Excerpts from netnews.pgh.food: 13-May-94 Cioppino by Michael [email removed]. > Cerulean Bistro, on the North Side, does. > > Be warned though, that this is one of the most expensive restaurants in > Pgh, and the quality of their dishes varies more widely than it should > (they are imaginative, but their skill does not always live up to their > aspirations). The last time we went there, our waiter was a jackass > (she had never heard of someone ordering both an appetiser and a soup or > salad, so she took it on herself to bring them all at once, preventing > either from being properly enjoyed). That notwithstanding, it's > probably one of the best (generalised French style) restaurants in Pgh. > > Coincidentally, I had the cioppino on that visit. I enjoyed it very much. > > ----- Based on remarks about the place on this bboard, we tried Cerulean Bistro. What a pretentious place and what an awful waiter we had! We laughed about that guy. He made such a big deal of how wonderful our service was going to be with him, and the service stunk! Ironically, I ordered the cioppino which he said was wonderful. It was *awful* imho. I liked my portobello mushroom appetizer, but the rest of the dinner was a loss. I was most unimpressed--and annoyed that the server said it was so wonderful. It was dry (overcooked) and tasteless. It is quite rare for me to leave my maincourse virtually untouched. Another one of the couples we went with ended up returning the following weekend (altho they had not liked the place either--long story why they returned). They informed the staff they had an opera to attend and could they finish their meal in time to get there. The staff said "no problem". They ended up with the same awful waiter, informed him of their requirements, and he acted like he understood. The meal did not come in time so they had to go to the opera without dinner. They only paid for their appetizers and drinks. The staff was outraged. I say "serves 'em right". I won't return. ~Lynne [email removed]
Pittsburgh, PA
Cioppino
I was one of the people who had raved about this place earlier. I recently returned (5:30 sat. night reservation with 8:00 symphony tix.) They got us in and out in plenty of time, without undue rushing. One of our party was beeped and had to leave shortly before the main courses came. The management ate it (figuratively, maybe literally too) with no complaint. Our food was excellent, once again. Among the dishes that earned our approval were a roasted garlic soup, a soft-shell crab appetizer, red snapper with sliced almonds, and grilled tuna. We never got to taste the cioppino, in consequence of the above-mentioned beeping. The house mixed salad was again outstanding. Not all was as it should be, though. Our server was inept, though not in the jackass league. (On our first visit, the service was fine.) The cappucino was lukewarm and atrocious (The bartender makes it.) The rolls were inferior (I recall that we had good bread on our first visit.) They offered no light desserts (a sorbet would have been good.) And yes, they're quite expensive. Perhaps we've been lucky, but I certainly intend to go back. I suggest that anyone else who tries Cerulean Bistro note the servers' name and report back. Unless any of the authors object I'm inclined to print this whole thread (names deleted) and give it to them for their edification.