40 North at Alphabet City

My husband and I took my parents here when they were in town visiting. The food was incredible. Everything is locally sourced. We started with the Khachapuri for an appetizer and it was absolutely delicious. For entrees I ordered the steak and my husband ordered the trout. Both were delicious and the accompaniments were paired flawlessly I ordered a glass of Merlot and paired great with the strip steak. For the finale (dessert) the table all ordered 4 different ones. I had the carrot cake and it was exceptional. Hands down the best carrot cake I’ve ever had. I also tried the lemon tart my mom got and it was incredible as well. My husband ordered the Affogato and that was yummy, too! A huge shout out to our hostess who made sure our daughter who is in a car seat was seated comfortably at our table! The ambiance was amazing, too! Love that it’s connected to a bookstore AND they had live jazz music. Just WOW! We can’t get over how overall delicious our meal was and will be thinking about our experience fondly for days and weeks to come! Thank you!

40 North at Alphabet City is a unique eatery in Pittsburgh. Where else can you have a delicious dinner and see free jazz or other entertainment. The menu of 40 N reflects the international atmosphere of Alphabet City. The facility is part bookstore, part performance Center, and part restaurant. Our starters, dinners, and desserts were delicious and well worth it. The server was attentive and helped us with the unusual items on the menu. We were able to remain at our table while watching an innovative and engaging jazz concert. We couldn't ask for a nicer way to have a dinner out.

What a gem this place is! In town from Ohio and came across such a unique brunch here. The trout, scone, beet and yogurt, and everything else is so fresh and delicious. The bookstore is a plus with many unknown authors. As a foodie and Lit professor, I am very impressed 👏👏👏

This restaurant is attached to a bookstore which creates an artsy and cozy atmosphere. The menu from James Beard semifinalist Chef Zozula speaks for itself — I recommend getting something with lamb. Oh, and definitely upgrade the chips to the roasted potatoes. I came for brunch and didn’t get to experience it, but there’s a stage for performances and I imagine live music would only add to the great vibes.

Our food was amazing!! We went on Easter morning, and it was pretty packed but we got our food relatively fast. We had an amazing experience with the employees, who where extremely nice and went out of their way to make small talk. Our server was Emma M and they where very kind. We had some amazing food (some Easter Special’s) and we will definitely be returning!

Great experience at 40 North last evening. Everyone on the staff was extremely kind. Cocktails were unique and delicious, I loved my dilly bean martini and my husband loved his Cage Aged cocktail. As for the food, we were blown away. Their menu is so fun and eclectic. We enjoyed the Khachapuri and Three Green Salad for appetizers which were great. I had the Falafel as my main dish while my husband enjoyed the butchers cut lamb. Again can’t say enough good things about 40 North! Can’t wait to come back.

I'm convinced that chef/owner Beth Zozula is among the best chefs in the city. With such a great menu that changes frequently, making decisions on what to order is always a challenge. I enjoyed a started of some cheese with delicious black pepper jam that bring an enjoyable kick with it. Those who had the borscht found it to be excellent. The braised lamb (the lamb butcher cut of the evening) was amazing. Others who ordered the trout raved about it and another person found the risotto enjoyable. The wine list is modest in size but interesting. Service was excellent. The decor is kind of modern and chic, but yet comfortable and not overstated.

Amazing experience, Riley went above and beyond to make our night. Best recommendation is the smashed and fried potatoes, perfectly seasoned and crispy, paired well with the pickled green beans for a few starters. Craft cocktails were smooth and blended well, creative and seasonal. Desert menu was all gluten free, and very creative. The atmosphere was open and artistic, we loved the library and stage adding a feeling of community to the space.

I was invited to check out their new brunch. I got the chilaquiles and it was really good. My friend got the seasonal frittata it was good but could have been better, definitely needed hot sauce. Then they brought us out an order of pancakes and they were delicious. We both couldn't stop eating them. And lastly they brought us a piece of carrot cake. Carrot cake is not something I would ever order but it was good! The staff were very nice. It was quiet in there. They do have live music occasionally I think that would be great during brunch. I love the bookstore on the other side.

