fig restaurant

at fig the happy hour not only offers discounted food, but also good service, great ambiance (hotel-guest people watching), and the food & drink are stellar. in our book that’s completely worth the trade off.

another dark, cold and stormy night in los angeles - time to catch up on blog posts (and dream of luscious meals on warmer days)! for my birthday recently, "lindyhopper" and "bicycletta" - my bestest friends ever for among other things brushing aside their own aversion to 'gourmet' - indulged me in a choice between cleo or fig. we originally decided on cleo, but since we couldn't get reservations last minute, ended up at the fanta-bulous (but a bit further away) fairmont hotel in santa monica. i had been dying to go for a long time - but held off due to the relatively high prices for casual-sounding fare. i knew that many foodies whose opinion i respected love the place though - so i was ecstatic when lindyhopper and bicycletta said they would bring me!! the fairmont miramar is an unexpected treat rooted just a block or so from the pacific ocean. though not quite beachfront, it is a lush, lovely retreat that you would never expect to find just steps away from the sea of humanity ebbing

hand- harvested scallops. heavenly...enough said.

amazing experience!. this year we decided to have our urbanspoon company holiday party at fig. we started off at the bar with a few cocktails and then were sat in the back indoor patio area where we had a decadent dining experience. larry took care of us with a wonderful charcuterie and cheese plate paired with wine. followed by our entrees ranging from meat pie, to curry and delicious scallops. we finished the night off with pumpkin crème brulee which was outstanding and some more wine! the service was outstanding and the entire experience was a great ending to 2010.

fig, a restaurant focusing in seasonal and local ingredients, has as its namesake the 100-yr old fig tree that sits in front of the fairmont miramar hotel (where the restaurant is located). i heard from la&oc foodie that fig is on the restaurant.com list-

rosemary & rhubarb, blueberry & thyme, lavender & cucumber. nope, i'm not talking about yummy-scented bath soaps or what i'm currently growing in my garden. h'yeah! like i know how to garden. these are actually the sorts of cocktails new santa monica rest

not being much of a fig person, when i first heard buzz of fig i didn't really pay much attention to it -- a fig-themed restaurant? really? but after doing a little more research i realized it's a restaurant headed by chef ray garcia (who worked at french

fig rocks santa monica!. i am amazed that there is a restaurant in this city that finally gets it. i don't have to drive to northern california to get quality food from a talented chef. ray garcia has created a fantastic menu! i am a pescatarian that (the truth) occasionally has to eat meat. i tried the sablefish (great, juicy, flavors out of the garden!), and i tried the tongue. i got a tender, light and succulent happening in my mouth. the quinoa was, is and forever will be my fave dish there. it is simple and i hogged the entire dish from my date.

figlicious. i was invited to the preview of fig last week. santa monica is in for a treat. the prices are affordable; the food is fresh and delicious; and the vibe is casual chic. the sablefish, roasted tomato soup, and cauliflower with hazelnuts and sage are my personal favorites. don't forget dessert! you can't go wrong with a fig bar (like a fig newton...but so much better).