Had a 7:30 reservation. Had to stand and wait for 20 minutes only to be given a table that was empty the entire time we stood there. We were seated in the middle of the room right by the bar. The rock music was playing too loud. Every time the door opened, I was hit with cold air. The charcuterie board was very good. My fiancée's lobster ravioli had little lobster in it, and was overly salty. My cretino was very greasy. The dressing on the salad was overly sweet. The tiramisu had very little flavor. The waitress was good. We were really looking forward to a quiet, romantic dinner and unfortunately were very disappointed. I had heard wonderful things about the restaurant, but that was not my experience.
Jrupp0829
Wanted to thank everyone who made our meal wonderful. It was the anniversary of my brothers passing and meant more than most meals. Special thanks to the lady who gave me the cenacolo shirt. I was freezing. Free advertisement never hurt. Peace
26jamesk26
The best Italian food I’ve had outside of Italy. The gnocchi was awesome. The special watermelon salad was unique and was full of flavor! The service was great. Stephanie was knowledgeable and so friendly. We will be back the next time we’re in Pittsburgh!
861geng
If people are that worried about covid, don't go out. Let the rest of us live. The food is great ,atmosphere good, staff friendly and more than willing to work with you.
ds0ltis
I visited this restaurant on Valentine's weekend. I have first-hand concerns about the pandemic and take it quite seriously. I am a teacher so I see how it has affected families and whole communities. I am required to wear a mask all day and so are the students. This is not only to protect me, but to ultimately protect my students, and ultimately their families. I also lost my mom to Covid right before Christmas. So you can understand my shock and disbelief that the only worker in this restaurant that was wearing a mask was our waitress. I just couldn't fathom why they are not requiring their staff to wear mask around their customers. I realize the inconvenience of having to wear one, as I said I wear one the entire workday. But the inconvenience is a small price to pay to protect the customers from getting ill. I even witnessed one of their hostesses go behind the bar, which we were sitting right by, and put something in her mouth to eat with her hands and then go right back to the hostess stand to seat customers. At that point, my stomach became ill and I couldn't even enjoy my dinner. My understanding is that restaurants should take every precaution to keep their customers safe and to be able to remain open. I surely wish they would consider making their employees take that precaution and wear masks. I know that I will not be returning to this restaurant for that very reason. The friends, colleagues, and family that I have shared this information with were also in disbelief. They all felt it was selfish and of this intentionally neglectful of this restaurant.
Lisa D
Had dinner at restaurant on Saturday, 12/5/2020. Food was good; great salad with delicious dressing, good appetizer of warm homemade mozzarella and good entrees of spinach pillows with langoustines. My main issue was the lack of consistent wearing of masks and general cleanliness. Employees either had a mask on or if they had a mask on it was below their nose. Our waitress, although very nice would pull her mask down, to speak! I observed two additional employees who also had their mask on below their noses. Also when we sat at our table I asked to have the table cleaned again as I observed wet rings on table. Yes we stayed and had a good meal but would be very hesitant to eat in; would rather order take out.
L9360IPtomd
My family and I have dined here over the years since they opened. It's always been our 'go to' restaurant when we want something special. I have never been disappointed with their service, selection, impeccable quality of food, not to mention a very enjoyable atmosphere. This area should be especially grateful that we have such a fine restaurant in our mists, we are strangled with fast food chains and run of the mill restaurants that cannot match the dining experience that Cenacola provides.
bruno conicella
Excellent service and the food is the best I’ve ever had, outside my own Italian mom. Once you eat here, all other Italian restaurants are just that, all other. When you have the best why go to the others? They just don’t compare. I will take all my out of town friends here. Any special event is that much more special at Fede!
wfgallagher
Based on terrific reviews and ratings, we had a rehearsal party for my son and his bride on Oct 2 at Cenacolo for 29 people. The planning and reservation process was easy and very helpful with Chelsea who guided me with the meal selection. Whe we arrivied, we were treated to a private room which was unexpected but helped make the night special. We started with an Arugula Salad and for the main course we selected Four Cheese Ravioli, Casarecce and Ricotta Gnoechi, all served family style with gelato for desert. The entries were exceptional and everyone enjoyed all the dishes. We had two individuals who needed gluten free meals and Cenacolo was able to provide special dishes for them. The gluen free entries were outstanding as well. As an out of town person and not knowing where to pick for this event, I could not have been happier. Cenacolo and their staff started the weekend festivities off on a high note for the bride and groom and their families. Thank you for a wonderful evening.
maurasouth
Great take out, but I would not dine in there because not one emplyee wears a mask. I find this a total disregard of their patrons health amidst the pandemic! Very disappointing!!!
