Joseph Tambellini Restaurant

The ONLY knock is parking which is a larger city issue. We met Melissa, co-owner and wonderful host. We had the greens, canellini beans and sausage for an appetizer. Chef's kiss. We had the pork chop special and flounder. The flounders was really good, but the pork chop, outstanding. Absolutely! I had a souped up salad with burrito and beets. Excellent. Butterscotch pound great to top off the evening was nice finish. It had vanilla ice cream and candied pecans.

My favorite restaurant in the city. Outstanding quality across the board but after 3-4 separate visits the last few years I have to call out the Sesame Calimari specifically. Out of this world. Will continue to come back yearly. Cheers to Melissa and the staff for yet another wonderful visit.

Everything was outstanding. The meal was so well paced, the food exceptionally (the greens and beans were to die for) delicious and the atmosphere calming, authentic, and genuine. They even wrapped our food for us after each course, no restaurants ever do that anymore!!! We got to speak with the owners who were delightful. This probably one of the best hidden gems in Pittsburgh. Such an amazing and special place!

Charlotte was our server and she was excellent. We were in an Italian mood so we went with the rigatoni with Alfredo and grilled chicken and the homemade cheese ravioli. Started our meal with their famous fried zucchini. Delicious red sauce. Wonderful meal. Lovely intimate setting.

I haven’t been to a Tambellinis since the mid 90’s downtown before I moved away from Pittsburgh. Went back tonight on Bryant Street and had the most amazing dinner! From the Zucchini and Crab Balls for appetizers to the Chicken Romano and the Lava Cake that we shared for dessert. Great food. Great atmosphere. And great service by Jamie S. Will definitely be returning!

Last night, my husband and I had the most delightful dinner at Joseph Tambellini. It was our first time there and I didn't know what to expect, but they pulled out the stops for a wonderful birthday dinner. Every single employee we encountered was friendly and gave a big smile. Our food was nothing short of delectable. From the bread through dessert, there was nothing that passed through our table that wasn't delicious. Our server, Ronnie, was adorable and sweet. And when problems arose, she kept a cool head and a gracious smile. We will definitely be back.

Our group of four chose Joseph Tambellini Restaurant for its exquisite outdoor dining and reputation for its exceptionalism in quality, service, ambience and location that was convenient to all. Our waitress Veronica was exceptional, professional, knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, attentive, patient, understanding, courteous, gracious and thoughtful. All other staff that we encountered are equally professional, courteous and kind. At the end of our dinner and before the waitress served desserts, the chief’s wife graciously and attentively followed up with our table to solicit our comments on the dining experience. In one word: exceptional. The food was superb, well prepared, and presented artfully and in good taste. Our sincere gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness to the owner, chief, our waitress Veronica and other staff members, all of whom deserve the best of comments from all customers who know the value and are able to appreciate the quality of the services the Staff provides at a level that is truly above and beyond the commonplace with exceptionally prepared appetizers, entrees and desserts.

This review is going to be similar to a few others I’ve seen. My stepdad made a reservation here for my mom’s birthday. On the phone he was asked if we were celebrating anything and he proceeded to tell them it was for a birthday. They never said anything else about it. We brought a cake in for her birthday and the waitress asked if we wanted it refrigerated, which was appreciated. We ordered appetizers and meals for the 7 of us. Then when our salads were brought out the waitress informed us that they have a $5 per person cake fee. $35 for having a cake?? I’ve heard of a flat fee of $10-15 for a cake but never that much per person. An absolute rip off. This really did not sit right with us so we talked to the manager who really had a bad attitude. Again, similar to another review I read on here. Her reasoning for them charging this much was because we are “using their plates.” What a ridiculous reason. She then proceeded to tell us that a lot of places do that especially in Lawrenceville…? Well we weren’t in Lawrenceville and we didn’t ask about other places. Not once at any point when the reservation was made or when the cake was brought to the table in the beginning, was this cake fee mentioned. The manager said there was a sign on the door that said no outside food or drink. Obviously we didn’t see it so maybe say something when we sit down? Truthfully we wanted to take the cake and leave but we stayed and paid that absurd fee. Our bill was over $600 and they had to charge us to cut a cake? I’ve never in my life heard of such a scam this place is a rip off. The food was good and the service was fine, but I really didn’t appreciate anyone’s attitude there. It’s pretty clear that this owner/manager is greedy. Just look at how she responds to reviews instead of taking the criticism and making things better. Unbelievably unprofessional. What a joke.

