Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Name: Flying Fig
Address: 2523 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44113
Telephone: (216) 241-4243
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.03

Flying Fig

2523 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44113

(216) 241-4243
Store is closed

Flying Fig Menu

Savory Starts

Cheese Plate

Tempura Battered Green Beans

Flatbread

Mussels

Beef Carpaccio

Sauteed Plum Creek Farm Chicken Livers

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mission Figs

Cheese Plate

Tempura Battered Green Beans

Flatbread

Mussels

Beef Carpaccio

Sauteed Plum Creek Farm Chicken Livers

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mission Figs
Trio of Small Plates

Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi

Seared Scallops

Veal & Ricotta Meatballs

Mackenzie Creamery Goat Cheese Mousse

Medjool Dates

Crooked River Smoked Scallop

Chick Pea Crusted Tofu

Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi

Seared Scallops

Veal & Ricotta Meatballs

Mackenzie Creamery Goat Cheese Mousse

Medjool Dates

Crooked River Smoked Scallop

Chick Pea Crusted Tofu
Salads

Roasted Beets

Buster's Strawberry Salad

Plum Creek Farm Chicken "Cobb"

Roasted Beets

Buster's Strawberry Salad

Plum Creek Farm Chicken "Cobb"
Entrees

Grilled Short Ribs

Crooked River Smoked Pork Loin Chop

Seared Scallops

Seared Duck Breast & Confit of Duck Leg

Spice Rubbed Flat Iron Steak

Hoisen BBQ Glazed Tofu

Grilled Short Ribs

Crooked River Smoked Pork Loin Chop

Seared Scallops

Seared Duck Breast & Confit of Duck Leg

Spice Rubbed Flat Iron Steak

Hoisen BBQ Glazed Tofu
Sweet Endings

Warm Molten Chocolate Cake

House Made Ice Creams

Fig & Thyme Jam Crisp

Chocolate, Cinnamon & Banana Bread Pudding

Pain Perdu

Warm Molten Chocolate Cake

House Made Ice Creams

Fig & Thyme Jam Crisp

Chocolate, Cinnamon & Banana Bread Pudding

Pain Perdu

Healthy Meal suggestions for Flying Fig

Savory Starts

Cheese Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura Battered Green Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Plum Creek Farm Chicken Livers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mission Figs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura Battered Green Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Plum Creek Farm Chicken Livers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mission Figs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Trio of Small Plates

Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal & Ricotta Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mackenzie Creamery Goat Cheese Mousse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medjool Dates [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crooked River Smoked Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chick Pea Crusted Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal & Ricotta Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mackenzie Creamery Goat Cheese Mousse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medjool Dates [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crooked River Smoked Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chick Pea Crusted Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Roasted Beets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buster's Strawberry Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plum Creek Farm Chicken "Cobb" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buster's Strawberry Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plum Creek Farm Chicken "Cobb" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

Grilled Short Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crooked River Smoked Pork Loin Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Duck Breast & Confit of Duck Leg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spice Rubbed Flat Iron Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hoisen BBQ Glazed Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Short Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crooked River Smoked Pork Loin Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Duck Breast & Confit of Duck Leg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spice Rubbed Flat Iron Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hoisen BBQ Glazed Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sweet Endings

Warm Molten Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Made Ice Creams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fig & Thyme Jam Crisp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate, Cinnamon & Banana Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pain Perdu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Molten Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Made Ice Creams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fig & Thyme Jam Crisp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate, Cinnamon & Banana Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pain Perdu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Cleveland for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 8118 Euclid Ave )

TGI Friday’s ( 10320 Cascade Xing )

Arby’s ( 12763 Rockside Rd )

Cleveland Bean Sprout ( 2675 E 40th St )

Visit below restaurant in Cleveland for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 8118 Euclid Ave )

TGI Friday’s ( 10320 Cascade Xing )

Arby’s ( 12763 Rockside Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

John M.

Great brunch spot with amazing food! Local, fun and creative menu with a really nice drink list to go with it. I sat at the bar and got great service and will be back again to try the rest. Can't go wrong with anything I saw coming out of the kitchen. Great job!
(5)
L H.

A+ food, wine, and service. More vegetarian options than I remembered. Cleveland tofu dish was awesome. Just one question: why the dump of a bathroom?
(4)
Brady B.

Very cool area to go out in Cleveland, and lots of great eating options to choose from, but If you are looking for quality food- flying fig is the place to be. Yes, you will be paying for it because the food is expensive, but high quality. Nice for a special occasion. As a vegetarian, I especially appreciated a diverse set of veggie options, and a generous wine list. My husband and dad meat-eaters also enjoyed their meat options. Menu is somewhat limited due to boutique nature of the restaurant, so if you are into substitution or customization of your food, this is probably not a place you would want to eat. We ate on the front patio so enjoyed people watching and a nice Cleveland summer afternoon! Pretty easy walk to Indians baseball game afterward (if you don't mind crossing that huge bridge).
(5)
Stella M.

I was fairly disappointed with our meals. Over priced for meals that can use some perfecting. I ordered an omelette and the eggs were a little overcooked, resulting in a overly chewy dry texture. Also, the peppers were cooked well but bitter. Nothing in the omelette was very complementary to the bitterness of the peppers. My husband ordered biscuits and gravy and that was a sad dish. The proportions were tiny for $13. You can easily get this meal for less than $6. The biscuits were really small so they don't have the soft flakey texture of larger biscuits. On top of that, our cups of coffee were $3.25. However, my friend ordered the chicken biscuit sandwich and that was delicious. No complaints about that dish.
(2)
Rachel G.

Well I had high hopes for this place. My waiter arrived and had an awesome man bun! In the end however I was left saying "meh". The food was mediocre and overpriced and when I asked to sub things like breakfast potatoes instead of a salad that was meant to come with my breakfast (?!??) I was told the owner didn't believe in subbing and I would be up charged. I wanted a bagel instead of toast and OF COURSE that was an up charge too. Most likely won't recommend and won't go back...
(2)
Wendy W.

First Visit! Nice atmosphere helpful and personable staff! The young man who waited on us was very knowledgeable about the menu and made us feel very comfortable in making our choices!The crepinette I ordered was delicious, fresh and filling!! The lovely owner ,Karen, and I share the same birthday we learned when she came by to conversate with us! I will definately recommend this resturant and will be returning!
(5)
Nick H.

An amazing little bar and restaurant nestled in the large looming shadow of Great Lakes brewery. Sure the prices of some menu items might be a little high, but the presentation, ingredients and service make it worth the extra penny. The beer selection is small but well thought out, as well as the cocktail list. The ambiance was great and included a nice little patio in the front. I had the flatbread appetizer with two pints of north coast scrimshaw Pilsner. It was the perfect amount of food and beer, would recommend to anyone that happens to make the same mistake I did... Going to G.L. On the one day they are closed!!!
(5)
Margaret V.

If you like overpriced, mediocre food served by snotty unprofessional staff who treat you like you are bothering them by eating at their restaurant, than this is the place for you! I was looking forward to a special lunch after visiting the Rock and Roll of Fame and wanted to go to the brew pub across the street, but there was a 60 minute wait... I had read good things, but was sadly disappointed. The menu offered a lot of brunch items as well as a few sandwiches, salads and burgers. I ended up getting the cobb salad without egg. It consisted of an average amount of spring greens, a few oven roasted tomatoes, chicken, a half piece of bacon crumbled and hardly any blue cheese. It was supposed to have a vinagarette on the salad, but I really couldn't taste any. I know salads aren't the most exciting things to eat, but this could have been much, much better. The thing that really put a bad taste in my mouth was the service. It was deplorable. I'm not sure who the woman was who brought me a glass of water, but I really apologize for doing something to tick you off. It was clear you were unhappy by the fact you slammed the glass down on the table and spilled water all over my purse. No apologizes offered. The waiter took my order and never came back except for when I asked for my bill. When he brought it there was no "thanks for coming in", "thanks for visiting" or "have a nice day". It was just "here you go". There are a lot of great restaurants in Cleveland. I would not recommend this one, at all.
(2)
Sue A.

I took my brother here for brunch on Labor Day weekend. We ate at the bar because we didn't have reservations but that was okay! It was a busy weekend for the area restaurants. I had huevos rancheros which can go terribly wrong but everything was right about it. Tasty black bean purÃ©e, sandwiched between good quality crisped tortillas, perfectly done fried eggs and a delicious chili sauce. My brother had the Thai salad made with Ohio City ramen noodles, very fresh veggies and a tasty dressing. I did not find the prices out of line for a small, chef run restaurant.
(5)
Ben S.

Unfortunately no longer on Open Table ;( but still the best brunch in town in my book. And still always busy so clearly they don't need Open Table's help. Though to make a reservation you now actually have to speak into your smartphone (soon to be watch): 216-241-4243. I haven't written a review since the Brunch menu changed. My favourite Migas dish is no more, but it has been replaced by a new favourite - Shaksuka. Something that I've never heard of before, but have now had twice and love. It's so simple, yet so flavourful and always consistently good. The menu calls it spicy, but I'd disagree and just say well flavoured; it's not "hot" - maybe even a little sweet from the peppers and tomatoes. If you order it definitely add the lamb sausage. You get one links worth, about half the plate in size. It really makes the dish and adds substance to it - not optional in my opinion. Just like I was on the Migas I am hooked on this dish. Soon I will have to try something else as the rest of the weekend (still both Sat & Sund 1100-1500) brunch menu looks great! The sticky buns and apple butter sure are.
(5)
Ellie S.

Great place for brunch. I loved being able to eat outdoors. The food was fresh and very delicious I ordered the croak madame came out piping hot. I asked for the eggs to be punched on top which I think was a good decision. Definitely more than enough food to share. The bloody Mary's were exceptional. The other people I went with also got drinks And were very satisfied.Wait staff was very attentive and the establishment in general is very well-run. We came on a Sunday around 10 AM and didn't really have to wait at all. There is an open market right next to the restaurant and we were able to do a little shopping after French set a location was convenient. I would definitely come back here, think it might be a nice place to try for lunch. Prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Jessica M.

Wasn't a huge fan of this place. Came here for brunch over the weekend and I wasn't very impressed. The menu to me wasn't very good... Maybe one thing on it caught my eye. I felt like it was trying a little hard to be unique and have creative dishes that none of them sounded very good. I decided to get the special which was a squash ricotta mixed greens filled omelette. I thought it was over priced for what you got. My omelette was $12 and it only came with a few potatoes. If I'm paying that much for an omelette I want it to be appealing to look and delicious and filling! The flavor was okay nothing I couldn't make...Other dishes were priced higher then that and it wasn't a ton of food you were getting. Definitely think this place is over priced for okay food.
(2)
Grant W.

The Flying Fig was once our go-to restaurant for nice nights out or to show off the best of Cleveland to out-of-town visitors. Our last visit, however, was such a disappointment that we haven't been back in awhile. It started off fine until our server realized we weren't going to order alcoholic drinks -- and his demeanor went from friendly to cold and dismissive much the same way Bruce Banner turns into The Incredible Hulk. He treated us like teenagers who didn't deserve to be in the restaurant anymore... and that alone overshadowed the entire experience.
(2)
Bee S.

My first visit here was great! (I even posted a yummy yelp photo of my huevos rancheros with a bloody mary from that day). Granted that visit was over a year ago.... the recent rumors/bad reviews are true. It really is too bad, because this place is nestled right in the heart of such a cute area in Ohio City with all the potential in the world. I can attest to the accuracy of 2 other reviews stating a terrible experience involving a huge, live, bug wiggling around in my friend's salad (not to mention the original order was wrong to begin with, live bug not included). One of these reviews has been flagged from the Yelp filter (hey, they can't get them all right). The way it was handled was COMPLETELY unprofessional and downright insulting. Manager and waitress both gave zero f*cks and when she asked for a small slice of carrot cake in lieu of said-bug-infested-salad, it was dry and "meh" and they still charged her for ALL ITEMS. Excuse me, what? This is a restaurant. When there are live bugs in your food, you either replace or comp the dish. Or even if you don't, at least offer an APOLOGY and replace it with a bug-free version?? Get your act together, guys. It really is a shame that this place has gone to waste.
(1)
Christie Y.

I have been coming to this restaurant for years. Long before I became friends with the wonderful chef/owner, Karen Small. This place is perfect. The food is delicious, farm to table, local fare. The menu is on the smaller side (my preference!) and yet I always have a hard time deciding what to order because the menu is full of things I actually want to order. I have loved every single thing I've ever ordered at Flying Fig (and I can be a little snobby). The small outdoor seating area is my favorite place on a beautiful day, but they recently completed an interior remodel, breathing some new life into the interior design of the place. They always have a phenomenal wine list and the talented bartenders will mix you up a mean cocktail. Flying Fig brunch is my hands down favorite in Cleveland. Eggs for days! :) I'm all about the grits/polenta and some yolky eggs. But they have sweet pastries and lovely bread-based dishes and even an item or two just for the kiddos (at kids' menu prices).
(5)
Andrea Z.

I've been twice now, once to meet up for after-dinner drinks and tonight I finally was able to come for full dinner. Location/ambience: Cool spot in the Market District, right across the street from Great Lakes Brewery. Great location and with a cute little patio out front for the nice days. Ambience at the bar/up front is nice, chill and with some cool booths to eat in the bar area. Back in the main part of the dining room though, it didn't seem like much attention was given to decor. Tables and chairs are basic-looking and old. My original chair was super wobbly and the carpet seemed like it could use a good cleaning, if not replacement. But on to what really matters, the food! Tonight our group split two apps: flatbread and calamari. Both were tasty. The flatbread was basic, nothing particularly special about it. I like a very crispy thin crust when I think of flatbread - this one was a little too floppy in my book. Still tasty, just not 5 star good. Calamari had great flavor and I loved the sauce that came on the plate. The pepper garnish was a bit odd, but still good. Texture was perfect - not at all rubbery. All four of us tried different entrees: Polenta, Swordfish (special), seafood pasta, and I had the pork/chicken crepinettes. All of us were quite pleased with our meals and cleaned our plates. The crepinettes are basically like sausages which are pan-seared and very very good. The asparagus and mushroom risotto that came with them was also quite tasty. After a while of eating the risotto, it seemed like there was just a bit too much pepper for my tastes, but overall a very good dish. I feel the portion sizes here are perfect. Not too small so you'll leave hungry, but not so much that you can't eat it all without being very stuffed. Menu is small with more appetizer choices than entrees, but the dishes are very well done and there's something to please any palate. Flying Fig is pretty solid in my book. There are places that are better at this price-point, I'd say, but overall a good option with a nice wine list, good cocktail menu and tasty food. I hear the brunch is fantastic so I'm looking forward to getting back at some point to try that out.
(4)
VJ V.

Flying Fig is located across West 25th street from Cleveland's legendary West Side Market. It is nestled in a brick road, lined by tall shade trees, amidst a row of cafes and the Great Lakes Brewing Company; at the epicenter of the hip Ohio City neighborhood. This is a small restaurant in a charming location. In the summer months, I would opt for patio seating to soak in this lovely ambience. This is THE way to hang out and spend a weekend: to soak in the outdoor seating, architecture, people, and to be one with the city. We were here for lunch. The local beet salad I had was a magical mix of flavors. The sweetness of the pickled beets, with the bitter arugula, the perfectly cooked 6-minute egg, and the salty croutons danced all over my taste buds. All of this was on a base of whipped cloverton. Cloverton is made from cow's milk but has the flavor profile of goat cheese with perhaps a quarter of its intensity. This was a refreshing surprise on that dish. All-in-all, I'm a fan and I would definitely come back. This might be an excellent place to take out-of-town guests for brunch which I am looking forward to sampling, perhaps to be followed by a visit to the West Side Market and the brewery later in the day. I was definitely impressed.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Had the biscuits and gravy which have seen micheal symon suggest. It was awesome! Corned beef sandwich was good also that husband had. Portions are just right. Price was fine for such great taste Will be back
(5)
Serena S.

I died and went to biscuit and gravy heaven. Scratch that, brunch heaven. I need to go back daily until I try every last thing on their menu. The biscuits and gravy had large chunks of delicious sausage. The best part--- they made tasty homemade biscuit sandwiches with the sausage and biscuits- it was both adorable and tasty. Much better than the typical giant biscuits swimming in over peppered, dense gravy. My best friend got the polenta, which was very tasty, and a bit lighter. They don't have giant portions-so you don't feel like you need to leave on a stretcher. Mimosa was tasty, service was great, atmosphere was pretty decent too. Do yourself a favor and eat here.
(5)
Natalie P.

I was so excited to try this restaurant, because who doesn't love a good farm to table restaurant? However, I felt that some of the food really shouldn't have made it to the table. I came here for dinner with a large group of people and ordered the pan seared walleye with bacon & potato salad on the side. There wasn't anything extraordinary about the walleye. It was bland and boring. The potato and bacon salad was unique and quite good, but I didn't pay $24 for bland fish and a small side salad. A friend ordered the grass fed burger which he stated was good, but not amazing and certainly not worth the price. I also agree with many other reviewers that have stated the portions sizes are small. Looking around the table at my friends' orders, many of the appetizers and entrees looked miniscule. I was expecting a lot more from a restaurant with so much hype. But alas, they can't all be winners.
(3)
Samantha P.

Great breakfast! We had the huevos rancheros (so good) and the croques madame. The croques madame was great too but I'd get the huevos next time. The potatoes with pork belly are also rockin. We didn't have any cocktails but the cocktail menu looked great.
(4)
Young P.

A couple years back I had an amazing first experience at Flying Fig. Had dinner with a friend, ordered a delicious pork chop, and the service was great. Even my experience during brunch was memorable. Not sure what happened, but the service can be a hit or just flat out terrible. I remember waiting forever for my drinks, food, and check. And, before I even got my check, our waiter had to grab the host to check the weather outside to see if it was suitable to have a quick cigarette. ??? Your mileage may vary, but I once really enjoyed this place and considered it one of my favorite restaurants in Cleveland. Now, if I'm in the area, I wouldn't even consider it.
(3)
Teejay B.

My boyfriend and I went here on a whim while waiting for our friends. I was definitely not expecting it to be as fancy on the inside and unfortunately I was wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt, so I felt really underdressed. We sat at the bar and for some reason I was having a really hard time choosing what I wanted to drink. The wonderful bartender sensed my decision despare and offered to make me something she thought I might like. I'm not sure exactly what was in it besides fancy gin and champagne, but WOO! My head was foggy after that, not to mention it was downright delicious. Lemon-y with a kick! I always appriciate a bartender who takes the time to really help you when you are unsure of an order. After our tasty drinks we ordered the lettuce wraps as a late night snack. WOW, were they good. I don't take my wraps of any kind lightly when it comes to rating...but I was impressed. If you ask me the pickled carrots made the dish. What an awesome spin on an already wonderful appetizer! I would LOVE to give this a five star rating, but I feel like I need to try a full meal before that. Obviously I will not be hesitant to return for the meal and the review update! An Ohio City gem ladies and gentleman.
(4)
Tahiya M.

WONDERFUL! Best food on my trip so far. The calamari appetizer was astonishingly good. My polenta and my dining companion's pork chop were perfectly cooked, full flavored and just delicious. Service was warm, courteous and on point. Thank you Flying Fig for putting paid to the claims of Cleveland's burgeoning culinary offerings.
(5)
Katie G.

I must say, Flying Fig has always been a favorite. Not sure if it was just an off night, but went last night for the appetizer menu which sounded fabulous, as always. The food my friend and I both had, just fell flat. The burger and the fries were flavorless, tasteless, not even just ordinary. My friend had the chicken chorizo empanada, which at first, the waitress brought her the chicken dumplings, instead. When they brought her the empanada, my friend said tasted like they took it out of a box from the freezer and reheated it. Hoping this was an off night and not a change in chef, management or philosophy.
(2)
Mary R.

Seeing from a previous review that emails about bad service get no response, I decided to post my experience here. The Flying Fig was always one of my favorite restaurants for its food, location, ambiance. For reasons having nothing to do with any of that, I haven't eaten there for several years. Wanting someplace special for our anniversary dinner, it was the perfect spot. Arriving for dinner at 7:30, we got our table right away. Service was ok but nothing out of the ordinary, and certainly not warm or friendly. I ordered a special entree, the hangar steak. Got our wine, starters and salad. Food was very nice. As we were finishing our starters, the server came back to confirm our entree orders, walked away and returned with, "We are out of hangar steak." Seriously? At 8:00 on Saturday night, you are unexpectedly out of one of your 3 special features? The server just stood there looking at me. I scrambled to pick something else, but was very clearly disappointed. The short ribs, also a special entree, were ok. They should be falling apart tender, but were kind of tough. However, on the whole, our food was very good. The dessert was delicious. But I definitely agree with other reviewers who say that the staff gives the impression you are doing them a favor by eating there. No outright rudeness, just indifference. For example, in other restaurants, when I've been told, in the middle of the meal, that my food choice is now unavailable, the server has offered a complimentary glass of wine or dessert or something. Leadership in all things comes from the top. Based on the totality of the circumstances, I feel that our experience is likely the result of an unfortunate leadership failure, rather than one indifferent server. Cleveland has so many great chefs and restaurants, there's just no need to eat where the staff gives off a vibe of "whatever..."
(3)
Jenna H.

Infatuated with Flying Fig! I adore the ambiance of the space itself and the intimate feel it offers. I have been there for dinner with my fiance and then on another occasion with a couple girlfriends, and it was perfect for both. It doesn't get loud in there, so it is easy to chat and have a fluid conversation while enjoying delicious food. Their calamari is so light and tasty, the sauce they serve with it is lemony goodness and doesn't give you that heavy, full of fried dough feel that some calamari tends to do. It might be the best prepared calamari I have ever had!! For my entree, I ordered the polenta. SPOT ON. The combination of the polenta, ratatouille and fried egg sounded like an odd trio to me, but I trusted that FF knew what they were doing and man am I glad I did! Everything is so fresh and flavorful and allows you to leave feeling guilt free. All the staff if super friendly and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Ida G.

Went here for brunch, food was amazing! They had a very creative take on brunch but everything worked together wonderfully. Service made me and the rest of the table feel a little awkward and they also messed up several aspects of the order. Even with the problems with service still a wonderful meal and would return time and time again!
(4)
Lana K.

I came here with a group. We were given a menu of 6 or 7 options. I was not happy with my dish at all. It was cooked okay and came out okay, it was just completely unremarkable. Perhaps I would have better luck with a full menu.
(2)
Mandy T.

I went yesterday for brunch which is every Saturday and Sunday from 11-3. We went around 2pm so there was no wait and we were seated promptly. The atmosphere is a little more upscale which I liked. It is right across from Great Lakes brewery so if you're thirsty afterwards it's a bonus for you! I ordered the croquet madam which was amazing and I would definitely order again! My friend got the frittata which I tried and just thought it was ok, but huge portion!! They also have a different frittata everyday so I thought that was cool. It came in a cute cast iron skillet which was creative as a serving dish. I loved the bread and apple butter, great way to start off a fall brunch in my eyes. All in all its my new favorite brunch spot when I'm out that way to go to the Westside market!
(5)
Nadia G.

Went for happy hour a while back and had a good time! Enjoyed all the food options and strong drinks! We had a good waitress named Amy who took good care of us!
(4)
Bea T.

Very good, consistent quality for lunch and dinner. Will definitely return with friends!!
(5)
Niki F.

We went to the fig for my husbands birthday. Overall, we had a great experience. I really enjoyed the design of menu and bar area. I did feel though, that the dining area fell flat. It was far less romantic feeling than the bar. Our drinks were fantastic, as was the service. We started with the spicy tomato soup which was outstanding. Followed it up with a molasses glazed pork loin. I very much enjoyed this dish. The locally grown pork had a nice flavor. My only discrepancy was that it was not cooked to specification. I asked for no pink at all, and it came to us with the center extremely pink. Overall, I would recommend a drink and an appetizer in the bar. Cute bar for the area.
(4)
Alicia B.

Flying Fig was very close to being empty on a Saturday night. Which makes me so sad because it's such a cute place and I'm pretty sure it was the best meal I've had in a really long time! Everything about our meal was perfect - the drinks came quickly and were really great. Anyone who knows how to properly mix St. Germain gets points with me! Our appetizers were fresh and delicious - the dates (of course!) and a very summery fried squash. But I've come to Flying Fig other times and left slightly disappointed in my entrees and wished I had only ordered small plates. Well, not this time. I had a beef cheek rigatoni that was out-of-this-world good. I was too busy devouring my rigatoni to even ask how the husband's hangar steak was, and by the time I'd looked up to ask if I could try it, it was gone. I guess he really liked his, too. We ordered an apple dessert (I hate apple desserts, I just wanted the ice cream!) and mannnn, was it good ice cream. I wanted to buy it by the gallon and keep it in my freezer at all times. And I don't normally get that excited over vanilla. Overall, it was a perfect (but definitely pricey) meal and I hope the next time I go back it is just as lovely and delicious.
(5)
D A.

It's worth going here just for the olives! Every time I go they are slightly different and always good! Service is good as well and they are very happy to change something if I request it. Also stopped in their Market last week and they were nice enough to tell me how to make onion soup and get enough for me!
(5)
Jennifer L.

The food was great! We had the mixed green salad, which had an excellent light vinagrette on it. We ordered the hanger steak and lamb loin. Both were cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly. The meat was very tender and the vegetable sides were delicious! Highly recommend the brussel sprouts! It seemed odd that they wouldn't allow us to substitute sides in the dish, but everything was still very good. The server was the worst part of the evening. We ordered a bottle of wine that never came after we sat there waiting for almost 20 minutes. Then a manager noticed that we were sitting there for a long time and asked if we wanted something to drink. We let her know that we ordered a bottle of wine already that never came, and she came back immediately with the bottle and said that they would not charge us for it. The server finally returned back several minutes later with the bottle of wine and was shocked that we already had it. He was not attentive throughout the evening. It seemed as if we were his only table in this section of the restuarant, as we barely saw him. When the bill came, it even had the wine billed on there. When we brought this to his attention that we were told that the wine would be comped, his looked at us funny and went to look into it. Nonetheless, he did return to say that the manager was not there anymore, but he went ahead and took it off the bill. They are definitely lacking communication between the staff here. I would still go back for the good food and hope for another server...
(3)
T D.

On Saturday I had brunch here at the Flying Fig and I have to say it was fabulous. I had planned to take my out of town guest to hit a regular fav restaurant in the area for lunch but my friend really wanted breakfast and saw the Fig's sign for brunch. I had dinner here when they first opened and my memory from years ago was that it was overpriced and not so great but thank goodness for second chances. We sat inside since the tables outside were full as it was a gorgeous day. It was tricky getting seated inside as they had no one greeting guests and the staff at seemed indifferent. Once seated we had great service even with someone new to the staff who was in training. The coffee was excellent and was provided with a lovely side service tray of including raw sugar, sweeter and creamer brought with my coffee. Next came fresh bread with butter and homemade blueberry preserves. A great start to what only got better, my meal was sooo good! I had the migas which was local eggs scrambled with tortillas, peppers, scallions, roasted chili, aged cheddar, tomatillo cilantro salsa and crÃ¨me fraiche served with the most perfectly seasoned, roasted fingerling potatoes. The layers of flavors was perfect and my taste buds savored every bite. My friend had the omelette of the day with which looked awesome and she proclaimed as the fluffiest, best omelette ever. I personally rarely order an omelette because i really hate a "browned" omelet which I find overcooked and tough. Next time I may get the omelette after seeing her breakfast. Oh wait, I forgot I planned to get the creamy polenta with tallegio cheese, local greens & Killbuck Farm mushrooms and a crispy poached egg. But then it again it might be that I'd have the whole wheat Ohio blueberry & banana pancakes (choice of sausage or bacon) and Snake Hill Farms maple syrup. Ah, so many great choices but it could be hard for me to pass up the migas again. Here's my advice, make plans to go support the West Side Market merchants and get your week's groceries -- and enjoy a great brunch supporting this local Ohio City restaurant. Enjoy!
(5)
Tony P.

Great spot and creative menu. One of the best spots in town.
(5)
Phil M.

This is my first visit to the Flying Fig. I booked in advance using 'Open Table' (which was good), and I specifically asked for a table in a cozy corner as it was our anniversary. It couldn't have been worse. They sat us at a table in the middle of the restaurant under bright lights. We asked to be moved and we received, "sorry, this is the best we have". So we left... It was sad as I had planned this to be quite special... The food is supposedly very good, but the staff and care of their clientele falls short... Fortunately, Ohio City has lots and lots more to offer...
(2)
Sarah H.

Came here for the Sunday night happy hour. I thought it was good. Not great. Not 4 or 5 stars by any means, IMO We had tempura green beans, bleu cheese burgers, french fries and pork nachos. Average. Painfully average, as I went in here with very high expectations. Poo.
(3)
M. M.

