This place had a line that went out of the door during the multiple times I've crossed the Magnificent Mile bridge in Chicago. Made last minute reservations for brunch next day after the infamous architecture tour. It was quiet as we've put in an early morning. All the more better to savor all intricate dishes from start to finish. Like the name, The Purple Pig, their specialty is pork dishes so majority of our orders were this. Daily special of the bone marrow bacon jam toast - glazed, slippery off the bone, savory and sweet. Always love a good bone marrow dish to get the sweetness off it. This was so good that there were bits of the marrow and jam left stuck to the bone, I took a piece of the toast and scooped the bone dry. Nothing left for anyone to attack this. Non pork dishes were the Mushroom 3 ways and Spanish octopus. Mushroom dish was savory with all the coated sauces elevating this. Spanish octopus was kicked lightly and easily can bite in to enjoy the tender and charred portions. But the award went to my main course - the braised pork shoulder with saffron, apricots and Swiss chard. Aside from the rippable pork meat when dining on it, the sauces fused together on this dish elevated it and had everyone coming back for more. I needed an official Chicago culinary experience and found it at The Purple Pig without a doubt. read more

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A thousand percent YES Worth the wait Worth the cost. Service, ambience and food delicious. Can't wait to come back and try more Whatever wine I had was SO good and so bad I can't remember the name because I want to go back to order it again read more

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The first bite in Chicago... and what a delicious welcome! My culinary adventure began at The Purple Pig, a Mediterranean spot in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. A James Beard Award-winning restaurant and Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree. The star of the meal? The divinely delicious Spanish Octopus. Cooked to perfection, so meaty and tender. And paired with marbled potatoes, sambuca, chimichurri, and Spanish chorizo. Every bite was beautifully balanced and flavorful. This octopus dish will be remembered. Service at the bar was attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]And the restaurant was nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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What a great night. We had an amazing dinner with our four married kids, so 10 of us. It took awhile to be seated, 20 minutes past our reservations, but we were taken to a big open spot at the bar. We ordered 5 appetizers and enjoyed every one of them. We all loved our food-- the halibut and the gnocchi were the favorites. No room for dessert. The cocktails were delish and the service was great. It has a great vibe. We will be back! read more

The Purple Pig - Potato Gnocchi - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food here is consistently great. 1st tried about 5 years ago and then now again on a second trip over here to Chicago from LA. Loved their octopus which i didn't get a photo of, and their pork tenderloin really surprised me. I think both of those are must try's service was a little iffy, not sure if our server at the bar was just busy but he might not be aware of the faces he gives -- other than that everyone else that helped us were really nice. read more

The Purple Pig - Iberico pork tenderloin - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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As a last minute change of plans, my friend and I impulsively ended up at this spot after a long day of travel. This was the best meal I've had in recent months with melt in your mouth pork, whipped feta, and dessert. I would have loved to try the cocktails but I'm breastfeeding and avoiding alcohol. We had bar seating so our server was very attentive. We also got to see the kitchen staff as they worked and they all genuinely seemed happy to work and cook. If you've never worked in restaurants, kitchen staff is often highly stressed and gets annoyed with each other in high paced environment and despite it being super busy, they all seemed like they loved what they were doing. read more

The Purple Pig - Milk Braised Berkshire Shoulder - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Purple Pig has risen to be my absolute favorite restaurant I've had the joy of eating at in Chicago. After coming back to the city almost a decade later, I knew I wanted to have a meal here. The best way to eat a meal here is to share all the dishes with friends. Sage Gimlet (5/5) - I started my meal with a refreshing sage gimlet that was a strong but well balanced cocktail. Roasted Bone Marrow (5/5) - I 100% would recommend getting this appetizer to start off the meal. The marrow was perfectly roasted and paired so well with the jam and salad. Roasted Beets (5/5) - If you love beets, get this salad. The flavors were so well balanced and I really liked the fried balls of goat cheese. Agnolotti (5/5) - This pasta was amazing!! The short rib and bone marrow with the fresh pasta still makes my mouth water. Scallops (5/5) - These scallops were perfectly cooked. The crispy prosciutto was a tad on the salty side. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I honestly love the energy and the flavor bomb this restaurant packs.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I can't wait until I'm back in the city and can dine here again. read more