This place was such a surprise! So cool and unique inside. Loved the ambiance. Food was great, cocktails were exceptional!! Chris, the bartender might be one of the most creative bartenders in the city. So good at his job and a wiz at making cocktails. The food we tried was the bar menu and everything was tasty and definitely more "elevated" bar food with a yinzer comfort meal vibe. Will be back!

Such a fantastic dinner -- we're already planning our next visit! The menu leans into Northern Italian flavors, with a real emphasis on organic, locally sourced ingredients, and you can absolutely taste the difference. The vibe inside is exactly what you want for a night out: cozy, welcoming, low music. Service was excellent too -- everyone was friendly, knowledgeable, and you could tell they genuinely care about what they're bringing to the table. We were chatting with the staff & discovered there's a lot of long-time friendships between the staff, so you know they're all in on making this restaurant something special. Some of the menu highlights for us were the: Meatballs: So flavorful with just the right touch of heat. Scallops: Perfectly seared and super fresh -- you can tell they're sourcing top-notch seafood. Pappardelle Bolognese: One of my all-time favorite dishes, and this version might be the new gold standard for me. Perfect seasoning and incredible pasta texture. Beef Tenderloin: Tender, packed with flavor, and that red wine jus was next level. Burger & Fries (from the bar menu): You could taste the quality of the beef blend, and the hand-cut fries were crisped to perfection. Fancy Carrot Cake: We absolutely inhaled this -- super moist, beautifully spiced, and the whipped icing was pure magic. Honestly, I regret not ordering a second slice to go. We did not love the carrots, they seemed a bit overcooked. And the fried chicken, while really interesting, was not for us. These are just notes. Our overall experience was really enjoyable! If you love thoughtful, food thats locally sourced and a chill atmosphere, you're going to fall in love with this place just like we did.

I had such a delicious meal here recently. My husband and I decided to share small plates so we could try a little of everything. We started with the confit carrots with whipped goat cheese, they were very good but I wish there was more goat cheese. Next we had the beef meatballs, these were probably the best meatballs I've ever had! They had a nice spice to them and the tomato sugo sauce was incredible. Then we split the side orders of fettuccine Alfredo and tomato sugo penne. The fettuccine was unlike anything I've had before - it wasn't super thick and creamy. It was amazing. The actual pasta itself was incredible and very clearly homemade. The penne was also to die for!! Our server was incredibly friendly. This spot is super cool because it's inside of a bookstore and they have live entertainment sometimes too. I think the pricing is a little high for the prices but the quality of food makes up for it. Would definitely recommend!

2 nd time I've been here- horrible service. Food was bad. Lettuce wilted- food burnt. Took 50 min to get a tea. No water refill. Rude waitstaff. The quality of the food has been poor both times.

Fantastic new Northern Italian Restaurant. Beautiful setting adjacent to a bookstore. We love that the music volume was low so we can actually hear ourselves talk! Outstanding artichoke appetizer. Pasta with goat cheese and lamb was amazing. Crispy duck was tender and crisp with excellent sauce. Cannoli very creative with a chocolate shell. Very attentive and polite staff. Highly recommend!

We had a WONDERFUL experience we had here! I always fill out the occasion box when I'm making a reservation. If it's read, I can't remember the last time that it was acknowledged in any aspect of the evening. NOT SO at Cucina Alfabeto! We're having a baby (due this week!) and this past Saturday was our last date night before the little guy comes. I noted this in the reservation and didn't think anything else of it. We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes late. When I said who we were, I got a big smile from Erik (our server) who said, "Oh, we know who you are! Welcome!" They had a wonderful table in the corner in the window for us. After we sat down, Erik came over with a children's book and a card! The book was from the book store in the Asylum building and the card was signed by everyone on the staff! We were truly moved at the act of human kindness. It was as if the entire staff wanted to share in our happiness. Lord Christopher (our bartender) big shoutout for the well poured burbon! We've read the book to our little guy (still in the womb ) and can't wait to read it to him once he's born. The food was fantastic! I love bolognese and theirs was delicious! A tiny touch heavy on the salt, but not a complaint by any means. Just an observation. Kelly had the Bronzino and it was also delicious! They treated us to desert, and we chose to split a tiramisu. Wow! Perfect end to a delicious meal served by a wonderful staff. The restaurant business is tough today. Friendly, and reliable servers are stretched thin and hard to find. Rude service is more common than I ever remember in my 59 years. There may be "legitimate reasons" but rude is rude. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that's my opinion. THIS PLACE was a master class in authentic, engaged customer service. It will be a stalwart in our dining out rotation. And chef, we will absolutely be back with the little guy for buttered noodles as soon as he can eat them!

