Fig in Santa Monica

One of the memories that haunt me about Fig was that we were seated right next to a small enclave where there was a private party going on. It was a baby shower and those ladies look like the Kardashian sisters, except that they were not the Kardashian sisters. No, I don't have that type of celeb-spotting luck. We could hear their occasional music during their baby shower games (pop rock, hip hop) and even overheard their entire game of guess-the-celebrity-baby-name. Among the overheard celebrity baby names? Suri Cruise. Oh, hello Los Angeles.

Squash and lentil chili

Not often will you find good restaurants inside a hotel but Fig, located inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, does deliver and fortunately it does not fall into the stereotype of sub par hotel restaurants.

The menu at Fig is clean and contemporary American with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The kitchen took squash and lentils and transformed it into their own representation of chili, with kale strips and apple as complements. The seared tuna nicoise salad came with anchovy fillets, quail eggs, and haricot verts. The seared tuna, rare inside, was very fresh although I did wish they had sprinkled just a bit of sea salt over the tuna. The young beets and pistachio salad was lightly refreshing  on a warm sunny day.

Tuna nicoise salad

The big advantage of Fig is the open atmosphere at the terrace that allows ample natural sunlight to flow in while completing the experience of soaking up the vibe of Santa Monica, where the restaurant is located. Fig overlooks the pool and garden area with bountiful trees and if you look through the trees, you will be able to catch glimpses of the Pacific Ocean.

Young beets and pistachio salad

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Fig Restaurant
101 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery

I'm not so sure if there is ever time when Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery in Santa Monica is not busy and bustling with people. I walked in on a Tuesday at about 11 o'clock in the morning, saw that all tables were taken, and several people were standing around waiting for a table to open up. I went up to the counter and proceeded to order my food; Huckleberry's system is such that you walk up to the counter and place your order before seating yourself. I lucked out as shortly after I placed my order, two ladies got up to leave their table. I heard that on weekends, a long line awaits at Huckleberry with people spilling out the door. Well, lucky for me, I was on vacation in L.A. and had the luxury of going on a Tuesday. The entire time I was there, the place was busy and noisy. As soon as people left, some would come in.

My soft baked eggs were served with roasted tomato sauce, white beans, basil, and parmesan cheese. I must have loved the white beans and sauce so much because before I knew it, I was putting spoonfuls of it into my mouth as though I was drinking a really hearty soup or eating stew. I wanted to finish up the entire roasted tomato sauce in my bowl. The slice of freshly baked rustic bread helped soak up everything in my bowl. I was full but I was also very happy.

Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery is a husband-and-wife owned and run place which adds a local charm to this place in Santa Monica. Zoe, the wife, learned to bake at Tartine in San Francisco, and given the very respectable credentials of Tartine, this itself speaks for Huckleberry. It seems like any famous pastry chef today takes pride in having interned or worked at Tartine though that is no surprise. T and I have been to Tartine in San Francisco and it has become one of our favorite bakeries since. Huckleberry's food items are inspired by local, seasonal, and organic produce at the farmers market. Their shelves are lined with rustic breads and pastries baked fresh every morning.

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Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery

1014 Wilshire Boulevard

Santa Monica, CA 90401