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Six Penn Kitchen
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
146 6th StPittsburgh, PA 15222
Neighborhood: Downtown
(412) 566-7366
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 11 pm
Fri 11 am - 12 am
Sat 3 pm - 12 am
Sun 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
69 reviews for Six Penn Kitchen
Review Highlights
"Also try their signature Pork Shank."
(in 5 reviews)
"selected the Lobster Mac N Cheese."
(in 4 reviews)
"I got the Jamison Farm Lamb Bolognese BOTH times."
(in 3 reviews)
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69 reviews in English
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Review from DJ J.
Updated - 12/18/2011
Did you say Brunch. Want a good Brunch. Brunch, Brunch, Brunch. A top notch Brunch. The food selection is really nice and somewhat different/adventurous. How about Gravy Tots; Corned Beef Gravy... Oh so good...great corned beef flavor. Smoked Salmon Pot Stickers..Yes! Boston Cream Beignets...Yum!
Eggs Benedict, English Muffin with Crab Cake, Ham & Spinach was delicious. The Managed to get a bit of the Shrimp Frittata with spinach, roasted red peppers, grilled asparagus and balsamic reduction..Yum!
Wow was not expecting such good food. Our server was top notch too.Listed in: Pizza & Wings
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/20/2011
Great place for after dinner drink! Service was excellent!
Upstairs bar was nice place to relax and… Read more »
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Review from Mel U.
Updated - 10/18/2011 5 Check-ins Here
OK, so we checked out Six Penn again, since some time has passed since my last visit, AND I hadn't eaten there yet for dinner (only lunch). My experience was MUCH better, so I felt a re-review was warranted.
I was kinda looking forward to the green tomato "caprese" salad on the menu -- alas, it wasn't available. I supplemented with a regular house salad, which was HUGE (and a little dry perhaps), but they awesomely added a generous portion of crumbled bleu cheese at my request.
I had a tough time deciding on dinner -- I wanted to try the smoked wings and a few other appetizers as much as the BBQ hamburger. But as others have mentioned, the buffalo mac and cheese was hard to resist, and what I ended up with for my entree. It is a MUST. I wanted to chow that entire bowl down, but about a quarter way through I was STUFFED. But HOORAY! I don't have to make dinner again tonight.
Total bonus: the boyfriend ordered the pork (I think it was a chop, but not entirely certain) and it arrived with a bowl of creamed corn tapioca -- another item that sounded SO incredibly delicious. Oh my, it was really tasty. And I had the leftovers for breakfast today. The perfect amount of sweet and texture of the corn balanced out the milkiness of the tapioca. Seriously, I've never heard of such a dish, but it's one of my new favorite side dishes.
And that's why this place deserves a second look. I'm definitely warming up to at Six Penn: the portions are large and the food is good; the menu always seems to offer up a challenge of choices (a good thing, trust me); the service and craft beer selection, as always, is spectacular.
Nice touch too with the homemade chocolate mints. Boyfriend's on a diet (*snicker*), so I got to eat them both. :)Listed in: We can make sandwiches?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/3/2010
I've heard great comments about Six Penn, so I won't have my initial visit warrant a worthy review.… Read more »
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Review from Qiana H.
Fresno, TX
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
The staff was great from the time I walked in to the time I left. My food came out in a timely manner. I ordered the pretzels for the app the Mac and cheese for main course and the sex on the beach sorbe for dessert. The bill was around 30 bucks. Which is not bad for good food in my opinion.
My food opinion: the pretzels were amazing they were freshly cooked and made in the restaurant. They had just enough flavor to them. You get get 2 with your order.
The buffalo Mac and cheese was no where near what I expected. It was way to rich for me. The taste that you would have to be ready for. Don't get me wrong I love chicken and Mac and cheese, but this dish was so drowned in the sauce my stomach was not having it. I took like 3 bites and was done. I had to also search for the chicken I swear it seem to only have like four little pieces of chicken in it.
The sorbe was great, you taste the hint of alcohol in it. it actually taste like the real drink sex on the beach.
I gave this venue a 3 because for the price it was not what i expected and i have had better. it is well over priced -
Review from Casey M.
Pittsburgh, PA
2/8/2012
The price is steep, but those braised beef gnocchi are fabulous. Great for a special occasion celebration or date night.
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Review from Katie B.
