My wife Kelly and I went to Magoo's on Perry Highway this evening to celebrate her birthday. Justin, our waiter, was the picture of professionalism. Very proper in his speech and manner, he was attentive and helpful. We got there around 4:00 PM, the first ones in the dining room, and told that the full menu may not be quite ready. I like to take my time when we dine, so spending time before dinner with my wife over a Guinness or a Harp Lager was on the agenda anyhow. We started with the spinach, artichoke, and crab dip. Served with pita chips, this dish seemed to combine many popular appetizers. I've had spinach and artichoke dip just about everywhere, and the inclusion of crab meat was a nice change. Joe, the executive chef, is to be commended for creating our fantastic dishes. The famed ex-Duquesne Club chef is no longer there (I never caught his name, just that he was wooed from the Duquesne Club), and we were told, many of the posh dining traits left with him (no more bathroom attendant nor white linen table cloths). Conversely, it is not completely rural or bar-like in its dining area either. A good mix of propriety in the wait staff and casual atmosphere of the music and decorative fixtures combine to make Magoo's a treat. My wife chose the filet and crab meat dinner. Kelly's 9 oz. filet was perched atop mashed potatoes with the lump crab meat crowning the exquisitely prepared steak. Surrounding the entire delicious tower were asparagus spears, leaning against the entree, coming to a peak above the lump crab. The hollandaise sauce that accompanied her dinner was unnecessary as my wife doesn't like hollandaise. I usually see to it that none of her dinner goes to waste, however, the only bites I enjoyed were the ones she offered. Rarely does she enjoy a dinner so thoroughly as she did this one. My hat's off to you, Joe. Monday and Tuesday are prime rib night. Good thing I was in the mood for beef. I prefer my steaks prepared medium rare, but I like my prime rib just under medium. It was juicy and tender, with a nice dusting of peppercorn to give it a little kick. The green beans almandine was perfect, not overly raw and not cooked to death. I also went with the mashed potatoes, which had garlic and I can't remember quite what else was added. They were, as per the rest of the dishes, delectable. The after dinner coffee was strong, but not bitter. I love good, strong coffee after steak (not immediately after, but you get my drift). It complimented the chocolate truffle cheesecake (made by the owner's mother) perfectly. Kelly opted for the mousse. I was pleased to see that the mousse was made with dark chocolate, which gave it a depth and dimension that most milk chocolate mousses lack. All desserts are made in-house. Tonight's dinner at Magoo's was the best two hours of my entire day. The atmosphere was not too stuffy and not too casual, owing perhaps to the early time we were there. I cannot testify to the evening crowd, but I'm sure its noisier. The food was superlative. And the company, was, as usual, the best I could ever hope for. Oh, and a big, BIG plus is that the bar is cigar friendly. Which brings to mind, the dining room we were in is not completely walled off from the bar. I did not see the rest of the restaurant, just the bar into which you enter and the dining area immediately beside it. I know there are other rooms as well as an upstairs area, however, I am unsure of those other areas' smoking alignments or room layouts. I don't know how smoky it may get, but I wouldn't mind going back for another glorious meal, followed by a cigar and drinks at the bar with my wife. An evening couldn't get any better. All in all, one of the top dining experiences in the Pittsburgh area. Later, Travis -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
Pittsburgh, PA