Enrico's Ristorante

I've been going to Enrico's once every month or so since they opened in Shadyside. Food was always good, sometimes great, and sometimes exceptional. But lately, the quality has really gone down hill. We stopped in last night (Tuesday) for dinner around 7:30. The menu was considerably smaller than I've ever seen it before. Gone are the majority of the great pasta dishes. Now you have your standard (and by standard, here I mean mediocre) chicken marsala etc. Speaking of which, the chicken marsala we had last night was something you'd find at the Olive Garden. The chicken breast was pan seared a little too long, making the meat very tough. The sauce was no more than a LOT of olive oil, with no trace of marsala to be found. Worst though was the pasta-gluey, stuck together, and swimming in a heavy layer of olive oil in the bottom of the dish. They ran out of the spinach fettucine that they normally serve it with, so they gave me linguine. The gorgonzola that used to come on salads for free is now $.75 ("sorry, it's a button on the computer now, we can't change it..." we overheard the waitress telling another couple.) Seventy five cents isn't a huge deal, but when the menu shrinks, the prices go up, and the food quality is noticeably lower, that's how you lose business. We all know the economy is tough right now, but last night was a huge let down for us long time Enrico's fans. Pros: nice location Cons: quality slipping more

Our table was bordered on one side by large, commercial cans of: Artichokes, Pumpkin, Tomatoes and Capers. For a restaurant that claims to be part of the Slow Food movement, these cans should be in a back room, not next to the tables. All of those ingredients were represented on the menu and in dishes we ordered. I don't know if they were used in the kitchen but... My most severe comment is reserved for the gnocchi, made with too much flour and kneaded for too long - they were firm and dense. The rest of the food was "OK" to "good" but, as I asked the chef to serve me the "best" of the night, I expected better. They did serve Poli grappa - 2 points for that. Pros: Nice sized portions Cons: Kitchen needs a lesson in Italian cooking more

The first hint was the aroma from the bread baked fresh daily in their imported wood-burning oven. Service was great, especially since our group was not familiar with the 40 or so Italian wines offered by the glass. Locally-made pastas, fish flown in fresh from Hawaii and Alaska, locally butchered meats. Great choices. The apps were incredible. Calamari stuffed with cheeses, beans slow-cooked and served with shrimp, beet salad? New to us but all delicious. Best scallops we've ever tried. The biscotti were a bit too big and too hard for desserts, but the espresso panna cotta won the prize. A bit noisy. We will go back and think others will too. Pros: Fresh Italian Food; New Italian Wines; Service Cons: Noisy; busy more

We had walked past Enrico's many times and decided to try it when both my wife and I were in the mood for Italian. When we walked in, the restaurant was filled with smoke -- the kitchen either doesn't have an exhaust or doesn't have an effective one. Since we were seated near the kitchen, it was extremely hot and smoky the whole time. The food was fine, although you can definitely find better Italian food in Shadyside or elsewhere in Pittsburgh. I'd consider it average, but a bit over-priced. more

Enrico's in the Strip is below average to me. Soup was not even lukewarm but the bowl was hot to touch which means that it was microwaved. Pizza was good. Panini was good. Shrimp and Grits was good. Bread was still chilled and tasted like it came out of the refrigerator. My brother is a baker and I can tell you that this bread was not baked fresh this morning. Service was marginal. Too much time to get waited on. We were at one table but they we moved because our table was not cleaned from the people before. We did sit there for 10 mintues before we moved to a clean one. Place was charming to look at. Cooks were nice. No straws because they don't have straws in Italy! They don't use ice in Italy but they used it there. Anyway, would not go back there. And the cannolli were not good. We have them in Italy and Little Italy in New York City and nothing compare. Have tried them several times from Enrico's but never good. more

This fun and casual bistro, located on Ellsworth Ave. in Shadyside, is one of my favorite places to dine in the 'Burgh. Terrific food, ranging from house-made pastas to fresh seafood and delectable lamb dishes make this a great spot. If you're like me and like to imbibe a bit, you'll be in vino heaven here. The wine program is all Italian all the time and includes a wonderful array of wines from all over the boot--most selections are available by the glass. There are also regional wine tastings held monthly and seasonal wine dinners where you can get a good sampling of what this kitchen has to offer. A great place to kick back, have a glass of wine (or two or three) and enjoy a tasty bite. Pros: Outstanding food, interesting, well-chosen wine list Cons: Small parking lot more

Hey - don't be misled about Enrico Biscotti and Enrico Ristorante. The strip location is the genuine article wher Enrico bakes the greatest Italian delights in town. He also serves up excellent food every Saturday in the Cafe right behind the biscotti store. In addition he serves the greatest First Friday dinners every month, again in the Cafe in the Strip. He is NOT involved AT ALL with the restaurant in Shadyside that unfortunately carries his name. Love it or hate it - that's up to you, but Enrico's is the Strip, and his new location in Mt. Lebanon on Washington Road - period. more

Awesome place, great wines, food is to die for. They just hired a new chef 4 months ago and I can see the difference in the preperation and the final product. The new specials sheet and the Chefs Plates are great. Very good value, no entree above $27, thats great considering most upscale place charge you $27-35. Dont miss the new Enricos . Pros: Value, Specials are great, wine list Cons: limited seating, busy make reservation more

Enrico's was recommended to me, and I am glad to say the same. Enrico's was impressive from the start, in that clean and stylish Italian way. The woodburning oven is a huge work of art! I enjoy drinking wine, however am not comfortable in picking it out-- I enjoyed what I had, and found it very "drinkable" (my highest rating.) The food was different and better than many many restaurants that I've been to, and I went out of my way to sample all that I could, since I was with a big group. The rissotto is great, and the salmon even better. I think it's the oven. Enrico's food is fresh-- which makes ALL the difference in the world. The flavors are memorable. Pros: location, service, helpful staff more

Having visited Italy recently Enrico's brought back memories of excellent Italian foods prepared the Italian way. The Wood burning oven and fresh ingredients combined with an excellent wine selection and good service made this a memorable reminder of Italian cooking. Pros: Wine Selection, Wood Burning Oven, Ambiance Cons: Limited Parking more

My wife and I have enjoyed Enrico's on more than one occasion. We love the fact that the menu changes daily, because you can always find something new. The resturant has old world Italian charm. Enrico's has become one of our favorite resturants. Pros: Food, Setting, Service Cons: Parking more

For the exceptional atmosphere, delicious menu, friendly and efficent service, and reasonable prices, Enrico's is one of the city's great spots for lunch. Pros: service, parking, atmosphere more

The only thing that I enjoyed at Enrico Biscotti was the coconut macaroons. The service was absolutely horrible and the food was marginal. It took too long for the food to arrive and the waitress completely got an order wrong, and this was during lunch. I think Enrico Biscotti is still very good in the Strip, however they still have a long way to go in managing a restuarant. Skip the Ellworth Avenue scene in Shadyside and go to the one in the Strip. You'll have a much better experience. Pros: atmosphere, coconut macaroons Cons: , service, cost more