Skip The Spotted Pig

[VAfoodie]

I really can't believe people flock to this place. The first bad sign was that the menu was small and there wasn't much I wanted to eat on it. I had the liver, which I could not eat, and my dh had a mediocre burger. Can someone please explain the allure of this place?

[ChefPeter]

Most of the criticism seems to stem from the menu choices and long waits. I go there expecting that, I think it's kind of par for the course. For the most part I avoid places like that, long waits and a crowd but it can be fun at times too. E.g. If I want a simple burger I would go to Corner Bistro but if I were on a date (or whatever thats called now) I might take her there for a different experience.

[sing me a bar]

I couldn't agree more. Man cannot live on gnudi alone. The Pig is ultimately about the "hang" and seeing stars, if you're from out of town and that matters to you. I went to the soft opening and it seemed promising, because it was low impact and fun. Then it became the home to Jay-Z and Beyonce and numerous other people who were given preference for tables over those in line, and the fun kind of went out of it. I much prefer going to the Tavern On Jane, ( though it's more neighborhood and nowhere near as much of a scene). The food at the Pig is awfully rich. Even the brussel sprouts come lathered with what appears to be pork grease. I kid with friends about it being the ultimate case of The Emperor's New Clothes; getting NY'ers to wait in line and pay those prices for British food. I would drink there if they had one decent lager on tap, but the offerings are Speckled Hen and other ales and stouts.

[KTinNYC]

But to be fair you hate all Batali restaurants, right?

[jonasblank]

FWIW, *I* don't hate all Batali restaurants. In fact, I love several of them. ... Though thankfully there isn't a thread about the "B&B Ristorante" in Vegas...has to be the worst Batali spot in the country.

[HoosierFoodie]

I can't argue with B&B Ristorante being the worst Batali spot in the country.

[sing me a bar]

I enjoy Lupa, except for how chaotic and loud it is. I had a bangin' Matriciana there. Mario is a consultant and participant at the Pig, but you can ask Ken, ( who runs it), and he'll confirm it is not a Mario venue in the purest sense. I DO hate Babbo, due to its pretense and scale. Even if I DID hate all Batali venures, I'd still be able to give a fair appraisal of the experience at the Pig. Thanks for being "fair"!

[KTinNYC]

I just recall you saying you hate everything Mario has done so I thought it would be fair to put that up front.

[jonasblank]

Have to agree w/ you on this. It's a nice-looking place and certainly good enough as a neighborhood spot. I like the burger OK and the gnudi are good, but why people will wait around for decent but not specatcular pub food escapes me. I think April Bloomfield has done better food at the John Dory, personally.

A lot of the Pig's popularity, as seems to be an issue with a lot of W. Village spots, seems to derive from the celebrity clientele.

[dariat83]

Used to love this place as a great neighborhood hang. but its all tourists and jersey now. and they treat the locals like tourists now. so rushed. and average. and the worst wine list in the city.

[steve h.]

i like to sit at the bar around 2-2:30 p.m. and grab a burger and beer. the food is good, not great, the barstool is merely ok. i keep going back.

[steve from bklyn]

Spotted Pig waiting is part of the experience. You tend to talk to some very interesting people and informed people. As for the food, I have always loved the liver, the burger, the fries and the chololate cake. A problem is after standing for an hour you sit on an a stool and don't have much room. If you are positive you call it character. If you are negative it is paying a lot of money while miserably uncomfortable.

[Daniel76]

i must admit, I would not wait 2 hours for anything.. That is my personality.. So, whenever I have gone to the Spotted Pig, I have arrived 10 minutes before they opened and was the first person to be seated,.

[arbrown]

I second that notion, VAfoodie. I was once a fan...devils on horseback, pot of pickles, roquefort burger and of course, banofee pie. To me it was worth the hour, two hour waits, but after a recent visit, the food (never mind the rushed service) was atrocious. Completely over salted; I didn't taste any other ingredient except salt. Waiting 2 hours for a table only to taste a box of kosher salt is not what I would call a good dining experience.

[Simon]

oversalting, rude hostesses, and excessive hype are the hallmarks of every Batali restaurant...

[ChefPeter]

I can totally understand the confluence of waiting, hungry and being in a rushed restaurant can add insult to injury when your food is not prepared properly. But I know that if I were given sub par food at any restaurant I would send it back, it is the only way to get what you want and sometimes they will throw you a bone.

[Miss Needle]

I think the liver dish there is really wonderful. Sorry you didn't enjoy it. I'm not into restaurants that are all about hype, but I think The Spotted Pig deserves it. I find that in general if a restaurant has a smaller menu, they are more apt to prepare things well as opposed to a place that tries to cover everything under the sun. And I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I don't think it's really quite fair to judge an entire restaurant based on a couple of items that you ate on the menu.

[dalma1]

I LOVE the devils on horseback. The menu is small - the gastropub approach. The food has always been good when we've gone - and a great vibe. Maybe just an off day when you were there?

[prdct]

Like JeremyEG I have always enjoyed my food at the Spotted Pig. I'm not sure if I've tried the lvier or not but I do like that burger, love the gnudi, and am espeically partial to the crispy pigs ear.

[Daniel76]

You had the liver toasts?

[JeremyEG]

What didn't you like about the liver? I've never had it. I remember the gnudi being exceptional and the burger to be very good. It is difficult to get into and very loud but I've always enjoyed the food. Sorry you had a bad experience.
JeremyEG