We have gone to the Pines for many years for special occasions and dinners. We choose it because of the fine food, atmosphere and location. We recently went there for dinner with a party of 12 with vegetarians in the group, and the chef prepared something special for them. It was wonderful as was everyone else' dinner. The seafood, steak pasta and appetizers were top notch. We plan to visit whenever we have a celebration or special event again in the future.
(5)
Ashley K.
This is the 2nd time came here. Really great service and delicious food. Both times everyone in our party enjoyed their food. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Amanda B.
From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, we were extremely impressed. We had a reservation for Valentine's Day. Thankfully it was earlier, so we were seated right away. The restaurant filled up quite fast soon after we got there. The hostesses were extremely friendly and cheerful, which is always nice to be greeted with people who seem to love their job! Our server was quite possibly the sweetest I have ever had. Extremely attentive to us and knowledgeable of the menu. My husband got a beer and I got the winter sangria. The sangria was delicious! We decided to start with the Baked Pull Apart Blooming Bread. Very good. The bread was warm and soft inside, yet had a crisp edge. The cheese was melted in the cuts of the bread, so there was cheese on every bite. Highly recommended! I got the Lobster Bisque and my husband got the Snapping Turtle Soup. I loved the lobster bisque. I am not sure if there was a choice between a bowl and cup, but I got a bowl.. it was a huge portion. There were large pieces of lobster that were mouthwatering. My husband liked his soup, but was indifferent to the spice that took over the taste. For our meals, I got the crab and shrimp ravioli and my husband got the filet migon. He ordered it medium, but when it came out it was more like medium well. Not to worry, because it was amazing. By the time my meal came, I could hardly eat anything else. I did have one ravioli and it was so good and even amazing heated up the next day! I couldn't even look at the dessert menu because I was so stuffed, but we left so happy and can't wait to return to try different menu items!
(5)
Joe S.
Place smells like a nursing home as soon as you walk in. Food is....not that good. When we complained they didn't even offer to comp anything... Really. Never will go back. Manager was arrogant to say the least.
(1)
Robert O.
Common courtesy is not a priority here. My wife and I endured a cell phone user in the tavern last night who filled up the room with his voice. We talked politely with management by they refused to say anything to him and even made excuses that it happens everywhere. We know better than that and he was still talking after 45 minutes when we paid and left. Never to return again. Terrible atmosphere and at those prices! Management needs to smarten up!
(1)
Mark M.
We stopped into the pines Tavern for lunch. It was a good experience but we feel little urge to go back. The entrance area is dominated by a large office style desk where the hostess sits. You feel like she is a secretary. The main dining room was very nice. We had the fish tacos, the lobster bisque, and the pot pie. The bisque had the requisite flavors big chunks of lobster, but the puree texture was outr of place. Felt w like potato puree with lobster and sherry. The pot pie was good and the plating was modern. Seasoning was weak however. The blackened fish tacos were the bright spot. Excellent taste and texture. I ended up sharing them with my daughter because she didn't like the bisque. It was a good meal but it did not blow us away.
(3)
Tim W.
We went with some friends and had dinner outside. Which has a nice atmosphere however when it got dark the lights on our side where not working . This made it very difficult eating our food. The service is slow. The food was just okay. I would not go back.
(1)
Al C.
Good food. Although the tavern chips weren't anything but fried potatoes. Why are they known for them? The steak was tasty but a tad over cooked and not as I ordered. They let me pick my sides which was nice. Truffle mac and cheese and brocoilli were good. The service was poor, at best. We sat at 745 and at 945 were presented with the check. There was nobody here. Service could have been a lot better.
(3)
Bethany M.
