I went here for my mother's birthday and was insanely impressed by our whole experience. I had eaten in this restaurant before, but this experience was so exceptional that I feel it has to be noted. We reserved a table for 7 of us and were placed in a nice semi-private room. They took all the gifts and cake from us and displayed them nicely by our table. Our waitress, I think her name was Ashley, was easily the best waitress I've ever had at a restaurant. She was knowlegeable, funny, and prompt. This isn't a cheap place, and for the price, you expect the food to be delicious, and it always is. The food is not what sets this place apart, because you can get a meal like this at Capital Grille or Hyde Park, but they really do treat you very well here. Our waitress even cut and served the cake we brought for us. I do recommend the filet oscar and the crab cakes. Those are always my go to and never disappoint.
(5)
Ana W.
The food here is wonderful every time we go. Normally we are in a party of 2 or 4 and service is normally excellent. The food is always amazing. Steaks are prepared expertly and always to the proper temperature. The dessert selection is always changing and homemade. We always enjoy saving room for dessert but the entree always makes it hard to do that. I recommend this restaurant for special occasions and for just dinner.
(5)
Amy S.
Good food for a typical casino level pricing. I was visiting town and not familiar with what else is around. Waitress was very friendly and prompt with service. Steaks tasty but not mind blowing in any way. I'm partial to Ruth's Chris, so that's my level of excellence standard. The sides were good and meant to share. We didn't have room for apps or dessert. I wouldn't mind going back, but would try other comparable places in the area first.
(3)
Jody H.
It's very expensive, but very nice. A place to go for a special occasion. Not very crowded while we were there. You can watch the horse racing and they will even place bets for you. Service was wonderful. The food very good.
(4)
Aj S.
My parents, being the gambling addicts they are, are constantly getting food comp from the casinos. They decided to take my sister and I out for a nice dinner before she goes back to school (score!!). We don't do family dinners often so it was definitely a treat! The place itself is very nice but not the kind of fancy where you need to dress up in a suit or dress. It's small, but it has a nice cozy feeling. I was surprised because we had a reservation at 6 p.m. on a Saturday and there were still many tables available. Our sever was awesome. She was extremely friendly and answered all of our questions. She also was very knowledgable on the menu which helped us out since I'm not one who goes to $$$$ restaurants very often. Ha! The food is a la carte which I'm not a fan of. I always feel like it's an easy way to overcharge because usually you want something to go along with your entree. I ordered the 10 oz filet ($36) and it was amazing. I asked for it to be well done but there was still some pink in the middle. I honestly didn't even mind because it was so good. It melted in my mouth. I was actually surprised by how juicy it was considering the thickness of the meat. I also ordered the loaded baked potato ($8) which came topped with sour cream, butter, cheese and bacon. Very good but could have been a little more "loaded." I hate when potatoes are a little dry. Now, I will say, paying almost $50 for steak and a potato is a little crazy, however we didn't pay so I'm not complaining! Would I go again? Perhaps? Maybe for a special occasion (or if my parents get some more comp!). However, as much as I liked the food, I can find a place closer to Pittsburgh for an expensive steak dinner. Traveling out to the Meadows is annoying and paying over $100 on top of gas money for dinner just doesn't seem worth it.
(4)
James K.
First of the service was very professional. That ends the good part of this review. Lobster tail at $45 with no sides the lobster tail we could have got for Bob Evans for $4.99. The kitchen staff and management should be ashamed of themselves. It the prices they charge they should at least make their Gnocchi from scratch and not a frozen product. Does anybody in that kitchen know how to properly prep asparagus, not last night. What a waste of comp points.
(1)
Ron C.
VERY EXPENSIVE for the quality of food. It is good, but not great. Good bread. Blue cheese wedge dressing was runny. Crab cake appetizer was superb, but at $21! For one crab cake! Steak was good. Gnocchi average. Au gratin potatoes bitter. Cheese cake special was horrible. Tasted spoiled. House coffee with liquers ok. Had to ask for water a couple times. Way too expensive for what you get.
(2)
Jessica M.
I recently visited the meadows for a work outing ! We reserved a table in the back and our dinner was excellent! We had great service and even got to see frank o harris having dinner there as well! The appetizers were delicious we had scallops shrimp all kinds of things! I had the best steak I've ever eaten! Afterwards we went to the casino and had a blast! They had live music and much more! Drinks were not skimpy .. Let's say I had some fun! I'd definitely go back again!!
