täkō Awards

täkō Restaurant Review:

Pittsburgh chef Richard DeShantz struck gold with his third Cultural District eatery. Bearing a name that translates to "octopus" in Japanese, there are nods throughout the space --- including tentacle sculptures holding wall-mounted lights. Bartenders run a tight ship, working quickly on the first floor, opposite of the chefs chopping and plating on display in a glass-box kitchen that spills onto Sixth Street. The star offerings, tacos, come in pairs; the namesake "tako" offers texture and flavor, while the pork-filled classic al pastor packs zest. There isn't much in terms of dessert, so sit back and enjoy another boozy beverage. Tequila is the focal point of the bar, which mixes more than 10 margaritas along with a dozen-plus other cocktails. The impossibly cool, dark spot draws crowds, especially on the weekend; the backdrop soundtrack is loud and lively. Come Friday or Saturday for "old-school" tacos, served late until they run out (typically 1:30 a.m.). Booth, bar and streetside seats offer a few vantage points to take in the action.