Everything but the OINK: Lupa NYC Pig Lunch



We were invited to a tasting at Mario Batali's NYC osteria LUPA in the West Village last week.

This was going to be scary. The title was "The Whole Pig: Everything But the Oink".

The lunch was a tasting of the whole pig, known in Rome as "Quinto Quarto", literally "the fifth quarter". It is a way of cooking a butchered animal and using EVERYTHING. The cheeks, the feet, tail, tongue, liver, you name it, we'll eat it.

Yikes, could I get my husband to eat pig trotters? pigs ears? Hell, I don't even know if I want to eat that stuff. But we're going, if for nothing else, for the fabulous wines that Georgi, the sommelier always pairs with the courses.

These pigs (that would be us) ate and drank from noon until 4 pm.

Here is the menu, then let's discuss the food.
Sorry, the photos are dark, but at least you get the idea.

THE WHOLE PIG
EVERYTHING BUT THE OINK

PRIMI ASSAGGI
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ANTIPASTO

Trotter Terrina with Spiced Pear Mostarda
Malvasia Bastianich 2007 , Friuli



(yes, I think that was some sort of pig's feet? I didn't ask.......)

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INSALATA

Local Apple & Pancetta Insalata
Rosato "Il Roggito" Cantine del Notaio 2005, Basilicata



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PRIMI
Testa Tortellini in Brodo
Bonarda Frizante F. Montagna 2005, Lombardia



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Rigatoni alla Gricia
Bonarda Frizante F. Montagna 2005, Lombardia



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SECONDO

Lonza di Maiale with Prunes & Leeks
Rosso "Faye" Pojer & Sandri 2002, Trentino Alto Adige

I forgot to snap a photo, but this was a beautiful pork loin with a prune relish/chutney. Use your imagination.......

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DOLCI
Apician Spice Bread Budino and Torrone
Solalto Le Pupille 2004, Toscana







Comments

Maria said…
Looks like a fine place to dine!
Peter M said…
Hmmm, that place looks familiar...oh yes...lunched there with some equally loud people! lol
I want to go to Lupa, minus the feet, trotters and ears, but everything else looks and sounds fabulous!!
LaDue & Crew said…
What a brave soul you are! I second the "minus the feet, trotters and ears" ;o)
Love Lupa, but hate that you can't make a reservation and have to wait forever for a table normally. So do tell, did you like the pigs feet??
Ciao Chow Linda said…
I would say "lucky you" getting invited to Lupa, but then again pig's feet and ears aren't my thing. My grandfather used to cook them in the basement, much to my mother's consternation.
Bob said…
Looks like you had a good time! I haven't been to a restaurant where you need to dress up in years, I don't think I'd know how to behave. ;)
Looks like it was quite the meal. So very jealous (in a good way)! - John
Pam said…
What a feast. Looks like a great time.
The Food Hunter said…
Sounds like a great meal. How does one get on that invite this. I had a pig ear and tail salad at one of Batali's other venues. It was really good.
Foodiewife said…
Wow! Your fabulous meal makes my pot roast dinner look like pig slop (just kidding). I'm missing out on the the culinary delights of NY. Haven't visited your neck of the woods for 30 years.
What fun! Thanks for giving me a voyeur's taste of the whole pig.
Anonymous said…
Very nice but scary too...which makes it fun.
Debbie said…
All of the food looks delicious. I'm sure you had a great time!
"ruby begonia honey, you told me to bring home the bacon - I done brought home the whole pig"
Sapuche said…
Four hours of eating and drinking! What a fun time, I'm sure. That Apician spice bread budino and torrone looks like a great way to end your food adventure.
kat said…
Oh you lucky thing! What an amazing experience
Anonymous said…
i'm so stealing that idea of trotter terrine. oh my god that looks good.
stephend9 said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Randi Lynne said…
My husband and I ate there last night. We were able to make reservations online and had no wait. It was lovely; thank you for the recommendation. He had the Roasted Pork "Arista" and I had the Saltimbocca. We shared some caramel gelato for dessert. :)
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