Review: The Fig Cafe

The Fig:     59 Esplanade, Paynesville VIC 3880               Menu: thefigcafe.com.au
                   Reservations: opentable.com.au  Ph: (03) 5156 6190
                    Breakfast & Lunch    Sun to Thurs 7:00am — 5:00pm   
                    Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner    Fri & Sat 7:00am — 10:00pm

Tag:      “Great location for coffee or food”



Location:     Still in the same main street location, adjacent to the community Centre in Paynesville, overlooking the lakes on the other side of the car park opposite. Parking is in the street, if you are very lucky or round the back in public parking places.  Access although up a short slope is good, floors are level (of wood) and exits to the part glassed in “al fresco” area in via sliding door and hanging thin chains, (which can be a bit of a pain for those with mobility issues). Seating inside is of the modern plastic and wire style of which I am not a fan, with limited wall mounted benches. Some Bbq style tables and benches on the street outside and wickerwork metal framed chairs which are more comfortable and robust within the glassed decking area. Orders are taken at the counter well placed opposite the entry.  Meals served to the table. Kids and small groups are fine but seating is limited and would fill up quickly. Washroom facilities are available but no disabled/all access facility. This is a great location to sit and enjoy a relaxing lunch in the shade of the harsh sun and out of the prevailing wind.

Paynesville and Progress jetty

Great Al Fresco Seating

Menu:    Breakfast served all day and with a lunch menu providing a wide range of options including GF. All the usual breads/toasts/ croissants, all that fruity healthy “stuff”, you know the drill, pancake stacks, berry parfaits and the like. Then a selection of rolls, stacks(corn), vege big breakfast, and avocado smash, before we get to the real “stuff”. Eggs with a selection of additions and methods of cooking, and topping it off a “big breakfast” of eggs on toast with bacon, sausage, mushrooms, grilled tomato and hash brown, now you are talking my language!
Lunch on the other hand is an interesting selection of lunchtime meals including steak sandwich,  fish ‘n chips, chicken parma or breast with topping. Garlic prawns on rice with garden salad, Pasta dishes and Salt ‘n Pepper squid (calamari). Chicken Caesar, Summer and Greek salads provide lighter options.  There is also a more than adequate kids menu. (But I often wonder, why can’t adults have chicken nuggets? ) A good selection which should suit the most discerning.

Salt n Pepper Squid

Eggs Benedict with Bacon

Experience:     I have reviewed The Fig previously after change of owners/name, and whilst meeting friends for lunch an opportunity presented itself. Arriving just after 12 on a glorious summer day we sat outside with the view over the lake past the car park. Great location out of the wind due to the glass paneled deck.
We ordered coffees and food.  Coffees came as ordered and quelled our caffeine deficiency well.  Foodwise,  I went for the Salt n Pepper Squid which was served on a dressed rocket salad.  A good light lunch, (I can be a good boy sometimes !). The salad was very well dressed with a tasty combination and well mixed through the fresh rocket, I thought it could have been finished off with something like a little sun dried tomato, or cashew nuts, even a little grated beetroot or similar. It was tasty but just lacked that twist. The calamari an average sized serve but was a little overcooked, only a little, but still made it a tad chewy. Having said all that, I finished the meal and found no cause for complaint just critique. My wife enjoyed her eggs benedict, a tasty tangy hollandaise sauce served with bacon slightly crispy at the edges, I love it that way. This was served on fresh sourdough bread, which seems to be the thing these days. Personally, I cannot see why, and always have trouble cutting through the crusts.

Fettuccini Carbonara

Food quality was good and value was on par the “the norm” these days. Service is to the tables at The Fig, it was on the slow side and “just so”. On each table there is a box for cutlery and napkins, ours was empty as were some others, we refilled it from others not in use, but I didn’t notice any replenishment by staff.  Clearing of tables did not seem a priority, nor interest in second coffee orders from our table,  a simple smile goes a long way in hospitality!

Condiments Cutlery & Napkins Box

 Summary:  A relaxing, leisurely lunch over two hours plus in a great location, on balance, enjoyable food, average value for money. Attention to a couple of service details which cost nothing would make this a real “Go to” location.

Enjoy Paynesville while you are there