Got to sit down relaxed and enjoyed butter board and fabulous charcuterie board super fresh. All servers were quite enjoyable and informative! We loved the decor and chill atmosphere! Can't wait to go back and shout out to the Chef for inventive and delicious meal!!
Barbara
Food is first-rate. Service was excellent! (This is a career training program for at-risk teens.) Ambience was conducive to conversation - thank you! Excellent value. Prices are quite moderae. Will return again very soon.
Sarah
We had an excellent dinner at Cafe Momentum last night in celebration of my birthday. First, all of the staff were so kind, enthusiastic, and attentive and a reason in itself to go back. The restaurant is beautiful and comfortable, perfect quiet but upscale weeknight meal that was exactly our speed. The food is in a league of it's own. We had the heirloom tomato tart, the pesto pasta and the NY strip steak. Everything was cooked perfectly, my husband thoroughly enjoyed the pasta and I am not a regular red meat eater but that was one of the best steaks I've had in my life. I had the strawberry panna cotta for desert and would highly recommend as well. They mentioned they source a lot of ingredients locally and you could tell how fresh everything tasted. The staff made my birthday dinner SO special, I can't wait to come back with friends and family. This kind of experience is what Pittsburgh is about.
martina
Pleasantly surprised. Steak as good as any steak house in town and the pork chop was amazing. A little dark inside for me but that seems to be the trend. Sides: potatoes and collard green were good, but the portion size on the main dish was so large we could not finish them. Dessert to go: Apple pastry with tart syrup. Yum!
JessieViolet
This is such a unique and wonderful opportunity to eat well and do good! Fantastic offerings, warm staff and delicious from beginning to end. We ordered many things off the menu for our table of 4 and loved all the variety from steak to vegan. All locally sourced, farm to table, which we love! The chef suggestions did not disappoint and we went home with stuffed bellies and leftovers. Byob was appreciated and the staff was top notch. Parking was easy and affordable in the next door garage. Cannot wait to return and telling all my friends to check it out! Well done, Cafe Momentum!!
Impeccable service in a lovely setting. Food was locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared, and beautifully plated. Bonus that we not only immensely enjoyed our meals and our conversation with multiple members of the staff but that we also were left feeling that we supported a cause with a well balanced thoughtful plan to assist vulnerable youth which has been vetted thru an immensely thoughtful and purposeful endeavor. Stop in soon and allow them the opportunity to become a staple in the downtown Pittsburgh restaurant scene. We know you'll be glad you did!
BarbaraD
This restaurant has a service mission but the food, dining service and experience were as good or better than more commercial restaurants. I'd highly recommend giving it a try!
JP33
The foood was amazing. The menu focused on local ingredients resulting in unique dishes and flavors for which I would expect to pay a lot more. Chef came out to walk through ingredients with a member of our party who had allergy concerns. The staff was charming and gave me hope for our future. Definitely going back!
BobABooey
This is a training restaurant for primarily teens starting out in hospitality. Service is sometimes off the mark but they're willing to learn. I've found that the managers are receptive to any constructive criticism you share. Food has always been well above average, creative and delicious. BYOB is a great plus too, especially in this prohibition state of Pennsylvania.
MyrnaP
I think they are trying to do something amazing here - training youth in the food industry. Many chefs, etc mention that they were at risk youth, and credit I credit their being contributing members of society to their experience working in restaurants. The ambience of the restaurant is very nice, although it does lean a little toward a cafeteria vibe with its openness. But the lighting is good & seeing the kitchen is great. The Menu is pretty upscale and is trying unique dishes, and as a result - the price is being fairly steep, for a place where the goal is to train people. These kinds of dishes are more complicated to prepare & to plate excellently, than comfort Food would be until staff is more skilled. I'm not sure how trained the cook staff are, aside from the head chef so this is a lot to bring off well. iBut the willingness to change sides according to taste is very positive. Overall the food was okay - although not quite at the standards that one would expect where this not in a place without this mission. The employees were very sweet, and were definitely trying to be conscientious writing down what was ordered and any changes (although there were several mistakes). They followed through with checking on us. However, it did seem as though the staff could use a great deal more training. An intensive training program is an excellent jumping off point to later further be trained in fine dining, (which the restaurant dishes seem to indicate this is supposed to be).
Great place with a great mission. We loved our friendly service from the manager and waitstaff. Food was excellent and corkage fee was very reasonable. Recommend to anyone looking for interesting food in a mission driven environment. Get the flatbreads! And the chicken...
I love cafe momentum!! I've been here many times and each time they never fail to impress me. Their mission, food, and service is top quality. The butter board was amazing. The steak was amazing. The gnocchi was amazing. The dessert was also amazing!!
BEST RESTAURANT IN PITTSBURGH!! Chef Peter is extremely knowledgeable and personable and all of the wait staff is so friendly. Fantastic restaurant with an even better mission. Phenomenal food at very reasonable prices, amazing vibes inside. PLEASE do yourself a favor and go here!
Went here for dinner with a friend. Cafe Momentum is doing great things for the Pittsburgh community and supporting local businesses while delivering amazing food. Best BYOB in the burgh for sure.
AR23
Cafe Momentum is a wonderful place! It is very calming and relaxing inside - the young people are doing a wonderful job - and the menu is super interesting - enjoyed the red snapper. Please try!
