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.
Follow Them.
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.
Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The caprese flatbread is calling my name! Lunch time…
Lunch time, dinner time, snack again time, all of it! =]
Oh wow! This place looks delicious, all the meals look so tasty!
It was and the price was really good!
Yum sounds great! I cheese board?! sounds perfect!
Haha, thanks Aeriel!
Oh wow that all looks delicious. When I lived in Italy aperitivo was my favorite part of the day 🙂
Living in Italy? That sounds like it would be my favorite part of the day, everyday =]
Oh, sounds delicious! I’m going to have to go see if they have the same menu at the Fig & Olive here in Chicago!
Oooh now I wanna know how the menu at their restaurant compares to ours, so totally let me know once you go =]
This all looks delicious! Sounds like a great place to try.
It definitely was delicious and totally a great place to check out!
I love every kind of pizza and for me, that one looks so delicious!
Thanks so much Melanie, even though I didn’t make it, it was definitely delicious!!
Looks really tasty!
Thanks, Catrin!
I’m so impressed with your blog! I wish I lived near you so I could try all of these suggestions
Thank you so much, Julie! Well if you’re ever in the area, now you have a bunch of places to eat =]
Yum! How do you even know where to start on that menu? It all looks so delicious!
That was definitely a struggle to figure out but I just followed my gut and the good stuff appeared =]
Beautiful ambiance, and the food looks amazing! Definitely must try soon 🙂 Thanks for sharing! xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/tips/tips-making-denim-last/
Hehe thanks so much, Sharon =]
Now I’m longing to return to my local Fig & Olive in NYC’s Meatpacking District! Your blog is super impressive. I’m going to recommend it to my friends in the U.S. And your photo game is so, so on point. Great work!
Ashleigh thank you soooo much for your sweet words that is such a joy to hear and I apprecaite it so much. I wonder what the NYC version is like, I have some family out there so hopefully I can check it out next time I’m out there!!
I am seriously drooling over that Caprese bread!! Your blog is fantastic, the photography and the places/food you choose to present! Bravo! (but always makes me hungry haha)
Thanks for sharing Danielle and have a great week!
Stella
http://www.stellaasteria.com
Coming from you Stella that is so awesome to hear. I absolutely adore your blog and your photography so thank you so much for your super kind and encouraging words. If you’re ever in the area, definitely try out the restaurant. The location and the food will pair so beautifully with your outfits on your blog! <3 <3 <3
I thought they would be ridiculously expensive too, but their happy hour is priced pretty nicely! I’m going to have to check them out. That cheese plate is calling my name!
Right?!? Was pretty shocked to see that I wouldn’t break the bank going there so that was a very welcome surprise!
Wow, Can wait to go here. You blogs always make me hungry.
That makes me so happy, thanks for the sweet words Devika! =]
i went to their newport beach location for brunch this past feb. i was more impressed by the airy, open space than the food. i found it fine, but not quite worth it to me! i got some crostinis that were yummy, but i had trouble justifying spending $13 for 9 nibbles!
Ooooh that’s so unfortunate! I’ve had some places where I’m just like, “the price does not match the food at all” and that sucks! But I liked it here so hopefully if you want to give them another shot you’re able to go and you like the weho location =]