Feeling peckish on the day before Easter, Kay and I utilized our holidays from our respective jobs to get some shopping done and to get lunch at a place I'd been neglecting to try, one that I've flew past more times than I know. High ceilings, olden decor, antiques, and wooden beams caught my eye as I entered this 45 year old establishment, as did the portly gentleman(owner? manager? head cook?) wearing a deep blue t-shirt emblazoned with the visage of Walter Sobchak. Minutes after we were seated, we saw someone dressed as Walter Sobchak. As luck would have it, a screening of Joe and Ethan Coen's cinematic tour de force "The Big Lebowski" was taking place with many of our fellow, good-natured diners impersonating the quirky film's various characters. And this dude abided. Starting us off was a helping of Aracri's "famous" Onion Rings, and they have a right to be famous considering their lightly battered, fried-to-bronze, not-overly-oily properties. Considering we weren't out of the Lenten forest just yet, I decided to stay on Jesus' good side (And I ain't talkin' about Mr. Quintana. What would The Dude, do, anyway? He'd screw up like me and have lamb and chicken on Good Friday, testin' the Christman as if he'd really care if he walked the Earth today...) and order the Crab Cakes. Broiled expertly, served with tartar sauce, and generously stuffed with jumbo lump, each cake was as moist as a pumpkin pie, and neither possessed much in the way of filler. The french fries were a bit limp and dark, a tell-tale sign that they were merely blanched once in boiling fat that was in need of being changed. Also had was something emblematic of Middle America, a salad I hadn't eaten in a few years and never in a restaurant. An Iceberg Wedge Salad complete with bleu cheese dressing (not my favorite, but it was the only choice I was given) and bacon bits. For burps and chuckles I ordered it an was surprised at how much enjoyment I gained from breaking it down, making sure each forkful of fresh lettuce arrived in my mouth coated in the biting, milky dressing and fatty, crunchy, briny bacon, the tragically unheralded and sometimes derided salad succeeding through simplicity and tradition. Dessert was a pecan ball slathered in whipped topping from a plastic tub and hot fudge that was irradiated in a glass jar (Smuckers be thy name?). It quelled my angry sweet tooth and little more. Aracri's is one of those venerable suburban restaurants that deserves its longevity and its continued business, thriving on the standards and ignoring that which is trendy and new. P.S. Wouldja believe I've never seen "The Big Lebowski" in its entirety? I guess I need to get on that. Until Netflix leads me towards enlightenment, this has always been my preferred Coen Brothers piece, standing as tall as John Goodman himself on my list of all-time cherished films... youtube.com/watch?v=2AIf…
(4)
Joyce C.
When trying to think of where to go for a steak dinner The Greentree Inn came to mind. I had never been here in all the years of living so very close. I was glad I chose this establishment. Food was excellent and I loved the feel of the place
(4)
Chuck T.
The place looks like something from the Godfather - old school 1970 dark and gloomy wood paneling. Complete with crap brown pleather chairs and fake wood tables. The food was cooked well, but lackluster. I got veal picata which mostly had the flavor of flour and beef broth. On the plus, the staff was very nice and very attentive. Management - you really need to update the place.
(1)
Carl S.
I was fortunate enough to find this restaurant for a delicious lunch while traveling in the area. I went off and performed my seminar then decided to return for a late supper. I sat at the bar and was served by a young woman whom I had assumed was the owner based on her superb professional demeanor. She informed me she was a 'very new' server. WOW Araci's, hold on to this gem. As it was late, I decided to create my own supper from various appetizers. One was better than the next, by the way, but I also wanted to point out that this 'very new' server had such a unique way of suggesting additional culinary delights, even this seasoned traveler was hooked, and glad he was! Everything she suggested was perfect. My only regret is I don't live closer to Pittsburgh so I might be able to return.
(5)
Chris G.
Once enjoying my crisp cool water. Our orders were taken promptly, I ordered the chicken club and customized it with a side of coleslaw. My better half had the fish sandwich with a coleslaw as well. The food came like the wind, the coleslaw was damn good! The best. Our sandwiches couldn't have been better if Jesus himself made them. All around it was the bee's knees.
(4)
Kay E.
Love,love, loved their onion rings. The English style scrod is very good also. The Big Lebowski was on when we came here and people were dressed up like the movie's characters. It looks like a ski lodge on the inside. Service was acceptable.