The Purple Pig - Roasted Bone Marrow - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome food!!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fancy Environment!!!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] And Friendly Staff!!!! Yay! Wonderful experience here, I was just visiting and after I finally found parking, I asked to be seated but did not have a reservation, the hostess said if I could be about an hour she could squeeze us in. So I was thankful for that, we were not looking to stay for a long time just wanted to try the place out. Once seated we were waited on and served fast. The food was mind blowing, we loved everything!!! My favorite was the duck appetizer puffs, wow they were good. Everything though was elevated and delicious. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Thank you for the wonderful experience to add to our trip to Chicago! read more

This is a very popular restaurant and I would recommend getting a reservation. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Where we were seated the tables were very close together which was a bit uncomfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is loud which makes conversation difficult and the conversations from the adjoining tables a bit overwhelming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] For our dinner we ordered the crispy pig ears, mushrooms three ways, octopus and the short ribs. The crispy pig ears were good....but not really crispy. The mushrooms 3 ways was fantastic. The octopus was tender but the topping and sauce was a bit overpowering. The beef short rib pasta was good but the pasta was drowning in the sauce. read more

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The best place in Chicago!! We ate alot of food in Chicago but this was by the far the best. Tons of flavor, but that broccoli (i know so weird) was amazing!!! I cant wait to go back to Chicago and head straight there! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was packed on a Wednesday night, but it was well worth it, very cute decor inside![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We shared a few plates, starting with the cheese board, which was honestly one of the best I've had. The waiter was so friendly! Every single item on it was delicious and had me excited for the rest of the meal. We also had the gnocchi, which was surprisingly great since I'm not usually a gnocchi person. The duck was the star for me - perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor. It was also a generous portion and definitely filling. Highly recommend if you're in Chicago. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in town! read more

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Encore 9 years later, and I enjoyed it a lot. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Since the time, it had moved to a new location which I found to be more favorable due to better space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I chose a seat at the bar, and without much trigger got into a nice conversation with other patrons.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But why was I there again? Oh yes, the food. OMG, it was delicious: a winter salad, half a duck and an affogato. The portions were not shabby at all, and I am glad that the server warned me from another initial consideration which would definitely have been too much. I enjoyed every bite of all items, flavorful, tender and juicy, and simply on point. Will definitively come back when I return to Chicago. PREVIOUS REVIEW Very popular place and hence rather hard to get in. But the wait for once is worth it. The menu items, which come in small portions (tapas size), are very special and not to be found anywhere else. As surprising as some of the items may sound, they all looked great (even the once on other people's plates), and the ones I could get to taste were very special, interesting flavors, and very good. No specific recommendations but would suggest to leave some space for lemon panna cotta. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Casual and trendy atmosphere on the Magnificent Mile.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely will go back again when in Chicago. read more

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Discovered this little gem after I couldn't eat any more Chicago pizzas, hot dog or beef sandwiches. The place was packed on Tuesday night so make sure to book a reservation. I ordered the item charcuterie and chose coppa, prosciutto, and a French Brie. The meat and cheese were good as expected but that quince spread really took the dish over the top! It was the perfect complement to the fatty meats. Next was the Mushroom dish and while the mushroom purer wasn't a looker, it was a huge umami bomb! Really good pairing with the other mushrooms on the plate. Lastly, I got the milk braised shoulder and it was so tender and flavorful. Good size portion, too! Took leftovers and made a breakfast sandwich the next day and it was still good! I regret not ordering the beef marrow, the table next to me did and I had food envy the whole time but honestly, I had no more room, I was so stuffed! Drinks and service was great, too! Highly recommend you go here if you are in downtown Chicago. read more

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A place so nice - I came back twice! I can't say enough about this place. I was here years ago and it was just as good today as it was back then! The options are varied, but you really can't go wrong. I most enjoyed the filet topped with bone marrow butter and crispy onions, the flavors were just perfect - and among the best steaks I've had! Also loved the mushrooms 3-ways, the beet salad, and the pesto burrata... but the show stopper was the beef tartare - a little twist on a classic with smoke cloche-dome presentation - so get your video ready for the gram! The service is exceptional and can guide you through including the perfect wine pairing, which I highly recommend. And let's forget the finishing touch... Desert, please! I had both the Affogato topped with pistachios, and the pecan tart... and had to pair the tart with a Port wine tasting. read more

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The Purple Pig in Near North Side is such a delicious spot. Everything we had was very yummy, and both the cocktails and food really stood out. You can tell a lot of thought goes into the flavors and execution. Do not skip the bone marrow. It was easily one of the highlights and something I would go back for on its own. Great energy, great food, and definitely a place I would return to. read more

