15090, A Melting Pot Of Sorts

Ethnic food in certain suburbs of Pittsburgh can be hard to come by. If you know much about Wexford, you probably wouldn't think of it as a gastronomic melting pot. Look closer, and you'll find some descent ethnic fare.

The Thai Place
Pine Tree Shoppes
Sister restaurant of the Shadyside and Fox Chapel Thai Place, The Thai Place in Wexford has wonderful, authentic food. The steamed dumplings are homemade and are not to be missed. They are filled with ground chicken, are light and balanced, and always served piping hot. The Pad-Se-Ew, Chile Fried Rice, and Crispy Duck are some of my favorites. Depending on which chef you get, the spice level can be aggressively wonderful if you ask for a 7 or better out of ten. (My husband and I have been trying to "one up" each other in this category for years. We started at a 5and have lately been ordering a 9 or 10. I think we both secretly prefer a 7/8, but we have our pride to consider, of course.) Dinner can get pricey, and the staff seemed offended one time when we arrived to dine within an hour and a half of closing time, but other than that The Thai Place is highly recommended.

Ichiban
Village At Pine
One in the chain of Ichiban restaurants, the Wexford location joins the Waterworks, Cranberry, and Robinson locations. There are hibachi tables as well as a sushi bar, a drink bar, and non-hibachi tables. The sushi is fresh and wonderful. Some of the rolls are a bit overdone (lots of heavy sauces) but many simple, wonderful rolls are available along with other sushi dishes. The miso soup is very good as well. The drink list is fun and lengthy, and the wine list is descent. The restaurant is closed at odd times between lunch and dinner, so be sure to call ahead if you want to go around then.

My Big Fat Greet Gyro
Pine Tree Shoppes
My Big Fat Greek Gyro, though cheesily-named, serves fresh, tasty Greek fare. The food comes fast and hot and is pretty authentic. The gyros are solid, and the stuffed grape leaves are some of the best I have had. Can't speak much to the non-Greek fare on the menu, and there is lots of it, but the Greek food is very good.

Azzeria
Village At Pine
With the original on Banksville Road, the Wexford Azzeria is the second location. Azzeria serves breakfast, lunch/dinner, and dessert. They woodfire many ingredients and dishes (even LaPrima coffee beans) and serve great food. The pizzas are available in wheat and white crusts, and both are very good. The pizzas aren't actually woodfired at this location - that is done at the Banksville location and the crusts are flash frozen and delivered to the Wexford location. However, the are surprisingly fresh. The pizzas are available in white, red, and vodka sauce options, and a plethora of ingredients, many woodfired at the Wexford location, are available as toppings. We love the greens and beans pizza. Other than a few overly oily pizzas, we have yet to dislike anything about the pizzas there. Pizzas are available by the slice or the pie. Azzeria also offers paninis and salads, as well as homemade soups. I will have to do a post on Azzeria at some time in the future, because there is a lot to talk about, but for now, it suffices to say go there - eat the woodfired wings (which taste more like roasted chicken), the pizza, or a breakfast panini. If you are lucky enough to be there on a day when chili is one of the special soups, order some for there and some to bring home. Don't miss the gelato for a real treat. FYI - Azzeria is BYOB.

Patron
Perry Highway
Patron is a Mexican restaurant on Perry Highway. I have to admit, I am partial to El Campesino, so I didn't give this place much of a chance at first. Then I heard about Monday night taco night. Patron serves beef or chicken tacos on Monday night for $.95. They are hearty tacos - filled with meat (the beef has just enough fat and is ground thin, the chicken is mostly white meat and is shredded, served with stewed tomatoes and onions), shredded queso, and shredded lettuce. The shells are crispy and fresh - so good! Salsa and chips come with the meal as well. The salsa is inconsistent but usually wonderful. Occasionally, someone I am with on a Monday will order something other than a taco (if you can believe it), and when they do their meal is also very good. I have tried the fajitas Azteca (pork chunks, chorizo, chicken, and steak) and they are an interesting, tasty twist on the ordinary fajita.

Adding to the Melting Pot are Mama Lucia's (Village At Pine), China House (Pine Tree Shoppes), and Pierogies by Forgotten Taste (Perry Highway).