Rachel T.
Yelp
Spork might be my new favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh!! My boyfriend and I went for the first time a few weeks ago. We have heard great things about Spork for years, but never made it in. We made a reservation for a Friday date night, and literally couldn't have had a better experience. I knew the restaurant was expensive, so I wasn't sure what the ambience would be like. It was super quirky with celebrity prayer candles on each table. I loved that the kitchen was wide open so we could see (and smell) everything being prepared! I would love to sit at the bar facing the kitchen next time to watch them cook!
We were the first ones there at 5 pm and ate for 2 hours. Our waitress Heather was very personable and friendly, and answered all of our menu questions. She was passionate about the menu and made great recommendations. I started with a glass of Malbec and my boyfriend tried the Dairy Air Milk Punch. Both drinks were great.
We ordered 2 apps and 2 entrees since it was our first time there, but the portions were large! I started with the crispy octopus ($33-roasted red pepper spuma, crispy leeks, napa wasabi slaw, chorizo sausage), and my partner started with the Berkshire pork cheek ($25- spätzle, cider glacé, horseradish crème, crispy onions). We both were obsessed with the appetizers and could have eaten them as our meals. The octopus was so tender, except for the end which was too hard to eat. I think it was just for presentation, because I couldn't bite into it or cut it. The slaw was a mix of spicy from the wasabi, but cold in temperature. The flavors all paired together like nothing I've ever tasted before. This octopus was *chef's kiss*. My boyfriend raved about the pork cheek and said it was his favorite part of the meal.
From the time you sit down, the staff brings over small bites from the kitchen to taste. This was really fun to try new things and made us feel special (even though everyone gets this treatment lol)! Some of the bites we tasted included: a mushroom/chickpea soup drizzled with chili oil, ratatouille on a cracker with grana padano cheese and fried leeks, and homemade focaccia (wasn't my favorite) with good Sicilian olive oil and seaweed churned butter (incredible). The board was sprinkled with salt and the presentation was beautiful for each dish! They also brought us warm buns that were amazing. I loved the roll much more than the focaccia. My favorite bite was the potato puff fried in duck fat with pureed crickets (I know...), and caviar on top. They should really offer a few of those as an appetizer because I would love to eat it again! Then we tasted homemade kombucha as a palate cleanser before our dinner came. I got the most beautiful pasta dish I've ever seen! Forest mushroom ravioli ($44- two cheese, tomato water, crispy brussels sprouts, koji seared mushrooms, ricotta salata, sunflower seeds, carrot crème). The raviolis were packed full of the savory mushroom filling. The carrot creme was also so unique and flavorful. My boyfriend ordered the wagyu eye ($84- black shallot mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini, fermented tomato hollandaise) and loved every bite of it.
We were so full at this point, but still wanted to try their beautiful desserts. The Dessert ($28- 1. profiterole craquelin lemon curd (my favorite), with fresh berries, 2. chocolate umami bombe with tempered milk chocolate, chocolate espresso mousse, strawberry fluid gel, 3. vanilla génoise mango, strawberry, vanilla glacé bombe coconut cashew powder, dulce de leche crème, mint-berry fluid gel). Each dessert was straight off of a cooking/baking tv show. We were impressed with every bite. I loved the mix of sweet and savory!
When more produce is in season, they use what they grow in their garden! Everything in the restaurant is farm to table and tastes fresh like the seasons. Our whole meal was absolutely incredible and we will never forget the experience! I highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion or just to treat yourself. They also have a happy hour at the bar with discounted drinks. I'm not sure if there is discounted food for happy hour too. It would also be fun to go to dinner with a few people so you could share some more appetizers. We will be back for a birthday or anniversary very soon! :)