Ladies Who Dine :: Fig & Olive

In our usual end-of-the-year fashion, the Ladies ended the year grandly with an outing at the inaugural public dinner service for a venue. While we typically hold December for our holiday gift exchange and year-end awards, this year we attended the grand opening of Fig & Olive in Newport Beach.

Known for its contemporary Mediterranean fare, Fig & Olive fits right in with the hipster vibe transition occurring at Fashion Island these days. As expected, the crowd was hip and happy – young, tipsy, high off the holidays. And therefore, the Ladies fit right in (at least in my humble opinion). Not sure if it was because it was opening night, but the service was exquisite – from our fabulous server Tiffany to the hostess to the manager, who welcomed us, thanked us for coming, and gave us her card. We even got to check out the chef, having been seated next to the owner and his French-speaking guests. From our seats, we were fully able to take in the surroundings of this beautifully and red-hot styled locale, bustling with good energy.

The Ladies, however, aren’t just about ambiance. The food and the drink remain integral components of a successful LWD experience. For me, three things made this holiday LWD outing a true delight.

One: Crostini.

Crostini is at the core of the Fig & Olive menu. We took the costini plunge, taking advantage of their six for twenty-one bucker offer. I was able to sample two of these: the goat cheese, caramelized onion, & chive and the shrimp, avocado, cilantro, & tomato. I will say this right now – I could eat a whole plate of the goat cheese/onion crostini. Not that the shrimp one was bad (it was actually quite dandy!); it’s just that I so, so loved the sweetness of the onions with the goat cheese. Those three little bites really turned me on. Just as passionate about one of her selections was Lady ThickLeg, who couldn’t stop raving about her mushroom, artichoke, scallion, & parmesan crostini, and Lady Wilkutabith, who loved her salmon, ricotta, almond, & pimento toast.

Two: Cocktail.

I won’t say a lot about it because it was simply sublime. I love a Pisco Sour. Fig & Olive offered a Plum Pisco. If the crostini turned me on, then the Plum Pisco made me pre-orgasmic.

Three: Dessert.

Our lovely and informative waitress said that the Crème Brulée Cheesecake would blow our minds. I was a skeptic right away, and even more of one when she presented a miniscule round of cheesecake that my husband could easily remove from the plate in one bite. But I soon became a Bru-liever (you like that one?)! As ThickLeg put it, a sliver of their cheesecake was like eating a little cloud of happiness. Oh, it blew mind alright. And for me, the cheesecake paled in comparison to the Warm Chocolate Soufflé, served with a candied orange and vanilla ice cream. Yes, but this point, I was ready for a cigarette and shower. I will gladly return for the 1, 2, 3 described in this blog.

My entrée of Fettuccine Shrimp Marscapone wasn’t bad. It just didn’t thrill me in any particular way. There was nothing spectacular about it.

Still, I was thrilled enough with all of my other offerings that I can easily forgive an underwhelming entree. Besides, this just gives me a reason for returning to find a main dish that really satisfies. Then again, as I mentioned, I’d take a whole plate of crostini if given the choice. Hats (or berets?) off to Fig & Olive for a wonderful and enjoyable Holiday LWD Outing!

Fig & Olive, Newport Beach & Other Locations
151 Newport Center Drive, Fashion Island
Newport Beach, CA 92660