I had been anxiously awaiting the opening of First Watch at McCandless Crossing since I had heard so many good things about the food there. Alas, I was really disappointed with our food and our experience. Was it the location, the food, me? Tell me what to try there! There’s a wide variety of healthy menu options: griddle items (pancakes, french toast, waffles, omelets), quinoa bowls, wraps, and fresh juice bar options. I am all for healthy AND tasting good, which is definitely possible, except for our meals that day. We could have made better at home.

The NoWait app said there was no wait so come on in for an early lunch. Dave and I had looked over the menu before we went so we could go in and just order and take in the whole experience. I have seen that they have a “Seat & Eat” Option where you pick your meal while you wait to be seated, and once you’re seated your meal prep begins – which is pretty cool.

Dave decided on the eggs benedict and I chose the Parma Hash.

The hostess took us over to our table. I took the chair and Dave sat on the bench. Then we noticed a few things.

  • The wobbly table – this place was only open for a few weeks. Even the table next to us was propped up with a stack of napkins underneath.
  • Uneven seat heights – The bench along the wall was higher than the chairs at the table.
  • Water – The water was incredibly messy to pour out of the glass jar into the hotel room-esque glasses.
  • LOUD. There are so many wood surfaces in this restaurant that the noise level is insane. It was a bit overwhelming to all the senses.

Water at First Watch

I chuckled at this highlight while we waited for our food to show up. I dig it.

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While waiting….and waiting for our food, the table next to us stopped their server to remove some type of bug from their plate/food. They got new silverware, but continued on with their meal and complaining about everything else. (Again, is it me or First Watch? So not feeling it and we have not even had the food yet!)

Eggs Benedict (With Ham and Tomatoes)

Two poached cage-free eggs atop toasted ciabatta piled high with your choice of combinations below and covered with hollandaise. Served with lightly dressed organic mixed greens.

The dish looked promising, but half of the poached eggs arrived broken. The hollandaise was light in flavor, not too much lemon or butter. The mixed greens were pretty and lightly dressed, and the ciabatta bread was crunchy and a nice contrast to the rest of the soft textures of the benedict.

Eggs Benedict at First Watch

Parma Hash

Two eggs any style atop a hash of fresh, seasoned potatoes, Italian sausage, house-roasted Crimini mushrooms, onions and tomatoes with melted Parmesan, mozzarella and fresh herbs.

I selected over medium eggs for my dish and they came out as I had hoped. The fruit was fresh, and let me tell you about that bread – SO good. I could have had a meal of just that bread.

The hash started out delicious, but after about five bites the flavors felt imbalanced and the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes overwhelmed the dish. I tried the seasoned potatoes by themselves and found them very boring. They tasted like a plain diced potato, which does not make sense given the amount of salt that flavors this dish with the sausage and cheese.

Parma Hash at First Watch

That bread though, give me more! First I thought those were nuts (eek), but it definitely looks like sunflower seeds. The bread was perfectly toasted and had a hint of sweetness. I tried a bite first without the teaspoon of preserves (very tiny portion), and with the preserves. The preserves were waaaaayyyy to sweet and I just finished the toast plain.

Bread at First Watch

Dave and I left here feeling very disappointed. We had such high hopes for this place since we heard how good their breakfasts were. We have definitely had better here in Pittsburgh, and elsewhere. The flavors were almost there. Maybe a squeeze more of lemon or a dash of salt/garlic more and the food might be closer to being palatable for more than a few bites. The sweet stuff was too sweet and the plainer ingredients were definitely underseasoned.

https://i0.wp.com/www.thesugarpixie.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20160115_121345.jpg?fit=700%2C525&ssl=1https://i0.wp.com/www.thesugarpixie.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20160115_121345.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1thesugarpixieReviewsPittsburgh,pittsburgh breakfast,Pittsburgh restaurants,pittsburgh suburbsI had been anxiously awaiting the opening of First Watch at McCandless Crossing since I had heard so many good things about the food there. Alas, I was really disappointed with our food and our experience. Was it the location, the food, me? Tell me what to try there!...Misadventures and fun in the kitchen and beyond