Looking for a new hotspot to hangout? Support local business. You can’t miss the bright green building that’s made in a name for itself in the heart of Garfield. It’s MANIAC certified.
From the moment I walked in, it felt as though I had left Pittsburgh and entered a trendy spot somewhere south of the border. The colors and décor jump out in such an expressive way and I immediately realized Verde would become a regular destination of mine.
San Antonio native and owner, Jeff Catalina, saw an opportunity when he discovered that Chipotle had the number one spot on Yelp for best Mexican Restaurant in the Burgh. Sounds like a problem that needs to be solved, right? And that’s exactly what Catalina set out to do.
Looks like the restaurant owner knew what he was doing because Verde just celebrated its one-year anniversary this November. (Congrats!) The Garfield-area eatery is described as modern, contemporary Mexican, which is something relatively new to this city. The owner steers clear of the word authentic, not wanting to prompt any fierce debates.
Verde’s key component in creating modern Mexican fare is Executive Chef Lynette “LBEE” Bushey, who spent eight years in South Africa working as a chef. Catalina is quick to point out how lucky the restaurant is to have her on its team and says, “She understands flavor and Mexican cuisine.”
She sure does. The food was tasty and memorable and I, as well as those around me, just couldn’t get enough. Every Mexican meal must start with chips, salsa, and guacamole, and here you can order the guacamole to be prepared tableside.
The traditional margaritas are out of this world and are made with 100% agave Tequila. The bar in and of itself is something to marvel. The amber-glow light surrounding the bar ledge draws the eye and is stocked full of high-class liquors. In fact, Verde is Pennsylvania’s largest tequila house, with nearly 200 selections in all.
Like the food and drink menu, the atmosphere at Verde is equally memorable. It all starts with the exterior: A bright and lively green building for which Verde was named after. From the entrance, the entire space inside is visible through wall to ceiling windows, and it’s obvious that every square inch had been carefully thought out. Beautiful, colorful paintings, created by local muralist Gabe Felice, hang on the walls and were chosen because “his work is layered and bold, which fit with the Mexican culture and adds vibrancy to the dining room”. Butcher-block tables paired with modern seating fill the room, adding to the feel-good ambiance. It’s no wonder why people keep coming back.
If Catalina set out to create a top-rated Mexican restaurant, he did just that. The food, atmosphere and overall experience surpass chain restaurants by light-years –guaranteed. The opportunity Catalina saw turned into a success.