The exterior of Altius, located on Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington overlooking the cityscape and Ohio River below, is unassuming. The interior is small but upscale, and the hostess area opens up to a bar. A few steps down, rows of windows on three sides flank an intimate dining room. Every seat has a breathtaking view.

The dining experience began as soon as I was seated, and the professional-yet-personable wait staff floored me. We ordered drinks, which for me meant a Lavender Brown, a concoction of gin, lavender, ginger liqueur and a few other ingredients — it was absolutely magical in composition and gone far too soon. We then received the chef’s daily amuse-bouche to start as we looked over our dinner options.

The entire menu is enticing, but I made my choice easily, with plans to swap and share bites with my husband. I dove right in for the Pennsylvania duck breast, served with a chèvre black pepper polenta and mushroom confit, while he made a predictable choice of grass-fed strip steak.

As we waited for dinner, a member of the staff came around with a basket of fresh-baked breads and some flavored butter and dipping oils, of which I could have likely eaten my weight, particularly the focaccia.

Our entrées were served in nearly no time at all, and I highly enjoyed the duck breast along with the mouthwatering polenta, though my husband’s melt-in-your-mouth steak was extremely tempting as well.

Dessert, however, was the certain showstopper. We received a ball of chocolate surrounded by sweet popcorn, and the waiter poured a warm sauce over the chocolate orb right at our table, melting it into an almost iridescent shell of its former self, revealing a petite piece of chocolate cake within. It was an entirely perfect ending to a delightful meal.

On our way out, we were sent home with cookies to enjoy the next day, though they didn’t make it far before we devoured them. By this time, day gave way to night and the city was beautifully lit. Luckily for us, Altius, located directly next to the Duquesne Incline Observation Deck, seemed to be a popular stopping point for diners.

The final verdict? Altius is one of a handful of restaurants with a view that delivers not only a great atmosphere but also fantastic cuisine.

ALTIUS

1230 Grandview Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
tel 412 904 4442