Below is the food menu of our newest gastropub,
The Flying Pig, on Austin Street. By the way, reader Michael
tweeted me that they have a whopping 36 beers on tap. I include the pic he sent of their drinks menu at the end, though it's a little hard to make out:
Big menu, iPhone camera. Sorry for the poor quality photo.
ReplyDeleteI have been very much looking forward to trying the food at The Flying Pig. The menu appeals to me a great deal.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, based on all the comments I've read to date on both FB and Yelp, I'm going to hold off until they get kitchen issues resolved.
Typically, I take reviews with a grain of salt. However, in this instance, the vast majority of the reviews have the same complaint -- small plate servings and full plate prices. And by small I mean 'micro-scopic'.
Some folks have commented that they feel menu prices shouldn't be as high in FoHi as they are in Manhattan. Personally, I disagree. I'm more than happy to pay $10 - $13 for an appetizer and $25 - $30 for an Entree if the food quality is good. Quality ingredients come at a price.
However, I do take issue if I pay +$75 for a meal and leave the restaurant hungry. This was always the issue I had with Thai Q. Loved the food when they first opened, but had to stop at the Fast Food Chinese restaurant when I left because I was still hungry.
Ultimately, I think this is something The Flying Pig will work out and I'm looking forward to giving it a try in the not to distant future!
It is very extremely early, but i wonder if this current incarnation might not be a big miscalculation on Declan the owner's part and this place will tank. I hope it doesn't. I like Declan and his other places. I went and had a few apps and the duck fat fries serving were tiny and the duck confit with teh quails egg was pushing it for the price. If you read the Yelp reviews the main thing ppl complain about is the size of the portions. The salad especially. Plus, almost all of the draft beers are $7 or more and thats a little steep as well when many beers at the competitors are in the $5-$6 range. All this adds up on a check. we will see.
ReplyDeleteTwo couple-friends visited Flying Pig on different occasions and absolutely hated it. They were completely independent as one couple doesn't know the other. It was a mix of bland food, high prices, and small portions, much like what was written in Yelp and on this thread. I found it very disconcerting.
ReplyDeleteI shared my comments about Banter and their so-so dining options ($9 dollar small cup flavorless Macaroni and Cheese). Since the primary focus for these establishments is beer/drinks and quality service in a beautiful environment, the dining options are perhaps not of high priority. I'm down for a good whiskey and beer here and there, but I like to know a decent food option is available as well. Come on guys, you're so close to getting it right! I hope the bad reviews change as summer approaches.
-D
Flying pig won't last long.
ReplyDeleteThe food at Pizzaria Uno isn't too good either but sometimes I will stop by there since it is open late and it is moderately priced.
ReplyDeleteBut with Flying Pig it is premium pricing for poor items. Obviously a business decision made on the part of the owners.
New restaurants get business just because they are new, but won't stay in business over the long haul if items are poor.
The Flying Pig is just getting off the ground. Declan has two other successful establishments in TapHouse (Austin St) and Blackwater Inn (Metropolitan Ave).
ReplyDeleteI have faith that he'll make the necessary changes to ensure The Flying Pigs success. Quite honestly, if the main issue is portion size (which it seems to be from the early reviews), it's a pretty simple fix. Let's give the guy a chance.
I think the food can be really good (the crispy pork belly was delicious) but, at this point, is not consistent. My advice would be to cut overhead by losing the bread (it felt out of place and I doubt people would miss it at a gastropub), cut prices by a couple bucks and rotate out the menu items that the kitchen can't seem to perfect. Obviously it will take a couple weeks to work out the kinks in the kitchen but by then they should be able to figure out which dishes need to be removed. They also need to focus on how they serve their red meats. They need quality control to make sure the meat is coming out of the kitchen correctly. There is no reason a steak should be served burned to death (well done) ever, unless the customer specifically asks for it. How are these things coming out of the kitchen without the chef noticing?
ReplyDeleteHeck the diner on Austin Street is lousy too. Horrible service with the new management. I am surprised it didn't shut down again either.
ReplyDeleteI don't see a long future for Flying Pig.
Would have been better keeping Johnny Rockets. This firm will not see enough revenue to maintain overheads in that location.
ReplyDeleteWe saw the same thing happen to multiple restaurants in the area. It is just a factor of the business cycle due to poor decision making.
So what if the guy runs other locations. He can't run this location right and the small portion sizes and mediocre food seem to be part of the business model.
In the city, there are restaurants which are horrible that actually do see business and never go under. They are tourist traps mostly in areas like the theatre district or other high volume areas. As such, as long as they have a product offering that seems tempting from the window, they will stay in business.
ReplyDeleteThe Flying Pig does have a large liquor selection and a decent menu which will definitely attract people when they first see it. But I don't see how this restaurant is located in a touristy location for the city. If the business owners meet revenue targets, they will NOT change anything so I don't expect any changes.
They have STRIPPED Bass on the menu...I assume it's STRIPED?
ReplyDeleteService is bad and the food is not that great. Maybe just go for drinks.
ReplyDeleteJust went there tonight with my girlfriend and another couple. Beer selection is excellent, entrees disappointing. I had the hanger steak and the fries completely absorbed the sauce, the steak was just fair. Would not go back for dinner, maybe drinks and apps (though with my seafood allergy it eliminates most choices).
ReplyDeleteThe menu does not suit the demographics of Central Quuens. Bet ya that most diners going to this place are just ordering burgers and steaks to play it safe.
ReplyDeleteYou, my friend, are behind the times. Plenty of adventurous eaters living here now. We just need the right menus to have a successful place....
DeleteI too disagree that this neighborhood's taste palate is limited to burgers and steaks. Conversely, I believe the neighborhood has proven itself to be quite open to a wide diversity of food options.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to see a restaurant serving fresh Oysters (although disappointed that they don't have an oyster selection listed on the menu).
Drake, curious about two things:
1)Did they have a variety of oysters listed inside the restaurant (e.g, Hama Hama, kumamoto, malpeque)?
2)What was the Market Price for the Baked Clams?
Keuka Kafe also has oysters, but only fri -sun. Small, but good selection!
DeleteVery good to know ... thanks!
DeleteSusan,
DeleteSorry, don't recall either -
Drake
Had lunch there. The food was decent, fresh. 2 items of constructive criticism:
ReplyDelete-please season your dishes. Both entrees were good but needed seasoning desperately. Salt, pepper, anything! They would have been elevated from good to great with simply some basic seasoning. Salt and pepper were also lacking on the table. If this is going to be the case then having the plates properly seasoned is even more critical.
-work on speed of kitchen execution. We waited for much too long for our food.
Other than that I think they have a good start. The place is cute and the addition of live music on Tues. nights is a great idea. GOOD LUCK!