McKeesport, PA
1/20/2012
A great place to go before and after shows downtown. The service is nice and it has a trendy feel with the decor. The cheese plate is fairly impressive and the wine list is pretty good. They are quick with your order if they know you have to be at the show.
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Review from Rachel C.
8/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE....I promise I won't start rapping, but seriously peeps, I haven't reviewed this place?! I feel like I'm doing myself and you all a disservice!
It makes me very sad that this is only a 3 star place at the moment because I really truly love it! Maybe it's the connection with my favorite Smiley Guy (Mr. Eat n' Park himself) or maybe it's the FABUlous brunch on Sundays, but I love it!
Of course, you can't come to this place without ordering the Buffalo Chicken (or Lobster) Mac n' Cheese (unless you're there for brunch....ok...do it for brunch too!). It's a plate of oohey gooey goodness touched by God himself I think! I've had a couple other items worth mentioning, like the noodle salad and lamb chops. But the Mac n' Cheese....blows it all away.
Let's move on to my fav topic...BRUNCH!! Probably at the top of my brunch list in the city. Sometimes I purposely have to make myself stay away. Why you ask? Because I always want to head right in and order the Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast! It's always topped with a seasonal fruit or sauce (like apples or gingerbread). I've also had the Eggs Beni, which are fab in their own right, with fresh asparagus to top it off!
They have a really fantastic rooftop deck that I just visited for the first time. My first thought is to think....how many people can fit up here...because it would be a great place for a party or event. But it was a bit tinier than I thought it would be. Great place to be downtown on a warm summer night though!
But the best part of this place...they always have, out of this world, freshly baked bread! I've had a different bread for dinner and different scones and breads for brunch and they have NEVER disappointed. This is thee best touch by far! If they ever forget to bring it to you, REMIND THEM!! Believe me, I have, no shame in that game!Listed in: Pancake Perfection, Best Brunch
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Review from Elaine K.
8/16/2011 7 photos
A nice place for dinner.
We rolled in in shorts and t shirts, and they were super nice to us despite the fact that we were obviously quite underdressed.
The setting is very modern, there's a small menu of well executed dishes. The prices were also very good for the quality of the food.
It didn't blow any of our minds, but we were all really happy with the food, service and atmosphere. The rooftop patio is also pretty great. -
Review from Lauren C.
9/8/2011
Six Penn Kitchen is just ok for me. For whatever reason, I'm almost indifferent when it comes to dining out here. I don't crave it but I do end up here on occassion for lunch because I work downtown. The menu has a lot of comfort foods on it but for some reason, not a lot of the choices on their menu even interest me. My go to favorite is the Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese. It's the perfect mix of spice and creamy cheese and chicken and not over the top spicy. It's the only item that I've really enjoyed on the menu. Everything else is good but nothing really blew my mind. The lobster mac and cheese was actually a let down.
The service is good: not great, not terrible and the atmosphere is nice. They have a great open deck area upstairs but unfortunately it's very small and there is limited seating so it doesn't live up to it's full potential. -
Review from Lisa G.
Richmond, VA
12/7/2011
None of us were really hungry when we ended up here. We were trying to kill time and pretty much just had drinks and appetizers (buffalo chicken macaroni, short ribs), but what we had was pretty good. We were seated immediately, our waitress was friendly and attentive, and the decor was nice. Some of the customers were dressed, others wearing Steelers jerseys. A nice, unpretentious spot that I'd go to again.
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Review from Jamie b.
5/11/2011 ROTD 8/1/2011
My first visit to Six Penn was a few weeks ago, taking a colleague out for lunch to celebrate his move to a new and better job. It was a perfect place for such an occasion and the ambiance and design of the restaurant was upscale but relaxed.
On the menu, vegetarian items are marked well and I found the server to be knowledgeable and helpful in providing information about ingredients and options. I ordered a falafel sandwich and while not totally traditional, it was made in-house and was delicious. The ingredients were very fresh and the dish was not overwrought. The service was quick and attentive and our food was out quickly, though I might not recommend attempting a work lunch if you don't have at least 30-45 minutes available.
I am excited to try their food again, perhaps this time to see what good items they have on their dinner menu. -
Review from Ryan H.
Oakdale, PA
8/29/2011
Six Penn has a great little rooftop lounge where you can eat, have drinks or just hangout.
Awesome view of beautiful downtown Pittsburgh! -
Review from Ric L.
