There’s a beautiful restaurant on the corner of Melrose and La Cienega in West Hollywood. This beautiful restaurant that also has a simple and charming name is FIG & OLIVE. If you’re anything like me, then you may have passed it a time or two while in the area and you may have judged it based on its appearance. You might have thought anything coming from their kitchen to their table must be incredibly expensive, and as a result skipped on the FIG & OLIVE experience. If that has been you, then you made a mistake. But don’t worry I did too. I’ve always been reluctant to visit the restaurant because it seemed expensive, however, recently I was invited to try out their Aperitivo happy hour menu and wanted to see how the price would compare to their dishes. With that simple olive branch of an invitation I was eager to explore a plate or two that I was hesitant about before.

Seeing the restaurant from the inside, it is just as pretty as I would have imagined it to be. The dim lighting instilled a welcoming atmosphere that made me want to stay in the restaurant longer than I would in any other. Relaxing chairs and couches made my body sink deep into the seats to the point that I didn’t want to get up, ever. Then there was the open floor plan that allows you to see everyone dining and having conversations, which felt like you were a part of it even if you were across the room.

In between gazing over the design of the restaurant and the people eating, I took a moment to order. The fact that FIG & OLIVE has a daily happy hour menu featuring food ranging from $4 to $12 was a bit of a surprise to begin with, but I liked that such a fancy place has a menu with deals to fit any budget. For this visit, I started with the Cheese Board ($12). Out came an assortment of three cheeses each varying from the other in texture, softness, and taste. I liked that there was a different cheese to fit everyone’s taste so that everyone had something to enjoy. Alongside the cheeses, there was a cluster of marcona almonds, a sweet fig jam, and a few slices of toast. It was a great way to start the happy hour and even better, it’s perfect dish to split between friends.

Arriving shortly after the cheese board was the Caprese Flatbread ($8). A thin pizza was covered with brightly colored tomatoes, a perfectly white mozzarella, and rich green basil and pesto. Biting into the crispy flatbread, I loved how lightweight it was. Although it was covered with tomatoes that burst with a citric flavor in each bite and semi-soft mozzarella, I didn’t feel like I would be left feeling weighed down. Instead, the veggies and cheese made a flatbread heaven to the point that I didn’t even notice that there was no meat on it. Actually, I didn’t even miss it.

In addition to what I had, the Aperitivo menu also boasts of their Lamb Albondigas ($8), F&O Slider Burger ($8), Truffle Skinny Fries ($4), Tuscan Artichoke ($5), and a few other delicious options. While I enjoyed what I had and felt full at the end of it all, I can see myself making my way back during happy hour to explore a few other items. Thanks to this first dinner, I no longer have to be reluctant to visit the restaurant and neither should you.

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Address: 8490 Melrose Pl, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 360-9100
Aperitivo Happy Hour: Daily – 4:00pm to 7:000pm
Hours: Monday – 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 6:00pm to 10:00pm; Tuesday to Thursday – 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 6:00pm to 10:30pm; Friday and Saturday – 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 11:00pm, and Sunday – 11:00am to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 10:00pm.
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