Said it before and I'll say it again: I am not a foodie. But my husband and I were visiting for the holidays and I wanted us to take a break from family and have a nice couples' dinner out. After reviewing my available local "nice" but not "uberfancy" restaurant options, I picked Flying Fig, mostly because we could wear our jeans, the menu included burgers, and Lolita didn't seem to use OpenTable. As it turned out, Flying Fig did not put one foot wrong all night with respect to our evening, so I was very happy with my choice and would definitely visit again. Although this place advertises itself as a bar first and restaurant second, everybody I know goes there primarily to eat interesting food. Not that the cocktails aren't good but there are lots of other places if you just want a drink. The dining area is small at the Flying Fig, but on this weeknight it was packed for about two hours at dinner time. I would add that due to the small size of the room, "packed" equated to very very noisy to the point where you pretty much had to yell across the table to be heard, particularly since the next table had about five drunk young women whooping and hollering over their plates. It quieted down considerably after about 7:30 pm. If the food and service hadn't been so good, the noise level would have been bothersome, but since we had such a great meal otherwise I'm willing to overlook it. We started with an appetizer of chorizo-stuffed dates which were totally yummy. Then on to the entrees: husband had a very fresh, very large cheeseburger with crispy fries (I stole a few and they were done just perfect and in particular were not limp), and I had a glazed pork shop nestled in some cheesy grits. (Although we picked meaty meals, I noticed that there were also several vegetarian appetizer and entree choices on the menu, in addition to a couple of pedestrian sounding salads.) The food was super fresh and absolutely excellent. If everything at restaurants tasted this good, I just *might* have become a foodie. Our waiter was also awesome, a total pro who really knew what he was doing, even though the place like I said was jammed and seemed to be understaffed. Dessert involved some homemade fig ice cream with the best cookies I have had in a restaurant in a long time. Thank heaven not everybody makes their homemade ice cream the consistency of soft serve (this was hard the way I like it), nor makes their cookies soft (the chocolate chunk was crispy the way I like it, and warm from the oven). The coffee was also among the best cups I have ever tasted in a restaurant and the waiter helpfully informed us they get it from City Roast right across the street. Score for the locals. Be aware that the portion size varies dramatically and a bit wildly. We ordered one appetizer to split because we didn't know how big the plates would be and didn't want to end up ruining our dinners. The appetizer turned out to be a small plate (three dates), and the dessert was also a reasonably small portion, but our entrees were GINORMOUS. The pork chop I ate was so huge it was like the whole hind quarter of a piglet, and the waiter even said that the chops they were currently serving were much bigger than that dish used to be. My husband, who usually has no trouble putting his meals away, couldn't finish his big portion of fries. We took all the tasty leftovers home of course, and ate them up next day, but if you're planning to consume a whole dinner here, I'd suggest you bring your appetite.
(5)
Rachel B.

I'm definitely fatter after last night. At Kimberly K.'s suggestion, I tried the egg nog martini. Words cannot describe. I usually don't drink bourbon, but this drink went all the way dowwwn. I had the Ohio Beef Burger (very reasonable at $15), with buttermilk blue cheese and bacon. It came with a side of extremely delicious fries which came close to Bar Cento's...almost. Definitely had rosemary in them, which I love. They also included some house-made pickles, which were surprisingly sweet. I have a feeling the ketchup was also made in house, because it came in one of those mini-side dishes and just tasted so different and fresh. But I was too embarrassed to ask our server. My husband had a trio of small plate ($24) which included tofu with lentils, rice, and harissa yogurt; fried polenta; and mushroom gnocchi. He enjoyed everything (and only gave me a bite of the tofu, the bastard). We were actually too stuffed for dessert. Like I said, definitely fatter. Will return!
(5)
Mitchell R.

Very interesting place. Our second visit here, and both times have been good. We had a burger, frittata, peach bacon sandwich, and chicken thigh sandwich. Everything was well prepared, fresh and tasty. And close to the west side market and Penzeys!
(4)
S H.

On a busy Saturday, the manager was very considerate to all us walk-ins, found seats for parties quickly. Contrast to Great Lakes Brew House, across the street, with an hour-and-a-half to two hour wait. Could not possibly have been worth that. Burger and enchilada were very good, service was quick and friendly.
(4)
Randal S.

Sunday evening dinner reservation for four... Seated immediately, attentive but not overbearing service. Started with bacon-wrapped dates and a dish of olives. Dates were served on a nice tomato-based puree and were good, but not great. I don't dig olives, but others at the table seemed pleased. Dishes for four... I had the Rock Shrimp Risotto, wife had the hangar steak, and the two guests both had the pork shoulder. If there's a better risotto out there, please tell me. Shrimp were on the small side, but well-balanced with the corn-bacon-creamy risotto. Topped off by (again) smallish but tasty mussels. All-together, a perfect portion for an entree. Good stuff. Everyone else raved about their meals. Highly recommend!
(5)
Sarah K.

The food was fresh and delicious, with seasonal menu items. The risotto was cooked perfectly, and the outside seating is great.
(5)
Ferdinand H.

After all the rave reviews, I have to agree... Flying Fig is really good. 4.5 for me. We tried Eileen's bacon wrapped dates, Calamari Fritti, Antipasti sampler, Hanger Steak rare, and the braised ribs. I tried a Sidecar which was appropriately prepared. Everything was very flavourful ... although the hanger steak didn't really appeal to me. The tenderness of the ribs were much more to my liking. Decor is appealing also, with olive, and burgundy and a kind of squash colour. Music is lounge-y and relatively unobtrusive. The Flying Fig is definitely worth a trip out... even though the parking isn't so very obvious...
(4)
Sammy S.

I went to Flying Fig twice this weekend. Once for happy hour/dinner on Friday, and again on Sunday for brunch. The restaurant itself is very warm and inviting. Both visits we had a seat near the bar and found the booths to be very comfortable and good for people watching. Friday night we had a happy hour hamburger which is delicious and a steal at $5. We also got the two-cheese sandwich. This was simply one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. It consisted of very good quality, slightly aged cheese with walnuts, pickled zucchini, figs, and arugula on excellent focaccia. Simply delicious. The cocktails we got were excellent also, including a gin gimlet and a house concoction of St. Germain, gin, citrus, and soda. Sunday brunch was more of the same. We tried the huevos rancheros and the polenta with deep fried egg and mushrooms. Both were excellent. The price is a bit steep for brunch, but the quality more than justifies it. We had the same waiter both trips, and the service was excellent and affably understated.
(5)
Karen W.

Tried the restaurant week menu here. For the most part- delicious. For appetizers, the chicken livers are tender on the inside, flavorful, with a nice breadcrumb crust on them. The dates were also very good- a mix of sweet with smokey bacon and spicy chorizo. For the entrees- Hanger steak- Tender! Great flavor! Probably the best tasting steak I've had in some time. The scallops with pasta- well, just OK. The scallops were great, and the ingredients in the meal themselves tasted good on their own, but when combined, I felt like they were lacking a cohesiveness to make the dish taste just right. Dessert was great- had some chocolate banana bread pudding and tried some apple tart. Both had great flavor and were a perfect finish to our meals. The meals are good sized portions, and we had very attentive service. I'd definitely like to go here again (but I will not order scallop pasta next time).
(4)
Vanessa T.

Just had brunch with my girlfriends. We each ordered something different and sampled each other's meals. I ordered the whole wheat blueberry pancakes and I was in LOVE. I did end up ordering a side of eggs because I wanted MORE FOOD! Everything was delicious, but if you're a big eater, you may want to order more sides. I hope that doesn't make me sound too piggy!
(4)
Mike H.

Brunch was outstanding. We had the chive biscuits, non-traditional but tasty. Entrees were Tallegio polenta (creamy, rich, and decadent) and Croque Madam which was outstanding. Great toast, light bechamel, egg a tad underdone, and very good ham. Came with a side salad that cut the richness of the Croque. Servie was solid. Great cocktails as well, peach bellini and trad mimosa.
(4)
Sarah Z.

Be prepared for a foodigasm. This is definitely my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. The food is elegant yet not overdressed. The staff is knowledgable but not condescending. The atmosphere is romantic but still fun. The chef definitely takes pride in her craft and respects the ingredients that she uses. The menu is very seasonal making sure only ingredients that are in season and of good quality are used. The only recommendation I can make due to this is try the duck (however it is prepared it is decadent), the molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream (yumm), and the martini specials at the bar (a different celebration of flavors everynight)
(5)
Michele L.

This is one of the best happy hours in Cleveland. I have known this for years, but sometimes I just need to remind myself. Last night I did just that. For $5, you can get the best blue cheese/bacon burger in Cleveland (I dare you to find a better one at that price), or the confit chicken legs, which I ordered for the first time last night. I have never had confit chicken legs before, and they exceeded my expectations-especially with the added touch of pickled carrots. The happy hour runs from 4-7pm Tuesday through Friday. If you don't make it to the happy hour, you must stop into the Market at the Fig connected to the Flying Fig. I had the best sandwich of my life there two months ago, and it has made eating sandwiches anywhere else in Cleveland difficult. The market also supplies hard to find beverages and Utz potato chips. The only reason I give this restaurant four stars is because the happy hour menu is limited, and the normal menu can be a little pricey, but this is one place where get your moneys worth in taste. I also commend this restaurant for always buying local, and to me, that is worth the higher price.
(4)
Amy T.

5 stars is an easy decision. I don't get to come here much ($$$$$) but I have had wonderful meals when I do. The first time I came here was after I was dumped...My dad wanted to take his little girl someplace nice. I was coming from the East side and got off the shoreway on w.28. It isn't super easy to make a left there and I was stopped for a few minutes. While stopped, a woman came over and tried to get in my car. Luckily, I am always expecting this and locked the door as soon as I saw her make a move (I have had this happen to me, for some reason, like 10 times). Once again, I thwarted a crazy woman from getting into my car. This did not make her happy, so she turned around and began slapping her backside. I looked in horror, which really did not make her happy, so she pulled up her jean skirt and pushed her bare bottom against my car window. Luckily, traffic cleared and I was able to make my turn without seeing any more body parts. What does this have to do with the flying fig review you ask? A lot. 1) don't come that way unless you want to see crazy lady body parts 2) take your daughter to the Flying Fig when she gets dumped. She will always appreciate it.
(5)
T S.

We have never been disappointed with our experience here. Brunch is also great. Flying fig is a must try... again and again!!! Always great specials and friendly service. They just seem to enjoy what they do and it comes through in the food.
(5)
Maria W.

The Flying Fig was a last minute decision hoping to get a reservation which we did. The appetizer of dates was phenomenal with a sweet and spicy combo. The rest of our food was scrumptious but those dates just stood out to me. Our drinks were delicious as well and our server was attentive and kind. I would definitely go back to this small, delicious eatery.
(4)
Sarah V.

I'm kind of like Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly when it comes to eating mixed nuts at the bar. Yes, I am that freak who thinks I'm gonna get the Ebola virus from a bowl of mixed nuts. I couldn't bring myself to sample the fresh made chips and dipping sauce sitting during happy hour. I wasn't sure how long it had sat out before I made it there. Especially since it took me a while to catch the eye of the bartender to order a drink. Things must wait a long time at the wooden water trough. He was really busy. So I just sloughed it off and got lost in the drink menu. I was torn between 3 drinks. I knew I had to at least try two, and after one I was second guessing my rationale. But I went for it, yelpers! He recommended the Moscow Mule. Vodka, ginger beer, and lime, helloooo Dolly!! It was refreshing and just what I needed to turn it loose. Once I slammed that down, I immediately set the dry glass at the front face of the bar so he could see it. Seconds later he was asking what else I wanted to try. "The Rhubarb cocktail", I said sloppily. It was made with local rhubarb syrup and some champagne. UM-yum. After that drink you could have called me Barb and I wouldn't have cared. By this time our party had arrived. I was a little tipsy, thanks to my new friend at the bar. But feeling goooooooood. And I'm feeling it this morning.... We were there for Yelp Eats. 20% off selected menus. I ordered the Pork Loin. She asked me how I wanted it cooked. I'm used to wait staff asking me this question for beef. But for pork?! Pork and chicken always make me nervous when undercooked. Pink pork, ew!!! She recommended medium, and I graciously obliged. And I'm still alive today! Must be all that lead paint I chewed on as a kid. In the mean time we nibbled on the tempura green beans. They were good, I'm just not sure if I would order them again? It came with 2 dipping sauces, Ponzu or a pineapple sauce. I favored the latter. I just wanted something more from them. Like when you're dating a guy for 3 years and it's not headed to the altar anytime soon. That kind of feeling. When this pork came out I almost fell off my chair. The prices were steep, and I expected the plates to come out with a bite of food on them. This pork was bigger than my hand (that's what she said). When I read the description I wasn't sure what to expect: Molasses Glazed Ohio Pork Loin, Sweet Potato, Pickled Radish, Watercress, Jalapeno & Cilantro. If we could ever eat a really great song, like Pink Floyd -Hey You, it would be this dish. The sweet potato puree had a nuttiness to it. Maybe cinnamon or nutmeg? It was deliciously paired with the pickled radishes/watercress & friends. Mixed with the saltiness of the pork, and there on that day, I witnessed the union of something great. Our waitress offered us a dessert menu. But we drank our calories instead. I should have accepted because after I left I was eyeing the ice cream places on Detroit. I love you Flying Fig. You filled the hole where pork belongs. However, I didn't see any figs flying. I think it's a farse.
(5)
Bruce F.

Fine Ohio City restaurant, with menu that includes grass-fed burgers ( Kettering?) and other locally-based sausage, poultry and veggie specialties. Sidewalk tables are in the middle of everything, including wandering minstrel who looked and dressed like aging Thor. Waitress was attentive, funny and awesome; referencing if you want a burger that's cheaper than FF, just visit other bistros serving SYSCO frozen "beef" that fell off back of a semi. :). Is this Cleveland?
(4)
Melissa O.

En route to Los Angeles from upstate New York, the Flying Fig was our first stop for food. Even though the atmosphere and food could call for a more pretentious attitude regarding attire, they welcomed us warmly in our driving clothes. Our server was very friendly and knowledgable, giving us ample time to choose from the menu while maintaining contact and not disappearing. It was very difficult to decide what to have for dinner. Everything sounds good. We started with a special appitizer of the day, an asparagus-bacon quiche. Unlike a typical quiche, this was fluffy, light, and full of flavor. Next, my fiancÃ© had 3 small plates: gnocci with rabbit, chorizo stuffed dates, and a crispy polenta cake. I had a pasta special of penne with smoked chicken and kale in pesto. Normally, we're fast eaters, but Flying Fig had us Oohing and Aahing at every bite, trying desperately to make it last. It did not, and we were tempted to lick our plates. Luckily, our lovely server reminded us of dessert. He ordered the chocolate lava cake with fig ice cream while I ordered the rhubarb cake with strawberry ice cream. Amazing. And we left with enough energy to make it to Indiana that night.
(5)
Lindsey G.

I was quite impressed by this place. The only reason for the 4 star is the price. The portions are just right but the price is high. The drinks are made proper. We found a reservation easily at last minute on the weekend.
(4)
Bonnie Y.

honestly... i chose this place because.... Lola isn't opened on Sunday and we only had Sunday free! oh well... it was a pleasant experience afterall... but 4 stars? i don't know... i'd give it a 3.5 if i could... everyone says the bacon wrapped dates is a must try... but some of us don't eat bacon, some of us careless about the dates... so we missed it... we probably should have ordered it anyways? because the food to me is really average... nothing really stands out... besides the bread and the desserts! bread oh bread... we asked for more bread three times!!! it was that tasty!!! for the desserts, try the bread pudding and the warm chocolate cake, both very yummy... service was good too... we didn't know that the soup we ordered was 'chilled' and the server was nice enough to take it back and take it off from the bill (after all 5 of us took a sip... lol) the neighborhood is quiet and pretty at night... perhaps what we had at Moxie the night before was much better that's why we didn't care too much here... but check it out! not bad!
(3)
Krissie W.

the suburbanites might come and visit town hall for a questionable dinner, but the locals visit the fig. great happy hour, amazing brunch, and top notch farm-to-table food. karen small is one of the ohio city original great chefs, and although her name isn't as recognizable as some, she is worthy of praise. i recommend fresh squeezed orange juice and pancakes on the weekend and the happy hour $5 burger during the week.
(5)
Melissa P.

It's not every week you receive an invitation to visit a new friend with the intentions to check out martini bars and new restaurants. Flying Fig was my friends first choice for eating out in Cleveland. I'm no expert in this state, but the Flying Fig may have one of the most stylish decors in all of Ohio. Certainly Cleveland has never seen anything like it. The Flying Fig clan poured mucho dineros into the design alone. And the food... My friend ordered a huge hunk of hangar steak and potatoes dipped in duck fat. She gobbled it down with pleasurable mmms. My order had simple ingredients done in a very interesting way. Richly wedged polenta, as well as flat bread pizza with ricotta and mushroom. The portions were fairly small and a bit overpriced. Though, the food was exquisite. Whether you like the look or not, you've got to applaud such investment at a time when the humble gourmet eatery has become an endangered species in many towns all across the US.
(4)
John H.

By far my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. I was just in recently on a saturday night and I enjoyed it so much I came back for brunch 14 hours later! Service is excellent. Seems like they have had the same wait staff for 10 years now. The food is fantastic. Clean, simple and local. Make sure to have the tempura green beans. I think its one of the few staples that's always on the menu. Menu changes frequently. Go support the fig, it truly is great.
(5)
Roxanne L.

My aunt and I went to flying fig last Saturday about 9:30pm without a reservation. To be honest we were out all day and didn't think of making one. We were seated without a problem. Started with a pinot noir from Oregon and the chicken liver starter. Absolutely delicious, chicken liver with grits, apple slivers, and arugula. I had the rock shrimp risotto and my aunt had the duck breast. Both were A+ dishes. We shared the molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream. I did not taste any fig in the ice cream, but it was still delicious.
(5)
Theresa C.

My first time at Flying Fig was definitely better than the second time. However, I still have hope for Flying Fig, so I'll be willing to give it a Four Star. To make my life easier, below are the reasons why it deserves a four star and reasons why it was disappointing at times: Why I gave it a 4 star: 1) Great appetizer - try the dates, it was delicious! 2) Classy place to go for a date 3) Happy Hour food was decent with some fun drinks (chicken drumstick was good, bruschetta was interesting) 4) The majority of their dinner selections were pretty tasty - the duck was good. Now, why I shouldn't have given it a 4 star: 1) We got a random gratuity charge when we went for happy hour - there was only 2 of us eating too. 2) I did not like their short ribs. The lamb meat wasn't as tender as it could have been. Overall, my second time dinning there was a bit disappointing - the price I paid wasn't worth the quality I received. It's okay, overall, this is a nice place to go. I'd give it one more try sometime to let the restaurant redeem itself.
(4)
E David C.

This was my first time there for lunch and it was great. Good times, small place. Enjoyed it.
(4)
Peter W.

The wife and I recently visited Flying Fig for a late evening dinner after a long day of digging out from the previous nights blizzard. I was pretty surprised to find that the place was mostly empty at 10PM on a Friday, but I guess a lot of that can be chalked up the weather and a metric tonne of things going on in town that evening. The sparsely populated dining room and bar were actually a welcome sight, having just come from a fun, but over-crowded gathering, and after we made ourselves comfortable in our booth we got down to the business of trying to decide what to order. I suppose that to say I've heard great things about Flying Fig is an understatement, and for certain friends, it has been their favorite restaurant in town for years. Finally having a chance to take it all in in person proved they at least had a very solid argument. I ended up ordering the lamb shank, and the wife ordered the burger and when they arrived I'm pretty sure our eyes popped out of our heads. My lamb shank looked as if it might have been a prop from the Flintstones, and my wife's burger looked mouth-wateringly good (as did the accompanying mound of fries and onion rings). Both dishes tasted even better than they looked and it wasn't long before they had disappeared completely. The service was friendly and efficient. As I said earlier, it seemed as if we might have hit on a relatively dead night, but I feel confident we would have received the same treatment had we come at a busier time. In my opinion, Flying Fig has earned every word of praise I've heard about it, and I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Ben H.

My wife and I visited here looking for a nice little place to enjoy a weekend meal. Although we didn't have any expectations (other than the 4.5 star yelp rating), we left a little disappointed. The environment was nice,but the comfort was below average. The chairs were small and wobbly and the tables were close enough together to hear what was going on with the neighbors sick grandma and the difficulty of her partners work/life balance. The food was good, but not great either. Lets start with the basics - the bread. As you can see by my photo, the bread just didn't do it. The olives were good (not to lolita standards), and the salads were literally iceberg lettuce smothered in oil. The highlight of the meal was the hangar steak, but it was covered in caramelized onions which overpowered the steak itself. We both had a drink, an appetizer, a salad and we shared an entree and were out the door for $75. All in all, not a bad spot, but I expect a little more for the pricetag.
(3)
Michelle L.

The Flying fig is amazing!! Great service, cozy ambience and phenomenal food!! The tap wines and the corn bread are a must as is the gnocchi. The bruschetta is also lovely...fresh and light.
(5)
Rick G.

Food was excellent nice atmosphere. Second time there will diffently go again
(4)
Gary P.

The beet salad was a nice follow up to the cheese plate appetizer. The winter squash had great flavor
(4)
Tom G.

Excellent food and service for dinner. The breakfast was not as good.
(5)
Jeff E.

Self-realization has led me to consider my rating system, as my reviews are heavy on the 4 and 5 stars. This has me questioning whether I'm too easy on the places I frequent and as of late, might have caused me to be a tad more critical. But this place gets the 5 stars anyway! I drove from Solon to try this place and though some might say simply leaving the suburbian wasteland for Foodies tilted my tastebuds in favor of Figs-a-Flying, I relent. But it doesn't change the fact that they've got it all right in this place. Sat at the bar, struck up conversations with locals, and realized that this place is the real deal. It's been here for years and was using local ingredients before that was hip. I had the special: The Grilled Marlin with a Chimichurri that was on a bed of Spinach-infused Couscous along with roasted Carrots. The carrots were perfect and I'm not a fan of carrots. I wish there were more! As for the couscous, much the same situation. Usually, I think couscous is overrated, but this deserved serious attention (which it got as I devoured every last morsel). The chimichurri was a delight on the marlin and if I had to complain about anything at all, I might say that the marlin was a little unevenly cooked with one side being a little crispy. I'm hooked. I get to Cleveland at least once a month and now I've found a new favorite. Oh, what a Happy Plate I had!
(5)
Kate W.

Stop #2 on my wine bar crawl of Cleveland. Really empty - just a table or two occupied, and no one at the bar except me - it was a Wednesday so I should give them the benefit of the doubt, but there were more employees than customers, and while the bartender (maybe the owner? she seemed to be in charge...) was completely attentive, I felt awkward sitting at the bar - the only customer at the bar, mind you - while a gaggle of employees chatted loudly at the end of the bar. Aside from that, the wine and food were lovely. They didn't seem to have too many wines by the glass, but the one that the bartender recommended for me was very nice. I tried the chorizo-stuffed dates that someone else here recommended and they were great - very filling, even though you only get three. The atmosphere, at least in the bar area, was a little trendier than I personally care for with some uber-modern art on the wall and very low lighting, but this would be a very nice impress-your-date place.
(4)
Wendy D.

Loved the food. Service was bit slow but, the food was wonderful.
(5)
Funglin W.

I went to Flying Fig around Christmas time. The place is quite classy although it is a bit noisy inside. We were well attended and our waiter was very friendly and explained the menu to us very well. For appetizers, I got the beef carpaccio and although I do not eat raw beef, the carpaccio was amazing! If you eat an entire slice with a bit of the cheese in your mouth, it almost instantly melts! For entree, I had their duck breast & duck leg while my friend got their lamb with Polenta. The duck breast & duck leg is delicious. I had it cooked medium (what the restaurant recommends) and when I cut the duck leg, it was so tender and juicy. The roasted brocolli was perfectly roasted too and probably the best brocolli I've ever had! The lamb & polenta were great as well. The lamb was delicious but not as great as the duck meat. However, the polenta was great-- best ever!!! For desserts, we got their apple crisp. It was heated just right and crispy and great. The apple was crisp and sweet and nicely made. Overall, the quality of the food was top-notched. However, it was a bit pricey considering I was able to devour my food easily and paying almost a $100 total. I would definitely come back again for another special occasion but not a restaurant I'd be able to afford to go regularly. Another nice to to note was that the store owner walked around the room delivering food and greeting guests which was nice and friendly!
(5)
Mike F.

Great drinks! Haven't had a chance to sample the menu, but if it's anything like their bar tending perfection, it's out if his world.
(4)
Liz B.

Quick recap: Ordered the much talked about tempura green beans. Just ok. Probably not worth the fried calories. Ordered the seared Duck Breast with leg confit. The leg was incredibly tasty and properly seasoned. The breast (the main portion of the dish), resting on the pumpkin puree, was entirely forgettable and fairly bland (I had to ask for salt). I expect more for $26. My mother ordered the polenta and was only marginally pleased. The kicker was (and perhaps there could be some argument on this one) I started out ordering a glass of wine ~ the Fidelity Merlot ~ and once it arrived was so offput (by one sip) by the incredibly chalky, earthy, dirty taste of it, I (after saying I NEVER do this) sent it back and asked her recommendation for a replacement that was lighter, etc. I ended up with the pinot noir that was decent and drinkable. BUT she charged me for both glasses. REALLY?!?!?!? I suppose the restaurant was within their fair rights to do that, but it made me incredibly unhappy as a customer. I paid the full bill, but left knowing that I will NOT recommend the restaurant, based on that poor service element and the marginally pleasing food, and will certainly not return myself. Hope the management reads this and realizes how unhappy this made me as a customer.
(2)
Boon K.

Totally disappointed. The tempura chicken was dry and the duck confit was dry too. We came for happy hour and had some drinks but the food wasn't my cup of tea. I only like the fries and that was it.
(2)
Seed M.

The food it self is really good. Everything is great actually. But, that one bartender who is snarky and wears little hats and treats you like shit . Well he's not worth my time. I would rather eat a bag of snails then look at him while I enjoy my meal. FIRE HIM. TAKE HIS JOB AWAY. The staff is a bunch of sniffed up bozos.
(2)
Christopher W.

Oh Flying Fig, how I wanted to love you, but I just couldn't. Let's start from the beginning. I typically don't review the decor of a restaurant on these Yelp reviews, but I just can't avoid this one. The chairs were ugly and uncomfortable, tables appeared to be made out of the same stuff has a high school cafeteria (just stained darker). The bathrooms had teenager writings and drawings carved into the stalls, the soap appears to be the 99 cent soap from a local WalMart, and the paper towels were that of a fast food chain. Not a great impression. We skipped the appetizers tonight in hopes of landing a great dessert. Needless to say, we never stayed long enough to even see the dessert menu. Drinks - I ordered the Old Fashioned. Thus is where menu problem one popped up. According to the menu I was to be charged $8 for a Jack Daniels Old Fashioned.....ummmmm excuses me? $8 for a Jack Old Fashioned? When the star of the cocktail is bourbon and you give Jack we are not off to a good start. My best upgrade available was Maker's Mark, which I still wasn't thrilled about. I also paid a couple of bucks extra to upgrade this from Jack to Makers. Definitely very disappointed. Entree - I order the Burger. I was super stoked to get this knowing it was purveyed from a local Ohio farmer. Grass fed Burgers are probably my favorite thing ever, besides a pork product. I ordered the burger medium and it came to the table as such. Problems with the Burger - it was scalding hot. The meat was not rested at all before making its way out to. About 10 minutes into my meal, my medium burger transformed into well done. The meat they used was no less than a 90-10% lean to fat ratio. In my opinion, this is much to lean for a 10 ounce burger. There needs to be some substance and juice to such a hunk of meat! The only sauce offered on the burger was a mustard aioli. This appeared to be nothing more than stone-ground mustard and mayo. Not impressive. They cheddar cheese was non-existent (I honestly could barely see it, and definitely could not taste it). The onion rings were pretty good, as well as the bacon. The house made sweet pickles were neither sweet nor pickles. It tasted like cucumber that had been pickled for less than a day or two. The fries were crispy. However, they came to the table cold and not seasoned. Very disappointed with these as well! The prices charge at this place are definitely not worth the quality of the food you get. My fiancÃ©e and I love going to farm to the table places and one of our favorite restaurants is one. This place gets high marks for investing into the farm to table mentality, however both or our dishes were very poorly executed. We left Flying Fig early due to the loudness of the restaurant. We are both in our 20's and were getting incredibly annoying by the 40 and 50 somethings in the table behind out shouting and yelling throughout our dinner service. I feel that if I am paying between $25-$40 for an entrÃ©e alone, the management staff has the right to tell a table of annoying drunks to shut up. Again, very disappointed. At least a compensated drink or dessert was deserved. We were not the only couple annoying in the restaurant. Definitely will not be back to this one.
(2)
Stephanie F.

walking into the flying fig I had recalled how dark and cavernous the space had looked in the summer, but how inviting and lush it looked in the winter. my date and I took a seat at the bar- unfortunately, the only two seats available were by apparently what was the servers' watering hole at the end of the bar and we overheard them multiple times making fun of some of their customers of the night. professional!!! the way the space is arranged allows a cold, forceful draft to swiftly make its way from the front to the back of the restaurant. not sure what can be done about this, but the draft certainly took away from the cozy ambiance of the place. i had some delicious bar chips and ordered an OC Breeze which was nice and potent, the fried oysters, and striped bass with risotto. The fried oysters were disappointing, because the traditional structure of the dish had a lot of room for improvement. They were served with grits, a green onion butter and lardons. The lardons were a great touch to enhance the savory flavor of the oysters, but the rest of the dish was absolutely unctuous and fatty. There was no essence of lightness, and besides the fried coating of the oysters, the only texture on the plate was slimy and fat. The butter had no other element to it, and the grits were finished with.. copious amounts of butter. This dish demanded some acid and brightness- the tabasco that was promised on the menu would have done the trick completely, but I did not detect it. the striped bass itself was really perfectly cooked; it was a beautiful, substantial, fresh cut of fish. the risotto was delicious and I loved the striking Parmesan flavor, but once again, heavy, with no herb finish or anything of that nature that you would expect to see on a traditional risotto. the Meyer lemon and onion confit was what really did this dish in- you would think this would add an subtle sweetness that was yet acerbic, but however it was rendered made it very bitter and inedible. some elements of the dishes are brilliant, but in the restaurant's mission for rusticness, can be very heavy handed, and ultimately it loses its refinement in that. lots of potential.
(3)
Jill D.

