Plate 376

Plate 376, or what was formerly know as Bikki, is the hottest new "upscale dining establishment" in shadyside. The waiter explained that the "376" is from the address of the restaurant which is located on 376 Bellafonte Street in Shadyside.

We had initially decided that we'd just get entrees and be done with the meal, but our waiter was so persuasive in his smart black uniform that we proceeded to order wine, an appetizer, entrees and dessert! Two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and a lobster pizza appetizer really set the mood. It's crusty base and tender lobster topping with chives, cheese and roasted garlic felt crunchy as well as giving a melting sensation in my mouth.

For my entree I ordered the soft shell crab with rice and toasted almonds which was absoultely fabulous. I had avoided ordering the shrimp that came with fettucini, since I felt like getting rice, and the soft shell crab complemented the wine and lobster pizza perfectly. The best part about soft shell crab is that you can eat the whole thing and not worry about biting into something too unpleasant. It's crispy exterior, once mixed with the basmati rice, and spooned with almonds was a gastronomic ephiphany.

Soft shell crab served with Basmati rice and toasted almonds

Pour en fin, dessert came in the form of a chocolate ganache stack, with caramelized twists and fresh cream. Cocoa-heavy, the stack did indeed sweeten our palate, as we tried to wash it down with the remains of our white wine.


The Chocolate Ganache "Stack" with fresh cream and caramel twists