Dinner at Habitat.
Over the weekend, we ate dinner at Habitat which is located in the Fairmont Pittsburgh.
This was to kick off Mr. How Sweet’s birthday celebration, and it couldn’t have gone any better. Habitat’s menu is full of enticing dishes made of fresh, organic and local ingredients… and the entire thing just immediately made my mouth water.
Plus, we were seated right near the kitchen, which is bright and open and looks like this.
Love. I wanted to jump in there.
In full disclosure, our meal was on the house. But I would have told you about it anyway because, well… do I talk about anything else besides what we eat? Not really.
Once we got there and perused the menu (which, let’s be honest, I had nearly memorized online beforehand because I was so excited), we decided on filets and a few appetizers. But soon after, the sous chef, Luis, came out and asked how hungry we were (uh… very. always.) and said he’d love to surprise us. We had no idea what was in store but I was giddy with anticipation. Seriously. I would not shut up.
The first course we had was a basket of freshly baked naan with three different chutneys. There was also a jar of homemade peach pineapple jam that we got to take home with us. Thank goodness, because I can’t even tell you how many times my husband double-dipped.
This was perfect and nearly impossible to stop eating. We really wanted to only eat a bit as we figured we’d want to enjoy what was to come, but that flew out the window with the first bite. We finished the entire thing.
Next up we had a cream of cauliflower soup.
Would you believe me if I tell you that out of all the delicious food we had that night, we both agreed that this was our favorite course? It definitely was. It is not something I would have ever ordered in a restaurant but consider me cauliflower converted. The soup was – dare I say it – actually very light. But the best part by far was the garnish of toasted capers and crispy cauliflower. I am dying for a bowl of this right now.
Then: beets.
Ah… yes. Scary, scary beets. I was very skeeeered, let me tell you. I’m sure it does not surprise you that I have never tasted a beet, besides in fresh mixed juice, and definitely had no intentions of doing so. This salad was full of fresh beets, local honey, coriander and a huge dollop of goat cheese. I am talking huge – like maybe more than 1/4 cup? And guess what? I actually liked the beets. I cannot believe it. I will never be that person who tells you that vegetables taste like something they don’t, but the only way I can describe this is to compare them to candy. I loved, loved, loved them. The reminded me of peaches? Or berries? Or something. I was so happy I tried this and went outside of my vegetable comfort zone.
At this point I was getting extremely full… and I had no idea what was coming next.
This is a tempura squash blossom filled with swiss chard and bacon sitting in a tiny pool of tomato gazpacho. Yes, more vegetables that I’ve been wary of but I think we all know I’ll eat anything with bacon. I want to say that this was my second favorite course, but I can hardly choose. I just know I want to sleep on a squash blossom pillow tonight.
Okay… you’re not even going to believe me here. I really don’t even know how to describe this. It will go down in history as one of the most memorable dishes I have ever tasted.
Three different cuts of bacon (which Luis brought out to show us… man I love him) + two or three different kinds of local mushrooms + bacon fat breadcrumbs + a little pile of mashed potatoes (totally melted on my tongue)+ a bit of a green apple (I think) garnish. What the what? I know. My exact thoughts. I’m sure you know that I can’t even begin to describe it… and between each bite the only thing flying out of our mouths was a slew of (happily positive) expletives.
At this point I was ready to take Luis home with me.
Didn’t think I could eat another bite, but out came this salmon with the most incredible crispy sear, right next to a stack of braised cabbage and mashed potato puree. Ate every bite and thought that maybe we were done…
…but then our waitress sat a very distinct serrated knife down next to each of us, and I took one look at my husband and said, “I think this means steak.” I didn’t know whether to cheer or cry because how on Earth was I going to stick one more forkful in my mouth? Not a problem though once we saw the grass-fed ribeye, potato gratin and caramelized cippolini onion. So, so unreal.
I didn’t think that I could manage another bite (I’ve said this what? Three or four times now? That’s how I felt all night. SOMEONE GIVE ME A THESAURUS!), but we decided there would be no passing up dessert and thank goodness we didn’t.
He had this vanilla orange panna cotta with balsamic strawberries and a strawberry crumble.
And I… had this milk chocolate s’mores cheesecake. Uh huh.
