The Fickle Fig Farm Market — Restaurant in North Saanich

A nice place for lunch with tasty sandwiches and desserts (and more) made with top quality ingredients. Very friendly staff and a nice environment to relax in.

It's a little out of the way from Sidney, but on a popular route for locals. I lived in the area a while ago, so I do know the route and would drive that way a lot, but I was back there on a visit this time, so I'm looking at this as a tourist.

I was brought to the Fickle Fig by some friends to take out some food and was very happy with everything. Nice choices of fixings and fillings for the food. (Brussels sprouts in a sandwich? - who knew they'd work so well!)

I was kind of hoping the condiments would have a little more bite to them, but I didn't do the ordering so maybe my friends asked for it mild. And we had the sandwiches cold, whereas heating them Panini-style might have melded the mildness moreso. But warm or cold, the ingredients were top notch and wonderfully paired.

The desserts were fantastic. Dark chocolate brownies have generous toppings and beautiful texture. The cookies were gobbled up by people of all ages. While we didn't get any of the savoury or fruit baked goods, I do want to go back just for those.

The market is a sweet little experience. Locally grown veg and locally made goods are interesting to peruse. And the bistro seating outdoors works well on the farm, even in the crisp spring morning air.

The only drawback was the parking lot entrance and exit - they are one and the same and it is not the best for turning around in. There were no fender benders (that I know of) but it can be a 3- or 5- or 9-point-turn. So be careful when backing out of your spot. Wow, I really had to search to...

Used to be my favourite place as I love the food and the goods they sell (the cheeses especially). The last few times I went however, the customer service was horrible and even offensive. One time, I was sitting on the patio at closing time, and the woman working told my friend and I to "get out now" in quite an abrasive tone. There was no need to take that tone with us. We respect and value other people's dignity and lives. You could have told us in a kind tone and we would have left.

Most recently, I went in to pick up a few things and make an order for the weekend. I walked in with my bike and immediately the same woman came in and raised her voice at me and said "bikes are not allowed in here", which I've never been told in the past after coming there for years. I thought maybe it was the bike was in the store, so I asked if I could put it out back. And she said no, bikes aren't permitted out back now either because if one is there, then other cyclists will think it's okay too, and then they'll lean them against the planters and then the planters will fall over. While I think this is a limited perspective and mediocre solution to what sounds like one incident, the tone she took with me was completely inappropriate. Had she spoken to me in a tone of respect or even just neutrality, I would have still made my purchase. I felt like I had to leave as I cannot support a business that treats me like I've done something wrong. So sad as I really loved it there and have been going to them for years.

Again, it's not about the new policies or being told that they're closed and we have to leave, it's the way it was done. Completely inappropriate and poor...

I’ve only eaten a cheese croissant a handful of time and was always disappointed so I just thought they’re just not for me. But when asked what their favourite thing to eat was at The Fickle Fig, the cashier told me that the cheese croissant was rather good, in fact, sometimes fought over by the staff on who gets the last ones at the end of the day. I simply had no choice but to try it and here are my thoughts. Firstly the pastry, buttery but not greasy, flaky but not dry, soft but still has that pleasant bite. They’ve definitely hit the brief when making a cheese croissant- it’s gotta be cheesy. Some “cheese” croissants, will have a sort of cheesy flavour with a bad cheese layer on top. Not this one. Generous amount yet balanced amount of cheese baked inside and a little bit in top. A bit of the filling even leaked out during baking and this has crisped up as part of the whole package. Delightful.

The cherry frangipane tart had a couple of issues for me but let’s start with the good. Beautiful presentation with the almond slices, good amount of cherries which are visible through the glaze and the frangipane. The sourness of the cherries was a nice balance with the sweetness of the tart. Here are my issues. The thing with almond flavouring is that even just a couple of drops too much can be overpowering. The pastry, although it looked beautiful around the fluted edges, was a bit blonde towards the middle. It’s not raw, it just could’ve been better with a couple more minutes in the oven. The sliced almonds could’ve also benefited with a couple more minutes, which could bring better texture...