The Blind Pig now open for service !!!!

We went last Saturday night early (Butler was advancing to the Final 4 as we were finishing up our meal & drinks). Then we were back last night,seven days later, again circumstances dictated an early dinner, before the Louisville Ballet performance of Swan Lake. Both visits were excellent, no problems with service; food was top notch. Great job, love the building and atmosphere; loved the food and service.

We went to the The Blind Pig Saturday early evening and it was the perfect ending to a very difficult day. My wife had the Sausage and Cabbage and I had the Ivory Bacon sandwich and both of us commented that neither of us had ever had dishes like these anywhere in Louisville. The Ivory Bacon sandwich jumped into my top 3 list of sandwiches in the area. In addition we had a Bacon Manhattan, which was fantastic, and a Brooklyn Brewery Dark Matter draft which was a special surprise because I had never seen it in Louisville on draft before. Overall, the service was fine and the prices were right. I've gotten called on this before on this forum, but the overall feeling we had was that we didn't feel like we were in Louisvlle, meaning even with all the wonderful options we have around us, this was a new, exciting experience in a hometown restaurant.

I've heard great things on here but horrible things from friends who have been. Complaints vary from awful service to bland, greasy and undercooked food. Everyone I know personally who has been says it was a horrible experience. I just wonder if they started with a bang and quality/service has fallen off already or if it just so happens that my friends represent the occasional rather than the normal experience at the Blind Pig.

I'm sorry to hear that your friends had an unpleasant experience at the Pig, Adam. I have to say, I wish any of those issues been brought to my attention. Joe, Mike or I would have been happy to rectify the situation. I would hope that your friends are the minority and would like to emphasize that if anyone comes in and has a horrible experience, or even a slightly unpleasant one, that they please talk to management so that we have a chance to fix the problem before it gets posted on a public forum.

I would have to discount hearing anything negative from my friends given the feed back I've seen on the forum. And I wouldn't report hearsay before checking it out myself. I don't think it was the right thing to do.

So wait, now I can't post my friends' opinions? I've never had a problem when I take them somewhere and report that they loved it, but they report to me that they had a less than stellar experience and all the sudden I'm out of line, or their opinion is invalid? It's hearsay???

I'm NOT sorry if my original post came off as negative towards the BP, but that wasn't my intention. And looking over that original post I don't get a negative tone from it but a hopeful and optimistic one. The intention of my post was to perhaps re-establish positive experiences had by those on this board and if anything, encourage me to take some of my friends back there for another go 'round and find out if anyone here did in fact have a bad experience there. I'm gonna go try the BP regardless because I find the menu intriguing and many of you here have raved about it.

But even if my post did come off negative I believe that that's my right. I value my friends' opinions as much or more than most of those on here. If this place is becoming the kinda place where I have to censor myself, or think 'Should I type this?,' it's been fun but I'll leave the forum and stick to Robin's reviews.

My problem with your reply, Adam, is that it feels like you're trying to have the last word on a negative remark referencing people that don't post here. The argument that "nobody has a problem when I mention that my friends say positve things" is mute because what would anybody say to that? Give me an example where someone has stated, "well, Adam's friends said it was great..." Noone cares because it doesn't make a difference - (at the risk of seeming elitist, so be it) who are they? I think it's inflamatory to post a neg on a congratulatory opening thread when anonymous non Hotbytes community members have cryptic negative vibes about a place whose owners and GM are trying to say thanks to pleasant responses on our forum. Put it in a PM if you're trying to make a difference as opposed to what appears to me to be a cry for attention.

You have EVERY right to say what you want, and so do I.

So wait, now I can't post my friends' opinions? I've never had a problem when I take them somewhere and report that they loved it, but they report to me that they had a less than stellar experience and all the sudden I'm out of line, or their opinion is invalid? It's hearsay???