Good but overly pricey Great staff and very homely feels Salmon salad $60 not sure why

My parent's got my husband and I a gift card to here to try for date night. Finally got around to using it and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere was perfect for a date night. Staff was super attentive and friendly . For dinner we started with the famous zucchini. It was tasty and cooked well, I think it just may have been slightly overhyped - very good nonetheless. For drinks we shared a bottle of wine. The prices were a bit high per glass, but probably on par with current pricing in 2025. We had the chicken marsala and chicken romano for dinner which were both delicious. I also loved the house salad that came with my dinner it was so good! Would definitely go back, I just found the prices to be quite reasonable expensive. The quality was there but starting at about $45 for an entree. I would go back, but hard to say if I would love to on my own without having a GC. Anyway, the atmosphere and food does not disappoint!!

The history of Tambellini Restaurant is embedded in Pittsburgh culture. It is a prominent name in history of the best Pittsburgh Italian restaurants. Our dinner last night was unsurpassed in Pittsburgh. Ambiance, staff, our amazing server Ali was just the beginning of a fabulous dinner with friends. We started off with cocktails and a recommended Red wine to be followed by appetizers of lightly breaded zucchini and their delicious meatballs with ricotta mixture. Bread and oil was served. We all had Caesar salads Two with anchovies, two without. They had the anchovies in a small container to add yourself. Smart idea. Entrees were the best we've had. The salmon was a thick serving and prepared to perfection. She was delighted with the combo. The filet was phenomenal and could be cut with a fork if you so desired. The pork chop special entree was overfilling the dish. Spectacular! My crushed flounder with crabmeat atop was picture perfect with cherry tomatoes red roasted tomatoes, asparagus and a light sauce. We all had a side of vodka sauce penne pasta which was excellent. Desserts sounded invited and a nice selection of coffees but we were too full to enjoy! Can't wait to go back. We are foodies and very Italian so so I feel confident in this review and my knowledge. Price is in line with the fine dining experience and worth every penny. Free Street parking was not an issue.

I hosted a baby shower for my daughter. We met with Joe and his wife Missy. Amazing family, very accommodating, menu was flexible, plenty of great options for appetizers and main dishes. The food was delicious! I would highly recommend this restaurant for just dinner or a small gathering.

Everything about this place is great! From service, ambiance, and food all is over the top. The food was phenomenal! We started out with the greens and beans which were plentiful and delicious! They give you bread and oil for the table as well. I got the cheese ravioli that comes with a meatball and sausage and everything was so yummy! The veal parm was out of this world good! I can't rave about it enough. I will be back and will be brining friends!

Reminds me of a risotto meal in Milan, stepping into a restaurant that was more a home and has but a few tables. Friendly and warm service. The dipping sauce for the bread basket is out of this world! We had pollo masala, veal piccata and angel hair pasta. Simply delicious!

Good was outstanding.There were 3 of us.I got the ravioli with a salad.My husband got rigatoni and meatball with soup and our daughter got chicken Marsala and soup.All meals were delicious.We each got a cocktail.Two complaints I had.My husband knocked his glass over and spilled some of his drink.I heard hostess say they would top it, but never did.That is being cheap for what they charge.The waitress also charged on my card the wrong bill which was $80 more that mine.We found the error and she said she was glad we caught the mistake.I guess so.Too expensive and won't go back.

I feel obliged to update my review since it's been a couple of years since the last one. Nothing has changed. We've officially become 'regulars' , recognized when we arrive, seated at our favorite table in the back. Service is always friendly and efficient. Everything we've tried on the broad, classical Italian menu has been excellent. We've had a variety of fish, chicken, veal, and pasta dishes. The wine list is a strong point, with good variety and fair prices, not limited to Italian varieties as you often see in Italian restaurants. We're aging baby boomers so we never have room for desserts, so we can't comment on their offerings. In summary, I come up blank on ideas for improvement. What's wrong with that?

I have been to Joseph Tambellini a handful of times and each time I go it is always spectacular! They are located in an old house in Highland Park area. There is only street parking, but the neighborhood is not too busy so it's pretty easy to find a spot near the restaurant. The restaurant is very intimate and romantic. They give you bread with this special oil they have to start with. The dipping oil is very good! This last time we got the crab balls as an appetizer and they were delicious. If you like crab I would try them the next time you go. For my main course I got the rigatoni with the Tomato Basil Cream sauce and added grilled chicken. The sauce is amazing; it is so flavorful. The food is a little pricey, but they give you so much. My pasta with chicken was $42 but I got two meals out of it so in my opinion it's worth it. This last time I also tried some dessert, cheesecake. It was soooo good. Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. It was very dense and creamy and the sauce they put on top was great with it too. The wait staff is always very kind. If you are looking for a new romantic date night spot you need to try Joseph Tambellini!!

