By Chef Matt Abdoo
Photo Credit: Katie B Foster
About Chef Matt Abdoo
Abdoo is the executive chef and partner of Pig Beach in Gowanus and the newly opened Pig Bleecker in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. He is the former chef de cuisine at chef Mario Batali's Del Posto.
"Pig Beach and Pig Bleecker both stemmed for my love of BBQ. We started Pig Beach in Gowanus, Brooklyn shortly after placing first in Poultry and second in Whole Hog during my very first Memphis is May barbecue competition."
Matt Abdoo's Restaurants
Photo Credit: Katie B Foster
Pig Bleecker
We just opened up in Greenwich Village (corner of Bleecker & Thompson) in January of 2017. It's a more "upscale" dining experience in that we incorporate a broader scope of "smoke-centric" dishes like Brisket Ravioli with Black Truffle Butter & Barolo, Linguine "Cacio e Pepe" with Smoked Black Pepper & Pecorino, and Smoked and Fried Whole Chicken with Cheesy Grits & Honey.
Photo Credit: KatieB Foster
We have a really great team heading up our wines and cocktails with Michael Greenlee, who co-founded the American Sommelier Association, selecting our wine list and we're really lucky to have Sarah Morrissey (formerly of Dutch Kills & Dear Irving) heading up our cocktail program with some really killer cocktails.
155 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012
T: 646.756.5115
www.pigbleeckernyc.com
BBQ Beer Garden| Photograph courtesy of Pig Beach
Pig Beach
Pig Beach is an indoor / outdoor BBQ Beer Garden right on the Gowanus Canal. It's a beautiful neighborhood and really fun summer spot made better by frozen drinks and BBQ staples like Baby Back Ribs, Pig Beach Burgers, Hatch Vinegar Wings, Mac n' Cheese, Purple Coleslaw, and Chocolate Peanut Buckeyes. It's really a great seasonal destination for friends and the whole family.
480 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
T: 718.737.7181
www.pigbeachnyc.com
CHEF'S MANHATTAN GUIDE
Shops & Markets
Union Square Greenmarket | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
Union Square Greenmarket
Oh man, New York has so many good markets, but I'm a huge fan of the Greenmarket at Union Square. They have some really great vendors that hail from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey with some of the freshest and inexpensive ingredients. I feel very fortunate that Pig Bleecker is just down the street and that I've been able to take take advantage of such a great program.
East 17th Street & Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
T: 212.788.7476
Website
Di Palo's Fine Foods | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
Di Palo's Fine Foods
It's in Little Italy and I love it because there's always inspiration for a new dish among the choices of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and all things Italian.
200 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013
T: 212.226.1033
Lunch
Mamoun's Falafel
There's no shortages of places to eat around Pig Bleecker, but I personally love it when I have cash on me and can hit up Mamoun's Falafel. Their falafel is my favorite and I can't live without their spicy red and white sauces and a side order of their hummus.
119 Macdougal Street, New York, NY 10012
www.mamouns.com
Sweets
Photograph courtesy of Ample Hills
Ample Hills
I'll hit up Ample Hills, especially on summer days when a cold, sweet treat is in order. They make all the flavors on-site at their Union Street location and the Bourbon Street is my absolute favorite.
Gotham West Market | 600 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 | T: 212.582.9354
Bubby's High Line | 73 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014 | T: 646.590.1288
www.amplehills.com
Molly's Cupcakes
They bake their cupcakes from scratch every day and have these center-filled cupcakes like Peanut Butter Nutella and Cake Batter that are just so so good. I have to remind myself not to make this a habit.
228 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014
T: 212.414.2253
www.mollyscupcakes.com
Photograph courtesy of Sockerbit
Sockerbit
I have a huge sweet tooth and I have a wife who is 6-months pregnant, so right now we are loving Sockerbit. It's a bulk-candy store with a huge variety of imported Scandinavian gummies that are just so delicious.
89 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014
T: 212.206.8170
www.sockerbit.com
Dinner
Photograph courtesy of Lupa
Lupa
I have always been a huge fan of Lupa. Their Cacio e Pepe is one of my absolute favorites and a big reason why I was inspired to include the dish on the Pig Bleecker menu.
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012
T: 212.982.5089
luparestaurant.com
Rubirosa
I can't get enough of Rubirosa. This is a meal that will never get old in my book. My favorite is the vodka pizza with pepperonis.
235 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
T: 212.965.0500
www.rubirosanyc.com
Bars
Photograph courtesy of Amity Hall
Amity Hall and Malt House
I personally like Amity Hall on West 3rd Street and Malt House, which is right across the street from us on Bleecker Street.
AMITY HALL
80 West 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012
T: 212.677.2290
www.amityhallnyc.com
MALT HOUSE
206 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012
T: 212.228.7713
www.themalthousenyc.com
Late Night
![Ben's Pizzeria | Photo Credit: Phil Roede [flickr]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54806d5de4b0a7c95f7b6d01/1488837026506-SZQYEHYD3K0G9NDQIZL9/image-asset.jpeg)
Ben's Pizzeria | Photo Credit: Phil Roede [flickr]
Ben's Pizzeria
If I'm wrapping up a busy shift and in need of just a snack before heading home, I tend to stop at Ben's Pizzeria. It's a no-frills pizza joint with a pretty inexpensive slice that just delivers what I'm looking for every time. Try as you might, you just can't beat a slice of classic NYC pizza to end the day.
123 Macdougal Street, New York, NY 10012
T: 212.677.0976
www.benspizzerianewyork.com
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