5 of us came to the Pines on New Year's Eve for an 8pm reservation. There was no parking, and then we ended up needing to wait about 30-35 minutes (which was light compared to other patrons). This was not overly surprising for a holiday evening, but I was very annoyed with the lack of any area in which to actually wait (not even the bar was available). We ended up needing to stand in a hallway with the bathrooms, between one of the dining rooms and the kitchen, with servers passing through every minute or so and the toilets flushing just as often. Other patrons were forced to stand in the entryway of the restaurant, getting a chill every time the door opened. It was all very uncomfortable. It would have been nice to have been offered a small glass of cheap champagne or a finger food while we waited, also, considering we were not walk-ins (no one was) and should have been seated by 8:05. I understand that occasionally it's out of the restaurant's control - but then you should do what you can to accommodate your waiting guests. Once we were seated, we were greeted by a very friendly server. She was knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. I thought the dining room was oddly bright, especially considering the evening, but was otherwise decorated nicely. We started with 2 appetizers - one was great, the Chesapeake crab dip, and one, the grilled brie, was just... bad. We didn't come close to finishing it. It sounded promising... baguettes, bay shrimp, peppers, olives, and herbs. What we got was a very small piece of brie on top of a dinner plate full of soggy toasted baguettes covered in what was absolutely canned ingredients (the hot peppers, olives, and possibly the tiny tiny shrimp were all straight from a can). There was about enough brie to cover two of the bread pieces (see posted photo). It was an unfortunate way to start the meal. Two guests had the lobster bisque (I think all 5 of us would have if it came in a smaller portion). It was decent. As for our main courses, they were definitely the highlight of the meal. I had the scallops, which were tasty and cooked properly. My husband had the duck, which he enjoyed, but it was a bit overcooked. Our other 3 guests were happy with their meals (a mix of pasta and red meat dishes). We were all craving something a little sweet so we opted for dessert - which we regret. Between us we had ordered the "Pecan Ball", vanilla ice cream rolled in pecans and topped with hot fudge & caramel, and a coconut ball reminiscent of a snowball. The pecan ball had either been pre-made or made with very stale pecans, and they were soft and flavorless with very little actual ice cream in the dish. The coconut ball was equally unimpressive and was left behind almost in its entirety. Apps: 5/5 for one, 1/5 for the other Mains: 4/5 Dessert: 1/5 Service: 1/5 from restaurant, 5/5 from server Perhaps if we had had a better start to the evening, I would have had rosier glasses on. But if you stick to the meal portion of the menu (or that delicious crab dip) and you should be happy.
(3)
Amy C.
Me and the hubby tried this place on Saturday. It was good but we are not in a hurry to go back. It seemed to be an older crowd, which is fine. The dining room was nice with a nice fireplace that was all aglow. We were a little taken aback entering the dining room. There is a big desk when entering and the hostess is seated there. I felt like we were entering a bank. We were seated next to the wonderful fireplace. The hubby started with the lobster bisque and said it was good but noted it was more of a puree. I started with the snapping turtle soup. It was more of a stew but it had great flavor and it had a nice texture. It was very much like a stew. I had the fish special, a fried barramundi with cous cous and corn. It was delightful. And not really all that fried. The hubby had a fried fish sandwich and fries. He enjoyed it but it was not something he will HAVE to get again. All in all it was a nice lunch but we will most certainly go to other places before going back.
(3)
Danielle C.
A very elegant restaurant that is off of a "country road" and is surrounded by all the woods. I go to CMU, so being all the way out here in Gibsonia was quite a trek and quite an experience. I walked in and it felt like I was in a really fancy country clubhouse. The menu is quite extensive and has awesome appetizers like hummus, fried calamari and brie. They even have local soda (!) here, and my friend got cherry soda that didn't have high fructose corn syrup in it. They also have a menu of the day on a piece of paper that accompanies the normal menu. Prices are rather high here, with appetizers averaging to about $10 and entrees from $15-$30 depending on whether you get the specials or not. There's something for everyone here. I even saw lamb and veal on the menu. Definitely a place where you want upscale food. I got herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, topped with applewood bacon and restaurant-grown spinach. The glaze for the chicken was very delicious, but the chicken was a little dry. They put grilled onions in the mashed potatoes, which was awesome. The dish was about $20. Our waitress was very nice and was pretty good about serving us. There was even live music, as a pianist was playing great tunes from Billy Joel and other artists. A very pleasant environment to eat, and I would like to go back again!
