Fortune Star — Restaurant in Monroeville

In days of yore, there lies a humble yet bustling establishment known to wayfarers as Fortune Star Buffet. Though not as ancient as the halls of the Eldar, nor as storied as the great cities of Men, it stands as a refuge for those seeking respite from the weariness of travel and toil. Its prices, as rare and precious as mithril, hark back to a time before the shadows of rising costs fell upon the lands, evoking a memory of simpler, more prosperous days.

Yet take heed, for upon entering, the unwary adventurer may find themselves tested, not by orcs or wargs, but by a most unexpected trial. The maidens who serve here, while as fair and kind as Arwen of old, possess a curious skill – they fling chopsticks with the swiftness of Legolas loosing arrows in battle. Be ye quick of hand and keen of eye, for this is no place for the slow of reflex. Nevertheless, her smile, bright as the Evenstar, softens the blow and assures no malice behind the act.

As for the sushi, one might find themselves in a quandary, much like Frodo at the Crossroads of Ithilien. It is said that the fish may not always be as fresh as the springs of Lórien, yet many brave souls before have partaken and lived to tell the tale. Whether one dares to eat or leaves it for another remains a choice to be made in the moment, for as Gandalf once said, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

The halls of Fortune Star are clean and well-kept, a rare treasure in the realm of buffets. No scraps or bones lie about like the ruins of Osgiliath, and the hearths are tended with care. The place is orderly and fit for even the most discerning of Hobbits – though perhaps Samwise might grumble about the sushi’s peril.

It may not possess the majesty of Rivendell nor the serenity of the Shire, but for those seeking an affordable feast in a land where sustenance is prized, it is a worthy stop. The danger of flying chopsticks and the uncertainty of the sushi may yet be trifles compared to the satisfaction of a full belly and a good tale to tell. 4 out of 5 stars – for...

Location: Miracle Mile Shopping Center Monroeville. Traffic in Monroeville is very time sensitive but the social engineers should be admired from the downtown area as dense traffic moves quickly.... until you head to Murrysville. Nontheless, it should be easy in/ easy out most times of the day via I-376.

Restaurant: It is a large and clean Chinese buffet. It can accommodate large parties and have everyone eating very quickly. There are 5 stations, a sushi station and a chef to make lo mein and rice noodle combos at your request. They have some American options as well, ex: ribs, meatballs, breadsticks, chicken wings, pizza, ham and sometimes steak. They have a wide selection of Chinese food, white/fried rice and soups. Also, there is a dessert station, 1/5 mentioned, with ice cream in the cooler and confections. They keep everything in well rotation and if they notice you depleting a specific item they will make it fresh and refill it.

Staff: They have laser sight on your drink and will not ever let it run dry. There is minimal interaction due to buffet but they will clear your plates and be attentive to your needs. Sometimes they will be pushy to get you your check, but it is out of goodwill that I have noticed. From my experience they aren't trying to rush you out, simply being extremely attentive.

My experience: I go here about once every two weeks. It's great after a long workday and a good reward for a hard workout at LA Fitness nextdoor (many protein options). Never have I left disappointed or had a bad experience. (+25 visits) Restrooms and facility is always clean and I have never thought twice about food prep...

The establishment would have got five stars from me but the servers are really awkward. When I check out, they ask if I need the change. Sometimes they don't bring the change back. Sometimes they bring a partial amount of change and take what they want. If they want money from a guy for doing a little handywork they should consider getting a husband. All I notice them do is bring a drink and eating utensils to table, take dishes to wash, clean messes on rare occasions, stand around as surveillance and accept your money. I use chopsticks not silverware anyways and I could easily fill up my own cup of water if it were optional. I could take my dirty dishes to a bin to be cleaned. I could pay the boss at the register on the way out. I keep my table clean as can be. I even put my cup on a napkin to prevent water marks. Maybe A few swipes of the table with sanitary cloth and it's ready for another guest. It just ruins the whole experience for me that they think they should get anything from me for what they do. I wouldn't consider anything they do as difficult. It's an effortless position. Regardless, I still tip generously. But the experience with the girl servers makes me not want to go back.

The design of the interior is extraordinarily beautiful. The food is overall decent. It's a buffet. You can't expect everything fresh so I give the cooks a pro rating for managing their menu even if things aren't up to par. If something tastes spoiled or over kept I can either choose to eat it or not. There's variety to...