Just had a very surprising experience during an initial visit to Spiga. It turns out that the cost for a 2-hour roll at this neighborhood hot-spot is about $400. Our party of 5 arrived at 6:40 pm and had just been served dessert around 8:45 pm when our waiter unexpectedly appeared bearing the check and proffering a slightly confused soliloquy. Before we could ask any questions, he explained that a large party was waiting for our table and then perplexingly told us to stay ""as long as you want to"". Displaying a well-developed instinct for gratuity preservation, he subsequently let us order coffees and even a glass of desert wine without adding them to the bill. However, shortly after these arrived, the pompadour-toting would-be adult functioning as maitre d' arrived to tell us that we had to leave immediately because he had a party of 8 that needed our table. When someone in my group asked him what VIP was waiting to be seated, he explained that each party is allowed 2 hours to order, eat-up, and clear out at Spiga. The food that wasn't overcooked was very interesting ... but at $200 per hour, it better be. Never before been forced to vacate a table in NYC ... other than one attached to a bowling alley at the Port Authority Lanes. Caveat emptor.
Pros: Interesting food
Cons: Being chased out after 2 hours
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