Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

4.9

144 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Innovative
Good for groups
Neighborhood gem

Café Momentum is not a normal restaurant. Café Momentum is a non-profit restaurant that offers a locally sourced, chef-driven menu and serves as a culinary training facility for young people impacted by the juvenile justice system.

Café Momentum’s program teaches critical skills that allow youth to re-enter society in a safe, real-world environment of nurturing accountability. By participating in our program, the youth rotate through every aspect of the restaurant, from waiting tables to washing dishes, while working side-by-side with Chef Peter Henry.

Don't miss our famous smoked fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, ham hock collard greens, buttermilk biscuit, and black pepper gravy.

We are BYOB! $5/person corkage fee.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(412) 315-7765
Website
http://www.cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Peter Henry
Catering
Learn more about our catering, private event options, and view the menu at https://cafemomentum.org/cafe-momentum-pittsburgh-catering/.
Private party facilities
With our stunning event space, state-of-the-art kitchen, and a tailor-made menu to suit your vision, Café Momentum is the perfect place to host your private event. By choosing us, you're not just serving a meal; you're helping write a success story for Pittsburgh’s justice-impacted youth.

Location
268 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
None
Additional
BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Butter Board$9.00
three house made butters with focaccia & biscuits
Charcuterie Board$17.00
selection of meats & cheeses, focaccia, sourdough
Picklesburgh$15.00
house made hummus, house made pickled veggies, focaccia
Baked Brie$13.00
puff pastry, dried cranberries, greens, balsamic
Heirloom Tomato Flatbread$15.00
local tomatoes, marinara, mozzarella, basil
'The Cure' Flatbread$19.00
cured meats, whipped goat, lemon vinaigrette, balsamic drizzle
Brie & Fig Flatbread$17.00
brie cheese, fig, pistachio, ginger honey
Gazpacho$11.00
watermelon, tomato, cucumber, herbs

Salads

Asparagus Salad$12.00
asparagus, English peas, tender greens, almonds, orange, lemon vinaigrette
Beet Salad$14.00
gold & red beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts, arugula, golden beet vinaigrette, apple balsamic
House Salad$9.00
tender greens, lemon vinaigrette, blue cheese, candied walnuts, cranberries
Baked PA Mushroom$13.00
whipped goat cheese, micro greens, sourdough

Large Plates

Smoked Fried Chicken$27.00
mashed potatoes, ham hock collard greens, buttermilk biscuit, black pepper gravy
Mahi Mahi$35.00
pickled tomato, asparagus, olive oil braised turnip, brown butter hollandaise, marcona almond, watermelon radish
Hen of the Woods$25.00
crispy hen of the woods mushrooms, parsnip, butternut squash, bed of quinoa, micro greens
Jerky Porkchop$35.00
porterhouse cut, hatch chili jerk sauce, corn and shishito peppers, apple balsamic
NY Strip$45.00
PA spice rub, chickpea and bacon hash, grilled broccolini, onion butter, balsamic
Braised Rabbit$39.00
rabbit, black bean cassoulet, turnip, spicy tomato escabeche and arugula salad
Duck Spaetzle$31.00
herbed spaetzle, duck confit, roasted carrot, apple vanilla compote, duck jus

Sides

Ham Hock Collard Greens
Mashed Potatoes
Buttered Popcorn Grits
Fried Brussel Sprouts
Fried Chickpea Hash with Bacon

Something Sweet

Crème Brûlée$7.00
amaretto cream, chocolate dust
Apple Tart$7.00
apple, vanilla, puff pastry, caramel, vanilla ice cream
Lavender Panna Cotta$7.00
lavender, cream, orange gel
Peanut Smore$7.00
chocolate chia fig pudding, toasted marshmallow fluff, peanut brittle

What 144 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Pittsburgh / Western PA
Best Overall
Pittsburgh / Western PA
Best Value
Pittsburgh / Western PA
Innovative
Pittsburgh / Western PA
Healthy
Pittsburgh / Western PA
Contemporary American
Pittsburgh
Best Overall
Pittsburgh
Best Value
Pittsburgh
Innovative
Pittsburgh
Healthy
Pittsburgh
Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Momentum in Pittsburgh offers a truly "incredible food and service" experience with a mission-driven focus on training at-risk youth. The menu features locally sourced, unique dishes at "very reasonable prices," and the charming atmosphere is complemented by friendly staff. This BYOB gem is highly recommended for its "amazing mission" and delightful dining.

