Sonoma Grille in Pittsburgh perfect for date night, any night
Pittsburgh's Sonoma Grill is one part chic and one part rustic. This fine dining establishment is the perfect place to impress your in-laws or an important dinner date. From the elaborate lighting to the richly-colored murals that depict bountiful California vineyards, Sonoma Grille is wonderfully refined while still maintaining an obvious air of rusticity.
Sonoma's menu is best summarized as eclectic and trendy with a decidedly individual twist. With menu items influenced by cuisine in France, the Middle East, Japan and even Mexico, the worldly flavors mingle to perfection with the help chef and owner Yves Carreau. Carreau's culinary skills make for a distinct experience that fuses together even the most unlikely of ingredients to make dishes that are exclusive only to Sonoma Grille.
Start off your meal with one of Sonoma Grille's delectable appetizers. An order of Carreau's famous Wild Mushroom Flatbread features shiitakes, oysters and portobellos alongside roasted tomato slices, fresh chevre cheese, Kalamata olives and cilantro pesto is sure to get your taste buds revved up, while the Caribbean popcorn shrimp features a spicy jerk sauce, jacoma batonnet and toasted papaya seed dressing is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet.
Seafood lovers will enjoy the prosciutto-wrapped diver scallops entree, complete with a puree of kabocha squash and grilled pineapple salsa; and the Ahi Tuna Trio: an Ahi spring roll, Ahi tartare with white truffle oil and wasabi mayo and spicy Ahi tuna maki with sweet soy and black sesame.
The sweet potato gnocchi with pearl onions, banana peppers, Swiss chard and Gruyere cheese is also a decadent option that is perfect for vegetarian guests.
Meat lovers will enjoy the black sesame and honey-glazed pork tenderloin with shiitake-shallot risotto, wasabi-jalapeno emulsion and sauteed spinach; grilled filet mignon with dill scalloped potatoes and demi glace; or sauteed veal strip with maitake mushrooms, parsnip potatoes and apple crisp.
More than 150 varietals of wine are available at Sonoma Grille. White, red or blush, you'll find a favorite at Sonoma.
Save room for dessert-- a bourbon pecan tart with vanilla ice cream and molasses caramel or peanut butter semifreddo with chocolate ganache, caramelize bananas and crunchy peanut brittle are sure to be the perfect ending to the perfect meal.
Business casual attire is required and reservations are helpful.
- by LeeAnn Mullen, Pittsburgh Reporter for HelloMetro
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LeeAnn MullenLeeAnn Mullen is a freelance journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism is currently furthering her education by studying for an additional degree in information systems management. Mullen has written for several Cleveland-area newspapers, online publications and dozens of private clients. Her topics of specialty include health, technology and travel.