(5)
Holly J.
The decor: very nice, once you finally wind your way through the maze that is the casino floor, filled with the typical people and experiences you expect to find there, including at least 40 drunks, 300 people smoking, and someone yelling at one of the dealers. Thankfully, the restaurant is upstairs and mostly isolated from all of that through glass doors, which block out casino noise and the smoke. Inside, lush curtains, awesome booths and a beautifully crafted bar with a great liquor selection and a decent view of Washington's rolling hills. The food: Presented very prettily, but honestly, the preparations are pretty simple and nothing that a person with slightly-better-than-average cooking skills can't match or exceed. Desserts, too, were not creative, and everything was incredibly expensive and a la carte. There's nothing "signature" about Bistecca's food, start to finish. Wine/Alcohol: Great selection; easily the best in Washington. Would prefer this place to sip one or two quality drinks on Friday evening with friends instead of walking away from dinner for two with a $320 bill for a meal I could've made.
(2)
Greg S.
All I can say is the Cajun blackened ribeye steak with cheesy, creamy , Au Gratin potatoes!!! The best steak I've had in a long time!
(4)
Natahley B.
Bistecca started off well enough, but seems to be in a bit of a downward slide now. My first meal here was fantastic -- great filet, delicious cognac cream sauce, and good potatoes gratin. However, with each additional visit (I've been there about 6 times now), both the service and the food has either been bad or just okay. There's one particular waitress -- a blonde, middle-age woman -- who my whole table thought was on drugs. That night, we were seated at a table so dark, we couldn't see our menus. We asked if we could get another candle or something and she said "I'll see." We noticed all the other tables were pulled away from the wall more, so that a ceiling light was shining on the table, but for some reason, ours was not? She continued to be inept (giving totally incorrect information about wine), and generally just a poor, inattentive waitress. She forgot my steak sauce, and then we watched and waited as she disappeared into the kitchen for several minutes. She came out carrying my sauce, but stopped for a leisurely 8-minute chat with gentlemen at another table she seemed quite friendly with. By the time I got my sauce, it was cold. My steak was overdone, too! With each subsequent visit, things have just not been on par for the price. If you're gonna charge Ruth's Chris and Morton's prices, I should never pull hair out of my bisque, or big chunks of shell out of the crab cocktail, or wait, wait, wait and wonder where the server has disappeared to (again). The steaks are alright, but they're not the same quality of the aforementioned steakhouses! Overall, I will probably go again, when I don't feel like driving to Pittsburgh, but for the first time, I'll branch out and try some gnocchi or anything other than steak at a steakhouse. It's just not worth it at bistecca! If they could train their servers and kitchen staff more so that the experience and quality was *consistent*, I'd go back often. Step it up, guys! Please. Having a solid steakhouse in washpa would be wonderful.
(2)
Jeff B.
I was very impressed by the Bistecca restaurant at the Meadows racetrack & casino. The service was phenomenal and the food was very well prepared. I had a wonderful Caesar salad and a ribeye prepared with Cajun spices medium rare. Wow! I got exactly what I asked for. If I had to do it all over I would get the steak without the rub next time. The rub was a bit spicy (I like spicy) but it overpowered the steak. Really nice experience. The table we had overlooked the track as well. The next evening, we had a company event here at one of the private booths. Again, great service and the buffet style food for the event still was great.
(5)
Anthony R.
My wife and I had dinner at Bistecca in the Meadows Casino last night. The short review - service was great and the food fantastic... and you get what you pay for. The spinach and chopped salads were larger than most starter salads and full of everything listed for each on the menu. My wife had the horseradish steak topping that was enough for 2 steaks. My side of mushrooms came in a bowl that I couldn't finish. My wife's side of whipped stuffed potatoes included both halves of the potato, so we shared. Both sides tasted as we hoped, however, the steaks surpassed our expectations, regardless of what the cost. We eat out a lot and know that when you pay $35-40 for a steak, it SHOULD be great steak, however, that's not always the case. My wife's fillet and my NY strip were cooked perfectly to our request... med and med rare. Seasoning was delicate, yet effective. Even though we were full after finishing our entrees, the server talked us into trying their homemade turtle cheesecake, so we split one. It was delicious... and again... enough for 2 people to share whether you leave room for it or not. My only regret is that we didn't ask our server about portion sizes before we ordered. If you're with a guest and can agree on the same side, there's enough for two... especially if you start with a salad. Overall, this one one of the best dining experiences we had for quite some time.
