Abate is back and better than ever
Abate is back!
The Lunch Bunch was disappointed when the popular seafood restaurant closed in Waterworks but was mighty glad to hear of its move to Pittsburgh Mills mall.
Among a plethora of restaurant choices in and around the mall, Abate is one of the few that isn't a chain. Abate is located in part of the space once occupied un-Lucky Strike Lanes.
The new Abate is definitely upscale. Subdued lighting, high ceilings and a quiet atmosphere mean you are going to dine here, not just eat.
The Lunch Bunch was up for the task. The Abate Sampler ($12.95) seemed a bit pricey until it arrived at our table with plenty of buffalo shrimp, several planks of fried zucchini, bite-sized fried mozzarella coins and two seafood empanadas.
The popcorn shrimp were deep-fried, smothered in Buffalo sauce and served with ranch dressing. The breaded zucchini were long and thin and sprinkled with cheese, and a thick marinara was provided for dipping.
The Summer Shrimp Kabob ($11.50) looked almost too pretty to eat, but it's impossible to resist the skewers with 10 -- count 'em, 10 -- shrimp, red onions and red and green peppers atop a colorful salad that includes greens, strawberry slices, mandarin orange segments, slivered roasted almonds and a mild house dressing.
The Mahi Mahi With Pineapple Salsa ($13.25) sounded tempting, with grilled Mahi filets over a bed of sticky white rice with refreshing pineapple salsa and seasoned vegetables. The rice caught us off guard, though, with its vinegar base. The grilled broccoli, fresh green beans, roasted red pepper slices and summer squash were excellent.
Under the non-seafood items on the menu, we ordered the Hula Burger ($6.99). Made with certified Angus beef, this juicy hamburger was served on a whole-wheat bun with shredded lettuce, slices of red onion, tomato and a very thinly sliced piece of grilled pineapple. The burger is grilled with teriyaki sauce, although that didn't prevent us from asking our waitress to bring some extra to the table. A generous helping of French fries came with the meal.
The Famous, Big Fish Sandwich ($7.99) , which we ordered to-go, offered a hefty piece of cod that was dipped in a beer batter. It fit perfectly on an 8-inch roll with a helping of fries on the side. A homemade tartar sauce was included in our take-out, as well a shredded-cabbage slaw that was creamy and light.
The Ranch Chicken Kabob ($7.49) was served as a sandwich, which came as a bit of a surprise. The skewer was removed, and the chicken was placed across an 8-inch hoagie roll; red peppers and onions were grilled separately and placed under the chicken. Shredded lettuce and tomato slices decorated the plate, and a plentiful serving of fries came on the side.
We're not quite sure why the sandwich approach was taken, but we're not complaining, considering how tender and juicy the chicken was.
When we heard Key Lime Pie ($3.99) was available for dessert, we decided to share. The rich, thick pie had a graham crust, and the lime flavor was adequate without being too tart.
Compiled by Rebecca Killian, Sis Reola and guests. Meals are paid for by the Valley News Dispatch and are unrelated to advertising.
Additional Information:
Abate
Address: 357 Pittsburgh Mills Circle, Frazer
Details: 724-275-1051 or online
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Credit cards: All major cards are accepted
Smoking: No
Handicapped accessible: Yes
Prices: Appetizers, $5.99-$12.95; salads, $2.49-$11.50; sandwiches, $6.99-$10.50; seafood entrees, $10.95-$21.95
