as fresh as a new 'do. Located in the up-and-coming Lawrenceville neighborhood, Evolve is intimate, comfortable, and equipped with an over-stuffed plush couch, bright walls, and McHenry's fluffy pup, Romie, who likes to hang out while her mom works.
SOUTH SIDE. The staff at this two-story independent bookstore will not only help you find what you're looking for, but they'll also make suggestions and order almost any book you want. Additionally, the store offers free classes, lectures, and readings each month. The place is so helpful, in fact, that Pittsburgh City Paper rated it the Steel City's best local bookstore.
FRIENDSHIP. The busy city might be swirling around outside, but inside Quiet Storm, you can be safe and happy with a cup of coffee, healthy vegetarian fare, and the care of a warm, friendly staff. Servers like Becca Kolb tend to go above and beyond to welcome and accommodate the largest groups of groggy Sunday morning brunch-goers.
SHADYSIDE. Recently – it seems as if overnight – an appreciation for good beer has become hip. Sharp Edge caters to the most adventurous beer drinker, offering not only 50 distinct beers on tap but a bottle selection that's unprecedented in Pittsburgh. The staff are well-versed in the language of hops and barley and are more than happy to recommend a brew to complement your meal or your personality, depending on how well they get to know you.
SQUIRREL HILL. So maybe coffee isn't your thing. How about tea? Quieter than traditional coffee shops with their banging implements and hissing machines, this café is part lunch break, part meditation. The helpful staff can easily recommend the perfect tea for you from over 60 loose leaf choices.
SOUTH SIDE. Forget the old rule about not eating in the library, and don't be surprised if a server hands you a book when you sit down. The Library's menu is pasted on the first page, and each item is cleverly named after literary favorites. In the mood for hummus? Try the "Arabian Nights" to start, followed by a classic "Hamlet" prosciutto sandwich. The staff are friendly, attentive, and will accommodate almost any need, especially for private parties on the second floor and patio. The kitchen is open nightly 'til 1am.
MONROEVILLE. If you like authentic Indian food, Udipi is as real as it gets. Just minutes from the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Monroeville, the restaurant offers traditional South Indian fare. Since items on the menu are not always familiar to all patrons, servers are patient and helpful and will make sure you receive the proper amount of spice for your tastes. It's great to be treated like royalty, to know that you matter to someone's business. Now, read up on employees who go above and beyond to serve you. We'll share the names of bars where bartenders mix special drinks, restaurants where servers remember your name and your order, and salons where the staff go that extra mile to put you at ease. All are worthy of mention, and we'll ensure that you know what to expect when you show up.
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It's great to be treated like royalty, to know that you matter to someone's business. Now, read up on employees who go above and beyond to serve you. We'll share the names of bars where bartenders mix special drinks, restaurants where servers remember your name and your order, and salons where the staff go that extra mile to put you at ease. All are worthy of mention, and we'll ensure that you know what to expect when you show up.
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