Spirit & Tales

Spirits & Tales is a great place for a view of the University of Pittsburgh. We started off with cocktails and the octopus appetizer. I ordered the crab ravioli and my husband got the half chicken. Both were tasty but nothing I would come back for a second time. The cocktails were delicious with a wide variety including seasonal special and cocktails. I would go back again for cocktails or brunch but not for dinner.

First impressions were great. Nice atmosphere up on the 10th floor. Amazing views at night. We sat at the bar waiting for our party to show up. The bartender though gave off vibes she didn't want to be there and was really just cobbling drinks together. One party asked if she could do a hot toddy and she said "I guess I could". We took our drinks to our table of eight. The setting was nice but waiter came in like a wrecking ball, took orders and then when he was brining plates looked at me realizing he forgot to put my order in! He just said I'll be back without telling me the obvious and I caught him and asked and he said he forgot to put in the order and said he could comp the glass of wine while everyone at their dinner. I think it was rough service but of course table of 8 gave him mandatory 20%. He wasn't good but the food (my dish came out eventually) was really really good. Everyone was happy and satisfied.

Creative, balanced cocktails, a fascinating menu, great service, beautiful views--we have no complaints about our experience here. Spirits & Tales is on the tenth floor of the recently renovated Oaklander Hotel. The high ceilings and glass walls make for beautiful views of downtown Pittsburgh. Honestly, we had just checked in, were tired and hungry, and didn't realize what a treat we were in for. Our server was great. A lifelong Pittsburgher, gruff, and no nonsense. He was perfectly happy to give us his unvarnished opinion of everything on the menu and help us decide between a surfeit of intriguing options. He really made us feel welcome and at ease while talking really good care of us. Last Thanksgiving, I tried my hand at beef bourguignon, and I only wish mine had been as rich, moist, tender and smooth as what we had here. The seared prosciutto that topped it was a nice touch, but I'm not sure it added anything. The stew was perfectly hearty and comforting all on its own. The grilled salmon with roasted brussel sprouts was also a great autumn meal. The cocktails, though, were the stars of the show. The Oaklander's bartender is a gem and of go back there just to see what else she comes up with. If you are a fan of classic cocktails, she has come up with some fascinating variations on timeless themes. I started with the Windfall, a variation on a New York sour, where the fruity Cabernet topper brings depth and sweetness to this whiskey cocktail. Benedictine and walnut bitters add complexity and a really nice evolution. I followed it with the S'mores Old Fashioned, which came garnished with an actual flaming marshmallow that you extinguish by swirling it in the drink. Despite the actual toasted sugar, it manages not to be overly sweet. My partner started with the Falling Berries combining smoky mezcal with fresh berries. She followed it up with the New Fashioned, a simple take on an old fashioned that swaps tequila for whiskey and accentuates it with hickory smoke under a bell jar. Delicious. Unusually for us, we might have had a third round of drinks. Like good restaurants, the portions were perfectly sized so that the idea of dessert was actually enticing. We got the flaming brown butter bourbon cake. I haven't had a flaming dessert since I visited Paris when I was fifteen and accidentally got tipsy when I blew out the flame before all the cognac had burned off. The cake wasn't as moist as I would have liked, but it was still very good. The menu is updated regularly here (quarterly?), so there's ample reason to come back. I love that we kind of accidentally stumbled into a fine dining experience, Pittsburgh style, and I'm excited to visit again.

This was my 3rd time there and we had lunch. I say skip lunch and try dinner or brunch instead. The 1st 4 pictures are from lunch. The lunch menu was limited and not impressive. I had a lox sandwich and the bagel was clearly thawed from frozen and not fresh. I was disappointed. My husband and my mom didn’t enjoy their food either. The place is beautiful and has good views. Brunch and dinner were awesome!

Great atmosphere! Beautiful glassed in outdoor patio, swanky indoor space, and a wrap-around bar with comfortable seating. The servers were sweet and attentive and the VEGAN OPTIONS WERE AMAZING!!! I knocked one star because the cocktails were average. They could have a more creative list that would add to the ambience of the space. My bf and I went here for my bday dinner and I'm happy we came here!

I had brunch here, and my egg dish was a little bland. I was excited to see a Kir Royale on the menu as an alternative to a mimosa. The drink was perfectly balanced. It was also my birthday and the cake served for birthdays was delicious. I wasn't even in the mood for cake, but I couldn't put my fork down LOL. The atmosphere and views here are enjoyable. There is a parking garage conveniently located across the street.

Came for brunch on a Saturday. Great service! Atmosphere is nice with awesome view of Oakland. It’s on the 10th floor of the hotel. Bloody Mary was average (make sure you get the bacon in the drink, it was really good!) but the omelet was delicious. Bloody Mary and omelet was $30. I would come again.

I loved the vibe of the restaurant and of course the location. It’s kind of rooftop restaurant and you have great views anywhere you sit in the restaurant. We had a chance to sit on the balcony and it was great(I know now is winter, we went when the weather was nice), but still you can go to the balcony and have drinks. The food and desserts are really delicious and definitely like it.