Everything is always great. Even the bread. The Watermelon Salad is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The pasta great and the pizzas are out of this world. The only problem is that when we picked up, no one was wearing masks.
JKfromPA
I have reviewed this restaurant before and it still holds true that this is the most authentic Italian restaurant in this area - by a mile. We live about 40 minutes away and still visit it frequently. Since the pandemic and subsequent quarantine we have stayed close to home, but decided to try their take out tonight for the first time. Honestly, it was the best meal we've had in months. The salad (that dressing!), the bread and butter and the enormous pan of pasta (at least four meals for our family) was out of this world. I look forward to dining in house again, but for now this was a delightful treat (and will continue to be with all of the leftovers).
Eatoutoften
Excellent out of the way pasta restaurant in "south" Irwin. Fried artichoke appetizer is dusted with parmesan and basil and large enough for two. Lobster tortelloni and rustic linguini were both delicious and full of seafood. A great Friday in Lent choice!
NicoleM
Our server Christopher was outstanding. He knew the menu inside and out and had fantastic recommendations. The charcuterie board was fresh and crisp. The lobster tortelloni had almost an entire lobster in it. The gnocchi ragu is so rich and the pasta is so tender. The portions are plentiful for 2 meals. You will no be disappointed.
Rose
While it may seem "pricey", it is worth every penny. They use quality ingredients and do not skimp on anything, including the portion size. The food is served piping hot, too! We have enough leftover food to last a few days! You definitely get your money's worth while enjoying a gourmet Italian meal. The atmosphere was a bit "busy" to me (but it may be because of where we were seated, in the middle of a small dining area, right by the kitchen door). Go. Try it out. You won't be disappointed.
Had a 7:30 reservation. Had to stand and wait for 20 minutes only to be given a table that was empty the entire time we stood there. We were seated in the middle of the room right by the bar. The rock music was playing too loud. Every time the door opened, I was hit with cold air. The charcuterie board was very good. My fiancée's lobster ravioli had little lobster in it, and was overly salty. My cretino was very greasy. The dressing on the salad was overly sweet. The tiramisu had very little flavor. The waitress was good. We were really looking forward to a quiet, romantic dinner and unfortunately were very disappointed. I had heard wonderful things about the restaurant, but that was not my experience.
Wanted to thank everyone who made our meal wonderful. It was the anniversary of my brothers passing and meant more than most meals. Special thanks to the lady who gave me the cenacolo shirt. I was freezing. Free advertisement never hurt. Peace
The best Italian food I’ve had outside of Italy. The gnocchi was awesome. The special watermelon salad was unique and was full of flavor! The service was great. Stephanie was knowledgeable and so friendly. We will be back the next time we’re in Pittsburgh!
If people are that worried about covid, don't go out. Let the rest of us live. The food is great ,atmosphere good, staff friendly and more than willing to work with you.
I visited this restaurant on Valentine's weekend. I have first-hand concerns about the pandemic and take it quite seriously. I am a teacher so I see how it has affected families and whole communities. I am required to wear a mask all day and so are the students. This is not only to protect me, but to ultimately protect my students, and ultimately their families. I also lost my mom to Covid right before Christmas. So you can understand my shock and disbelief that the only worker in this restaurant that was wearing a mask was our waitress. I just couldn't fathom why they are not requiring their staff to wear mask around their customers. I realize the inconvenience of having to wear one, as I said I wear one the entire workday. But the inconvenience is a small price to pay to protect the customers from getting ill. I even witnessed one of their hostesses go behind the bar, which we were sitting right by, and put something in her mouth to eat with her hands and then go right back to the hostess stand to seat customers. At that point, my stomach became ill and I couldn't even enjoy my dinner. My understanding is that restaurants should take every precaution to keep their customers safe and to be able to remain open. I surely wish they would consider making their employees take that precaution and wear masks. I know that I will not be returning to this restaurant for that very reason. The friends, colleagues, and family that I have shared this information with were also in disbelief. They all felt it was selfish and of this intentionally neglectful of this restaurant.