Loved the burger and the brussels sprouts most of all!
(5)
Richard H.

This was a difficult review to write. I really wanted to like this place. The location and ambiance are fantastic! We had the calamari for an appetizer. It was breaded in unseasoned cornmeal and served with a bean salad on top of it. They were like little bands of rubber and had no taste at all. Not exactly what we expected from a place like this. I had the pork chop (notice singular) and my X had the halibut special. Both were spectacular but the portions were lacking and you were left with a "that's it" feeling after words. I mean $25 for one average sized pork chop? This place is borderline $$$$ rating instead of the $$$ that Yelp is giving it. Open Table said it was only $$ which is way off. Two people, 1 glass of wine, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees... $85... Its not the cost that really bothered me, it was the lacking feeling when i left. I think it was nice that we went, but i cant imagine ever returning. Wish there was a 2.5 star rating. I feel bad only giving it a 2.
(2)
Alden G.

Flying Fig is tops in my book. Found it here on Yelp, so thank you Cleveland Yelpers! Last night tried the dates, broccoli cheddar soup, and short ribs. All good. Friendly staff, excellent atmosphere.
(5)
Paul J.

Went here because of the buzz from other Yelpers. While we weren't disappointed per se, both my wife and I felt the food here lacked inspiration -- even if it was technically prepared as advertised. Hard to put my finger on, but the food here just lacked the small details that set a five star review apart from the rest. Started with the chorizo stuffed, bacon wrapped dates. A great start: flavorful, just the right amount of sweet with the kick of chorizo. Also had the tempura green beans: these were undercooked and a bit too stiff, having had these numerous times elsewhere at other restaurants. My dish was the steak, a bone in strip: I'm a Texan, and in Texas we let the steak speak for itself. Here, they drowned this thing in butter. Flavorful, but I kept trying to get past the heavy butter to taste the beef. The side dishes served with the steak, while generally well prepared, were pedestrian: chopped and seasoned potatoes, and asparagus that, like the green beans, was undercooked. My wife had the lamb. Again, solid but unspectacular: plated like you might at home, and with some heavy grains & cream that might be s mismatch with such a rich meat. Service was prompt, friendly; not too crowded for main suppertime during a Sat night. Would I go back next time I'm in Cleveland? Probably not, but not because we had a bad experience -- just that there are better options (Lola, for example).
(4)
Morgan R.

If I could give Flying Fig 3.5 stars I would. I feel like I am cheating the establishment a little only giving 3 stars, but given the choice of "A-OK" and "Yay! I'm a fan!" I lean toward A-OK. First, I need to give the folks there major props for being so nice. Our reservation on Open Table never made it into their system and yet they were more than willing to accommodate us on a Friday night. I was honestly expecting to be told that we were SOL, but they were awesome. The French 77 is a great cocktail. I drink St. G and 'pagne pretty regularly, but never with fresh lemon juice. It tasted like British lemonade. Yum. The small plates are really the stars here. The bacon wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo were phenomenal. The stuffed banana peppers were really amazing as well. Entrees were a bit more "meh". The hangar steak was flavorful, but the chimicurri-style sauce overpowered the beef. The short rib was much better; it had a nice combination of caramelized exterior with tender beef flavored by fat renderings. Both the roasted potatoes with the hanger steak and the mashers with the short rib needed more salt. They were flat, bland. Dessert was lovely: fresh, housemade doughnuts; two kinds served with an amazing fig compote. Perfect to split between two people to end the meal. I think Flying Fig really wants to be a tapas style restaurant and offers entrees for those who aren't ready for tapas. Given that, I would stay away from the entrees and order up all of their small plates and sample and enjoy. It is a much more enjoyable experience than the normal courses, anyway!
(3)
Shayna R.

Yum! One of my best friends introduced me to Flying Fig a few days ago for some drinks and appetizers. I got a ginger margarita which was so delicious that I actually had a dream about it the next night. No joke. I feel like all my future margaritas will be a disappointment compared to that! We split the famous tempura green beans as well as the chorizo dates with bacon. Both were great, and I could've eaten far more of them! Our server was friendly and just the right amount of attentive, and I loved the atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Bryan V.

The flying fig seemed promising from the reviews and upon our initial entrance into the restaurant with a nice quaint feel. The relatively limited menu seemed to be a good sign as well with the expectation that only the best items would be served. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Both the gnocchi and a fish special were incredibly salty as presented. The gnocchi was particularly salty where water with each bite was almost required. The flavoring was adequate if not for the over zealous use of salt. The fish (so unspectacular that I didn't remember what it was) had a salty herb coating that was almost crisp, but the fish itself was dry and overcooked. The white beans on the side of the fish were actually undercooked and not very tender. Overall this was a disappointing experience with the waiter seeming to be more interested in talking to other staff than being attentive. There are many better options down the road in Tremont for similar price.
(2)
Joan A.

My first visit being from out of town. Looked up best places to eat and found this. The bread was not good. Stale, pre-cut it seemed and deserving of some heat, just a little toasting would have made it soo much better. As it was, it was tough to eat and hard to chew.The chanterelle salad with the hints of blue cheese, grilled Romaine and bits of crunchy croutons was primo. As were the tempura green beans. The chicken meatballs very good. The seafood item my daughter got was run of the mill and just okay. I didn't think it would be anything special though. I always look forward to dessert and the butterscotch brunino sounded awesome. The almond sable cookie that came with it had zero salt and tasted like it had zero salt. Terrible baking skills for the simplest of items, the cookie. Then, the actual butterscotch brunino was way too salty!! I mean, I wish I could have spit it out it was so over salted! We were thinking maybe the chef was trying to counter the sweetness of the caramel with the salty of the brunino? But, no way! Someone didn't taste this before it went out. Or I hope that wasn't the thought because it was a miserable execution of very easy items to make. Hence, the meal was okay. The service was good:)
(3)
James H.

This place is Ok. You get some nice choices and good portions but of the many upscale nice restaurants in CLE this place is a step down. I ordered the tempura green beans and they were Ok but not amazing like some other reviews have said. Also the decor of the restaurant is pretty plain. It looks like it was designed in the 90's and never remodeled. With so many other choices near by I think this place is down the list.
(3)
David C.

I can honestly say that the best meal I ever had in 3 years of living in Cleveland came at the Flying Fig. Its ever-rotating menu tends to be somewhat paralyzing; normally I order food at a glance, but when I go there, I usually end up constructing a meal out of multiple small plates because so many things look good. The one thing I will say that keeps it from being perfect is that, based on the last time I went there, it's become more popular/crowded and the noise level has gone up dramatically; the lower-key ambiance it had before was part of the charm. Definitely try to go on an off-peak night if possible.
(4)
Al B.

I have to first of all state that any criticism that I write here is purely nit picking and that you should refer back to the 5 star rating! After all how interesting is it to read that our server was friendly and timely because she was or that the food was delicious because it was. The dimly lit dining room and world beat music playing so loud it's like another person sitting at the table let you know that you were definitely in one of Cleveland's trendy restaurants. Feeling very much in the mood I ordered the Chicken Confit with hericot vert and spaetzle, this isn't your mother's chicken and dumplings! The chicken was moist, fantastic and falling off the bone but slightly salty. The hericot vert or as they were called in my house growing up, green beans, had a crunch and wonderful flavor. The spaezle was the perfect complement to it all and helped balance the saltiness of the chicken. The dinner was capped off with bread pudding that wasn't too sweet and a smear of carmel that was just sweet enough. The best recommendation I can give the Flying Fig is would I bring out of town guest to show off Cleveland's foodie community and the answer is a resounding, YES!
(5)
James H.

The best food I've had in Cleveland thus far. The Cocktails were solid and the duck was even better.
(5)
James P.

Before I give my review I must point out that I have Celiac's Disease and I'm restricted to a Gluten Free diet. Therefore my reviews always factor in how a restaurant accommodates my diet. Four of us had brunch at the Flying Fig, Sunday August 21st. We all got the Migas w/ Chorizo. The food was very good, however for the price the portions could have been larger. My 3-star rating is due to my drink order experience. I ordered a Bloody Mary and asked the server to check if the Worcestershire Sauce used was Gluten Free. She went to check, came back and informed me that the BM batch was made the previous evening and she wasn't sure if the Worcestershire Sauce was Gluten Free. Wasn't sure? Doesn't a restaurant know what products they use? I would give this restaurant another try, maybe for dinner
(3)
Lindsay H.

The husband and I went here on a rainy Saturday afternoon for some lunch. Much to our suprise they had a wonderful brunch menu. We had the pork shoulder sandwich which was awesome. Also, I am a big fan of the farm to table concept. The meat was from a local farm in Chardon. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Christie B.

Loved the food, did not love the service. The timing was way off. The waiter didn't come to our table for about 5-10 min after we were seated to take our drink order. We received our appetizers just about on time. However, it was at least another 20-30 minutes after finishing our appetizers before our main course arrived. Will we be returning? Maybe. I would prefer Pier W or Greenhouse Tavern over Flying Fig.
(4)
Kiki T.

I'm not sure what all the rage is about this place. The food was mediocre at best and the restaurant itself is poorly designed - I could clearly hear the conversation at the bar from my table 6 feet away. I think I'd rather spend my time and money somewhere where there's more of a guarantee for good food and atmosphere.
(2)
Nicole M.

You know it's love when the one who seduced you makes you brunch. Oh Figgy, darling, you made me fall in love with you all over again. It's not the sultry but playful scene from the night before. It's relaxed and requited. I brought my 6 year old and Mon cher chou to brunch. Herself Who Would Not Be Pleased was just aching to brood about something. Then she got the whole wheat pancakes with apples and bacon in front of her. Then Herself transformed into Queen Sunshine of Baconland. Good bacon does that to her. Mon cher chou and I started out with cocktails. I had the grapefruit, which was freshly squeezed juice and a blend of booze, darling. It was bright, pert and refreshing. Mon cher chou's orange cocktail was heavy on the Stoli orange and a bit light on the juice. This might not be a bad thing. I had the fried polenta with a saute of spinach, muchrooms and pancetta. The polenta was crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. The saute was cooked with a light hand and added a fresh counterpoint to the heavy polenta. Mon cher chou had a decadent, moist, creamy marscapone french toast. It was almost custard-like. Mercy. The sweet bread (not sweetbread!) basket was a bit small for the cost, but the baked goods were divine-- pound cake, zucchini bread, a muffin, all homemade. The atmosphere is relaxed, easy and accomodating of children, although they do not have an awful dumbed down menu for them. Every child would like the pancakes, sweet breads or french toast. It seems that they are still working out a few kinks in the service-- our orders were put through twice. But there was nothing that inconveninced us. The staff was their usual cool, friendly selves. So, FF, you took me in, you spun me around and now you made me breakfast. I think this is it.
(5)
Ellen C.

I was here on a business trip with a couple of co-workers. After reading a couple of reivews, we decided that the Flying Fig had an interesting list of choices. The Flying Fig is hidden in a small alley with a stylish image. We started off with the Trio - (3 appetizers of your choice) and Flatbread. We chose the gnocci, dates, and scallops for the Trio. Everything was amazing! I've never had better scallops! I ended up getting the seared scallops for my entree - very reasonably priced - $19. The scallops were tender, flavorful and seared to perfection - not too undercooked or overcooked. For dessert, we shared a Peach and Raspberry Cobbler along with the Salty Caramel Ice Cream and Fig Ice Cream. This made my night! I would definitely come back here when I'm in Cleveland again!
(5)
Arlene A.

"Who put the bomp In the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?" Don't know, just like I don't know who came up with an amazing beautiful delight known as a crispy poached egg! Served with creamy polenta, sauteed spinach and beautiful nuggets of taleggio, this was a bowl of tender lovin' goodness. My Honey and I traded bites, and his Migas (not a euphemism, I promise) locally farmed eggs, with scallions, tortilla strips with their house-made chorizo should not be missed also. Fresh squeezed juice is always good for a Sunday morning Mimosa, so hurry and get yourself here STAT!
(5)
Eileen C.

The bacon wrapped dates in the trio dinner option are incredible. I will never look at dates the same again.
(5)
Shelby V.

Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. I used to go at least every other week when I lived there. To start, it is tucked in a cute little alley across from the Great Lakes Brewing Company and a wine bar whose name I can't remember....friendly to foot traffic and twinkling with lights that are strung across the sidewalk. The patio is a divine place to enjoy a summer evening. The wine list is excellent and very reasonable, with many decent wines under $30. Servers actually know a thing or two about the wine, as well! If you're not a wine person, they have an interesting seasonal offering of beer as well, in addition to a full bar. Now, the food. Can we talk about the short rib for a sec? Oh, man. It's always on the menu in one form or another, and while the sauce and sides change, the meat is always the same, in all of it's tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection, with its perfect crisp edges. My husband and I love it so much that we finally, on our 100,000th visit, asked our waiter if we could have the recipe. Amazingly, the chef came out and chatted with us about his short-rib-cooking technique for a good five minutes. What service! Other not-to-be-missed menu items: the bacon-wrapped dates, the seared scallops, the tempura green beans (which I know are sort of trendy, but FF does them exquisitely) and - save room! - the molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream. (If you're too full for a big dessert, at LEAST get a scoop of the fig ice cream - it's fantastic!) I miss Flying Fig so much now that I've moved away from Cleveland. Truly a standout dining experience, even by big-city standards. (And at half the price as it would cost if it were in NYC!)
(5)
Jeri W.

This was my second visit to Flying Fig, and it was quite a disappointment. The food was as splendid as my first visit, but the service left much to be desired. The host was rather curt and not very welcoming. Our server, Dave, seemed unappreciative of us asking questions about the menu. When I asked whether a salad was served with an entree, he said if I looked at the menu, it would specify whether or not a salad was included. I was quite offended by his tone. At no point during our visit did we receive a smile or any gesture that would make us want to return. In the past, I raved about this restaurant and encouraged folks to give it a try. I definitely won't do that again, and it's highly unlikely I will return. Such a shame. I really liked the food and want to support local businesses.
(2)
Kristen K.

The tempura green beans might just be the most delicious things I've ever had. I'd come back to Flying Fig just for those!
(5)
Anne N.

I had a great experience at the Flying Fig. I brought some out-of-town work colleagues for a Friday night dinner. The ambiance is nice. Server was excellent and able to gauge the needs of our table. Menu was focused. Wine selection was fairly priced. I ordered two nightly specials for appetizer and entree. Shared a chocolate cake dessert. All were excellent. My guests enjoyed their meals as well. Definitely a great spot I feel comfortable bringing guests.
(5)
May K.

I had a great experience at this restaurant (especially since my friend paid for me!) but there are a few reasons I give this place a 4 instead of a 5: Food: - Market at the Fig Cheese Plate: I suppose we should have looked at the description more carefully, but I wasn't too happy that we only got 2 types of cheese on "cheese plate." They were good, but I wished it was more. - Roasted Local Winter Squash: The food is served inside the squash. Absolutely delicious, filling, and pleasing to the eye. - House special of some white fish or other: Excellent meal. The wild rice was excellent, the fish cooked to perfection, and a little bit of grapefruit chutney added to the dish, done tastefully. - Cheesecake: It was interesting. It had a different texture compared to the traditional cheesecake. My friend and I both thought it was good, but not great. - Cocktails: We got the chaitini and the pear martini. I thought they were both great. The chaitini tasted like chai tea. I thought I would like it better than I actually did, which is no fault of the restaurant's. The pear martini, I thought was amazing!!! Atmosphere: I liked the fact that the huge space was divided into rooms to subdue the noise level a little bit. It was still a little noisy for me, but I guess some people like that. Service: Our waitor was very attentive and came by often. (I'm actually not a big fan of the waitor stopping by too often and asking every time we get something whether it's good.) We got everything we asked for, our water glasses were always filled promptly, and we got our check when we wanted it. In summary, we didn't love everything on the menu and other patrons were loud, but this is a solid restaurant and I will definitely go back for more.
(4)
Andrew C.

I can't stress enough how fantastic this place is. The service is amazing. Start with the sticky buns, then go ahead and order the corn cakes. I've only been here for brunch, but I have to imagine that the rest of their menu is just as good. It can be difficult to get a seat, but that's an easy problem to fix. Make a reservation.
(4)
Sarah Y.

One of the best brunch spots in Cleveland, hands down. Their huevos rancheros are to die for. Servers are friendly, knowledgable, and efficient. The huevos come with an amazing red sauce with a perfectly cooked egg on top. It's a hearty, filling dish and you'll never go wrong. Bellinis are also refreshing and their cocktail selection is awesome! Couple the food with the location and you've got the makings for an Ohio City staple. Love this place!
(5)
Fallon F.

This review isn't based on the food, since we didn't end up eating there. We made reservations for Flying Fig on New Years Eve. We arrive and are told we must order from the $80 per person tasting menu. I really wasn't upset about the price, but I was upset about the fact that we were not told this when we called to make the reservation. I also was not thrilled about the hostess looking us up and down and saying " you know it's $80 per person, right?". Honestly the menu looked good and we probably would have given the mandatory menu a shot, had we been forewarned, but it really wasn't what we were looking for. Maybe we should have assumed there would be a mandatory menu we would have to order from? I don't know. I just didn't want a four course meal. All we really wanted was to share a few small plates before we started celebrating. I'm just disappointed we were never told (we checked out the website beforehand and we called to make the reservation). If we would have known prior, we could have had time to make arrangements elsewhere. In the end, we were luckily able to find a table elsewhere, and shared a few apps and had some cocktails, which is exactly what we wanted. I'll probably try Flying Fig again, but I don't have a great memory based on the way we were treated this time.
(1)
Dan M.

Solid brunch options with heavy meat options, I could devour these plates.
(4)
Lauren F.

Stopped in for brunch on Sunday and was very impressed. Beautiful and busy outdoor patio area, great brunch cocktails, and delicious food. I had the Migas and loved it. Highly recommend.
(5)
Gary T.

The Fig is OK. If you hit one of the specials you will love it. The rest of the menu is just OK. The best thing to do is sit at the bar, have a drink and a small plate. The people are great and you meet interesting people at the bar. I wish somebody would just make a great steak, steamed veg and baked potato in Ohio City. Am I asking for to much.
(3)
Michelle H.

Went for happy hour and loved it! Their HH cocktails change and are signature drinks. Mine had bourbon and was well made. The food was well priced at 5/6$ and was delicious. HH options include pulled pork nachos, burger, fries, cheese plate, vegetarian empanadas and more. Loved our waitress, Amy, she took great care of us!
(4)
Amy C.

Started with bacon wrapped fig then the special hanger steak. Perfectly cooked, wonderful service. Amazing local place. Found this place by accident and so grateful for it!
(5)
Laura C.

This is my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Tonight was my third visit here, and it was great, as always. Amazing dates, carpaccio, calamari... The ribeye special tonight was awesome. The wait staff is great, and they work beautifully as a team.
(5)
Tina C.

The first time I had their grass fed burger and it was incredible and the best burger I've ever had. The service is sometimes amazing and one time it was awful but people have their bad days? Very fun to be on the patio during the summer.
(4)
Drew K.

Apparently this place just doesn't care about it's customers. I sent an email about our mediocre meal, and no response. I waited a week to post this review in case it was a bad day, chef was sick, whatever, but management didn't care to reply. In short it was VERY disappointing. Although we arrived for brunch at 1, we learned the Maple Chicken was already gone, which we were informed of after two of our party had ordered. I ordered the BBQ Brisket Hash, not good. The promised mushrooms, potatoes and peppers were hard to find, so not sure what made this a hash, mostly just lumps of brisket in a sauce that was very vinegary. After a few bites, no thanks. This just didn't compare to a GOOD barbecue beef brisket, not sure why you would serve something so mediocre. One of our party asked for a skillet scramble without the peppers, answer was no. Not one of our party of five was pleased by their meal. Only compliment, one person enjoyed the lamb sausage. There was just nothing special about the food. We were really disappointed to have made the drive, there are far better and apparently more caring restaurants to enjoy.
(1)
Mike V.

I have been in here several times for the happy hour special and drinks in the bar with friends.They have some nice and what seems to be reasonably priced items on the happy hour menu. The food has been generally well prepared. I downgrade them because 3 out of 4 times the tab has come and it has been wrong. Grossly overcharged. At my last visit I had a $7 food item and five beers and the tab was $66 before tip. Not! People seem to LOVE this place. I think there may be better options round in 2014. Living on past success in my opinion.
(3)
Jessica I.

Chef and owner Karen Small has been doing a lot right at Flying Fig for a long time. Lots of local ingredients backed by creativity and talent. It may sound like your typical farm-to-table place, but she was doing it before it became the latest hipster craze. If you're on a budget and want to enjoy some of the fare for less at lunchtime, try going next door to their little store and carryout.
(4)
Allison F.

Being a tourist has its downfalls. Knowing that you might only visit a place once in your life, you have to choose the best dish on the menu in order to have the most memorable food experience possible. I had a magnificent, tender duck confit with cheddar mashed potatoes one Sunday night. It was the most perfect rustic supper. Flying Fig is worth a tourist's time and money for sure!
(4)
Zaya N.

We started with drinks and apps tonight.. Never made it to dinner because of such terrible service. We arrived right before the kitchen opened and there were maybe 3 tables at most. We were not acknowledged for nearly 20 minutes even though the other server was helping people right next to us (visiting her table multiple times). Seriously?? Even if we are not in your section, you can greet us, no?? Our empty plates were sitting on the table long after we were finished... A server and (maybe) the manager hung around outside near our table... Again, no acknowledgement of the dirty plates. So disappointing. See you again never.
(2)
Mallory K.

Had a great date night here. I've been meaning to eat here for a long time, as it's hard to find delicious vegetarian options in the Cleveland area. Husband and I shared the bruschetta...super delicious! We both had the Goat Cheese Salad; definitely one of the best salads I've had (being a vegetarian, I've had more than my share!). May just be because I love goat cheese...and they use Mackenzie Creamery goat cheese. Score! I ordered the gnocchi, sans prosciutto, for my entree. The gnocchi were perfect pillows of potato goodness. Seasoned perfectly, and the shaved veggies added great texture. Just wish there was more!!! All in all, the chef is doing a great job with the flavor profiles. Would definitely go back again :)
(4)
Liz B.

DELICIOUS! I went for brunch with my family back in December. Some of the best coffee I've had in my entire life. I had the Kitchen Sink Skillet, and it was wonderful. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Jo S.

Without a doubt, this is my favorite place for brunch in Cleveland. They serve local, fresh ingredients with great portion sizes. So local and fresh that after going to a farmers market across the street, the products were being served at the restaurant hours later. I have had most of the menu here and I love it all, but if there is one item I would suggest it would be the sticky buns. They are melt in your mouth perfect and I sometimes drive to Ohio City on a Sunday morning only for the sticky buns. If you're looking for a good place to take a friend for a Cleveland brunch that is embracing the farm to table movement, this is the place to go.
(5)
Miesha M.

Terrible service, waitress had an attitude, bug in salad with no apologies offered- rather the waitress and manager treated it as a joke. To top it off - they charged me for the mediocre dry carrot cake which was supposed to replace the salad. I refused to pay and am never going back.
(1)
Serena B.

My boyfriend and I visited for Sunday brunch .... Needless to say we want to come back every week for Sunday brunch! Knowing the handsome Tony and Klint to back up the rep of this restaurant there was nothing more then amazement to happen after we settled down with our HOMEMADE CINNABUNS and HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER! Let me tell you all this place is delicious! Highly recommend the Huevos Rancheros. Not only is this a rare dish but a beautiful display as well! And don't forget to stop next door at their quaint little supermarket and pick up some local foods to take home!
(5)
Bender R.

I've only been here for brunch. Quite good. I could tell the ingredients are of above average quality. The salad was quite good, and would think about getting it when I come here for dinner / lunch. The sticky buns were good. Shared it before the main dishes came out, and satisfied my sugar cravings. Would recommend the Shaksuka with the sausage if you are into a savory breakfast. The chilaquiles were okay, but probably won't be it again (here at least). Overall, the ambiance is quite nice, and looks like a trendy place for date night. The mid-range prices were in line with the quality.
(4)
Allan N.

Cons: -Sat us by the door, it was very unpleasant to feel the Ohio winter cold every time the door was opened. You shouldn't seat people there during the winter! Pros: -Our charcuterie board was artfully plated. Also the meats and cheeses were well-paired. Fried livers were awesome too. -Wait staff was very attentive and friendly. -I think the prices are very fair for what you're getting -Very attractive space, good place to go on a date.
(4)
Jennifer W.

Great happy hour! Stopped in for a quick drink this week, and realized it had been way too long since my last meal here, which will definitely be rectified asap. I had the $5 signature happy hour cocktail: the Paloma. It was pretty spectacular! I look forward to trying the beet burger at happy hour!
(4)
Me M.

Went for dinner. The wine list is a little hard to figure out (mostly European labels - didn't get a lot of guidance from the server), but found one that we did like. The cheese board was great! Lots of things on it (needed to have more crostini's). The goat cheese salad was awesome. The dinners were very tasty and well thought out with complex tastes. The service was so-so, but I would definitely come back!
(4)
Davis A.

Yelp reviews are so ridiculous sometimes. I glanced at this page before we went and was surprised to see some of the negative posts. A favorite spot that wasn't amazing once? 2 stars. Somewhere we didn't even eat? One star. Well, our meal was amazing. We loved each course. The Brussels sprouts were particularly fantastic. I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Cherry S.

We came here for a late brunch after a three mile run in edgewater park. The Southern Benedict was awesome, it was what I want after my run!
(5)
Jennifer P.

Definitely a solid 4 1/2 stars... My husband and I are huge fans of farm to table fare so when we read the reviews of Flying Fig, we had to check it out. We started with the Gnocchi which was amazing - creamy, tender, complex flavors without being overpowering. My husband had the hangar steak special which he loved... the steak was tender and juicy, the accompanying root vegetable au gratin and green beans were delicious. I had the fish and chips which was spectacular... peanut panko breaded cod served with red cabbage slaw and polenta fries. The polenta fries are ridiculously good. The quality of the ingredients, presentation of the dishes, service and ambiance are all excellent.
(4)
Rick A.

This is my fourth time here so it is time for a review. The salads and vegetables here are stars. I am not a big vegetable guy but this place elevates them. Had the local beet salad with honey vinaigrette with walnuts and 6 minute egg. Absolutely stellar. The bacon wrapped medjool dates are very good but I think One Red Door does it better. The New Creations pork loin with shredded Brussel sprouts and corn mushroom bread pudding in a sour cherry reduction was really outstanding. The pork was flavorful and tender, the Brussel sprouts were top notch with crispy pork belly and almonds mixed in. Had the butterscotch budino for dessert. A champagne flute of butterscotch pudding with a caramel sea salt layer and whipped cream with a little shortbread style cookie. A little too much whipped cream but otherwise a solid ending to a great meal. Have had a couple meals here in 2014 that were a little underwhelming.
(4)
Bryan C.

We have had dinner here several times and each time it is amazing! The food, service, and cocktails are consistently great. I have been to alot of great restaurants (some with michelin star chefs) and in my opinion the Fig is among the best of the best. I have never had a bad dish or experience here. The staff is very attentive and well coordinated. But enough about all of that, the most impressive part about the Fig is THE FOOD! Every dish is so good that when our dinner was over I was envious of guests arriving to start their meal. Just thinking back on our last meal at the Fig is making me hungry.
(5)
Yuan C.

Came here for lunch because my boyfriend bought the Travelzoo deal ($22 for two entrees and 1 appetizer). The food was pretty good, but I was hugely disappointed by the portion size. For starters, we ordered the Medjool Dates. It came with 3 Jolly Rancher-sized dates wrapped in bacon for the price of $8. The taste was great and all, but I am never going to pay $8 for that little amount of food again. To be fair though, the waitress did warn us about the size. For entrees, we both ordered the Grilled Flank Steak. I had the hardest time picking what to get because nothing on the menu seemed very appetizing :( The steak was very delicious, but like the appetizer, the portion size was small. My boyfriend and I ended up eating a second lunch after this. Overall, the service and food were great, but the portion size was just too disappointing for me to rate this restaurant anything higher than 3 stars.
(3)
Demra C.