Phoenix, AZ
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
what a Great Menu selection for Sunday brunch ! WOW ! was I blown away with the savory crab eggs benedict , to those damm Good Boston Cream beignets .... perfect in a cold rainy day ! hard to believe that downtown Pittsburgh only rates this with 3 stars, they should add a FULL MOON and the Whole universe ! Great Staff and run by one the Best Chefs in town ! Kudos on a great menu and for keeping up with other great cities across the USA Chef ! Your staff is tops and you can damm be sure that YOU WILL SEE ME again !
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Review from Melissa L.
Whitestone, NY
4/25/2011
I loved this place.
I've been here twice and first got the lamb bolognese and later got the crab and lobster risotto- both dishes were amazing. So flavorful and well prepared, I would say one of the best places I've been to in Pittsburgh.
My boyfriend got the seared duck and he too loved his dish (he got it cooked rare instead of the usual medium). Great flavors and a wonderful atmosphere- this is a great place for a nice date.
I also got the calamari which was great, but I would say to steer away from the salads- nothing too special (or good for that matter). I've had two different types of salad and I would say that you are better off sticking with other appetizers (or the soup)
Using local produce to support local farmers, I appreciate Six Penn Kitchen even MORE- what a great place!
I would definitely recommend this place.
The Almost Arnie is also the best cocktail ever- I usually don't drink (i hate the taste of alcohol, and am a huge lightweight) but this drink is unresistable!!!
I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Kirsten E.
Kilmarnock, VA
1/28/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Too bad, too noisy, too scattered. Not to sound "high brow" (adjusting my clunky, yet attractive eyeglasses) but the menu was bulky with food made with one or too many unique ingredients. Simplifying would help. Also we had reservations before the theater (seriously, but hardly artsy elitist) and by time we had our entrees, the noise made in near to impossibe to chat.
I read that some found the staff tough to deal with. Our server was good (although for some strange reason she introduced 3 times). However, the hostess seemed to lack that welcoming, first impression that is needed in a restaurant.
Probably won't be returning. Didn't find reasons to give SixPenn Kitchen a 2nd chance. -
Review from Serena R.
12/9/2010
I've been here a few times for lunch and for drinks. I've enjoyed the experience overall. I will say that I only get 1-2 drinks here for happy hour and then usually head somewhere else a little bit more affordable and jumping.
As for lunch, I absolutely love and highly recommend the "Lo mein noodle salad, crispy vegetable spring roll, bean sprouts; peanut hoisin sauce" - the noodles are cold so don't be surprised. If you like Asian inspired food, then you'll probably enjoy this dish. Every time that I go for lunch, this is my go to dish. I've had some of the other stuff, but the fact that I can't remember what they were should be telling enough.
It's not a bad place to check out, but it's not top on my list for food or drinks overall. -
Review from Lauren N.
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
SixPenn Kitchen is by far one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. I have been a fan of this place since it opened and it only gets better. My friend and I go to SixPenn every year for our birthday dinner, and any chance I get to get in a meal here before a theater show, I do.
Now, my favorite picks on their menu had always been their calamari appetizer, and their pork shank entree. Both TO DIE for. The pork shank dish is a staple and it's one of the items that never change off of the menu. Eleven months ago, I decided to switch over to a plant based diet. I don't eat the calamari or pork shank anymore (although I still recommend them for their fabulousness!), now my go-to staple dish is their falafel. It's AMAZING! They have a great wine and specialty drink list to choose from, and the desserts never disappoint. The best part of the end of the meal are their homemade peppermint patties that come with your check.
I was at SixPenn Kitchen last night for a networking event with my young professional group. They accommodated us with the upstairs bar area, and blocked it off for our 50+ person event. The cheese tray and dessert trays were a perfect addition for our guests as well.
Whether you're stopping in for a nice dinner before a show, hosting a private party, or even a networking event, SixPenn fits every situation. If you've never been, add it to your bucket list of places to go in Pittsburgh! -
Review from Jess J.
Tomah, WI
8/16/2011
My overall impression... Meh. It was OK. My group ordered the pork shank, lamb bolognese, and the gumbo. I do not recommend the gumbo. It was overly salty and the seafood in it was dull flavored. The pasta had one flavor: smokey. The pork shank was decent and if I had to come here again, I would order that. The food was surprisingly unsophisticated for the fancy ingredients and prices and lacked depth of flavor. Bit of a bummer.
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Review from Amy B.