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This was one of the best food experiences I have had in my life. I'm so glad I was able to reserve two seats at the bar. Walking to the location, my friend and I discussed the various dishes we would like to try. In hindsight, I'm grateful for the walk because it helped make room for the dishes we would try. When we entered, we immediately were seated and greeted by Omar. His knowledge of the menu helped us focus on our dishes. We ended up ordering: squid ink chitarra, agnolotti, salt- roasted beets, pork belly, and gelato. Each dish was better than the next. The brown butter and red wine jus used for the agnolotti was addictive and the squid ink was delectable. Who knew salt- roasted beets could taste out of this world? Not me. We ended with a glass of limoncello and champagne to accompany our vanilla gelato. I'm already looking forward to my next visit. read more

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Love, love, love this place. The flavor sings in every dish. Everything is thoughtfully prepared and the staff is 100% peak professional. I could go on about each dish I've had over all the visits, but i would rather invite you to come and try the things that peak your interest. You can't go wrong with anything. read more

The Purple Pig - Feta salad with herbs - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food here is excellent, came multiple times on my short trip. Its the best restaurant I tried. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was good, ambiance is nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The dishes are complex in flavor and really hit the mark. Every dish is next level and worth trying read more

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Second stop in the Chi. I was trying to avoid pizza in a city know for its deep pizzeria culture. The Purple Pig has a good wine selection, a decent selection of fromage, as well as an assortment of meat dishes to choose from, which sounded better on this particular evening. Cuisine: 4/5. Since I was trying to avoid pizza, I ordered the Chicken Thigh Kababs. Juicy kabab chunks, atop fried smashed potatoes and excellent house made Tzatziki. The Tzatziki is the standout here and it serves as a perfect contrast/amplifier to the meal. Beverages: 4/5. Sangiovese was a nice pairing with the meal. Not too heavy, and just right. Service: 5/5. Friendly and attentive. Ambiance: 4/5. Boisterous, busy, and beautiful interior. Fitting for the Sunday night dinner rush. No reservation and traveling solo, so I was able to score a seat at the bar. Family of five was looking at a 1 hour wait, so make a reservation or travel lean. Buen provecho. read more

The Purple Pig - Chicken Thigh Kebabs. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We visited here for a celebratory dinner on our first night in Chicago, and it was absolutely fantastic. The space is very nice, cozy and busy but quiet enough to hear your table-mates. The service was very friendly and fast, and our server helped us with recommendations as well. Everything we ate and drank was fantastic. I particularly loved the peach old-fashioned, which I believe was part of their spring menu. The food though was the real star. We tried two of the cheese appetizers and ate every single bite of both. They were so well seasoned and well thought out. The homemade pasta for the entree was incredible as well. I believe I had the short rib tortellini (tortolonni? It's been a few weeks since our visit) and haven't stopped thinking about it. The half duck was also fantastic and enough to feed two. This is a great place to go in Chicago. read more

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While visiting Chicago this week, a few of us stopped in at The Purple Pig for drinks and small plates. We got there a little early in the evening and it was quiet, but by the time we left, the place was packed. This is a very popular Chicago restaurant. We had the Grilled Broccoli, a cheese and meat platter, and the Whipped Feta. We all found the food and drinks well made and delicious! If you're planning on dining here, make sure you make a reservation. read more

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I am visiting Chicago on a business trip. I had forgotten how much I love the food here and also how I don't enjoy the cold wind :) This place had exceptional food! The bone marrow had a fig jam and the bread was super tasty. The broccoli just melted in my mouth. The beets was very unique and the black ink squid risotto was phenomenal! The vibe to this was incredible! The server came over at the perfect intervals to check on us - the water was filled up without us asking. Loved loved loved this place! Hope to come back to other dishes - until my next business trip! read more

