Wonderful restaurant victimized by ungracious hostess
We had a wonderful time at The Pines - once we got to a table and sat down. Let's start with the good news: the orange and celery seed dressing on the spinach salad was a real treat - a last taste of summer before the cold weather onslaught of game, stews, and roasts. The entrees were also excellent - the New York strip was done to perfection with just the right amount of sauteed onions,mushrooms and red skin potatoes flavored with a savory garlic butter. The swordfish was perfect: over spinach with roasted garlic and caremelized onions. My dessert was both enormous and an extraordinary reward for having survived spinal surgery - a large slice of apple pastry with caramel and ice cream and I relished each extravagant forkful.

Now for the bad news: the hostess showed no signs of graciousness to us or the two couples seated immediately before us. All six of us were treated to an amazing blend of the organizational imperative (two people were required to sit at a table built for two and only at a table built for two despite the empty presence of several vacant tables for four and the rather late 12:40 PM hour), surliness (a greeting that was essentially, "Oh! You 3 couples should not have shown up all at the same time!!") and rudeness (she left six people standing together waiting for tables while she intermittently set up three adjacent cheek-by-jowl tables for two while she also took phone calls and kibbitzed with the wait-staff).

I have eaten in literally hundreds of restaurants around the country from the Coast of Maine, to both coasts of Florida, to California wine country, to nouveau Northwest. Never have I been treated with such implacable violation of the general rules of hospitality. Never has my wife been provoked to such heartfelt and loud protestations of outrage.

The coup de grace? As we were finishing our meal, a couple was accorded the extraordinary indulgence of being seated at a table for four in an alcove that had been vacant during our entire presence in the restaurant. But the privilege was permitted only after the hostess made them wait while she moved two sets of napkins and cutlery to an adjacent table for two.

She has got to go.    [22 Oct 2002 17:08:50]

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     ­Jeff Reed   

One of North Park/North Hill's Best Kept
Though Pines Tavern has been around for 20+ years there are many people who aren't aware of its existence. When you finally get them to realize where this restaurant is located they will admit to having driven by it for years but didn't realize it was one of the best eateries in the North Hills/North Park area.    [06 Nov 2002 11:38:07]

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Recommended Dishes: Crab cakes

     ­Linnie49   

Where To Go When You Want Quality Food
Over all I'd say that the Pines Tavern is my favorite restaraunt. It is owned by Micheal Novak who has won many awards for the restaraunt such as the Sante Award. They have a wonderful and friendly staff. If I could give you the ideal meal it would be a house salad, crab cakes and there famous rasberry pie.If you stop for a meal in the summer you can taste the flavors of there home grown lettuce, tomatos, stawberries, etc., that are grown right there at the Pines. In warm weather you can dine at their out door dining area surronded in beautiful flowers and plants. During the holiday season you can stop and see there holiday decorations; candies, ornaments, trees and this year they have added scrumptious gingerbread houses' and a miniture Christmas tree made with gummies topped with iceing. For any season this is the place to be. Executive chef: Jason Culp    [03 Dec 2002 17:53:07]

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Recommended Dishes: Macaroni and Cheese

     ­thee   

A Friendlier Welcome and Service Needed
The Pines Tavern is a secret find to many who have been there. It's off a beaten path and the bar side promises lower food prices but excellent quality just like on the restaurant side. The main bartender could be more accomodating to those seated in the bar area, such as actually delivering the plates to them. In essence, it's a comfortable laid back bar with good food. Drinks aren't cheap but you won't mind.    [08 Jul 2005 15:48:51]

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Recommended Dishes: Baked brie with roasted vegetables appetizer

     ­Anonymous   

MY HUSBAND AND I RECENTLY VISITED THE PINES TAVERN AND WE WERE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY. THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT AND THE FOOD IS TO DIE FOR.IF YOU EVER HAVE THE CHANCE JOIN THEM FOR AN EVENING OF FINE DINING AND MEMORABLE SERVICE.    [15 Oct 2005 13:53:57]

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Recommended Dishes: THE NEW YORK STRIP STEAK

     ­Anonymous   

RUDE RUINS GOOD FOOD
Like the reviewer in 2002, I was forced to endure rude, disrespectful service from the Hostess of the Pines Tavern. Too bad. The food and atmosphere were wonderful; however, the treatment I received soured the meal and my memory of this evening.

I had reserved, weeks in advance, a table for six for a holiday dinner party. Less than two hours into our meal and before we had finished, the Hostess directed our server to ask us to hurry up, finish and leave. It seems the Hostess had overbooked the restaurant and a party of eight needed our small table where six barely fit.

Not only did the Hostess interrupt our meal, I watched her inform one member of the waiting group that my party was the reason his had to wait! Encouraged and in her presence, he began to behave in such a way intended to distract my party from their meal. She observed him and appeared to encourage him further. Well, stubborn always wins over obnoxious, and I ordered another coffee and after dinner drinks for my guests.

The Pines Tavern is priced comparatively to fine restaurants in Pittsburgh. The food is good, but not good enough to make up for rude, disrespectful treatment. Now, reading these reviews, I see that this has been part of the "personality" of the Pines Tavern for years. Too bad.

Dine here if you want to pay someone to be rude and disrespectful to you. Avoid it if service matters as much as the meal.    [17 Dec 2006 16:35:33]

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     ­Philipmc   

great food
After reading some bad reviews about this restaurant I was a little reluctant to try it. Although we dined here on a Tuesday evening where the restaurant was not busy at all, the food was wonderful and our waitress was very friendly. The place is a little pricey though.    [15 Mar 2007 17:41:48]

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Recommended Dishes: to die for raspberry pie!

     ­Kim   

Dinner at the Pines
I have dined all over the world,from east coast to west coast. The Pines in my opinion is a wonderful treasure here in the North hills. The owner and chef have a passion for food and ambiance. Compared to other popular theme rest. their prices are lower and the quality and presentation is superior in every way. I have eaten there for at least 20 years and have never had a bad meal. Can you say that about any other restraunt? They change their menu according to the seasons. They even raise their own herbs and vegtables organically across the street from their rest. They have beautiful outdoor dining in the country unlike most that is typically next to a highway. Take advantage of this feature weather permitting.    [12 Apr 2007 08:07:32]

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Recommended Dishes: Softh shell crabs springtime,wild game fall

     ­Michael O.   

Rude and poor management
The hostess is just plain unpleasant. The restaurant was more than half empty. We requested a certain table for our party of 5 but were told it was reserved. Two hours later still no one at that table.

After being shown to our table we waited more than 15 minutes for a waitress and the service was all down hill from there. We waited for water, waited for our drink order to be taken, waited for glasses for our wine, waited for our order to be taken. It just dragged on and on. Two hours later -- still no dinner. We told the waitress we had waited long enough and wanted our food. She came back from the kitchen and said she wasn't certain when it would be ready. We asked to see the owner. She went back into the kitchen, came out and said that he was not coming out because he was "having issues". We were outraged by this attitude. One of the other waitresses just shook her head and stated "this happens all the time".

Not only have we supported this restaurant over the years but we have recommended it to our friends. That will never again happen. The poor service was secondary to the restaurant's poor management and lack of concern for its customers.    [27 Sep 2007 17:02:42]

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     ­Anonymous