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| - As a native Clevelander, I am always excited to come home and try new restaurants. My fiancée was in town and we discovered the Black Pig on a drive through Ohio City.
We were initially drawn in by the restaurant's curb appeal (exposed brick, lighting, and open windows with a view of Bridge Ave.) However, we were seated in the back room, which feels like a different restaurant (white walls, carpeting, no music, sparse decor, and a view of the alley behind my old high school track). Given that we currently live apart and were out to celebrate a special occasion, we kindly asked our server if there may be a table available in the front room. She was noticeably annoyed and replied curtly, "what's wrong with the back?" We immediately felt uncomfortable with her tone and embarrassed for voicing our concerns. After explaining the situation, she informed us that they had "many reservations", and that it probably would not be possible, but would check nonetheless. Unsurprisingly, a table for two in the front room was immediately available.
Now, what makes this review so difficult to write is that the food we had was absolutely fantastic. We ordered four plates to share (the cheese board, asparagus, mushroom agnolotti, and pork collar). As a frequent traveler and foodie, I have been truly fortunate to enjoy some fine restaurants as part of my work. I can honestly say that the mushroom agnolotti was one of the most memorable dishes that I've had in the past year. Texture and flavor were on point, and the quality of the ingredients allowed for a layering of flavor that I never knew could come from something so simple. The pork collar is also not to be missed ...savory, tender, and "falling off the bone".
This unfortunately leads to our last not so pleasant experience with the staff. Inspired by the quality of the meal, I decided to purchase a 50.00 gift card for my sister and brother-in-law, who live in town (he works in Ohio City). As I approached the bar, before getting a word out, the male bartender curtly informed me that the place at the bar where I was standing was set for a reservation. I apologized and quickly moved back towards the wall, while asking about the gift card. He said it would take a minute. Several minutes passed as he continued to serve, and chat with customers at the bar. Then, however, a female staff member walked behind the bar, and upon seeing us, made a physical gesture to "shoo" us away from the bar, before telling us again that the bar seats were reserved. Mind you, we were standing against the wall, away from the seats, and there was literally nowhere else to stand. After another minute or two, we decided to abandon the purchase and leave.
I don't often write internet reviews, and have never negatively reviewed a business. That being said, I don't know that I've ever had a dining experience where I felt quite the way I did after leaving the Black Pig. Whether intentional or not, we both felt like a bother to the staff. As previously mentioned, I live in San Francisco and travel both domestically and internationally with regularity. I recognize the diversity of expression that exists in different places, and that good old midwestern "niceness" is not valued everywhere (ironically, sometimes not even in the Midwest). However, not once, in SF or anywhere for that matter, have I felt "unwanted" in an establishment.
I love Cleveland and Ohio City, and am happy to experience the city's burgeoning restaurant scene, in which the BP should factor prominently. Judging solely on the food, I would not hesitate to take my friends from SF in an effort to show off Cleveland's food scene. However, I would hope that the staff strongly considers reviews such as this, and makes a concerted effort to treat its customers with greater respect. Everyone is entitled to a bad night at work. However, when such an attitude is displayed by not one, but three staff members, it defies mere coincidence, and hints at a pervasive unrest within the establishment.
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