Fig, Port Macquarie

Fig, with Zebu, is one of Port Macquarie's newest venues. And again, like Zebu, has excellently replicated the restaurant by day/ bar by night scaffold. Although Fig pales in comparison to Zebu Bar + Grill, which is only a short stroll across Town Green, it was nice to visit somewhere different for a change. I had previously been to the restaurant a handful of times, all disappointing. I found the portions - especially for the dinner sitting - to be horrendously small and the service was quite rude. But alas, I went back and some things had changed.

For one, the lunch menu is quite decent in terms of prices. Both my caesar salad with baby cos lettuce, shaved parmesan, soft-boiled egg, crispy prosciutto and housemade caesar dressing ($16) and my father's piri piri burger were generously sized. I couldn't finish the salad. My salad was plain, but nice. The prosciutto and bread were crisp, the chicken was tender and the dressing was spot on - I find that restaurants and cafes rarely perfect caesar dressings. Overall though, the meal was quite boring. It had no special elements and nothing to set it apart from this cafe staple. The elements were perfected, yes, but the dish could've been made more exciting. And still, the service at Fig is rude and unfriendly. I should also note that orders have to be placed and paid for at the counter - not the perfect venue for a fancy lunch. I probably won't be back.

My father, on the other hand, was a fan. Of his piri piri chicken burger - marinated chicken breast with avocado, cheese, tomato, lettuce and piri piri sauce, served with chips that is. He doesn't usually back avocado, but this burger converted him. He also said the chips were perfect, but balanced this with a comment about there being too much lettuce on the burger and not enough chicken. He also agreed that the service was lacking. We sat there for about ten minutes ready to place our orders, not knowing these needed to be placed at the counter. Countless waitstaff had walked past and failed to alert us to this fact.

Fig's decor is pretty cool. The cement ceiling creates a basement feel. The bar is backed by fluorescent lights that change colour, and the black wooden tables and gigantic chairs are juxtaposed by hints of bold, bright pink, green and orange in the lights and artwork. Fig overlooks the playground at Town Green making it an appropriate place for families to dine while their children play.

Fig, Town Green (located at the end of Horton St), Port Macquarie