Shakespeare's Restaurant & Pub — Restaurant in North Sewickley Township

My wife and I had a wedding here 2 weeks ago. We had a beautiful ceremony and a magical day. Unfortunately there were some downfalls for the wedding but there were also pros.

First and foremost, the general manager, Sean was spectacular and the head waiter was absolutely fantastic! The food was good and the cake was fantastic!

Now time for the bad things. When we first chose this venue, we had a wedding coordinator that was great but unfortunately moved onto a new career. A few months before the wedding we had a new coordinator named Amanda that seemed great in the beginning but ended up being a complete control freak.

Amanda has been in the banquet event business for 25 + years but it seemed like it was her first wedding she ever planned.

The first error occurred the day of our Rehearsal. Our wedding rehearsal was absolutely dysfunctional and not well prepared. Amanda scheduled a last minute event that prevented us from using half of the balcony for our rehearsal. Due to this event, we were unable to set up for the reception the night before the wedding causing us to rush the next morning to make sure everything was perfect.

The next error occurred the morning of the wedding when our parents went over to the venue to set up. When our parents walked in they found out that a last minute baby shower was scheduled in one of the rooms that we booked and was reserved until 2:00 PM, 2.5 hours before our ceremony was to begin. We payed for both rooms the entire day to prevent another party from coming in.

The next error occurred shortly after our parents instructed Amanda this is where we want things and she completely ignored our wishes and did things the way she wanted it.

The next two errors occurred when the ceremony was over and the reception began. The first thing was that the photo booth was not even set up and our guests had no idea we had one. The second thing was that we instructed Amanda that we want the table with name tags at the elevator where people can see it. Amanda said it goes here in the Grand Hall and we specifically requested to have it where we wanted it. Again she completely ignored us again and when our guests came in, they had no clue where they were to sit.

The next and biggest error of the night was that we requested a 4 hour bar with the bar to be open from start to finish and our reception was to be done at 10:00 PM. She closed the bar during dinner service which was not part of our agreement which is where she was finally sent away and the General manager Sean took over.

The last and final error that is worth noting is that 2 tables during our reception were never served and left with cold food.

So ultimately, the ceremony was beautiful, the food was good, and the reception when dancing occurred was spectacular. Everything in between was a complete disaster.

As I said, the General Manager, Sean was great! We would return to eat there and would recommend others to have a wedding there as long as the coordinator Amanda is not.

She is a pathological liar and puts too much on her plate at one time. She was worried about other parties and not our special day. Very disappointing. I hate to see someone lose their job but I am hoping they don’t let Amanda coordinate another...

Shakespeare’s exudes a bygone era with its rich, medieval ambiance. The impressively huge and imposing castle doors with dragon-adorned wrought-iron handles, extensive use of dark wood and stone throughout, and tastefully and historically decorated with several suits of armor and hanging tapestries in the large, castle-like hall leading to the hostess stand create an appealing setting for an extraordinary culinary experience. The dining room, adorned with medieval shields, swords, thick carpet and tapestries, and warmly-lit booths for those desiring more privacy, emanates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The ambient lighting accentuates the medieval charm, making it an ideal backdrop for a relaxed and enjoyable dining escapade. Our server, Marena, played a pivotal role in enhancing our experience. Her attentiveness, personal touch, and friendly demeanor provided outstanding service throughout the evening, elevating our shared dining adventure. Our evening began with a request to Sean, the general manager, for a perfect wine pairing, and Shakespeare’s did not disappoint. The 2018 Il Borro Annata Toscana, a dark and velvety red wine, offered a complex blend of dark fruits, spices, herbs, and subtle notes of leather. It complemented the meal elegantly, adding an extra layer of sophistication to our shared culinary adventure. We indulged in a generously sized soft pretzel with the wine before the main event, perfectly salted and paired with a delectable beer cheese dipping sauce. The combination served as a savory prelude, setting the stage for the awaited culinary journey. Fresh green salads were refreshing, featuring crisp iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and crispy croutons. Served with bleu cheese dressing on the side, the salads added a vibrant and palate-cleansing element to our meal. The warm focaccia-style bread served with olive oil and balsamic for dipping was a delightful touch and an excellent accompaniment to the salads, showcasing Shakespeare’s meticulous attention to detail. Each bite was a perfect harmony of flavors. For dinner, we opted for the classic Prime Rib, which was cooked to a perfect medium rare and accompanied by a flavorful au-jus and two types of horseradish, grated and creamy, adding a delightful richness to each bite. The baked potatoes served with all the trimmings, were comforting sides that complemented the main course impeccably. To conclude the evening, or the Final Act, we shared a slice of cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries on a sweet note. The creamy texture of the cheesecake, paired with the vibrant sweetness of the strawberries, created an indulgent and satisfying dessert. In summary, Shakespeare offers more than just a meal; it provides a journey back in time, where the ambiance, attention to detail, and culinary expertise combine to create a memorable dining experience. Marena’s exceptional service, assisted by an energetic side-kick and busser, Brian, and a menu featuring classic and delightful surprises make Shakespeare’s more than a perfect choice for a shared, satisfying, and enjoyable evening; it is a restaurant you should...

Ambiance (7/10): Kinda bordered between cheesy and charming. Lighting is a bit dim but authentic, but could also be hiding flaws. Had authentic gas lamps and ornate details and accents. The booths were comfortable. Good landscaping and scenery throughout. Overall was true to the "casual midevial theme"

Service (9/10): Our server was very charming and charismatic with little jokes and quips throughout the service. Very on par for the casual midevial theme. However, the kitchen may be a bit slow and struggling during busier nights. We went on at Saturday night at 5:30 and got done at 7:000 with appetizer, main course, and dessert for two.

Food (7/10): We started with the Bruschetta which was tasty but nothing truly special 7/10. Then came the roasted corn soup which was by far the best dish of the night. It was creamy, packing corn flavor, a slight char, and a pleasant spice that hits the back of your throat and makes you keep wanting another spoonful 9.5/10. Next came some bread and oil, as well as butter. The bread lacked a crunch on the crust like a normal ficocchia and the butter wasn't nearly as good as the oil. The pesto linguine was well cooked, however I think it lacked in the extra toppings such as the tomatoes, cheese and spinach. The cherry tomatoes and chunks of mozzarella didn't allow for even portions throughout the entree, they should have been cut up properly for a more enjoyable meal. Overall the pasta was good and I would rate it a 7/10. The pene la vodka was overcooked, bland, and uninspiring. Was a filling portion though 5/10. Lastly the chocolate ganache torte was a bit rich of a dessert for some, the strawberry sauce may be a bit overly sweet for some as well especially compared to the more muted, subtle, and rich dark chocolate ganache. However, they ended up not quite working perfectly together but was close enough to satisfy 6.9/10. Overall the corn soup was the star for the meal and everything else was a slight disappointment in comparison, despite being fairly average.

Golf course (0/10) (Not factored into the overall review): We did not use the golf course facilities on premise at the Shakespeare Restaurant and Pub; however, we understand the environmental consequences of such infrastructure in...