(5)
See Dee B.
I tried to eat here tonight before a little craps session. I've had some good meals here in the past. Tonight I ordered the bone in NY strip with bearnaise sauce and the au gratin potatoes. Should be a simple meal. Hard to mess up. Well after a short wait, I was sitting at the bar, the server came over with a steak and potatoes. I asked her about the sauce I ordered and she insisted on checking the computer first to see if it was ordered instead of just getting it. 5 minutes later she brings me the Bearnaise. As I make a cut in the steak I realize it's a regular strip not a bone in. Pretty sad. After they take the steak away, I ask her if that's what I ordered??? She says "yes, I just rung it in wrong". 20 minutes later I get a hot steak and am expected to eat it with cold potatoes. How hard is it to get a good steak, potatoes, and sauce at one time? Steak -- $55 Cold bearnaise -- $3 Cold Potatoes -- $8 Miserable dinner--- priceless Should have went to the cafe downstairs.
(1)
Diane L.
This is a great restaurant inside the Meadows Casino. It's expensive but it's worth it. We've eaten here quite a few times and every time, the food was delicious and the service was impecible. If you frequent the casino and spend a lot there, call one of the casino hosts to see if they'll give you a comp for Bistecca. While they two are not "technically" affiliated, you can still get a nice comp depending on your casino status. Nice place for a date though - then down to the casino for some fun afterwards!
(5)
Michael M.
Very nice place. On the expensive side. Food was very good and our waiter was excellent (A lost art it seems these days).
(4)
Richard B.
The lady and I both had the filet oscar with huge chunks of crab and three asparagus spears and hollandaise. The steaks were done perfectly, although methinks on a flatop as there was none of the requisite, (in my opinion), char flavor or for that matter any crust on the outside, nor any grill marks. At a steakhouse????? Sides are a la carte, which goads me to no end. If you're gonna charge me fifty bucks for a steak, throw in the damn potato ya'll. I mean the average joe just lost his a#s in the casino downstairs so throw a guy a bone! On the plus side they're big enough to split so potato and broccoli sides were shared and they were good. The service was excellent and cordial. The restaurant overlooks the horse track and would be an ideal venue at which to watch your money leave you at the races. The smell of cigarette smoke wafts up from the casino below, vaguely yet persistently annoying the individual spoiled by non-smokng laws elsewhere. Add char flavor and eliminate the smoke smell and it's a four star place.
(3)
Alvin J.
I instantly fell in love with this place the first time my wife and I went. The service was prop and pleasant, which is a huge plus in my book. Also as you eat you can watch the horse races and even place bets. The desserts are outstanding. I'm a serious fan of their chocolate molten cake, I have had this type of dessert at a few other places and this restaurant definitely hit the nail on the head. Its perfect.
(5)
John L.
I can't really understand all of the other 5 star reviews for Bistecca. To me, it seems like a second rate replica of Capital Grille. Same type of menu and same pricing, but just a bit off note in many respects. Most noteworthy, my Delmonico Toscana was fatty and almost seemed to me to be a choice (rather than Prime) grade of meat. I could have sworn that the garlic rub was garlic from a jar rather than fresh garlic. I requested medium rare and received a medium well steak. This place IS a steakhouse, but they totally swung and missed with the entree. Our sauteed spinach and mushroom side dishes had no seasoning whatsoever. Strike two. Finally, for wine, our table ordered a Chardonnay and a red Zin - both pricey. Despite the attempt to pose as a true wine restaurant, we all received the same type of wine glasses. This is probably nothing to most guests, but this sealed my opinion of Bistecca. In summary, it's not bad, but it is a mediocre imitation of some of the better steakhouses.
(3)
Paula P.