Got to sit down relaxed and enjoyed butter board and fabulous charcuterie board super fresh. All servers were quite enjoyable and informative! We loved the decor and chill atmosphere! Can't wait to go back and shout out to the Chef for inventive and delicious meal!!
Food is first-rate. Service was excellent! (This is a career training program for at-risk teens.) Ambience was conducive to conversation - thank you! Excellent value. Prices are quite moderae. Will return again very soon.
We had an excellent dinner at Cafe Momentum last night in celebration of my birthday. First, all of the staff were so kind, enthusiastic, and attentive and a reason in itself to go back. The restaurant is beautiful and comfortable, perfect quiet but upscale weeknight meal that was exactly our speed. The food is in a league of it's own. We had the heirloom tomato tart, the pesto pasta and the NY strip steak. Everything was cooked perfectly, my husband thoroughly enjoyed the pasta and I am not a regular red meat eater but that was one of the best steaks I've had in my life. I had the strawberry panna cotta for desert and would highly recommend as well. They mentioned they source a lot of ingredients locally and you could tell how fresh everything tasted. The staff made my birthday dinner SO special, I can't wait to come back with friends and family. This kind of experience is what Pittsburgh is about.
Pleasantly surprised. Steak as good as any steak house in town and the pork chop was amazing. A little dark inside for me but that seems to be the trend. Sides: potatoes and collard green were good, but the portion size on the main dish was so large we could not finish them. Dessert to go: Apple pastry with tart syrup. Yum!
This is such a unique and wonderful opportunity to eat well and do good! Fantastic offerings, warm staff and delicious from beginning to end. We ordered many things off the menu for our table of 4 and loved all the variety from steak to vegan. All locally sourced, farm to table, which we love! The chef suggestions did not disappoint and we went home with stuffed bellies and leftovers. Byob was appreciated and the staff was top notch. Parking was easy and affordable in the next door garage. Cannot wait to return and telling all my friends to check it out! Well done, Cafe Momentum!!
Impeccable service in a lovely setting. Food was locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared, and beautifully plated. Bonus that we not only immensely enjoyed our meals and our conversation with multiple members of the staff but that we also were left feeling that we supported a cause with a well balanced thoughtful plan to assist vulnerable youth which has been vetted thru an immensely thoughtful and purposeful endeavor. Stop in soon and allow them the opportunity to become a staple in the downtown Pittsburgh restaurant scene. We know you'll be glad you did!
This restaurant has a service mission but the food, dining service and experience were as good or better than more commercial restaurants. I'd highly recommend giving it a try!
The foood was amazing. The menu focused on local ingredients resulting in unique dishes and flavors for which I would expect to pay a lot more. Chef came out to walk through ingredients with a member of our party who had allergy concerns. The staff was charming and gave me hope for our future. Definitely going back!
This is a training restaurant for primarily teens starting out in hospitality. Service is sometimes off the mark but they're willing to learn. I've found that the managers are receptive to any constructive criticism you share. Food has always been well above average, creative and delicious. BYOB is a great plus too, especially in this prohibition state of Pennsylvania.
I think they are trying to do something amazing here - training youth in the food industry. Many chefs, etc mention that they were at risk youth, and credit I credit their being contributing members of society to their experience working in restaurants. The ambience of the restaurant is very nice, although it does lean a little toward a cafeteria vibe with its openness. But the lighting is good & seeing the kitchen is great. The Menu is pretty upscale and is trying unique dishes, and as a result - the price is being fairly steep, for a place where the goal is to train people. These kinds of dishes are more complicated to prepare & to plate excellently, than comfort Food would be until staff is more skilled. I'm not sure how trained the cook staff are, aside from the head chef so this is a lot to bring off well. iBut the willingness to change sides according to taste is very positive. Overall the food was okay - although not quite at the standards that one would expect where this not in a place without this mission. The employees were very sweet, and were definitely trying to be conscientious writing down what was ordered and any changes (although there were several mistakes). They followed through with checking on us. However, it did seem as though the staff could use a great deal more training. An intensive training program is an excellent jumping off point to later further be trained in fine dining, (which the restaurant dishes seem to indicate this is supposed to be).
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place with a great mission. We loved our friendly service from the manager and waitstaff. Food was excellent and corkage fee was very reasonable. Recommend to anyone looking for interesting food in a mission driven environment. Get the flatbreads! And the chicken...
I love cafe momentum!! I've been here many times and each time they never fail to impress me. Their mission, food, and service is top quality. The butter board was amazing. The steak was amazing. The gnocchi was amazing. The dessert was also amazing!!
BEST RESTAURANT IN PITTSBURGH!! Chef Peter is extremely knowledgeable and personable and all of the wait staff is so friendly. Fantastic restaurant with an even better mission. Phenomenal food at very reasonable prices, amazing vibes inside. PLEASE do yourself a favor and go here!
Went here for dinner with a friend. Cafe Momentum is doing great things for the Pittsburgh community and supporting local businesses while delivering amazing food. Best BYOB in the burgh for sure.
Cafe Momentum is a wonderful place! It is very calming and relaxing inside - the young people are doing a wonderful job - and the menu is super interesting - enjoyed the red snapper. Please try!
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