We make a point to eat at Tambellini's every time we visit Butler. It continues to be a gem. Great Italian food, great service and pleasant dining experience! My favorites are eggplant or chicken parmigiana. My Mom prefers either spaghetti and meatballs or hot sausage. We always get the salad and desserts which is way too much food for one meal but we use leftovers for meals at home.

Had a lovely Sunday dinner with Alisha as our server. Very nice, comfortable space and the Pork Chop Milanese special was exquisite!

Best Italian food I have had in Pittsburgh, PA. Service was 10/10 as well, Fry you were a great server! Thank you. If you're looking for a great Italian spot in Pittsburgh, don't look any further.

Great Italian food. Families can share Joe's tasty meals. More outdoor tables please.

Amazing service all around. As soon as we arrived we were happily greeted and seated to our table. Our waiter was very nice and charming, but at the same time gave us lots of privacy and time between courses which I loved. I'd recommend this to couples and families looking to spend a nice evening and share a delicious meal in one of pittsburgh's hidden gems.

Had a fantastic date night at the restaurant. We were seated on the second floor, and two great servers took care of us throughout the evening. We started with seasonal cocktails and shared the Crabmeat Joseph for our appetizer. For our entrees, I chose the evening special, while Erick had the Seafood Melissa. Both were delicious! Although the desserts sounded delicious, we were too stuffed from the generous portions to try them. However, I think we might need to go back just for the pecan ball.

With COVID-19 showing no let-up, we took advantage of one of the few remaining outside dining evenings to enjoy a fabulous meal at this Italian / Northern Italian spot in the Highland Park area. Service was attentive and friendly on this late-evening meal...we ordered a fried calamari appetizer and put in our dinner orders. Given the snacking we'd done earlier, we decided to only order two main dishes and split them; there was a shared plate charge, but that got us two extra salads or soups so in essence everyone had a full meal. We split orders of the Seafood Melissa and the raviolis, and we got two salads and two soups. Their soup that day was quite similar to a matzoh ball soup with robust broth flavors, chunks of carrot and a wilted green (possibly kale?)...very hearty and satisfying. The salad was covered in an apricot vinaigrette dressing that paired great with the shredded carrots and chickpeas. Our fried calamari appetizer was perfectly chewy and lightly crisp on the outside served with a slightly spicy, thick marinara sauce that clung to each bite with ease. Our entrees then arrived, nicely split in two. The Seafood Melissa came full of sea scallops, a chef's fish selection and crabmeat stuffed shrimp all bathing in a lemon, garlic butter sauce with julienned vegetables on the side. Each of the seafood items has been lightly breaded on top and then put under a broiler providing a bit of texture / crunch to each bite. Wonderfully done! The cheese raviolis were hand made and topped with their tomato basil sauce, accompanied by both a meatball and chucks of spicy sausage topped and the entire dish was covered with shredded mozzarella cheese. This was a total food coma waiting to happen. Sides of rigatoni pasta were covered in either their vodka sauce or spicy marinara sauce adding to our carb load. We left juuuuuust enough room to split one dessert amongst the four of us. The tiramisu had heavily espresso soaked lady fingers set atop a mound of mascarpone cheese sprinkled with cocoa powder and finished with fresh whipped cream. We each had our few bites, savoring the sweetness each time. A wonderful dining experience, great service and a picture perfect weather night...hoping there are still more of these to come!

We had a gift card from friends and couldn't wait to go here, we had heard such great things about the food. Our meal was delicious! The service was outstanding and top notch, would highly recommend, can't wait to go again!

This was our first time at this restaurant and it could not have been better. The staff was super friendly and accommodating and the food was plentiful and spectacular. From the crab ball appetizer, to the main courses of encrusted veal chop and Eggplant Parmesan. Dessert was delightful as well. We had the pecan ball & chocolate mousse cake. Wow, what an experience. We will definitely be back. Thanks for a wonderful anniversary dinner!

The worst service I've had at a restaurant, very rude to our group. To top it off the food was very average Italian food.

Went here with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day and had a really nice time. The food was fantastic, i had cheese raviolis and soup. The fried zucchini app was very good as well and they gave a lot of fried zucchini so it was worth the price for the app. However i have been getting a huge pet peeve lately while eating out. Waiters/waitresses need to let customers know when there is an up charge. After i ordered my main dish the waitress asked soup or salad and i said soup and i was not charged for it. My girlfriend responded with salad and her ceasar salad was an $11 up charge without a word from the waitress. The experience and the food was excellent but i can not give a 5/5 because i am tired of extra expensive charges when it is implied that it comes with the meal or without alerting how much the up charge is while fully knowing it's expensive.

Great service and very good food I ordered a dish with meat as a treat and I loved every bite.