(4)
Megan Z.
Went for a friend's birthday hour last Friday. Most appetizers half off, and drink specials like $5 wine by the glass...generous pour! We got to sit outside on the covered patio. Excellent quick service. My husband I split the fried zucchini and white pizza with chicken. Loved it, and would recommend!
(4)
Ed E.
I travel a lot and one of the few benefits of that lifestyle is the opportunity to visit local restaurants. I usually stay away from places with less than 8 cars in the parking lot but there wasn't really any other place to eat aside from an Olive Garden, which isn't really food IMHO. I decided to stop in and get my meal to go as I was fresh off of a construction site and my attire did not match the surroundings or the current clientele. I ordered a shrimp scampi appetizer and a fettucini fro diavlo. When I got the food back to the hotel, I was pleasantly surprised to find the order well packed with a salad and even a dinner roll. The shrimp scampi was excellent and my only complaint was that the shrimp had not been cleaned.
(4)
Bernadette A.
Came in here just reading some reviews, figured, I'll give it a shot, they were good. I walked in to an empty restaurant and was worried, but the owner Frank was there to greet me and how pleasant he was. He saw the concern on my face and brought me over to family pictures showing how long the restaurant has been in business and has been a success. So, not knowing what to order, because so many things looked yummy, he suggested the Pork Chop Florentine, OMG!!! DELICIOUS!!! AND he prepared it himself! I definitely, highly, recommend dining here when in the Pittsburgh/Greentree area. The reason for 4 starts not 5, the wine choices are lacking but the Red Rock Malbec was nice with the meal. And Stephanie the bartender, super sweet and makes you feel like you're a regular. Great place!!!
(4)
rich D.
Been coming here for 30 years or so. Always good food at a good price. Great service. Nice variety.
(5)
Jr A.
The food and service were very good . The food is made from scratch on premises . The restaurant is owned and run by two brothers from the Green Tree area . I admire this and always try to give my business to local family run places like this . My only gripes are the limited selection at the bar and I feel the prices for food are very expensive for the portions you receive.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes
Darren W.
Feeling peckish on the day before Easter, Kay and I utilized our holidays from our respective jobs to get some shopping done and to get lunch at a place I'd been neglecting to try, one that I've flew past more times than I know. High ceilings, olden decor, antiques, and wooden beams caught my eye as I entered this 45 year old establishment, as did the portly gentleman(owner? manager? head cook?) wearing a deep blue t-shirt emblazoned with the visage of Walter Sobchak. Minutes after we were seated, we saw someone dressed as Walter Sobchak. As luck would have it, a screening of Joe and Ethan Coen's cinematic tour de force "The Big Lebowski" was taking place with many of our fellow, good-natured diners impersonating the quirky film's various characters. And this dude abided. Starting us off was a helping of Aracri's "famous" Onion Rings, and they have a right to be famous considering their lightly battered, fried-to-bronze, not-overly-oily properties. Considering we weren't out of the Lenten forest just yet, I decided to stay on Jesus' good side (And I ain't talkin' about Mr. Quintana. What would The Dude, do, anyway? He'd screw up like me and have lamb and chicken on Good Friday, testin' the Christman as if he'd really care if he walked the Earth today...) and order the Crab Cakes. Broiled expertly, served with tartar sauce, and generously stuffed with jumbo lump, each cake was as moist as a pumpkin pie, and neither possessed much in the way of filler. The french fries were a bit limp and dark, a tell-tale sign that they were merely blanched once in boiling fat that was in need of being changed. Also had was something emblematic of Middle America, a salad I hadn't eaten in a few years and never in a restaurant. An Iceberg Wedge Salad complete with bleu cheese dressing (not my favorite, but it was the only choice I was given) and bacon bits. For burps and chuckles I ordered it an was surprised at how much enjoyment I gained from breaking it down, making sure each forkful of fresh lettuce arrived in my mouth coated in the biting, milky dressing and fatty, crunchy, briny bacon, the tragically unheralded and sometimes derided salad succeeding through simplicity and tradition. Dessert was a pecan ball slathered in whipped topping from a plastic tub and hot fudge that was irradiated in a glass jar (Smuckers be thy name?). It quelled my angry sweet tooth and little more. Aracri's is one of those venerable suburban restaurants that deserves its longevity and its continued business, thriving on the standards and ignoring that which is trendy and new. P.S. Wouldja believe I've never seen "The Big Lebowski" in its entirety? I guess I need to get on that. Until Netflix leads me towards enlightenment, this has always been my preferred Coen Brothers piece, standing as tall as John Goodman himself on my list of all-time cherished films... youtube.com/watch?v=2AIf…
(4)Joyce C.