*Long Review, scroll down for a short list of pros/cons. Went here on 5/30/13 for an anniversary dinner after reading the reviews and not wanting to drive all the way into Pittsburgh. It being our 6th anniversary, we wanted a nice, elegant, romantic meal. This seemed to fit the bill. When we arrived we were about 15 minutes early for our reservation, but the restaurant was not busy at all, so it was no issue. We were promptly sat, the first table was in a table in the middle of the restaurant, and just didn't feel personal, so we asked to be moved to a booth. The booth was much better. The waitress greeted us promptly and we were still looking over the wine list so she said she would come back. We knew we wanted a bottle of champagne, but couldn't decided. I asked her what the best Brut or Extra Dry was and she pointed to the one that said "Brut" and she said "Well, this one is this cheapest". It kind of peeved me, because I can see the prices (they're on the menu), I didn't care what the price was. She then pointed to the highest priced champagne and said "This is a dry. As you can see it is very expensive." I felt like she thought we were poor? I don't know, a bit of a turn off. So, we ordered a bottle of Brut. We started with the Crab Bisque and a Spinach Salad. The bisque, OH MY! Amazing. Delicious. Spectacular. Get it! The spinach salad was good, not amazing, but had my boyfriend not ate it, I would have. For our meal I got the 7 oz filet with horseradish cream and a side of au gratin potatoes, him the sirloin with pepper jelly and asparagus with hollandaise (both steaks cooked medium). My filet was cooked perfectly. The steak was OKAY, lacked seasoning or something. The au gratin potatoes, amazing. Best I have had. The horseradish cream, WTH? It was sour cream. I put an entire spoonful in my mouth, and it was sour cream. A baby could have ate it. My boyfriend's steak was also cooked as ordered but had a lot. Sure, an aged steak (35 days minimum we were told, and the menu states) will have the fat melt like butter in your mouth and be delicious. This fat was chewy, stringy and gross. There was a large piece of fat right now the middle he had to cut around. Not happy, for a $40 something dollar steak, it should not be this. The asparagus was so undercooked. It was blackened (charred) on the outside, but so hard, like biting into a raw, uncooked asparagus. The hollandaise sauce was watery. The pepper jelly was yummy, a little weird with steak (I put it on my bread and potatoes). Based on dinner, we decided to skip dessert. All in all, before tip, our total was $177 and change. I have had better dinners, for cheaper. I won't be back. The meal had it's pros, but too many cons for that kind of money. Our waitress was decent, she was kind of weird. We discussed how she didn't act like she worked in a fancy restaurant, more like your local restaurant. She was nice, but again, she was not a waitress for this establishment. Also, the restaurant is BRIGHT. The ambiance is not that of a romantic restaurant, one wall is all windows and have no coverings. Then they have a ton of lights, as well as light paint. On a scale of 1-10, I will give it a 5.5 Pros- Crab Bisque, Au Gratin potatoes, Pepper Jelly (better on bread then the steaks). Cons- Overpriced for what you actually get, the hostess was a snob, steaks definitely not aged and one was full of fat, the horseradish creme is just sour cream. If I ever went back, I would simply get the crab bisque and au gratin potatoes. Nothing else.
(3)
Matthew D.
The meal and service was good. Quiet with enough spacing between the tables. Drinks were generous. Negatives were the desserts (sub par) and the price. Probably won't be back for a while as there are equally as good places for condiderably less money.
(4)
Jr A.
Great place on the second floor of the Meadows Casino . The restaurant overoloks the race track so be sure to ask for a window seat. I have been here several times . The service is great and wine and drink list is huge . The menu is ala carte but that is the norm for upper tier steakhouses . A bit pricey but that is too be expected . The bar and lobby area just outside thecrestaurant is a great place just to sit and people watch .
(4)
Michelle B.
Excellent!!!! The fillet with Neil sauce is wonderful , and the crab bisque should not be missed. Great service, will dine there again when in the area.
(5)
David H.
We decided to try out Bistecca on our anniversary as someplace new to us. Both my wife and I were very impressed with the restaurant. We happened to be there at 7pm on a night with no racing and were immediately seated (we did have reservations, but we wouldn't have needed them). The ambiance was very nice. While I can't stand the smoky smell of the Meadows Casino, inside Bistecca was like a different world, albeit that some diners nearby took the dress code very casually and looked out of place. The food was excellent. Possibly the best Caesar salad I have ever had (one at Disney World also comes to mind), followed by grilled chicken and the molten chocolate cake. Mentioning that it was our anniversary scored us a complimentary dessert, though as I found out later on the bill, it was only 1 complimentary dessert, not 2. Yes, it is very expensive for the quantity of food that you get. No, I will not dine here regularly. But if someone asks me for the nicest restaurant in the area, I will not hesitate to recommend.
(4)
Tj W.
Great place for a date night. I took my wife here for valentines day and our food was outstanding. I had the Delmonico and it was cooked perfect. The sides are big enough for 2 and the deserts blew our mind. Giant cheese cake. I still think about it. Haha
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jessica R.
