Carlton, Steelhead Grill, or Top of the Triangle

 For what it's worth, an article on 1997's best restaurants in a recent
 issue of Esquire magazine (the one with Christy Turlington on the
 cover) named the Steelhead Grill "The Best Restaurant
 to Open in Pittsburgh Ever."  I've not eaten there, but did look at
 the menu in the window once -- my memory is that most entrees are
 $20+.

 I've eaten at the other two a couple of times each in the last five
 years.  I found the food acceptable but not extraordinary.  The Top of
 the Triangle of course has that view, but certainly not from every
 table.  The Carlton has a policy of adding only $10 over retail to
 wine prices, which can be helpful if you want to have wine and are on
 a budget.  But none of these places is really a budget experience in
 any case.

 Tony Mauro

 I went to Steelhead in July. The prices were the pricing and bundling
 were at NYC levels, i.e. Entrees were $20+ everything was a la carte and
 portions were dainty. The food and service were both good, which is to
 be expected, at those prices.

 So, if one had to decypher your brief message, I have the following
 suggestion. For casual dinning, I think I can find much better value
 elsewhere in Pgh. For hooty tooty cusine haute, Steelhead is a good
 place.

 Bon apetite,
 KZ