Craigie on Main – No.8

No.8 – Craigie on Main and we had two options.  The refined dining room with a changing prix-fixe format, or the COMB (Craigie On Main Bar), a more casual dining experience with high top tables and the possibility to have their famous  “we only make 18 a day” burger.  Any guesses?  I said the words “legendary burger” and Clark was sold.  The evening did not go quite as planned though.

We started with cocktails while we looked at the menu.  There it was…the Craigie on Main burger, and our waiter informed us there were only 4 left!  I saw the eager excitement on Clark’s face, Quick!  However, I had spotted something else, and it involved the commitment of two people.  How to persuade Clark.  He was extremely keen on the burger, but I eagerly mentioned my option.  A frown…more persuasion needed, so I opted for a chant of “Pig’s head, Pig’s head, Pig’s head”.  Success.  Luckily I have a very obliging husband.  Confit and roasted milk-fed pig’s head – For two people.  It’s a first.

I won’t bore anyone with the very delicious starters, this is all about the pig’s head, served with a hoisin style sauce and vegetable crudités, all to be wrapped in lettuce leaves.  It literally came out as a whole pig’s head and was a case of “find” the meat.  There is no delicate way to do this, it’s just a case of getting your hands in…cheek, jaw, nose and ears (particularly crunchy)…eyeball anyone? I eyed the eyeball and, emboldened by my cocktail, thought this was too good an opportunity to pass up.  Clark did not participate.  In it went.  Nothing to it, It’s like offal – a soft texture like liver and a delicate taste of something between liver, kidney and heart; not bad at all.  For my bravery, our waiter suggested I deserved a shot of something to which I suggested it should be on the house..  He brought over a complementary shot of Mezcal….thank you very much.  Brilliant restaurant, great fun and great food.

It did not help at all that three weeks later a friend asked Clark what he thought of the legendary burger, knowing his eagerness to try it.  Oops,  Pigs head, Pigs head, Pigs head!