FIG & OLIVE | Fifth Avenue — Restaurant in New York

I would like to make a formal complaint against this restaurant, which claims to be a 5-star establishment but deserves less than half a star. To begin with, the appetizers were below average, and the service was terrible. We requested an outdoor table and were told who the manager or owner was. He was present but never checked on the tables to see how the service was going. We were a party of six and were very unsatisfied with the service; the waiter was not polite. My salmon was dry, the chicken had no flavor, and the portions were very small. Paying $30 for a pasta is outrageous, especially when the food lacks flavor and quality. The appetizers were small, and the main course portions were also tiny. After finishing our meal, we were given paper napkins, even though we were charged $30 to $45 for the main course and $15 to $22 for appetizers. We ordered a $22 portion of calamari, which had about seven pieces. Our dishes were not cleared immediately after finishing the main course; they remained on the table for about 30 minutes. The owner was present but never checked on the diners. Our waiter seemed unhappy and rushed. About five minutes before 10 p.m., he brought us the check and told us we needed to leave because they were closing. This was extremely rude, especially since we were never informed beforehand. After spending $400 on food, being kicked out without notice was outrageous. The waiter even suggested we should have checked the website for closing times. Moreover, the waiter wore earphones throughout the service and was very unprofessional. When I asked for his name, he refused to give it and walked away. At 10 p.m., everyone was rushing to leave, and they were removing the outdoor cushions, essentially forcing us out. This experience was akin to dining at a below-average restaurant, not a high-end establishment. The prices are extremely high, and the service is terrible. I rate the service, food, and politeness at one star each. I am completely amazed and disappointed by how we were treated. This is unacceptable. I will be calling to speak with the manager tomorrow to express our dissatisfaction with our dining experience. We were gathering for a special occasion, and this restaurant ruined it. Please do not dine...

I went to Fig and Olive on Friday, November 21st for a gathering. I heard good things about the food at this restaurant and the reviews were also commendable but my experience was on the contrary not satisfactory and the food was not as good as reported. We tried the "Octopus a la Gallega". I was surprised to see that the octopus was cut in very thin slices that were almost translucent! These octopus slices were literally swimming in olive oil. Yes it was Cobrancosa Olive Oil, but I was expecting a little more octopus. The other components of the appetizer were also meager in quantity ( marinated bell pepper, heirloom potato, black olive, basil, arugula pimenton lemon dressing ). The main entree I had was the "Primavera Lobster Risotto". For $32 a plate, I was expecting at least the full lobster tail and a full claw. I was surprised to find out that the plate came with half of a very tiny lobster tail from an unknown location (they claim it came from Maine). The size of the lobster tail was roughly the size of a medium shrimp and I got the "thumb" of the claw; yes the skinny part of the claw! The vegetables in the risotto were overcooked; the baby carrots were left whole and I think I found a potato too. Never thought I would find a potato in my risotto. The rice was cooked "al dente". Some of the grains may have been a little on the raw side and crunchy. I was not impressed by this entree. We also had dessert; the only comment I will make is that as everything else in this restaurant it was very small and not satisfying. I was not impressed by the quality or the quantity of the food served at Fig & Olive. The size of the food portions was even smaller that those served at a tapas bar. The service was slow and in need of improvement. I will not return to this restaurant and do not understand the hype for it. I am giving Fig &...

My friends and I ventured to Fig and Olive for a special Valentine's Day dinner, and while the overall experience was pleasant, there were a few areas where things could be improved.

The Positives: Ambiance: The restaurant absolutely nailed the romantic atmosphere. The dim lighting, elegant décor, and comfortable seating created a perfect backdrop for our special evening. Service: Despite a few hiccups, our server was friendly and attentive. They were quick to address any requests we had and genuinely seemed invested in our experience. Food Portions: While the flavors weren't mind-blowing, the portions were generous, ensuring we left feeling comfortably full.

Areas for Improvement: Food Quality: We ordered the prefix menu for Valentine's Day. While the food wasn't bad, it lacked the "wow" factor we expected from a restaurant of this caliber. The flavors felt a bit muted and the dishes could have benefited from some bolder seasoning or more innovative combinations.

Operational Flow: Unfortunately, our experience was marred by a few logistical hiccups. Running out of bread right at the start set a slightly off-putting tone, and my friend's order arriving slightly incorrect further impacted the flow of the evening. Additionally, the wait times for food felt longer than expected, especially considering the restaurant wasn't overly busy.

Overall:

Fig and Olive offered a charming ambiance and friendly service, but the food quality and operational flow need some refinement to truly live up to its potential. I hope this review serves as constructive feedback to help them elevate their offerings and provide a consistently excellent dining experience for...