Perfect place for lunch after shopping at West side market . Had a great German beer , our starter of calamari & wild shrimp w a lemon aioli was done perfect . Then I enjoyed their beet salad which was on the small side however made up for it with the best creamy 6 min egg . Also enjoyed was their 10 oz burger with yummy fries that we could have ate as a meal. Severs was great and everything was described to us .They had a daily special w a vegan soup offered . A must if vegaterian or not . Be prepared for some food to have smaller servings . Myself I enjoy small plates which allows me to sample more on the menu . Cost for lunch was perfect at under $50 . This was with 2 drinks .
(4)
Todd A.

I have gone many times and been without seating so definitely make a reservation! The food here is great, comparable in style and quality to Crop just around the corner but without the ridiculous prices. Also much more "down to earth" and welcoming. I appreciate their seasonal menu that is often changing. In over 20 visits I have yet to be disappointed with a meal.
(5)
Tisha R.

Best meal I've had since coming to cleveland. The meatball appetizer was amazing along with the gnocchi I had for my entree. I feel like this is a place you can't go wrong with anything off the menu. We will definitely be back to try out some more stuff. The service was incredible as well. Our waiter was on top of things, checked in regularly and very informative of the menu and specials.
(5)
Lover of Dogs H.

We had a wonderful Saturday brunch here. The ingredients were all great and the portions were perfect--enough to be satisfied but not too big. The meatballs in particular were excellent. Definitely worth a trip.
(4)
Hardcory C.

BEST GREYHOUND OF MY LIFE (and that is my go-to drink). I got the veggie huevos rancheros dish, which was good, but not as mind-blowing as my greyhound. The baked apples were pretty good too. Server was very knowledgable and VERY helpful for the variety of dietary restrictions at the table.
(4)
Paul W.

I like the Flying Fig. Have been a number of times for Happy Hour. Great burger. Tasty fries with spicy aioli. Sippable cocktail specials. Like an old, reliable friend, Flying Fig doesn't wow me any more, but it's always there when I need it.
(3)
Nic P.

It's places like this that really, really make a city liveable. Having innovative, delicious restaurants in areas contribute to the health and vitality of a neighborhood and this one surely must lead the pack. It doesn't hurt that it's a farm-to-table restaurant either. Went in to a beautiful restaurant, dark and gorgeous and really fascinating art hanging everywhere. I was captivated. Greeted by this really strange girl (sorry, it's the only descriptor I can think of). She seemed almost repulsed by me. It's probably the worst greeting I've ever gotten by someone in a restaurant. Anyway, sat down in the bar area in a nice booth and checked out the delicious menu. Yelp says it's vegetarian, but it doesn't identify that way. I'm glad Yelp did, though, because that's what drew me in. By the way, the menu DOES have vegetarian items that are worth checking out, and enough of them to keep me and every other vegetarian really happy. I decided on the tempura battered green beans with a pineapple caramel dipping sauce (they also had a ponzu sauce that didn't like; it was too much salt for me). I also chose the warm 'egg salad.' That's how they have it on the menu. It was called a gruyere-chive soft scramble on an olive oil toasted multi-grain bread and served with a side salad. This was a lot of food for one person. It may have been really suitable for two. I did not care. I ate it all and I loved it. The green beans were crispy and just-the-right-salty. The sweetness of the dipping sauce really gave this dish a beautiful balance that just really engaged my taste buds. Mmmm, mmmm good. But, the best, very best part of this meal were eggs. You don't have to listen to anything I say, but this: you will never, ever, as long as you live, ever taste eggs like this. I can't even describe them except to say that you have to try them. Words could never do them justice. The side salad was one of the best I've ever had as well. If all salads tasted like this I'd probably eat a lot more of them. They have these down to an art. Now to service: the first girl was horrendous, but then had a really great dark haired guy that was awesome and a blonde waiter that was okay. I had to ask for stuff, he seemed a little oblivious, but it was okay. I went to the bar to ask for a refill on my drink and encountered weird girl again. She really needs to work on her customer service. When I asked if she minded getting me a refill she just stared at me. I said 'is that yes' and she almost jumped out of her skin telling me yes. Okay, okay, calm down, geez. Disliked her immensely. Everyone else was fine. The food is the shining star here. It is divine.
(5)
Steve B.

With so many rave reviews I can't add much . We went for Sunday Brunch. Great food, beautiful outdoor seating, knowledgeable and friendly server. It exceeded my high expectations. Grateful that a place like this exists and I plan on returning often in the future. (The sausage biscuits and gravy were outstanding!)
(5)
Abbe D.

If I could afford it I would eat (and drink) here every night. Every meal and beverage I've had here has been something more than I expected - and my expectations were high. Every dish has 3 or 4 layers of flavor that build and allow the diner to relish the ingredients and the creativity that was used to combine them. The drinks are well crafted and arrive bracingly cold - perfect. And do not miss their desserts - they seem to perfectly conclude the dining experience - like closing the cover to a fantastic book. I've been 3 times in 12 months ... and am saving up for my next visit :-)
(5)
Danielle E.

A-OK indeed. I think this is my third time at Flying Fig, and I'm consistently underwhelmed. This time I went for a boozy brunch with my man. Drinks were good. Be warned though, the market cocktail is not for the faint of heart! Quite bitter, and took some adjustment. For food, I had the creamy goat cheese polenta. It was incredibly creamy and delicious. He had the huevos rancheros, which were average. I'm not sure why I'm always so underwhelmed here, I can't quite put my finger on it. The food was fine, but didn't feel special and didn't make me want to come back for more. Although our waitress was great, the ambiance left something to be desired, which may have added to the feeling. You won't go wrong here, but if you're looking for the best brunch in CLE, I'd keep looking.
(3)
Lauren S.

Came for brunch. I've never been before, so I really enjoyed the location, atmosphere, and food. Brunch prices were a little weighty though, for smallish portions - averaging around $15 or so per plate. I got some sort of quiche concoction ($11, in case you're curious), and my bf got the peach pancakes ($14). I also was amused that they brought us a little plate of crusty bread and jam to enjoy before our meal. My only beef was the service. While very pleasant, it was so slow it began to seem like complete neglect. People started flowing out of the restaurant within 30 minutes of our arrival, so it's not that it was so busy in there that such slow service was justifiable. For $15 brunch plates, you'd think they'd fawn over their customers a tiny bit more. Maybe they only do that for dinner =P
(3)
Jennifer T.

My family took me here for Sunday brunch about 1:30 in the afternoon. It was all our 1st time there and we had a party of 9. Quite a few tables of people when we walked in. They sat us in a small room off the main dining area. Overall I recommend this place! Fantastic food! The only downfall was our server. For not being busy, he was extremely slow and showed up sporadically. Took awhile for everything. He knew it was my b-day and would you know, after everyone had their food brought out, I was the only one that did not get my food! I ordered the wheat/banana/coconut pancakes. He said it would b a couple minutes. At 1st my family was waiting to eat until mine came, but after 5 minutes past, I insisted they all start eating as their food was starting to get cold. Mine did not come out for at least 10 minutes! He offered no apology or anything! Gee thx! He was a bit of an oddball if u ask me. However, I tasted a little if everyone's food, so I could tell u that the wheat/banana/coconut/walnut pancakes r amazing! All flavors blend nicely! The corn and chorizo (I think that's what's in it) pancakes, again amazing flavor and I don't usually like corn in my food. The fried chicken sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich both very good. Someone added hot sauce to their fried chicken sandwich and they loved that! I heard the burger was one of the best ever. Again, just disappointed they did not address bringing the b-day girls meal late.
(4)
Sara E.

Just had drinks and salads here last night (I'll come back to those) but I just have to comment on the service first. It was fantastic and just made it such a pleasure to be there. The hostess was friendly and accommodating. Our server was just SO nice, personable and gave off such a welcoming, happy-to-have-you-here vibe. It was great. We had two salads - the simple greens and the beet salad. Simple greens was ok. The beet salad was the absolute star. Pickled beets, arugula, whipped cloverton, a honey vinaigrette, and crumbled crouton. I loved having the crouton crumbled like that - it gave a little crunch to every bite. Their other food is great, too. On this occasion we just kept it light.
(4)
Kevin M.

While not a traditional Steak House, I enjoyed one of the best Rib Eye steaks I have ever had here. Matched with a perfect wine reduction. Just excellent. My guest had two beautiful pieces of Walleye, and both meals were accompanied with local, seasonal vegetables. Great location in Ohio City, with easy and affordable parking. Room is cozy and the cocktails are great. Try the Manhattan if you enjoy Bourbon
(5)
Sung K.

Farm to table concept restaurant. Lots of hits and misses. Short rib was fine but too fatty. Bit pricey for what it was in terms of portion too. Don't remember what other dishes we ordered - that should tell ya.
(3)
Matthew M.

Yes, it is a small plate but maybe be too small for CLE appetites. Food was tastey, and it was perfectly prepared, but wish there was more of it. Service and drinks were great. Excellent establishment for special occasion or weekend meal - just order multiple apps.
(4)
Regina F.

Went to The Flying Fig for the first time tonight. Can't begin to tell you how very impressed my husband and I were! With my husband being a chef it is hard to impress him when we go out to eat, but Karen Small, you did just that! From the appetizers (we ordered 3) to the dinner and even dessert every bite was better than the last! Thank you for such a great experience on such a special evening! It was my in laws anniversary! They were equally impressed! Keep up the good work! Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Bird M.

Ate brunch here and it was tasty! I ordered the corn cakes and the flavor was amazing. I made reservations via open table for 11:30am on a Sunday and I am glad I did. It was packed by noon. The decor is inviting and modern and the service was on point. Start your brunch with a great cup of coffee! I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Jason B.

Ambiance was great, food was very good, and our waiter was great . A touch on the pricy side, which is the only reason i didn't give it 5 stars. We will be going back!
(4)
Ritu D.

After a failed attempt at trying to come here reservation-less during restaurant week, we decided to do my friend's birthday dinner here this past Saturday. We had a party of 10 and when I called to make the reservation, the girl I spoke with was SO friendly and helpful- I told her we were trying to get reservations for 8pm and after looking at the schedule, she said she would switch some things around (I figured where people were sitting) and would make sure she could make it work for 8pm (so generous, she could have easily just said to come in at a different time instead). Anyways, I was the first to arrive at the restaurant and was actually a few minutes early (SHOCKING for me, trust me) and our table was already set up and ready for us. I was seating and promptly greeted by our server for the night. His service was wonderful throughout dinner. People came in at different times (running late due to traffic/various reasons) and he would come by right away to get drink orders. Drinks were great. I had a glass of Cab and then switched to Grey Goose and Vodka with lemon. Whenever I neared the end of my drink, he would be on top of it and ask if I wanted another one (as he did with everyone). They made the drinks pretty darn strong, which was great. I would be pretty upset if I was paying the money and getting weak drinks! My friends all had a variety of cocktails from the menu and they all seemed to enjoy it. No one complained - except for the occasional "wow that's insanely strong.." but is that really even a complaint?? The biggest rave was probably about the margarita - I never did try it, but will the next time I'm there. Overall, food was great. I wasn't too fond of my entree, but literally everyone else enjoyed their choices. We started with a few apps. We got the calamari which everyone enjoyed (I don't eat seafood, but tried calamari for the first time, but I won't review the taste since I have nothing to compare it to!). We also got the artisan bread plate. It came with a baguette, some focaccia type bread, and some thick multigrain bread. It was all so soft, fresh, and delicious!! It came with hummus, olive tapenade, fig, and butter. YUM YUM YUM!!! My fave app was the flatbread - butternut squash, ricotta, pecorino cheese, shallots. YUM YUM YUM. I'm a newfound fan of butternut squash thanks to this place!!! For dinner, I got a half order of the herbed Ricotta Gnocchi. I did the half because I was dumb and thought it would still be a decent size. I was highly disappointed in the portion, but I guess it's my fault for assuming what the sizes would be. But everyone else's plates were HUGE and if you doubled my portion it would def not be comparable. I also found the dish to be very bland :-\ but everyone else enjoyed their meals!! So I will just have to try something else next time. Since it was my friend's birthday, we got a molten chocolate cake with ice cream on the side which was delicious! The waiter mentioned they do that for birthdays when I asked, but never mentioned that it's not complimentary and you will get charged for the cake - but it wasn't outrageous so it was fine. I just wish he would have communicated that better. This place is definitely not cheap in my opinion, but you kind of go there expecting that! And, you definitely pay for quality - food AND service. I think overall it's all worth the prices they charge (except maybe my entree ;-) ...) Overall, it was a great experience and I'm sure I'll be back! :)
(4)
Maggie H.

Overall my experience here was nothing special. The place tries hard but falls short. The service was attentive, I'll give them that, but i didn't really enjoy the food, especially for the prices they were charging. Flying Fig has a lot of the same menu items as other popular eateries in Cleveland (i.e. Lolita, Greenhouse Tavern), but the execution just wasn't there: Steamed Mussels - very fishy and weird tasting. Somehow the balance of the ingredients was off, and the chorizo didn't really seem to go well with the mussels. We left most of this untouched (But the same exact dish with chorizo and mussels at Lolita is pretty amazing. You need to go try it if you haven't) Buratta Cheese - Can't really mess up putting cheese on a plate. The burratta they had was good, and while I'm not a fan of olives, the rest of my party seemed to have enjoyed the olive tapenade. One thing though, I'm pretty sure burratta is spelled with two r's...not sure why they only put one on the menu... Ancho Crusted Pan Seared Sea Scallop - This was $10 for ONE scallop. The scallop wasn't THAT big either. Flavor wasn't bad, but not worth it at all. Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Livers - not bad if you like chicken livers. I don't usually eat livers, but tried some and didn't hate it, so interpret that how you will... Local Beet - unfortunately the beets were pickled, which made them too artificially sweet/sour. Why mess up perfectly good fresh beets? Should have just served them straight up. Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi - Gnocchi's are potato pasta dumplings. These were rolled up wads of dough with nothing inside (at least I didn't taste any). Too oily and didn't taste like much. SKIP! Hangar Steak- Well cooked and tender even at medium. Solid choice. Chicken Meatballs - This was good. I feel weird ordering meatballs as a fancy $20 entree, but I guess at least it was tasty. Worth the money? Probably not. May we just came on an off day, but based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend coming here for dinner. It seemed like some of the other patrons had travelzoo deals. If you can locate some sort of discount, this may not be a bad place to take a date (just don't bust out your deal on a first date). If you're planning to pay full price though, I'd go somewhere else.
(2)
Eric C.

This place has been hit or miss for me in the past. Sometimes it was great, sometimes it was a little off. I guess it depended on who was in the kitchen that day. Recently, my visits have been great! Whatever caused the inconsistency problems for me are all gone. I'll be back much more often.
(4)
Rachel W.

I have been here twice, but still haven't eaten. I am giving it the third star because I anticipate that the food is good. The first time I came here, the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes for brunch and lunch wasn't starting for a while. I hate ordering right at the end, so I held off. I had some drinks that were good. The second time I came here, I joined my friends who had already ordered. It was very full and it took upwards of 10 minutes for the server to come take a drink order, so I just went to the bar. Which still took a really long time to get a drink from. I was annoyed at that point and didn't feel like waiting forever for food so I just didn't order any. So if I can manage to get here when the kitchen is open and they aren't so slammed, I am sure it will be better.
(3)
Nicholas K.

As a discerning foodie and large fan of the Cleveland restaurant scene, I don't say this lightly: Flying Fig is by far my favorite restaurant in the city. I've been here about a dozen times (all for dinner) since moving to the area 2.5 years ago, and it is my go to place for bringing out-of-town friends and family. In terms of food, I've never had a bad meal. They take such care when preparing the plates, and it's just... delicious. (Important side note - if they ever bring it back, get the duck. Flying Fig is the only place in the city that will actually cook it medium rare, and it's mind-blowing. The fact that it was recently struck from the menu is a shame.) Their local beet salad is a must, and the charcuteries plate is consistently adorable. The drinks are always stiff, which is pretty much my standard for a good one. Their specialty cocktails are all around $10, but when factoring in the amount of alcohol, it's a bargain. The location is great - being in Ohio city allows you and your friends to go out afterwards without having to drive. Only tiny negative things: there's nothing special about the decor, and since a busy waiter station divides the bar and dining areas, the atmosphere can be interrupted if you sit in the wrong seat. There's a circular booth right across from this station - I recommend you avoid it. From what I can tell, the music is just someone's personal playlist or Pandora station, so it rarely adds to the experience. But everything else is amazing. Go here, now!
(5)
Shawn D.

Awesome lunch sandwiches at the market. Nice find while visiting the area. Really helpful and friendly staff.
(5)
Carrie N.

The food is just ok, and the waitress messed my order. I would not come back.
(3)
Maureen R.

Easily said, one of my favorite places to have dinner in Cle. I usually start with a "small start". The Medjool Dates are to die for and I get them almost every time. The flatbread is also delicious! My favorite salad to order for the table would have to bee the Local Beet salad. It's delicious and is enough to split up before the meal arrives. Now to the main dishes. My absolute favorite has been the Roasted Local Winter Squash. The squash is topped with quinoa, apple, mushrooms, leeks, herbs, feta, greens and toasted walnuts. It is soooo delicious. My second pick has been the Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi. Also available in a 1/2 portion. Ifyou stop at the bar for drinks and a light bite or go for dinner....you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Lizi C.

Bummer! I tried the Mahi Mahi, what a waste of money and time. Salty, tangy, small, incredibly spicy (spicy was not advertised). The Mahi was served in a bowl on top of a runny scoop of rice that tasted like Uncle Ben made it himself. The fish and rice was floating in a broth made of what tasted to be 90% soy sauce and 10% water. What a terrible dish all for $22. I tried to get in earlier reservation but was told there were no tables available until 8:15 at night. When we walked in at 8:15 there were multiple large tables unoccupied in a half empty restaurant. After this experience I don't care to come back.
(2)
Alisia A.

One of my absolute favorite spots in Ohio City. I love the fact that it's kind of hidden away from the main road (West 25th) and it looks so tiny from the outside....till you walk inside and you are blown away by the actual size of the restaurant and the decor. Dimly lit, perfect for romantic dinners or just a night out for some good food. I had made reservations through Open Table for a friend and myself for 8pm on a Friday evening and we were seated right upon arrival. Our server was very informed with the specials offered that evening and was great at recommending drinks and appetizers. We both had a drink (I had a glass of wine and she had a mixed drink) which we both really enjoyed. We ended up just sharing two appetizers for dinner: Crispy Calamari & Wild Shrimp which was accompanied by Chiles, Scallions, Pickled Carrots, Arugula, Lemon Aioli...in my opinion it was amazing! One of my favorite dishes I've had in a long time. And the other dish was Ancho Crusted Pan Seared Sea Scallop which was made with Corn Grit Cakes, Braised Local Kale, Ancho-Honey reduction...it was ok. We weren't thrilled by it but it wasn't terrible. The only recommendation I would have is to provide customers with two pieces of scallops not just one since we wanted to share it. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants a relaxing but nice night out.
(5)
Emily T.

One of the best meals In the US I have ever had!!! Go!!!!!!!
(5)
Samantha F.

Stopped in here today with my beau and Dad for a Christmas lunch. We were able to walk right in and be seated with no problems and no resos. Our waitress was very patient with us as we chatted and she returned time and again to take our order. The coffee was kept filled, as was the water. Our orders came up quick (once we finally placed them). The bread with Apple Butter on the table was a nice touch. The apple butter was yummy! My Dad & I both got the Migas. He really enjoyed it; I didn't think it was bad, but not as exciting as it could have been. My beau got the Croque Madame, and oh. my. Lord. was that AH-mazing! Next time, I'm getting that and splitting it. The beau was VERY happy & stuffed. He enjoyed a belini and I had a so-so bloody Mary. The service was spot-on, the food was good, and yes, I will return. There were very nice vegetarian options as well as those for the meat-lovers. I think you'll enjoy Flying Fig.
(4)
a m.

I have eaten here multiple times over the years and have never been disappointed. This is the type of place where you want to bring people from out of town and show them how foodies love C-town. Some people complain the prices are high. I don't agree. We always have fantastic food, great service and know their items are as local as you can buy. My only complaint, and it is what it is, is the noise level. They have seating outside when the North Coast weather cooperates, and being in the midst of Market Square reminds you of the great things the CLE has to offer. The Flying Fig menu is always innovative and I can't wait to try the new combos of ingredients. I would never have thought to combine apple butter with brie on a sandwich. I do now! I particularly love their Sunday Brunch. Nothing like great food with a mimosa! Entrees range from $9 - $15 and their portions are huge. When I go for brunch I typically don't need to eat dinner. Flying Fig and Bar Cento are my two favorite spots in Ohio City. While neither has the popularity of Great Lakes Brewing Company, if you want good food, avoid GLBC and walk across the street.
(5)
Cara L.

Aaaaaand we're back! I can't tell you how excited I was for Flying Fig to be a Yelp Eats 2011 participant--mostly because it's been way too long since I've been back to indulge. I think it's truly safe to say that this place cannot disappoint me. The items on the discounted menu were truly generous and looked divine and that drink menu... it gets me every time. I'm not one for sweet cocktails, but when you have a properly-made flight 77 for me to pour down my throat, you have a happy blonde. But then you add in some Ohio rhubarb syrup? Wow. Help my life. After a bev or two, we were finally ready to dive into Yelp Eats. I ordered some of these famous tempura green beans for the table to share. Simple, yet delicious. I passed on the pineapple-y sweet dipping sauce, but the other was salty perfection with these crunchy green guys. Yum. As we nibbled and grazed on bread and beans, the server took our drink and food orders, not missing a beat and actually stopping to chat. How refreshing! I love it when the staff is friendly enough to engage with their guests. I'd pass on the snooty, overly-proper-types any day. Then came the food. Most everyone in our party ordered the glazed pork loin and absolutely loved it--as in, 100% clean plates. I was a little jealous as I saw them slice into the tender pieces of perfectly cooked deliciousness. Another one of our party ordered the burger, which was no ordinary burger. In fact, after eating every-single-thing off his plate (including fresh fries and a huge, juicy burger piled high with chihuahua cheese and onion rings), he exclaimed, "best burger of my life." Then, well, that left me with the most delicious striped bass ever. Tender, a little flaky, seasoned and seared perfectly. Another clean plate without that overly-stuffed feeling. Once again, a gorgeous experience, Flying Fig. Thanks for hosting!
(5)
Anna F.

My family went on a road trip and a friend of ours recommended Flying Fig. I'm glad we took him up on it! First of all, the service was great. Our server, Eric, was charming and polite. He was very knowledgable about the menu and was respectful of the fact that two of us had salads instead of entrees. We ordered the artisan bread plate to start. It included bread, figs, walnuts, butter, tapenade, and hummus. The hummus was house made and was smooth and rich. Definitely the highlight of the plate. I had the beet salad, which was wonderful. The restaurant emphasizes the importance of fresh and local ingredients so I knew where my food was coming from. When it arrived, the presentation was stunning. It was a beautifully crafted salad that also tasted great. I don't eat much, so it was large enough to be a full meal for me but I would recommend getting more if you have a healthy appetite. For dessert, we shared the lemon semifreddo with raspberries. Once again, the presentation was beautiful. It was topped with huge, fresh raspberries that would have stolen the show had the semifreddo not been as delicious as it was. It was probably among the best desserts I've had recently. Good food, good service, and good atmosphere. It's a shame we don't live in the Cleveland area, because I would have loved to go back.
(5)
Andrew K.

I was looking for somewhere to take my in laws when we met them in Cleveland for my wife's birthday this weekend. Since we were all traveling, I wanted a sure thing where I knew that there would be a good meal and experience. I was sorely disappointed. Starting from the reservations, which we made 3 weeks in advance, we had problems. The staff at the Flying Fig screwed them up 3 separate times, one of which included accusing us of missing our reservation. When we finally did get seated they attempted to put our party of 7 at a booth that holds 5. After some harsh words from my wife they agreed to move us to a table. When we did get to our table our server spoke to us like she was a kindergarten teacher teaching country bumpkins to read. She kept saying she would be happy to explain any words that we didn't understand on the menu. We ordered a plethora of food including appetizers and entrees. The burrata was a good choice but the fried green beans were no better than anything you would find at a TGI Fridays. As for the entrees, people seemed to really like the gnocchi but I thought it was a little large to really be considered a gnocchi. My wife had the shellfish en brudo and all of the components were cooked correctly. My short rib was good but lacked some balance. The standout was the burger that my father in-law ordered. The burger managed to be juicy and flavorful even after my he ordered it medium well, which I told him was a disservice to hamburgers everywhere. We ordered a few desserts to split and it really seemed to throw off the pace of the meal because they took a long time to get to our table. The restaurant's decor is pretty trendy when you walk in but it seems to be in a little disrepair. The seat on a original booth was badly damaged and the second table that they put us at we also very beat up. It was a little disappointing for somewhere with entrees in the mid $20's Overall, I would say that I was disappointed in our experience. I hadn't been to the Flying Fig in a few years but had great memories of previous visits. Maybe my memory is failing me or they just had an off night. I gave them 3 stars instead of 2 because I know what they have been in the past.
(3)
Melissa A.

Brunch was fabulous! Drinks were strong (and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with my vodka made me feel like my boozy drink was healthy). I highly reccomend calling ahead, or using Open Table to make a reservation, otherwise you may find yourself eating at the bar or standing around waiting for a table. Haven't tried dinner yet, but I'm confident that it's equally lovely.
(5)
Christopher M.

While I liked my meal well enough here, it's not a rave. I have to say for the price, what I would consider really fine dining, it is too much of a raucous bar atmosphere. I'm sure I must be in the minority, because the place was packed. Granted, my friend and I stumbled in one night without reservations and they accommodated us by seating us in a booth upfront by the bar, still it seemed like there wasn't much separation from the bar and all the other tables, so I don't know that it would make much of a difference. The food was okay, but I don't know if I'll go again factoring in the price and the atmosphere.
(3)
Amanda D.

Been meaning to go here for YEARS... Finally got a chance, for my sisters 40th surprise brunch! Making reservations for 9 was a breeze, the restaurant told me I could bring a cake too (Maybe they have a small service charge for cutting, but we ended up not bringing a cake). The food was stellar. I enjoyed the fried chicken and egg sandwich and others at our table liked the burger, the chorizo and corn hotcakes, and pancakes. The only downfall was they were out of my first beer choice...no biggie. I would go back and order the fried chicken again without hesitation. It was crowded when we arrived at 2:00 so I would definitely make reservations. While it was affordable, it's more than Bob Evans, but you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Mickey M.

Let me begin by saying that I wrote an email to the owners of the Flying Fig on December 1, 2013, and have yet to receive a response. It has been two whole months since then -- callous and unacceptable. The owners obviously do not care. This was my message: "Had brunch at the Fig on Sunday. Ordered a Bloody Mary and an orange cocktail (acceptable). Also ordered Biscuits & Gravy (good) and Migas (okay). But what killed our experience was the HORRENDOUS service. Our server, Josh, was distracted and did not check on us. When he did come he did not demonstrate knowledge of the menu. I asked which he would recommend, between the omelette and Migas. He ummed, ahhed, and failed to provide a coherent response. When the food came he did not see if the items were to our liking. When we asked for the check he delivered it and then failed to come back for our credit card in a timely manner. He walked by our table several times before I flagged him down in desperation. Instead of apologizing he feigned surprise. Terrible. Suffice it to say the service we experienced at your restaurant left much to be desired. I hope that you will take these comments under advisement."
(1)
Rodney W.

Go here. Eat Molasses Glazed Confit Of New Creations Pork Shoulder. Oh my God! This was one of the most satisfying, tasty meals that I have ever eaten. Probably the best thing on the menu because what the others at my table ate didn't taste nearly as good. The pork was cooked so perfectly...cooked in its own fat, seared on the outside, silky smooth on the inside. This dish was a taste of heaven. Also, the chocolate cake with fig ice cream was freaking delicious. Made from scratch. Fresh. Warm. Heaven! Yum!
(5)
Anna F.

The food was great but the snotty service we received was not worth it. Sent my thoughts through their Facebook page over a week ago and never received a response. Pathetic customer service. I will not return.
(1)
Debbie H.

On a whim, went to Flying Fig....it had been years since we ate there. Sat at the bar and the bartender made PERFECT martinis. We stayed at the bar for dinner and the flank steak was tender and perfectly prepared. But the striped bass was outrageously delicious. Just melted in your mouth. The side order of Brussels sprouts was uniquely prepared and I could just eat them for dinner. Karen Small more than lived up to her reputation to being a Top Chef in Cleveland (and the US).
(4)
G F.

