Perfect Blend
Authenticity meets creativity at THE IBERIAN PIG’s new Buckhead concept
A fixture in Decatur for 10 years, The Iberian Pig brought its Spanish-inspired menu to Buckhead in May with the opening of its new location in the Hanover Buckhead Village. It’s the first Buckhead restaurant for Castellucci Hospitality Group (CHG), whose concepts also include Bar Mercado, Cooks & Soldiers, Double Zero, Recess and Sugo.
Like its Decatur counterpart, the two-story, 4,500-square-foot eatery evokes an old-world feel, thanks to design work by Elizabeth Ingram Studio that includes a sprawling bar, plush banquette seating and gold velvet curtains. “It was challenging to bring into a brand-new build-out that same character and old-world feel that we had in Decatur from an older building,” says executive chef John Castellucci. “Elizabeth Ingram did an amazing job embracing the raw concrete but also making it feel super Spanish.”
The menu also balances classic Spanish with contemporary creativity. In addition to The Iberian Pig’s classic selection of tapas, meat-and-cheese boards and Jamón Ibérico (the restaurant’s namesake), the Buckhead space offers a new raciones section of larger, but still shareable, plates that can also function as entrees. While bold, umami flavors are certainly prevalent, guests will also find a mix of fresh, lighter options and vegetable and seafood dishes. “We really balanced the menu out, still having those rich, bold flavors that we’re known for, but we also wanted to add a couple lighter things to our Buckhead menu,” Castellucci said. “You can really pick and choose how you want to create your dining experience.”