I'm NOT sorry if my original post came off as negative towards the BP, but that wasn't my intention. And looking over that original post I don't get a negative tone from it but a hopeful and optimistic one. The intention of my post was to perhaps re-establish positive experiences had by those on this board and if anything, encourage me to take some of my friends back there for another go 'round and find out if anyone here did in fact have a bad experience there. I'm gonna go try the BP regardless because I find the menu intriguing and many of you here have raved about it.

But even if my post did come off negative I believe that that's my right. I value my friends' opinions as much or more than most of those on here. If this place is becoming the kinda place where I have to censor myself, or think 'Should I type this?,' it's been fun but I'll leave the forum and stick to Robin's reviews.

You have every right to post whatever you want. I would only suggest that before anyone post negative things about our restaurant that they give us a chance to fix the situation. I don't really think it's fair to fault a restaurant for mistakes that they weren't given a chance to rectify. All I ask is the chance to make things right before people post negative things about us, perhaps in the future, you might try a restaurant out yourself before posting about "horrible" experiences based on your friends opinions. I have been working 90 hours a week trying to make sure things run smoothly. None of the issues you posted about were brought to my attention and I can promise you I was there. That's what bothers me.

Adam,
I enjoy your posts and discussions so this isn't anything personal. I personally could not say anything negative about any place if I hadn't experienced it myself. It's my policy and I’m sure others may feel the same.

It's pretty common to try to withhold too much judgment of a brand new place to give them a little time to work out the kinks. Going beyond that, I personally won't judge a place too harshly if I have a bad first experience but there is obvious promise. Personally, I don't like to post negative experiences and for the most part if I can't say something good I probably won't say much or anything at all. (This is just me and how I feel)

From my ultra conservative view of criticizing on a forum that can cause a business loss of revenue, if I'm going to post something negative I want to make sure I have some darn good research and personal experiences to substantiate my assertions.

Last, you state trust in your friends but also in Robin's reviews. He's already given his brief opinion in this thread and again another reason for withholding judgment and not trying to convince your friends to go again until you form your own opinion as to why they should. (if that is your conclusion)

Again, this is not meant as an attack on you personally but to show my disagreement with the logic of your post.

Don't laugh! After a quick drop-in for the soft opening, we were back with a friend 10 minutes after opening time for dinner on its first day. Those guys are doing it right ... even slammed, you couldn't tell it was a new restaurant from any serious glitches in food or service. I think we have a winnah, ladies and gents.

I'll just bow out of this one before I get kicked off the board, there are so many things here that I think I just see differently than the 3 of you. No offense or harm meant to the BP at all. In the future I'll keep my questions to myself. I will go to the BP just as I had planned, I just won't share my opinion. That way we'll all be happy.

Adam, I'd love to hear your opinion of the BP after you try it, whether you say it's terrible or it's great I'll believe that is what you thought of your experience,

[Robin Garr]

I'll just bow out of this one before I get kicked off the board ...

No worries there! You haven't even remotely crossed a line. Please don't mistake a discussion about differences of opinion on policy as a personal attack. And I for one would love to hear your opinion of the BP after you go there.

[Robin Garr]

That's what bothers me.

Jeremy, ole buddy, you know I have a tremendous respect for what you guys are doing at the Blind Pig, and admire your passion for it. But that being said, please note that there are currently 26 posts in this thread and 39 in the other Blind Pig discussion. ONE post, a second-hand report, is negative. I think our gang can count the votes and figure things out for themselves. Don't worry too much about it.

No worries!

I just wanted to make it very clear publicly that as a new restaurant, it helps us more to hear about issues when they happen than after the fact...we can't wait to serve many more of you folks!

Good eats, all!

For what it's worth I didn't take Adam's post repeating his friends comments about BP as out of line (and they certainly would not have any affect on my decision to visit BOP)...I also think Jeremy's comments were very gracious and well stated. So it's all good.

[Robin Garr]

So it's all good.

<sobbing> I love all you guys! Have another beer!