added by FM 
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style:
French, Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish
Head Chef:Jimmy Bannos, Jr.
Description: The Purple Pig website states:Located on
The Magnificent Mile,
The Purple Pig is a collaboration of
Chefs Scott Harris of Mia Francesca,
Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia,
Jimmy Bannos and Jimmy Bannos Jr.
of Heaven on Seven. Featuring housemade
charcuterie, cheeses and classic
Mediterranean fare plus an extensive
yet accessible wine list.
Hours: 11:30 am - 1:00 am Monday - Thursday, 11:30 am - 2:00 am Friday - Saturday, 11:30 am - 12:00 am Sunday
Recommend this restaurant or make it a favorite to add a review.
Recommend this restaurant or make it a favorite to add a review.
April 17, 2012
Making Pork rillette is an art, and it's something I have always enjoyed in bistros in Paris. This one mimics the one at Aux Lyonnais in Paris. It is whipped creamy with toasted olive oil soaked bread slices and mustard.
Another mouthwatering bit was the Sepia with fried almonds and rosemary, showcasing that hot plancha in action with a golden sear.
Sepia, Pork Rillette
April 10, 2012
The purple pig does everything right! I don't know of another place you can go on Michigan Ave and have the quality of food and wine for this price. I love the small plates, cured meats, smears and affordable wines. This place has a great bustling atmosphere and outdoor area but the fresh creative food is really the star.
Shaved Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Bone Marrow, Pork Neck Bone Rillette and the Milk Braised Pork Shoulder just to name a few!
April 10, 2012
I went here with a friend because she had recommended it to me, the food was delectable. So well made and prepared in an open kitchen, which I personally love....its like entertainment, education, and food all in one! I tried the fried pig ear and it wasn't what I expected, it was much better, tasted like gourmet pork rinds. We also had the fried manchengo cheese which was perfectly cooked. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine and great conversation as this place is great for people watching. The tables are close together and the crowd is young and old. Its a perfect spot for anyone looking for anything pig for dinner.
EVERYTHING YOU CAN STUFF IN YOUR MOUTH (slowly)
August 22, 2011
This might be my favorite restaurant in the city. We have not gone wrong with any dish. Great beer selection also.
milk braised pork shoulder, charcuterie plate, pig's ear
August 21, 2011
The Purple Pig is tucked away on Michigan Avenue right between the river and Nordstrom shopping center. It's easy to dismiss but if you're a true food lover, you know what this place has to offer. There is always a wait but it's well worth it. In the summer, the wait allows for a glass of wine on a bench outside of the restaurant. This past Friday night, my two girlfriends and I chose the Purple Pig. It was my first time which most definitely won't be my last. The tables are community style yet it does not feel intrusive. The food was delicious!! I am a huge fan of goat cheese and this place offers goat cheese galore. I was adventurous and tried bone marrow and to my delight, it was amazing. It was a tie between my 2 favorite dishes, the octopus and the pork shoulder.
Salami Toscana, Goat Cheese & Black Olive Tapenade, Roasted Bone Marrow with Herbs, Octopus with Green Beans, Fingerling Potatoes & Salsa Verde, pork shoulder
August 5, 2011
My first visit to The Purple Pig was happenstance. My parents and I were on our first adventure downtown after I moved here 2 years ago and decided to give The Pig a try; man was it the right move! We order the charcuterie board, (The Purple Pig Platter), a selection of cheeses (the Truffle Tremor is divine!), and the eggplant caponata with goat cheese- which comes with thick slabs of grilled bread. Needless to say, after all of this great food and a few glasses of wine, we were congratulating ourselves on a good find. Little did I know who the brains/chefs behind the establishment were or the accolades this places was racking up!
Since then I've become a regular, stopping in for a nosh every time I'm downtown. I've been working my way through the menu and have tried, thus far: deviled egg with arugula and caper berries; turkey leg confit with crispy lentils, treviso endive, and agro dolce; chorizo stuffed olives, which are fried and served with an aioli sauce; potato and speck croquettes with Calabrian chili aioli; pork neck bone gravy with ricotta smear; salt-roasted beets with whipped goat cheese and pistachio (get some toasted bread on the side!); fried pig's ear with crispy kale, pickled cherry peppers, and fried egg; fried manchego with membrillo; jamon serrano with oyster mushrooms and fried duck egg over grilled bread; chicken thigh kebabs, fried smashed potatoes, over tzatziki; pork saltimbocca; mussels with pancetta, creme fraiche and marjoram; octopus with green beans and fingerling potatoes; raw corn and heirloom tomatoes w/ arugula pesto, the porko bucco is INCREDIBLE- fall off the bone tender and the polenta and red sauce is amazing, the manilla clams with merguez sausage is also a fantastic new addition. Last time I was in they added a rabbit salad that's amazing and veal & mortadella sausage- incredible.
Phew! I must say I have NOT had a bad experience at The Purple Pig. The menu changes often and a lot of dishes are seasonal, and the atmosphere is great. The folks there are knowledgeable about the food and wine pairings, as well as the great selection of beer. I'll be back soon!
The fried deviled egg with arugula; chorizo stuffed olives; pork neck bone gravy with ricotta; jamon serrano with oyster mushrooms and fried duck egg over grilled bread; fried pig's ear with crispy kale, pickled cherry peppers, and fried egg; raw corn and heirloom tomatoes w arugula pesto. EVERYTHING.
June 29, 2011
I tried the Purple Pig for lunch (finally) and loved it! The space is fun, casual, with some outdoor and communal seating. They also had a great music selection in the background.
They are small plates to be shared and we started with the cheese: the cheddar, truffle tremor, and camembert - all were great. The grilled octopus was recommended by another member (CROCKSTAR) and was excellent. The Jamon Serrano was great and also recommended by another member (TracyB). My favorite dish was the pork shoulder with mashed potatoes - the ultimate comfort food.
Octopus, cheese menu, Jamon Serrano, and the Pork Shoulder
April 17, 2011
I like this place so much I went there 2 times in one weekend! The Jamon Serrano with Oyster & Trumpet Mushrooms with Fried Egg over Grilled Bread was my favorite. The pig's ear is little fried pieces over a fried egg as well - was fun to try - a bit on the salty side.. The beet salad was great, the schmear is a healthy portion and they have a great cheese selection - the truffle tremor is a must to try! The wine selection was great - the lopez heredia from Spain is a favorite. The server was exteremely knowledgeable about the wine and food - this place is serious food and wine business!
April 10, 2011
The Purple Pig's motto sums up the experience: Cheese, Wine, and Swine. This popular restaurant is the Mag Mile's front runner in the all-things-pork culinary phenomenon . Small plates, great wine selection, pork and cheeses abound. No reservations, so anticipate a wait.
Pork rilette, grilled octopus.
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