Bar Marco

Last weekend, we decided to try a new-to-us restaurant: Bar Marco. It's in The Strip in an old firehouse and was recently named to Pittsburgh Magazine's Best Restaurants 2017 List. They have also made headlines for being one of the first restaurants to have a "no tipping" policy since they pay their employees a fixed salary.

Here's what we drank & ate:

Peat Wash cocktail (bourbon and scotch plus some other ingredients) and a glass of Pinot Blanc.

We also shared an Old Fashioned with Jefferson bourbon (I can't remember which one). It was a yummy old fashioned. Somehow, no matter how much I enjoy the old fashioneds SP makes me, they always taste better when made at a bar.

We shared Calamari Fritti with calabrian pepper aioli. These were really tasty. Not tough, not chewy. Crisp breading. Perfect. I couldn't stop shoving them in my mouth.

Panzanella (cherry tomato/cucumber/basil/stracciatella). Simple & delicious. Summer on a plate.

SP's entree: Copper River Salmon (farrotto/radish/shallot). He said it was very good and ate everything on his plate, even the big chunks of shallot.

My entree: Fettuccine (lamb ragu/mint/pecorino).

So good it deserves two photos. So good I nearly stabbed SP's hand when he tried to sample a bite. So good I ate it all and scraped the plate clean.

Dessert: SP chose Panna Cotta. It was light, a great summer dessert. and beautiful to look at, just like the other dessert we shared:

Chocolate Semifreddo with some toasted fluff and brittle-like crunchy bits. I really liked this.

I have to admit, for a long while I didn't have much interest in trying Bar Marco. Recently, with this review in October 2016 and making the Best Restaurants 2017 List and me taking another look at their website, it suddenly seemed much more appealing than in the past and I started wondering why we hadn't yet gone. I'm glad we did. Our server was wonderful. She had no problems checking on garlic for me. Our waters were kept filled (SP drinks a lot of water). The other employees were wonderful, as well, helping us swing both doors open to get the wheelchair in & out. It was a lovely, tasty meal in a relaxing, casual atmosphere, and we'll be back.