Hot Dish Review

On a recent weekend, LC and I revisited Fig Jam with a business client of his, determined not to over-order like we did on my birthday. We ate like it was our last meal!

Arriving before our dining companions, we took a seat at the bar and ordered two cocktails, the eponymous Fig Jam that we enjoyed on my birthday. As we sipped our drinks, JE and his girlfriend walked in. Joining us in trying the signature cocktail, the four of us moved three feet to a hightop adjacent to the bar.

We started the same way LC and I did before, with the mini cheddar cheese sandwich. Lightly grilled and cut into bite-size strips, it’s the apple chutney that elevates this everyday sandwich into an upscale appetizer.

Our table of four would have had a hard time devouring what we ordered on our first visit….seven dishes altogether. This time, we shared three more small plates, the apple curry chicken skewers with mango salsa and vegetable spring rolls, both of which were unremarkable. However, the mussels in coconut lemongrass curry broth were as fragrant and delicious as before.

A big bowl of ravioli florentine didn’t make the cut on my birthday, but we managed to split it four ways on this occassion. And thankfully so, it was decadently rich. Another round of drinks appeared.

We both settled on the same large plate, each couple sharing the duck confit with parsnips and a sweet smudge of cherry jus. Fig Jam does a great job with the duck, delivering a perfectly crisped skin and succulent meat.

By now, our plate count was up to seven, but it was quite manageable with four rather than two sharing everything. In fact, we even had room for dessert! Cheesecake for our guests and two scoops of fig vanilla ice cream for me and my sweetie.

This dinner took place a while back, likely at the tail end of their Winter menu. A quick check of their current menu online reveals numerous Springlike changes like a starter of quail with kimchee and cilantro and fried green tomatoes with frisee and chili oil. Guess it’s time for a third visit!

1745 Peachtree Street NE 404-724-9100

Gotta love a place with a name like Fig Jam. From the owners of Baraonda and Publik Draft House, this relatively new spot occupies the corner vacated by Baroni at Brookwood Station. This is where I celebrated my birthday….for the third time.

LC and I worked up our appetites early and couldn’t wait for our 8 o’clock reservation, instead arriving around 7:15 to find the place unusually quiet for a Saturday night. The space was warm and inviting as we settled into a private table in the back.

First things first….what to drink? A list of signature cocktails caught our attention. The Fig Jam made with vanilla infused organic vodka, fig preserve, lemon juice, maple syrup, and rhubarb bitters sounded irresistible. We also ordered the mini cheddar cheese sandwich, one of the nine small plates offered.

Served with an amazing apple chutney, we polished off the delectible little sammies lickety split, as well as our subtly sweet and deceptively strong cocktails. With no clear plan in mind, we moved on to one of the medium plates, mussles in coconut lemongrass curry broth.

When it comes to mussels, I’m spoiled. Noche used to have gigantic ones swimming in a very spicy chili broth with cilantro and hominy. These days, however, no one can hold a candle to chef Shane Devereux’ at Top Flr. Although their description is almost identicle to Fig Jam’s, Devereux adds a serious dose of heat. I request a spoon for the broth every time….seriously. So, although the mussels were very good indeed, the flavor of the broth at Fig Jam lacked the intensity that I love.

Enjoying grazing dish by dish, we decided on the lamb belly with bourbon maple sauce. Another medium plate, there was enough meat for two entrees, with pickled veggies providing a perfect contrast to the sweet glaze.

Having reviewed the menu prior to making the reservation, I was fixated on the duck confit entree. I know duck doesn’t make LC swoon, but he’s a good sport and will usually (and wisely) allow me to make the final decision where food is concerned. LC was, likewise, fixated on the flat breads. So, in an effort to compromise, we ordered both, despite the fact that we were already full. We also ordered two more of the Fig Jam cocktails.

The flatbread was literally half the size of the table and turned out to be the least impressive dish of the evening. It was like an enormous Saltine cracker topped with cubes of dry steak, a smattering of blue cheese, and not enough caramelized onions.

I was much more pleased with the duck confit, an appropriately crispy, fatty leg and thigh served over braised parsnips, with a drizzle of cherry au jus. Beets normally accompany the duck but I requested it without. As if that weren’t enough, we tried the Jefferson mac & cheese as a side, baked in a shallow dish with crunchy bread crumbs on top. Why Jefferson? I don’t know, but I do know that I would have enjoyed the duck and mac more if I had been hungry.

And what’s a birthday celebration without dessert! We barely made a dent in the bread pudding with raisins and cinnamon accented with a bourbon caramel sauce. It went home with us.

An abbreviated wine list shows depth and variety, with a nice selection by the glass. When you visit (as you should) just keep in the mind the portions are oversized. LC and I ordered enough for six and left in a food coma.

1745 Peachtree Street NE 404-724-9100