Spotted Pig

Description

New Yorkers may never think of pub grub the same way again since chef April Bloomfield hopped into town from across the pond. With a little help from consultant Mario Batali, Bloomfield's gastropub-style menu is another British invasion worth noting. Gnudi, delicate sheep's ricotta dumplings, send diners swooning, as do Morethe beer-steamed cockles with herbs and roasted garlic. The hamburger tempts diners with every repeat visit, while sweetbreads with piperade and mint, marinated octopus and celery salad, and grilled beef tongue with duck fat potatoes, sour cream and dill further typify comfort dishes with a gourmet flair. There are six beers on tap, including the spirited Brooklyn-brewed Spotted Pig Ale and the hard-to-find British brew Old Speckled Hen, which keep the convivial bar bustling. It all makes the West Village feel decidedly West End.