The Bourgeois Pig

The setting is intimate and the food is moderately priced. ...her name was Lauren. She was, and still is a beautiful woman, at one time, the voice of an angel, now, with the mind of a great! Her smile would make me smile and her departure almost made me cry, but then I realized that real eyes realize real lies. And I found myself in a sea of sorrow for not being true to my adorin' Lauren more

An intimate date spot in the East Village, the Bourgeois Pig is an elusive-named den with an air of exclusivity. Stepping through a thick, velvet cloaked doorway, a hostess greets you with a doorman-like clipboard, asking you to wait at the jam-packed bar or outside for your table. It is worth the wait, however. As the dark, red-hued speakeasy-like spot offers an exhaustive, thoughtful menu with specialty fondues, meats and cheeses, desserts and, of course specialty drinks. The exotic wine cocktails, beer-mixes and high brow drinks are hard to get on Mondays and Tuesdays when your date's eyes are veering toward the half-off bottles of wine. Maybe that's just as well. Everyone seems better after a little vino. Pros: Cozy, Beer and Wine Cocktails, Bottle Specials Cons: Small, Hard to Find Seat more

The Bourgeois Pig had been one of my favorite places to take guests when I lived in Manhattan. I have been out of the city for about 2 1/2 years now and upon my return I wanted to visit my favorite bar. It used to be my favorite place because of the good food (still amazing) and because of the cozy, small atmosphere. It wasn't rare to talk to everyone else at one of the small 5 or so tables and leave making some new connection. Now the place has expanded (good for them in these economic times!) and has lost a bit of the cozy feel. The service has improved though and I was impressed with the attention of all the staff and not just ""our"" server. We did have to wait a bit to get in but hey, it was worth the wait. My friend and I decided that it can't be compared to the ""old"" pig but it certainly will still be on my list when I have the chance to come into the city. Buyer beware that the prices seem to have grown with the business as well, still amazing. Pros: Stellar Service, great food and Sangria Cons: CHANGE . . . more

The most unwelcoming place I've ever been to. The nice, apologetic waitress couldn't possibly make up for the lousy vibe. (But thank you sweet for trying). Cons: Rude and pretentious more

I tried to meet my husband here, but the owner Ravi Derossi wouldn't let me into the restaurant until he finished a cell phone call, then screamed ""You're a b-tch!"" when I told him we were leaving because he had been so rude. Maybe acting like a club bouncer and verbally abusing women is part of an attempt to create an edgy sort of exclusivity, but I prefer places that treat customers like human beings. Obviously, we won't be back. Cons: owner has anger management issues more

This a really great place. The wine selection is not to be beat. I went here on a lot of dates and it was charming and romantic. The service was really great and the no-standing room only policy means that the random people weren't constantly bumping into the table or trying to start up bar talk with me and my date. (Also the doorman is real hot and funny. And he has the greatest hats.) Pros: 1/2 price wine bottles Mon and Tue Cons: So many people want to go on Fri, Sat, Mon, Tue that there is usually a wait more

Nestled in the heart of the East Village, The Pig's appealing decor (red velvet wallpaper, red neon lighting) is attractive and sexxy. Unfortunately, that is the only compliment I can give the establishment. We visited The Bourgeois Pig on a recent Monday night at 6:30 for birthday cocktails. After ordering a round of drinks that included champagne cocktails and bottles of wine, the management asked us to leave because our party exceeded 10 guests. (Our party consisted of 15 guests- all professional New Yorkers) He went on to rudely explain that they fear a party of +10 will ""take over"" the establishment, which seats 60. There were no apologies. There were no accommodations suggested. Just a simple and terse, ""Your party is too big and you have to leave."" The manager- who by the way, was dressed like a gay self-indulgent vampire- stood next to the door and glared at us as we finished our drinks and settled our bill. They would not accept our credit cards and insisted on a cash payment. Pros: Nice decor Cons: Rude Staff, Rude Staff, Rude Staff, Rude Staff and... OH! Rude Staff! more

THEIR NAME SAYS IT ALL. This place is just awful. We brought a bunch of people to celebrate a nice occasion on an idle Monday night and they literally asked us to leave after we had already kicked off the night with various drinks including bottles of wine because they were anticipating it might get busy later in the evening. Uh, we were there at 6pm! (and were an eclectic mix of 20s-30s from the city, seated at two tables and some at the bar, and everyone was ordering something). In addition, we had called a week in advance to let them know we were doing a happy hour gathering with guest info and were told no problem. Numerous members of our party either work or have worked in the industry for a number of years and they could not believe it. As a patron, I was shocked but also embarrassed by their crude and uncultivated ways. The little twit of a bar manager (you're not a Tenenbaum) with the disaffected attitude represents the worst of the nouveau faux-elite hipster graduate class of New York. Fortunately we went to another nearby spot to hang out and celebrate but this was such an unnecessary way to start off an evening of fun and drinks. Seriously, don't bother with this place (trust me, they won't care). Sooner of later, their cool-to-customers attitude (""come... go... whatever..."") will leave these wannabe bourgeoisie to partake in what's left of stale beer and stench of decay all to their sweet selves. Ironically, we had some friends from Paris with us and they thought this place gave French people a bad name! Pros: If you're going to pretend to be French and snobby, at least get your pronouns straight on the Menu! Cons: Poor service, poor taste. Classless, but maybe that's what they're going for? more