Had dinner at restaurant on Saturday, 12/5/2020. Food was good; great salad with delicious dressing, good appetizer of warm homemade mozzarella and good entrees of spinach pillows with langoustines. My main issue was the lack of consistent wearing of masks and general cleanliness. Employees either had a mask on or if they had a mask on it was below their nose. Our waitress, although very nice would pull her mask down, to speak! I observed two additional employees who also had their mask on below their noses. Also when we sat at our table I asked to have the table cleaned again as I observed wet rings on table. Yes we stayed and had a good meal but would be very hesitant to eat in; would rather order take out.
My family and I have dined here over the years since they opened. It's always been our 'go to' restaurant when we want something special. I have never been disappointed with their service, selection, impeccable quality of food, not to mention a very enjoyable atmosphere. This area should be especially grateful that we have such a fine restaurant in our mists, we are strangled with fast food chains and run of the mill restaurants that cannot match the dining experience that Cenacola provides.
Excellent service and the food is the best I’ve ever had, outside my own Italian mom. Once you eat here, all other Italian restaurants are just that, all other. When you have the best why go to the others? They just don’t compare. I will take all my out of town friends here. Any special event is that much more special at Fede!
Based on terrific reviews and ratings, we had a rehearsal party for my son and his bride on Oct 2 at Cenacolo for 29 people. The planning and reservation process was easy and very helpful with Chelsea who guided me with the meal selection. Whe we arrivied, we were treated to a private room which was unexpected but helped make the night special. We started with an Arugula Salad and for the main course we selected Four Cheese Ravioli, Casarecce and Ricotta Gnoechi, all served family style with gelato for desert. The entries were exceptional and everyone enjoyed all the dishes. We had two individuals who needed gluten free meals and Cenacolo was able to provide special dishes for them. The gluen free entries were outstanding as well. As an out of town person and not knowing where to pick for this event, I could not have been happier. Cenacolo and their staff started the weekend festivities off on a high note for the bride and groom and their families. Thank you for a wonderful evening.
Great take out, but I would not dine in there because not one emplyee wears a mask. I find this a total disregard of their patrons health amidst the pandemic! Very disappointing!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Everything is always great. Even the bread. The Watermelon Salad is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The pasta great and the pizzas are out of this world. The only problem is that when we picked up, no one was wearing masks.
I have reviewed this restaurant before and it still holds true that this is the most authentic Italian restaurant in this area - by a mile. We live about 40 minutes away and still visit it frequently. Since the pandemic and subsequent quarantine we have stayed close to home, but decided to try their take out tonight for the first time. Honestly, it was the best meal we've had in months. The salad (that dressing!), the bread and butter and the enormous pan of pasta (at least four meals for our family) was out of this world. I look forward to dining in house again, but for now this was a delightful treat (and will continue to be with all of the leftovers).
Excellent out of the way pasta restaurant in "south" Irwin. Fried artichoke appetizer is dusted with parmesan and basil and large enough for two. Lobster tortelloni and rustic linguini were both delicious and full of seafood. A great Friday in Lent choice!
Our server Christopher was outstanding. He knew the menu inside and out and had fantastic recommendations. The charcuterie board was fresh and crisp. The lobster tortelloni had almost an entire lobster in it. The gnocchi ragu is so rich and the pasta is so tender. The portions are plentiful for 2 meals. You will no be disappointed.
While it may seem "pricey", it is worth every penny. They use quality ingredients and do not skimp on anything, including the portion size. The food is served piping hot, too! We have enough leftover food to last a few days! You definitely get your money's worth while enjoying a gourmet Italian meal. The atmosphere was a bit "busy" to me (but it may be because of where we were seated, in the middle of a small dining area, right by the kitchen door). Go. Try it out. You won't be disappointed.
Loading...