The Black Pig (1865 W. 25th St., 216-862-7551) is changing up its approach to Sundays. Beginning January 26, the Ohio City bistro will open at 10 p.m. and serve a special late-night menu through 2:00 a.m. While Sunday brunches (11 a.m. — 4 p.m.) are becoming increasingly popular, chef Michael Nowak found that late-night eats were missing from the area. With the growth of Ohio City as an entertainment destination, many locals, particularly those working in the restaurant industry, have been craving Sunday evening options. Many restaurants close relatively early on Sundays or are closed altogether. Nowak aims to change that. While brunch will continue, The Black Pig will close at 4 p.m. to allow time to prepare for the late-night service.
“Many restaurants open late on Sundays are largely beer-driven,” says Nowak. “We saw a lot of people out at this time, particularly industry folks, looking for something different.”
The late-night menu will be a major departure from the customary upscale, French-focused fare, giving the kitchen a chance to do a 180-degree turn. The result: Mexican food.
“Mexican is one of my favorites,” says Nowak. “When we get off work, we want things like tacos and cocktails, so we’re throwing our own party.”
The menu will feature five to seven noshes for just $5 each. The roster will change weekly, but might include items like braised lamb tongue tacos with fire-roasted jalapeno, salsa verde and house-made queso; pork belly tacos with chipotle salsa, black beans and queso; and house-made chips and guacamole.
Bartender Davey Marsh is looking forward to creating new and interesting drinks for the weekly events. Diners can expect eight to 10 options priced at $8. Cocktails might include the Isle of Fire, made with Johnnie Walker Double Black, honey, lemon and burning rosemary or the El Burro, made with tequila blanco, chartreuse, lime and cucumber. Other Sunday night beverage specials will include a whiskey, beer or wine of the night, each for just $3.
