Monterey Pub   

At first this little pub seemed like a welcome relief to the dearth of *safe* places to have a drink on the northside. The martini list is impressive, the beer selection good, and the food as about as unique as one is going to see over there. YET, and this is a big YET, the wait-staff leaves much to be desired. Let's start with the apathetic male bartender who refuses eye-contact and grumbles so lowly, one finds oneself feeling guilty for even troubling him for a drink in the first place. Yet, as far as guilt for ordering goes, nobody has the waitress beat. Picture a foul-mouthed truck-stop type waitress in the body of a mid-twenties "wanna-be" hip trendy (but doesn't quite succeed in that hip-ness) body. She doesn't like to serve people she obviously doesn't know, she'll yell and make one feel flat out unwelcome. The old staff was great; these new ones will most likely run turn the place into a cliquish, restrictive "place not to be." Oh, and someone should teach these new guys how to make martinis.

While wandering through the beautiful war street district of Pittsburgh I discover a quaint little Irish pub. I apparently am there on the right night, with a plate full of crab legs (it's crab and shrimp night) I watch the final NLCS league game amongst a very enthusiastic crowd. The pub has an excellent Irish beer selection, and a menu that can satisfy vegitarians to hard core meat eaters. Glad I walked in and, well, stumbled out. It is well worth a northside adventure.