Kaya

I have long heard about this place and when the opportunity to go there presented itself I was eager to go.

First impression of the restaurant was the host (or manager even) who hurriedly told us it would be an hour and half wait for a table inside since we didn't have a reservation...  I was confused though because as I looked around the dining room it looked to be only about 40% occupied.

We opted to be seated outside and our table was basically on top of Smallman St ...

The menu looked exciting and we ordered sangria, so things looked on the up and up. But... when we started eating all of our food was sort of just "alright" and very one note.

Don't know if I'll go back.

I love coming to Kaya, but it has never been quite as good as the first time.

We went yesterday and they appear to either have a new chef since we were here last summer or whoever does lunch does things a big differently.

The corn and lentil beignets looked mostly like battled fritters of whole corn kernels which is not how I remember them.

I ordered two entrees because I was worried by favorite dish might disappoint and I wanted to try something new and not reget it. So, to hedge my bets, I got both my favorite Jamaican Green Curry and a new item, Seasonal Vegetable Paella. Both were good, but the JGC is better. I wasn't wowed like I was the first time, but it was still very good.

One of several hip restaurants, in this hip part of Pittsburgh. The menu is somewhat exotic, and everything ordered was delicious. The ambience is cool/trendy, and the wait staff was very professional. Definitely worth a look if you're ever in Pittsburgh.