This was a beautiful meal for two Ohioans who needed a weekend getaway. We started with the calamari fried which was pretty standard. We saw a fried zucchini pass and had a bit of jealousy. Bread can be standard but the oil delivered to the table was simple yet delicious. Whatever is in that oil I'm willing to sell on the street for extra cash. We ordered the flounder special and the cheese ravioli. Both exceptional but we loved the fish draped with asparagus as a must have. We brought the cheese ravioli home to Columbus and it was sooo delicious heated up. Thank you for such a wonderful meal!

We were so excited to try this restaurant and it turned out to be a disaster. Ordered a cocktail and they charged 18.50 for the manhattan it was not a true manhattan tastes terrible. Waitress was friendly but brought us the wrong dinner. We left and within 4 hours I had to take my husband to the emergency room as he was having pain in his chest and stomach with profuse sweating and clamminess ,as well as severe gastro discomfort. Thank God it was not his heart but gastro related. Would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

We have dined at Tambellini's a handful of times before this so it is very disappointing to say that after our recent experience there, we will not be going back and want others to know why as I believe even an Applebees or Denny's would have handled this better than Tambellini's, a high end restaurant did. We went there for dinner with our adult children for a special birthday of mine per my request. We explained to the server that my husband is allergic to cheese so not to include it on the salad or in the pasta dish he ordered. The server said that would not be an issue with either the salad or the pasta dish. As it turned out, the pasta dish did contain parmesan cheese which my husband noticed after a couple bites. We asked the server about it and she said that it wasn't made with cheese. Ultimately, after my children and I tasted it and said it tasted like it has cheese on it, we asked for it to be taken back to the kitchen. After awhile, the woman owner of the restaurant came to our table and said she was sorry there was cheese on it and that it would be taken off our bill. The server then came back and profusely apologized for it having cheese and reiterated that it would be taken off our bill. We then ordered desserts and when we were done and received the bill, I told the server that given that my husband did not get a chance to enjoy his meal plus this was a matter of an allergy which could have could have caused him to be ill at the table, at the minimum the restaurant should have offered him a free dessert or something. At this point, the server said that she could do that but that the server would have to pay for it just like the server was going to have to pay the entire menu price of the pasta dish my husband ordered. Of course, we didn't want a 20-something server to have to pay more for dessert under these circumstances especially since it was an honest mistake on her part and she had otherwise delivered excellent service. We ultimately gave her a very generous tip that more than covered the cost of the pasta dish. We were very taken aback that this is how this fancy restaurant treats its staff and also not happy that the restaurant did not offer anything else to my husband for what happened. In my mind, this is poor customer relations and something as I said at the beginning, we've seen an Applebees or Dennys handle much better than this restaurant. Given both of these issues, we will not be going back and spending our hard-earned money at this restaurant.

My husband and I came here one evening to enjoy a Valentine's Day dinner. We booked a reservation on Open Table, making it an easy process to reserve a table. We parked about a block away as I believe there is only street parking available. The restaurant was in an old house that was still divided into separate rooms. It was busy with customers but tables were spaced out leaving room to move about despite some of the smaller room sizes. When walking in, the bar was directly ahead with a coat rack and a staircase to the right. A hostess (who I believe was the owner) greeted us and hung our coats, giving us a number tag for when we were finished and ready to pick them up. We were seated right by a fireplace that was not in use in the back of the first floor of the restaurant. Our waitress was quick to serve us and bring us water and complimentary bread and dipping oil. The menu had an array of options with plenty of listed Appetizers, Steak dishes, Chicken/Veal dishes, Seafood dishes, and just pasta dishes. All of the entrees came with a soup or salad option. I ordered the Cheese Ravioli with the Daily Salad. The salad came out first and was beautifully presented. There were carrots curled on top with fresh mixed greens, cucumber, chickpeas and sunflower seeds with a choice of cheese. I loved that the greens were lightly dressed, leaving the rest of the salad with a crunch, allowing it to speak for itself. For my entrée, the ravioli came in a large shallow bowl and was adorned with a large meatball and a piece of sausage in the center, topped with melted cheese and freshly grated parmesan. The ravioli were filled with a large amount of cheese and the pasta was super fresh, clearly homemade. The meatball was moist and delicious and the sausage had a nice little kick to it. I only ate 3 of the 5 ravioli and part of the meat as it was very filling. I really enjoyed this dish. We ordered a Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert to share between the two of us. It was presented beautifully - topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and a strawberry on the side. The cake was slightly warm, dense and fudgy with a slightly gooey center. The freshness of the strawberry and coolness of the ice cream really paired well with it. My husband and I really enjoyed our evening here. It is definitely a place for a special occasion but the food was really good, the service was on par, and the experience was all around enjoyable.

