Fat Hippo (no relationship to the Spotted Pig) has opened its doors in the long-vacant 71 Clinton Fresh Food space, though it has yet to snag a beer-and-wine license (there’s a bodega across the street if you want to bring your own). At the helm is Chris Scott (a producer-director who runs Great Scott Films), Jordan Sorman (formerly of Meet and Yucca Bar), and chef Ten Vong, who was the head toque at Meet and has been chef de cuisine at Mercer Kitchen and Guastivino’s. As you can see from the banquettes (there’s a dark wood bar on the other side of the room), the décor is chic and minimal (somewhat like Falai across the street) but the vibe is relaxed (a bartender was pumping out Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Modest Mouse on his iPod when we stopped by). The dinner menu follows.
Appetizers
Grapefruit and Feta Salad - $5
Mixed field greens, olives, spiced pecans and burnt honey vinaigrette
Pan Fried Mozzarella Balls - $6
Herb roasted tomatoes and baby arugula
Beet and Olive Tart - $7
Crumbled goat cheese and beet jam
Hot and Sour Sautéed Calamari - $6
Ginger, chilies, garlic, lime, baby celery and crushed peanuts
House Cured Salmon - $7
Apple-fennel salad and potato latkes
Chili & Chocolate Glazed Spare Ribs - $8
Pickled watermelon and radish slaw
Shrimp Ceviche - $9
Shrimp, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno, and avocado
Main Dishes
Fat Hippo Burger or Veggie Burger - $8
Homemade rosemary bun, lettuce, tomato and French fries
Duck Cuban - $11
Smoked duck breast, roast duck meat, pickle mustard greens, coconut-lime mustard and yucca chips.
Burger Fondue - $10
Mini burger sliders, cheese fondue sauce, bacon bits, pickles and French fries
Authentic Maryland Crab Cake - $14
Mac n’ cheese, corn succotash and roasted garlic caper sauce
Free Range Turkey Meatloaf - $12
Tamarind ketchup, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole
Trailer Park Chicken Sampler - $15
Beer can roasted chicken breast, southern fried drumstick, smoked thigh meat, sautéed collard greens raisin sauce and corn bread
Grilled Marinated Pork Chop - $13
Pulled pork stuffing, bacon, sautéed brussel sprouts and maple-jalapeno mustard sauce.
Steak and Eggs - $15
Pan roasted hanger steak, green tomato gratin and egg toast
Sides
Collard greens - $3
Brussels sprouts - $4
Corn Bread - $2
Mashed potatoes - $3
Green bean casserole - $3
Pulled pork stuffing - $3
Mac n’ cheese - $4
French fries - $3
Fat Hippo, 71 Clinton St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-228-0994