Not an amazing experience. The wall near us was completely scraped off by the table and the dance music (with no dancing, of course, this is a sit-down restaurant) was too loud for the small space. If a guest doesn't want fries with their burger, a restaurant with prices as high as the Flying Fig's are should be able to afford to substitute sides. It seems a little silly to say that it's fries or nothing. (Or you can add $5.50 to your bill to have something different with your $19 burger). This was after they said I couldn't have the restaurant week lamb burger fixings with the regular burger (they sounded fun, but I don't really like lamb.) I understand integrity of a dish, but it's not like I was asking for something crazy, hard to do, or wasteful. It is a good burger, though. Crunchy bacon paired with melted onions and cheese on top. House-made ketchup. The service is rather underwhelming. Slightly condescending, but yet doesn't know the answers to seemingly simply questions. No one really needs to be told that the menu has information on it.... During the couple of times I've been here, they made themselves out to be too pretentious compared to the results. Something about the experience has to be amazing to warrant any level of pretension.
(2)
J W.

My first visit here. Interior is bigger than it looks from the outside. Paid lot across the street was full, so we walked over from WSM parking. Love the fact that it's locally sourced. We started with the flatbread special, which was delicious--melted leeks with sausage and arugula. I enjoyed the goat cheese polenta with crisped pieces of speck on top and local vegetables. Finished with the amazingly rich molten dark chocolate lava cake with fig ice cream--perfectly cooked, and the molten center was decadent! My friend thought the rhubarb crumble with autumn spices was the best dish of the evening. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kaitlin D.

The fig never disappoints. A friend and I came here for the Yelp Eats discount on the green beans. I wanted to share my love and it was successful! We also shared the smoked turkey sandwich--mouth watering delicious. It's great the next day, too! Homemade pickles?! SOLD. Also, the dirty bird martini is excellent--I just love martinis and this is one of the best I've found yet. And, once again, the staff and service were great!!
(5)
Travis B.

Just had a great brunch here. I had the burger & my wife had the pancakes. Everything was delicious (I tasted hers of course). The bread & jam they bring beforehand was great too. Would definitely come back & recommend this restaurant to all. Great service too!
(5)
dawn a.

a home away from home. always good, always great service, they seem to collect the clevo hotties and i love being waited on by a hottie, male or female. great for a date or in the party room with a group. fresh ingredients. just a great time all around.
(5)
Thomas W.

Went last Saturday night. Walked in at 8 PM. The place was wall to wall crowded, but got a table in about 5 min. The noise level was horrendously LOUD!!! I had to shout in my date's ear to be heard. The menu was all Fish and Vegan. Nothing of any interest to Meatitarians like us. This and the noise was just too much for us so we left and went to The Light Bistro. Much better. Evening saved.
(1)
Brandon R.

I'm back in Cleveland visiting with the folks. P.S. Preseason Cavs games are cheap entertainment. My Pops wanted to go to B Spot. I suggested we find something new on yelp and go there. My mom is a dietary nut and can only eat wheat grass that is totally organic and was raised under only the most ethical conditions. We arrived and found the setting/ambiance acceptable. I'm not big on appearances. I would eat great food in a mud hole and be content. The restaurant is semi dark with ample seating, blah, blah, blah. I ordered the Pork shoulder with collard greens, corn bread, and a sour cherry/bourbon reduction. My Dad got a bowl of steamed muscles, clams, and scallops. Mom got the steak with purple potatoes. The food was excellent. We passed around the dishes and ate from each other's plates. The Pork Shoulder stole the show. The greens were amazing and were carefully prepared with some toasted corn kernels and candied bacon. The sour cherry and bourbon reduction sauce was of a high enough caliber that I would consider drinking it by itself. Furthermore, the appetizers were EPIC! CHICKEN LIVERS WITH CHEESE GRITS AND CANDIED BACON. GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON. Need I say anything more? Overall, the quality of the food justifies spending twenty something dollars per plate. The only issue I had was the lack of table bread and the small portion of steamed seafood. For $8.00 you could purchased a platter of four or five different breads with an olive tapenade and humus, but I didn't really want all that. Perhaps if I could simply purchase just one half loaf, I wouldn't find Flying Figs bread service so unwieldy. Great Meal. Solid Restaurant
(4)
Nicholas M.

Let's start with the appearance...it's a cute little restaurant with a pretty nice little bar. One thing I noticed right away was the piece on the wall that was made of light bulbs by the front window and one was missing. It kinda stuck out and I wondered why they didn't replace the light bulb. Just a small thing but then I started looking around and noticed that there were quite a bit of lights out. Also, my table was being held in place with one of the server booklets to make sure it was balanced which I thought looked tacky but I guess better than having a table that rocks. It seems like management could easily fix these things with very little effort and make the place look a lot better. Now to the food. My girlfriend and I started with the beef carpaccio which our server recommended. It was EXCELLENT. The beef was very flavorful and had a lemon vinaigrette and fried capers that were outstanding - very well balanced and flavorful. The second dish we ordered was the goat cheese salad. It was a standard leafy salad with a crunchy piece of bread that had a lump of goat cheese on it. It was very average at best and just kinda lacked any real excitement. I guess that's kind of expected for a salad but then I guess it shouldn't be $12 and I wouldn't expect so much from it. The final course we ordered was the gnocchi. It was a homemade gnocchi with good density and was tossed with brussel sprouts. It was nothing to write home about and was overall pretty average I thought. The service in the restaurant was really great - our server was very attentive, recommended dishes when asked, very friendly, filled my glass when it was needed and I would rate her 5 stars. But, the food? I thought it was pretty average and pretty expensive to be just average...
(2)
Brian D.

Last night my wife and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at the Fig. I will try to keep this succinct. The scallop appetizer: 4/5. The spices were strong, but very delicious with a honey base. If you like the natural light flavor of scallops, you may not care for this. Small serving of two scallops. Medjook dates appetizer: 5/5. Incredible, but tiny serving. 3 dates. Fish special dinner: 5/5. Great risotto, fish, etc. Good sized entree. Hangar steak dinner: 4.5/5. The cut was a TAD chewy, if I am going to be very picky, but I ate every bite and enjoyed it. At $24, I feel it was a fair price for the size and quality (big cut) I received. Apple cobbler dessert: 1/5. It was moderately covered in sea salt. While I can appreciate the combination of sweet and salty that is the fad these days, the salt was overpowering on this dessert. Perhaps if it was lightly salted, but this was more than a dash. It was the only "miss" of the night. Molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream dessert: 5/5. If you love molten chocolate, you'll like this, and the house specialty fig ice cream is awesome. Portion size is small, this is probably not a dessert to split. Ambiance including dining room, patio, and restrooms: 3/5. It was OK, but considering the prices should have been one step up in "class". For example, stall walls in men's room had a little graffiti on them. Dial antibacterial soap in its plastic grocery store jug. We ate inside, the patio tables and chairs didn't look overly appealing/comfortable. The two of us left out the door at about $120 including 20% tip. I struggled, 4 stars or 5? Overall it deserves 4.5 stars. We'll be back - the food was amazing enough to cover for the minor misses in other areas. 5/15/13: I came back to this review after really thinking it through more carefully, and after hitting up a bunch of restaurants while on vacation in comparison. I still feel the FF is an excellent restaurant but I just can't justify 5 stars. It's a solid 4 star experience -- if they can improve the tiny app portion sizes, take the decor slightly upscale, and perhaps tweak that apple cobbler I'd give the star back. (Or leave the apps tiny, but make them $5-6 instead of $9-10. It's just not acceptable that one person would need to buy two apps for about $20 to get that 'slightly satisfied' feeling that an appetizer is supposed to bring.)
(4)
matt p.

The food here is a 5, but the service drops it. Took forever to get our drinks, slow response to take orders, seemed not to care when we were just having a couple appetizers and drinks. The last place we went to was totally cool about it, but this "small eatery" seemed let down and no, they were not packed. But the food made up for it. The figs, which seemed to be the only use of figs at the Flying "Fig", were awesome and just perfect heat with sweet. The cheese flatbread was so good and the tomatoes were awesomely sweet. Both our salads were good, but my wife is still talking about her beer salad. The food here is a 5.
(4)
Jo T.

Some dear one took me out here for a special dinner, thinking he'd treat me with a nice steak (although he is a vegetarian.) Off we went. Staff was really polite and friendly, which is incredibly important to me, for that alone I'd give happily at least 4 stars. One server had hellish hair, I do not mean cut, but looked like last time she washed it was Christmas. Yuk. Sorry, But she wasn't our server, so hey. I read through the menu and stared at the prices, envisioning the food and price for it and so back and forth for half an hour. And then I said I couldn't possibly order any of these dishes to the level that I would be full and possibly having even a drink with it and we would walk out under spending at least 70$ and that's really not worth it in a this case. No desserts either.... aaaahhhh, no chocky no sex. That simple. Why waste the money? So we went to 30th Steet Cafe instead. Where I can stuff myself for half the dough and feel still I got a treat in so many ways (the decor...!) Decor here instead one of the style as I see it all over in town now, try to make it elegant and didn't quite know what 'elegant' could possibly look like as last time the person in charge decorated a dive bar. Sorry again. If posh, then real posh and I am happy to sin for an evening and spend BIG. Otherwise I feel double guilty. But maybe I lost out on the town's most fabulous food, that is possible.
(2)
Annette F.

This is our second visit here. Second time is the charm. Had a table for 7 with the two grandsons. This is a true test of dining. Appetizers, salads and then the hamburger for the boys. Adults loved the short ribs and hanger steak and lamb. Staff was attentative, grandsons were well behaved and we all left happy !
(4)
Joyce H.

After hearing about Flying Fig forever (magazine write-ups, friends), I came here with a few girlfriends to share the small plates. I can't believe its taken me several years to make my way here! It really is one of Cleveland's best. Some of my favorites: house-made pasta (soft, fresh, delicious), medjool dates (chorizo, dates in bacon), and the fig ice cream (creamy, delicious - only needed a few bites!) Mmm.. drooling...right now. Others that were still good: tempura battered green beans, mussels (mmm), roasted beet salad. The overall environment was enjoyable and I had a great time with the girls!
(5)
George T.

My dish was pretty tasty. A tad on the lighter side, but I left full. Drinks were mixed to perfection. Ambient atmosphere that would make for a good date.
(4)
Meredith C.

I had dinner at Flying Fig with family on a Friday night. It was only okay, which was a bit disappointing. The restaurant itself is lovely and in a fantastic location. The service was very good and the menu looked interesting. Unfortunately, all 4 of us were not happy with our meals. They were all just okay, boring and mediocre even. Nothing was terrible but I won't be going back, and neither will anyone that I was with. Perhaps we were there on an off night, but when you spend $200+ for 4 people to have dinner, you expect the food to be delicious. I wish I could say that was the case.
(2)
Bryan M.

Wow. This place likely takes the prize for best restaurant in the city, though it's been a few years since I've been to Lola and have yet to check out Dante. It feels like the only place I've been to in Cleveland that could survive in NYC, Chicago or SF based solely on the concept and execution of the food. Decor/design: swank and modern but totally comfortable in it's backed off minimal approach. The service mirrored the decor...relaxed, but friendly. As for the food... Medjool dates - possibly the best take on "devils on horseback" I've ever had - chorizo, smoked bacon and paprika...no almond inside, but that was a nice change up, and who cares anyways when the chef lets the natural sweetness of the date come though without having to resort to using a maple glaze. The chorizo is a brilliant idea. Delicious. Antipasto plate - one of the nicest (and largest) I've seen to date, full of an amazing array of small bites: marinated olives, cured meats, a few different cheeses, nuts, roasted peppers, pickled fennel?, crostini, and chicken liver pate. Really nicely done, with some thought and effort put into the dish instead of the usual boring, played out offerings. Tempura Green Beans w/ ponzu sauce and pineapple caramel - these things were so good I could've eaten the entire plate on my own. As for the main, the pork chop was incredible, and I don't say that lightly given some takes I've had at spots like Babbo, etc. The chop is from New Creation farm, which is a family farm in Geauga County...you can totally taste the difference between these types of pigs vs. those from larger industrial farms. Berkshire, to be exact...which is pretty much the dog's bollocks for me. Done with a bourbon reduction, caramelized brussel sprouts and cheesy grits. One of the tastiest, most satisfying pork entrees ever. A1+. So, yeah - this place deserves all the praise it gets.
(5)
Kelly R.

This was my first time dining a Flying Fig. A co-worker and I journeyed there for lunch. I love the fact that the restaurant is tucked away on Market Street away from the hustle and bustle of W25th. We ordered the calamari and rock shrimp appetizer to share. This appetizer was SOOOO good, one of the best preparations of calamari that I've ever had. The calamari was so tender, lightly breaded, mixed with pickled vegetables and served on a bed of arugula with a side of aioli. The portion was very generous, more than enough for 2 people to share as an appetizer. I could have also had this as an entree with a small salad or vegetable side. On to the entree, I ordered the warm roasted chicken sandwich which was artfully prepared with sliced apples and brie on a warm toasty ciabatta bun with a side of homemade chips. My co-worker ordered the burger, which arrived with a side of handcut fries, which she mentioned was very, very good. I am very much looking forward to going back to Flying Fig for dinner and brunch. This meal was a homerun!!
(4)
Claire M.

A co-worker and I ate dinner here on a Friday night while in Cleveland for business. We will make sure to return every time we're back! The food was amazingly fresh, not too complicated and overdone -- just tasty creative dishes with quality ingredients. I devoured my scallops in a citrus glaze over a cauliflower puree, and my CW nearly licked her plate of halibut. We also enjoyed the calimari -- not fried, but cooked gently in a Thai-like sauce of coconut and lemongrass. Plus they serve one of my favorite wines in the whole world -- Naia verdejo. The perfect sipping-on-a-patio wine for a balmy Friday evening.
(5)
Brian C.

Truly as good as it gets in terms of food. On both visits so far I've sat in the front at the bar - which does seem to have different decor and a cooler vibe than standard restaurant tables at the back - but the food was truly top notch starting with the bread which was really fantastic and clearly homemade. I've tried a tomato salad, fresh sockeye salmon entrees (perfectly cooked, and great flavors), and a couple different desserts that were fresh and great. I lived in Oregon for 4 years so I RARELY order salmon at a restaurant but this is one of the few places in the country that I have no hesitation because I know it will be fresh, and great. I will definitely be back often when working in Cleveland, Flying Fig is easily one of the best restaurants in Cleveland and I am confident it can hold it's own against any place in the country.
(5)
Lyndsay V.

Food was okay. Service was awful. Server messed up my friends order and didn't offer to fix it, discount it or comp it. Also, after being told my friend was allergic to eggs brought bread to the table that we discovered was made with EGGS after we inquired... ?!?!?!
(2)
Tyler L.

Very good food and friendly service, but it was just missing something special for me to make it spectacular. The cocktails were very good, tasty and not strong tasting, but potent. The beef shoulder was also very well cooked, though the mashed potato puree was a bit uninspired. I enjoyed the dish throughly, but it was just good, not exceptional.
(4)
Chad K.

Excellent food, atmosphere and service. All three courses were prepared perfectly and tasted great. Suzanne was an incredible server. She took her time with us and had all the knowledge we hoped for to make the best decisions on everything we ordered. Superb.
(5)
Mike S.

A MUST STOP IN CLEVELAND! This is my first time at The Flying Fig and I will come again next visit to Cleveland. I stopped in for a drink and brunch. I had tbe Corn Andouille Pancakes with poached egg and potatoes. Best breakfast plate I've had in a long time. They also have their own homemade hot sauces (red and green) that add a nice to to the plate if you want. Great cocktails and service as well. Great Lakes Brewery across the street and small parking lot near by. I came on a Saturday at noon and it was a full place with a minor wait. Look forward to checking it out again at different times of the day. A must stop!
(5)
Jen M.

Sad to say I haven't been to "the Fig" in a long time. We went to celebrate a friend's birthday. As always, the food is outstanding, and the lac or combinations are delicious and interesting. I think this place is THE place to go for the best pork in town. The pork shoulder was flavorful and it fell apart so easily. The short ribs were excellent, too. The burrata cheese appetizer with olive tapenade...killer. Service was super attentive. Our server even brought our dessert out with a candle in it, nice touch. Always a good idea to make a reservation. And their happy hour during the week is very popular.
(5)
Will O.

Pretty good food and a great! Happy hour. I hate going downtown so location is always a minus for me.
(4)
Sarah S.

I went to Flying Fig for the "Independent Restaurant week" last year. It was $33 for an appetizer, main dish and dessert. Such a great deal! I love everything that this restaurant stands for. They support local farms and try to serve dishes with as many local ingredients as possible. I chose the cheese plate as my appetizer. It came with three different cheeses and we decided to get the bread basket which offers numerous varieties of breads. For my main dish, I can honestly say that it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was a piece of acorn squash with quinoa, goat cheese and mushrooms on top. It was creamy, savory, flavorful and downright delicious! My dessert was some kind of apple compote with vanilla bean ice cream. A great finish to the meal. Another thing that I love about this restaurant is that they have wine on tap!
(5)
Anna L.

Simply outstanding. From the warm friendly greeting of Tony Mellon.. to the excellent cozy table we were seated at ..the atmosphere at Flying Fig was welcoming and first class from the moment we entered. Our server Eric was friendly and informed. He showed us just the right amount of attention, and sensed instinctively when space was required. He was knowledgeable about the dishes and guided us towards the perfect dinner selections. Both of our meals were absolutely beyond perfect. The presentation was artful. We were perfectly satisfied ..and enjoyed every moment of our meal. Flying Fig is Devine. A master class in fine dining at it's best.
(5)
Kayla T.

Oh man, let me tell you about the three bites of heaven: 1)smoky bacon 2)salty chorizo 3) end with a note of sweet dates. Literally three wrapped Medjool dates. Dive down under, visit the Gods of the sea with a gulp of dark stout or the pumpkin ale-Oh-so-smooth. Return to the grassland with the local beet salad: pickled beets, whipped cloverton, bits of eggwhites, pistachios, multigrain croutons, and honey vinaigrette. Skip the bland watered-down shrimp ginger coconut soup! You got to try the dark stout. Find me here-happy hour. Oh yes, setting: upper end-expect waiting on weekends. And they play good background music. "Heart skipped a beat" was on yo! Note: don't ask for the "pumpkin ale-Oh-so-smooth". They don't carry that. Just pumpkin ale (they have two kinds)
(4)
Ellen A.

Food is always delicious, service good. My husband swears by their duck breast - it's the best we've ever tried, and he's tried it in many Cleveland restaurants, and we've been to Beynac and Soulliac in France = duck country. And Flying Fig still is the best. I've been a vegetarian for about a year now, and their veggie options are great. Wonderful that they incorporate so many of locally grown products into their kitchen, and they've been doing before it was cool to be sustainable. Just a great restaurant, whether for a nice romantic evening out, or an evening with friends. Wouldn't go there if you're looking for a casual, quick bite.
(5)
Rebecca O.

Good food, fabulous menu.
(4)
Z K.

One of my fav restaurants in Cleveland. Excellent selection of menu, very contemporary and chic. I have had the seafood items and also the cheese plate and both were excellent. The dessert is very good, I had the creme fruit cake...phenom. The service is pretty decent and a good place to enjoy a nice meal.
(4)
Zack H.

The Flying Fig is what food should be. The world is a better place simply because I tried this place, located in Ohio City near the Great Lakes brewpub, West Side Market, and hundreds of thugs south of Lorain Ave. I'm sorry if I was a little more to the point that I normally am: I am BUZZZZED now. The cocktails served at this place is bar none. They can be dangerous, though; they are strong and rather tasty. They also have complimentary homemade chips at the bar they serve that are coated in salt and some other glorious seasonings. I ended up ordering a tender loin that was covered in carrots, radishes, jalapenos, yams, and tons of other things that don't belong on a tender loin - or so you'd think. The price is rather high, but the quality of the ingredients and the skill with which they're cooked result in this place having some of the best tender loin in the city. Their deep-friend green beans are divine, and I hate green beans with a passion. Green beans, along with mushrooms, are the two foods that can repel me. I can make an exception to that rule here. The porch in the front is intimate and allows customers to mingle and drink over...things, I guess. Meanwhile, the way the interior is lit is simply romantic and awe-spiring. I would absolutely go here on a date if I lived in Cleveland. If you are looking to go on a date, this is the place. If you are looking to go out with friends, go here, then across the street to the Great Lakes brewpub to get drunk. You'll be thanking me.
(5)
Ann S.

One of my favorites when in Cleveland. The staff is knowledgeable and the food is always good with local ingredients. Always something new and unique on the menu. Casual atmosphere and dress. Great place to go before a play or game.
(5)
Jennifer S.

The Flying Fig is one of the best restaurants in Cleveland! Their food is amazing, their service is great, and they have one of the best happy hours in Cleveburgh. Their menu makes great use of local ingredients, and it changes seasonally, although it often has the same types of dishes on it, just with seasonal flair. I always love the duck confit, they have a great burger (although nothing beats Lolita's burger) and a number of fantastic other dishes. Their happy hour is amazing, but you have to get there relatively early to get a spot because it's only in the bar/lounge area. Favorite dishes here are: the dates wrapped in bacon, the warm olives, the mussels, the beet salad, ricotta gnocchi, duck confit, lamb chop, and the chicken. For dessert, you can't beat the chocolate cake with house-made fig gelato. They have had a great brunch on Sundays for a long time, and they just started offering brunch on Saturdays! Woo hoo! They change up their brunch menu, but it's really the best option for brunch in that area. This place is busy on weekends, but I'm always curious about why it never seems to be full on evenings during the week. This is a great place to take out-of-town guests to impress them about how great this city is. Overall, the Flying Fig is one of the best restaurants in the city. Karen Small, keep up the good work, please!
(5)
Kenny Y.

This is a fantastic restaurant, and I've gone here for many a celebratory dinner. But, I'd like to note that their menu changes very frequently based on the current produce that is in season in the local farms. Before you decide to try something at this restaurant mentioned in any of the other reviews, you might want to call and make sure they have it. That being said, everything I've ordered at this restaurant has been excellent. The portions are very large as well. If they are available on the menu, try the short ribs or the bouillabaise. For dessert, the bread pudding is PHENOMENAL - if they have it. Also, the tempura green beans appetizer (which is the one thing that has always been offered when I've been here) is seasoned quite well, and they give you a heaping pile of them, which you will gobble up quickly like potato chips or edamame. In addition, the service here is very good and they refill your water consistently. And I've never been here for happy hour but I heard that it was great too. One last thing - parking may be difficult at this restaurant if the neighboring lot is full. It was full half of the times I've gone here.
(5)
R H.

Stylish interior. Nice bartenders. Expensive, but good drinks. Expensive food that is just alright. Hostess and wait staff were snippy.
(3)
Jason M.

I'm only giving it four stars because I have only eaten here once. I also tried a very basic menu item, the ohio grass fed beef burger. The burger was $19 and damn was it good. Like real good. Like I think it beat out Heck's Cafe in my burger rank. I've also met with... who I think is the General Manager now, Steven and he's a cool dude. He came here from Brooklyn, NY. He said they change the menu almost daily and go with the seasons. Works out great because they are located so close to the Westside Market and can easily pop over to scope the pickings. Changing the menu that often is clearly what makes this place so intriguing. It's almost like trying a new experience each time. Service is solid, not completely blown away but not bad. Like I said, I've been here once for dinner. Looking forward to going back and trying more sophisticated dishes.
(4)
Ron W.

Super tasty sandwiches. Cool hood, nice staff. On point in general
(4)
Jon S.

Long overdue to eat here! At the Westside Market, we wanted a quick lunch and, being the day after the 4th, the market was jammed and waiting lines were long for about everything inside and nearby. Still close, and across from the Great Lakes Brewery "megaplex", sits "Flying Fig". Featuring locally sourced produce and meats, their menu was varied and creative. My friend had the beet salad, which she pronounced "very tasty", and I had a nice glass of Chardonnay and their burger, with cheese, bacon, and terrific fries. Yes, I know that you may think that a burger may not be your best bet to judge a restaurant, but I beg to differ. Granted, they have more elaborate salad and sandwich offerings, but give me a good ole burger, and the quality of a restaurants shines. In fact, I'm now inspired to do a list of Cleveland area's "best burgers": Fire, Cowell and Hubbard, Flying Fig, Thyme2, and Moxie,....you're on deck!! Suggestions??
(4)
Cassie C.

We just ate there tonight and the food was really good but that is only part of the experience the service was way below average and the noise level was so high no one could hear each other and we were seated in the area that the hostess said was the least noisy. Our waiter was rude, obnoxious, and really should not be a server. He had the gall to ask us if we were finally ready to give up the olive appetizer after he repeatealy asked us to take it away when we asked him not to. We saw the high rating and was really looking forward to trying this restaurant we have experienced many of the other restaurants in this area and have found them to be really good. We will choose one of them before experiencing this restaurants bad service again.
(2)
P W.

One of my favorite restaurants in the city. My first time here was a few years back with my mother for some sort of occasion. I have been back for happy hour and brunch a few times. If you get drunk at brunch is that "brunk"? The brunch is probably my favorite more fancy brunch in the city. I have not had a bad experience yet. I would reserve coming here for special celebrations because some of the items are pricey. If you can afford eating here often, shoot me a message. I can be a lot of fun to talk to and hang out with.
(5)
Jayme K.

Best spot in Ohio City! Can't go wrong with anything on there menu and their dessert is to DIE for ESP the chocolate molten cake :)
(5)
CJ B.

The best meal we've had in Cleveland in a long time. Friends suggested the Flying Fig. These are the same friends we have dined with a L'Albatros, Table 45 and a number of other notable Cleveland eateries. Those places are good; this place is better. The food is interesting, well presented and simply delicious. We started with the tempuraed green beans, the dates, and a special appetizer we don't remember. Then it was on to a magnificent sea bass, the vegetable plate, a salmon special and a pork confit special. All were well prepared with outstanding sides that were both tasty and complimentary to the mains they accompanied. Every ingredient was fresh, apparently locally sourced and properly cooked.
(5)
Maru H.

A trendy restaurant that serves delicious fare based largely on locally-sourced foods. As such, the menu changes often depending on availability. Flying Fig has one of my favorite happy hours in Cleveland. The burger is one of the best around, and has a lot going on-- onion rings, aioli, bacon, cheese and generously portioned. The drinks are delicious and similarly locally-sourced. Most recently, the happy hour special was a strawberry lemonade cocktail made with Ohio strawberries. Overall, one of the best happy hours in Cleveland. Highly recommended!
(5)
Scott D.

Having been charged with deciding on a venue for my birthday dinner with my wife, I asked myself a series of questions: explore uncharted waters or stick to the classics? Somewhere in the neighborhood or a little farther out? Something light or artery-clogging? Lola, Pier W, and Crop Bistro were a few of the names thrown around, but ultimately we decided on returning to the Flying Fig. Honestly, my last meal here had not been mind-blowing, but that was my fault--I'd succumbed to the siren song of the fish special, which is never, ever as good as you want it to be. This time, I decided, I'd stick with what the Fig purportedly does best: seasonal, locally sourced, farm-to-table delights. We arrived ten minutes before our 6:00 reservation, but we were seated immediately. Our server, whose name eludes me, was very helpful and honest, and he made sure we didn't have any misconceptions about the size of the small starters we were considering. With his guidance, we decided on sharing a bottle of 2010 Muirwood Pinot Noir as well as the charcuterie and cheese board. The wine, to our admittedly unrefined palates, was on point, and the meat and cheese board could not have been better. I'm not literate enough in charcuterie or cheese to rattle off a comprehensive list of the offerings, but I can tell you they included Spanish chorizo, prosciutto, manchego, brie, and a variety of accoutrements like local honey, dates, berries, and almonds, and that each of them was delicious. The portion size was perfect for sharing, and while we had no trouble polishing off the board, we still had ample room for the entrees coming our way. And thank god for that, because these entrees were the star of the show. My wife ordered the herbed gnocchi with chicken confit, and it was excellent; the gnocchi practically melted in your mouth, and the chicken confit was pure salty goodness. I ordered the confit of Ohio pork shoulder, a giant hunk pork confit slathered in peach BBQ sauce and served over collard greens, with skillet cornbread on the side. The skillet cornbread was great, if a little dry, and the collard greens were fantastic, but the pork was some next-level shit. It was rich, salty, and so tender that it practically fell apart when I poked it with my fork. I raved about it all night, and even thinking of it now is making me salivate. I'd better stop. The meal wasn't done, however. Graciously accepting our server's offer of dessert menus, we settled on the toddy 'n' cream, which consists of toddy-brewed iced coffee poured over vanilla ice cream. It tasted like the best coffee ice cream I'd ever had. The portion could have been larger, but then again, we could have (and should have) each gotten our own. This wasn't the perfect dining experience. Although I didn't experience any of the rudeness or negligence that some other Yelpers have alluded to, I did find the time between courses to verge on the ridiculous, especially given the small number of diners in the establishment. Still, the food was amazing, the wait staff were helpful and friendly, if not speedy, and the prices were reasonable, considering the quality of the fare. Given the growing number of excellent dining options in the area that I'm determined to try, I can't say we'll be back soon, but if I dwell on that pork shoulder long enough, I just might change my mind.
(5)
michael c.

