Apps at the Spotted Pig, NYC

Redneckhunter and I had some time to kill in the city before meeting friends one evening, so we stopped into The Spotted Pig.

The place was packed by 6 pm, so we opted to grab a stool and order from the bar. Inspired by the obsessive-compulsive Grub Street article deconstructing the Spotted Pig's deviled eggs, we had to get those.

We also got (of course) Redneckhunter's beloved chicken liver toast, Sheep’s Ricotta Gnudi with Brown Butter & Sage, and Codfish fritters.

Our favorite, by far was the chicken liver (and we've eaten a lot of chicken liver...). I wasn't as wowed as Grub Street by the deviled eggs, but then again maybe I'm a purist - these were far smoother than the traditional picnic eggs but I kind of like that thick yolky goodness.

The gnudi were very tasty but remembering a similar dish at Vetri in Philadelphia, they paled in comparison. Vetri's brown butter sauce was just heavenly.


I have to say I was a little surprised to see that 70-80% of the plates coming out of the kitchen were burgers. With options like Grilled Beef Tongue with Duck Fat Potatoes and Pickled Beets, Braised Rabbit with Fennel & Ramps, or Pan Fried Calf's Liver with Mashed Potatoes & Sage, why on earth would someone order a burger? Especially when there's an amazing burger for $5 down the block at the Corner Bistro (as opposed to $17). I mean I'm sure the Pig makes a great burger, but if you weren't into nose-to-tail eating, why would you even go there?

Instead I was happy to see a large Chinese family (elderly parents and adult children), looking completely out of place among the West Village yuppies, but happily feasting away at a table in the corner.

The Spotted Pig
314 11th Street (at Greenwich), NYC
212-620-0393