This Little Piggy

Pork. I get it. Pig is hot right now. I'm not sure there is a single menu in the city that doesn's have some sort of pork belly on it today. But The Purple Pig has taken pork in a fun new direction...pig tapas. Mmmm.

After hearing about this place from a waiter at another restaurant, I checked it out for lunch the other day. At first I was wary, because it was right on Michigan Avenue at Nordstrom, so I thought they might be going for the tourist crowd. This place had character though!

The menu is small plates, and includes everything from olives to pork shoulder. The charcuterie choices are vast, including more than a dozen cheeses and meats from all over the world (have I mentioned that I could eat my weight in jamon serrano?). There's a really interesting wine selection (full of stuff you've never heard of, but our waiter was really knowledgeable about the choices) but not many beers from which to choose.

The best thing I ate? Pork pate. At $5, it was a real steal too. A delicious bowl of pate served with thick, warm grilled bread brushed with olive oil. You'll need extra bread...ask for it immediately. Honorable mentions? The crispy pig ear with egg (trust me. try it.) and the Sicilian Iris dessert (a fried brioche pastry filled with chocolate chips and ricotta cheese. Completely. Amazing.).

Honestly, there wasn't much about this place I didn't like. They have communal seating, which can be questionable at times, but also have private tables if you prefer. I prefer. The grilled octopus (usually a fav of mine) was tender, but under seasoned. The olive oil ice cream (with an olive oil drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt) was weird, but at least interesting. Biggest disappointment? The fried devilled egg is only served at night because they are so labor-intensive and sell out so quickly. You had me at devilled egg.

I think this relatively new spot is really going to take off, so get there before pig becomes passe. And invite me!