I went here for my mother's birthday and was insanely impressed by our whole experience. I had eaten in this restaurant before, but this experience was so exceptional that I feel it has to be noted. We reserved a table for 7 of us and were placed in a nice semi-private room. They took all the gifts and cake from us and displayed them nicely by our table. Our waitress, I think her name was Ashley, was easily the best waitress I've ever had at a restaurant. She was knowlegeable, funny, and prompt. This isn't a cheap place, and for the price, you expect the food to be delicious, and it always is. The food is not what sets this place apart, because you can get a meal like this at Capital Grille or Hyde Park, but they really do treat you very well here. Our waitress even cut and served the cake we brought for us. I do recommend the filet oscar and the crab cakes. Those are always my go to and never disappoint.
(5)Ana W.
The food here is wonderful every time we go. Normally we are in a party of 2 or 4 and service is normally excellent. The food is always amazing. Steaks are prepared expertly and always to the proper temperature. The dessert selection is always changing and homemade. We always enjoy saving room for dessert but the entree always makes it hard to do that. I recommend this restaurant for special occasions and for just dinner.
(5)Amy S.
Good food for a typical casino level pricing. I was visiting town and not familiar with what else is around. Waitress was very friendly and prompt with service. Steaks tasty but not mind blowing in any way. I'm partial to Ruth's Chris, so that's my level of excellence standard. The sides were good and meant to share. We didn't have room for apps or dessert. I wouldn't mind going back, but would try other comparable places in the area first.
(3)Jody H.
It's very expensive, but very nice. A place to go for a special occasion. Not very crowded while we were there. You can watch the horse racing and they will even place bets for you. Service was wonderful. The food very good.
(4)Aj S.
My parents, being the gambling addicts they are, are constantly getting food comp from the casinos. They decided to take my sister and I out for a nice dinner before she goes back to school (score!!). We don't do family dinners often so it was definitely a treat! The place itself is very nice but not the kind of fancy where you need to dress up in a suit or dress. It's small, but it has a nice cozy feeling. I was surprised because we had a reservation at 6 p.m. on a Saturday and there were still many tables available. Our sever was awesome. She was extremely friendly and answered all of our questions. She also was very knowledgable on the menu which helped us out since I'm not one who goes to $$$$ restaurants very often. Ha! The food is a la carte which I'm not a fan of. I always feel like it's an easy way to overcharge because usually you want something to go along with your entree. I ordered the 10 oz filet ($36) and it was amazing. I asked for it to be well done but there was still some pink in the middle. I honestly didn't even mind because it was so good. It melted in my mouth. I was actually surprised by how juicy it was considering the thickness of the meat. I also ordered the loaded baked potato ($8) which came topped with sour cream, butter, cheese and bacon. Very good but could have been a little more "loaded." I hate when potatoes are a little dry. Now, I will say, paying almost $50 for steak and a potato is a little crazy, however we didn't pay so I'm not complaining! Would I go again? Perhaps? Maybe for a special occasion (or if my parents get some more comp!). However, as much as I liked the food, I can find a place closer to Pittsburgh for an expensive steak dinner. Traveling out to the Meadows is annoying and paying over $100 on top of gas money for dinner just doesn't seem worth it.
(4)James K.
First of the service was very professional. That ends the good part of this review. Lobster tail at $45 with no sides the lobster tail we could have got for Bob Evans for $4.99. The kitchen staff and management should be ashamed of themselves. It the prices they charge they should at least make their Gnocchi from scratch and not a frozen product. Does anybody in that kitchen know how to properly prep asparagus, not last night. What a waste of comp points.
(1)Ron C.
VERY EXPENSIVE for the quality of food. It is good, but not great. Good bread. Blue cheese wedge dressing was runny. Crab cake appetizer was superb, but at $21! For one crab cake! Steak was good. Gnocchi average. Au gratin potatoes bitter. Cheese cake special was horrible. Tasted spoiled. House coffee with liquers ok. Had to ask for water a couple times. Way too expensive for what you get.
(2)Jessica M.
I recently visited the meadows for a work outing ! We reserved a table in the back and our dinner was excellent! We had great service and even got to see frank o harris having dinner there as well! The appetizers were delicious we had scallops shrimp all kinds of things! I had the best steak I've ever eaten! Afterwards we went to the casino and had a blast! They had live music and much more! Drinks were not skimpy .. Let's say I had some fun! I'd definitely go back again!!
