There's still no Ethiopian restaurant within reasonable driving distance, which is a real bummer. I've half a mind to start one (or maybe a Mongolian barbeque -- potential investors please write me directly). There are still ethnic alternatives to what you mentioned. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Jamaica Jamaica. I used to visit this restaurant regularly when it (and I) were based on the border of downtown Pittsburgh. They've long since moved to East Liberty, right in the middle of Penn Circle (right off of Highland on the Mall run; find the National City branch on highland and walk a bit east). The restaurant is very homey, sporting a dartboard and bar. They don't actually serve alcohol, but do serve excellent food. Jerk chicken is usually the signature dish of West Indian restaurants, and at this place it is no less fine than from the heart of the island itself. Presentation is not elegant by French standards; so much the better. I've had far better grub out of styrofoam containers from Jamaica Jamaica than from most snooty $150-for-a-party-of-two establishments in town. I had the Jerk Chicken, one of my associates had Oxtail stew, and another had the Curry Goat. We shared; all was excellent. The jerk chicken is damn spicy, delicious but far beyond the tolerance of people who don't relish burn. The curry goat is less spicy, as are several of their entrees. All are good. They also now make several beverages themselves; gone is the Red Stripe contract-brewed ginger beer, and in its place is VERY good (although not for the untempered palate) home made ginger beer. They also have an Irish Moss drink. I highly recommend trying this place out. Cheap, and excellent. As to other ethnic food places, there are a few Greek restaurants (like Susies on Shady Ave in Squirrel Hill) and falafel delis (like Salim's on Centre near North Neville). Squirrel Hill also has a middle eastern restaurant (on Forbes between Shady and Murray). However, for all the Murray Ave storefronts sporting Hebrew, there doesn't seem to be a single decent Jewish deli. For vaguely less common Asian food, you can also try Spice Island Teahouse in Oakland on Atwood street. Singapore-Malay seems to be their specialty, although the place seems to be run by enterprising Americans. If you're seeking something Polish, try the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern in Bloomfield, right next to the Bloomfield Bridge. A warning: they sometimes have bands play there, creating a less than hospitable dinner atmosphere. For passable German food, try the Allegheny Tavern on the North Side. I could also describe some decent Italian places, but that would be stretching the common American definition of "ethnic" a bit too far. If you're entertaining really ignorant guest from out of town, take them to Valhalla and tell them that they're eating authentic Viking food. (Valhalla maintains a very superficial viking theme. Their fare, French-Italian in nature, is actually very good.) I'm personally hoping that someone has the foresight to open a pre-Columbian Mexican restaurant here. Doug PS: Can someone tell me what happened to Mohammad's Family Restaurant in Penn Circle? Someone wrote: >Does anyone know of a Ethiopian Restaurant in or around Pgh ??? >Or does anyone know of any good ethnic restaurants besides >the regular Chinese/Indian/Thai/Mexican ones ? >Ciao, >Nikhil. >
Pittsburgh, PA