LeMont, Pittsburgh 

I’ve lived in Pittsburgh for 17 years now, and had never been to LeMont on Mt. Washington until recently. Besides being a Pittsburgh landmark, LeMont is also a Five-Star Diamond Award-winning Fine Dining Restaurant with amazing views of Downtown Pittsburgh.

Upon entering the restaurant we were immediately greeted by a maître’d, and shown to our private room for a rehearsal dinner. Before ordering cocktails, we made our way to the large pane-glass windows to admire the beautiful view of the city. This was one of those rare, perfectly clear Pittsburgh evenings that made for perfect sightseeing from our lofty vantage point. The rivers looked clear, and the city was pristine; a vast difference from the days of smoke-producing steel mills. As we looked at the tall buildings, Incline, and boats motoring about in the waterways, I was proud to be a tenant of this fine city.

While milling about socializing, wait staff was decked out in in black ties and pressed white shirts, made sure all of our needs were met. Drinks arrived within minutes, and appetizers were served a-plenty, and piping hot.

As we took our seats, I noticed the impeccably dressed tables. Monogramed plates, shiny stemware, and white napkins reflected the top-shelf image that The LeMont is best known for. Warm dinner rolls were waiting for us with whipped butter. The bread was chewy and satisfying; a perfect prelude to our poached pear salads. As we dug into our greens, I noticed that the greens were fresh and bright. Candied walnuts were a nice texture accompaniment to the soft spinach.

Our meals arrived promptly after the salads were cleared. My filet (cooked medium –rare) was golden brown, and was served with baby carrots, a seared fluted mushroom, and boiled, then sautéed Yukon gold potatoes. The prime beef was tender, and was coated with just enough seasoning. The hollandaise sauce was buttery and delicious; the steel vessel was an ideal dunking cup for small chunks of my filet. The veggies were firm, and not over-cooked. I especially enjoyed the starchy potatoes with the crispy edges that added depth and texture. My dinner mate enjoyed a plate of crab-stuffed prawns. The shrimp were salty and delicious- the crab meat was lumpy and sweet.

Although we pre-ordered our entrees, Lemont offers a myriad of dishes, such as Parmesan Encrusted Sea Scallops ($16.95), Creole Fried Calamari ($12.95), Chambord Brie ($14.95), Roast Raspberry Duck ($33.95), Salmon Wellington ($38.95), Tournedo of Veal and Lobster ($48.95), Delmonico Diablo ($39.95), and Chateaubriand for Two, served tableside ($79.00), and Seafood Mozzarella ($ 39.95). If you prefer a salad, you can try the Cran-Apple Arugula ($8.95), Quattro Fromaggio Stuffed Poached Pear ($8.95), or the Watermelon and Feta Salad ($8.95).

Desserts include: Flambé, served tableside ($10.00), Chocolate, Raspberry, or Grand Marnier Soufflé, (pre-order with dinner, $12.00) and assorted desserts from a pastry cart that usually include carrot cake, chocolate tuxedo cake, and a delicious deep-dish apple pie. If you’re not interested in having a sit-down meal or dessert, take a seat at the bar and enjoy a top-shelf cocktail while listening to live music.

LeMont offers impeccable food, and excellent service. Most importantly, the restaurant has a million-dollar view. If you have guests in town, this would be an obvious choice. Although LeMont is a bit on the pricey side, the location, perfectly prepared food, and friendly wait staff make it well worth a trip to Mount Washington.