Winter Park, FL
11/17/2010
This review is purely for the Jamison Farm Lamb Bolognese with Pappardelle, Feta, and Roasted Tomato's.
Even as I write this I am slightly embarrassed. I was in Pittsburgh for all of 6 days and I went here not once, but twice. It was so good! I got the Jamison Farm Lamb Bolognese BOTH times. Lamb was so tender and had great flavor. I am not sure why there was "potato chips" on top of the dish but they were wonderful too. If I had found this place earlier I hate to say I may have returned again for fear I would never get to eat this wonderful meal again. This was my first trip to Pittsburgh and i didn't know when I would be returning.
I sat a the bar both times so I cannot speak for the service at the tables. Bartender was friendly but more interested in some sports event on TV. Which was fine I guess.Nice Wine list to select from. Large windows to look out to the people walking by.
Would definitely recommend checking this place out in your in town. -
Review from Kerry H.
6/20/2011
I love Six Penn for Sunday brunch or after-work drinks--especially if the rooftop deck is open. However, I find their dinner menu to be bland and overpriced. Recently, I went to a rehearsal dinner here in a private room and was disappointed with the service and food. The salads were not as ordered and the chicken was very dry...The only redeeming quality of the dinner was the good friends who were sharing good beer (Bell's Oberon on tap) and the grasshopper deserts (think gourmet Thin Mints).
Listed in: Pittsburgh
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Review from Carrie C.
Washington, DC
8/21/2011
Overpriced, overflavored, and the menu is all over the place. The $16 hamburger for example, attempts gourmet, but is really just a regular burger on top of a big hunk of cornbread, with ham, pulled pork, bbq sauce on it and a pile of coleslaw... nothing special about any of it. It's open faced - since when does that count as a burger? Overall it seems like they are just trying too hard. The falafel didn't taste like any falafel I've ever had and the flavors of the whole dish were too intense and too contradictory. Not worth it. Roof deck is nice- go for drinks go elsewhere for dinner.
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Review from Raquel C.
Pittsburgh, PA
8/28/2011
Very overpriced and food is not as good as I expected. Service was Ok.
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Review from brenda k.
Pittsburgh, PA
3/20/2011 Seated via OpenTable
I really wanted to like this place..... my bf and i had planned a last minute staycation in the city and we couldn't get a reservation anywhere else.
The menu looked decent some vegetarian options and an array of appetizers so... one star i guess. When we got there they took us to a table upstairs and i thought that the decor was a bit outdated.I also noticed that the carpet was old and dirty..food particles everywhere (this wouldnt have been a problem if they didnt claim to offer a "sophisticated" experience).
Our server came over and handed us a menu and then rushed off... WE waited well over 15 minutes before she came over to get our drink order. I ordered a glass of prosecco and she looked at me and looked back at the menu and asked me to show her what i wanted (are you FN kidding me?)...maybe she wasnt familiar with their drink menu?? We also ordered an appetizer (the seitan wings) .
Our server dropped by a few minutes later and we ordered our entrees. I ordered the Falafel artichoke pilaf and my bf ordered the cassoulet.
20 minutes or more later and our appetizers still hadn't made an appearance. But alas our entrees did. I would have reminded the server but she went MIA again. When she finally showed up we asked her about the seitan wings...she had forgotten to grab them from the kitchen. So obviously they were cold when we eventually got them
My pilaf was warmish...maybe cold..not how i like my food. It was also very blah i cant find anything to say about the spices or the ingredients ...definitely not a $17 entree. My bf really didnt like the cassoulet either it was bland and missing that special something..it didnt live up to the $24 price tag.
So bottom line.... I feel like this used to be an amazing restaurant at some point but i think it has now lost its umph ...If you are foodie dont bother going here you will be majorly disappointed. The menu sounds better than the food tastes.....the food doesnt live up to the prices and the service is lacking in very many ways. There is nothing unique about the experience, ingredients or the flavours.... We spent atleast $70 and i have to say it has been once of the most disappointing experiences i have had....in a while. So if you are able to get a reservation anywhere else don't bother with six penn.
You have been warned! -
Review from Alicia G.
2/19/2010 7 photos
I was pretty impressed by the brunch my friends and I had here. We came in without a reservation with no trouble and were seated in a cushy booth by the window. The space has a modern, trendy look to it but remains cozy and welcoming. I really liked it.