You probably know my deep adoration for all things s’mores related, so I was in high heaven.
No words.
Surely you’ve picked up on this by now, but we absolutely loved Habitat. I think our experience was even more enjoyable than we imagined because we had such a great time talking with Luis. His passion for food was indescribable and to say he actually made the night for us is no exaggeration. I’m already planning on heading back next week before a showing of Wicked and I can hardly wait! If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you must must must give it a try. Tell them the weird girl who took pictures with her iPhone all night and drank too much wine sent you.
81 Comments on “Dinner at Habitat.”
I work for the Fairmont! If I ever get to Pittsburgh, I will definitely have to try that restaurant out. :-)
I could cry! I think my lower lip is quivering! Well, maybe that’s just from trying to lick the screen…. Our favorite Indian restaurant has taught my husband and I to never refuse a vegetable, even those we’ve hated since childhood. I am ready to taste beets now! (I’ll eat anything with goat cheese alongside. Srsly.)
I’m intrigued by your description of beets, b/c being the anti-vegetable person that I am, I’ve been scared to try them! I always had this image of them being bitter…totally opposite of candy. So, I’ll have to give them a try! Sounds like such a fun night!
I could cry! My lower lip is quivering; that could be from trying to lick the screen….
My husband and I have learned this from eating Indian food – never say no to trying a vegetable, no matter how much you hated it growing up. I am ready for some beets now!
I could cry! My lower lip is quivering; that could be from trying to lick the screen….
My husband and I have learned this from eating Indian food – never say no to trying a vegetable, no matter how much you hated it growing up. I am ready for some beets now! Gimme!
Aarg. Sorry about the double post – truth is I had to type it four times to get it to post. *blush*
okay new plan: i bring my mom and her bff to Pittsburgh…we eat HERE…and then we get together with you :) …or you come with us to Harvest! this sounds INCREDIBLE!
(and ps. if you ever go to Chicago, eat at Girl and the Goat!!!!)
YUM the smores dessert looks to die for!!!!
I second that! Girl and the Goat in Chicago is AMAZING..the shishito peppers and the green beans are a must, and i heard the pig face is amazing..i dont eat meat but i hear it great :)
I LOVE this plan!
I just stumbled across your blog, and you are HILARIOUS!! I also hate vegetables : ) GREAt blog!
Please try and figure out how to make that milk chocolate s’mores cheesecake and let us know how you did it!
So glad I read this! Hubby and I have been looking for a place like this in the Burgh that serves organic cuisine! We are def going to have to try this place! Also, we are going to see Wicked, too, this week with my in-laws!!! I’m so excited! Not sure if it would be weird, but if we end up going on the same night and you see me there, say “hi”! Enjoy:)
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Heh heh, how’d you get that comped? Tast-ee!
We’re in Pittsburgh for a few days and totally went to Habitat on your recommendation last night. =) Our meal wasn’t free at all (!) so we didn’t get to try all that you did, but what we had was really good. The roasted chicken breast was so tender and yummy…but the mashed potatoes were what totally knocked me over. I wanted *more* and it wasn’t like it was a tiny serving…also, now I’m a fan of those fancy pea tendrils. Which is great, because there’s no way I’ll find a place to buy those back home. Sigh.
Hated I couldn’t try the cauliflower soup – it’s not on the menu anymore! =(
Thanks for the heads’ up about Habitat!
Awesome! So glad you guys liked it. I went again a few weeks ago and they didn’t have the soup either. :( BUT! I recreated it and will be posting it soon. :)
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I just stumbled across this post and was so happy to hear your amazing review of Habitat! My sister is getting married at the Fairmont in Pittsburgh and Habitat is catering their reception – I’ll be sure to take pictures of the food ;-)
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The usually deep red roots of beetroot are eaten either grilled, boiled, or roasted as a cooked vegetable, cold as a salad after cooking and adding oil and vinegar, or raw and shredded, either alone or combined with any salad vegetable. A large proportion of the commercial production is processed into boiled and sterilised beets or into pickles. In Eastern Europe, beet soup, such as borscht, is a popular dish. In Indian cuisine, chopped, cooked, spiced beet is a common side dish. Yellow-coloured beetroots are grown on a very small scale for home consumption.’
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