(5)Holly J.
The decor: very nice, once you finally wind your way through the maze that is the casino floor, filled with the typical people and experiences you expect to find there, including at least 40 drunks, 300 people smoking, and someone yelling at one of the dealers. Thankfully, the restaurant is upstairs and mostly isolated from all of that through glass doors, which block out casino noise and the smoke. Inside, lush curtains, awesome booths and a beautifully crafted bar with a great liquor selection and a decent view of Washington's rolling hills. The food: Presented very prettily, but honestly, the preparations are pretty simple and nothing that a person with slightly-better-than-average cooking skills can't match or exceed. Desserts, too, were not creative, and everything was incredibly expensive and a la carte. There's nothing "signature" about Bistecca's food, start to finish. Wine/Alcohol: Great selection; easily the best in Washington. Would prefer this place to sip one or two quality drinks on Friday evening with friends instead of walking away from dinner for two with a $320 bill for a meal I could've made.
(2)Greg S.
All I can say is the Cajun blackened ribeye steak with cheesy, creamy , Au Gratin potatoes!!! The best steak I've had in a long time!
(4)Natahley B.
Bistecca started off well enough, but seems to be in a bit of a downward slide now. My first meal here was fantastic -- great filet, delicious cognac cream sauce, and good potatoes gratin. However, with each additional visit (I've been there about 6 times now), both the service and the food has either been bad or just okay. There's one particular waitress -- a blonde, middle-age woman -- who my whole table thought was on drugs. That night, we were seated at a table so dark, we couldn't see our menus. We asked if we could get another candle or something and she said "I'll see." We noticed all the other tables were pulled away from the wall more, so that a ceiling light was shining on the table, but for some reason, ours was not? She continued to be inept (giving totally incorrect information about wine), and generally just a poor, inattentive waitress. She forgot my steak sauce, and then we watched and waited as she disappeared into the kitchen for several minutes. She came out carrying my sauce, but stopped for a leisurely 8-minute chat with gentlemen at another table she seemed quite friendly with. By the time I got my sauce, it was cold. My steak was overdone, too! With each subsequent visit, things have just not been on par for the price. If you're gonna charge Ruth's Chris and Morton's prices, I should never pull hair out of my bisque, or big chunks of shell out of the crab cocktail, or wait, wait, wait and wonder where the server has disappeared to (again). The steaks are alright, but they're not the same quality of the aforementioned steakhouses! Overall, I will probably go again, when I don't feel like driving to Pittsburgh, but for the first time, I'll branch out and try some gnocchi or anything other than steak at a steakhouse. It's just not worth it at bistecca! If they could train their servers and kitchen staff more so that the experience and quality was *consistent*, I'd go back often. Step it up, guys! Please. Having a solid steakhouse in washpa would be wonderful.
(2)Jeff B.
I was very impressed by the Bistecca restaurant at the Meadows racetrack & casino. The service was phenomenal and the food was very well prepared. I had a wonderful Caesar salad and a ribeye prepared with Cajun spices medium rare. Wow! I got exactly what I asked for. If I had to do it all over I would get the steak without the rub next time. The rub was a bit spicy (I like spicy) but it overpowered the steak. Really nice experience. The table we had overlooked the track as well. The next evening, we had a company event here at one of the private booths. Again, great service and the buffet style food for the event still was great.
(5)Anthony R.
My wife and I had dinner at Bistecca in the Meadows Casino last night. The short review - service was great and the food fantastic... and you get what you pay for. The spinach and chopped salads were larger than most starter salads and full of everything listed for each on the menu. My wife had the horseradish steak topping that was enough for 2 steaks. My side of mushrooms came in a bowl that I couldn't finish. My wife's side of whipped stuffed potatoes included both halves of the potato, so we shared. Both sides tasted as we hoped, however, the steaks surpassed our expectations, regardless of what the cost. We eat out a lot and know that when you pay $35-40 for a steak, it SHOULD be great steak, however, that's not always the case. My wife's fillet and my NY strip were cooked perfectly to our request... med and med rare. Seasoning was delicate, yet effective. Even though we were full after finishing our entrees, the server talked us into trying their homemade turtle cheesecake, so we split one. It was delicious... and again... enough for 2 people to share whether you leave room for it or not. My only regret is that we didn't ask our server about portion sizes before we ordered. If you're with a guest and can agree on the same side, there's enough for two... especially if you start with a salad. Overall, this one one of the best dining experiences we had for quite some time.
