Tillie's Restaurant

I think we can all appreciate the review inflation that goes on these days. Many people give 5 stars to any place that doesn't commit any egregious errors and we all feel some peer pressure to follow along. Then you get to a real place deserving of 5 stars and realize there is nowhere to go. There is not a 6th or 7th star to give and that, in this case, is a disservice to the excellence that is Tillie's We were recommended this place by a gluten free friend of ours who let us know she "makes an exception for Tillie's." She was correct. I don't think I've ever been more satisfied by a pasta meal. According to our server, the fresh pasta is made mostly by a lady who has been doing it for 30 years but also a 90 year-old lady who comes in once per week to make certain pastas. I don't know these individuals, personally, but I hope they know I love them. The meal started with bread and very fresh salads with homemade dressing (at least the blue cheese). They were of a good size and the bread was very fresh. But then-- the pasta. I got two (giant) meat raviolis with meat sauce and a meatball and my wife got the homemade spaghetti with vodka sauce. The giant ravioli were stacked and then there appeared to be a layer of cooked meat/soffritto drenched with red sauce that delivered every element one looks for in a classic red sauce. The stacked ravioli with meat on top almost approximated a lasagna, with layers of amazing pasta, beautifully seasoned meat filling, more pasta, and then the lovingly cooked meat layer I mentioned earlier. Even with the sauce, it was quite evident this was cooked for a long time and got some good color-- very much a Bolognese base. The meatball was delicious in its own right, but was almost superfluous among the embarrassment of riches already present. My wife's fresh spaghetti was cooked to perfection and the vodka sauce nailed the creamy mouth feel and nuanced flavor notes characteristic of the style. This dish is how she judges an Italian restaurant and, having tried dozens, ranked this among the very best. Lastly, my wife finished with a Cannoli which was both beautiful and delicious. Then the bill came and I couldn't believe my eyes as to how reasonable it was. I felt like I went back in time to 2005! We cannot wait to come back and try some of the other fantastic sounding items on the menu. What a hidden gem in the greater Pittsburgh area.