First Look: The Chocolate Pig at the Cortex

The Chocolate Pig, the latest venture from 23 City Blocks Hospitality Group, officially opens for dinner service Thursday, Nov. 8. The new restaurant is located in Venture Café’s Innovation Hall at 4220 Duncan Ave., on the Cortex campus.

23 City Blocks, the company behind The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s, Handcrafted by Bissinger’s, 23 City Blocks Catering and Lumen Event Space, announced its newest project in April.

Executive chef Patrick Russell has put together lunch and dinner menus that focus on comforting fare like mac ‘n’ cheese, shrimp and grits, duck confit “cassoulet” and braised lamb shanks. There are also vegetarian and vegan options and a full bar with beer, wine and cocktails.

On the sweet side, executive pastry chef Tyler Davis offers creative confections like the CP Candy Bar, maple-bacon ice cream ensconced in a hazelnut and toffee shell, and Cereal & Milk, malted milk ice cream with caramelized pork rinds and bananas.

The space, which occupies the northern side of the building, seats 124. An additional 80 seats will eventually open up outside. The interior includes plenty of contrasting textures, like tiles break up the otherwise smooth wood floor and shiny glass tiles on some of the vertical surfaces that resemble gleaming chips of metal. Plenty of windows ensure bountiful natural light.

In addition to serving the general public, The Chocolate Pig is also the exclusive caterer for Innovation Hall’s conference spaces. The restaurant will commence regular hours on Friday, Nov. 9: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday through Saturday.

Take a peek at the latest addition to the Cortex Innovation Community.

Matt Sorrell is staff writer at Sauce Magazine.