Fig, stylized FIG, is a modern American restaurant located in Charleston, South Carolina.[1] The name is an acronym for "Food Is Good."[2] The restaurant was established in April 2003 by Mike Lata and partner Adam Nemirow in downtown Charleston.[3] Fig is known for Southern classics with seasonal ingredients served in a bistro setting.[4]

In 2018 the restaurant won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Two of its chefs have also been Beard Award winners.

Background edit

Lata and Nemirow signed the lease for Fig on Dec. 31, 2002.[5] Five months later, in April 2003, FIG opened in the single-story space at the corner of Meeting and Hasell streets.[6]

Lata and Nemirow met while working together at Anson Restaurant[7] and reconnected a few years later when they decided to open Fig together. The goal of Fig's menu is to serve local ingredients, with French-influenced cooking, using seasonality and paying homage to European farmhouse cooking.[8]

Awards edit

In 2018, Fig won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.[9]

Two of Fig's chefs have won James Beard Awards for Best Chef: Southeast, Lata in 2009 and Jason Stanhope in 2015.[10][11]

References edit

  1. ^ Nast, Condé (2018-04-27). "36 Best Restaurants in Charleston". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  2. ^ Nast, Condé. "FIG". Bon Appétit. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ Ulla, Gabe (2012-08-30). "Mike Lata on FIG and His New Project, The Ordinary". Eater. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  4. ^ "FIG". 10Best. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  5. ^ Barna, Stephanie (2012-02-02). "FIG owners opening restaurant on Upper King Street". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  6. ^ Courier, Robert F. Moss Special to The Post and (2023-08-29). "Restaurant Review: 20 years in, FIG remains as impressive and relevant as ever". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  7. ^ Gomez-Misserian, Gabriela (2023-04-21). "For Chef Mike Lata, Food Is Good. Really Good". Garden & Gun. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  8. ^ "Chef Spotlight: Chef Mike Lata of FIG, Charleston". discoversouthcarolina.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  9. ^ "FIG wine program nominated for James Beard award". AP News. 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  10. ^ Walloga, April. "Here are the big winners from the 2015 James Beard Awards in Chicago". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  11. ^ pmilner@postandcourier.com, Parker Milner (2024-03-28). "A brief history of SC chefs, restaurants and the James Beard Awards – a.k.a the 'Food Oscars'". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-03-28.