photo by Glen Green

Soba – Pittsburgh

 

Fellow foodie and adult-beverage-drinking friends, Karla and Jess, invited Glen and I to Soba’s Farm Feast Tasting Menu. Soba is located at 5847 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, and is a part of Big Burrito Restaurant Group. They own several popular restaurants in the area, including Eleven. Having Soba on our Bucket List, we were excited to try it out.

photo by Glen GreenShall we go in?

photo by Glen Green

 

photo by Glen Green

We found Soba to be very unique and relaxing. We absolutely loved the smooth rock water feature expanding two floors and an entire side of one wall. Very peaceful.

photo by Glen GreenThe farm feast has a tasting menu of $35 per person, including four courses. You may also accompany the courses with a wine paring for $20, giving you four different types of wine with each serving. We thought the cost was a great value.

Soba featured products from McConnells’ Farm, Cunningham Meats, Heritage Farm, Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance, and Mose Miller’s Farm in Lawrence County.

The thing I love most about a tasting menu is that you don’t have to worry about decisions. The menu is already planned. I’m sure many people would have an issue with this, but as a foodie, there is nothing better than to experience new cuisines. If you are one of those picky people, you can order off Soba’s Japanese-fusion style menu.

Shall we eat?

photo by Glen GreenFirst Course:

Ahi tuna with sesame seed, gingered carrot sauce, and shiitake mushrooms.

Pork wraps with cucumber, sprouts, and rhubarb sweet and sour sauce.

Elysian fields lamb taco with radish, green chili, tomatillo sauce.

Soba paired this first course with a 2010 Trajarinho Vinho Verde.

All the flavors melt in your mouth with subtle hints of all the herbs and spices. A perfect balance and very pleasing to taste.

photo by Glen GreenSecond Course:

Summer vegetable paratha. It includes spicy mango pickle, sweet and sour eggplant salad, green bean mallum and spicy cucumber salad.

Soba paired this course with a 2007 Argyle Riesling.

Each salad had it’s own unique flair. I wanted more.

photo by Glen GreenThird Course:

Black sea bass. It includes asparagus, wild mushrooms, root spinach, Chinese ham, fermented black beans in a lemon ponzu sauce.

Soba paired this course with a 2007 Masciarelli Montepulciano.

Glen not being a mushroom fan, I got to benefit from his portion. It was beyond anything I’ve ever tasted. I ate it slowly to appreciate every bite.

photo by Glen GreenFourth Course and Glen’s favorite:

Berry shortcake with coconut cream, yuzu, and white chocolate.

Soba paired this course with a 2007 Chateau Loupiac Gaudiet.

Not being a white chocolate fan, I really enjoyed this. The pastry was perfect and the dessert as a whole was heavenly.

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Soba will have a second Farmer Dinner during August 13 through August 16. I highly recommend you try and get there.

Because we were blown-away from the atmosphere, outstanding service, and talented chefs, Soba is making our Pittsburgh Favorite list. Exquisite dining.

Have you experienced Soba? What’s your thoughts?

 

Photo by Glen Green Photography

Eleven Pittsburgh

 

For Father’s Day Glen and I took his family to Eleven, located at 1150 Smallman Street Pittsburgh, PA. We’ve had many opportunities to dine here, but something always got in the way. We were very excited to finally get there.

The restaurant is a ‘contemporary kitchen.’ We were all smiles when we first walked in. Since we arrived a little early, we checked in and the hostess took us to the bar area for a very small wait.

With my eyes wide open, I’m impressed at first glance and found it to be very dark, relaxing and enjoyable. However, as we wait for our table, sitting in the big comfy chairs, our eyes narrowed to the stains and spots on the furniture. I was a little apprehensive to sit down.

Shall we order?

Photo by Jenny MacBethIt’s the little things that I love to experience. The brunch menu is small. Which I like. I hate needing to make food decisions. It’s hard for me <smirk>.

photo by Jenny MacBethBecause I had a wonderful time with Meat & Potatoes Brunch Bloody Mary Bar, I wanted to compare Eleven to one of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh. Eleven has different types of Bloody Mary’s. I opt for the Bloody Maria. – A jalapeno fused cocktail. A spicy drink, and I really enjoyed it.

Though the drink WOWED me, as you can see from the photo, the presentation did not. I really liked the creativity of Meat & Potatoes presentation. It was interactive and unique. At those prices, give the customer a little fun for their money. Sorry Eleven, M&Ps spoiled me.

Photo by Glen Green PhotographyJust looking at that breakfast basket is making my mouth water as I type this. Eleven gives you a basket filled with a moist variety of muffins, The butter was light and whipped, and the jam was a perfect addition. Love this.

Photo by Glen Green PhotographyWe ordered the cheese platter appetizer. It was good, but not extraordinary.

Photo by Jenny MacBethI ordered the Eggs Benedict Pittsburgh style. Served with pastrami and black truffles. A delicious choice, as so it would seem. – Enjoying my meal, and almost done, I had to excuse myself to the bathroom because I needed to spit out a big piece of chewy gristle.

Photo by Jenny MacBethHuevos Rancheros. This is a classic Mexican breakfast dish that mainly consists of fried eggs served upon lightly fried corn tortillas topped with a variety of greens and sauces. Sorry Eleven, it is good, but not satisfying. We were comparing it to Meat & Potatoes brunch version. M&Ps is bigger and better with lots of layers.

Photo by Jenny MacBethYour average omelet, potatoes and smoked cured bacon just for dad. We found all of it delicious. The potatoes were perfectly cooked. This would be my highest recommendation from the brunch menu.

Photo by Glen Green PhotographyOf course we ordered dessert. Mom and Glen are big dessert eaters. I can handle a bite or two, but I’m a salty kind of girl.

Here we have a Creme Brulee. One of Glen’s favorites. They can’t make a brulee dish big enough. However, not this time. The dessert was cold. They must prepare it then store it in the refrigerator. We did not like it as much as the other desserts.

Photo by Glen Green PhotographyThis is the Molten Lava Dark Chocolate Cake. Heaven. So divine and an artistic presentation. Definitely worth the calories.

Photo by Glen Green PhotographyWe’re told this is their most popular dessert. I’m blanking on the name, but it’s something to do with Peanut Butter. I preferred the molten cake, however, Mom and Glen devoured two of these.

Overall, it was finally nice to try it out, and we’ll probably go back for Eleven’s dinner menu. Not to mention, Eleven has excellent customer service. Our server was new, and you couldn’t even tell had he not told us. In the end, we found it to be a little pricy for not being blown-away.

Have you’ve eaten at Eleven? What are your thoughts? What would you recommend?