Dine in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired treehouse
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Treehouse-style dining pods at TreeTops Restaurant. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios
A quiet hideaway in the Laurel Highlands offers a rare chance to unplug and dine in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired treehouse tucked into the forest.
The vibe: TreeTops Restaurant and its private treehouse-style dining pods are located on a 130-acre property in Polymath Park, home to two Frank Lloyd Wright houses and two others designed by his apprentice, Peter Berndtson.
- The space — just a 30-minute drive from the famous Fallingwater house — reflects Wright's legacy through midcentury design blended into natural surroundings.
How it works: TreeTops serves upscale, multi-course meals in screened dining nooks or inside the main restaurant. Each pod seats up to six guests.
- Reservations open 90 days in advance and fill quickly, so book as early as possible.
- About a week before your visit, you'll get a text or email to choose your entrée from a seasonal menu.
- The other courses, including dessert, are chef's choice and designed to complement your selection. Dietary restrictions are accommodated with advance notice.
Dig in: We started with warm, freshly baked bread with house-made butter, a flavorful amuse-bouche (cucumber with smoked gouda and a chile kick), followed by shrimp ceviche with pita, roasted red pepper tomato bisque, and a colorful mixed greens and feta salad.
- Next came a lemon sorbet with mint as a palate cleanser, followed by entrées of portobello mushroom ravioli with truffle oil and Romano, and pan-seared honey-lemon salmon with seasonal vegetables.
- We also sampled the standout drink menu, packed with wines, cocktails and mocktails.
The intrigue: Guests often combine a TreeTops meal with a tour or overnight stay in the on-site Frank Lloyd Wright homes.
Yes, but: Plan to splurge — dinner in the treehouses is $150 per person, plus tax and tip.
Pro tip: Visit in late spring, summer or fall when the trees are lush and the scenery is at its peak.
The bottom line: Each dish hit the mark — made even better by the magic of dining in the trees.
If you go: TreeTops is at 187 Evergreen Lane in Acme, Westmoreland County, about an hour from Downtown.
- Call 877-833-7829 for a full list of hours.