Michael A's Italian

Review summary

1. G

   Gerry

   VIP

   Pittsburgh

   23 reviews

   4.0

   23 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Our server was great but it took almost 30 min to get our food due to kitchen issues we were told. Our bill was adjusted accordingly. The decor is much improved by recent renovations but the lower level is very cramped seating-wise. Bread on last 2 visits lacked freshness. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable. Pizzas are good as are the entrees.
   

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2. B

   Brooke

   Cleveland

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lasagna is a work of art! Arancini was fabulous! Wine list is varied lots of good choices! Definitely recommend!
   

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3. C

   Christine

   Pittsburgh

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 13 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Very attentive wait staff, and the food delivery time was appropriate.
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Pittsburgh

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on 13 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   The server was amazing! The bread basket was very stale. 2 pieces of small Italian bread, a poppyseed bread stick - very hard and a small pice of nutty grain bread. The dipping oil was good and we loved the roasted garlic. Ordered the whipped ricotta with focaccia- ricotta was great - the focaccia was like high school cafeteria garlic bread. We ordered the signature Michael A’s meat sauce and linguini - it had no flavor. For $24 - very disappointing! My husband couldn’t eat it. I had the mushroom risotto- it was good - a few under done mushrooms were too chewy - you had to cut them with a knife but the flavor was good. I had the Caesar salad - good but overdressed and heavy garlic (I liked it.) My husband’s tossed salad was very bland - iceberg, white onion, hothouse tomato, pepperoncini, black olive, house. We’ve had better food at fundraiser spaghetti dinners.
   

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5. A

   Audrey

   Pittsburgh

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 12 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The renovation on the first floor is nice! Didn't see 2nd floor. We were a party of 8 and everyone was greeted at the front door politely and shown to our table. Our server was very nice, professional and helpful. Michael A's was always a favorite of ours before it was sold. We were told that the new owner had the original recipes. A person from our group asked if the Marinara is the original recipe and was told "yes". He immediately ordered linguini with marinara because to him, Michael A's had the best. He took one bite and said, this is not the original, there's something in this that tastes awful. He did not eat his entree. He again questioned our server and she said it was the original recipe, he again told her, it is not. I tasted the marinara and agree with him, it is totally different than the original. She did not offer to provide him with a different sauce on his linguini. With that said, the appetizers were excellent (zucchini, orinchini, greens and beans, calamari), soups and salads were delicious, and the other 7 diners liked their entrees. I was satisfied with our meals; however, was not over the top. It's not like the original Michael A's so if you're looking for what the original patrons are looking for, you'll be very disappointed. Much more expensive too.
   

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6. K

   Kathleen

   Pittsburgh

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on 11 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Having never been to the original I have nothing to compare to but all was extremely nice. We all enjoyed our choices for meals!!
   

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7. S

   Susan

   Pittsburgh

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Our waitress was honest to tell us that the early bird pricing was still on. We saved $18 in total. The portions for early bird were smaller, but it was more than enough for me and my husband. This was our first visit since reopening. We'lll be back again.
   

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8. K

   Karl

   Orange County

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 4 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Great food & drinks. 1st floor cold near the door.
   

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9. C

   Cyndy

   Pittsburgh

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 3 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely restaurant with good ambiance, food and service. If you have been here in the past, be prepared to be awed by the complete removation. It’s still small, but gorgeous. The bar has plenty of seats, there is a downstairs and upstairs and it’s just right! I have been here a few times and have had the whipped ricotta and Sicilian Arancini- both were delicious. Bread service, great. Tonight’s menu included mushroom risotto with added shrimp and bolognese and, again, delicious. There were a few cocktails made to perfection! You will not be disappointed. But make a reservation or you won’t get in!
   

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10. J

    Joan

    Pittsburgh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 30 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    This is the second time we have dined here in the past 2 weeks. We liked it so much the first time, we brought our our friends. Loved the calamari, fungi pizza was delish and the chicken romano was fantastic. Great cocktail and drink selection. I would highly recommend.
    

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