Fig & Ash — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

I really, really wanted to like Fig & Ash having heard/read amazing things. I brought two friends who were visiting from out of town in September having never been before and I deeply regret it but at least we bonded over something! Long review but this was our experience, I know people who have gone and had a great time so perhaps it was an off night?

Drinks: undrinkable. Flavors did not mix well, overpowering strong taste of alcohol. Didn’t help that we overheard the bartender complaining about having to make too many cocktails and wishing people wouldn’t order them….while waiting to be seated. Maybe that was a sign…but also for branding itself as a premium restaurant shouldn’t we be able to have reliable cocktails?

Service: worse than the drinks (somehow). To tie in, our server also never asked us how the drinks were despite all 3 of them being pretty much untouched throughout the meal. For the price of the food we would have expected at least a check-in. We were NOT the last to arrive but we were the LAST party to leave the restaurant. Despite stacking up our plates and silverware. Wearing our masks. Sitting and very clearly finished with the meal. I have never before gone to a restaurant where I had to walk away from my table to FIND a server/employee to get our check. Even more so considering we were the last people there. Were we forgotten? Also not being given a bag to put 3 boxes of leftovers into (minor but still, a first for a restaurant at this price point). All-around really disappointing. Was it because we were three young women and not a couple or family? Who knows? Still tipped 20% because that’s courtesy but…really?

Food: mixed reviews, as the only redeeming factor, it’s not enough to pull the rating up. Between us we ordered the carrots, pate (or foie gras? Seems it’s no longer on the menu), shishito peppers, gemelli, another pasta, meatloaf, and lamb. Friends like the carrots and meatloaf (I felt they were underwhelming), shishito peppers were just ok. I enjoyed the pate but friends did not. Gemelli was good and so was the other pasta that was discontinued. Unfortunately the lamb was pretty much inedible. We have all had lamb before and it was incredibly gamey, as though the meat had had no other preparation other than being cooked so it wasn’t raw. There didn’t seem to be any seasoning on it and I cannot name any other time whether home cooked or restaurant prepared where I have had lamb taste so….lamby. And I love lamb!

All around super disappointing, I have considered coming back with my boyfriend in the future to see if the service, food, and drinks magically improve but do not believe it to be worth risking the amount of $$ that could easily be spent at other places around the city. It’s tough hearing from friends who have gone and had a great time! I wish I could try it again but don’t want to take the risk of mediocre food, unpalatable drinks, and truly abysmal...

We recently celebrated our wedding anniversary at Fig and Ash, and it was nothing short of excellent. My wife is more than just an average home cook, that we hold restaurants to a high standard. We want our dining experience to check at least two of these boxes: excellent food, great service, appealing atmosphere, cleanliness and hygiene, or a unique culinary offering. Fig and Ash checked them all.

Ambiance & Atmosphere: Tucked into Pittsburgh’s North Side, the space is thoughtfully designed—small but never cramped. The ambiance was warm and relaxed, with just the right level of buzz. It’s a great setting for date nights or intimate gatherings.

Service: Our server, Beth, was phenomenal—attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the menu and the restaurant’s story. One of the owners also made the rounds, stopping by each table to connect with diners and answer any questions, which added a personal and memorable touch.

Food & Drinks: The food was a standout. Their seasonal menu keeps things fresh and inventive. •    Heirloom Carrots stole the show: vacuum-sealed with garlic, sage, and honey, then fire-grilled and served over honey-whipped ricotta. A perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smoky. •    The creamy bone marrow was equally impressive, served with bacon and onion jam, grilled shishito peppers, orange-parsley salad, and grilled bread. Each element stood on its own but elevated the marrow in just the right way. •    The short rib & pork belly meatloaf and olive oil cake were solid, though not quite at the same level as the standouts. •    Cocktails were balanced and well-crafted—definitely worth ordering.

Cleanliness & Layout: The space was impeccably clean, and though the restaurant is on the smaller side, the layout prevents it from feeling tight. Hygienic food handling was clearly a priority, which we always appreciate.

Final Thoughts: Fig and Ash exceeded expectations. It’s the kind of place that makes dining out feel worth it. We’ll absolutely be returning—and recommending it to friends. It’s rare to find a restaurant that hits every note, but Fig and Ash...

We had exceptionally high hopes for this restaurant. The reviews were great and a 4.9 rating had to be amazing. It was quite unfortunate that the experience was anything but. There were several positive aspects: the hostess was very kind and polite and the people taking our dishes away were courteous and efficient; additionally, the meatloaf, pasta, and carrots were amazing. The more negative aspects were as follows: we were put at the bar to wait for our table, and overheard the bartender complaining about having to make so many cocktails. We were most excited to try their cocktails, so this put us off completely and made us feel awful for even being there. I understand being frustrated about working, but it was disheartening to hear that just as we'd walked in. We did, in the end, order cocktails but they were absolutely undrinkable. Not one person at my table finished their drinks, and most were left full. This is a minor detail, but I have had waiters in the past notice when I had not finished my drink, and subsequently asked me if I was satisfied with it, if not they brought me a new one. Nothing of the sort occurred. This partially may have been because we rarely saw our waiter. Despite being seated quite early in the night, we were the last to leave. Diners who had been seated after us left before us. We had to go inside and ask for our check because no one had spoken to us in forty minutes and there were absolutely no diners left except us. It was frustrating we had indicated in quite a few ways (stacking plates, putting on our masks, etc) that we were done with our meal. Our waiter was quite polite, he was just rarely there. I truly don't write negative reviews in general, this might even be my first Google review. It was incredibly frustrating to pay so much for a fine dining experience, only to have gotten better service from Chili's. I am only saying all of these things because I hope that the restaurant will improve, I believe it has potential. Much...