PIG'N WHISTLE, a great place to have a quick beer, nice lunch or great dinner.
Written: Dec 23 '03 (Updated Apr 16 '04)
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Pros: Great location, friendly service, good food and reasonably priced for a Times Square destination.
Cons: Does get crowded and may have to wait for a table. Lunch time is easier.
The Bottom Line: This place has it all going for it. Friendly service, good selection, comfy atmosphere, and great tasting food.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Pig 'N Whistle |
First thing to know is that there are many, many places that go by the name Pig ‘n Whistle. It seems that, as many places there are, you will also hear a different story as to the roots of the name.
One story tells us that the Royal Navy, going back a couple of hundred years, kept rum aboard their ships and stored it in barrels called “pigs”. One day the mate, whose job it was to bring up rations of the stuff, returned a bit drunk.
In subsequent days he was told he must whistle while going to do his duty. This would keep him from drinking the rum.
The next story ,however, that I read most often and almost word for word, is that it comes from the Old English words “Piggin”, a big lead cup used to hold spiced wines. The wine was called Wassail. Those names changed slightly to Pig’n Whistle and has come through to become the name of thousands of pubs around the world.
TIMES SQUARE’S PIG ‘N WHISTLE
As in most every major city in the world, you will find more than one Pig ‘N Whistle. There are a couple in NYC.
A gentleman by the name of John Mahon opened a restaurant and pub in the middle of Rockefeller Center area of the city on 48th street in the old townhouse of President Taft. It was a popular center for New York’s financial and literary biggies.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
More recently he moved that place to its new location at 165 west 47th street. This is in the heart of Times Square and the theatre district. It is right between 6th and 7th Ave but, closer to 7th and just steps from Broadway. This happens to be a great area.
From the entrance of the place you can see the TKTS booth where you can purchase half price, same day tickets for many Broadway and off Broadway shows. Both the plays Aida, and Thoroughly Modern Millie have been on the listing and both are steps from the Pig'n Whistle. The TKTS booth is just across from the Times Square Visitors Center and many theatres featuring NYC plays.
DÉCOR
Though they moved the restaurant/pub a few blocks, they still wanted to maintain the same atmosphere of the original pub, in the Taft townhouse. The new place has a huge oak bar that seats over thirty. In the evening it can easily be two persons deep. The walls are all paneled and the place holds a rustic, yet finely decorated, pub charm. In the bar area are a few tables. Beyond the bar is where the hostess has a station. It’s from here that you may be seated at one of the tables in the medium sized room in the back. In this area are tables and a few booths. The place is dimly lit and has the feel of any good pub you may find in Ireland or England. This place is definitely Irish!
SERVICE
I met the fellow, Pat, who was running the place that day. What other first name would he have? He’s a real gentleman and kept a sharp eye on the happenings of the place.
As you walk in you immediately get out of New York City and into a totally different environment. I walked in and out a number of times. Every time I entered I was greeted. I noticed the same for everybody who came through the door. It’s good to get attention and a friendly greeting.
That day I was doing an event in the restaurants upstairs “private party” room. They have a full bar up there. Additional seating is available for catering and larger groups. The restaurant has a gorgeous bay window that overlooks the happenings of NYC's streets. I kept an eye on the service at the party I was entertaining. I noticed that detail was looked after, the food looked good, and there was plenty of friendly help for all.
I had time before I was “on” so I decided to have a bite to eat downstairs.
This is one of those places that just has a friendly and helpful bunch of guys and gals. It’s like a contagious kind of thing. That sets up for a very pleasant atmosphere.
When we first arrived at about 4:30PM the place had a few people at the bar and tables in the back. We were there until 8:PM. At that time the place was hopping. The bar area had many young patrons, maybe twenties, very early thirties, of which it seemed that some may have been from overseas. This was mixed with “older” couples, tourists, and a group of businessmen . Overall it was a great group of neat, well behaved, yet having a good time, patrons. I liked the feel of the place.
Another plus was the bartender. You never waited for attention. As soon as you tucked a shoulder in between those closer to the bar, you were noticed. Ha, I wasn’t looking for drinks at the time. I needed change for the parking meters. They were quick to help.
The service at the table was quick. My waitress was knowledgeable and polite.
MENU
This is where I was happily surprised. The menu was primarily traditional American. The appetizers were varied. Buffalo Wings, Calamari, and Crab Cakes were on the list along with Portabello Mushrooms, Smoked Salmon and Shrimp Cocktail.
I had the Crab Cakes that were listed on the menu as
“..Lump crabmeat mixed with diced vegetables and fresh herbs on Japanese bread crumbs served with a spicy slaw and Dijon mustard.
It was excellent. Yes, I did get a real taste of crab meat. The crab cakes were the top dollar item at 12.95. It was worth it and can be shared. The other items were $6.50-$9.95
They also have soups and sandwiches. They feature a different soup every day along with a daily French Onion Soup that looked great!
The burgers looked great too. Thick and juicy looking. They also offer turkey burgers. I was going to have a cajun Chicken sandwich then went for a Corned Beef sandwich instead. Though that cajun chicken had my mouth watering the corned beef was heavenly. It was on toasted rye and I savored every morsel.
The pub/restaurant has many other sandwiches. Turkey club, Tuna Melt, Maryland Crabcake, Roast Turkey and Goat Cheese Wrap, and the Pig’n Whistle special of hot roast beef with sautéed onions and melted Swiss cheese.
Their fries are excellent too.
If you are looking for a bit more than a sandwich, soup, or salad ,the Pig’N Whislte has a few entrees that price from $10.95 for a pasta primavera, up to $19.95 for a New York Sirloin Steak.
At $13.99 and $14.99 they have Chicken Penne Pasta, Blackened Chicken Breasts or Jumbo Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp, Pan Seared Salmon, Filet of sole, Chicken Parmigiana, and a house specialty of Gaelic Chicken described as Sauteed chicken breasts topped with an Irish whisky mushroom cream sauce.
They do serve desserts too. And of course you can end it all with an Irish coffee.
The BAR
For those who like to try different beers, this seems like a good place. They have all the regular domestic beers but also a few other imports that, well at least I, don’t know much about.
They have about ten to twelve different tap beers and many others in bottles.
One on tab was a German beer, I don’t even remember how to spell. It was something like Hieserbein. Those who know beers may be able to help me out. Heineken, Bock, Sam Adams, a couple of them, and of course Guinness Stout were posted on the handles of the tap beer.
I decided to try something different and had a Magners Cider. It was fantastic.
I will have to come down here and try a few other offerings.
SUMMING IT UP
I liked this place very much. The mood, the friendly and professional service along with a nice selection to eat and drink at reasonable prices made this a go too place. The added attraction of being in the heart of Times Square is a huge plus.
I made the mistake of going to a chain restaurant in Times Square last week. This place was a few bucks less yet far superior in all it offered. Never again TGI Friday's. PiG'N Whistle, I'll be back.
More NYC eats
Tavern on the Green A romantic restaurant in Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE!
TGI Friday's Times Square Location.
Pig'n'Whistle, a great Times Square Pub
Ollies, Broadway
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Fraunce's Tavern Lower Manhattan. GW ate here.
Katz's Deli
New York City Things to do and see.
NYC sites within walking distance from the Pig'N Whistle
Times Square Visitors Center
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Thoroughly Modern Millie A 6 Tony award winner Broadway Play
Central Park
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
The Empire State Building
Recommended:
Yes
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