I loved my most recent visit to the Flying Fig.. It has been about 3 years since i was last here, and i wanted to see if it was everything I'd remembered it being.. I'm happy to say it was.. I wandered over late from the wine bar next door on a Sunday and got settled in for a light dinner.. I split a bottle of wine and 6 tapas plates with my friend and remembered why I tried to eat here every month when I was working in Cleveland over the course of 8 months.. As with my prior visits, the food was sublime and superlative at the same time.. little surprises awaited in every bite.. As mentioned by other reviewers, the bacon wrapped dates are wonderful, but other small dishes such as the gnocchi with rabbit and wild mushrooms, or the crispy polenta with tomato-fennel-mascarpone sauce blew me away with the creativity of the flavour parings and attention to detail.. I find it hard to find fault any time I've been here.. The service was perfect to a note.. warm without being overly familiar and professional without being overly stiff.. He was knowledgeable and attentive while giving us plenty of room to have a quiet dinner.. He could give lessons to servers in more formal restaurants twice the price.. All in all 5 stars.. I hope to return soon..
(5)
Julie V.

Inflated pricing for overly salty, subpar food that wishes it were gourmet. We visited the Fig in August, were a party of four, and were all disappointed by the food and overall experience. Service with a smug attitude from a guy who really wishes you weren't there in the restaurant sitting in his section expecting to have him take your order --- or worse answer a question or two. The guy was pushy, questioned my friends order (was he sure about his selection), and completely disregarded a request to bring my friends soup out with the main dishes. Tried it based on yelp reviews and boy do i regret it. What a waste of my b-day dinner with friends, what a waste of money. I hope people really consider the bad reviews on here. I do not recommend, do not waste your time or money. This place may have once been worth it, but no more. With so much selection next door to that very restaurant, the Fig owner would be wise to review their chefs and wait staff.
(2)
Ferrett S.

One of what I'd consider to be one of the top four restaurants in the Cleveland area (Lola's, Three Birds, and the Ritz-Carlton), the Flying Fig has really elegant food at reasonable prices. It's spendy, yes, but you get a very good meal for your cash, and all the foodies I've taken here have been impressed. If you're in the mood for small plates, you can order a bunch of starters at around $8-10 apiece, and they're well worth it. The food's amazingly flavorful, and the service is food. Recommended.
(5)
Meredith M.

Fantastic. The dining experience at Flying Fig exceeded my expectations. To start our table shared the Bruschetta, Dates, and Cold Plate. The prosciutto was like butter, it was sensational and I've never been a fan. The Dates were unexpectedly sweet, and the fresh basil on the bruschetta was perfect. For dinner I had the duck and it was perfect, not greasy at all and very tender. The grits and chard accompaniments were perfect. Karen did not miss a beat! A friend had the pork trio and loved the pork stomach. Another friend had the Haddock and let us all try a bite. It was so soft and buttery - SMILE. For dessert we ordered two chocolate molten cakes - yum, the apple crostini - tart, and my favorite - the berry cobbler, I think they were picked off the bush that morning and the fig ice cream on the side was heaven. I loved Flying Fig and can't wait to come back again. One star missing?- the bartender was a little snooty, I hope it was just one of those days and not her true personality.
(4)
Heather B.

This place was fantastic! It was fairly small, slightly darkened and romantic. The service was friendly and attentive but not in-your-face. I got the vegetarian bread pudding and my husband tried the chicken. We loved, loved our food. We didn't get anything else because we were heading out to the Market Avenue Wine Bar next door for drinks and stuff, but I would definitely come back here. Great for dates!
(5)
L. D.

I've had Flying Fig on my to do list for awhile now. Meal included: Dates stuffed with House-made Chorizo, Wrapped in Smoked Bacon - OK, Salad - Good, Pork Entree - Pork was cooked properly and very moist and the best bread pudding I have had in a very long time. I'm only giving it 3 stars because I was not wow'd from start to finish and for the $$$ I think I should have left feeling it was worth it.
(3)
Sheila F.

When my husband was looking for a date night restaurant, yelp users sealed the deal on his decision to take us to The Flying Fig. Boy, am I grateful! The Flying Fig was fabulous in every way. It's not quite formal enough for an anniversary or Valentine's day, but not casual enough for an everyday night out- which makes it a perfect first date restaurant or a great night out with friends. The waitstaff was very attentive and answered our questions in a way that wasn't pretentious, despite the fact that some of the items on the menu were a bit obscure. The food was absolutely delicious. I ordered a steak dish with sides of asparagus and potatoes au gratin. My husband ordered a pork dish wrapped in pancetta. Although I can't recall the details of the sauces, they were all unique, yet not overpowering. My only complaint is that the decor was lacking a bit. The lighting was nice, but sometimes low lighting is a clever way to hide a dull atmosphere. No worries, though- you can always hop across the street to the wine bar for nicer ambiance.
(5)
Sara G.

Great service, delicious food, and a sweet little market next door. Tasty homemade cookies for dessert. The bonus is a parking lot right next door for cheap.
(5)
Cynthia C.

Zuni or no Zuni, this was one of the best places I've eaten anywhere! Wow! Actually I never made it to Zuni's when I lived in the Bay Area, my friend said the food at Zuni's is OK but mainly that it is a really fun place to hang. Anyway, we are talking about the Flying Fig now. This place is across the street from Great Lakes Brewing Co. First of all, you have a choice of happy hour food and prices or dinner. We went for the main dining area. We thought the martinis were pricey at $9 but one is the size of 2. We started with the calamari with a pickled ginger aioli. There was some daikon slaw scattered over it which complemented it fabulously. It was a huge, crispy, perfectly fried not greasy plate for only $8 and was the best calamari we had ever eaten in our lives. We were full after that but we HAD to eat all of it. I had one of the little plates of toasted walnut bread, figs, Maytag blue cheese, balsamic reduction. The blue cheese was phenomenal, however, it was a very small portion for $8. I wanted to try dessert so I just had roasted beet salad ($8). I cannot describe what mysteriously delectable things were in there, It was so good. My mother in law had duck breast ($23) and leg with a sour cherry reduction. Ordered medium rare, the breast was the most succulent we had ever eaten in our lives. It came with some carmelized onions, greens, and a butternut squash puree to die for. The puree was extremely rich and lovely and out of the ordinary. The only downside was that the duck leg turned out a little dry and not so crispy. It seemed it had been reheated. Still, it was very tastey. Dessert was another "best we've ever had." Mascarpone cheesecake on shortbread crust with fig compote. It was the best cheesecake ever. Oh my god. Dessert was a steal at $6. After dessert, I FINALLY realized that the restaurant was aptly named, featuring a liberal use of fresh delicious figs. HAHA!!!! We went on a somewhat gray and rainy Friday. There was a gentleman there by himself with a paper. It seemed he ate there every night for dinner or something. If I had the money and lived close by, I would definitely do the same. I am sure the happy hour bar food (hamburgers, etc) is the best bar food ever. But if you're going to go for the first time, eat in the dining room for god's sake and get dessert too!
(5)
Alyssa W.

Went here with the 'rents for dinner on my last trip to cleveland. We decided to branch out from our usual trip to Lolita and, while Flying Fig was very good, I would rather go back to Lolita. Chorizo Stuffed Pepper appetizer special - yum. Bacon-wrapped dates - pretty good. fried green beans with dipping sauce - my personal favorite app. I had the pork belly with roasted squash. delicous mama had the osso buco and i had to convince her to eat the marrow - she loved it! pops had the short ribs. eh. beau had the hanger steak (which they actually refuse to serve above medium!) - the meat was really flavorful. None of the desserts peaked our interest. summary: good food but when we only get one meal out in cleveland, i'm going to lolita.
(4)
Anne H.

I liked this place. It isn't one of my favorites, but I enjoyed myself several times here and tried quite a few different dishes. I like the location, and atmosphere. The service is nice. I can't say I was ever disappointed by anything I ordered, but neither was I awestruck. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Double L.

We hit this place first upon arriving to Cleveland because the kitchen is open till 11.30. It was a good first impression of the City. The staff was nice and informed about the options on the menu. The menu has some great options, the starters/little plates, I forget what they called them, were cool. The gnocchi was excellent, mostly because the rabbit was cooked perfectly. The stuffed pepper was also very, very good. Spicy and the sausage was really flavorful. The bacon rapped dates were very nice as well. We had a salad too which was quite a small portion for the price but very tasty. Everything was excellent, well prepared and interesting. The special dessert of the day was great, along with the Fig and Lavender Ice Cream. The dÃ©cor is sort of boring, very non-descript and seemed to be trying too hard to be something it doesn't need to be. Maybe it was just the area it is in trying to hard to seem cool. Totally not necessary when your food is that good but whatever you got to do to get people in the door. Tasty Little Fig that we really digged. RrL
(4)
Dorien D.

Corn cakes, burger, polenta. Seriously incredible. Service was better than I thought possible. I love you Flying Fig.
(5)
Rickster P.

When we were greeted (sorta ...) by the brusque guy at the door who seemed to be bothered that we were there early last Sunday evening we were thinking going to this place was a mistake. We were thinking "no wonder this place is empty -- they don't WANT customers here!" We took a seat at the bar and were greeted by a barkeep with a great personality. Very pleasant fellow! We had the pork nacho thingies (minimalist but very creative) and mussels (we ordered the ones slightly greater in cost with the chorizo). The nachos were OK and the mussels were OK also, but one had to use one's imagination to taste the sausage. The broth was quite excellent. We had house vino -- red and while -- both were quiet excellent for house wines and were very fairly priced. We'd give the place a "3" if it were not for the excellent service at the bar. A "4" is really a bit generous. One does not have to go into the bowels of the "dirty city" to find a "3" or "4" restaurant at which to eat. So, why bother? The owner really needs to get rid of the rude slob employee who hangs out at the door.
(4)
Deborah H.

It's unpretentious, it's chic, it's very tasty. If I lived in Cleveland, the Flying Fig would easily be my favorite restaurant. I love dining out in smaller cities because you can eat at excellent restaurants for excellent prices! I read about this place on the plane ride over in the Continental magazine and immediately put it on my list of places-to-dine. Service was the best I've had: our waitress was friendly (but not to the point of loquaciousness) and helpful (but not to the point of being overbearing). She made sure to recommend the perfect wine to go along with fish and duck. There's both outdoor and indoor dining. I fell in love with the herbed ricotta gnocchi... The pasta was firm but not too chewy, and was accented very well by fresh herbs and cheeses. Unfortunately, the duck entree was a little dry, and a tad past my requested medium doneness. The pain perdu dessert (brioche french toast w/ apples and ginger ice cream) was refreshing and a nice ending to a heavy meal. If I come here again, I'm almost positive this rating would change from 4.5 to five stars.
(4)
Calvin C.

The Fig is a well rounded restaurant that allows you to try pretty much anything off the menu and walk away totally happy. Go ahead, pick something. It's a very thoughtful collection of entrees that has something for everyone. In the summer, the outdoor area is a great people watching watching spot.
(5)
Hank B.

I've been a fan of Flying Fig for a long time, however last night's mediocre experience may have changed that. Is the food still good? Yes, but the menu is tired. It's the same dishes that have been listed all year. The appetizer special? Mushroom soup - now that's some creative cuisine!. Time for an update. Although the menu has become a bit boring, the worse part of last night was the service. It was just plain bad. We spent most of our time there waiting and not eating. It's not a good night when your evening consists of wondering when or if you might get food or see a server. We arrived at 7 PM, by 8 we had managed to score a drink, however we had yet to see any food, as a matter of fact we had yet to even order any food. The service at Flying Fig has always been average at best - it's the food that's kept us coming back. After last night's meal with the tired menu and bad service I'm not sure we have a reason to return.
(2)
Jim M.

Just a wonderful, friendly place for a fantastic dining experience. I love good food, and though my wife is more of a foodie than I am, the Flying Fig really delivers the goods on elegant food. Marie and I celebrated our anniversary here and had a wonderful experience thanks to the friendly and attentive staff. I only get to Cleveland every couple of years, but I'll be looking forward to another great meal at the Flying Fig in 2010.
(5)
Tina B.

Hells yeah. This place is the shit. Definitely my new favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Can't wait to go back on my next visit! Sweet lord is their food delicious. The bacon/chorizo dates??? Come ON! And DO NOT skip dessert. I had the chocolate molten cake. I could have eaten about 5 of those guys. Plus, the Fig supports local farmers and Ohio food peeps. You gotta love any establishment that supports local business. The decor is very warm and inviting. There is a really cool room off on the side that is used for private parties. And, the staff is all SUPER friendly.
(5)
buckminster f.

Can we say underwhelming? The two of us dropped by for happy hour around 6:30 on a Wednesday night and shared the tempura green beans and the trio summer salad. To drink, I had the house white and the cava. My friend had a beer on tap. The drinks were fine, but the food was bland. The green bean fries were simultaneously greasy and lacking in flavor. What we mostly tasted was the oil. The summer salads were a potato green bean with pesto (which needed way more pesto, as it was dry), a mint zucchini concoction (probably the best of the three), and a roasted eggplant red pepper medley (which was passable). For dessert, we had the chocolate molten cake with fig ice cream. The ganache topping that was supposed to accompany it was nowhere to be found as was the moisture of the cake. Maybe we just need to stick to the regular menu, but I walked away unimpressed. For all this, we paid a bit less than $50, which isn't unsubstantial for a below average meal. Maybe there won't even be a next time.
(2)
Patty D.

What a delight! visiting from Pittsburgh & found the reviews for the FF & it was open on Sunday night. Drinks amazing. Bacon wrapped figs simply delicious (I'm still thinking about them)! We got three entrees and we all cleaned our plates. Outstanding.
(5)
Lu U.

I don't understand why this place gets good reviews. I love stopping by for cocktails or coffee and dessert, but in terms of food, it's nothing super special to me. It's definitely way over priced and tiny! A friend and I try a sampler of 3 appetizers and it wasn't enough for both of of to taste! The gnocchi came in a espresso cup for the love of Pete!!! Ridiculous!
(2)
Rilkean F.

i would give this place a 1star based on how rude the short pudgy bartender/floor manager was to us when we walked in there- a snarky & pretentious "can i help you?" as if he had no idea we were there to eat? other than that, the service is great, the food was great. probably one of the best burgers in cleveland. i've also been to their brunch which is usually pretty good, not too filling but you dont leave feeling like you need to go home and take a nap. the bloody marys are also pretty amazing- as long as they remember to use the bloody mary mix and not just tomato juice. so all in all, i would have rated this place much higher if it werent for how rudely we were treated when we first walked in the door.
(3)
Srinivas M.

I have been a fan of the Fig for years - close to about the time they opened. They make fantastic drinks (their Espresso Martini was a phenomenon before most bars had even heard of it) and the food is about as good as it gets. Karen Small, the Chef-Owner, is a true star in the locavore movement and is a genius with her ingredients. The menu changes seasonally and now with the $20 for 3 Tuesdays, this make things even more affordable. The brunch on Sundays is worth waking up for! Service is always polite and attentive without being too friendly or chirpy as some places try to be. I can't say enough good things about the Fig. Oh wait...there's the really nice patio for the Spring/Summer/Fall time!
(5)
Marion S.

After having had a number of rather underwhelming experiences dining at some of Cleveland's finer establishments recently, I was thrilled and delighted to enjoy a superb meal at the Flying Fig last Saturday evening. The bar and restaurant were packed with good natured pre-Valentine's diners at around 8 pm. Our waitress came right over and after a quick perusal of the drink menu, my Valentine and I settled on some brews from Colorado's Left Hand Brewery--an IPA and a "milk stout" (trust me, there was nothing wholesome about this potent brew!). Seeing as how we were right across the street from Great Lakes, it seemed a little suprising that the Fig doesn't offer any of their local Cleveland favorite on tap but no matter...The menu is truly outstanding in its selections, including a number of vegan/vegetarian choices that would satisfy even the most ardent carnivore. The beers went exceptionally well with our appetizer and entree selections--mussels in tomato-fennel-housemade chorizo broth, meaty, fresh, clean tasting mussels in a zesty broth; a savory butternut squash soup with crispy sage and a definite kick of cayenne; and roasted chicken with braised cabbage, haricots verts and tender spaetzle, all cooked to perfection. The meal ended on a perfect sweet note with housemade banana rum ice cream and caramel pecan bread pudding, topped with a decadent schlag and a rich caramel sauce. Can't wait to return for my next meal!
(5)
Steve W.

Sunday brunch with the family was our first dining experience at the FF. We arrived shortly after noon and were surprised at how empty the restaurant was. We had our choice of seating and opted to sit in the rear of the restaurant near the kitchen since there were two young children in our party. The waitstaff were very friendly and competent, and certainly deserving of as much praise as the food. We ordered Tempura Battered String Beans to start. The batter was light and crispy, the string beans were cooked perfectly, and the accompanying sauces gave it just enough flavor to complement the dish. My 6 year old couldn't get enough of it. My wife ordered the Migas, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Needless to say, I didn't get to sample any of her dish. She gave her nod of approval. My 6 year old ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes and Sausages. Four blueberry pancakes were served with two nice sized linked sausages. My younger one was a bit more generous so I was able to sample the pancakes and sausages. I will simply quote what he said about the dish: "these are the best tasting 'city' pancakes and sausages, but not as good as the best 'country' pancakes and sausages." My 9 year old and I both ordered the Grilled Short Ribs. WOW!!! They were fabulous. Two generous cuts of short ribs served with a heaping side of fries, fennel slaw and horseradish sauce. The short ribs were cooked perfectly. Slightly crispy on the outside, and incredibly tender and moist on the inside; packing plenty of rich meaty flavor. The horseradish sauce and fennel slaw were both excellent, each complementing and balancing out the rich flavor of the meat. I only wish a larger portion of the slaw was served. My 9 year old enjoyed it as much as I did. He was so full from the meat and slaw, he didn't even eat the fries, which was a surprise given how much he likes fries. We left feeling completely satiated after our meal, eager to return to sample their lunch and dinner menus. My 6 year old gave the FF 'Two Big Thumbs Up' and has made a special request to return for round two next weekend.
(4)
Eleanor C.

I went to Flying Fig for brunch by myself. That took some guts, but the server was appropriately attentive and made me comfortable. I had the French toast and man was it good. It didn't really need any accompaniment, but I really liked the jam, butter and syrup that they provided, as well as the cinnamon mascarpone that was served with it. I wasn't as excited about the sausage that it came with, but it wasn't bad. I guess I should have gone with bacon. I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to return for dinner some time and to have that French toast again.
(4)
Kevin N.

Pretty good, the bar area was especially nice and the bartenders very good and friendly. The chips with their horseradish dipping sauce were especially good, although they do not quite go with a Manhattan. My food was good but not great. Actually, the short ribs were great, but the scallops were just okay: over buttered and cooked a little too long. I don't know if this is really the "Zuni of Cleveland", but it is true that Cleveland does not have many Zuni-like places.
(4)
Melissa S.

My favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Hands down. Impeccable food, good service, small, independent and funky. Great for dates or smaller groups as well. Perfect portion sizes. I just love it here at the fig!
(5)
Nicole B.

Excellent food and the staff is great! Definitely recommend it and it's in a great area where you can go over to any of the bars after and make it a fun date night or just a night out with the girls
(4)
Pri S.

Based purely on the brunch....I still dream of the migas (best ever per this displaced Texan) and the pastry basket. Oh my! Juice was delish, but yes a bit overpriced. I'll be back often to check out the other menus, but brunch will be hard to beat.
(5)
Julia B.

Fun place to go when I was in Cleveland visiting my parents. This restaurant has a very tastey menu including seasonal options, which are all spectacular. The atmosphere is very chill and relaxing. This is a well known place by many younger people that live in Cleveland area!
(4)
Phil M.

This is my first visit to the Flying Fig. I booked in advance using 'Open Table' (which was good), and I specifically asked for a table in a cozy corner as it was our anniversary. It couldn't have been worse. They sat us at a table in the middle of the restaurant under bright lights. We asked to be moved and we received, "sorry, this is the best we have". So we left... It was sad as I had planned this to be quite special... The food is supposedly very good, but the staff and care of their clientele falls short... Fortunately, Ohio City has lots and lots more to offer...
(2)
Boon K.

Totally disappointed. The tempura chicken was dry and the duck confit was dry too. We came for happy hour and had some drinks but the food wasn't my cup of tea. I only like the fries and that was it.
(2)
Seed M.

The food it self is really good. Everything is great actually. But, that one bartender who is snarky and wears little hats and treats you like shit . Well he's not worth my time. I would rather eat a bag of snails then look at him while I enjoy my meal. FIRE HIM. TAKE HIS JOB AWAY. The staff is a bunch of sniffed up bozos.
(2)
Ferdinand H.

After all the rave reviews, I have to agree... Flying Fig is really good. 4.5 for me. We tried Eileen's bacon wrapped dates, Calamari Fritti, Antipasti sampler, Hanger Steak rare, and the braised ribs. I tried a Sidecar which was appropriately prepared. Everything was very flavourful ... although the hanger steak didn't really appeal to me. The tenderness of the ribs were much more to my liking. Decor is appealing also, with olive, and burgundy and a kind of squash colour. Music is lounge-y and relatively unobtrusive. The Flying Fig is definitely worth a trip out... even though the parking isn't so very obvious...
(4)
Calvin C.

The Fig is a well rounded restaurant that allows you to try pretty much anything off the menu and walk away totally happy. Go ahead, pick something. It's a very thoughtful collection of entrees that has something for everyone. In the summer, the outdoor area is a great people watching watching spot.
(5)
Ellen A.

Food is always delicious, service good. My husband swears by their duck breast - it's the best we've ever tried, and he's tried it in many Cleveland restaurants, and we've been to Beynac and Soulliac in France = duck country. And Flying Fig still is the best. I've been a vegetarian for about a year now, and their veggie options are great. Wonderful that they incorporate so many of locally grown products into their kitchen, and they've been doing before it was cool to be sustainable. Just a great restaurant, whether for a nice romantic evening out, or an evening with friends. Wouldn't go there if you're looking for a casual, quick bite.
(5)
Rebecca O.

Good food, fabulous menu.
(4)
Z K.

One of my fav restaurants in Cleveland. Excellent selection of menu, very contemporary and chic. I have had the seafood items and also the cheese plate and both were excellent. The dessert is very good, I had the creme fruit cake...phenom. The service is pretty decent and a good place to enjoy a nice meal.
(4)
David C.

I can honestly say that the best meal I ever had in 3 years of living in Cleveland came at the Flying Fig. Its ever-rotating menu tends to be somewhat paralyzing; normally I order food at a glance, but when I go there, I usually end up constructing a meal out of multiple small plates because so many things look good. The one thing I will say that keeps it from being perfect is that, based on the last time I went there, it's become more popular/crowded and the noise level has gone up dramatically; the lower-key ambiance it had before was part of the charm. Definitely try to go on an off-peak night if possible.
(4)
Maria W.

The Flying Fig was a last minute decision hoping to get a reservation which we did. The appetizer of dates was phenomenal with a sweet and spicy combo. The rest of our food was scrumptious but those dates just stood out to me. Our drinks were delicious as well and our server was attentive and kind. I would definitely go back to this small, delicious eatery.
(4)
Al B.

I have to first of all state that any criticism that I write here is purely nit picking and that you should refer back to the 5 star rating! After all how interesting is it to read that our server was friendly and timely because she was or that the food was delicious because it was. The dimly lit dining room and world beat music playing so loud it's like another person sitting at the table let you know that you were definitely in one of Cleveland's trendy restaurants. Feeling very much in the mood I ordered the Chicken Confit with hericot vert and spaetzle, this isn't your mother's chicken and dumplings! The chicken was moist, fantastic and falling off the bone but slightly salty. The hericot vert or as they were called in my house growing up, green beans, had a crunch and wonderful flavor. The spaezle was the perfect complement to it all and helped balance the saltiness of the chicken. The dinner was capped off with bread pudding that wasn't too sweet and a smear of carmel that was just sweet enough. The best recommendation I can give the Flying Fig is would I bring out of town guest to show off Cleveland's foodie community and the answer is a resounding, YES!
(5)
James H.

The best food I've had in Cleveland thus far. The Cocktails were solid and the duck was even better.
(5)
James P.

Before I give my review I must point out that I have Celiac's Disease and I'm restricted to a Gluten Free diet. Therefore my reviews always factor in how a restaurant accommodates my diet. Four of us had brunch at the Flying Fig, Sunday August 21st. We all got the Migas w/ Chorizo. The food was very good, however for the price the portions could have been larger. My 3-star rating is due to my drink order experience. I ordered a Bloody Mary and asked the server to check if the Worcestershire Sauce used was Gluten Free. She went to check, came back and informed me that the BM batch was made the previous evening and she wasn't sure if the Worcestershire Sauce was Gluten Free. Wasn't sure? Doesn't a restaurant know what products they use? I would give this restaurant another try, maybe for dinner
(3)
Lindsay H.

The husband and I went here on a rainy Saturday afternoon for some lunch. Much to our suprise they had a wonderful brunch menu. We had the pork shoulder sandwich which was awesome. Also, I am a big fan of the farm to table concept. The meat was from a local farm in Chardon. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
dawn a.

a home away from home. always good, always great service, they seem to collect the clevo hotties and i love being waited on by a hottie, male or female. great for a date or in the party room with a group. fresh ingredients. just a great time all around.
(5)
Thomas W.

Went last Saturday night. Walked in at 8 PM. The place was wall to wall crowded, but got a table in about 5 min. The noise level was horrendously LOUD!!! I had to shout in my date's ear to be heard. The menu was all Fish and Vegan. Nothing of any interest to Meatitarians like us. This and the noise was just too much for us so we left and went to The Light Bistro. Much better. Evening saved.
(1)
buckminster f.

Can we say underwhelming? The two of us dropped by for happy hour around 6:30 on a Wednesday night and shared the tempura green beans and the trio summer salad. To drink, I had the house white and the cava. My friend had a beer on tap. The drinks were fine, but the food was bland. The green bean fries were simultaneously greasy and lacking in flavor. What we mostly tasted was the oil. The summer salads were a potato green bean with pesto (which needed way more pesto, as it was dry), a mint zucchini concoction (probably the best of the three), and a roasted eggplant red pepper medley (which was passable). For dessert, we had the chocolate molten cake with fig ice cream. The ganache topping that was supposed to accompany it was nowhere to be found as was the moisture of the cake. Maybe we just need to stick to the regular menu, but I walked away unimpressed. For all this, we paid a bit less than $50, which isn't unsubstantial for a below average meal. Maybe there won't even be a next time.
(2)
Patty D.

What a delight! visiting from Pittsburgh & found the reviews for the FF & it was open on Sunday night. Drinks amazing. Bacon wrapped figs simply delicious (I'm still thinking about them)! We got three entrees and we all cleaned our plates. Outstanding.
(5)
Jim M.

Just a wonderful, friendly place for a fantastic dining experience. I love good food, and though my wife is more of a foodie than I am, the Flying Fig really delivers the goods on elegant food. Marie and I celebrated our anniversary here and had a wonderful experience thanks to the friendly and attentive staff. I only get to Cleveland every couple of years, but I'll be looking forward to another great meal at the Flying Fig in 2010.
(5)
Tina B.

Hells yeah. This place is the shit. Definitely my new favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Can't wait to go back on my next visit! Sweet lord is their food delicious. The bacon/chorizo dates??? Come ON! And DO NOT skip dessert. I had the chocolate molten cake. I could have eaten about 5 of those guys. Plus, the Fig supports local farmers and Ohio food peeps. You gotta love any establishment that supports local business. The decor is very warm and inviting. There is a really cool room off on the side that is used for private parties. And, the staff is all SUPER friendly.
(5)
Claire M.

A co-worker and I ate dinner here on a Friday night while in Cleveland for business. We will make sure to return every time we're back! The food was amazingly fresh, not too complicated and overdone -- just tasty creative dishes with quality ingredients. I devoured my scallops in a citrus glaze over a cauliflower puree, and my CW nearly licked her plate of halibut. We also enjoyed the calimari -- not fried, but cooked gently in a Thai-like sauce of coconut and lemongrass. Plus they serve one of my favorite wines in the whole world -- Naia verdejo. The perfect sipping-on-a-patio wine for a balmy Friday evening.
(5)
Double L.

We hit this place first upon arriving to Cleveland because the kitchen is open till 11.30. It was a good first impression of the City. The staff was nice and informed about the options on the menu. The menu has some great options, the starters/little plates, I forget what they called them, were cool. The gnocchi was excellent, mostly because the rabbit was cooked perfectly. The stuffed pepper was also very, very good. Spicy and the sausage was really flavorful. The bacon rapped dates were very nice as well. We had a salad too which was quite a small portion for the price but very tasty. Everything was excellent, well prepared and interesting. The special dessert of the day was great, along with the Fig and Lavender Ice Cream. The dÃ©cor is sort of boring, very non-descript and seemed to be trying too hard to be something it doesn't need to be. Maybe it was just the area it is in trying to hard to seem cool. Totally not necessary when your food is that good but whatever you got to do to get people in the door. Tasty Little Fig that we really digged. RrL
(4)
Dorien D.

