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Hot Metal Grille is owned by the folks that originally ran the Seventh Street Grille in downtown Pittsburgh for many years.
While I find issue with the location described as being in the historic Southside Works as this is a new place in new space- it's easy to see through the marketing hype. The mills that previously littered this river field are far removed. But in their respect, we nod.
Southside Works is an unusual cluster of main street-esque square new buildings ranging about 3-4 stories on average along Carson Street -> past the Birmingham bridge heading towards Homestead. The plan is interesting for Pittsburgh and features lots of living rental space in townhouse and condo configurations along with many retail establishments like REI and Cheesecake Factory. The compound is also known for the various Pitt Panther and Steeler training facilities and the FBI headquarters office. A great reuse of otherwise disgarded brownfields.
As for the interior of Hot Metal Grille it's best described as modern minimalist with lots of dark tones. The barback art wall is interesting in finish decoration and choice of red backlighting. It's like very old-Berlin meets posh new design New York ambience.
Roomy chairs and comfy booths neatly dot the room - devided by just under 6 foot high wall partitions. So you can stand up and look across the room and see the tops of every head or a collegue scurrying along to the bar. A neat open space approach.
The food here is good as the chef and some of the staff remain from Seventh Street Grille. I have only tried their vegetarian sandwich and it hit the spot... Nothing too creative- but fresh and simple.
Beverages are limited if you are the type that basis things on the tap handles... Three or four handles with only one good beer. Look for or ask for the full beer menu. They have about 10 or so good beers worth seeking in bottles.
So what can we say about this place to close? Questionable location a year ago, but now the mecca with the recent opening of the Cheesecake Factory with it's one-hour plus waits on the weekends. Just two blocks away from that noise is Hot Metal and two blocks from their the Birmingham Bridge Tavern. With the many screen movie theatre on the way - opening the Steel Metal Grille later and on Sundays - they will do well. Overflow traffic will guarantee that for sure.
I'd recommend this place especially to those who like to be in the 'in crowd' and those who like design oriented environments. This place isn't much like the old haunts at Seventh Street and we aren't complaining about that.
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