(4)
Lisa G.
My husband and I have been eating at the pines for nearly 10 yrs. to be fair we hadn't been there for at least 8 months because that meal was mediocre and expensive. But, it was late and on the way, so we thought a quick stop in. They really have made the pub area much more modern and inviting. Unfortunately, I believe in order to make this restaurant over the top they have to scale down to one main menu and a pub menu. The problem is that dishes suffer because there are too many offerings. I ordered the vodka sauce with shrimp. It was not the pink sauce that should be mildly spicy. Instead it tastes like tomato sauce. My husbands fish special was dry and served skin side up. The presentation alone was unappealing. Both dishes were just warm, which is the number one reason I will not visit a restaurant again. Scale down the four menus and concentrate your efforts on certain signature dishes and I feel the restaurant could be elevated to the next level.
Beautiful little restaurant & tavern located on a peaceful country road in North Allegheny county. My bf took me here on a week day night. We opted for the dining room and the atmosphere is very relaxing and romantic. I had the lobster bisque with sherry whipped cream, which was delicious. My bf had the turtle soup which he said was okay. For dinner, I had an arugula salad with poached pears, blue cheese, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries in a yummy vinaigrette. Jim had a New York strip steak and crab cake served with potatoes and asparagus. I sampled his dinner, (of course) and I thought the crab cake was very good and the steak was very good. The best part was dessert. We had the special of the evening, pear cake served with macadamia ice cream and fresh whipped cinnamon cream. It was so amazing! Also, we had dessert coffees, my was hazelnut with Frangelico, topped with whipped cream and hazel nuts. It was very good. All in all, a very nice meal. Probably the most obvious thing that was lacking was quality service. When dining at a fine restaurant like the Pines, you expect great service. Perhaps their location makes it difficult to get good servers. The Pines tout the fact that they grow many of the herbs and vegetables that they serve right on the premise amongst the landscaping. They also have a small greenhouse to grow baby lettuces and herbs all year round. What they don't grow, they get from local producers that grow organic. They have been in business for 30 years. I am very impressed by that.
(4)
D K.
either i am Bi-polar or the restaurant is. Sometimes i come here and its fantastic other times i have gone and the food is overcooked or the service is lacking, but when they are on the drive out here is definitely worth it. Their menu changes with the seasons and they have their own garden so the potential for something special is always there. A good tip for this place if you dont want to spend a lot of money is to eat in their lounge where you can get most of the same food for a lower price.
(4)
B S.
Ate here for lunch on Friday. I ordered the sandwich of the day which was spiral sliced ham and american cheese with a sundried tomato spread on wheat berry bread. Huge portion and really tasty. The outside patio was relaxing and private. The interior was a bit dated and when you first walk in the hostess stand is a desk which kinda gave it a funeral home feel. I saw some reviews about poor service, the service here isnt their strongest and actually prob one of there main opportunities but not a reason to not try this place. In my experience it was a slow lunch scene one waitress was running around busy while our waiter would take care of us then dissapear for a period of time. Not sure if they are short staffed or what but good experience overall.
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Groups : Yes Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes
Nancy M.
We have gone to the Pines for many years for special occasions and dinners. We choose it because of the fine food, atmosphere and location. We recently went there for dinner with a party of 12 with vegetarians in the group, and the chef prepared something special for them. It was wonderful as was everyone else' dinner. The seafood, steak pasta and appetizers were top notch. We plan to visit whenever we have a celebration or special event again in the future.
(5)Ashley K.
This is the 2nd time came here. Really great service and delicious food. Both times everyone in our party enjoyed their food. We will definitely be back!
(5)Amanda B.
