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The Purple Pig
Wine and eat swine on the Mag Mile.
The Purple Pig Restaurant Review:
About the restaurant & décor: Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. moved the original Mag Mile location of The Purple Pig to a building just steps away in June 2019, but its spirit remains intact. The restaurant brings together both tourists strolling in from their hotels and Chicagoans conducting business over shareable plates and wine. Touches from the first outpost live on, from the colorful ceramic tiles to the aged wine barrels. For extra special occasions, request the chef's table for eight.
Likes: It’s one big bustling party inside; with wine flowing, this restaurant is busy for lunch and dinner.
Dislikes: No reservations.
Food & Drinks: Diners have so much flexibility within Bannos’ generous menu of snacks, meat, pasta and seafood. Of course, we must start with the bespoke pig, with signatures like crispy pig’s ear with kale, ham croquettes with saffron aïoli and smoked pork tongue. Vegetarians aren’t afterthoughts; make a meal from spring onion and polenta, caulilini, and smoked artichoke and peas. Go big with the house classic roasted bone marrow served with herb salad or the chamomile-smoked pork ham steak. Skip dessert for the many wine varietals, some of which are highlighted under each dish on the menu. The restaurant beefed up the size of its wine program to 1,000 bottles, which have been vetted by wine director Alan Beasey. Female winemakers feature heavily.
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