Corn cakes, burger, polenta. Seriously incredible. Service was better than I thought possible. I love you Flying Fig.
(5)
Rickster P.

When we were greeted (sorta ...) by the brusque guy at the door who seemed to be bothered that we were there early last Sunday evening we were thinking going to this place was a mistake. We were thinking "no wonder this place is empty -- they don't WANT customers here!" We took a seat at the bar and were greeted by a barkeep with a great personality. Very pleasant fellow! We had the pork nacho thingies (minimalist but very creative) and mussels (we ordered the ones slightly greater in cost with the chorizo). The nachos were OK and the mussels were OK also, but one had to use one's imagination to taste the sausage. The broth was quite excellent. We had house vino -- red and while -- both were quiet excellent for house wines and were very fairly priced. We'd give the place a "3" if it were not for the excellent service at the bar. A "4" is really a bit generous. One does not have to go into the bowels of the "dirty city" to find a "3" or "4" restaurant at which to eat. So, why bother? The owner really needs to get rid of the rude slob employee who hangs out at the door.
(4)
Deborah H.

It's unpretentious, it's chic, it's very tasty. If I lived in Cleveland, the Flying Fig would easily be my favorite restaurant. I love dining out in smaller cities because you can eat at excellent restaurants for excellent prices! I read about this place on the plane ride over in the Continental magazine and immediately put it on my list of places-to-dine. Service was the best I've had: our waitress was friendly (but not to the point of loquaciousness) and helpful (but not to the point of being overbearing). She made sure to recommend the perfect wine to go along with fish and duck. There's both outdoor and indoor dining. I fell in love with the herbed ricotta gnocchi... The pasta was firm but not too chewy, and was accented very well by fresh herbs and cheeses. Unfortunately, the duck entree was a little dry, and a tad past my requested medium doneness. The pain perdu dessert (brioche french toast w/ apples and ginger ice cream) was refreshing and a nice ending to a heavy meal. If I come here again, I'm almost positive this rating would change from 4.5 to five stars.
(4)
Hank B.

I've been a fan of Flying Fig for a long time, however last night's mediocre experience may have changed that. Is the food still good? Yes, but the menu is tired. It's the same dishes that have been listed all year. The appetizer special? Mushroom soup - now that's some creative cuisine!. Time for an update. Although the menu has become a bit boring, the worse part of last night was the service. It was just plain bad. We spent most of our time there waiting and not eating. It's not a good night when your evening consists of wondering when or if you might get food or see a server. We arrived at 7 PM, by 8 we had managed to score a drink, however we had yet to see any food, as a matter of fact we had yet to even order any food. The service at Flying Fig has always been average at best - it's the food that's kept us coming back. After last night's meal with the tired menu and bad service I'm not sure we have a reason to return.
(2)
Sheila F.

When my husband was looking for a date night restaurant, yelp users sealed the deal on his decision to take us to The Flying Fig. Boy, am I grateful! The Flying Fig was fabulous in every way. It's not quite formal enough for an anniversary or Valentine's day, but not casual enough for an everyday night out- which makes it a perfect first date restaurant or a great night out with friends. The waitstaff was very attentive and answered our questions in a way that wasn't pretentious, despite the fact that some of the items on the menu were a bit obscure. The food was absolutely delicious. I ordered a steak dish with sides of asparagus and potatoes au gratin. My husband ordered a pork dish wrapped in pancetta. Although I can't recall the details of the sauces, they were all unique, yet not overpowering. My only complaint is that the decor was lacking a bit. The lighting was nice, but sometimes low lighting is a clever way to hide a dull atmosphere. No worries, though- you can always hop across the street to the wine bar for nicer ambiance.
(5)
Sara G.

Great service, delicious food, and a sweet little market next door. Tasty homemade cookies for dessert. The bonus is a parking lot right next door for cheap.
(5)
Debbie H.

On a whim, went to Flying Fig....it had been years since we ate there. Sat at the bar and the bartender made PERFECT martinis. We stayed at the bar for dinner and the flank steak was tender and perfectly prepared. But the striped bass was outrageously delicious. Just melted in your mouth. The side order of Brussels sprouts was uniquely prepared and I could just eat them for dinner. Karen Small more than lived up to her reputation to being a Top Chef in Cleveland (and the US).
(4)
Kristen K.

The tempura green beans might just be the most delicious things I've ever had. I'd come back to Flying Fig just for those!
(5)
Cynthia C.

Zuni or no Zuni, this was one of the best places I've eaten anywhere! Wow! Actually I never made it to Zuni's when I lived in the Bay Area, my friend said the food at Zuni's is OK but mainly that it is a really fun place to hang. Anyway, we are talking about the Flying Fig now. This place is across the street from Great Lakes Brewing Co. First of all, you have a choice of happy hour food and prices or dinner. We went for the main dining area. We thought the martinis were pricey at $9 but one is the size of 2. We started with the calamari with a pickled ginger aioli. There was some daikon slaw scattered over it which complemented it fabulously. It was a huge, crispy, perfectly fried not greasy plate for only $8 and was the best calamari we had ever eaten in our lives. We were full after that but we HAD to eat all of it. I had one of the little plates of toasted walnut bread, figs, Maytag blue cheese, balsamic reduction. The blue cheese was phenomenal, however, it was a very small portion for $8. I wanted to try dessert so I just had roasted beet salad ($8). I cannot describe what mysteriously delectable things were in there, It was so good. My mother in law had duck breast ($23) and leg with a sour cherry reduction. Ordered medium rare, the breast was the most succulent we had ever eaten in our lives. It came with some carmelized onions, greens, and a butternut squash puree to die for. The puree was extremely rich and lovely and out of the ordinary. The only downside was that the duck leg turned out a little dry and not so crispy. It seemed it had been reheated. Still, it was very tastey. Dessert was another "best we've ever had." Mascarpone cheesecake on shortbread crust with fig compote. It was the best cheesecake ever. Oh my god. Dessert was a steal at $6. After dessert, I FINALLY realized that the restaurant was aptly named, featuring a liberal use of fresh delicious figs. HAHA!!!! We went on a somewhat gray and rainy Friday. There was a gentleman there by himself with a paper. It seemed he ate there every night for dinner or something. If I had the money and lived close by, I would definitely do the same. I am sure the happy hour bar food (hamburgers, etc) is the best bar food ever. But if you're going to go for the first time, eat in the dining room for god's sake and get dessert too!
(5)
Sarah Z.

Be prepared for a foodigasm. This is definitely my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. The food is elegant yet not overdressed. The staff is knowledgable but not condescending. The atmosphere is romantic but still fun. The chef definitely takes pride in her craft and respects the ingredients that she uses. The menu is very seasonal making sure only ingredients that are in season and of good quality are used. The only recommendation I can make due to this is try the duck (however it is prepared it is decadent), the molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream (yumm), and the martini specials at the bar (a different celebration of flavors everynight)
(5)
Anna F.

The food was great but the snotty service we received was not worth it. Sent my thoughts through their Facebook page over a week ago and never received a response. Pathetic customer service. I will not return.
(1)
Alyssa W.

Went here with the 'rents for dinner on my last trip to cleveland. We decided to branch out from our usual trip to Lolita and, while Flying Fig was very good, I would rather go back to Lolita. Chorizo Stuffed Pepper appetizer special - yum. Bacon-wrapped dates - pretty good. fried green beans with dipping sauce - my personal favorite app. I had the pork belly with roasted squash. delicous mama had the osso buco and i had to convince her to eat the marrow - she loved it! pops had the short ribs. eh. beau had the hanger steak (which they actually refuse to serve above medium!) - the meat was really flavorful. None of the desserts peaked our interest. summary: good food but when we only get one meal out in cleveland, i'm going to lolita.
(4)
Anne H.

I liked this place. It isn't one of my favorites, but I enjoyed myself several times here and tried quite a few different dishes. I like the location, and atmosphere. The service is nice. I can't say I was ever disappointed by anything I ordered, but neither was I awestruck. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Heather B.

This place was fantastic! It was fairly small, slightly darkened and romantic. The service was friendly and attentive but not in-your-face. I got the vegetarian bread pudding and my husband tried the chicken. We loved, loved our food. We didn't get anything else because we were heading out to the Market Avenue Wine Bar next door for drinks and stuff, but I would definitely come back here. Great for dates!
(5)
L. D.

I've had Flying Fig on my to do list for awhile now. Meal included: Dates stuffed with House-made Chorizo, Wrapped in Smoked Bacon - OK, Salad - Good, Pork Entree - Pork was cooked properly and very moist and the best bread pudding I have had in a very long time. I'm only giving it 3 stars because I was not wow'd from start to finish and for the $$$ I think I should have left feeling it was worth it.
(3)
Arlene A.

"Who put the bomp In the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?" Don't know, just like I don't know who came up with an amazing beautiful delight known as a crispy poached egg! Served with creamy polenta, sauteed spinach and beautiful nuggets of taleggio, this was a bowl of tender lovin' goodness. My Honey and I traded bites, and his Migas (not a euphemism, I promise) locally farmed eggs, with scallions, tortilla strips with their house-made chorizo should not be missed also. Fresh squeezed juice is always good for a Sunday morning Mimosa, so hurry and get yourself here STAT!
(5)
Eileen C.

The bacon wrapped dates in the trio dinner option are incredible. I will never look at dates the same again.
(5)
Anne N.

I had a great experience at the Flying Fig. I brought some out-of-town work colleagues for a Friday night dinner. The ambiance is nice. Server was excellent and able to gauge the needs of our table. Menu was focused. Wine selection was fairly priced. I ordered two nightly specials for appetizer and entree. Shared a chocolate cake dessert. All were excellent. My guests enjoyed their meals as well. Definitely a great spot I feel comfortable bringing guests.
(5)
May K.

I had a great experience at this restaurant (especially since my friend paid for me!) but there are a few reasons I give this place a 4 instead of a 5: Food: - Market at the Fig Cheese Plate: I suppose we should have looked at the description more carefully, but I wasn't too happy that we only got 2 types of cheese on "cheese plate." They were good, but I wished it was more. - Roasted Local Winter Squash: The food is served inside the squash. Absolutely delicious, filling, and pleasing to the eye. - House special of some white fish or other: Excellent meal. The wild rice was excellent, the fish cooked to perfection, and a little bit of grapefruit chutney added to the dish, done tastefully. - Cheesecake: It was interesting. It had a different texture compared to the traditional cheesecake. My friend and I both thought it was good, but not great. - Cocktails: We got the chaitini and the pear martini. I thought they were both great. The chaitini tasted like chai tea. I thought I would like it better than I actually did, which is no fault of the restaurant's. The pear martini, I thought was amazing!!! Atmosphere: I liked the fact that the huge space was divided into rooms to subdue the noise level a little bit. It was still a little noisy for me, but I guess some people like that. Service: Our waitor was very attentive and came by often. (I'm actually not a big fan of the waitor stopping by too often and asking every time we get something whether it's good.) We got everything we asked for, our water glasses were always filled promptly, and we got our check when we wanted it. In summary, we didn't love everything on the menu and other patrons were loud, but this is a solid restaurant and I will definitely go back for more.
(4)
michael c.

I loved my most recent visit to the Flying Fig.. It has been about 3 years since i was last here, and i wanted to see if it was everything I'd remembered it being.. I'm happy to say it was.. I wandered over late from the wine bar next door on a Sunday and got settled in for a light dinner.. I split a bottle of wine and 6 tapas plates with my friend and remembered why I tried to eat here every month when I was working in Cleveland over the course of 8 months.. As with my prior visits, the food was sublime and superlative at the same time.. little surprises awaited in every bite.. As mentioned by other reviewers, the bacon wrapped dates are wonderful, but other small dishes such as the gnocchi with rabbit and wild mushrooms, or the crispy polenta with tomato-fennel-mascarpone sauce blew me away with the creativity of the flavour parings and attention to detail.. I find it hard to find fault any time I've been here.. The service was perfect to a note.. warm without being overly familiar and professional without being overly stiff.. He was knowledgeable and attentive while giving us plenty of room to have a quiet dinner.. He could give lessons to servers in more formal restaurants twice the price.. All in all 5 stars.. I hope to return soon..
(5)
Julie V.

Inflated pricing for overly salty, subpar food that wishes it were gourmet. We visited the Fig in August, were a party of four, and were all disappointed by the food and overall experience. Service with a smug attitude from a guy who really wishes you weren't there in the restaurant sitting in his section expecting to have him take your order --- or worse answer a question or two. The guy was pushy, questioned my friends order (was he sure about his selection), and completely disregarded a request to bring my friends soup out with the main dishes. Tried it based on yelp reviews and boy do i regret it. What a waste of my b-day dinner with friends, what a waste of money. I hope people really consider the bad reviews on here. I do not recommend, do not waste your time or money. This place may have once been worth it, but no more. With so much selection next door to that very restaurant, the Fig owner would be wise to review their chefs and wait staff.
(2)
Ferrett S.

One of what I'd consider to be one of the top four restaurants in the Cleveland area (Lola's, Three Birds, and the Ritz-Carlton), the Flying Fig has really elegant food at reasonable prices. It's spendy, yes, but you get a very good meal for your cash, and all the foodies I've taken here have been impressed. If you're in the mood for small plates, you can order a bunch of starters at around $8-10 apiece, and they're well worth it. The food's amazingly flavorful, and the service is food. Recommended.
(5)
Meredith M.

Fantastic. The dining experience at Flying Fig exceeded my expectations. To start our table shared the Bruschetta, Dates, and Cold Plate. The prosciutto was like butter, it was sensational and I've never been a fan. The Dates were unexpectedly sweet, and the fresh basil on the bruschetta was perfect. For dinner I had the duck and it was perfect, not greasy at all and very tender. The grits and chard accompaniments were perfect. Karen did not miss a beat! A friend had the pork trio and loved the pork stomach. Another friend had the Haddock and let us all try a bite. It was so soft and buttery - SMILE. For dessert we ordered two chocolate molten cakes - yum, the apple crostini - tart, and my favorite - the berry cobbler, I think they were picked off the bush that morning and the fig ice cream on the side was heaven. I loved Flying Fig and can't wait to come back again. One star missing?- the bartender was a little snooty, I hope it was just one of those days and not her true personality.
(4)
Christie B.

Loved the food, did not love the service. The timing was way off. The waiter didn't come to our table for about 5-10 min after we were seated to take our drink order. We received our appetizers just about on time. However, it was at least another 20-30 minutes after finishing our appetizers before our main course arrived. Will we be returning? Maybe. I would prefer Pier W or Greenhouse Tavern over Flying Fig.
(4)
Kiki T.

I'm not sure what all the rage is about this place. The food was mediocre at best and the restaurant itself is poorly designed - I could clearly hear the conversation at the bar from my table 6 feet away. I think I'd rather spend my time and money somewhere where there's more of a guarantee for good food and atmosphere.
(2)
Nicole M.

You know it's love when the one who seduced you makes you brunch. Oh Figgy, darling, you made me fall in love with you all over again. It's not the sultry but playful scene from the night before. It's relaxed and requited. I brought my 6 year old and Mon cher chou to brunch. Herself Who Would Not Be Pleased was just aching to brood about something. Then she got the whole wheat pancakes with apples and bacon in front of her. Then Herself transformed into Queen Sunshine of Baconland. Good bacon does that to her. Mon cher chou and I started out with cocktails. I had the grapefruit, which was freshly squeezed juice and a blend of booze, darling. It was bright, pert and refreshing. Mon cher chou's orange cocktail was heavy on the Stoli orange and a bit light on the juice. This might not be a bad thing. I had the fried polenta with a saute of spinach, muchrooms and pancetta. The polenta was crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. The saute was cooked with a light hand and added a fresh counterpoint to the heavy polenta. Mon cher chou had a decadent, moist, creamy marscapone french toast. It was almost custard-like. Mercy. The sweet bread (not sweetbread!) basket was a bit small for the cost, but the baked goods were divine-- pound cake, zucchini bread, a muffin, all homemade. The atmosphere is relaxed, easy and accomodating of children, although they do not have an awful dumbed down menu for them. Every child would like the pancakes, sweet breads or french toast. It seems that they are still working out a few kinks in the service-- our orders were put through twice. But there was nothing that inconveninced us. The staff was their usual cool, friendly selves. So, FF, you took me in, you spun me around and now you made me breakfast. I think this is it.
(5)
Ellen C.

I was here on a business trip with a couple of co-workers. After reading a couple of reivews, we decided that the Flying Fig had an interesting list of choices. The Flying Fig is hidden in a small alley with a stylish image. We started off with the Trio - (3 appetizers of your choice) and Flatbread. We chose the gnocci, dates, and scallops for the Trio. Everything was amazing! I've never had better scallops! I ended up getting the seared scallops for my entree - very reasonably priced - $19. The scallops were tender, flavorful and seared to perfection - not too undercooked or overcooked. For dessert, we shared a Peach and Raspberry Cobbler along with the Salty Caramel Ice Cream and Fig Ice Cream. This made my night! I would definitely come back here when I'm in Cleveland again!
(5)
Sung K.

Farm to table concept restaurant. Lots of hits and misses. Short rib was fine but too fatty. Bit pricey for what it was in terms of portion too. Don't remember what other dishes we ordered - that should tell ya.
(3)
Matthew M.

Yes, it is a small plate but maybe be too small for CLE appetites. Food was tastey, and it was perfectly prepared, but wish there was more of it. Service and drinks were great. Excellent establishment for special occasion or weekend meal - just order multiple apps.
(4)
Shelby V.

Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. I used to go at least every other week when I lived there. To start, it is tucked in a cute little alley across from the Great Lakes Brewing Company and a wine bar whose name I can't remember....friendly to foot traffic and twinkling with lights that are strung across the sidewalk. The patio is a divine place to enjoy a summer evening. The wine list is excellent and very reasonable, with many decent wines under $30. Servers actually know a thing or two about the wine, as well! If you're not a wine person, they have an interesting seasonal offering of beer as well, in addition to a full bar. Now, the food. Can we talk about the short rib for a sec? Oh, man. It's always on the menu in one form or another, and while the sauce and sides change, the meat is always the same, in all of it's tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection, with its perfect crisp edges. My husband and I love it so much that we finally, on our 100,000th visit, asked our waiter if we could have the recipe. Amazingly, the chef came out and chatted with us about his short-rib-cooking technique for a good five minutes. What service! Other not-to-be-missed menu items: the bacon-wrapped dates, the seared scallops, the tempura green beans (which I know are sort of trendy, but FF does them exquisitely) and - save room! - the molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream. (If you're too full for a big dessert, at LEAST get a scoop of the fig ice cream - it's fantastic!) I miss Flying Fig so much now that I've moved away from Cleveland. Truly a standout dining experience, even by big-city standards. (And at half the price as it would cost if it were in NYC!)
(5)
Jeri W.

This was my second visit to Flying Fig, and it was quite a disappointment. The food was as splendid as my first visit, but the service left much to be desired. The host was rather curt and not very welcoming. Our server, Dave, seemed unappreciative of us asking questions about the menu. When I asked whether a salad was served with an entree, he said if I looked at the menu, it would specify whether or not a salad was included. I was quite offended by his tone. At no point during our visit did we receive a smile or any gesture that would make us want to return. In the past, I raved about this restaurant and encouraged folks to give it a try. I definitely won't do that again, and it's highly unlikely I will return. Such a shame. I really liked the food and want to support local businesses.
(2)
Tina C.

The first time I had their grass fed burger and it was incredible and the best burger I've ever had. The service is sometimes amazing and one time it was awful but people have their bad days? Very fun to be on the patio during the summer.
(4)
Abbe D.

If I could afford it I would eat (and drink) here every night. Every meal and beverage I've had here has been something more than I expected - and my expectations were high. Every dish has 3 or 4 layers of flavor that build and allow the diner to relish the ingredients and the creativity that was used to combine them. The drinks are well crafted and arrive bracingly cold - perfect. And do not miss their desserts - they seem to perfectly conclude the dining experience - like closing the cover to a fantastic book. I've been 3 times in 12 months ... and am saving up for my next visit :-)
(5)
Drew K.

Apparently this place just doesn't care about it's customers. I sent an email about our mediocre meal, and no response. I waited a week to post this review in case it was a bad day, chef was sick, whatever, but management didn't care to reply. In short it was VERY disappointing. Although we arrived for brunch at 1, we learned the Maple Chicken was already gone, which we were informed of after two of our party had ordered. I ordered the BBQ Brisket Hash, not good. The promised mushrooms, potatoes and peppers were hard to find, so not sure what made this a hash, mostly just lumps of brisket in a sauce that was very vinegary. After a few bites, no thanks. This just didn't compare to a GOOD barbecue beef brisket, not sure why you would serve something so mediocre. One of our party asked for a skillet scramble without the peppers, answer was no. Not one of our party of five was pleased by their meal. Only compliment, one person enjoyed the lamb sausage. There was just nothing special about the food. We were really disappointed to have made the drive, there are far better and apparently more caring restaurants to enjoy.
(1)
Mike V.

I have been in here several times for the happy hour special and drinks in the bar with friends.They have some nice and what seems to be reasonably priced items on the happy hour menu. The food has been generally well prepared. I downgrade them because 3 out of 4 times the tab has come and it has been wrong. Grossly overcharged. At my last visit I had a $7 food item and five beers and the tab was $66 before tip. Not! People seem to LOVE this place. I think there may be better options round in 2014. Living on past success in my opinion.
(3)
Jessica I.

Chef and owner Karen Small has been doing a lot right at Flying Fig for a long time. Lots of local ingredients backed by creativity and talent. It may sound like your typical farm-to-table place, but she was doing it before it became the latest hipster craze. If you're on a budget and want to enjoy some of the fare for less at lunchtime, try going next door to their little store and carryout.
(4)
Allison F.

Being a tourist has its downfalls. Knowing that you might only visit a place once in your life, you have to choose the best dish on the menu in order to have the most memorable food experience possible. I had a magnificent, tender duck confit with cheddar mashed potatoes one Sunday night. It was the most perfect rustic supper. Flying Fig is worth a tourist's time and money for sure!
(4)
Zaya N.

We started with drinks and apps tonight.. Never made it to dinner because of such terrible service. We arrived right before the kitchen opened and there were maybe 3 tables at most. We were not acknowledged for nearly 20 minutes even though the other server was helping people right next to us (visiting her table multiple times). Seriously?? Even if we are not in your section, you can greet us, no?? Our empty plates were sitting on the table long after we were finished... A server and (maybe) the manager hung around outside near our table... Again, no acknowledgement of the dirty plates. So disappointing. See you again never.
(2)
G F.

Not an amazing experience. The wall near us was completely scraped off by the table and the dance music (with no dancing, of course, this is a sit-down restaurant) was too loud for the small space. If a guest doesn't want fries with their burger, a restaurant with prices as high as the Flying Fig's are should be able to afford to substitute sides. It seems a little silly to say that it's fries or nothing. (Or you can add $5.50 to your bill to have something different with your $19 burger). This was after they said I couldn't have the restaurant week lamb burger fixings with the regular burger (they sounded fun, but I don't really like lamb.) I understand integrity of a dish, but it's not like I was asking for something crazy, hard to do, or wasteful. It is a good burger, though. Crunchy bacon paired with melted onions and cheese on top. House-made ketchup. The service is rather underwhelming. Slightly condescending, but yet doesn't know the answers to seemingly simply questions. No one really needs to be told that the menu has information on it.... During the couple of times I've been here, they made themselves out to be too pretentious compared to the results. Something about the experience has to be amazing to warrant any level of pretension.
(2)
J W.

My first visit here. Interior is bigger than it looks from the outside. Paid lot across the street was full, so we walked over from WSM parking. Love the fact that it's locally sourced. We started with the flatbread special, which was delicious--melted leeks with sausage and arugula. I enjoyed the goat cheese polenta with crisped pieces of speck on top and local vegetables. Finished with the amazingly rich molten dark chocolate lava cake with fig ice cream--perfectly cooked, and the molten center was decadent! My friend thought the rhubarb crumble with autumn spices was the best dish of the evening. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kaitlin D.

The fig never disappoints. A friend and I came here for the Yelp Eats discount on the green beans. I wanted to share my love and it was successful! We also shared the smoked turkey sandwich--mouth watering delicious. It's great the next day, too! Homemade pickles?! SOLD. Also, the dirty bird martini is excellent--I just love martinis and this is one of the best I've found yet. And, once again, the staff and service were great!!
(5)
Travis B.

Just had a great brunch here. I had the burger & my wife had the pancakes. Everything was delicious (I tasted hers of course). The bread & jam they bring beforehand was great too. Would definitely come back & recommend this restaurant to all. Great service too!
(5)
Steve B.

With so many rave reviews I can't add much . We went for Sunday Brunch. Great food, beautiful outdoor seating, knowledgeable and friendly server. It exceeded my high expectations. Grateful that a place like this exists and I plan on returning often in the future. (The sausage biscuits and gravy were outstanding!)
(5)
Brandon R.

I'm back in Cleveland visiting with the folks. P.S. Preseason Cavs games are cheap entertainment. My Pops wanted to go to B Spot. I suggested we find something new on yelp and go there. My mom is a dietary nut and can only eat wheat grass that is totally organic and was raised under only the most ethical conditions. We arrived and found the setting/ambiance acceptable. I'm not big on appearances. I would eat great food in a mud hole and be content. The restaurant is semi dark with ample seating, blah, blah, blah. I ordered the Pork shoulder with collard greens, corn bread, and a sour cherry/bourbon reduction. My Dad got a bowl of steamed muscles, clams, and scallops. Mom got the steak with purple potatoes. The food was excellent. We passed around the dishes and ate from each other's plates. The Pork Shoulder stole the show. The greens were amazing and were carefully prepared with some toasted corn kernels and candied bacon. The sour cherry and bourbon reduction sauce was of a high enough caliber that I would consider drinking it by itself. Furthermore, the appetizers were EPIC! CHICKEN LIVERS WITH CHEESE GRITS AND CANDIED BACON. GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON. Need I say anything more? Overall, the quality of the food justifies spending twenty something dollars per plate. The only issue I had was the lack of table bread and the small portion of steamed seafood. For $8.00 you could purchased a platter of four or five different breads with an olive tapenade and humus, but I didn't really want all that. Perhaps if I could simply purchase just one half loaf, I wouldn't find Flying Figs bread service so unwieldy. Great Meal. Solid Restaurant
(4)
Anna F.

My family went on a road trip and a friend of ours recommended Flying Fig. I'm glad we took him up on it! First of all, the service was great. Our server, Eric, was charming and polite. He was very knowledgable about the menu and was respectful of the fact that two of us had salads instead of entrees. We ordered the artisan bread plate to start. It included bread, figs, walnuts, butter, tapenade, and hummus. The hummus was house made and was smooth and rich. Definitely the highlight of the plate. I had the beet salad, which was wonderful. The restaurant emphasizes the importance of fresh and local ingredients so I knew where my food was coming from. When it arrived, the presentation was stunning. It was a beautifully crafted salad that also tasted great. I don't eat much, so it was large enough to be a full meal for me but I would recommend getting more if you have a healthy appetite. For dessert, we shared the lemon semifreddo with raspberries. Once again, the presentation was beautiful. It was topped with huge, fresh raspberries that would have stolen the show had the semifreddo not been as delicious as it was. It was probably among the best desserts I've had recently. Good food, good service, and good atmosphere. It's a shame we don't live in the Cleveland area, because I would have loved to go back.
(5)
Andrew K.

I was looking for somewhere to take my in laws when we met them in Cleveland for my wife's birthday this weekend. Since we were all traveling, I wanted a sure thing where I knew that there would be a good meal and experience. I was sorely disappointed. Starting from the reservations, which we made 3 weeks in advance, we had problems. The staff at the Flying Fig screwed them up 3 separate times, one of which included accusing us of missing our reservation. When we finally did get seated they attempted to put our party of 7 at a booth that holds 5. After some harsh words from my wife they agreed to move us to a table. When we did get to our table our server spoke to us like she was a kindergarten teacher teaching country bumpkins to read. She kept saying she would be happy to explain any words that we didn't understand on the menu. We ordered a plethora of food including appetizers and entrees. The burrata was a good choice but the fried green beans were no better than anything you would find at a TGI Fridays. As for the entrees, people seemed to really like the gnocchi but I thought it was a little large to really be considered a gnocchi. My wife had the shellfish en brudo and all of the components were cooked correctly. My short rib was good but lacked some balance. The standout was the burger that my father in-law ordered. The burger managed to be juicy and flavorful even after my he ordered it medium well, which I told him was a disservice to hamburgers everywhere. We ordered a few desserts to split and it really seemed to throw off the pace of the meal because they took a long time to get to our table. The restaurant's decor is pretty trendy when you walk in but it seems to be in a little disrepair. The seat on a original booth was badly damaged and the second table that they put us at we also very beat up. It was a little disappointing for somewhere with entrees in the mid $20's Overall, I would say that I was disappointed in our experience. I hadn't been to the Flying Fig in a few years but had great memories of previous visits. Maybe my memory is failing me or they just had an off night. I gave them 3 stars instead of 2 because I know what they have been in the past.
(3)
Melissa A.