From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, we were extremely impressed. We had a reservation for Valentine's Day. Thankfully it was earlier, so we were seated right away. The restaurant filled up quite fast soon after we got there. The hostesses were extremely friendly and cheerful, which is always nice to be greeted with people who seem to love their job! Our server was quite possibly the sweetest I have ever had. Extremely attentive to us and knowledgeable of the menu. My husband got a beer and I got the winter sangria. The sangria was delicious! We decided to start with the Baked Pull Apart Blooming Bread. Very good. The bread was warm and soft inside, yet had a crisp edge. The cheese was melted in the cuts of the bread, so there was cheese on every bite. Highly recommended! I got the Lobster Bisque and my husband got the Snapping Turtle Soup. I loved the lobster bisque. I am not sure if there was a choice between a bowl and cup, but I got a bowl.. it was a huge portion. There were large pieces of lobster that were mouthwatering. My husband liked his soup, but was indifferent to the spice that took over the taste. For our meals, I got the crab and shrimp ravioli and my husband got the filet migon. He ordered it medium, but when it came out it was more like medium well. Not to worry, because it was amazing. By the time my meal came, I could hardly eat anything else. I did have one ravioli and it was so good and even amazing heated up the next day! I couldn't even look at the dessert menu because I was so stuffed, but we left so happy and can't wait to return to try different menu items!
(5)Joe S.
Place smells like a nursing home as soon as you walk in. Food is....not that good. When we complained they didn't even offer to comp anything... Really. Never will go back. Manager was arrogant to say the least.
(1)Robert O.
Common courtesy is not a priority here. My wife and I endured a cell phone user in the tavern last night who filled up the room with his voice. We talked politely with management by they refused to say anything to him and even made excuses that it happens everywhere. We know better than that and he was still talking after 45 minutes when we paid and left. Never to return again. Terrible atmosphere and at those prices! Management needs to smarten up!
(1)Mark M.
We stopped into the pines Tavern for lunch. It was a good experience but we feel little urge to go back. The entrance area is dominated by a large office style desk where the hostess sits. You feel like she is a secretary. The main dining room was very nice. We had the fish tacos, the lobster bisque, and the pot pie. The bisque had the requisite flavors big chunks of lobster, but the puree texture was outr of place. Felt w like potato puree with lobster and sherry. The pot pie was good and the plating was modern. Seasoning was weak however. The blackened fish tacos were the bright spot. Excellent taste and texture. I ended up sharing them with my daughter because she didn't like the bisque. It was a good meal but it did not blow us away.
(3)Tim W.
We went with some friends and had dinner outside. Which has a nice atmosphere however when it got dark the lights on our side where not working . This made it very difficult eating our food. The service is slow. The food was just okay. I would not go back.
(1)Al C.
Good food. Although the tavern chips weren't anything but fried potatoes. Why are they known for them? The steak was tasty but a tad over cooked and not as I ordered. They let me pick my sides which was nice. Truffle mac and cheese and brocoilli were good. The service was poor, at best. We sat at 745 and at 945 were presented with the check. There was nobody here. Service could have been a lot better.
(3)Bethany M.
