Back Porch Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

Lori S.

Joined 1 month ago

Horrible. Used to be one fo the best restuarants around. While a little out of the way, it was well worth the drive to the awesome location and atmosphere - just tucked away. Unfortunately, it seems that the Back Porch has done away with their chef. We had a large party. My neice found an earpiece in her soup! The steaks were all totally over done, not to mention that they were lousy cuts of meat. At $34 for filet oscar, the filet should be thick and cooked correctly. It was thin, tough and way overcooked. Also, the $34 price does not include soup or salad. What used to be and excellent dish, the New Zealand lamb, was completely awful. It was way overcooked and way over seasoned. So unfortunate. To add to the nightmare, the waitstaff was so poorly trained that they had no idea how to handle the situation, and actually argued with our table. The manager/owner was even worse. He apologized, took some of the meals off the bill but made no further efforts with our party. I asked him to try my lamb and he conceeded that it was tough, claiming that he has been using the same meat vendors for years. I contended that not only has the quality of the food slipped, but also those that prepared the steaks and lamb were completely unqualified to do so. We should have walked out after looking at the wedge salad - brown around the outside and the lobster bisque in which the only lumps were the undissolved clumps of flour. This place has gone way up in price and way down in quality. With so many wonderful restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, we will take our money elsewhere.

d t.

Joined 7 months ago

Not worth the drive unless you like to pay for the charm of the house. This place had been great for years, but has the same food as the Speer Street Grill. Both were good until two years ago when they changed the menu and things went downhill from there. The food is so-so, saltly, chicken is undercooked, burgers are now cheap meat and full of grease, and meger. Do yourself a favor and spend your money at hogie and fried food place on RT88 that's behind the Back Porch, the food is the same but much cheaper.

Doesn't Recommend

Tina Jo

Joined 2 years ago

Not good anymore :((. I had been to this restaurant several yrs ago and the food was fantastic bit things have changed! The building is still cute and charming but everything else seemed for lack of a better word grubby. The menus were dirty - they were copies why give guests stained torn dirty menus when you can just just print more??The cup my tea was served in was really old not very clean or appealing. The food was barely edible . I couldnt eat the escalloped potatoes, the veggies were tasteless the salad was wilted the crab cakes were all bread no crab with what tasted like frozen crab and jarred chipotle sauce .I suspect a new chef since my last visit. Dont bother with this place its run like they dont care.

Recommends

mtl4059

Joined 3 years ago

Average food, average service. Visited during holidays with reservation...was seated in the small bar area which was full of patrons, loud and congested. No ambiance, etc. Ordered the special, strip steak, very pedestrian and not cooked to order. Friends enjoyed the ribs and a chicken pasta dish. Whoever compared this to Ruth Chris has not dined at RC. Service: waited to order, then watched our drinks while they sat on the bar and the ice cubes melted ( full 5 minutes). After my steak was delivered did not see server for 20 minutes. The strip steak was pedestrian and for $27.95 was no better than your average chain fare. Value simply no there. Was given a steak of which I consumed 1/2, potatoes were two small things on plate and ended up ordering desert only because I remained hungry. Was thoroughly disappointed!

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Christy Buena. Romantic Italian restaurant serves stuffed eggplant parmesan, pasta dishes and seafood entrees at reasonable prices.

Recommends

taydun

Joined 8 years ago

Mmm-mmm good!. The chef, Curtis Taylor, prepares some of the finest dishes this area has ever seen. Definitely worth the drive from Pittsburgh, or the North Hills. Beautiful atmosphere. I've had a rehersal dinner and a baby shower there, and would do it again!

Recommends

steel_chef

Joined 9 years ago

First quality food and presentation. Venturing out to the Back Porch from Pittsburgh can be a bit of a drive but it's definitely worth it. I have been there twice, both times getting the filet mignon. The quality is comparable to Morton's and Ruth's Chris but at a slightly more affordable price. It came with yellow squash that was wonderfully prepared. My girlfriend ordered the red snapper and it was the 2nd best fish I have ever had at a restaurant (Cafe Georgio's was 1st). The wine sold by the glass (for about $6) seems to be a higher quality than the wine menus at most other restaurants. The atmosphere is warm and the service is prompt yet not evading- an excellant choice for romantic anniversaries or special occasions. Don't miss out on this secret culinary extraveganza!

Recommends

tjfoxtrot

Joined 10 years ago

Very romantic. My wife and I went to the Back Porch after reading about it on CitySearch, and it was fantastic! The food is expertly prepared, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere is lovely. The patio in back is a great place to relax and eat during the summer months, surrounded by flowers and classical music. The inside is cozy and warmly decorated, no matter what month it is. I highly recommend it.

Recommends

denise102

Joined 10 years ago

Just perfect!. My husband and I were invited to go there for a friend's birthday. We live in Cranberry and I thought to myself "Why do we have to go that far just to eat dinner?'. But I have to tell you - it was worth the drive! The atmosphere was cozy and warm, we sat by one of their fireplaces. The food was unbelievably tastey; and the presentation and portions were just perfect! It was not as expensive as you might think either. We left there paying $80, including tip. I would definitely make the 66 mile trip again. It's a perfect place for a special occasion! Or, really, any occasion that you want a great dinner!

Recommends

JayneLaskey

Joined 10 years ago

soothes my soul. It is a lovely place to go even for a cocktail in the winter. The bar is small but very cozy. Summer is great for sitting out on the patio, listening to classical music in garden surroundings.