Soba

My husband and I wanted to try somewhere new for our anniversary dinner, and we decided on Soba. From start to finish, our experience was fantastic! One big plus is their complimentary valet parking—a huge convenience in Shadyside, where street parking can sometimes be tricky. Inside, the atmosphere was clean, stylish, and comfortable, setting the perfect tone for a special night out. The staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making us feel truly valued. The menu is clearly marked with vegan and gluten-free options, which made ordering a breeze. The food was delicious, and we appreciated the thoughtful accommodations for different dietary needs. A particularly memorable moment was when our waitress surprised us with a complimentary dessert, complete with an edible “Congratulations” chocolate banner—such a kind and personal touch! While the dessert was vegetarian rather than vegan, making it something I couldn’t personally enjoy, the gesture itself spoke volumes about their level of service. Soba is on the pricier side, but if you’re looking for an upscale spot for a date night or special occasion, it’s absolutely worth considering. We had a wonderful evening and will definitely be back!

The food is just plain bad. We ordered chowder soup, fried dumplings, shrimp tempura, pork lettuce rolls, some salad, and california gluten-free rolls. Out of all of these, the only half decent dishes were the salad and the soup. All the stuff from the main menu just flopped. It was barely edible. Every new shrimp I ate the less I wanted to eat the shrimp, leaving a barely touched plate. The shrimp looked like it was in a sweet sauce, being bright orange, but it was salty and barely had any taste to it. The rolls were also way too salty and without any distinct flavor except the salt. The only decent meals were a very cold salad and an overly-peppered soup. Basically, after being in many great restaurants in many parts of the world, it was just offensive to me how bad the food was for its price, especially. The staff was good. They were polite and helpful. However, they took some time to take the plates and never poured or refilled the drinks. The best thing about the restaurant is the interior. It's just great, the furniture is very nice and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Unfortunately for the Soba restaurant I eat out to enjoy meals and atmosphere is just a part of it and with how horrible the food was I can't give this restaurant more than 2 stars.