5 of us came to the Pines on New Year's Eve for an 8pm reservation. There was no parking, and then we ended up needing to wait about 30-35 minutes (which was light compared to other patrons). This was not overly surprising for a holiday evening, but I was very annoyed with the lack of any area in which to actually wait (not even the bar was available). We ended up needing to stand in a hallway with the bathrooms, between one of the dining rooms and the kitchen, with servers passing through every minute or so and the toilets flushing just as often. Other patrons were forced to stand in the entryway of the restaurant, getting a chill every time the door opened. It was all very uncomfortable. It would have been nice to have been offered a small glass of cheap champagne or a finger food while we waited, also, considering we were not walk-ins (no one was) and should have been seated by 8:05. I understand that occasionally it's out of the restaurant's control - but then you should do what you can to accommodate your waiting guests. Once we were seated, we were greeted by a very friendly server. She was knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. I thought the dining room was oddly bright, especially considering the evening, but was otherwise decorated nicely. We started with 2 appetizers - one was great, the Chesapeake crab dip, and one, the grilled brie, was just... bad. We didn't come close to finishing it. It sounded promising... baguettes, bay shrimp, peppers, olives, and herbs. What we got was a very small piece of brie on top of a dinner plate full of soggy toasted baguettes covered in what was absolutely canned ingredients (the hot peppers, olives, and possibly the tiny tiny shrimp were all straight from a can). There was about enough brie to cover two of the bread pieces (see posted photo). It was an unfortunate way to start the meal. Two guests had the lobster bisque (I think all 5 of us would have if it came in a smaller portion). It was decent. As for our main courses, they were definitely the highlight of the meal. I had the scallops, which were tasty and cooked properly. My husband had the duck, which he enjoyed, but it was a bit overcooked. Our other 3 guests were happy with their meals (a mix of pasta and red meat dishes). We were all craving something a little sweet so we opted for dessert - which we regret. Between us we had ordered the "Pecan Ball", vanilla ice cream rolled in pecans and topped with hot fudge & caramel, and a coconut ball reminiscent of a snowball. The pecan ball had either been pre-made or made with very stale pecans, and they were soft and flavorless with very little actual ice cream in the dish. The coconut ball was equally unimpressive and was left behind almost in its entirety. Apps: 5/5 for one, 1/5 for the other Mains: 4/5 Dessert: 1/5 Service: 1/5 from restaurant, 5/5 from server Perhaps if we had had a better start to the evening, I would have had rosier glasses on. But if you stick to the meal portion of the menu (or that delicious crab dip) and you should be happy.
(3)Amy C.
Me and the hubby tried this place on Saturday. It was good but we are not in a hurry to go back. It seemed to be an older crowd, which is fine. The dining room was nice with a nice fireplace that was all aglow. We were a little taken aback entering the dining room. There is a big desk when entering and the hostess is seated there. I felt like we were entering a bank. We were seated next to the wonderful fireplace. The hubby started with the lobster bisque and said it was good but noted it was more of a puree. I started with the snapping turtle soup. It was more of a stew but it had great flavor and it had a nice texture. It was very much like a stew. I had the fish special, a fried barramundi with cous cous and corn. It was delightful. And not really all that fried. The hubby had a fried fish sandwich and fries. He enjoyed it but it was not something he will HAVE to get again. All in all it was a nice lunch but we will most certainly go to other places before going back.
(3)Danielle C.
A very elegant restaurant that is off of a "country road" and is surrounded by all the woods. I go to CMU, so being all the way out here in Gibsonia was quite a trek and quite an experience. I walked in and it felt like I was in a really fancy country clubhouse. The menu is quite extensive and has awesome appetizers like hummus, fried calamari and brie. They even have local soda (!) here, and my friend got cherry soda that didn't have high fructose corn syrup in it. They also have a menu of the day on a piece of paper that accompanies the normal menu. Prices are rather high here, with appetizers averaging to about $10 and entrees from $15-$30 depending on whether you get the specials or not. There's something for everyone here. I even saw lamb and veal on the menu. Definitely a place where you want upscale food. I got herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, topped with applewood bacon and restaurant-grown spinach. The glaze for the chicken was very delicious, but the chicken was a little dry. They put grilled onions in the mashed potatoes, which was awesome. The dish was about $20. Our waitress was very nice and was pretty good about serving us. There was even live music, as a pianist was playing great tunes from Billy Joel and other artists. A very pleasant environment to eat, and I would like to go back again!
(4)Lisa G.
My husband and I have been eating at the pines for nearly 10 yrs. to be fair we hadn't been there for at least 8 months because that meal was mediocre and expensive. But, it was late and on the way, so we thought a quick stop in. They really have made the pub area much more modern and inviting. Unfortunately, I believe in order to make this restaurant over the top they have to scale down to one main menu and a pub menu. The problem is that dishes suffer because there are too many offerings. I ordered the vodka sauce with shrimp. It was not the pink sauce that should be mildly spicy. Instead it tastes like tomato sauce. My husbands fish special was dry and served skin side up. The presentation alone was unappealing. Both dishes were just warm, which is the number one reason I will not visit a restaurant again. Scale down the four menus and concentrate your efforts on certain signature dishes and I feel the restaurant could be elevated to the next level.
