As mentioned, then I was lured to the establishment with the promise and temptation of street-food, and this is where I have to take a moment to talk about the term itself. Street-food.
I love my dictionary, it was given to me by my grandmother once her and my granddad realised, I was not going to be a marine in the Kul Tiran navy, which was shortly after the “Swimming scandal of Tirisgarde Sound” – an incident we do not speak about.
Anyway, according to said dictionary then Street-food means – and I quote:
So there is two problems here.
First it is a bit of a stretch to say it is sold on a street, when you have to go into an establishment to get it, and secondly then most of their menu really is not suitable to be consumed easily while walking.
To sum up, no coffee on the menu (but served) and not really street-food besides a few side dishes one could eat while walking.
“Why must you always be so negative Lester” some might say, and just to prove them wrong then I will swiftly move on to the positive.
And oh boy, there is a lot.
I started out trying their Fried Cheese Bites. Small chunks of delicious creamy cheese wrapped in a breaded coat, various pack sizes (6,8,12) and you get to pick between four variants. All of them with flavoured cheese: Chili Cheese, Spicy Uldum Jalapeno Cheddar, Bacon Bite Gouda and Sweet Honey Camembert.
I tried the Bacon Bite Gouda version (because bacon, duh!) and it was delicious. Hot, but not more hot than when you bite into them and the melted cheese spills in your mouth then you don’t completely burn yourself. I talked to a few customers who tried some of the other variants and all agreed it was a delicious treat. Perfect for a snack, and one of the few things on the menu I could actually see myself eating while on the go. I enjoyed a chilled pear cider along with the Fried Cheese Bites.
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Next up I went big.
”The Nasty Pig” is described in the menu as a meal with a burger (the
”The Pig in the Pig”), a giant serving of fries, and just about every side dish the menu offers, dibs and a drink - I got myself a banana milkshake.
The
”The Pig in the Pig” – undisputedly the star of said meal is burger with two large pork patties, fried and seared to perfection – every bite moist and juicy. Lettuce (is this a burger or a sandwich?!), fried flame-grilled onion, horse radish and of course that gooey melted cheddar cheese running down the entire height of the burger, mixing with the greasy pork juices and barely held together between the top and bottom bun.
A true delight of a burger, and a bold move to go pork opposed to the often default choice of beef.
I finished off with a Tiramisu, a Kul Tiran dessert in layers and both me and my friend Deedi agreed it was just as it should be. Refined, sweet, creamy and with a dash of coffee. Much like life itself.
Rest of the menu
The menu in general is very varied. You have your different burgers, snacks and side dishes – including fries and dips, meals which are a combination of the above, and lastly a surprisingly varied choice of desserts. Only comment here would be that I wish the pies had not only been sweet, but perhaps some smaller savoury ones for eating on the go would have been great.
The drinks menu offers a collection of interesting Lagers, a few spirits, a surprising number of brandy choices, whisky, cider, wine, ale, meat, stout, rum, and non-alcoholic beverages (and no, no tea or coffee here). Not listing of cocktails or long-drinks but this is Old Town, and the beverage list already seems a tad artsy for the clientele Id expect in those grime covered back alleys.
As a surprise – because I have not seen it on any menu before – was a selection of tobacco as well, and a few snacks.
Not just about food and drinks
Let us end with what is not really food related. As part of the re-envisioning of The Pig and Whistle they have taken up the mantle of carrying on a long tradition of weekly back alley brawls – ”Whistle Brawlers# is a weekly brawling event taking place in the Pig and Whistle every Tuesday, it lasts two hours – from 21:00 to 23:00 and the sign ups for participators starts at 20:00.
I have been told there is a comic based on these events, and betting also seems to be part of the event. I am not big on the whole brawling, but if you are – then give it a visit.
Overall then Id say the re-envisioning of the old Pig and Whistle seems like a success, and upon my visits since the initial night then I often see the place fairly busy. Perhaps with the chaotic situation surrounding the Golden Keg and the Shady Lady, it has finally become time for the Pig and Whistle to shine. Just, not shine too much – can’t have the Light blind the people of Old Town.