My boyfriend and I had a delightful dinner here recently. We made the reservation last-minute without a lot of expectations and came away so impressed! I think it's safe to say we'll be back soon. Joseph Tambellini Restaurant is such a pleasant experience because of its great reputation. Grounded by excellent service and delicious Italian dishes, it succeeds because it doesn't try to be something it's not (namely overly trendy or too pretentious). Upon arrival we were greeted and had our coats checked before even being asked if we had a reservation or not. Our table wasn't quite ready, so we sat at the cozy bar to get started on some drinks. During the wait we were able to observe the charming and happy atmosphere of the restaurant as a whole. It's located in a stately older home and far from feeling outdated it's more of an escape. Imagine having dinner in the home of longtime family friends and you'll get the idea. Armed with a pear martini and a glass of wine, we were soon escorted upstairs where the server explained the specials and brought bread and oil. Between the two of us we went with a Caesar salad, the salmon entree, arrabbiata pasta, and a double cut pork chop. Everything was perfectly prepared and timed nicely as it came out of the kitchen, not to mention completely and utterly delicious. The price point is on the higher end, but given the quality of the food and experience I'd say it's totally worth it. If you have a special occasion coming up or simply want to have a night date night, give this place a try. It won't disappoint!

Delicious veal Marsala and Ali had crab cakes there. Vodka sauce was great on the pasta. It's on the expensive side. Sit on the first floor so you don't have to climb stairs since it's a converted old house. Fried zucchini and sauce was very good as well.

My wife and I came here for an early valentine's day dinner on Thursday evening. We made reservations and arrived shortly after 7PM, finding on street parking about a block away. The inside of the restaurant is nice, homely, and cozy. I ended up ordering the scallop and shrimp linguini which came with a house salad topped with gorgonzola cheese. Our meal started with some complimentary pieces of bred with dipping oil. Next the salad was delicious, fresh, and light. I love salads that can pair gorgonzola well and it was perfect. The main entree came out and was a very reasonable portion with a good volume of scallops and shrimp. The scallops were cooked nicely, easy to cut into and were really tasty in the dish. For dessert my wife and I split the lava cake with ice cream. It was dense, rich, and just the right size to split between us. Overall I really liked my meal here. Tambellini restaurant is one of my favorite Italian places in Pittsburgh, I wish it was closer to my home. The food here is pricey but on par with the price and worth a nice night to dine out.

This place is outstanding. 1st time diner at JT and it was perfect. The server Charlotte was so attentive and gave us suggestions. The pasta and chicken romano was amazing and not to disappoint to end by the pecan ball. We are definitely going Back. Also, made reservation thru OpenTable, which was very convenient.

I'm being very generous with giving 3 stars. I was expecting high quality food but they just didn't deliver. I had the special which was pecan crusted tilapia with asparagus. The pecans were so sweet that it ruined the whole meal. I should have sent it back but I didn't want to make a scene as I was dining with 3 others. The pasta side was oddly rubbery. Maybe I'm spoiled with homemade pasta. If you go here, don't expect great food but do expect very high prices and lots of opportunities to increase the price with add ons.

Once a year my family, my sister, brother in law, brother and sister in law and their kids gather for a family dinner at a "good" restaurant. This year my sister picked Joseph Tambellini's. And we were so glad we did. From appetizers through desserts, everything was superb. Fried zucchini, crispy sesame calamari, stuffed banana pepper were all excellent appetizers. My entree was veal piccata and was probably the best I've ever had. My husband's filet was melt in your mouth delicious! Pecan ball was best ever dessert. So many layers of flavors make this food sooo good. Excellent ingredients yielding excellent dishes. Kudos to the chef! One of the best in Pittsburgh for sure! Oh, and the service was spot on and the decor was lovely. Definitely worth a 5 star review. Thanks for a memorable meal.

We went to Tambellini's for the first and last time. We made a reservation and were never asked if an upstairs table was OK. The manager berated us because my 87 year old mother (who walks with a cane) could not climb the stairs. The manager refused to seat us on the first floor. We told her we could not stay. She then told us "Don't come back.". What a horrible way to treat anyone. A terrible reflection on the restaurant. I will never go back. The manager needs lessons in common courtesy and decency.

