Chaya
- August 28, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
zonder from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Located in Squirrel Hill, (IMHO)Chaya is the most under-rated Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh. Chef Yasu opened this restaurant back in 2001 after working in various kitchens in Tokyo & NYC.
The menu consists of a good blend of familiar favorites such as teriyaki, tempura, etc. But where this restaurant truly shine is its more traditional Japanese classics ranging from shabushabu to kaiseki dinners.
Yep - you read that right. If you call ahead, Chef Yasu can prepare a fantastic Omakase (chef's choice) meal that serve anywhere 6 + dishes, depending on how much you want to spend. These dishes are often creative, hard to find and take advantage of the freshest ingredients that are in season. Given that Chaya sources a lot of their ingredients directly from Japan, Chef Yasu often put together a unique Japanese dinner that hard to find anywhere else in Pittsburgh. And yes, the quality of sashimi and Yasu's knifework is top notch.
Some details to be aware of - they don't take reservation except for the omakase dinners. Open only for dinner from 5-9.45pm on Monday to Saturday, on weekend nights, the line often extends out the door during peak dinner hours. It's also BYOB but if you really are in a pinch and forgot to bring your own, there's a place (Kazansky's) half a block south on Murray that sells a decent selection of six packs.
From journal Weekend-Plus in Pittsburgh