(5)See Dee B.
I tried to eat here tonight before a little craps session. I've had some good meals here in the past. Tonight I ordered the bone in NY strip with bearnaise sauce and the au gratin potatoes. Should be a simple meal. Hard to mess up. Well after a short wait, I was sitting at the bar, the server came over with a steak and potatoes. I asked her about the sauce I ordered and she insisted on checking the computer first to see if it was ordered instead of just getting it. 5 minutes later she brings me the Bearnaise. As I make a cut in the steak I realize it's a regular strip not a bone in. Pretty sad. After they take the steak away, I ask her if that's what I ordered??? She says "yes, I just rung it in wrong". 20 minutes later I get a hot steak and am expected to eat it with cold potatoes. How hard is it to get a good steak, potatoes, and sauce at one time? Steak -- $55 Cold bearnaise -- $3 Cold Potatoes -- $8 Miserable dinner--- priceless Should have went to the cafe downstairs.
(1)Diane L.
This is a great restaurant inside the Meadows Casino. It's expensive but it's worth it. We've eaten here quite a few times and every time, the food was delicious and the service was impecible. If you frequent the casino and spend a lot there, call one of the casino hosts to see if they'll give you a comp for Bistecca. While they two are not "technically" affiliated, you can still get a nice comp depending on your casino status. Nice place for a date though - then down to the casino for some fun afterwards!
(5)Michael M.
Very nice place. On the expensive side. Food was very good and our waiter was excellent (A lost art it seems these days).
(4)Richard B.
The lady and I both had the filet oscar with huge chunks of crab and three asparagus spears and hollandaise. The steaks were done perfectly, although methinks on a flatop as there was none of the requisite, (in my opinion), char flavor or for that matter any crust on the outside, nor any grill marks. At a steakhouse????? Sides are a la carte, which goads me to no end. If you're gonna charge me fifty bucks for a steak, throw in the damn potato ya'll. I mean the average joe just lost his a#s in the casino downstairs so throw a guy a bone! On the plus side they're big enough to split so potato and broccoli sides were shared and they were good. The service was excellent and cordial. The restaurant overlooks the horse track and would be an ideal venue at which to watch your money leave you at the races. The smell of cigarette smoke wafts up from the casino below, vaguely yet persistently annoying the individual spoiled by non-smokng laws elsewhere. Add char flavor and eliminate the smoke smell and it's a four star place.
(3)Alvin J.
I instantly fell in love with this place the first time my wife and I went. The service was prop and pleasant, which is a huge plus in my book. Also as you eat you can watch the horse races and even place bets. The desserts are outstanding. I'm a serious fan of their chocolate molten cake, I have had this type of dessert at a few other places and this restaurant definitely hit the nail on the head. Its perfect.
(5)John L.
I can't really understand all of the other 5 star reviews for Bistecca. To me, it seems like a second rate replica of Capital Grille. Same type of menu and same pricing, but just a bit off note in many respects. Most noteworthy, my Delmonico Toscana was fatty and almost seemed to me to be a choice (rather than Prime) grade of meat. I could have sworn that the garlic rub was garlic from a jar rather than fresh garlic. I requested medium rare and received a medium well steak. This place IS a steakhouse, but they totally swung and missed with the entree. Our sauteed spinach and mushroom side dishes had no seasoning whatsoever. Strike two. Finally, for wine, our table ordered a Chardonnay and a red Zin - both pricey. Despite the attempt to pose as a true wine restaurant, we all received the same type of wine glasses. This is probably nothing to most guests, but this sealed my opinion of Bistecca. In summary, it's not bad, but it is a mediocre imitation of some of the better steakhouses.
(3)Paula P.