I want to give this five stars, and the food and service do deserve it. This place is on a cute corner in Highland Park with street parking reasonably available. Dining is on two floors with a patio outside and it's a bit of a dressier place. The bar is small - maybe 5 seats. I went with a group of six and started alone a the bar (first to arrive). The bar staff looked a little frazzled (perhaps still learning?), but they were friendly. I transferred my tab upstairs when we went to the table. There was a little snafu with the wine being rung in wrong, but they fixed it right away with a sincere apology. Our server at the table (Alisha) was fantastic. She was attentive and knowledgeable and friendly. Overall, the service is on the formal side, with little extra touches like packing and holding leftovers until the end of the meal. If you are looking for a special date night, this is the place. Lots of attention to detail and the owner even checked in at the end of our meal to make sure we enjoyed everything. We started with the famous fried zucchini. This portion was large - all six of us had a few pieces. The sauce it was served with was good and I'd order that again. The bread course came with a garlic dipping oil that was really good. I ordered the veal piccata and pasta side. The piccata had plenty of capers and artichoke and three pieces of tender veal, and the pasta was a perfect side. Loved it all and looking forward to the leftovers. The meal came with soup or a daily salad, which one of my companions got. This wasn't a basic salad - it had dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, cucumber, chickpeas, carrot straws and an apricot vinaigrette. We were presented with the option to "upgrade" the salad to one their specialty salads or to a special burrata salad. Those who got the standard salad could add one of several cheeses. This is really where they lost the star - the upgrade game. It's more of a finer dining style, so the menu is already priced pretty high. It's a quality meal, but it's expensive. The entrees start at $32 for a bowl of rigatoni/sauce and go up to $66. They do include the soup or salad. There were 4 specials too, which were described without pricing, so who knows what those were priced at. It's a fine dining place, so caring about the prices is bad form. That said, my salad "upgrade" ended up being a $17 upcharge. It was a good salad and a substantial portion, but did it feel like $17 more than the really nice salad that would have come with my meal? I don't think so. I'd hate to see how this salad was priced as a standalone and not an upgrade. One of my companions added shredded mozzarella to her salad, which ended up being a $4.50 upcharge. It was fresh cheese, but still. All in all, their model had a lot of focus on upselling - with some of the potential additions listed on the menu with prices and others not. It just felt a little scammy to me when piled onto an already expensive menu. I will also say that our table was in a corner and it was really tight overall (getting in and out, etc.). At the end of the day, the food and service were excellent and I'd return, but perhaps not as frequently as I'd like due to the pricing and I'd definitely be more aware of the upcharge game.

Very good restaurant, and one of the few more upscale restaurants that really deliver quality food. I got the salmon, chickpea salad, zucchini, and pecan ball. The salmon is quite thick and delicious! Comes in quite a large serving as well. Vegetables were cooked well, too. I got the pasta in red sauce as my side, and it was equally excellent. Thick noodles with one of the best red sauces in Pittsburgh. The complimentary chickpea salad was surprisingly good. Firstly, the dressing is light and a little sweet. The addition of chickpeas was truly lovely and the cranberries also added texture and sweetness. Someone else said the seafood Melissa was delicious as well! However, portion seemed a little small to me. Zucchini appetizer is called 'famous' for a reason! It's very crispy and has the perfect breading/zucchini ratio. You also get quite a large serving for $13 and the quality is noticeably higher as well (in comparison to other fried zucchini). Pecan ball was also very good. It is nutty and goes well with the vanilla ice cream. This is certainly not a cheap place, but I'd much rather visit here over some of the even more upscale restaurants with mediocre food. It's great for anniversaries, birthdays, or any other celebration.

Heard the food was good, so we decided to take my mom there to celebrate her 85th birthday. We brought a cake from the Cheesecake Factory, which we all know, is not an inexpensive purchase! We asked about bringing it in and was told there'd be a "cake cutting charge". No problem -- we've been to several places, where the charge is usually $1/pp or $10 total. Not here -- got the bill and the "$35 cake cutting charge". Needless-to-say -- for 7 people, this was a bit ridiculous and we ALL felt greed was the motivating factor as well as financial rape. The meals were good -- all had there 'upgrades' based on if you wanted a different cheese, salad, etc. Everything on the menu came with an upgrade...sorry but I don't agree with this method of dining. Again - food was good, waitress was very attentive, but feel like they are desperate for $$ ...

Overpriced mediocre food. Found the service and atmosphere to be pretentious. Upcharge on already overpiced items. Quality of dishes and taste of food subpar to other restaurants in this price range in Pittsburgh. Won't be back.

