It’s
high time I raved about Habitat Restaurant at the Fairmont hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. This remains my favorite restaurant in the
flourishing Pittsburgh dining scene and a locale that never fails to
impress. Tucked inside the Fairmont
Hotel, Habitat Restaurant is easily
stereotyped as an overpriced and average venue due to its prime location and the
fact that it belongs to a hotel. But
that cannot be further from the truth.
With a modern décor and an open high-class professional kitchen, Habitat provides a traditional,
non-intrusive and overall truly impeccable service while highlighting a
vibrant, cutting-edge, seasonal cuisine for breakfast, lunch, brunch and
dinner.
Although
the food encompasses subtle international flavors, the main focus remains the
new American cuisine while also showcasing the quality and freshness of local
ingredients. In fact, the Chef doctors
the flavors based on season and availability of locally sourced ingredients;
the only thing brought from more than a hundred miles away is the wine. The food menu is not the only thing that
changes periodically; the dessert and drink menus have a similar fate. That being said, a few favorites are
available year-round on the main menu.
One
of them is the Fresh tandoor baked naan bread,
which is an indisputable crowd pleaser.
The warm, pillowy bread squares served with a trio of homemade spreads make
for a light and tasty appetizer.
Being
an avid beet eater, I always opt for the Roasted
organic local beets – my ultimate beets salad and a constant on the menu. The colorful beets are roasted and pickled
and they contrast beautifully against the creamy and tangy goat cheese and
sweet wild flower honey. I can’t rave
enough about this salad and the bold, well balanced flavors that make this
starter something I can easily indulge in all day, every day.
Another
dish worth the money is the Burrata and
faro appetizer. There’s nothing better
than creamy yet al dente faro topped with oozing, smooth burrata cheese. This
is an excellent choice when available and a generous enough portion to
split.
The Scallops and truffles crudo piled on a
smear of velvety parsnip puree is another lovely option especially in summertime. The sweet, meaty scallops are nicely
paired with earthy truffles to make a beautiful and refined dish.
In
wintertime, you can’t go wrong with the Risotto
and pork belly starter. The buttery
risotto enhances the heartiness of the pork belly, while the acidic apples and
crunchy scallions cut through the richness of this decadent dish.
The Smoked duck breast is another favorite
of mine. This main dish varies on a
regular basis showcasing seasonal ingredients and flavors. This time around the duck breast is really
well seasoned and perfectly mid-rare complemented by an assertive maple roasted
rutabaga puree and port reduction, roasted Brussels sprouts, and finished with
nutty candied walnuts for a bonus crunch.
Adrian
on the other hand prefers the Lamb chops
entrée. Here, the braised lamb is the
star of the dish; moist, tender and flavor-packed. The mint pesto pappardelle are the perfect
accompaniment, light yet rich making for a truly winter meal. Add to that a pungent but not overwhelming
sauce and some root vegetables and you have a symphony of flavors packed into a
balanced and nuanced main dish.
Another
beloved option that I simply can’t ignore is the Crab cake BLT. The thick
patty of deliciously sweet crab and the tasty chili lime aioli are front and
center, while the Applewood smoked bacon, crisp lettuce, red onion and tomato
are the understated garnishes stacked on a pleasantly toasted bun. And let’s not forget about the mouthwatering side
of sweet potato fries that round up this spectacle of flavors. Although you’ll find this burger on the lunch
menu, more often than not the kitchen will be nice enough to fix this dish for
you at dinnertime.
Furthermore,
pairing the burger with soup at lunchtime is a popular choice. Here, I opted for an amazing seasonal corn soup and the House smoked beef brisket with pickle aioli on a farmhouse
roll. The ultimate combo!
Regardless
of how satiated we feel after dinner, we can’t skip a sweet treat. The desserts at Habitat are innovative and creative, combining unique, compelling
flavors and artful presentations and, similar to the drinks and main menus,
they change regularly. Right now, an
excellent option is the Monkeying Around
– a warm croissant banana pudding paired with rum raisin ice cream, a chocolate
walnut crunch and drizzled with chocolate banana fondue. Warm, rich and simply phenomenal!
In
the spring and summer, I gravitate towards the Essence of Spring dessert, which is sweet and fruity, custardy and
crunchy, and topped with ice cream.
Yum! I already look forward to
ordering that again soon.
Another
great choice is the Blueberry Panna
Cotta, which I can’t get enough of and wish it were a constant on the menu.
Overall,
Habitat Restaurant always aims for
consistency, is the perfect blend of splendid food and exceptional service, and
is a restaurant that we return to time and again! And if you find yourself stranded in
Pittsburgh over the holidays or simply decide to forgo the Christmas cooking,
make sure to book a place at their Christmas Brunch this Friday, and don’t
forget to inquire about their New Year’s Eve menu and availability. Adrian and
I reserved a table for New Year’s Eve last year and it turned out to be a
brilliant and delicious decision. We
would have done the same thing this year but this December we’ll be in Romania
for the holidays, something that we’re so excited about. So, without further ado, I wish you all a
wonderful and happy holiday season and a blessed New Year!
Restaurant
Information:
Habitat Restaurant
510
Market Street
Pittsburgh,
PA 15222
Phone:
412-773-8848
Poftă
Bună! (Bon Appétit!)
