I fancy myself a photographer and an emerging reviewer of local spots, but this time, I failed to capture a truly unforgettable small plate at The Black Sparrow in Lafayette, Indiana. It was a crime, really—a double crime of not photographing and thoroughly demolishing that beautifully plated goat cheese.
Yes, the mushroom and Swiss burger was quite the photogenic dish, but let me paint the picture of the real star. Served on a deep, 8-inch plate, a soft, slightly browned round of chèvre rested in a shallow pool of romesco sauce, framed with a half-moon of toasted bread slices. After hours spent exploring Lafayette’s historic Victorian homes (which you’ll see more of on my website soon), we’d worked up an appetite, and the promise of a warm, inviting meal drew us in.
A passerby heading into The Black Sparrow turned to us and asked if we were going in. When we said we were considering it, he encouraged us, “You really should.” And when a stranger drags you by the nose, sometimes, you follow.
The Black Sparrow is a clean “hipster” pub and eatery. It was early dinner, so while the place wasn’t packed, service was seamless from start to finish. By the time that decadent goat cheese plate landed on our table, I couldn’t resist diving in long enough to snap a photo. I only remembered the camera when my mushroom and Swiss burger arrived, the pickle curl artfully framing the dish.
It hit me that I was missing the chance to document my meal—a core reason for my Lafayette trip. I briefly thought about photographing the wreckage of that chèvre plate, but that might have added insult to injury. It wasn’t all my fault, though. The dish was that good.
And the burger? It did not disappoint. My poor wife couldn’t finish hers, thanks to our goat cheese indulgence, which, for a “small plate,” wasn’t all that small. We’d struggled to find a satisfying breakfast in Lafayette, but this dinner? Top-notch bar fare all the way. The Black Sparrow has earned its place on my Blue Ribbon list.
Located at 223 Main St., The Black Sparrow is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. It’s closed on Sundays.
