Spiffing up Soba

Soba is still going strong. Having opened in 1997, the Shadyside restaurant maintains a loyal following, with its Asian-inspired menu and extensive beer and wine list. Here, diners can snack on braised octopus or pork buns. They can slurp ramen and feast on curries. 

Just after the holidays, Soba started its expansion into the former College Inn space. When I asked him about the renovations, corporate chef Bill Fuller wrote: The bar will now be [in the College Inn space] with approximately double the capacity. We will have sidewalk seating on that corner as well. The existing bar will become a dining room with the ability to be converted to a private event space for up to 40 people. The entire first floor will be getting a new, lighter look with hickory wood accents, screens and updated lighting. The water wall will remain.

The restaurant will stay open through the renovation, which is expected to last through May. 

Soba photo