Though it was a bit after 1pm, I still felt compelled to do the brunch cocktail thing so I went with a mimosa http://www.yelp.com/bi... . It was surprisingly not very cold but I enjoyed it anyway.
Our meal was kick-started with a basket of brunch breads - apple bread and raspberry-chocolate scones http://www.yelp.com/bi... . They were awesome.
Our server was very pleasant and made some excellent recommendations upon our request. Since one of my friends was realllly hungry, she recommended the breakfast quesadilla because it is very filling. As for her favorite dish, she recommended the Tempura-Fried Bacon BLT.
Tempura-Fried Bacon BLT: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Breakfast Quesadilla: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Boston Cream Beignets: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Burger: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
One of my friends also had a side of the mac and cheese (not pictured).
I ordered the burger and found it to be quite good. It was a little bit overcooked as I had asked for it medium and it was more like well-done but I'm not one to make a big fuss. The potatoes that accompanied the burger were well cooked and the sriracha drizzle added just enough kick.
My friend was totally owned by the breakfast quesadilla. He loved every bite but wasn't able to finish. We all loved the Boston cream beignets. Though my other friend enjoyed her BLT, she found the tempura breading on the bacon to be too overwhelming. After sampling a piece of the bacon, I totally understood. It was way too bread-y.
I would totally come to Six Penn for another meal - like lunch or dinner. I'm a big fan of restaurants who use produce from local and sustainable farmers and was pleasantly surprised to see they buy their lamb from Jamison Farm! Jamison Farm happens to be one of the farmers that comes to the Bethesda (Maryland) Farmer's Market and sell world-class certified humane lamb. Huge huge points for that.
When you visit Six Penn Kitchen, you can expect attentive, unfussy service with delicious food at quite reasonable prices. I'm a fan.Listed in: It's the PITTs!
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Review from Vikiana E.
Orchard Beach, MD
8/22/2011 Seated via OpenTable
I have to start off by saying the day that i did go to Six Penn, the Pirates were in town and the filming of the Batman movie was taking place down the street. That being said I don't care how busy you are, I am paying my money and expect great service. The bf and I were soo hungry from walking around all day, that we ordered appetizers we usually don't because we get too full. We ordered the fried green tomatoes caprese salad, Blahh that's the sound of me throwing up in my mouth. It was horrible, it tasted as if the tomatoes had been rolled in old frosted flakes and then left to dry on its own. The cheese ehh do yourself a favor and stay away from it, who would've thought that you can go wrong with tomatoes and cheese ??? Really Six Penn Really??? I was in the mood for steak and so was the bf. We both ordered the grilled rib eye .Maybe it was my hunger but I thought it was ok. Then again you can never go wrong with potatoes and meat can you??? Of course there is a downside the rib eye had too much fat. I ordered mine with jalapeno corn tapioca and this was the only thing I found delish. The reason why I gave it two stars was because the drinks are soft, service was horrible and lets not forget the disgusting appetizer. I could've taken my hundred dollars and gone to Outback's( i usually don't go I hate chain restaurants) and I would've been happier .
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Review from Julie D.
2/15/2009
We went in for an early dinner on a cold and gloomy Saturday. We had reservations and were seated right away, the restaurant wasn't very busy. We were led to a long narrow table right next to a huge group. We rebelled and asked for a booth. The host staff pondered a bit and said well, we can give you a booth, but we will be needing it by 6:45. Yeah, right. We will hurry thru dinner to give your table back. Ha ha. Sure, I said. We took the booth.
Service was very attentive and warm and friendly. We both had salads. For dinner, B.J. selected the Lobster Mac N Cheese. We were both expecting very little evidence of lobster, but there was actually a good quantity. The pasta and the cheese sauce was very delicious. I love this dish! I opted for the Surf & Turf. They have since changed the menu, but my steak was a perfectly grilled filet mignon with a super yummy crab cake.
For dessert, we had the winter trio. It was a small portion of ginger cake and a huge creme brulee. Loved, loved, loved dessert. I love this restaurant. -
Review from Leimalani F.
Honolulu, HI
4/21/2010
Why dine when you can nibble?
Six Penn is by the theaters. They're hoping you're a visiting tourist. You're too tired to walk to the strip. Let's face it, this place has location location location, hence the hefty price tag ($16-$33 per entree) and swanky decor. That being said, they've also got some pretty good grinds for the average Joe in jeans and a leather jacket.