Joseph Tambellini is a beautiful restaurant. Once you approach the white brick building and walk inside it just oozes class. The decor is very tasteful. Joseph Tambellini must be classically trained because the food was five star from beginning to end. The meatballs, salads, mains and even desserts were flawless. I had the Veal Parmigiana was one of, if not the best I have ever had. Try the Pecan Ball for dessert, because that was special too. Our server Ally was on point all night. This was one of those unforgettable meals. Mr. Tambellini you have a winner!

if I could give zero, I would I made a reservation for this restaurant over a week in advance. It was my daughter's first father daughter dance, and I wanted to take her somewhere special. I got a phone call about an hour before I was supposed to be there telling me that they weren't busy enough so they decided to cancel my reservation. 830pm and I have a 10 year old girl who looks like she just went to prom. When I told her we might not be able to have dinner, I thought she was going to cry. I will never step foot in this restaurant, I don't care how good the food is. That was really low!! However, it actually turned out to be a great night. NANCETTA'S RISTORANTE in fox chapel, saved the day. I gave them a call, explained to them what happened, and they said don't worry about anything just come on down. So we did and we had an absolutely fantastic meal. I will definitely be back to this place. Homemade everything! Even my daughters pasta noodles were homemade.

We came with party of 2. The atmosphere was elegant and Server was excellent. Started with two appetizers 1. Crab Balls with Twin Sauces 2. Calamari - Sautéed, Fried was great. Our main course was today's special. We ordered 1. Sea Bass top with Almonds accompanied by Scallops with chef's secret sauce along with house salad: Salad-Baby Field Greens w/Dried Cranberries, Toasted Sunflower Seeds, Cucumber, Garbanzo Beans, Carrot Straw & Apricot Vinaigrette 2. Special Ribeye will Chicken Pastina Soup. I like the idea main course comes with choice of salad or soup. Finished Cushini Fritti - sweet pastry dough flash fried, with seasonal filling, dusted in sugar and topped with vanilla ice cream and dessert sauce go along well with wine. We are definitely becoming back. Compliment to the Chef !

Hubby took me to Joseph Tambelini's for my birthday dinner. It was a great experience and we enjoyed our meal. Upon entering, there was a lovely woman to check my coat. There was another couple leaving so it was a big tight having us all in the same small area at the door. When she took my coat she found our reservation right away and told me she would show me to our table while the hubby parked the car. I noticed right away that the decor was a clean modern look. The soft lighting was just right for a date night out. Not too dark and not too bright either. When the hubby arrived at the table, we began to look over the menu. The server arrived and offered to get us drinks. Both the hubby and myself got a glass of merlot and some water. We also ordered the Famous Fried Zucchini. We received the appetizer and some bread fairly quickly. The zucchini was very lightly breaded and served with a marinara sauce. It was very good. Not greasy at all. For the entrees, the hubby ordered the Ribeye Special and I opted for the Chicken Parmesan. Both entrees came with soup or salad and a side of pasta. The soup was a chicken wedding soup and the salad was a field greens salad with a pomegranate vinaigrette. Both were tasty and fresh. When the entrees arrived, we were surprised at how large the portions were. The steak was a 22 oz boneless ribeye with sautéed onions. It was perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of seasoning. The sear on the outside was just right. The Chicken Parmesan had 3 very lightly breaded cutlets, which were pounded thinly. It was topped with a perfect amount of cheese and their marinara sauce. It was probably the best Chicken Parmesan I've ever had. It was tasty, but not too heavy, which can sometimes be the case. We decided against desert as we were both more than satisfied with the meal. We both had large portions to take home, which the server was happy to pack up for us. This was an all around wonderful night out. Obviously it's not an inexpensive meal, but it was well worth it for the combination of the service, quality and quantity of food. We will definitely be placing this on our list of date night options. Pros: Service is impeccable Decor is clean modern Food is delicious Wine choices are expansive Portions are huge Cons: Parking is street parking (but this is expected for Highland Park) Prices are high (but the quality and quantity make it acceptable) Entry way can be a bit congested

I didn't have the privilege of eating inside this cute restaurant because I ordered takeout but I cannot wait to go back. I absolutely loved everything about it. The building is adorable and it is so nicely decorated. Right when you walk in, a man (the manager I believe) is taking coats for the coat rack. All the employees were so nice and professional and very helpful. The restaurant looked small but even for a Tuesday, it was pretty busy. Now for the food. I got the whole wheat pasta with Alfredo sauce. It was very good and had a ton of flavor. I also enjoyed the complimentary bread with Parmesan and oil. Definitely a pricier menu. I recommend coming here for a celebration dinner or for a nice night out. They don't have a parking lot so street parking is your best bet. Please go try this place if you are in the area!!

Nice place for a special event. Good food and atmospherics. ...................................................................

It is the most amazing Italian food in Pittsburgh. I'm not sure why it took us so long to find this gem but it's now top on our list. The chicken Romano was thin, crispy and just perfect. The pork chop is the best we have ever tasted. Simply a wonderful experience. Missy, Joe's wife is delightful. She is warm and welcoming.

