iMasticate

One of my best mates works at the Naked Fig Cafe in Swanbourne and he convinced us to join him for lunch a few weeks ago. We chose an outdoor table to make the most of the cool breeze and stunning view of the ocean.

Here’s an interesting factoid about the Naked Fig and its sister cafes, the Pickled Fig and the Wild Fig. My mate reckons the names represent the location of each cafe: the Naked Fig is close to the Swanbourne nudist beach, the Pickled Fig is near the salty Fremantle harbour, and my mate was unsure about the origins of the Wild Fig name. So there’s some fun and unsubstantiated trivia!

Olives with Turkish Bread ($9)

We started with toasted Turkish bread and warm olives. I usually consider olives a cold deli-style finger food, but the warmth brought out a rich and fragrant flavour that I loved. Less than five minutes later, we had greedily polished off the bowl of olives.

Pink Panther ($8.50)

I splurged on a Pink Panther juice, which is a mix of pink grapefruit, strawberry, and watermelon juice. It was a sweet and refreshing drink that lasted until the end of my meal. The boys ordered bottles of ciders and beers to keep them cool.

Arancini ($12)

The arancini balls were warm and cheesy (heh) and they went well with the light tzaziki sauce. However, the price is a little steep for a small entrée so I would probably not order this again.

Prawn Bruschetta ($16)

The prawn bruschetta had garlic, butter, chilli, and coriander. I expected a tomato-based component but it was simply served as prawns on toast. The flavours were great and the prawns were large and plump. Now that I’ve developed a taste for this, I think that I will try to recreate it at home!

Lamb Cutlets ($32)

My lamb cutlets were tender and well-seasoned, but I added some extra salt. I enjoyed the large serving of meat and had plenty to share with my hungry mates. However, the potato salad and green beans were underwhelming.

Pan Roasted Rib Eye ($35)

A couple of my friends ordered rib eye steak. From the mouthful I tasted, the meat was tender and correctly cooked to medium-rare. Each serving came with roasted potatoes and a side salad to balance out the large hunk of meat.

Naked Steak Sandwich ($22) with Cajun Chats ($4)

The steak sandwich would have been my first choice, but I could not manage it with a sore jaw after my wisdom teeth operation. I had a serious case of food envy when this meal arrived for one of my fellow diners. Luckily, I had a taste of the cajun chats which were deliciously crunchy, salty, seasoned potato pieces.

Gluten-free Bitter Chocolate Salt ($7.60)

Feeling decadent, we ordered a slice of the chocolate cake. I would have enjoyed more of the berry sauce on the side. This is a heavy cake and a large serving, so it might be best to share between two!

Service was friendly and prompt throughout our meal. We also signed up to the ‘Fig Faves’ card which gets you loyalty rewards and a free birthdya meal!

I know that the new Head Barista at the Naked Fig is a total champ, so make sure you order a coffee if you visit when he’s around! Tell him that I sent you and he may create pretty designs on the top of your coffee :D

Summary 
Likes: stunning ocean view, generous servings

Dislikes: -

Value for money: average

Overall: lovely spot, convenient for beach-goers

Contact
Address:
278 Marine Parade
Swanbourne WA

(08) 9384 1222

www.thefig.com.au