The upstairs roof bar had $5-$7 appetizers and drink specials, but the food was downsized and focused on the greasy (think tempura fried mini hot dogs) Do we really need to make pigs in a blanket sound fancy schmancy? Can't we just give into guilty pleasure and enjoy?
Instead, sit with the suits and do like we did:
Share a salad - No cost to split the beet and goat cheese salad with balsamic reduction. Watch out for the red peppercorns mixed in with the goat cheese - these could use a finer grind.
Have a daily soup - $5 for a good sized bowl of sweet potato soup. Great spice, drizzled with creme fresh and chives. Almost tasted like it had some peanuts in it. Definitely the highpoint of the evening.
Get more bread - their garlic foccacia is really garlicky!!! Who needs butter? Well maybe just a little bit :)
Order up some sides - We had the soft pretzels which had a little herb, rock salt and Parmesan to set off the whole seed mustard. Yummy. We also tried the homemade kim chee, but this came surprising mixed with brown rice. This is not Hawaii style kim chee fried rice, but kim chee mixed with rice. Bleh. The kim chee would have been better served alone, it has a nice sour flavor (not authentic) but also packs some heat which I like. Mac n. cheese was OK. Baked on top and saucy on the bottom. Not for mac n' cheese purists. Asparagus with Parmesan was just over cooked, but I blame the waiter who left our food on the line for over 10 minutes.
Under $20 a head and couldn't finish everything on the table. Overall, our experience was mixed. Some menu items are really inventive like the buffalo chicken mac n' cheese with Gorgonzola and the burger on cornbread bun with cilantro mayo and a grilled chili. But based on what we ordered and other yelpers, I bet they can be hit or miss. Our neighbors had the pizza appetizer (small) and didn't hardly touch their calamari.
Better advice - go for a drink, order something to nibble, enjoy some swank time in the city and grab a burger on the way home. -
Review from Jen K.
Carlisle, PA
7/18/2011
it was okay and I'm being kind about that. both me and my boyfriend didn't feel good after the meal--and that never happens to him. I felt like they are trying too hard and serving dishes that are way more complicated than need be--simplify: it would be tastier.
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Review from Andrew S.
Washington, DC
7/11/2010
I have to go with consensus here - this place is good, but has a few gaping holes. If you're adventurous, go for it. If you're trying to impress a group -- my reservations were for a work group of 10 aged 26-60 -- there are enough "ehhh" dishes on the menu that you'd wish you'd gone elsewhere.
Stay away from the Beet Salad. They say it has it's in a balsamic vinagrette. All I got were oil-soaked lettuce leaves (BP? Is that you?) and some hidden beets. It was almost tasteless. -
Review from Dianne C.
7/27/2010
Again, yay for ambience. It actually looks really rather nice, and one I might try to dress up better for if I ever went back... except there were quite a few people in shorts in this heat.
The service was so-so. They only come back for set service times: (1) seat you, (2) get your drink order, (3) drop your drink order, (4) get your food order, (5) drop your food order, (6) give your check, (7) take your payment, (8) give back your stuff for signing. Some of these are combined. They don't come for anything else, and won't look at you if it's not one of the eight times mentioned. If you don't have many needs, this would be fine. If you do, it seems you may be SOL. (I feel sorry for the people sitting on the table next to ours.) It would really help if servers could have just a bit of peripheral version when serving other tables (especially when their tables are grouped pretty close to each other - there's a reason for that, you know). It would also help if they didn't just stare at the kitchen when waiting for food and looked out. Perhaps I'm criticizing too much.
The food sounded a little experimental.. at least, when we were there. The hubby had coffee-grilled steak and eggs ($14). The grounds were rubbed on slightly before grilling.. I thought it tasted alright, although the hubby wasn't too thrilled with it. It's definitely not something I'd look for again, though. I had the non-vegetarian omelette of the day ($12).. which tasted like it was cooked on the same surface as a lot of other dishes prepared that day, without washing it out even a bit. It was smaller, and, just from the looks - I've gotten a better-looking omelette from Denny's. It tasted pretty ok, although I don't usually think of short beans when it comes to breakfast omelettes.
Overall... Would I come back here for breakfast/brunch? Maybe to try their pancakes. That's probably about it. -
Review from Neal E.
6/20/2009 4 photos
Had a late lunch here this past week. Just down the street from the Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel where I was staying.