Not good at all. We had a 12p reservation on a Sunday - as in, brunch. But when we got there they told us there was no brunch today, just a frittatta special. I'd suggest that they should have called us but I don't think it was an oversight - they know we wouldn't have come. That left us with the regular menu which consists of $30 pasta's and $40 entrees. Again, not appropriate for brunch. I'm unlikely to order a $50 Wagyu steak on Sunday afternoon. I asked about a Bloody Mary and its from a mix so I declined. One person got an Americano and it was undrinkable. Everyone else got the frittata which didn't have any seasoning and the group was underwhelmed. Plus you could have potatoes or bacon but not both (huh?). So, eggs and potatoes for $18. I had the french onion soup and the bread was on the side (which is actually a really good idea) but it was crazy burnt. Like black all around the edges. So, I cut that part off and ate what was left; and the soup was fine. Nothing special, but fine. Overall, this was our first trip since they switched from 40 North and we won't be back. We spent most of the time talking about other restaurants that are MUCH better for brunch (Eleven, Alihans, Alta Via). Also, most of the Open Table reviews seem to be fake (did Nancy and Diane really eat there 14 times since mid-Oct?). To the owners - I live in the 'hood and really wanted this to be good. While how you came about was shitty, I'd still like a nice place to go for brunch or happy hour or dinner. I wish this was it but, sadly, it is not. If you care, Brugge had the best menu of everything that has taken over that space - mussels, burgers/sandwiches, good happy hour snacks and full dinner if that's what you want. I am confident that if Covid hadn't happened, they would have done well and you would be smart to make a more accessible, neighborhood friendly restaurant.

Very positive experience! I'm glad to have found out about this place's existence! Service was quick and friendly, and the food was something I could eat every day. I appreciated that they had a nice mocktail selection on their drink menu. And the interior was very cool! I'd love to come back when given the chance.

We sat at the bar. Really enjoyed the bartender. He said they were short staffed that night but he was on top of everything. Wine list is Italian wines. List is OK. Ordered the Tagliatelle pasta that has beef tomato ragu. A nice tasty meal. Others had arancini and salads and everyone enjoyed their meal.

The atmosphere was beautiful and the service by Jareth was perfect. The food however lacked flavor. We got the Italian wedding soup, that only tasted like broth in a bowl. And we got tiramisu that had impossible to cut through ladyfingers and a concerning amount of cocoa powder on top. This experience wouldn't be too terrible if the bill wasn't +$120.

Nice vibe and server/ service was lovely, but the food was not good. The "ceasar salad" was lettuce and a side of not-ceasar dressing. Nothing else. Just shredded lettuce. The "house salad" the same. Just leaves. Like they're not even pretending to try. Two different pastas both undercooked to the point of crunchy, with nondescript sauces. Not even trying. This was especially disappointing because 40 North was a great restaurant. Appears so be the same ownership- perplexing why replace a great place with a bad place.

Went for dinner with a group of friends. The server was terrible. We wanted to order a variety of entrees and appetizers to share, and she was rude and made ordering difficult. It was not busy for a Friday evening. The food was not seasoned well at all, very bland other than the Red sauce - had a nice kick to it. Halibut and shrimp overcooked, dry. Like the venue. The food is way overpriced. Will not return to eat there. Maybe sit at the bar and have a drink. Read less

Expensive for what you get and an uninspired menu. It's hard to pay $20+ for pasta you can make easily at home for a fraction of the price. For upscale food, the northside has better options. For Italian food, the northside also has better options. Save your money and go somewhere worth it.

Fantastic food, we had the agnoletti, the papardelle and the artichoke confit. All really delicious!!