You know those restaurant visits, when a single dish stands out from the rest: It’s the one your tablemates wish they’d ordered because it’s super flavorful, Instagram-worthy or a nostalgia dish that rivals a favorite home-cooked version. From Brookline to Bloomfield, Shadyside to the Strip District, here are the week’s scene-stealing dishes and drinks.
Chili from Revival Chili food truck at Allegheny City Brewing on the North Side
Is it possible to find salvation in a bowl of chili? When every muscle fiber in your legs feels totally used after an early-morning run through the city, the answer is a resounding “heck, yes!”
The Revival Chili food truck was waiting when my group of runners came to a finish at Allegheny City Brewing on the North Side. I ordered the spicy chicken chili with a side of jalapenos. It was surprisingly spicy — one bite and I was sweating — but I was cold, and I love a chili with a little more zip. Luckily, a huge dollop of sour cream added a cool creaminess. A Tripel Lindy, ACB’s version of a Belgian tripel, went down much easier. 507 Foreland St., North Side; @revivalchili on Twitter — Gretchen McKay
Tomato and bean soup at Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette in Bloomfield
If my grandmother in heaven were to have me over for a simple lunch of tomato and bean soup and sauteed fava tops, she would serve them in mix-and-match plates and the presentation would not be over the top. Her focus would be only on the clean, simple and, well, heavenly flavors. And that’s how it is at Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette. The reddish-orange-hued tomato soup ($6), dusted with dried dill, is light even though it is dotted with sorana beans (a pearly white thin-skinned cannellini from Italy). Each spoonful brings a pleasing jolt of heat from the espelette peppers. Espelette resurfaces in the green tops ($5) of the fava bean plant. I was glad to see it back, for it complements the juicy and the subtle pea-flavored fava tops, which are sprinkled with garlic and breadcrumbs. 4613 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield — Arthi Subramaniam
Pulled pork sandwiches with sides from Pittsburgh Barbecue Co. in Banksville
Saturday my son and I were baching it and out and about, and I asked him if he was hungry for anything he hadn’t had in a while. He came up with “pulled pork.” Fortunately for us, despite the lingering cold and snow, the barbecue season just opened at both locations of the Pittsburgh Barbecue Co., and we happened to be driving past one of them. We both went for the Carolina-style pork and agreed to split sides of tangy coleslaw and superb hickory baked beans (of several different types). Our servers graciously told us how my son could get a Pepsi in the deal, which wasn’t quite $20 with a tip, and once we got it all home, we were both very happy boys. 1000 Banksville Ave., Banksville — Bob Batz Jr.
The classic at Driftwood Oven in Lawrenceville
I’m happy that the formerly roving Driftwood Oven duo, Neil Blazin and Justin Vetter, have landed in Lawrenceville — and that their brick and mortar spot on Butler Street is a fine riff on a classic pizza parlor — with naturally leavened pizza that’s among the finest in the city. Consider the classic, with tomato sauce, mozzarella and — Pittsburgh style, with provolone ($20), or go your own way with toppings. Note that it’s now serving alcohol, and that it’s open Wednesday to Sunday for now. 3615 Butler St., Lawrenceville — Melissa McCart
Best dishes, continued:
No. 1 Sushi Sushi, Sakura, Honeygrow, La Palapa
Streets on Carson, Spork, Whole Foods, Istanbul Sofra
Condado Tacos, Udipi and a church fish fry
La Gourmandine, Spoon and Poulet Bleu
The Firepit, DiAnoia’s, The Carlton and Nepali Asian Restaurant
First Published: March 26, 2018, 4:30 p.m.
