8 Brilliant Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Although Spice Affair is not the best Indian restaurant in Pittsburgh (quality options are a bit lacking in the metro), it is a decent place for lunch. The attractive location in the quiet Aspinwall neighborhood a bonus. Unfortunately, they no longer serve their popular lunch buffet, which means dining here can be quite expensive. With lots of vegetarian entrees, this is a good place for anyone looking to eat a bit healthier.
As Spice Affair no longer serves their lunch buffet (a wonderful way to mix and match numerous Indian specialties at one low price point), I recommend splitting a few apps/entrees amongst your party so you can save a few bucks and enjoy a few different dishes.
The menu includes all your favorite Indian dishes including appetizers and chaat specials, tandoori breads, tandoori entrees, as well as chicken, seafood, lamb, vegetarian, and tofu based entrees.
We tried the Garlic Naan, Aloo Gobi, and the Paneer Tikka Masala. The Naan bread was the best part of the meal. The Paneer Tikka Masala and Aloo Gobi were decent, although nowhere near as good as other Indian restaurants in other states we have tested. The spice level was good although the flavor was a bit lacking. That being said, it was still a decent lunch, although a tad overpriced at $15+ per entree.
Service was decent, although our waiter could have been a bit more attentive.
The best part about dining here is enjoying the nice setting in the charming residential area of Aspinwall. It's a cute neighborhood with nice historic houses, and a few local businesses to shop and get coffee. The interior is nicely decorated and they offer a beautiful patio for the warmer season.
Spice Affair is a decent choice for lunch if you will be heading out to the Aspinwall neighborhood or enjoying any activities/attractions in Pittsburgh which is conveniently just 10 minutes away or so. The ambiance is great and it is one of the few places that serves authentic Indian cuisine in Pittsburgh.