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If you're a solo foodie like me who enjoys taking yourself out for a nice meal and cocktails, this might not be your vibe. I was on a mission to find great food and drinks, and The Purple Pig had been on my list for a while. I knew it wasn't going to be cheap and was prepared for the price point, but honestly, I expected more for what I ordered. I came in hungry and somehow still left hungry. I started with the broccoli dish, which sounded delightful in theory but ended up being pretty underwhelming. The sauce was essentially squirted on top of the vegetables at the last second, so there was no real cohesion or romance to the dish. Next was the bone marrow because, let's be honest, if bone marrow is on the menu, I'm ordering it 100% of the time. Somehow, it was overcooked. I understand wanting it served hot since you're spreading it on toast, but I wasn't expecting it to be cooked to that charred level. It was also topped with an entire parsley salad, which, in my opinion, should have been a garnish rather than a featured component. I skipped the cocktail I originally wanted and opted for a nice Sangiovese instead. That ended up being the saving grace of the meal, it's hard to mess up a good glass of wine. I sat at the bar, service was to be expected. No thrills just business and I'm here for that. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a nice space, bar does get tight though so keep elbows close to your body.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] All in, I spent a little over $70. Roughly $20 for broccoli and $20 for bone marrow. The fact that those two dishes were priced similarly is honestly astounding to me. My recommendation? Go with a group, go with your sugar daddy, or go if you're comfortable spending well over $100 on yourself. Maybe my expectations were too high, but as someone visiting for work and looking for a memorable dining experience, this one missed the mark. read more

The Purple Pig - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Another year and another outstanding meal. Everything so good. Tuna tartare still the best in the world. Great service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute restaurant hidden in an office building[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation. read more

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I was recommended this place as they are well known for pork-forward dishes and Mediterranean fusion. Luckily, I made a reservation beforehand, as it was quite full when we arrived on Saturday night. The server was quick to take our orders and give recommendations. Since it was St. Patrick's Day weekend, there were a few drink features. My friend ordered the Green Mile and thoroughly enjoyed the spice/salt rim over the tangy and refreshing drink. We opted to share various dishes. The menu was unique, and I was excited to try new things. The whipped feta, hummus, cauliflower, and crispy pig ear arrived first. The pig ear was crispy and delicious, pairing well with the kale. I liked that the whipped feta was creamy/smooth with a hint of sweetness. We later used the remaining smear to enjoy with the rest of the cauliflower and pork shank as well. I definitely found the main courses more impressive. The pork shank was savoury and rich, with the meat sliding straight off the bone. I liked the collard greens and risotto paired with it. This dish is one I may travel back for! The squid ink risotto was also very yummy. I liked that the calamari was mixed into the risotto, and the prawns on top were cooked to perfection. Finally, since it was St. Patrick's Day, the tiramisu was green or matcha tiramisu. I have to say, the green contributed to none of the flavour as it still tasted like regular tiramisu. Service was wonderful and consistent. My only complaint was that I had listed on the reservation that it was a birthday, but the restaurant didn't show any indication of knowing. However, thanks to the server for sharing his list of recommended restaurants and places to eat. That was a very sweet touch. read more

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Great for happy hr, prices are reasonable.. Early arrival suggested.. Customer service always on point. They offer specials for each day which is listed behind the bar. Variety wines , etc . Highly recommend. " Chef Cookie read more

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Terrible. I am honestly not sure how people are recommending this place. I was excited to come here and had very high expectations, but unfortunately the food was extremely disappointing. Let's start from the beginning: the bone marrow. What on earth was going on? Why would you cover bone marrow with fig, bacon, and so much cilantro? Bone marrow is a delicate dish. You are supposed to taste the richness and subtle flavor of the marrow itself. The cilantro completely overpowered it, and the fig and bacon made it even worse. Chef, where did you train? This dish made no sense. Then came the agnolotti. I have no words. Just look at the photo: full of oil. I mean completely swimming in oil. Then the chitarra with seafood. Horrible. Spicy for no reason. Again, why are you trying to cover the ingredients instead of letting them speak for themselves? Also, the fish tasted frozen, not fresh. The pork belly, supposedly the signature dish, was another disappointment. Again, so much sauce that the actual flavor of the pork belly was completely lost. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The staff were nice, the ambiance was okay, and the wine selection was good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But please, stop covering the taste of the food you cook. If you need to hide the ingredients under excessive sauce, spice, cilantro, oil, bacon, or sweetness, the only explanation is that the ingredients are not good enough on their own. I will not be coming back. Not even for free. Sorry. PS. Why so much bread on each dish? So much buttery horrible bread that you will trash, because it's impossible to eat all of it. read more

