EYV — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

All these 5 star reviews are frankly confusing. Our unfortunate experience at this restaurant began literally from the time we walked in. The design of the restaurant is such that when you walk in you are essentially walking right into the start of the seating area. The host desk/booth/area is halfway across the room but there wasn't a sign or anything and nobody was there to greet or direct us in so we didn't see it at first. We stood huddling next to the front door until finally someone behind the "bar" went over to the host desk and started yelling to us over the people seated eating. Luckily it wasn't busy although the few tables with people I'm sure were bothered by the exchange happening over them instead of a sign or some sort of direction from the staff member to either come over to the host desk or something rather than yelling to each other over the people seated trying to enjoy the food. The staff member decided to seat us upstairs even though they had plenty of available seats downstairs. We walked upstairs and they attempted to seat us at a two seater table, which wasn't bad because there were two of us, however, the table was slightly small and was directly on the wall. Being right handed there was no way we would have had a comfortable eating experience so we asked to just sit at the bar that was upstairs. We took our seats and the staff member went back downstairs. We were the literally the only ones upstairs and there was no music or anything at all just us. After awhile he came back to ask if we wanted anything to drink and it was almost like he was on some sort of drugs - completely out of it. We got some waters and started to look at the menus. He disappeared again. When he finally came he took our order but was still fairly out of it. We are vegan and were excited about the "plant first" idea but when discussing the changes to the dishes that would have to be made to make them vegan we were kind of disappointed. We ordered the hummus fritters and the bao buns to start and the cabbage pastrami and potato Mill Feuille for entrees. At this time we also asked for some more water as our cups had been empty for quite some time. He said he was out upstairs but that he would go get some more from downstairs. He never came back with water. He did come back with our appetizers though. The bao buns were nearly flavorless, and the hummus fritters were so salty that the lack of water was becoming a serious issue. Over this time two other couple had been seated upstairs and another staff member was attending to them so we asked him if we could get some water. He promptly pulled out some from behind the bar. The original worked I guess didn't even look for it. Anyways. Our entrees came out and to say that the potato Mill Feuille was lackluster would be a gross exaggeration of any positive attribute. It was literally five small pieces of fried potatoes, 4 pieces of turnip, less than 2 bites of wilted spinach, and some sauce. For the amount they charged for that dish they should be charged with robbery. The cabbage pastrami on the other hand was incredible. As we were eating our entrees we also noticed that the other two couples upstairs with us had turned to three and all of us were experiencing a less than good time. This place needs some serious work to actually be what it is trying to be. Which might I say is...

Good meal! But far from a dining destination.

Pittsburgh has a rich collection of venues and cuisines that make up its diverse food scene. EYV’s concept of an upscale, prefixed menu focusing on plants is welcomed among the likes of Apteka. Overall, EYV is doing a good job but has a ways to go before being ensconced as a “dining destination” in the City of Bridges.

What this restaurant is doing well: their food! The kitchen, which is the engine of the restaurant, is what is right about this place. I wouldn’t say each dish my partner and I tried were flawless, but the flavors and concepts were great and there’s so much potential. Of note, the cabbage pastrami was really good. Tons of flavor from such a little wedge of cabbage! I don’t recommend the cocktails. Neither my partner nor I liked them.

What this place needs to work on: their front of house guest experience. The experience was mixed to say the least. Our server was great - very personable, attentive, and knowledgeable. However, another server dropped silverware down the stairs, we heard cups or dishes get dropped upstairs in the bar area, and a completely different server kept trying to come by our table to talk which was odd as we were trying to enjoy a meal. The overall feel was clunky.

It would be nice to see the restaurant share who their vendors are on their site and menus. They are putting out an intention of being “a community” but they don’t showcase any local vendors or farms.

The stark contrast in experience between the food and guest experience makes me feel this restaurant isn’t sure if they are trying to be more of a fine dining experience or something more casual. The menus are prefixed, deposits take for reservations, and an intentionality in the dishes which tell a story to guests of being upscale. If this is true, then the guest experience in the dining room needs to match…and it doesn’t.

If you’re in town and wanting a good vegetarian or vegan meal, I’d absolutely give this...

I’ve been to EYV a couple of times now and always with omnivores, so you don’t have to be a lifelong vegetarian like me to appreciate this beautiful, creative, thoughtful and seriously hearty, vegetable-forward food. Their awards bear that out, including being named one of the 26 Best Restaurants by Pittsburgh Magazine this year.

On this occasion I was treated to the Chef’s Counter tasting experience ($150). It was awesome and I would recommend it to anyone who loves food as a special occasion experience, or just a special treat. A recap of what we ate:

🥦 Welcome Snacks: Broccoli “chicharrons,” hummus fritters, crispy new potatoes with seaweed caviar 🥗 Farmer’s Salad with ranch mousse, tater tot and pistachio 🫑 Charred Shishito Panzanella 🌽 Charred Corn Pierogi 🌱 Summer Squash Roulade 🍅 Tomato Parmesan 🥬 Cabbage Pastrami 🍫 Chocolate PB Mouse: Banana bread, pickled grapes, banana “bacon” 🍋 Tomato-Lemon Curd: basil ice cream, candied focaccia, strawberry

Many things on the menu are already GF, but those that aren’t can be made that way. You can add on a wine pairing to the tasting menu for $60.

We also tried all five of the mocktails from their mocktail menu, which I really appreciated! My runaway favorite was So Juicy with rosemary, lime, pineapple and grapefruit. Second favorite was The One With The Blueberries In It (no really, that’s the name). My guest and I both really love beets but found the beet mocktail to be a bit too intensely like straight beet juice, so might recommend passing on that one unless that’s what you’re looking for.

Everything was so delicious and beautifully presented. You will not go home hungry from this tasting experience, and I’m so thankful that a restaurant like this exists in Pittsburgh to show what a talented chef can do with plant-based...