FIG is Good New Santa Monica Hotel Restaurant

Fine Dining in the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica, near Los Angeles

Oct 16, 2009
Donna Dailey

FIG Restaurant Santa Monica: Sabelfish - FIG Restaurant Santa Monica

The newly-opened FIG Restaurant in the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Hotel offers fine dining in a casual atmosphere, and is highly praised by top restaurant critics.

The FIG Restaurant in the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Hotel has already received high praise from the Los Angeles Times for its fine dining and casual atmosphere. To find the FIG Restaurant, enter the Fairmont through its beautiful courtyard and follow the signs. The Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Hotel is at the ocean end of Wilshire Boulevard, and easy to find.

Santa Monica Hotel Restaurants

Hotel restaurants are not always the best places to eat. There are some notable exceptions, of course, usually involving star chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Alain Ducasse, but far too many hotels take the easy option and provide predictable food and an unmemorable dining experience.

The new FIG Restaurant in the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Hotel is emphatically not taking that easy option. It has already been highly praised by restaurant critics, including in the Los Angeles Times.

The FIG Restaurant hits the right note for both hotel guests and local foodies, whether they're looking for a romantic atmosphere for a special celebration or a casual night out in fashionable surroundings. The menu features California cooking using locally produced ingredients, and prices are refreshingly moderate.

FIG Restaurant Santa Monica: the Chef

Head Chef at FIG is Ray Garcia, who sources a lot of his produce at Santa Monica's exceptionally good Farmers Market, one of the best Farmers Markets in southern California. Chef Garcia believes in using the best ingredients, prepared with the minimum of fuss, to bring out the strong flavors that nature has already created. At FIG he has achieved this admirably, sometimes combining just two or three strong flavors in one dish, to complement or contrast each other.

FIG Restaurant Santa Monica: the Menus

FIG's menus change with the seasons, and figs do indeed appear in their dishes when they're in season. Foie gras with a fig sauce was a popular starter in the spring when FIG first opened. They are also becoming known for their charcuterie.

Other dishes range from the meaty steak frites to spinach risotto and a range of fish and seafood dishes, such as Squid Basquaise. The current FIG menus and their wine list are all available to view online on the FIG Restaurant Santa Monica website.

FIG Restaurant Santa Monica: Fine Dining in Casual Atmosphere

Although smart, the FIG Restaurant is casual too, with a relaxed bistro/brasserie air to it. There's a cool French-style zinc bar, where guests can dine if they choose, and there are also quiet booths where couples can enjoy a romantic meal together. For those dining alone, a communal dining table is offered, while summertime sees increasing use of the outdoor dining terrace.

In short, the FIG Restaurant is one of the best eating places in town, which just happens to be located inside the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Hotel.