February 2, 2010 - FIG Restaurant (Santa Monica, CA) & Zanzibar (Santa Monica, CA)

Excited to try DineLA restaurants, I called "dibs" on FIG Restaurant in Santa Monica weeks ago. Located in the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, FIG is billed as Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant itself is tucked away up a small stair case, off to the side of the main lobby. The first thing I noticed was that tables weren't crammed together and the lighting was just right. There is just something I dislike about dark restaurants... Sure it's conducive to a romantic setting, but all it really does is make me sleepy!

So on to the important stuff... The bar is located straight ahead and to the right of the entrance. I grabbed a glass of Ceja Vino de Casa Red (2005), which is a mix of syrah and pinot noir, and chatted with friends while waiting for the rest of our party. After being seated we were given the DineLA menu and I quickly made my decision(s);

Starter: Blistered Romaine (salad)

Entrée: Short Rib and Pancetta Meatloaf

Dessert: Chocolate Pot Au Crème.

I'm just as surprised as you are that I ordered meatloaf! I am really not a big fan of meat in loaf form, but I tried it at the recommendation of the server. It was flavored nicely and wasn't all that bad. Perhaps I've been judging meatloaf a little too unfairly? Only time will tell... All of the dishes were tasty with sizable portions. The salad came with fillets of anchovies (yum!), and the chocolate dessert was double the size of a Jell-O pudding snack. Another option for dessert was FIG Bars with Greek yogurt ice cream. Think of a fresh, warm Fig Newton but with a crumbly cookie outside and, well, better tasting! Overall, I really enjoyed the food at FIG. One of these days I will return, and maybe for the next DineLA event!

The after event consisted of walking four blocks (to aid digestion?) to Zanzibar. Zanzibar is a club/lounge located in Santa Monica, which I think I've been to before... But that was years ago. The night we were there, a DJ was spinning mostly electronica. The inside has seating areas that center around a dance floor that faces the DJ booth/stage. My friend pointed out the "freaky looking" tribal masks hanging on the walls, but. After a quick google search, I have added "Zanzibar" as a must-see travel destination. I didn't stay long (it was a Tuesday night!), but as usual it was fun times with good people. I don't ask for much more than that out of life!

Highlights:

• They serve the bread at FIG in small emblazoned non-reusable paper bags. Then Marat, our server, explained the virtues of how the chef chooses locally grown and often times organic ingredients for their dishes. I found it ironic(al).
  
• Marat boisterously laughed upon hearing out discussion of all things mushroom stamp, dirty sanchez and cleveland steamer.
  
• We had a way too detailed conversation about, well, poo.
  
• I went to pee and half of my friends took off without me. Seriously, what the hell?!