Verde Mexican Cantina

Location: Friendship/East Liberty
Cuisine: Mexican with a modern flair
Price: $$$

This place is great.  Its bright, very modern, lively, and urban.  The food is not your typical taco bell type Mexican!  This is high end Mexican with some great offerings like duck tamales and a wonderful sweet potato and chipotle soup.  Be sure to check it out.  The prices are not cheap but the food is never a disappointment.  There is limited space so be sure to call ahead.  Great bar!

Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5

Silk Elephant

Location: Squirrel Hill
Cuisine type: Thai
Price: $$

Great Thai at reasonable prices.  Clean and modern decor.  This restaurant has a huge menu that consists of contemporary Thai dishes along with a huge amount of tapas choices if you are looking to sample lots of items.  There is an extensive wine list as well as a large cocktail list.  The staff is always friendly and the service is quick.  Probably one of the best Thai places in the east end of the city.

Food: 5/5 stars
Service: 5/5 stars
Atmosphere: 5/5 stars

Salt of the Earth

Location: Friendship/East Liberty

Cuisine: modern and trendy

Price: $$$

Hip, trendy and upscale with a very modern cuisine.  If you are not a foodie, you may not appreciate this place.  Salt offers unique entrees that sometimes use usual pairings and usual ingredients, so its not for the picky and faint of heart.  Portions are small and moderate in price.  If you are someone who prefers gynormous proportions then this is not the place for you! The menu also changes frequently, which I prefer because a new adventure always awaits. The atmosphere is modern with shared seating downstairs and a more traditional seating arrangement upstairs. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and attentive.

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 5 stars