LOCAL Houston | The City Guide April 2018 | Page 20

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE
DINE WRITE
MEMORABLE MEDITERRANEAN
FIG & OLIVE BRINGS ITS A-GAME TO HOUSTON
By Janice Schindeler
Photography courtesy Fig & Olive & Shannon O'Hara
Paella Del Mar
Think south of France, Italy, Spain and northern Africa. Think olive oil, risotto and
crostini. Think delicious. Think mushroom croquettes with truffle aioli. Think fabulous.
01.29.2018
3:41pm
Octopus Carpachio
FIG & OLIVE LIFTS THE CULINARY GAME IN THE GALLERIA. OPENED IN EARLY MARCH,
IT IS THE FIRST OF SEVERAL UPSCALE EATERIES THAT PROMISE TO SEDUCE US IN THE
PHILIP JOHNSON-DESIGNED, CURVED FACADE OF THE FORMER SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.
THE BLONDE WOODS, THE MASSIVE WINDOWS, THE ROWS OF FRESH VERDANT
ROSEMARY PLANTS PERFECTLY CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF FIG & OLIVE‘S MENU
FOCUS – THAT OF THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION.
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L O C A L | 4 . 2018
Stopping in for a mid-afternoon snack or a happy hour cocktail? A must order
would be the Foie Gras Crostini with its smear of fig jam, a sprinkling of orange
zest, fresh black and red pepper and salt. The picture of simple perfection. Another
good bet would be the smoky, slightly salty Jamon Iberico accented with a smoked
tomato concasse. There are nine crostini offerings on the menu. Flavors range from
shrimp and avocado to burrata with pesto and an 18-year-old balsamic vinegar –
each atop rectangular, easy to eat planks of toast, the toppings artfully arranged,
deliciously prepared.
Octopus Carpaccio is another winner (and frankly, the best I have had in Houston
to date). Sparked to life with a piquillo pepper puree.
The tastiest of tomatoes and cubes of watermelon play against the supple creamy
cheese in the Burrata and Heirloom Tomato Salad. Salty olive dust, a sprinkling of
micro basil and a simple cider vinegar dressing complete this summery salad.
Signature Crostini
There are nine crostini
offerings on the menu.
Flavors range from shrimp
and avocado to burrata with
pesto and an 18-year-old
balsamic vinegar – each
atop rectangular, easy to
eat planks of toast, the
toppings artfully arranged,
deliciously prepared.
4 . 2018 | L O C A L
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