Bites Nearby: Restaurant Echo Focuses on Fresh and Local

Overview: Restaurant Echo in Cranberry Township focuses on fresh and local products. The clean, rich, contemporary setting is perfect for this upscale new eatery created by Executive Chef and owner Brian Hammond. Since the menu centers around what is fresh and local, it’s constantly changing, offering new tastes and temptations.

Decor: Formerly Hereford & Hops Steakhouse, the completely renovated building is modern, fresh and decorated with warm colors. The large bar is open and inviting with a sitting area next to a roaring fire. It was a warm spring day, but still lovely. My only complaint is that the dining room was fairly dark, making it hard to read the menus.

The drinks: Restaurant Echo has a full bar, extensive wine list with wines available by the glass or bottle. There is also a generous beer list with a selection of more than 50 types of bottled beer. Of course, there are non-alcoholic beverages including teas, coffee and sodas.

Appetizers: We went for lunch, so we skipped the appetizers (listed as small plates), but there are plenty of choices including  the more traditional soups, salads and flatbreads, but also choices for the more adventurous including marrow bones, steak tartare and charcuterie plate.

Entrees: The crab cake with risotto was the best crab cake that I have had, hands down, and I consider myself a crab cake expert. The risotto was rich and creamy and the addition of grapefruit perfect. The shredded pork shoulder sandwich was also delicious and generous in portion. It came with a side of spicy slaw with just a bit of kick. Dinner entrees included salmon, beef ribeye, tagliatelle pasta with prawns, pappardelle with lamb and roasted trout. Remember that the menu focuses on what is fresh and available, so it is subject to change.

Desserts: The dessert choices are overwhelming. A friend recommended Meyer lemon pudding cake – a moist cake topped with lemon curd. They also featured a sticky toffee date cake and truffle brownie, to name a few.

Service: The waitress was outstanding, welcoming and happy to explain the background of the restaurant and answer any questions. The service matches the remarkable food.

Address: 1740 Route 228, Cranberry Township, 724-779-3246 or www.restaurantecho.com.

Prices: Small plates: $7 to $12; entrees: $ 9 to $14 at lunch; $18 to $26 at dinner. Desserts: $ 7.50 to $12.