The Spotted Pig

Posted By Alex Chinien Mar 19 2012 · 1 comment · Dining Out

Prosciutto Ricotta Tart

Ever since we first read about The Spotted Pig restaurant and chef April Bloomfield in The New Yorker nearly two years ago, we’ve wanted to go! We finally got our chance a few weeks ago when we were in town for a wedding. Appropriately situated in the West Village amongst titans of haute couture and a stone’s throw away from the original Magnolia Bakery, The Spotted Pig is a gastropub that has been getting a lot of attention lately.

With celebrity investors like Jay Z and the cooking clout of April Bloomfield – it’s no surprise the Spotted Pig is buzzing. We came for lunch on an afternoon in between marathon shopping. The house specialty is, believe it or not, burgers. Our waitress told us that 75% of their sales are burgers – served one way: char-grilled, on a brioche bun, topped with crumbled Roquefort. Bloomfield exercises draconian control over the burger and mayonnaise is forbidden. The only dining regular who commands the privilege of ordering a burger with onions is Lou Reed.

The staff recommended the prosciutto ricotta tart and so I decided to go with that along with a pint of Mamas Little Yella Pilsner. As we waited for our order, we took a look around and absorbed the eclectic decor. There were little porcelain piglets everywhere and a string of fat piggy lanterns – it was quite remarkable.

The prosciutto ricotta tart was fantastic. One of those dishes that you understand completely as soon as you lay eyes upon it. It is beyond delicate and the layers of flaky pastry and cheesy warm center is so delicious. Not the most filling of lunches I will admit but beyond delicious all the same. The beer was clean and savory – the kind of beer a place like the Spotted Pig ought to serve.

I really hope to come back for dinner one day and sample the famous burger. A must try for anyone in New York for any period of time.