When trying to think of where to go for a steak dinner The Greentree Inn came to mind. I had never been here in all the years of living so very close. I was glad I chose this establishment. Food was excellent and I loved the feel of the place
(4)Chuck T.
The place looks like something from the Godfather - old school 1970 dark and gloomy wood paneling. Complete with crap brown pleather chairs and fake wood tables. The food was cooked well, but lackluster. I got veal picata which mostly had the flavor of flour and beef broth. On the plus, the staff was very nice and very attentive. Management - you really need to update the place.
(1)Carl S.
I was fortunate enough to find this restaurant for a delicious lunch while traveling in the area. I went off and performed my seminar then decided to return for a late supper. I sat at the bar and was served by a young woman whom I had assumed was the owner based on her superb professional demeanor. She informed me she was a 'very new' server. WOW Araci's, hold on to this gem. As it was late, I decided to create my own supper from various appetizers. One was better than the next, by the way, but I also wanted to point out that this 'very new' server had such a unique way of suggesting additional culinary delights, even this seasoned traveler was hooked, and glad he was! Everything she suggested was perfect. My only regret is I don't live closer to Pittsburgh so I might be able to return.
(5)Chris G.
Once enjoying my crisp cool water. Our orders were taken promptly, I ordered the chicken club and customized it with a side of coleslaw. My better half had the fish sandwich with a coleslaw as well. The food came like the wind, the coleslaw was damn good! The best. Our sandwiches couldn't have been better if Jesus himself made them. All around it was the bee's knees.
(4)Kay E.
Love,love, loved their onion rings. The English style scrod is very good also. The Big Lebowski was on when we came here and people were dressed up like the movie's characters. It looks like a ski lodge on the inside. Service was acceptable.
(4)Megan Z.
Went for a friend's birthday hour last Friday. Most appetizers half off, and drink specials like $5 wine by the glass...generous pour! We got to sit outside on the covered patio. Excellent quick service. My husband I split the fried zucchini and white pizza with chicken. Loved it, and would recommend!
(4)Ed E.
I travel a lot and one of the few benefits of that lifestyle is the opportunity to visit local restaurants. I usually stay away from places with less than 8 cars in the parking lot but there wasn't really any other place to eat aside from an Olive Garden, which isn't really food IMHO. I decided to stop in and get my meal to go as I was fresh off of a construction site and my attire did not match the surroundings or the current clientele. I ordered a shrimp scampi appetizer and a fettucini fro diavlo. When I got the food back to the hotel, I was pleasantly surprised to find the order well packed with a salad and even a dinner roll. The shrimp scampi was excellent and my only complaint was that the shrimp had not been cleaned.
(4)Bernadette A.
Came in here just reading some reviews, figured, I'll give it a shot, they were good. I walked in to an empty restaurant and was worried, but the owner Frank was there to greet me and how pleasant he was. He saw the concern on my face and brought me over to family pictures showing how long the restaurant has been in business and has been a success. So, not knowing what to order, because so many things looked yummy, he suggested the Pork Chop Florentine, OMG!!! DELICIOUS!!! AND he prepared it himself! I definitely, highly, recommend dining here when in the Pittsburgh/Greentree area. The reason for 4 starts not 5, the wine choices are lacking but the Red Rock Malbec was nice with the meal. And Stephanie the bartender, super sweet and makes you feel like you're a regular. Great place!!!
(4)rich D.
Been coming here for 30 years or so. Always good food at a good price. Great service. Nice variety.
(5)Jr A.
The food and service were very good . The food is made from scratch on premises . The restaurant is owned and run by two brothers from the Green Tree area . I admire this and always try to give my business to local family run places like this . My only gripes are the limited selection at the bar and I feel the prices for food are very expensive for the portions you receive.
(4)