Got a table for one. Looked over the menu and decided on the wood fired meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, and asparagus. Plus water.
They serve your water in these cool little old fashioned style milk bottles (see attached pix). They pour some water for you into your glass and then leave you with extra water in the bottle - I loved this touch!
The place was really hopping when I arrived - very busy! Took about 15 minutes for my food to come up.
When the dish arrived (see attached pix), it was a very nice presentation of a basic meat and potatoes meal. I tasted the meatloaf first - it was absolutely delish and amazing! It had a wonderful richness and savory aspect to it - and yet was not heavy - in fact it had a lightness to it. In stark contrast to the really *heavy* dense meatloaf I had at the Landmark Diner in Atlanta earlier in the week.
The gravy and mashed potatoes were also very good. The Asparagus tasted like it was lightly steamed.
Service was good and I really like this restaurant. There is a second level upstairs which I did not see - and apparently a roof deck area that is some times open in the evenings for the enjoyment of beverages. -
Review from Alexander W.
Houston, TX
8/15/2009
I had heard Six Penn was great so I expected to be wow'd. Even a Sean Penn sighting could not make this restaurant rise above mediocrity.
I ordered the smoked pork chop with honey-thyme demi, cornmeal waffles, and bacon braised greens. This was one of the better double "thick" pork chops that I have eaten. I was pleasantly surprised by its juiciness even though it was 3 inches thick. I also got the "Mac n Cheese." The food was just average. I was not mesmerized nor do I really remember it.
Alas, the food is unexceptional for the premium you are paying. Our server was friendly and attentive. However, I felt like the seating was a little crammed for an "upscale" eatery. Tables around us were just an arm's length away.Listed in: The steel city
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Review from BJ G.
Vienna, VA
1/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lovely place. Get the pretzel appetizer, it is freshly made there, it's the best pretzel I've ever had anywhere.
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Review from JR H.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2007
I was torn between two and three stars. The food was decent, but not great. Some other dishes I saw looked pretty good as well. The service was mediocre at best.
We had the calamari and rock shrimp appatizer. It wasok. They put too much sauce all over everything for me. Then I had a petite filet...and they weren't kidding about petite!! Once again they drowned it sauce and was just ok.
If I was back in Pitt I would try this place again, but I would go in already thinking it was going to be just ok. -
Review from Susan D.
Pittsburgh, PA
10/29/2009
My co-workers and I had heard about this place and we were anxious to give it a try. It's a bit of a walk from work (the Federal Building), so we decided what better weather than a beautiful October day in the 'Burgh to take a little stroll over here?
The food here is pretty decent, but I'd have to say it was a little pricey. In all fairness though, they do have interesting selections here--much better than your standard "burgers-to-go" places. Most sandwiches run around $10.00 each. Entrees run somewhat more. They do have a roasted pizza with mozzerella, basil and roasted tomatoes that sounded tempting. I tried the "Turkey Bobby" which is turkey breast, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce & mayo on ciabatta.
But this place gets very busy around lunchtime and it seems that they get very overwhelmed here. It's better to go between 1pm and 2pm for a late lunch like we did.
They serve dinner here and brunch too. It's probably better to go then. They do have one brunch item that sounds interesting: the breakfast sausage corndog. It comes with 2 eggs, tater tots, and Hollandaise sauce. -
Review from Dan R.
Silver Spring, MD
7/24/2010
Six Penn is a fun place. A very good place to drink and a pretty good place to eat.
First off, the place is very cool and the menu has some great options. I loved the appetizers and also liked the the cocktails. My pork dish was pretty darn salty and the side dishes were also a little heavy on the sodium.
Overall, good place to eat downtown. Would love to have the chef read this.... -
Review from Chris L.
Portland, OR
6/9/2008
My wife and I love when we stumble on a great place!
We went for Sunday Brunch. The menu had everyone covered. sweet, savory, spicy and traditional. The food was great.
The Smoked Bloody Mary was even better! Too bad they only make that on Sundays.
If you are stuck in a Hotel downtown, don't settle for a powdered eggs and dry white toast. Get out and try it!
Happy hour was great too. -
Review from Rachel M.
State College, PA
6/12/2010
To agree with the thoughts of other reviewers, I believe Six Penn to be a fantastic drink/graze space and less worth it for a full-on dinner. On a clear night, the rooftop deck makes for excellent drink-consuming and people-watching, and their cocktail list downstairs is usually spot-on. The bar menu and desserts aren't breaking any culinary records, but we've enjoyed seasonal chow like a pumpkin roll, pirogues, and seared scallops without complaint.
