The Bourgeois Pig Serves European Cocktails and Fondue in Carroll Gardens

On the corner of Court Street and 1st Place, a deep golden glow emanates from an unmarked bar that opened its doors to the public on Monday.

The name of the elegant new cocktail and fondue spot, "," might ring a bell. The widely acclaimed French bar first opened up in the East Village seven years ago. 

Ravi DeRossi, owner of The Bourgeois Pig, moved to Carroll Gardens with his girlfriend a year and a half ago, and decided to break into the Brooklyn dining scene.

"We both just fell in love with the neighborhood," he said. "There are such great local things going on here, and I wanted to be a part of that."

The Bourgeois Pig was DeRossi's first restaurant, and always his favorite.

"I've started about a dozen or so places, and the one I'm most emotionally attached to is The Bourgeois Pig."

The new bar in Carroll Gardens offers the same feel as the East Village location. Although the space is slightly smaller, it still conjures up images of 18th century French royalty - the chairs themselves look like thrones, accompanying marble tables and lit by sparkling chandeliers. Intricate designs that cover every inch of the bar are colored with bold reds and golds, and yet somehow the appearance is less gaudy than classic.

As for food, The Bourgeois Pig offers a rotating menu of sweet and savory fondues, cheese plates, charcuterie plates, bruschetta, and other smaller dishes, in addition to a raw bar. 

Savory fondues include a Cheese Fondue with mozzarella, provolone, parmesan and romano; and a Lobster Bisque Fondue with shrimp, crab, cheddar, and lobster broth.

Amongst the sweet fondues is a dark chocolate, Irish cream, and brandied cherry fondue served with fruits and cake.

Other menu items include an Alsatian Tart Flambé with caramelized onions, Crème fraiche and bacon; and a herb ricotta bruschetta with eggplant caviar. 

But don't get too attached to any one dish - the options will constantly be changing. 

"Anytime you come in, there is going to be a different menu," said DeRossi.

Unlike the East Village location, The Bourgeois Pig in Carroll Gardens has a full liquor license, so prepare for some serious cocktails.

"There's a lack of good cocktails out [here], and that's what I do," said DeRossi. "It's a very European influenced cocktail menu, using a lot of amaros and obscure spirits from Europe."

A Spanish-inspired cocktail, called "The Alhambra," comes with Spanish brandy, Aperol, sweet vermouth, and whiskey barrel aged bitters, while "The Palladium," a cocktail with French influence, combines Framboise Lambic and Belgian Blonde Ale with Blanche Armagnac, Benedictine, Cointreau, and bitters. 

Of course, wines will still be prominent on the menu, and on Mondays and Tuesdays you can get any bottle for half price. 

DeRossi wants the place to feel comfortable and familiar to Carroll Gardens residents, while still appealing to their "more sophisticated palettes."

"Carroll Gardens is a very foodie type neighborhood," he said. "Even though [The Bourgeois Pig] has an eclectic, eccentric sort of vibe, we are still trying to make it a neighborhood place."

The Bourgeois Pig is located at 387 Court Street, Brooklyn. For current hours, call 718-858-5483