The Purple Pig - Agnolotti - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was really looking forward to my dining experience at the purple pig, but unfortunately, it was underwhelming. Overall, the food was much more bland than I was expecting. And this was surprising for a restaurant that focuses on pork. For an appetizer, I had the duck croquettes and it just lacked flavor. For my main, I ordered the short rib ravioli, which had potential but was served on a bed of grease and used fat pieces as a garnish. Neither of my friends enjoyed their food. I think the restaurant focuses more on presentation than the actual flavors. The service felt very rushed for a place that is advertised as elevated. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It felt more like a casual dining experience inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I doubt I'd come back here. read more

I've been to the Purple Pig a few times I. The past. It is still amazing, I sitar the bar next to the pass...that way I can watch the Chef expedite. Tonight I had the halibut and broccoli, both incredibly prepared. Flavors were perfect and popped with subtle yet distinctive profiles. The service was excellent and caring all of the staff were engaging and efficient. If ever in Chicago you NEED to stop in for a bite read more

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A 4.5 stars with 9000 reviews! This place has to kick ass and take names specially in town with a lot of competition. Brought my coworker Eric after a long day at a workshop, decided to start with an espresso martini for a good wake up. Eric and I ordered three "snack" to share; mushrooms 3 ways, Crispy Pig Ear, and Roasted Piquillo Peppers. The mushrooms had a unique taste and the pickled onions were a nice contrast to the savory taste of the mushrooms and truffled sauce. The crispy pig ear had an egg on top of breaded onions and crispy spinach. We were advised to cut up the egg and mix it up with the other ingredients. Compared to the first course of mushrooms this course was at the other end of the pallet and taste spectrum. I'm not sure why it's called pig ear but it was tasty. The Stuffed Piquillo Pepper was my favorite course. It was hearty and came with crispy baguettes. The red sauce and the Italian sausage that was stuffed inside was very tasty. I'm a fan of the Purple Pig and recommend it to anyone looking for a place to eat tapas and choose from an exclusive wine collection along Michigan Avenue. Cheers! read more

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Great service! Our waiter and his team brought new plates and silverware for every dish and our glasses were never empty. There is a relaxed vibe here with small to large groups enjoying themselves. We met a nice person from New York seated next to us and enjoyed talking to him during dinner but also felt like we could have been the only two people in the room. This place is a tapas style restaurant and plates are meant for sharing but one plate could easily be one persons whole meal. We tried several dishes and all were delicious. The Whipped Feta was savory and delicious with toasted bread hot off the skillet. The Salted Beets were a delicious rendition of the dish with a peanut sauce on the bottom (at the end I loved that it reminded me of peanut butter and jelly)! Last we had the chicken kabobs and these were so savory with crispy skin on the outside, paired with fingerling potatoes and homemade tzatziki. We finished off our dinner with an affogato and bid our new friend farewell! Thank you for a delicious evening, we will definitely come back! read more

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Roasted bone marrow 16 -rich tasting Pork shoulder 19 -tender but salty Octopus a la plancha 22 Big portion and fair price but too salty on all dishes Only 2 of us eating and could have been enough for 3-4 read more

This time back to the PP. Ordered the goat cheese spread which has generous portions of cheese but the dish comes with 4 slices of toasted bread which I had to ask for 2 more but they gave us 4 which cost us $2 extra. The goat cheese is good but the tomato puree was very salty. We ordered the lamb ravioli which comes with two large lamb filled ravioli topped with few noodles and the same salty tomato puree. The last dish we ordered was the lamb shank which was had nice portions, it has some light citrus sauce which taste odd with the taste of the lamb. Which all the entrees which I wish comes with some side like mash potato or veggy. Overall the dining experience was mediocre compared the the first time I was here. The waiter was in a hurry to get me checked out before I left the table. There was no line of people outside and plenty of tables available. read more

The Purple Pig - Goat Cheese spread - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Arrived in Chicago, and checked into our room - on the way to the hotel I searched for a good restaurant nearby for dinner. When I read "pork" and "tapas" I was sold. I made a reservation and was lucky to get 1 remaining spot at 9:15 (was aiming for 8:30 - I got lucky!) Thank goodness because this food was delicious! We ordered too much food yet we ate all of it lol. Lets see, we had the Spanish Octopus, Roasted Beets, Beef Tartare, Serrano Jamon and Manchego, and I believe the Pork Shank, Pork Belly, and the Lamb Shank - omg - everything was so delicious, and the waiter was so attentive, water glasses filled, each dish a match to the last - not a bad bite the whole meal - the cocktails were strong, and the pleasure was immense. Wow what an introduction to Chicago! DELICIOUS! read more