144 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Pittsburgh
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We had a 5:00 reservation and the restaurant had just opened. We had the goat cheese and mushroom appetizer, strip steak and salmon. Everything was wonderful. Restaurant is byob and if you forget there is a state store a 2 minute walk away. Very nice experience and would definitely go back.
Is this helpful?
B
Becky
Pittsburgh
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is our fourth time dining at Cafe Momento. The food is delicious and presented in an eye appealing manner. The service is friendly and efficient. We also love the mission of the cafe.
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara
Chicago
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was perfect from the bread service to dessert
Is this helpful?
A
Andrea
Pittsburgh
59 reviews
5.0
59 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best secret in Pittsburgh. Food was outstanding. This restaurant deserves our support. No fancy TV chef chain. Their goal is to help our community’s kids work for a viable career in hospitality and/or food service. The food was really delicious. Portions were large and prices are reasonable. The smoked fried chicken is a highlight. We split steak and a salad. Desserts are just the right size to top it all off. Don’t be afraid to go downtown; there ‘s plenty of nearby parking and it’s well lit. Tell your friends and your neighbors… dine with a good purpose.
Is this helpful?
A
Amy
Pittsburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Truly exceptional food and service. I have never had a charcuterie board that was such a divine experience we didn't order our meals until well after being there almost 45 minutes just taking time to enjoy the snacks. The staff are incredibly kind and caring people and the work they're doing here is truly important!
Is this helpful?
R
Richard
Pittsburgh
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Creative menu - wonderful food! Everything was delicious, and the staff was extremely nice.
Is this helpful?
P
Paul
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The combination of youth education and fine dining makes a meal at Momentum both delicious and satisfying.
Is this helpful?
d
deb
New Orleans
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Got to sit down relaxed and enjoyed butter board and fabulous charcuterie board super fresh. All servers were quite enjoyable and informative! We loved the decor and chill atmosphere! Can’t wait to go back and shout out to the Chef for inventive and delicious meal!!
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara
Pittsburgh
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food is first-rate. Service was excellent! (This is a career training program for at-risk teens.) Ambience was conducive to conversation - thank you! Excellent value. Prices are quite moderae. Will return again very soon.
Is this helpful?
C
Carol
Pittsburgh
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is a lovely venue, with good food and excellent service!!! The only problem is that they need more customers!! I would like to see this place filled with people!!!!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh is rated 4.9 stars by 144 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Google Map for Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

268 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Additional information

Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Peter Henry
Additional
BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Website
http://www.cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh
Phone number
(412) 315-7765
Catering
Learn more about our catering, private event options, and view the menu at https://cafemomentum.org/cafe-momentum-pittsburgh-catering/.
Private party facilities
With our stunning event space, state-of-the-art kitchen, and a tailor-made menu to suit your vision, Café Momentum is the perfect place to host your private event. By choosing us, you're not just serving a meal; you're helping write a success story for Pittsburgh’s justice-impacted youth.

Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh

Make a reservation

Additional information

Starters

Butter Board$9.00

Charcuterie Board$17.00

Picklesburgh$15.00

Baked Brie$13.00

Heirloom Tomato Flatbread$15.00

'The Cure' Flatbread$19.00

Brie & Fig Flatbread$17.00

Gazpacho$11.00

Salads

Asparagus Salad$12.00

Beet Salad$14.00

House Salad$9.00

Baked PA Mushroom$13.00

Large Plates

Smoked Fried Chicken$27.00

Mahi Mahi$35.00

Hen of the Woods$25.00

Jerky Porkchop$35.00

NY Strip$45.00

Braised Rabbit$39.00

Duck Spaetzle$31.00

Sides

Ham Hock Collard Greens

Mashed Potatoes

Buttered Popcorn Grits

Fried Brussel Sprouts

Fried Chickpea Hash with Bacon

Something Sweet

Crème Brûlée$7.00

Apple Tart$7.00

Lavender Panna Cotta$7.00

Peanut Smore$7.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh restaurant rated?

Is Cafe Momentum - Pittsburgh currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information