#46 The Spotted Pig
Chargrilled burger with Roquefort and shoestrings $20
A delicious, delightfully charred burger, certainly one of the best in New York. A thick patty of tender, succulent steak, topped with a small dollop of intense, velvety Roquefort. All this was sandwiched between two perfectly grilled buns courtesy of Tom Cat bakery: grilled on the outside but light fluffy on the inside.
The fries alone deserve their own dish. This huge heap of salty shoestrings was filled with fresh sprigs of rosemary and potent slivers of yummy garlic. Just the right kind of crispy, these fries are an impressive interpretation of the traditional frites. Totally moreish.
Rhubarb tart $8
A simple slice of sharp yet sweet seasonal rhubarb on a crumbly crust. Served chilled, the gooey rhubarb was a bit too potent for my tastes. Drizzled with homemade rhubarb sauce, plated with a crème fraiche quenelle and sprinkled with icing sugar.
For the most part, The Spotted Pig offers a tasty meal. Chef Bloomfield has put together a strong menu of decadent dishes. For the most part, I’ve enjoyed the food I’ve ordered in the past. While the menu is rather meat-heavy, there are also a series of vegetarian appetizers and side dishes. (However, these are often smothered in butter or olive oil – which isn’t always a bad thing.) As far as desserts go, the scant list of options hint that this isn’t the place for a delicious crème brulee or other sweet things. No matter, though, as you’ll be so satisfied after your main courses, you won’t want anything else. However, where The Spotted Pig fails is in the service department. The nonchalant, inattentive staff border on rude, thrusting menus at you and impatiently waiting for you to decide on what to have for dinner. This “too cool for school” service lends an unfriendly tone that really disappoints, detracting hugely from the dining experience.
314 W. 11th St.
212-620-0393
