The Spotted Pig

We've been going to The Pig since it opened on an average of 2-3 times per week. If there is any change it's for the better. April has turned out the food in a consistent manner and it's as good if not better than before the Renov and Revue. The staff is delightful even with the shoulder to shoulder crowds that still exist - even with 2 floors. Prices are not very different and the servings are more than ample. Keep up the great work April and Ken and staff. We Love the Pig.

And I thought it was just me! After waiting almost 25 minutes for my cheese plate (and this was on an almost empty afternoon) it looked like a joke to see those tiny pieces of cheese and dot of honey. When I remarked "Wow, that's a very small portion of cheese" the waiter replied "Well you know too much cheese's not good for you!" Ha. The $14 hamburger? We had one the other day for 6 bucks that was bigger, juicier and much more delicious. This came with a big order of fries unlike the stingy side of the Pig's.

I like to place the blame of the Pig's sinful fall from grace on the Star. Namely, Michelin. The Star. And the renovation. You see, the line, the hussle, the noise, the crowd, the rubbing shoulders and drinking beer while enjoying trhe aromas of everyone else's meal, which was two feet from your nose, all the while waiting an eternity for a table, was perfect. And now it is gone. But...it sure was good while it lasted.

This place used to be great, good atmosphere, friendly service, hearty food that had a home cooked feel. I used to frequent this place during the week when it wasn't too full. I went back recently after the renovation and was completely disappointed. The place is still cute and the staff still friendly (if stressed out) but the food has gone way down hill. Portions have been halved and the prices have gone up. Instead of apetitzers we now have "plates" which is just an excuse to charge entree prices for smaller portions. What's going on? The Michelin Star has ruined what used to be great pub grub. We now pay $14 for a tiny salad and $21 for a "5 vegetable plate" that has the smallest puddle of polenta imagainable. The cheese plate has TWO pieces of cheese and "with honey" means a blob the size of a dime. The Pig used to be a great place to gorge on good food, now it's the kind of place that leaves you hungry and in search of a slice.

My friend and I got to the restaurant at 5:30 on the dot, right when they begin serving dinner, to avoid any seating hassles because we've seen how crowded this place gets. We ordered the apple and pear salad and the gnudi. The salad turned out to be about half an apple, half a pear, shavings of cheddar, and, oh, about 7 green leaves. That's right. We paid $14 dollars for a piece of fruit. The gnudi was less than stellar. Too much of everything. It somehow managed to be both too sweet and too salty. The butter sauce...eh. It seemed like the whole thing had been cooked in condensed milk. The fried sage leaves only enhanced the mediocrity of the dish...made it taste even more cloying, actually. We wish we still had our 50 bucks.

Figured I would check this one out after the NYT panned it yesterday. I don't believe everything I read. Turns out that the Times was SPOT on. Smoked trout app was very good. Burger was mediocre, ordered medium and served rare. Chocolate cake never showed up - the waitress said it melted and they were trying to cool it down. They tried to make up for it by buying us a drink, then asked us to leave because they had a 2 hour wait and needed the table.

Awesome brunch last sunday! fab food (haddock chowder, burger, cubano, all yum)!! service was great, personable, prompt and very pleasant with great recommendations for the food. very relaxed atmosphere, even when crowd was waiting for our table, no push to move us out, ordered excellent ginger cake with wow cream and fab cafe au lait and reg coffee for dessert, too. can't wait to go back. we have been recommending it to lots of friends!