Without having sampled it, I can't speak to the quality of the dinner menu, but the price-dish matchup seems inflated to me. Entrees in the 20-30s for typical American fare. -
Review from r. h.
Pittsburgh, PA
Updated - 11/1/2009
We kept on coming back here because it is so very convenient as a post-concert hangout. My dining experience there, sadly, has declined further.
The menu still attempts to lure you in with intriguing descriptions of ingredients and preparations that demand a more competent chef than whom they have. More unsatisfying, though is their recent tendency to cut corners and short change you. To wit:
1. The bread "basket" is now a thin slice of bread the size of a 3"x5" index card for each diner. Sure, you can ask for more, but they will only dole out another measly "basket"... whenever they get around to it.
2. I ordered a salad that was described as "baby oak leaves with gorgonzola, bosc pear, and walnuts." The first time it arrived, there was no cheese or nuts, just a lot of leaves and one slice of pear. The second time around, I got a slightly smaller mound of leaves with the missing cheese and nuts, but the one actual slice of pear has now been reduced to two end pieces -- pear skins the size of quarters.
3. Because the menu had slim vegetarian pickings, my companion asked for the vegetable and pasta sides from their short rib dish. At the end of the meal, we were unpleasantly surprised to find that she has been charged for the full price of the meat dish. The kitchen's response "we gave her more pasta to make up the difference." Because our table ordered both the meat version and the meatless version, we could see that the meatless version didn't have *that* much more pasta. Per ounce, that might have been the most expensive bit of pasta in all of greater Pittsburgh.
In summary, Six Penn is not the worst place to grab a bite if you are already in the cultural district, but you have to be willing to overpay for a so-so experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/26/2009
Pros: Convenient for an evening out at the cultural district. Nice ambiance.
Cons: the food quality… Read more »
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Review from Bryan J.
Rowland Heights, CA
8/12/2008
After traveling most of the day, via plane, for work, you want to find a good place to have your first meal in the city. Although some downtown digs in cities across the country can come across too pretentious or too hole in the wall (not if there isn't awesome food at both extremes), Six Penn Kitchen is a great balance to that - did I mention a roof to bar with late night happy hour?
The locally grown food was great. My coworkers had a variety of things that were all great. We all started off with a mixed salad with a Dijon herb vinaigrette that was light and fresh. My thick cut pork chop over molasses beans and sautéed string beans were very tasty. The bbq chicken was a huge portion and the burger was a solid choice. The aroma of the cedar planks and wood chips grilling permeated throughout the restaurant, leaving you to ask, "What's on the grill?"
Even better was the after dinner drinks on the roof top. Although small, the roof top bar had a mix of bench and cushioned seating. The happy hour specials on well drinks, domestics, and wine went through the night - 9-11pm.
Best Highlight: Locally grown products in all their food.
Low point: The rooftop bar isn't as big as one would hope, but this isn't the Standard in LA. -
Review from melissa w.
Bronx, NY
2/13/2010
I ate here while on business in Pittsburgh. I had wandered for hours all over Pittsburgh with the intention of casually stumbling upon a place for lunch. I had a little more trouble then I anticipated. It came to the point where I was desperate and about to jump off of one of the many bridges leaving downtown that I had crossed that day. Finally, to save me from the icy freezing february waters of the Allegheny River I stumbled across Six Penn.
The first thing I noticed: it's warm. At that point it was all I really cared about. I was seated immediately at a table for two and I sat facing the street so I could look out. My waiter was very friendly and came over immediately with water. I asked what he would suggest on the menu, but unfortunately suggested almost all meat plates (I'm not a big meat eater). That's when I saw under appetizers just what I wanted that day: A grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup (9). I also ordered a side of their homemade potato chips that I had seen someone else with (3).
Food: Deeeelish! The tomato soup was wonderful! Thick and creamy and hot and delicious. The grilled cheese sandwich: cheesy and buttery and an artery clogger, but just what I needed at the time. And the homemade potato chips were to die for. I also ordered desert, I got the brownie sundae (6.50). The desert was decent, but I was expecting a little more for the price, still very good though.
I recommend Six Penn Kitchen and if I ever go back I will try it for dinner as my waiter mentioned there was a separate dinner menu.
