Steak and Greens: Asti’s Italian Steakhouse in North Braddock’s Grand View Golf Membership

Even as a teenager, Francis Asti knew what he wanted to do with his life. Aspirations he listed in his Maryland High School yearbook include obtaining a culinary education and owning a restaurant

The 30-year-old, who has been in the grocery store for half his life, owns Asti’s Italian steakhouse at Grand View Golf Club, an 18-hole public golf course in North Braddock.

It had planned to open in March 2020, but the pandemic has thwarted those plans.

Asti’s opened a year later, last March.

During the delay, Asti worked with the crew of the golf course grounds. He spent some time learning how to run a pro shop. Asti also played golf.

He said he enjoyed his time on the golf course but preferred to go to the restaurant.

Asti started cooking when his mother, Chrissy Green of Landenberg, Chester County, let him grill marinated London roast when he was 10 years old. One of his first jobs was in a busy pizza place across the state line in Delaware.

He came to western Pennsylvania to work at Tony’s Pizza Cafe in Buffalo Township, where he lives.

His cousin Bob Beam from Trafford owns the Grand View Golf Club. He often called Asti with restaurant questions.

“He gave me a chance,” said Asti. “It is thanks to him and all of the people I have worked for in this business that I can own my own restaurant. This is a dream that I have been working on all my life. “

Asti said he managed to navigate the challenging times of a restaurant operation during a pandemic thanks to his supportive wife, Jen. She looks after the family, which includes her sons Tyson, 12, and Maddox, 10, as well as 2-year-old Francis, the son she has with Asti.

Asti’s strong work ethic comes from his father, Francis J. Asti, who works in the automotive and commercial rental business in Maryland. He gave his son the urge to “be available, be honest, and work hard because you will never regret not doing your best.”

Asti’s guests have views of the Pittsburgh skyline and the Monongahela River.

The menu includes fried calamari, grilled portobello mushroom caps, pepper-jack-cheese balls, and loaded french fries. There are salads and pizzas – made using the Asti family’s recipe for homemade dough and grande cheese by an Italian cheese company based in Wisconsin.

The sandwiches include burgers, chicken, and cod.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune review

A dish of homemade gnocchi and fresh bread at Asti’s Italian steakhouse in North Braddock.

Pasta selection of spaghetti, gnocchi and chicken parmesan with homemade marinara sauce. Meatballs are homemade from beef, pork, and veal.

Steaks include Ribeye, Filet Mignon, New York Strip, and Asti House Sirloin from Curtze Steaks of Erie.

The dessert menu includes tiramisu, cheesecake, a smoking bomb (vanilla and chocolate mousse on a layer of chocolate cake) or a New York cannoli with homemade cream.

Eight beers on tap, including some local breweries, plus wine and cocktails.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune review

Asti’s Italian Steakhouse in North Braddock at Grand View Golf Club.

The room offers space for wedding and bridal showers, birthday parties and other special occasions with up to 200 guests. It is planned to build an adjoining outdoor terrace.

Asti said he couldn’t run the business without bar manager Jenell Sullivan from North Braddock and assistant chefs Jen Melott from Pitcairn and Chris Kinkaid from White Oak.

“We all work well together,” said Kincaid. “There is no hierarchy here.”

Jack Duffy of Lincoln Place, who has been a club member for 22 years, is a fan of the new restaurant. “The food is excellent,” he said. “It’s my second home.”

Asti’s Italian Steakhouse is located on 1000 Clubhouse Drive in North Braddock.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a contributor to the Tribune Review. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com, or on Twitter.