This has become our destination restaurant in greater Pittsburgh. The people are friendly, the décor pleasant, and the food remains outstanding. It's just a perfect place for a nice perfectly plated and deliciously tasting meal. I doubt that it's possible to leave here without feeling like this was one of your best evenings ever..

The food at this quaint restaurant is delicious! I took my parents to celebrate 50 years of marriage. The hostess, the bartender and the maitre' we're delightful and gracious. The Tam-Bellini was tart, sweet and refreshing. We had perfectly fried zucchini for an appetizer, house salad with dressing that is flavorful, light and the exact right amount. For our entrees, we had lamb with amazing basil gnocchi, beef medallions with shrimp on a delectable sauce, and a pasta dish with a well paired array of vegetables. I cannot say enough about the quality and flavor of the food, it is well worth the drive into the city for a meal here. I'm sorry to agree with other reviewers. Our server Chad, has truly reduced our experience. His demeanor was snarky from the start. He seemed rather distasteful of the specials as he repeated then abruptly. I had to drink my parents water because we only saw him to deliver our plates, then when he checked on us immediately following delivery. When he took the entree orders he dashed away so quickly I had to call him back to order wine for my mom. Our empty plates were left well after we had finished with our food. For the quality of the meal, it is such a shame that the service was less friendly or attentive than I usually experience at eat n park. This is a place to visit for an amazing meal, just don't expect much in the way of service. I did notice the regular customers were attended to with courtesy and grace, so being a new guest could be the reason our experience was less than stellar.

WOW! Just WOW! This was a somewhat accidental find for us, and we had no idea what a wonderful treat we were in for at this establishment. The staff are exceptionally well-trained, and attentive. Even to each other's tables. The presentation and quality of the food, along with the bevy of wine options, make this place world-class. I was shocked at the friendliness of the staff, from the maître d', to the owners, to the servers. While I elected to partake entirely of the specials, my companion chose a more traditional option of the eggplant parmesan. Each of us left more satisfied that we could have banked on and we didn't even manage to sneak in dessert because we were so full. That was disappointing, given the quality offered. I would not only recommend this restaurant, but I would recommend traveling great distances to partake of their service and cuisine. This is a diamond of a place, and we learned that this is the last generation of the Tambellini's to own a restaurant (most likely). So, you better get your dining in because there is no guarantee it will last forever.

Had an easy dinner at Tambellini's and it was a good experience. The food is good but a little overpriced in my opinion. We both started with a seasonal drink from the bar, each of them were pretty flavorful. We were then offered one piece of bread while we waited for our food which was a little odd but no big deal as we didn't want to fill up anyway. We then got our entrees which were the chicken parm and a chicken pepper special. The pepper chicken had a couple different types of peppers which gave the dish a nice kick and came with a side of pasta and soup. The chicken parm had good crunch and was smothered in cheese with the same two sides. All of this came out to over $100. The service here was great as the wait staff was very attentive and thorough through the dining experience. While it was a good meal I don't anticipate coming back as there are better and more convenient Italian options in the city.

Outstanding food. Our monthly "supper club" went here and all in all, left very pleased. Appetizers included fried zucchini (6/10), stuffed banana peppers (6/10) and crab balls (7/10). Our entrees were mostly veal of some sort (all well received) and I opted for the homemade ravioli. They were near flawless and came with a meatball that was tender and packed with flavor. The cheesecake is definitely worth getting for dessert! The one downside to all of this, and I hate to say it because I really enjoyed the food... the atmosphere is very... "stuffy". White linens, very intimate seating. Our group of 6 laughed pretty loud a few times and could notice people turning and looking at us. Probably best suited for a 1 on 1 type dinner.

Okay, WOW. My husband and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary tonight and we were blown away by the delicious cuisine we enjoyed. The bread and oil were absolutely scrumptious. I had to stop myself from eating all the bread to save room for dinner! My husband loved his seasonal salad and Seafood Michelle. He concluded that this was one of the best meals he's ever had. (He's a fancy boy and has enjoyed dining at Gordon Ramsay's and Emeril's restaurants) Well, I, on the other hand can say with absolute certainty that this was THE. BEST. MEAL. I've ever had! Chicken pastina soup...could've eaten it by the gallon! But the real star of the show was the incredible chicken piccata with angel hair pasta (up charge for the pasta, but worth it - I promise)! Every aspect of the dish was spot on. The chicken was cooked perfectly! Moist and melted in my mouth! We're driving home currently and just keep randomly saying, "wow, that was SO GOOD!" We ordered some cheesecake for home and it's calling my name as we speak. Also had the pleasure of meeting the owners, Joe and Michelle, who were so kind and appreciative of our raving reviews! Try this place for your next date night!