Intro: The Best Restaurant in Pittsburgh?
I suppose the overall goal of this blog is to find the best restaurant in Pittsburgh. Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe I found it, and in no other place than the Ace Hotel Pittsburgh. Not only is this one of the coolest hotels in the city (they converted an old YMCA building to make the hotel), but also one of the best restaurants is found on the ground floor of the building. The entire hotel attempts to stay true to its original purpose, renovating the gym to function as a event space and the old workout area now functions as the lobby/restaurant. I figured there would be no other people to try such an interesting venue with than my parents!
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is significantly different from other upscale hotels and restaurants in that the vibe is much younger and new aged. From the DJ blasting tunes in the lobby, the young wait staff, and the original fixtures dotting the walls, this was a restaurant and a hotel that spared no expense to earn that extra cool feeling. It was a tad bit loud, as we were right next to the DJ, but overall it was a fun affair and I really enjoyed all the activity.
Service
Our waiter, Jack, did a standout job of explaining everything. He was quick to respond to any need we had and extremely sincere in his recommendations of what to order. It’s not too often you get such fabulous service in the type of new and young venue we went to. However, this was also an international boutique hotel brand, and I expected and received nothing less than 5-star service.
Quality 
Superb quality on all fronts. This is a tavern style restaurant without compromise, meaning that the chefs go all in on big steaks, large sides, and exceptional drinks. The butcher’s plate of charcuterie, while really diverse and large, including a pistachio pate and a duck liver mousse, was not as good as other places serving similar choice meats. Other than that, Whitfield now holds the title of “Favorite…” for a lot of different items (Moscow Mule, ribeye with Béarnaise sauce, carrots au gratin) The steaks and sides are all served family style, so coming with 2 or 3 really hungry people is the best way to prepare for all the food you’ll get. I cannot stress enough the quality of everything we ordered; this is truly a restaurant that sources locally whenever it can and delivers on exceptional tastes and flavors.
Price
We paid a hefty price for not only all the food we ordered but the specific dishes we ordered too. The porterhouse alone will set you back $80, so coming in with a budget and an idea of what you’re hungry for (instead of indiscriminately ordering steaks and sides like we did…) is the best way to not lose your head and your money when ordering.
Rating
9.5/10
Translation
My favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh so far. Period. I have never been more delighted in this city with the quality of the service, food and atmosphere, and all in a really unique hotel. Folks may disagree with me, but I am committed to this restaurant and its amazing food and service, which in opinion makes it the best I’ve seen in Pittsburgh so far.
Judi’s Take
Amazing!! From the moment you step into this restaurant you feel like you’ve been invited to sit at the cool table. The music, sourced from a D.J., is loud enough to start your heart pumping but somehow conversation is not at all impeded. The wait staff is not only friendly but entertaining. The tables are spaced so you feel like you are in a very popular place without feeling like you “family-styling-it.” The food was so delicious. From the lobster macaroni and cheese to the steaks that were nearly a quarter of the cow, everything was done to perfection and with the maximum amount of flavor. The ambiance stimulated conversation. The food is some of the best I have tasted in Pittsburgh (and perhaps anywhere else). I would definitely return for another taste. This is a place I would take anyone (and everyone) for dinner. You absolutely cannot go wrong at the Whitfield.
Judith Cassel is a partner at Hawke McKeon & Snicak LLP and practices regulatory law, including representation of medical marijuana clients. You can find the websites for each practice here: http://www.hmslegal.com/ and http://cannabislawpa.com/
Whitfield is a tavern style restaurant focusing on the Western Pennsylvania flavors and culinary traditions of Polish, German, Italian, and Jewish immigrants. The menu is seasonal and the venue, located in East Liberty, is very popular, especially during the different events held throughout the year. Check out their website for menu and reservation details: http://www.whitfieldpgh.com/
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