*Long Review, scroll down for a short list of pros/cons. Went here on 5/30/13 for an anniversary dinner after reading the reviews and not wanting to drive all the way into Pittsburgh. It being our 6th anniversary, we wanted a nice, elegant, romantic meal. This seemed to fit the bill. When we arrived we were about 15 minutes early for our reservation, but the restaurant was not busy at all, so it was no issue. We were promptly sat, the first table was in a table in the middle of the restaurant, and just didn't feel personal, so we asked to be moved to a booth. The booth was much better. The waitress greeted us promptly and we were still looking over the wine list so she said she would come back. We knew we wanted a bottle of champagne, but couldn't decided. I asked her what the best Brut or Extra Dry was and she pointed to the one that said "Brut" and she said "Well, this one is this cheapest". It kind of peeved me, because I can see the prices (they're on the menu), I didn't care what the price was. She then pointed to the highest priced champagne and said "This is a dry. As you can see it is very expensive." I felt like she thought we were poor? I don't know, a bit of a turn off. So, we ordered a bottle of Brut. We started with the Crab Bisque and a Spinach Salad. The bisque, OH MY! Amazing. Delicious. Spectacular. Get it! The spinach salad was good, not amazing, but had my boyfriend not ate it, I would have. For our meal I got the 7 oz filet with horseradish cream and a side of au gratin potatoes, him the sirloin with pepper jelly and asparagus with hollandaise (both steaks cooked medium). My filet was cooked perfectly. The steak was OKAY, lacked seasoning or something. The au gratin potatoes, amazing. Best I have had. The horseradish cream, WTH? It was sour cream. I put an entire spoonful in my mouth, and it was sour cream. A baby could have ate it. My boyfriend's steak was also cooked as ordered but had a lot. Sure, an aged steak (35 days minimum we were told, and the menu states) will have the fat melt like butter in your mouth and be delicious. This fat was chewy, stringy and gross. There was a large piece of fat right now the middle he had to cut around. Not happy, for a $40 something dollar steak, it should not be this. The asparagus was so undercooked. It was blackened (charred) on the outside, but so hard, like biting into a raw, uncooked asparagus. The hollandaise sauce was watery. The pepper jelly was yummy, a little weird with steak (I put it on my bread and potatoes). Based on dinner, we decided to skip dessert. All in all, before tip, our total was $177 and change. I have had better dinners, for cheaper. I won't be back. The meal had it's pros, but too many cons for that kind of money. Our waitress was decent, she was kind of weird. We discussed how she didn't act like she worked in a fancy restaurant, more like your local restaurant. She was nice, but again, she was not a waitress for this establishment. Also, the restaurant is BRIGHT. The ambiance is not that of a romantic restaurant, one wall is all windows and have no coverings. Then they have a ton of lights, as well as light paint. On a scale of 1-10, I will give it a 5.5 Pros- Crab Bisque, Au Gratin potatoes, Pepper Jelly (better on bread then the steaks). Cons- Overpriced for what you actually get, the hostess was a snob, steaks definitely not aged and one was full of fat, the horseradish creme is just sour cream. If I ever went back, I would simply get the crab bisque and au gratin potatoes. Nothing else.
(3)Matthew D.
The meal and service was good. Quiet with enough spacing between the tables. Drinks were generous. Negatives were the desserts (sub par) and the price. Probably won't be back for a while as there are equally as good places for condiderably less money.
(4)Jr A.
Great place on the second floor of the Meadows Casino . The restaurant overoloks the race track so be sure to ask for a window seat. I have been here several times . The service is great and wine and drink list is huge . The menu is ala carte but that is the norm for upper tier steakhouses . A bit pricey but that is too be expected . The bar and lobby area just outside thecrestaurant is a great place just to sit and people watch .
(4)Michelle B.
Excellent!!!! The fillet with Neil sauce is wonderful , and the crab bisque should not be missed. Great service, will dine there again when in the area.
(5)David H.
We decided to try out Bistecca on our anniversary as someplace new to us. Both my wife and I were very impressed with the restaurant. We happened to be there at 7pm on a night with no racing and were immediately seated (we did have reservations, but we wouldn't have needed them). The ambiance was very nice. While I can't stand the smoky smell of the Meadows Casino, inside Bistecca was like a different world, albeit that some diners nearby took the dress code very casually and looked out of place. The food was excellent. Possibly the best Caesar salad I have ever had (one at Disney World also comes to mind), followed by grilled chicken and the molten chocolate cake. Mentioning that it was our anniversary scored us a complimentary dessert, though as I found out later on the bill, it was only 1 complimentary dessert, not 2. Yes, it is very expensive for the quantity of food that you get. No, I will not dine here regularly. But if someone asks me for the nicest restaurant in the area, I will not hesitate to recommend.
(4)Tj W.
Great place for a date night. I took my wife here for valentines day and our food was outstanding. I had the Delmonico and it was cooked perfect. The sides are big enough for 2 and the deserts blew our mind. Giant cheese cake. I still think about it. Haha
(4)