Fig Tree — Restaurant in Los Angeles

AVOID ! AVOID ! AVOID ! Do not eat here!

I was there with my brother for a quick bite to eat. I ordered some food and my brother ordered same one as well. The food was alright and cheap IF you split the bill like I did. Prices weren't that expensive but I forgive them with the large portions I received . I'm from New Jersey , I really enjoyed the scenery of Venice Beach since the restaurant was so close. However , I give 1 star or less. I don't know what it was but the staff were either rude as hell or they look really exhausted to be there . There weren't any smiles or any engagement with us or for any customers nearby . Understand that homeless issue is being taken care of by the state of California but wow! You had the homeless creating loud music and noise that completely ruined the atmosphere from where I was sitting at (look at the picture ) . Los Angeles politicians face mounting pressure to combat the homelessness crisis, the City Council is weighing two measures aimed at clearing obstacles to getting more people into housing. California has about 134,000 homeless people, roughly 24 percent of the nation's total homeless population, and Los Angeles County has the most within the state — at least 55,000 people. 68 percent of its homeless people living in vehicles, abandoned buildings, parks or on streets, California has the highest rate of unsheltered homeless of any state. So the homeless are at very close proximity while your sitting and expect to be bothered while your eating as well. If you lose something there . Its either gone forever or the staff will not bother calling you up to inform you that your item is still at their restaurant. I had this happen to me . I left my card there. I looked everywhere and retraced my steps. I dont have a car. So I over looked this restaurant because at the time there weren't that many people there so I figured they must of seen something immediately . WRONG ASSUMPTION TO HAVE! I cancelled my card anyway. Only 4 days later , I HAD CALL THEM and inform them of my missing card. THEY HAD IT THE WHOLE TIME but they didn't bother to call me (even though my number is on the receipt of the bill). I ask the lady on the phone , "Why didn't you guys give my card back at the time " or "why didn't you guys bother to call me" . That lady didn't care or even have an ounce of remorse . That's really lazy of them to do that . I work at restaurant in NJ and as a server and as dishwasher , I do see these things happen all the time but we as a staff immediately do something about it right on the spot. Especially in New York City, where I have witness the waiters or staff , who definitely pick up on any missing item from the customer's have accidentally left behind. Now that's service. California Slow . So...

Brought my mom here for brunch on her Birthday! This place is pretty much what you would expect from a beach side restaurant. Their brunch service was fun and inviting. The staff were all very kind, social, and helpful. Even though they were busy, (my mom was the third birthday girl of the morning,) we were never left waiting too long. The food took a little longer than expected to get out but we got our drinks quickly and that kept us occupied. Their mimosas were good, not too much orange juice, and they were consistent. I also ordered an espresso shot for my first caffeine hit of the day, and that was superb! I ordered the steak and eggs and my mother ordered the chilaquiles. The steak was good, a nice medium/medium-rare, eggs were perfect, and the potatoes were nice and crispy. I did have to ask for salt and pepper, but in their defense, I believe they were highlighting how fresh and clean everything tasted; I personally just enjoy a generous amount of salt. The chilaquiles were very tasty and made with an interesting "tinga salsa" that gave it a unique and pleasing flavor. I should add that the chilaquiles had an interesting cinnamon flavor that I enjoyed very much. Mom enjoyed it too, not just me! We had their Grania for desert and they brought it to the table with a candle for my mothers birthday! Grania was as expected and I was satisfied, it is just shaved ice after all. The price was reasonable for beachside Venice. If you skip the mimosas the price is a steal. We had four mimosas, an espresso shot for me, steak and egg dish, chilaquiles, and desert for around $160 (including a 20-22% tip). I plan to take my partner for brunch or dinner in the future. I highly recommend Fig Tree for a fun beachside meal. Good food, great service, and even better location.

Parking: I was fortunate to park in a lot that is located south of the restaurant for $20. We arrived at just about 10:50 am for brunch and the lot closed shortly after that. The parking lot was a very short walk to the restaurant and I would recommend parking...

A Total Disappointment – From the Atmosphere to the Food

We visited this restaurant for a friend's birthday, expecting a summery, shabby-chic experience as advertised. However, the reality was far from it. Unfortunately, we left feeling embarrassed for choosing this place, with our guests equally dissatisfied.

The hostess was polite and accommodated our request to move from a slanted, uncomfortable table by the entrance. Sadly, that was the only positive. The chairs throughout the restaurant were ratty and looked like they'd been picked up at a yard sale. To make matters worse, we saw their health department rating—a 'B'—and soon understood why.

Our server seemed inexperienced, bringing out incorrect drinks after I specifically requested a Moscow mule with light ginger beer, only to receive a regular mule and an actual beer. The water bottles appeared to be reused, the water tasted like it came from the tap, and it was served warm.

The menu had a limited selection, and what we ordered was disappointing. The calamari with smelts and zucchini was soggy, and the eggplant dip tasted nothing like eggplant. The chips tasted old. My friend's pasta was a small, overpriced portion, and the smash burger lacked any garnishes—no tomatoes or anything that would resemble a proper burger. The plates were broken all around .

The restrooms were shocking. The taps required constant pressing to stay on long enough to rinse your hands, and the third bathroom was poorly designed, with a huge column next to the toilet making it nearly impossible to use.

We spent nearly $300 for a meal where only half of us could bear to eat anything, and even then, it wasn't enjoyable. The hygiene was poor, the food was subpar, and the overall experience left us wishing we had chosen another place. I sincerely hope the management reads this and makes the necessary...