Dish Osteria Review

On the Pubnetwork™

This PAGE originated at pubnetwork●com^TM

and the barstool of Ed Vidunas

November 2008

Go to the www.pubnetwork.com home page

Location

128 South 17^th Street at the corner of Sarah Street

Pittsburgh (South Side – Flats), Pa. 15203

Phone: 412 390 2012

Owners: Michele (Mi-kā-lee) & Cindy Savoia (and let’s not forget Andrea)

Opened in Thursday, September 21, 2000

Official homepage www.dishosteria.com

The entrance is located at 128 South 17^th Street on the corner of Sarah Street in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. Calls for reservations or information can be made to 412 390 2012. You can see the menu, drinks and party photos on their official website, above. Many of the local streets are one-way so see my directions below.

The bar and restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 5 in the afternoon until closing at 2 in the morning. Cooking ceases at midnight. On a bight note they have a Monday thru Saturday happy hour from 5 to 7. Dish is closed on most major holidays.

Reservations are recommended.

Michele & Cindy Savoia are the owners and you will almost always find Michele’s brother, Andrea, managing. Michele (pronounced Mi-kā-lee) and Andrea were born in America but raised in Sicily. They honed their cooking skills in some of the finer restaurants in New York City before moving to Pittsburgh. Once you step through the door you will feel that you are on holiday in northern Italy.

This charming little restaurant has been in business since the year 2000 and has been receiving accolades ever since. Reviews have always focused on the delicious food and wonderful wine and spirit stock yet they miss a key element of being there, the appearance. You get a comfortable feeling once you set foot inside. Cindy put a lot of thought into the details, and she did well. Coupled with the copper bar top and just-right lighting the mood is set for an evening of comfortable dining and sweet whispering. The bar room has tables and eating at the bar is common. The 45 seat dining room is cozy and restful and a world away from the outside. The staff is attentive but not overbearing. Your entire time will be stress free unless you can’t decide what to whisper next. In that case hand holding and blushing are good dinner table events.

One item you will not find in the restaurant is a TV. It’s a rarity these days but the lack of one only adds to the calming effect that Dish has on your body and spirit. I have met many wonderful people at the bar over the years and enjoyed the conversation I had with them. Engaging in conversation with others at the bar is so much nicer not having to compete with a television.

As I was sitting at the bar one evening I happened to hear the chat between the bartender and the woman next to me. They knew each other an engaged in “girl talk”. The woman said that she has a new boyfriend in which the bartender asked; “how is he?” Her response was “He’s ok, I can bring him here.” I think that’s a good testimonial?

Dish accepts Visa but if you need cash you can find a PNC ATM at South 18 and E Carson Street. Fayette Bank on E Carson St. near S 17 Street (towards S 18^th). PNC also has an ATM in the CoGo’s at South 10^th and E Carson Street. First National Bank at 1114 E Carson Street has a dispenser in the parking lot, which may be chained off after hours but you can walk up to it.

The nearest public parking lot (enforced 24hr/day) is located at South 18 and E Carson streets. This is about a two-block walk. You can find street parking nearby and with no meters. Exercise politeness please since you are in a residential area.

Sarah Street is parallel to East Carson but Sarah is one-way from South 10^th to South 17^th. South 17^th Street is one-way from Dish towards East Carson Street. Sarah St jogs at South 17^th Street where you can make a right or left turn. When you come to the stop sign at Sarah and South 17^th look to your right and see the restaurant. Google maps can show you all of this and be less confusing than me.

In closing, I would like to say that I have no connection to Dish nor have I received anything for this article. I do this for fun and as a life-long resident of the South Side I like to promote the places that I spend far too much time in.

Cheers,

Ed Vidunas