text: I have mixed feelings on Cioppino On one hand the space in all three parts dining room bar and cigar room is really nice and pretty welcoming The crowd is a bit more dressy at times but overall the vibe is more relaxed that one would expect I have also had some pretty delicious menu items in our handful of visits the tomatobased crab bisque on our last visit being one of them but I have also had plenty of average food as well the gnocchi which was made inhouse but served with a bland mixture of ingredients and overwhelmed by the use of excessive broccoli rabe for example nnThey have a solid selection of wines and whisky but the prices are a few dollars more than most places for a Balvenie Doublewood for example that is typically pour and as I mentioned in a tip left here Watch out when you order a whisky If you order a scotch expect a double automatically Also expect to pay for that unwarranted double when your bill arrives Did you order your whisky neat Expect a upcharge None of this will be explained to you when ordering so just be prepared to pay of what is listed on the menu plus if ordered neat Very strange approach if you ask me and I cannot imagine many patrons being as forgiving as usnnWeve typically sat in the bar area which was okay The music can be a bit loud for casual conversation on Fridays The jazz band is a decent trioquartetbut not great We have also done the cigar room experience as well as the dining room experience Both got the job done but neither left us with any overlypositive impressionsnnSo you can see a theme here Cioppino is a place that tries to do a lot of things right and certainly has the potential but ultimately slips in nearly every area For the price there is no excuse for falling short Entree prices are high enough that a better experience can be had at numerous restaurants within a mile or so of Cioppino if you are looking in the range Want to experience overpriced whisky There are places with better selections and experiences close by I feel less guilty paying for a single ounce of hardertofind bourbon at say Butcher and the Rye than for a double that I did not ask for of runofthemill scotch at Cioppino nnWe have no plans on returning but the fact that we kept giving the place a chance should say that we recognize the potential not to mention our desire to have another good place near home but we have left underwhelmed too many times If they worked harder at improving the experience and making sure their staff acts with some professionalism near the bar when they do not think anyone is looking instead of finding ways to inflate the check we would be able to recommend the place As it is save your money and time and explore some of the other excellent establishments Pittsburgh has at the moment