When I walked in, I was very encouraged as the decor is tasteful, pretty and comfy. Unfortunately the decor turned out to be the only positive aspect of this cheezy place. Pros: The decor is pretty Cons: Food was terrible, wine list uninteresting and amateurish. VERY rude service. more

Just went here on Monday with a couple of friends and had such an amazing time! We shared 3 bottles of wine and a huge cheese plate. I will most definitely be back again, especially since bottles are half off on Monday nights! Pros: Half Price Bottles, Nice Decor/lighting, friendly service Cons: a little small, but comfortable seats if you can get a table. more

The Bourgeois Pig has, by far, the most wines offered by the glass. I tend to jump all over the place with my wine selections, and when there is a huge selection, there's a lot of jumping. Granted, all the wine is from France, but there is about three pages of just red wines by the glass, so there is a lot of variety. Nice atmosphere, easy for talking and lounging. Really enjoyed this place, and will be going back. Pros: wines by the glass selection Cons: don't come with a large group, the space cannot fit one. more

Half price bottles of wine on Monday and Tuesday nights makes me a fixture at this beautiful local spot. The doorguy, Frank, is really sweet, and even when we can't get a table right away he makes sure to get our names and a phone number and gives a call. The girls on the floor are super sweet. I don't recommend coming in with your nose in the air about policy-- not seating full parties is normal, and in comparison to some places where you can't wear a hat or talk loudly (and they do exist), the Pig is totally reasonable. The crowd is always really easy going & pleasant, just like the atmosphere. The music is another part that is awesome, its all Eastern Europe gypsy and men who have smoked to many cigarettes singing about love. Pros: The sweet service and good wine, also the music. Cons: Not enough tables for everyone. more

This is a lovely wine spot, with an excellent list full of variety, and reasonably priced. Naturally a Friday or Saturday night is going to be hectic -- welcome to New York. I usually go during the week and have little to no trouble getting a table, after which I receive excellent service and good food and great drinks. This place offers more wines by the glass then I have seen at any other wine bar and does so without pretensions. They also experiment with cocktails, and experiment well. I'm a fan of the Port Flip. I'm not sure why everyone is so concerned with the owner; just sit down, eat some food, drink some wine, and be merry cause thats what the Bourgeois Pig is all about. Pros: the comprehensive wine list more

The owner is incredibly rude and has instituted the most absurd policies that his staff has to follow, most likely, because they fear him. The owner constantly 'told' people in a very nasty way to move even when the place was empty. They refused to sit someone who was waiting for only one other person because the rest of their party was not their yet - when the place was still completely empty at 6pm. I DO NOT recommend this place, there are too many other great places in this city! AVOID THIS PLACE. more

Last night 4 of us went to dinner at this restaurant. I called ahead to make a reservation because everywhere I had read they confirmed to make reservations...they don't. When I arrived at 9pm a very abnoxious doorman forcefully blocked the entrance and would not let me in. I just wanted to see if my friends had arrived. He took my cel and let me know he would call me. When we were later seated and received the menu we were impressed how limited it was and to find that the only food options on the menu were cheese, cheese and cheese. I love cheese but I had not read anywhere that it was a fondue only place. And the food definitely has a long way to go. Portions are small, cheese fondue was cold and the candles were so small we could not see what other dipping options we had apart from the bread ref veggies, frute etc. And we have seriously done better fondue at home. I have to say the service was ok, the waitress was attentive. And the bill? Not expensive given you don't get much anyway. I would not return nor would I recommend it. Pros: Attentive waitress Cons: Cold fondue, bad lighting, rude doorman. more

So my boyfriend and I decided to try this place out after hearing good things about it. We had a decent time and I decided to go back again with friends a few weeks later, on a Thursday around 9:30pm. Big mistake. When there was no one outside I walked in and was immediately told to go back outside so the obnoxious, spiky-haired doorman could see my ID. It was freezing outside and there was no one waiting to get in. He was so nasty and wouldn't even let me wait inside while my ID was cleared. Ridiculous. My party was only two blocks away so he reluctantly let me move toward the bar to wait when, all of a sudden, the owner comes running up from the other side of the bar, saying, ""Whoa. Whoa. What's going on here? We can't have people waiting inside here."" He was extremely rude, and even after I explained that my friends were literally a block away, he wouldn't even let me sit at the bar and order a drink until they came. So after being yelled at to get out I started walking to the door when he put his hand on my back and physically pushed me out the door. The place wasn't even that packed and there was plenty of room at the bar to sit and have a drink. The owner just seems way too uptight about how people can approach entering his amazingly overrated establishment. They need to get to get over themselves. By the way, I read everywhere online that they take reservations but when I called they said they don't. The food leaves much to be desired; the atmosphere is nothing to brag about (seriously, red wallpaper and a chandelier don't constitute as atmosphere); and the management is TERRIBLE. You can do much better than this place. more

Loved this place - its tiny, seating for 15-20 people, with a great ambiance and awesome comfy armchairs.... more

Loved this place - its tiny, seating for 15-20 people, with a great ambiance and awesome comfy armchairs. We ate: Five Italian Cheese White Wi... more

Loved this place - its tiny, seating for 15-20 people, with a great ambiance and awesome comfy armchairs. We ate: Five Italian Cheese White Wi... more