Best Cozy Restaurants in North Hills

I took my girlfriend to brunch at Ritual House on our engagement weekend in the city and it was absolutely wonderful. The decorations they had for the holidays were stunning and magical and the overall design of the place, including menus and table settings, was so charming. We were waited on by Bryce (can’t remember if that’s the correct spelling of his name!) and he was energetic, funny, helpful, and made us feel so welcome and comfortable. She got the chicken and waffles with a side of breakfast potatoes and I got the monte cristo sandwich. All of the food was flavorful, fresh, and portions were very generous. We definitely want to go back! Out of three restaurants we dined at over the weekend, this place was our favorite.

Morcilla is my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh because the food is always delicious. I always have the octopus, which has never been disappointing. This time, I tried the gildas, which blended wild anchovies with olives. Really tasty. I had the beef tatar, which everyone In our group thought was one of the best they have had. Lynn's gin and tonic could turn a McDonald's hamburger into a gourmet meal. Like all restaurants these days, the sound level is on the high side, and the ambiance is more like a busy European bistro. The service is attentive, and the dishes come out as they are ready, so nothing has been sitting, waiting to be picked up.

The pasta dishes were superb, as was the salad with lump crab meat and avocado. The panini, however, was disappointing. The bread was two slabs of thick, Texas-style bread, and the filling was very thick. Along with the Italian meats and cheese, there was shredded lettuce. If it was cooked on a Panini Press, the chef/cook forgot to close and press it. Obviously, whoever made the Panini has never been to Italy.

It’s unfortunate that my date and I only have two mouths and two stomachs total between us, because I absolutely wouldn’t feel bad about ordering the entire menu in one sitting. Well, my wallet might. We did order a lot, though, and we ended up closing down the place. The ambience was sexy and upbeat (not the drowsy kind of sexy, you know what I mean). It paired perfectly with the cocktails and a bottle of sake, and the staff were super stoked to give recommendations based on what we were feeling. The food came out as it was prepared, plated to perfection and ready to share. Did we order too much? I mean, it looked like it, but we ate every crumb. I’d have licked the plate if I didn’t like my outfit so much. And like I said, we closed down the place but never felt like we were being annoying or rushed out. Next time I come back, I’m ordering the rest of the menu.

Adorable little place with great outdoor area. Great wine!