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This is a really cool restaurant that specializes in - you guessed it - wines, meats, and cheese. Everything is served family style and is intended to be shared. I came here with my husband and two kids. No kids menu unfortunately but they tried the chicken thigh kabobs and salmon with us. My husband got the special which was steak. I chose a cheese to try & snacked off everyone's plates too. One of my kids loved the salmon, but didn't love the sides. My other kiddo didn't like much. We thought everything was tasty albeit it's a splurge place. We also had a reservation. Service was good. It is also hard to find as it's on the second floor. We came from the first and wandered around some stairwells before finding it. Clear signage would be helpful! I would come back as a special date night place, likely without kids. read more

The Purple Pig - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Still a favorite of ours! Make sure to make reservations. We were not able to but came around 4-5 and waited for someone to not show up for their reservations. It was quite a busy weekend. Their food is still very good. I got the Wagyu strip steak and my husband got the pork shank. Plenty of food. Had some pork shank left over. Got the pig ears and it was too crispy, still good but couldn't taste it besides the fried part. The drinks were good. We had to eat a bit fast since we didn't have reservations and they needed the table for the next party at a certain time. Next time, highly recommend reservations! read more

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Amazing wine selection and awesome pork shank. Enjoyed the charcuterie as well. A bit touristy but nostalgic too! read more

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This place nails it on the head! The food and the ambiance is great. It's a cozy, lively place. Always busy and never disappoints. If there isn't a long wait or if you're up for the wait, I'd recommend it. read more

The service was great! Very attentive! The food was unique and tasty! Will be back where when we are in Chicago again. It was a very unique experience. read more

The Purple Pig - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Me and The Queen had to go downtown to the Currency Exchange International (see review) to pick up pesos. The transaction at CEIFX did not take that long and since we had to drive downtown, we decided to find someplace nearby to have brunch so we could use up that 2.5 hours Spot Hero time. Using my trusty Yelp app, the Purple Pig popped up and was right next door, so need to move the car and we could walk there with no issues. Since it was around 11:30 am, the place was pretty empty with the exception of two women sitting at a high top. We were seated at a two top with menus. Our server introduced herself and asked if we wanted drinks and took our order. She then asked if we had ever been here before and we said no, so she proceeded to go through some of the more swine focus dishes. We opted to start with Smoked Pork Tongue with Tonnato Sauce and a Salad Olivier, which was like a macaroni salad in between two slices of pork tongue. This was so good we got two orders. That pork tongue just melted in our mouths it was so soft and tender. The second starter was the Tuna Tartare (Ahi Tuna, Avocado, Pistachio, Truffle, House-Made Squid Ink Cracker). This dish was not only tasty but a visual work of art. It was almost too pretty to eat, but not that pretty because The Queen and I tore into that bad boy. For my entree I got the Half Duck with Greek Yogurt, Smoked Trout Roe and these cute Brioche Buns. Trust me, I love pork, but I do love a good duck as well and was curious about those buns. I figure I will be back to try some of the other pork dishes, but wanted the duck and it did not disappoint. Not sure what it was glazed with, but it was slightly sweet and worked with the duck meat. The Queen got the Bucatini à la Amatriciana (Guanciale, Tomato Sauce, Pecorino Cheese, and Calabrian Peppers). She said it was on the spicy side but she loves spicy, so she was happy. She also enjoyed the pasta, which The Purple Pig made in-house. We both decided to finish off the meal with dessert. I got the Chocolate Sponge Cake with a roasted almond sauce and shaved almonds. I thought it was very good. The Queen got an Affogato with Espresso, Bailey's, Walnut Biscotti, Vanilla Gelato and Pistachios. I have seen this served at several restaurants as it is a favorite of The Queen's, but The Purple Pig's presentation is the way this should be served. The Vanilla Gelato and Pistachios are frozen in a cup with a well in the middle for the espresso and Bailey's. Usually I have seen this served where the liquids are poured over the gelato and it becomes a somewhat soupy mess, but this was amazing as you could eat the gelato and sip on the espresso and Bailey's. I don't usually do this as a dessert, but would come back here just to get that. The presentation was just wonderful and the cup it was served in was cold to the touch. For a surprising first time visit, this was a great find for us and I will definitely want to come back for more swine. Pork is the king of meats for me and this place seems to know what they are doing and do it well. read more

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