With the bustle of the culinary scene in Kingston, it takes a restaurant at the top of its game to keep the love of the community, and their taste buds, coming back to the table. One restaurant has been doing that for over 40 years, Chez Piggy. In 1979 Rose Richardson and Zal Yanovsky transformed an abandoned limestone stable (from 1808!) into the iconic foodie haven it is today, paving the way for the chic downtown we all love now. Always filled with laughs, creativity, and a joie de vivre, it’s a true reflection of its founders.
Chez Piggy has always been famous for their atmosphere of family and community. “I can’t tell you how many people — both staff and customers — have said that the Pig feels like coming home,” says the owner, Zoe Yanovsky, daughter of Rose and Zal. From the beginning, the business has been family owned and operated, and that family-based ethos extends to all the staff. “Our amazing staff have had incredible longevity, and have always seemed to claim the restaurant as their own. Our customers know them by name, and we know theirs.”
Whether you’ve enjoyed drinks on their cobblestone patio or cozied up in the rustic chic dining area, you know that Chez Piggy is always serving up a menu inspired by world travels, made from only fresh, local produce. Zoe remembers her parents wanting to bring things that were new to their diners, drawing from French, Spanish, and Mediterranean influences. In their words, it’s “simple abundance” at its best. The legendary team of chef Richard Nicholas, Reyna Belsham, Matt Allen and Mitch Wheeler are carrying on the flavours of Chez Piggy’s founders — while adding some new signature dishes to stay relevant in the ever-thriving Kingston foodie scene. They do it all while they keep true to the founder’s simple desire: to create a place where people could come together, share great food, and make memories.
When I asked Zoe and the General Manager, Lisa Winn (who has been with the Pig for almost 28 years), what has changed they said, “Strangely, nothing and everything!” With the vibrant food scene in Kingston, they know that their reputation as the best can be lost quickly. “You are only as good as your last meal, so each day is brand new.” This dedication to their diners is one of the things that makes the Pig such a special place.
Lisa said about the success of the restaurant, “The food, the staff, the passion to want it to be great. As much as things have changed, and must change, there is a vibe you get when you walk in our restaurant. It welcomes you with the fragrance of the wood fire or the distinctive aroma of spices sizzling in a pan…and if we do our jobs right they are equally amazed by our great food and service.”
It’s been over 40 years of legendary cuisine, experiences, and community at Chez Piggy; along with the extension, Pan Chancho, from its 1994 location on Johnson to its beautiful 10,000 square foot location on Princess in 2002. Both famous for the joy they bring, and the staff that treats you like family when you walk in, not to mention the mouth-watering food made from scratch daily.
