Fig & Olive was my DineLA pick for this season! I get so excited when DineLA comes- it’s a great excuse to dine out at a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to, for a more reasonable deal and price. (If you don’t know what DineLA is, look at my previous post for info). I’ve been wanting to go to Fig & Olive, especially because President Barack Obama dined there when he was in LA, so if it was worthy for him, I thought it was worth going to lol. Their DineLA fixed dinner menu costs $44. We had a 8:45pm reservation on a Thursday night, and the place was jam packed. The atmosphere is amazing there. It’s trendy & chic and had a great vibe. The food was good too. Not exceptional by any means, but good.
MY DINING VIEW FROM OUR TABLE UPSTAIRS
APPETIZERS
BREAD W/ THREE FLAVORS OF HOUSE-MADE OLIVE OIL
THREE CROSTINI COMBO
MANCHEGO, FIG, MARCONA ALMOND
MUSHROOM, TRUFFLE ARTICHOKE, PARMESAN
SHRIMP, AVOCADO, CILANTRO, TOMATO
This was my favorite part of the whole meal. I loved these crostini! Next time I go to Fig & Olive I can make a meal out of the different crostini they offer with a nice glass of white wine. I loved all three we ordered. The flavors were amazing and fresh tasting. Each one is so unique and delicious. Highly recommend ordering a couple different kinds of crostini, they have a bunch of combinations to choose from.
NORTHERN ITALIAN MUSHROOM & TRUFFLE SOUP
Cremini mushroom, garlic, onion, thyme-White truffle olive oil
Great soup. Love mushroom and obsessed with truffle. Of course I am going to order this soup! Duhhhh
BEEF CARPACCIO
Filet mignon, 18yr old Balsamic vinegar, baby arugula, tomato, parmesan, truffle olive oil
This was another great dish. The thinly-sliced beef literally melts in your mouth. Great flavors with the truffle oil and parmesan too. The tomato and arugula added the perfect texture.
ENTREES
STRIPED BASS PAPILLOTE
Steamed striped bass filet in papillote with zucchini, eggplant, fennel, tomato, thyme, scallion, saffron served with olive oil mashed potato & chives – Arbequina Olive Oil
Although it was not offered on the DineLA menu, I heard the bass at Fig & Olive was amazing so I came to the restaurant already planning to order it, and our server recommended it so it sealed the deal. It came to the table in a steaming “puff” paper bag on a plate. Our server cut the bag open and folded over the sides. It was quite the production actually, the presenation was very unique. They cook the bass in the paper bag so the flavors of the vegetables and sauces really marinate the fish. The flavors were great, loved the marinated vegetables with the fish too, but the fish itself wasn’t extraordinary for me. I was expecting the texture of sea bass which is silky, melt- in-your-mouth tender, and easily flakey when you touch it with a fork. This striped bass was not as tender and it wasn’t that melt-in-your-mouth texture I was hoping for. Although the flavors were there, as well as the unique presentation, I felt something was missing. I’ve had better fish before.
Steamed striped bass filet in papillote with zucchini, eggplant, fennel, tomato, thyme, scallion, saffron served with olive oil mashed potato & chives – Arbequina Olive Oil
Although it was not offered on the DineLA menu, I heard the bass at Fig & Olive was amazing so I came to the restaurant already planning to order it, and our server recommended it so it sealed the deal. It came to the table in a steaming “puff” paper bag on a plate. Our server cut the bag open and folded over the sides. It was quite the production actually, the presenation was very unique. They cook the bass in the paper bag so the flavors of the vegetables and sauces really marinate the fish. The flavors were great, loved the marinated vegetables with the fish too, but the fish itself wasn’t extraordinary for me. I was expecting the texture of sea bass which is silky, melt- in-your-mouth tender, and easily flakey when you touch it with a fork. This striped bass was not as tender and it wasn’t that melt-in-your-mouth texture I was hoping for. Although the flavors were there, as well as the unique presentation, I felt something was missing. I’ve had better fish before.
ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS
Grilled lamb chops smoked a la minute with a bouquet of Herbs de Provence goat cheese & chive gnocchi, roasted honey eggplant – Rosemary Garlic Olive Oil
This was another dish recommended by our server and added an extra cost to the DineLA menu, but our server insisted it was unique and one of Fig & Olive’s specialties. I’m not a crazy lamb person, so I’m biased. But I tasted it and it was perfectly cooked, but it had almost a burnt charred flavor I didn’t like. I love my meat charred, but the outside tasted burnt, even though the inside was cooked perfectly medium rare. If you like lamb you might love this dish but I wouldn’t recommend it, it just wasn’t something special for me
CRAB CAKES
These crab cakes were very delicious! I loved the chili aioli. Really great dish, highly recommend if you like crab!
TRUFFLE MUSHROOM CROQUETTE
Cremini mushroom, parmesan, béchamel – Truffle Olive Oil aioli
This was one of my favorite things I’ve ordered at Fig & Olive. It literally melted in your mouth and I loved the profound truffleness of it. (I made up that word lol). So amazing!!!
CHILEAN SEA BASS
Marinated with lemon thyme, carrot, asparagus, celery root pureé, fingerling potato confit
charmoula, mascarpone harissa olive oil emulsion
DESSERT
CARAMELIZED APPLE TART
Crisp puff pastry with caramelized apples & vanilla ice cream
WARM CHOCOLATE SOUFFLÉ
Candied orange & vanilla ice cream
CHOCOLATE POT DE CRÈME
Crunchy Praline Financiers & Vanilla Cream
Overall I would definitely return to Fig & Olive. I would order different things to try though. The restaurant is beautiful and it’s great for so many occasions- it has such a sexy and chic atmosphere. The bar makes good drinks too. If you live on the East Coast they have a couple locations in NYC. Check it out 🙂
FIG & OLIVE
8490 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310) 360-9100
(310) 360-9100
