I thought a lot about writing a review to The Lot. It won't be in business in a couple of years (at the latest) so I debated as to whether or not it was even worth writing a bad review. I normally don't bother with writing bad reviews because I don't think it's worth it. A restaurant that operates poorly won't last, so why waste your time? However, my family went out for a meal there tonight and I feel obligated to write an honest review. The food is mediocre at best and the prices are about 10-20% lower than Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It styles itself as a chophouse a la carte restaurant, but it's not. It's okay at best, staffed by people who probably have no experience in the restaurant industry. A filet is about 40 bucks but doesn't taste much better than a 10 dollar filet you'd get at Giant Eagle that you'd cook yourself. The appetizers are pretty basic and poorly prepared. We ordered the baked artichoke and it was baked so well that it was inedible. It's not an artichoke heart but rather the artichoke "leaves" that you scrape the "meat" off of. Well, it was so overcooked that the "meat" was hardened.
Worse yet was the consumer experience. It's one of those generic restaurants that has the garage door glass opening that is opened on nice evenings. Unfortunately, bugs are welcome into the restaurant. We spent the evening trying to fight off a dozen flies while trying to eat our meal. When the manager came around to ask how our dinner was, we mentioned the fly issues which was met by a shrug and an explanation which surmounted to, "well, when we open the windows they come and we don't really have a way to deal with them." How about actual candles at the tables? Fly traps? An electric fly zapper? There are dozens of ways to deal with flies. It was clear that the manager didn't really care and was just doing her job of making the rounds and asking how everyone was doing without ever expecting that the customers might be having a poor experience. I asked for my food to be boxed halfway through eating it because I was tired of fighting off the flies. A fly landed and died in my wife's glass of wine. It really is a disgusting facility.
For a group of four our bill was over 250 bucks. The food was mediocre and the atmosphere was pretty miserable. It's a place where you go to the bar and have a couple of appetizers but doesn't have an appealing dining scene. Save your money and go to a real, established restaurant that doesn't charge Ruth Chris prices and deliver lower quality meal options.
Again, I debated whether or not to even write this review because this business won't last. The value proposition to customers is awful. High prices for low quality services, atmosphere an food isn't a recipe for success. There are so many good dining options now in the city of Pittsburgh, and even in Oakmont, don't settle for overpriced mediocrity at The Lot.
Also, I notice that many of the five star reviews are written by "Local Guides". If you want to pick your dining choice on people who were likely paid or comped for eating at places then you are welcome to do so. I'm giving you honest feedback from your average Joe-schmo that shelled out $250 for an absolutely miserable meal and experience. Seriously, scroll down the reviews and compare the "Local Guide" reviews to the average customer reviews. The Local Guide reviews are all five stars, the average reviews are all low. It's not too hard to figure out what's going on with Local...
Read moreA new, contemporary Restaurant, Bar, and Cigar Bar located on the edge of Oakmont in "Edgewater." Now open Tuesday - Sunday from 6am-2pm for breakfast and lunch with dinner being served from 4pm-10pm. The Cigar Bar is open from 4pm-2am Tuesday - Saturday and 4pm-11pm on Sunday. There is also a bar in the restaurant area that I'm sure shares the same hours as the Cigar Bar. We stopped by for brunch and we enjoyed everything we ordered. Lacey, our Server, was kind, engaging, and very knowledgeable of the menu. I had the Overnight Oatmeal ~it was perfection. I also ordered the English Muffins. Their texture was very good but they toasted them on the griddle and they were too greasy for me. I will order them again, minus the basting of grease. My husband had the Hash and he loved it. Our son had the Country Fried Steak and he was thrilled with his entree. It was an actual steak, no ground beef patty here, steak fried to country perfection with gravy and a biscuit that would make your grandmother proud. Our daughter had the Roast Beef Dip & Parmesan Fries. She loved her sandwich so much that she ate the entire thing without regret. The fries were very good but they went home. The kids had Boozy Milkshakes and my husband had a Tequila Sunrise. They all enjoyed their beverages. The restaurant area is very nice and open. Lots of windows throughout. There's a nice Cafe area to sit and sip. The Bar is stunning with its array of bottles. There is a tap line that catches your breath. They have 30 wines, 20 cocktails, and a dozen beers on tap. I heard they are going to offer A Rose' Slush, which sounds perfectly refreshing. You can take a peek at the Wine Cellar and the 200 wines they offer as it is located at the entrance of the restaurant. The Cigar Bar is located upstairs. All of the the furniture is leather and the room is decked out in wood making it smell amazing. You can have your own locker but you are required to purchase your cigars and liquor on the premises which makes you wonder why you would bother spending the $$$ on a locker. The GM said they'll occasionally put things in your locker and my husband was told by the owner that locker owners will receive specials at the restaurant once or twice a month. I think this may be a work in progress so if I learn more about any amenities I will be sure to update my review. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to go back. I hope you enjoy your...
Read more5 Stars – A True Gem and Great Discovery!
I had the pleasure of visiting The Lot At Edgewater for the first time when I met up with some dear friends, and what a great find it turned out to be! From start to finish, everything about our experience hit the mark.
The restaurant itself is relatively new and has a beautifully designed interior with an open, airy layout. Sunlight pours in through large windows, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere that feels both modern and welcoming. It’s clean, thoughtfully arranged, and spacious without losing that cozy charm. Our group of five fit perfectly and comfortably, but you can tell it can suit anything from a brunch date to a bigger celebration.
Our server, David VG, was outstanding, clearly living up to those “Very Good” initials! Friendly, attentive, and on top of everything without being intrusive. His service genuinely enhanced the overall experience. Thanks, David!
Now, on to the food, which absolutely blew me away. Everything was served hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The portions were very generous; if you walk away hungry, it’s your own fault! The crab bisque deserves its own moment of praise, hands down, the best I’ve ever had. David even shared that it’s so beloved, the restaurant doesn’t even bother offering a second soup. Trust me, they don’t need to.
For our entrees, we had a mix of four sandwiches and one breakfast dish, and every single plate was a hit. Generous, flavorful, and satisfying. We wrapped up the meal with a shared order of beignets, which were awesome but an enormous portion, we almost couldn’t finish them… but we dug deep and made it happen! Soft, warm, and dusted in sugar paired with both a chocolate and mixed berry jam, the perfect sweet finale.
In summary: If you’re local, this should already be in your rotation. And if you’re within an hour’s drive, make the trip, you won’t regret it. The Lot At Edgewater is a fresh, delicious, and genuinely enjoyable spot that’s definitely worth your time. I will absolutely be back!
We did make reservations which I highly recommend, especially if you have a...
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