212-620-0393
314 W 11th Street
At Greenwich Street
Rating: Mind Altering
Cuisine: Gastropub - British and Italian
Entree Price: $17-$33
Meals: Open for lunch and dinner every day. Brunch on Sat and Sun.
Most addictive dish: Ricotta gnudi with brown butter and sage
Review
Injecting the word “gastropub” into the New York restaurant lexicon (and setting off a minor revolution in the industry), The Spotted Pig opened a little over 5 years ago to massive critical acclaim – and with good reason. It really was (and still is) the perfect restaurant. With the feel of a comfortable British pub and a chef that turned out little miracles like the Sheep’s ricotta gnudi with brown butter and sage, The Pig’s intoxicating chemistry quickly made it a sensation.
It’s still the same gastropub today, with the same chef (April Bloomfield) and owners (Ken Friedman, Mario Batali and a couple others). The food is still exquisite, and the space is just as snuggly as ever. The one problem? It was “discovered.” And that means a bit of chaos and crowds that tend to undermine a lot of what the Pig stands for. Still, if you go early, it’s completely worth it, and you can avoid the outer-boroughers who came in town for the day. It’s a dining experience unlike any other in the city. It should probably be declared a national landmark.
As for the food, the gnudi is the signature dish, and I still remember the first time I tried it. It is zen. It is requisite if you haven’t tried it before. The quail is delightful, and if you make it for brunch, the bacon hash with two poached eggs is one of the best brunch dishes in the city.