(2)Hima R.
DRINKS: I had the raspberry champagne cocktail (raspberry puree/sugar/vodka combined with their Brut champagne, yum!) and my fiancé had some of the beer on tap, can't remember what the first glass was, but the second was India Pale Ale APPETIZERS: Finacee had the lobster bisque - I had a taste and it was quite good. I had the app off the specials menu that was a "bruschetta" with shrimp/tomato/cheese (warm) and sliced pita with spices. It was really good and a large portion too ENTREES: Fiancee had the Jumbo Shrimp dish and I had the Scallops with lobster and shrimp risotto. I tasted his dish and it was OK, a little bland for me. But my dish was amazing - some of the freshest seafood I've had in Pittsburgh since moving here a year ago! DESSERT: We shared a slice of the caramel apple cake - the cake was supermoist and sort of like carrot cake but with apple flavor instead, the caramel buttercream was awesome, tasted like butter but not too rich, and the cake slice came with great vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Even though we were getting quite full we pretty much cleaned the plate! SERVICE: Quite friendly. However, it took awhile for the dishes to come out, especially the appetizer. Maybe it was because it was a Saturday night and it was busy, or maybe because they do that on purpose let your hunger and the food stay on course together. Who knows. DEALS/DISCOUNTS: None OVERALL: I loved it! Not only was the food fantastic, the ambiance was something unusual and refreshing - loved the live singer/pianist combo and the relaxed atmosphere. Would def like to go back again, perhaps for a special occasion or when we have visitors in the Burgh!
(5)Julie D.
Beautiful little restaurant & tavern located on a peaceful country road in North Allegheny county. My bf took me here on a week day night. We opted for the dining room and the atmosphere is very relaxing and romantic. I had the lobster bisque with sherry whipped cream, which was delicious. My bf had the turtle soup which he said was okay. For dinner, I had an arugula salad with poached pears, blue cheese, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries in a yummy vinaigrette. Jim had a New York strip steak and crab cake served with potatoes and asparagus. I sampled his dinner, (of course) and I thought the crab cake was very good and the steak was very good. The best part was dessert. We had the special of the evening, pear cake served with macadamia ice cream and fresh whipped cinnamon cream. It was so amazing! Also, we had dessert coffees, my was hazelnut with Frangelico, topped with whipped cream and hazel nuts. It was very good. All in all, a very nice meal. Probably the most obvious thing that was lacking was quality service. When dining at a fine restaurant like the Pines, you expect great service. Perhaps their location makes it difficult to get good servers. The Pines tout the fact that they grow many of the herbs and vegetables that they serve right on the premise amongst the landscaping. They also have a small greenhouse to grow baby lettuces and herbs all year round. What they don't grow, they get from local producers that grow organic. They have been in business for 30 years. I am very impressed by that.
(4)D K.
either i am Bi-polar or the restaurant is. Sometimes i come here and its fantastic other times i have gone and the food is overcooked or the service is lacking, but when they are on the drive out here is definitely worth it. Their menu changes with the seasons and they have their own garden so the potential for something special is always there. A good tip for this place if you dont want to spend a lot of money is to eat in their lounge where you can get most of the same food for a lower price.
(4)B S.
Ate here for lunch on Friday. I ordered the sandwich of the day which was spiral sliced ham and american cheese with a sundried tomato spread on wheat berry bread. Huge portion and really tasty. The outside patio was relaxing and private. The interior was a bit dated and when you first walk in the hostess stand is a desk which kinda gave it a funeral home feel. I saw some reviews about poor service, the service here isnt their strongest and actually prob one of there main opportunities but not a reason to not try this place. In my experience it was a slow lunch scene one waitress was running around busy while our waiter would take care of us then dissapear for a period of time. Not sure if they are short staffed or what but good experience overall.
(4)