Pig and Tiger — Restaurant in Denver

I was definitely excited to see PIg and Tiger graduate out of Avanti and I am excited to see how they evolve.

Our group ordered a significant portion of the menu during our visit and most of the items we ordered were great. Very flavorful and spicy is actually spicy :).

I get that they are probably still experimenting with the menu but I would definitely not recommend the "Taiwanese Fried Chicken". As a half-Taiwanese person I do not get this dish AT ALL, I don't know who they are trying to target here. It really feels like a high-margin menu item that isn't thought out well.

Taiwanese fried chicken is typically made with thigh meat in bite sized pieces, so you get a good mix of flavorful meat with the seasoned breading. What was served was basically KFC top-pieces (whole breast, wings) with breading that was more american with Taiwanese spicing. The ratio of meat to breading (and the thickness and quality of the breading itself) was just off. Not to mention, being served primarily white meat and not even the right dark meat--The table was entirely turned off when this was delivered to the table. I get that they are billing themselves as "Taiwanese Inspired", but as a person with Taiwanese heritage that enjoys cooking all types of food--the rest of the menu screams elevated Taiwanese, but this was a complete miss.

Some folks may enjoy the chicken fat rice it is served with, but it just felt heavy and gamey in an unpleasant way. Perhaps dialing down the chicken fat and cutting it with some Seasame Oil would balance that out and improve it, particularly considering you may want to use this rice with some of the other dishes.

I'd love to see them try a braised beef dish in the vein of 紅燒牛肉麵 (Taiwanese braised beef noodles) instead, as a higher margin menu item.

The Mapo Tofu was very good; I personally loved the addition of mushrooms to it.

I'd also love to see a meat dumpling that doesn't include shrimp as well. Perhaps a pork and dou gan base mix?

Overall very excited to see what else these folks...

Denvers food scene just stepped up a notch! Pig and Tiger is an exciting and important addition to the culinary scene in Denver. The atmosphere is everything you want from a restaurant, inviting, intriguing, and sexy. The service staff is attentive and knowledgeable, not a moment was missed, which makes dining experience top-notch.

And the food? THE FOOD! Its sooo good. The potatoes are one of the best potatoes Ive ever had, they are crispy chunks of the most perfectly fried potatoes dressed with shredded veggies and paired with the most delicious spicy ketchup. The cold sesame noodles are absolutely fantastic, creamy, slightly sweet and tangy, and the noodles are cooked to perfection. Now you must know that the fried chicken feels like a must-do for the menu, but I also think an equally as important, and must-do for the menu is the LA Beef. Its whichcraft! I dont know how it's even possible to make beef actually melt in your mouth, but chefs have managed to do it. This homage to the LA taco is truly magical, and I think should be on your list.

The portion size for every menu item is generous, and the prices are fair. But seeing as they are generous it is very easy to fill up and skip dessert, DONT! The shaved ice is an unexpected combination that just sings! Such an imaginative dish that leaves you feeling satiated and cheerful, like a giddy child after an ice cream cone.

And for an honorable mention the Taipei Tinis are works of art! And the wine list should be decorated with all kinds of awards, it's an immaculate collection designed to pair brilliantly with the menu.

Pig and Tiger just upped the anti for the restaurant scene in Denver, whether you're here for a night or a week, this must be...

The food was amazing and delicious, and the drinks were worth coming back for! However, after dining here multiple times now, there has been a palpable, very awkward atmosphere when my wife and I were served. For context, I am a Taiwanese immigrant, very visibly Asian; we have been here multiple times, during busy and slow hours, and not once did the GM or owners come over to our table, even to serve food, and in fact, I could obviously feel that they were avoiding our table, turning their backs towards us while presenting and describing the dishes to our neighbors. It genuinely felt like they were uncomfortable with my presence. My wife (white) even remarked about how awkward it was to listen to the server justify how they weren’t a Taiwanese restaurant, but Taiwanese-inspired everytime they brought over a dish, (while their current logo has changed, their previous logo that is still being used on many websites clearly say “Pig and Tiger Taiwanese Food”) seemingly using Taiwan as just a marketing tool while shielding themselves from any criticism about culture appropriation. Originally I had felt like this was a one-time issue, but after talking to other Asian friends who have been there, it seems like my experience was neither unique nor uncommon. If this was marketed as a Los Angeles -esque or Taiwanese American restaurant, it would easily be the best in Denver. But from my personal experiences with this restaurant, I cannot help but feel like Taiwan is being used for profit without the appreciation of...