LEO/LHB Blind Pig review online

[Robin Garr]

I've got to run, so I'll post the intro and photo later in the day, but I thought you guys might want an early peek at my review of The Blind Pig, which went online on LouisvilleHotBytes and on the street in LEO today:

LouisvilleHotBytes.com:
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/this- ... ed-porcine

LEO Weekly:
http://leoweekly.com/dining/blind-pig%E ... ed-porcine

Thanks so much Robin !!! We're so Glad that everyone is enjoying The Blind Pig..and so quickly too. I want to also thank all our amazing staff for a wonderful job well done...we couldn't have done it without all of you !!

Thanks,
Mike

Dang Robin, even the hardened vegetarian in me had to admit your review made my mind drift to my summer in Castelnaudary, "le pays du cassoulet." Cassoulet and many of the other items you described paint a very positive image of the Blind Pig. What a nice addition to the culinary scene.

Went to the Pig with my parents and their friends, just got home as a matter of fact. Rather than get into all the details of what we ate, let me just say everything I tasted, except the fish and chips, was really really good. The fried fish was very greasy, we told our waitress, but everything else from salads to appetizers to sheperd's pie was excellent. Hobgoblin on tap was, as I expected, awesome. Now, for my ONLY gripe... the service.

No one greeted us as we walked in, in fact we waited several minutes before we were able to grab a waitress and ask to be seated. After being seating and placing drink orders the waitress allowed the appropriate time for us to look at the menu and order apps/dinner, but after orders were placed we saw the waitress twice, my mom had to flag down who seemed to be a hostess, to have drinks refilled and order additional dishes.

But the food was really spectacular, specifically the salmon croquettes, all the salads and a bacon and butter sandwich(can't remember the specific name,) which I regretfully didn't order, but it was goooood.

Well done guys, I'll be back next weekend with some other friends.

Thanks adam, we do have a hostess, but we're still working out the kinks of super busy nights. We should have a hostess stand in the next week, which I think will solve a lot of those issues. I spoke to your waitress about your issue, and I think by next weekend we'll be rockin' on all those fronts. Thanks for coming in!

Went last night once we realized the Bats game was going to be a no-go. The staff did a great job of accommodating our group when it grew from six to seven right as we were being sat. I had the fish and chips, and, if I'm remembering correctly, the others had: the bison (2), the portabella, another fish and chips, salmon, and shepard's pie. Everyone was quite happy with the food ordered. I found the frites great and the fish was light and not greasy at all.

Three observations:

1. They might need some kind of cover on the main light switch as twice the lights were turned off accidentally by a patron waiting by the door. Not a big thing at all, just not something I had ever experienced, much less twice. Temporary mood lighting.

2. There doesn't really seem to be an adequate waiting area. There's "overflow" space around the bar, but it seems mostly people hang out in the door area. The problem is they are literally hanging out in the way of the door. This is a big pet peeve of mine, so it might not be noticed/bothersome of other people.

3. The service was friendly, competent and slow. I say "and slow" as compared to "but slow" because I really liked the pacing of the meal. I don't know if this was purposeful or a result of still working out the kinks, but I could see some people being annoyed if they are in some type of "rush." My friend and I had a great conversation about how we felt really welcomed and didn't feel any pressure regarding opening our table for another party. Not sure (at this point) if I would go there if I had to be somewhere following at a specific time, but I'm thinking the pacing is related to growing/opening pains.

Great feedback... and Jeremy, you are handling it with class and aplomb (when I know you to be a chomp-at-the-bit lifer like myself !) For me, this is the way it should happen on these hallowed pages. Every foodie here needs to consider themselves part of the restaurant (cause they are!) and every restaurant needs to think of themselves as forumites (cause they are!)

Ya know, when we work together, great things always happen...

'United We Stand, Divided We Fall' is the motto of our fine state. I feel it rings so true!

(not that I have a horse in this race, but I do because I love you all and want nothing but the best for you)

Went last night once we realized the Bats game was going to be a no-go. The staff did a great job of accommodating our group when it grew from six to seven right as we were being sat. I had the fish and chips, and, if I'm remembering correctly, the others had: the bison (2), the portabella, another fish and chips, salmon, and shepard's pie. Everyone was quite happy with the food ordered. I found the frites great and the fish was light and not greasy at all.

Three observations:

1. They might need some kind of cover on the main light switch as twice the lights were turned off accidentally by a patron waiting by the door. Not a big thing at all, just not something I had ever experienced, much less twice. Temporary mood lighting.

2. There doesn't really seem to be an adequate waiting area. There's "overflow" space around the bar, but it seems mostly people hang out in the door area. The problem is they are literally hanging out in the way of the door. This is a big pet peeve of mine, so it might not be noticed/bothersome of other people.

3. The service was friendly, competent and slow. I say "and slow" as compared to "but slow" because I really liked the pacing of the meal. I don't know if this was purposeful or a result of still working out the kinks, but I could see some people being annoyed if they are in some type of "rush." My friend and I had a great conversation about how we felt really welcomed and didn't feel any pressure regarding opening our table for another party. Not sure (at this point) if I would go there if I had to be somewhere following at a specific time, but I'm thinking the pacing is related to growing/opening pains.

Thanks Matthew and Stephen!

As to Matthew's points, I'm not really sure what we're going to do about the "waiting area" but it bothers me too...if the bar is full though, it's tough to find a good spot to put all those people...we'll be discussing it in the coming days.

As for the pace, everything we make is totally from scratch. I suspect things will speed up a bit, but I do see some things always taking a while. It simply takes time to make cassoulet to order, and there's not much we can do to change that, but we have discussed the idea of putting a symbol next to the items that take longer to prepare so customers are aware...

We went by The Blind Pig last night. Everything was really good. We started with pork rillettes served with some Blue Dog bagguette. Very nice with a Hobgoblin ale.

My wife and son both had Shepherd's Pie which they both loved. I had sausages and sauteed cabbage. Everything was very nice...too stuffed to try dessert. We'll get there next time. They were out of cassoulet so that's on the list for our next visit.

The only bad thing for us...we liked it so much I'm affraid the "Pig" is going to make off with quite a bit of my spare income.

I look forward to visiting soon, and I'm so glad a quality establishment is making its home in Butchertown. Great comments. I am interested though how one makes a cassoulet to order.... a long baked stew that only gets better with time and added stock as needed? Just wondering. See you guys as soon as I'm feeling better. I lived on Franklin St. for years and dreamed about a place like yours.
Best in all.

Bill
Shady Lane Cafe

when will a menu be posted?