Brunch was fabulous! Drinks were strong (and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with my vodka made me feel like my boozy drink was healthy). I highly reccomend calling ahead, or using Open Table to make a reservation, otherwise you may find yourself eating at the bar or standing around waiting for a table. Haven't tried dinner yet, but I'm confident that it's equally lovely.
(5)
Tisha R.

Best meal I've had since coming to cleveland. The meatball appetizer was amazing along with the gnocchi I had for my entree. I feel like this is a place you can't go wrong with anything off the menu. We will definitely be back to try out some more stuff. The service was incredible as well. Our waiter was on top of things, checked in regularly and very informative of the menu and specials.
(5)
Lover of Dogs H.

We had a wonderful Saturday brunch here. The ingredients were all great and the portions were perfect--enough to be satisfied but not too big. The meatballs in particular were excellent. Definitely worth a trip.
(4)
Amanda D.

Been meaning to go here for YEARS... Finally got a chance, for my sisters 40th surprise brunch! Making reservations for 9 was a breeze, the restaurant told me I could bring a cake too (Maybe they have a small service charge for cutting, but we ended up not bringing a cake). The food was stellar. I enjoyed the fried chicken and egg sandwich and others at our table liked the burger, the chorizo and corn hotcakes, and pancakes. The only downfall was they were out of my first beer choice...no biggie. I would go back and order the fried chicken again without hesitation. It was crowded when we arrived at 2:00 so I would definitely make reservations. While it was affordable, it's more than Bob Evans, but you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Mickey M.

Let me begin by saying that I wrote an email to the owners of the Flying Fig on December 1, 2013, and have yet to receive a response. It has been two whole months since then -- callous and unacceptable. The owners obviously do not care. This was my message: "Had brunch at the Fig on Sunday. Ordered a Bloody Mary and an orange cocktail (acceptable). Also ordered Biscuits & Gravy (good) and Migas (okay). But what killed our experience was the HORRENDOUS service. Our server, Josh, was distracted and did not check on us. When he did come he did not demonstrate knowledge of the menu. I asked which he would recommend, between the omelette and Migas. He ummed, ahhed, and failed to provide a coherent response. When the food came he did not see if the items were to our liking. When we asked for the check he delivered it and then failed to come back for our credit card in a timely manner. He walked by our table several times before I flagged him down in desperation. Instead of apologizing he feigned surprise. Terrible. Suffice it to say the service we experienced at your restaurant left much to be desired. I hope that you will take these comments under advisement."
(1)
Rodney W.

Go here. Eat Molasses Glazed Confit Of New Creations Pork Shoulder. Oh my God! This was one of the most satisfying, tasty meals that I have ever eaten. Probably the best thing on the menu because what the others at my table ate didn't taste nearly as good. The pork was cooked so perfectly...cooked in its own fat, seared on the outside, silky smooth on the inside. This dish was a taste of heaven. Also, the chocolate cake with fig ice cream was freaking delicious. Made from scratch. Fresh. Warm. Heaven! Yum!
(5)
Emily T.

One of the best meals In the US I have ever had!!! Go!!!!!!!
(5)
Carrie N.

The food is just ok, and the waitress messed my order. I would not come back.
(3)
Kevin M.

While not a traditional Steak House, I enjoyed one of the best Rib Eye steaks I have ever had here. Matched with a perfect wine reduction. Just excellent. My guest had two beautiful pieces of Walleye, and both meals were accompanied with local, seasonal vegetables. Great location in Ohio City, with easy and affordable parking. Room is cozy and the cocktails are great. Try the Manhattan if you enjoy Bourbon
(5)
Samantha F.

Stopped in here today with my beau and Dad for a Christmas lunch. We were able to walk right in and be seated with no problems and no resos. Our waitress was very patient with us as we chatted and she returned time and again to take our order. The coffee was kept filled, as was the water. Our orders came up quick (once we finally placed them). The bread with Apple Butter on the table was a nice touch. The apple butter was yummy! My Dad & I both got the Migas. He really enjoyed it; I didn't think it was bad, but not as exciting as it could have been. My beau got the Croque Madame, and oh. my. Lord. was that AH-mazing! Next time, I'm getting that and splitting it. The beau was VERY happy & stuffed. He enjoyed a belini and I had a so-so bloody Mary. The service was spot-on, the food was good, and yes, I will return. There were very nice vegetarian options as well as those for the meat-lovers. I think you'll enjoy Flying Fig.
(4)
a m.

I have eaten here multiple times over the years and have never been disappointed. This is the type of place where you want to bring people from out of town and show them how foodies love C-town. Some people complain the prices are high. I don't agree. We always have fantastic food, great service and know their items are as local as you can buy. My only complaint, and it is what it is, is the noise level. They have seating outside when the North Coast weather cooperates, and being in the midst of Market Square reminds you of the great things the CLE has to offer. The Flying Fig menu is always innovative and I can't wait to try the new combos of ingredients. I would never have thought to combine apple butter with brie on a sandwich. I do now! I particularly love their Sunday Brunch. Nothing like great food with a mimosa! Entrees range from $9 - $15 and their portions are huge. When I go for brunch I typically don't need to eat dinner. Flying Fig and Bar Cento are my two favorite spots in Ohio City. While neither has the popularity of Great Lakes Brewing Company, if you want good food, avoid GLBC and walk across the street.
(5)
Bird M.

Ate brunch here and it was tasty! I ordered the corn cakes and the flavor was amazing. I made reservations via open table for 11:30am on a Sunday and I am glad I did. It was packed by noon. The decor is inviting and modern and the service was on point. Start your brunch with a great cup of coffee! I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Jason B.

Ambiance was great, food was very good, and our waiter was great . A touch on the pricy side, which is the only reason i didn't give it 5 stars. We will be going back!
(4)
Regina F.

Went to The Flying Fig for the first time tonight. Can't begin to tell you how very impressed my husband and I were! With my husband being a chef it is hard to impress him when we go out to eat, but Karen Small, you did just that! From the appetizers (we ordered 3) to the dinner and even dessert every bite was better than the last! Thank you for such a great experience on such a special evening! It was my in laws anniversary! They were equally impressed! Keep up the good work! Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Cara L.

Aaaaaand we're back! I can't tell you how excited I was for Flying Fig to be a Yelp Eats 2011 participant--mostly because it's been way too long since I've been back to indulge. I think it's truly safe to say that this place cannot disappoint me. The items on the discounted menu were truly generous and looked divine and that drink menu... it gets me every time. I'm not one for sweet cocktails, but when you have a properly-made flight 77 for me to pour down my throat, you have a happy blonde. But then you add in some Ohio rhubarb syrup? Wow. Help my life. After a bev or two, we were finally ready to dive into Yelp Eats. I ordered some of these famous tempura green beans for the table to share. Simple, yet delicious. I passed on the pineapple-y sweet dipping sauce, but the other was salty perfection with these crunchy green guys. Yum. As we nibbled and grazed on bread and beans, the server took our drink and food orders, not missing a beat and actually stopping to chat. How refreshing! I love it when the staff is friendly enough to engage with their guests. I'd pass on the snooty, overly-proper-types any day. Then came the food. Most everyone in our party ordered the glazed pork loin and absolutely loved it--as in, 100% clean plates. I was a little jealous as I saw them slice into the tender pieces of perfectly cooked deliciousness. Another one of our party ordered the burger, which was no ordinary burger. In fact, after eating every-single-thing off his plate (including fresh fries and a huge, juicy burger piled high with chihuahua cheese and onion rings), he exclaimed, "best burger of my life." Then, well, that left me with the most delicious striped bass ever. Tender, a little flaky, seasoned and seared perfectly. Another clean plate without that overly-stuffed feeling. Once again, a gorgeous experience, Flying Fig. Thanks for hosting!
(5)
Nicholas K.

As a discerning foodie and large fan of the Cleveland restaurant scene, I don't say this lightly: Flying Fig is by far my favorite restaurant in the city. I've been here about a dozen times (all for dinner) since moving to the area 2.5 years ago, and it is my go to place for bringing out-of-town friends and family. In terms of food, I've never had a bad meal. They take such care when preparing the plates, and it's just... delicious. (Important side note - if they ever bring it back, get the duck. Flying Fig is the only place in the city that will actually cook it medium rare, and it's mind-blowing. The fact that it was recently struck from the menu is a shame.) Their local beet salad is a must, and the charcuteries plate is consistently adorable. The drinks are always stiff, which is pretty much my standard for a good one. Their specialty cocktails are all around $10, but when factoring in the amount of alcohol, it's a bargain. The location is great - being in Ohio city allows you and your friends to go out afterwards without having to drive. Only tiny negative things: there's nothing special about the decor, and since a busy waiter station divides the bar and dining areas, the atmosphere can be interrupted if you sit in the wrong seat. There's a circular booth right across from this station - I recommend you avoid it. From what I can tell, the music is just someone's personal playlist or Pandora station, so it rarely adds to the experience. But everything else is amazing. Go here, now!
(5)
Shawn D.

Awesome lunch sandwiches at the market. Nice find while visiting the area. Really helpful and friendly staff.
(5)
Maureen R.

Easily said, one of my favorite places to have dinner in Cle. I usually start with a "small start". The Medjool Dates are to die for and I get them almost every time. The flatbread is also delicious! My favorite salad to order for the table would have to bee the Local Beet salad. It's delicious and is enough to split up before the meal arrives. Now to the main dishes. My absolute favorite has been the Roasted Local Winter Squash. The squash is topped with quinoa, apple, mushrooms, leeks, herbs, feta, greens and toasted walnuts. It is soooo delicious. My second pick has been the Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi. Also available in a 1/2 portion. Ifyou stop at the bar for drinks and a light bite or go for dinner....you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Lizi C.

Bummer! I tried the Mahi Mahi, what a waste of money and time. Salty, tangy, small, incredibly spicy (spicy was not advertised). The Mahi was served in a bowl on top of a runny scoop of rice that tasted like Uncle Ben made it himself. The fish and rice was floating in a broth made of what tasted to be 90% soy sauce and 10% water. What a terrible dish all for $22. I tried to get in earlier reservation but was told there were no tables available until 8:15 at night. When we walked in at 8:15 there were multiple large tables unoccupied in a half empty restaurant. After this experience I don't care to come back.
(2)
Alisia A.

One of my absolute favorite spots in Ohio City. I love the fact that it's kind of hidden away from the main road (West 25th) and it looks so tiny from the outside....till you walk inside and you are blown away by the actual size of the restaurant and the decor. Dimly lit, perfect for romantic dinners or just a night out for some good food. I had made reservations through Open Table for a friend and myself for 8pm on a Friday evening and we were seated right upon arrival. Our server was very informed with the specials offered that evening and was great at recommending drinks and appetizers. We both had a drink (I had a glass of wine and she had a mixed drink) which we both really enjoyed. We ended up just sharing two appetizers for dinner: Crispy Calamari & Wild Shrimp which was accompanied by Chiles, Scallions, Pickled Carrots, Arugula, Lemon Aioli...in my opinion it was amazing! One of my favorite dishes I've had in a long time. And the other dish was Ancho Crusted Pan Seared Sea Scallop which was made with Corn Grit Cakes, Braised Local Kale, Ancho-Honey reduction...it was ok. We weren't thrilled by it but it wasn't terrible. The only recommendation I would have is to provide customers with two pieces of scallops not just one since we wanted to share it. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants a relaxing but nice night out.
(5)
Hardcory C.

BEST GREYHOUND OF MY LIFE (and that is my go-to drink). I got the veggie huevos rancheros dish, which was good, but not as mind-blowing as my greyhound. The baked apples were pretty good too. Server was very knowledgable and VERY helpful for the variety of dietary restrictions at the table.
(4)
Paul W.

I like the Flying Fig. Have been a number of times for Happy Hour. Great burger. Tasty fries with spicy aioli. Sippable cocktail specials. Like an old, reliable friend, Flying Fig doesn't wow me any more, but it's always there when I need it.
(3)
Maggie H.

Overall my experience here was nothing special. The place tries hard but falls short. The service was attentive, I'll give them that, but i didn't really enjoy the food, especially for the prices they were charging. Flying Fig has a lot of the same menu items as other popular eateries in Cleveland (i.e. Lolita, Greenhouse Tavern), but the execution just wasn't there: Steamed Mussels - very fishy and weird tasting. Somehow the balance of the ingredients was off, and the chorizo didn't really seem to go well with the mussels. We left most of this untouched (But the same exact dish with chorizo and mussels at Lolita is pretty amazing. You need to go try it if you haven't) Buratta Cheese - Can't really mess up putting cheese on a plate. The burratta they had was good, and while I'm not a fan of olives, the rest of my party seemed to have enjoyed the olive tapenade. One thing though, I'm pretty sure burratta is spelled with two r's...not sure why they only put one on the menu... Ancho Crusted Pan Seared Sea Scallop - This was $10 for ONE scallop. The scallop wasn't THAT big either. Flavor wasn't bad, but not worth it at all. Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Livers - not bad if you like chicken livers. I don't usually eat livers, but tried some and didn't hate it, so interpret that how you will... Local Beet - unfortunately the beets were pickled, which made them too artificially sweet/sour. Why mess up perfectly good fresh beets? Should have just served them straight up. Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi - Gnocchi's are potato pasta dumplings. These were rolled up wads of dough with nothing inside (at least I didn't taste any). Too oily and didn't taste like much. SKIP! Hangar Steak- Well cooked and tender even at medium. Solid choice. Chicken Meatballs - This was good. I feel weird ordering meatballs as a fancy $20 entree, but I guess at least it was tasty. Worth the money? Probably not. May we just came on an off day, but based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend coming here for dinner. It seemed like some of the other patrons had travelzoo deals. If you can locate some sort of discount, this may not be a bad place to take a date (just don't bust out your deal on a first date). If you're planning to pay full price though, I'd go somewhere else.
(2)
Eric C.

This place has been hit or miss for me in the past. Sometimes it was great, sometimes it was a little off. I guess it depended on who was in the kitchen that day. Recently, my visits have been great! Whatever caused the inconsistency problems for me are all gone. I'll be back much more often.
(4)
Rachel W.

I have been here twice, but still haven't eaten. I am giving it the third star because I anticipate that the food is good. The first time I came here, the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes for brunch and lunch wasn't starting for a while. I hate ordering right at the end, so I held off. I had some drinks that were good. The second time I came here, I joined my friends who had already ordered. It was very full and it took upwards of 10 minutes for the server to come take a drink order, so I just went to the bar. Which still took a really long time to get a drink from. I was annoyed at that point and didn't feel like waiting forever for food so I just didn't order any. So if I can manage to get here when the kitchen is open and they aren't so slammed, I am sure it will be better.
(3)
Danielle E.

A-OK indeed. I think this is my third time at Flying Fig, and I'm consistently underwhelmed. This time I went for a boozy brunch with my man. Drinks were good. Be warned though, the market cocktail is not for the faint of heart! Quite bitter, and took some adjustment. For food, I had the creamy goat cheese polenta. It was incredibly creamy and delicious. He had the huevos rancheros, which were average. I'm not sure why I'm always so underwhelmed here, I can't quite put my finger on it. The food was fine, but didn't feel special and didn't make me want to come back for more. Although our waitress was great, the ambiance left something to be desired, which may have added to the feeling. You won't go wrong here, but if you're looking for the best brunch in CLE, I'd keep looking.
(3)
Lauren S.

Came for brunch. I've never been before, so I really enjoyed the location, atmosphere, and food. Brunch prices were a little weighty though, for smallish portions - averaging around $15 or so per plate. I got some sort of quiche concoction ($11, in case you're curious), and my bf got the peach pancakes ($14). I also was amused that they brought us a little plate of crusty bread and jam to enjoy before our meal. My only beef was the service. While very pleasant, it was so slow it began to seem like complete neglect. People started flowing out of the restaurant within 30 minutes of our arrival, so it's not that it was so busy in there that such slow service was justifiable. For $15 brunch plates, you'd think they'd fawn over their customers a tiny bit more. Maybe they only do that for dinner =P
(3)
Jennifer T.

My family took me here for Sunday brunch about 1:30 in the afternoon. It was all our 1st time there and we had a party of 9. Quite a few tables of people when we walked in. They sat us in a small room off the main dining area. Overall I recommend this place! Fantastic food! The only downfall was our server. For not being busy, he was extremely slow and showed up sporadically. Took awhile for everything. He knew it was my b-day and would you know, after everyone had their food brought out, I was the only one that did not get my food! I ordered the wheat/banana/coconut pancakes. He said it would b a couple minutes. At 1st my family was waiting to eat until mine came, but after 5 minutes past, I insisted they all start eating as their food was starting to get cold. Mine did not come out for at least 10 minutes! He offered no apology or anything! Gee thx! He was a bit of an oddball if u ask me. However, I tasted a little if everyone's food, so I could tell u that the wheat/banana/coconut/walnut pancakes r amazing! All flavors blend nicely! The corn and chorizo (I think that's what's in it) pancakes, again amazing flavor and I don't usually like corn in my food. The fried chicken sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich both very good. Someone added hot sauce to their fried chicken sandwich and they loved that! I heard the burger was one of the best ever. Again, just disappointed they did not address bringing the b-day girls meal late.
(4)
Sara E.

Just had drinks and salads here last night (I'll come back to those) but I just have to comment on the service first. It was fantastic and just made it such a pleasure to be there. The hostess was friendly and accommodating. Our server was just SO nice, personable and gave off such a welcoming, happy-to-have-you-here vibe. It was great. We had two salads - the simple greens and the beet salad. Simple greens was ok. The beet salad was the absolute star. Pickled beets, arugula, whipped cloverton, a honey vinaigrette, and crumbled crouton. I loved having the crouton crumbled like that - it gave a little crunch to every bite. Their other food is great, too. On this occasion we just kept it light.
(4)
Rick A.

This is my fourth time here so it is time for a review. The salads and vegetables here are stars. I am not a big vegetable guy but this place elevates them. Had the local beet salad with honey vinaigrette with walnuts and 6 minute egg. Absolutely stellar. The bacon wrapped medjool dates are very good but I think One Red Door does it better. The New Creations pork loin with shredded Brussel sprouts and corn mushroom bread pudding in a sour cherry reduction was really outstanding. The pork was flavorful and tender, the Brussel sprouts were top notch with crispy pork belly and almonds mixed in. Had the butterscotch budino for dessert. A champagne flute of butterscotch pudding with a caramel sea salt layer and whipped cream with a little shortbread style cookie. A little too much whipped cream but otherwise a solid ending to a great meal. Have had a couple meals here in 2014 that were a little underwhelming.
(4)
Bryan C.

We have had dinner here several times and each time it is amazing! The food, service, and cocktails are consistently great. I have been to alot of great restaurants (some with michelin star chefs) and in my opinion the Fig is among the best of the best. I have never had a bad dish or experience here. The staff is very attentive and well coordinated. But enough about all of that, the most impressive part about the Fig is THE FOOD! Every dish is so good that when our dinner was over I was envious of guests arriving to start their meal. Just thinking back on our last meal at the Fig is making me hungry.
(5)
Yuan C.

Came here for lunch because my boyfriend bought the Travelzoo deal ($22 for two entrees and 1 appetizer). The food was pretty good, but I was hugely disappointed by the portion size. For starters, we ordered the Medjool Dates. It came with 3 Jolly Rancher-sized dates wrapped in bacon for the price of $8. The taste was great and all, but I am never going to pay $8 for that little amount of food again. To be fair though, the waitress did warn us about the size. For entrees, we both ordered the Grilled Flank Steak. I had the hardest time picking what to get because nothing on the menu seemed very appetizing :( The steak was very delicious, but like the appetizer, the portion size was small. My boyfriend and I ended up eating a second lunch after this. Overall, the service and food were great, but the portion size was just too disappointing for me to rate this restaurant anything higher than 3 stars.
(3)
Ritu D.

After a failed attempt at trying to come here reservation-less during restaurant week, we decided to do my friend's birthday dinner here this past Saturday. We had a party of 10 and when I called to make the reservation, the girl I spoke with was SO friendly and helpful- I told her we were trying to get reservations for 8pm and after looking at the schedule, she said she would switch some things around (I figured where people were sitting) and would make sure she could make it work for 8pm (so generous, she could have easily just said to come in at a different time instead). Anyways, I was the first to arrive at the restaurant and was actually a few minutes early (SHOCKING for me, trust me) and our table was already set up and ready for us. I was seating and promptly greeted by our server for the night. His service was wonderful throughout dinner. People came in at different times (running late due to traffic/various reasons) and he would come by right away to get drink orders. Drinks were great. I had a glass of Cab and then switched to Grey Goose and Vodka with lemon. Whenever I neared the end of my drink, he would be on top of it and ask if I wanted another one (as he did with everyone). They made the drinks pretty darn strong, which was great. I would be pretty upset if I was paying the money and getting weak drinks! My friends all had a variety of cocktails from the menu and they all seemed to enjoy it. No one complained - except for the occasional "wow that's insanely strong.." but is that really even a complaint?? The biggest rave was probably about the margarita - I never did try it, but will the next time I'm there. Overall, food was great. I wasn't too fond of my entree, but literally everyone else enjoyed their choices. We started with a few apps. We got the calamari which everyone enjoyed (I don't eat seafood, but tried calamari for the first time, but I won't review the taste since I have nothing to compare it to!). We also got the artisan bread plate. It came with a baguette, some focaccia type bread, and some thick multigrain bread. It was all so soft, fresh, and delicious!! It came with hummus, olive tapenade, fig, and butter. YUM YUM YUM!!! My fave app was the flatbread - butternut squash, ricotta, pecorino cheese, shallots. YUM YUM YUM. I'm a newfound fan of butternut squash thanks to this place!!! For dinner, I got a half order of the herbed Ricotta Gnocchi. I did the half because I was dumb and thought it would still be a decent size. I was highly disappointed in the portion, but I guess it's my fault for assuming what the sizes would be. But everyone else's plates were HUGE and if you doubled my portion it would def not be comparable. I also found the dish to be very bland :-\ but everyone else enjoyed their meals!! So I will just have to try something else next time. Since it was my friend's birthday, we got a molten chocolate cake with ice cream on the side which was delicious! The waiter mentioned they do that for birthdays when I asked, but never mentioned that it's not complimentary and you will get charged for the cake - but it wasn't outrageous so it was fine. I just wish he would have communicated that better. This place is definitely not cheap in my opinion, but you kind of go there expecting that! And, you definitely pay for quality - food AND service. I think overall it's all worth the prices they charge (except maybe my entree ;-) ...) Overall, it was a great experience and I'm sure I'll be back! :)
(4)
Demra C.

Perfect place for lunch after shopping at West side market . Had a great German beer , our starter of calamari & wild shrimp w a lemon aioli was done perfect . Then I enjoyed their beet salad which was on the small side however made up for it with the best creamy 6 min egg . Also enjoyed was their 10 oz burger with yummy fries that we could have ate as a meal. Severs was great and everything was described to us .They had a daily special w a vegan soup offered . A must if vegaterian or not . Be prepared for some food to have smaller servings . Myself I enjoy small plates which allows me to sample more on the menu . Cost for lunch was perfect at under $50 . This was with 2 drinks .
(4)
Todd A.

I have gone many times and been without seating so definitely make a reservation! The food here is great, comparable in style and quality to Crop just around the corner but without the ridiculous prices. Also much more "down to earth" and welcoming. I appreciate their seasonal menu that is often changing. In over 20 visits I have yet to be disappointed with a meal.
(5)
Me M.

Went for dinner. The wine list is a little hard to figure out (mostly European labels - didn't get a lot of guidance from the server), but found one that we did like. The cheese board was great! Lots of things on it (needed to have more crostini's). The goat cheese salad was awesome. The dinners were very tasty and well thought out with complex tastes. The service was so-so, but I would definitely come back!
(4)
Davis A.

Yelp reviews are so ridiculous sometimes. I glanced at this page before we went and was surprised to see some of the negative posts. A favorite spot that wasn't amazing once? 2 stars. Somewhere we didn't even eat? One star. Well, our meal was amazing. We loved each course. The Brussels sprouts were particularly fantastic. I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Cherry S.

We came here for a late brunch after a three mile run in edgewater park. The Southern Benedict was awesome, it was what I want after my run!
(5)
Jennifer P.

Definitely a solid 4 1/2 stars... My husband and I are huge fans of farm to table fare so when we read the reviews of Flying Fig, we had to check it out. We started with the Gnocchi which was amazing - creamy, tender, complex flavors without being overpowering. My husband had the hangar steak special which he loved... the steak was tender and juicy, the accompanying root vegetable au gratin and green beans were delicious. I had the fish and chips which was spectacular... peanut panko breaded cod served with red cabbage slaw and polenta fries. The polenta fries are ridiculously good. The quality of the ingredients, presentation of the dishes, service and ambiance are all excellent.
(4)
Nic P.

It's places like this that really, really make a city liveable. Having innovative, delicious restaurants in areas contribute to the health and vitality of a neighborhood and this one surely must lead the pack. It doesn't hurt that it's a farm-to-table restaurant either. Went in to a beautiful restaurant, dark and gorgeous and really fascinating art hanging everywhere. I was captivated. Greeted by this really strange girl (sorry, it's the only descriptor I can think of). She seemed almost repulsed by me. It's probably the worst greeting I've ever gotten by someone in a restaurant. Anyway, sat down in the bar area in a nice booth and checked out the delicious menu. Yelp says it's vegetarian, but it doesn't identify that way. I'm glad Yelp did, though, because that's what drew me in. By the way, the menu DOES have vegetarian items that are worth checking out, and enough of them to keep me and every other vegetarian really happy. I decided on the tempura battered green beans with a pineapple caramel dipping sauce (they also had a ponzu sauce that didn't like; it was too much salt for me). I also chose the warm 'egg salad.' That's how they have it on the menu. It was called a gruyere-chive soft scramble on an olive oil toasted multi-grain bread and served with a side salad. This was a lot of food for one person. It may have been really suitable for two. I did not care. I ate it all and I loved it. The green beans were crispy and just-the-right-salty. The sweetness of the dipping sauce really gave this dish a beautiful balance that just really engaged my taste buds. Mmmm, mmmm good. But, the best, very best part of this meal were eggs. You don't have to listen to anything I say, but this: you will never, ever, as long as you live, ever taste eggs like this. I can't even describe them except to say that you have to try them. Words could never do them justice. The side salad was one of the best I've ever had as well. If all salads tasted like this I'd probably eat a lot more of them. They have these down to an art. Now to service: the first girl was horrendous, but then had a really great dark haired guy that was awesome and a blonde waiter that was okay. I had to ask for stuff, he seemed a little oblivious, but it was okay. I went to the bar to ask for a refill on my drink and encountered weird girl again. She really needs to work on her customer service. When I asked if she minded getting me a refill she just stared at me. I said 'is that yes' and she almost jumped out of her skin telling me yes. Okay, okay, calm down, geez. Disliked her immensely. Everyone else was fine. The food is the shining star here. It is divine.
(5)
Allan N.

Cons: -Sat us by the door, it was very unpleasant to feel the Ohio winter cold every time the door was opened. You shouldn't seat people there during the winter! Pros: -Our charcuterie board was artfully plated. Also the meats and cheeses were well-paired. Fried livers were awesome too. -Wait staff was very attentive and friendly. -I think the prices are very fair for what you're getting -Very attractive space, good place to go on a date.
(4)
Jennifer W.

Great happy hour! Stopped in for a quick drink this week, and realized it had been way too long since my last meal here, which will definitely be rectified asap. I had the $5 signature happy hour cocktail: the Paloma. It was pretty spectacular! I look forward to trying the beet burger at happy hour!
(4)
Mallory K.

Had a great date night here. I've been meaning to eat here for a long time, as it's hard to find delicious vegetarian options in the Cleveland area. Husband and I shared the bruschetta...super delicious! We both had the Goat Cheese Salad; definitely one of the best salads I've had (being a vegetarian, I've had more than my share!). May just be because I love goat cheese...and they use Mackenzie Creamery goat cheese. Score! I ordered the gnocchi, sans prosciutto, for my entree. The gnocchi were perfect pillows of potato goodness. Seasoned perfectly, and the shaved veggies added great texture. Just wish there was more!!! All in all, the chef is doing a great job with the flavor profiles. Would definitely go back again :)
(4)
Liz B.

DELICIOUS! I went for brunch with my family back in December. Some of the best coffee I've had in my entire life. I had the Kitchen Sink Skillet, and it was wonderful. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Jo S.

Without a doubt, this is my favorite place for brunch in Cleveland. They serve local, fresh ingredients with great portion sizes. So local and fresh that after going to a farmers market across the street, the products were being served at the restaurant hours later. I have had most of the menu here and I love it all, but if there is one item I would suggest it would be the sticky buns. They are melt in your mouth perfect and I sometimes drive to Ohio City on a Sunday morning only for the sticky buns. If you're looking for a good place to take a friend for a Cleveland brunch that is embracing the farm to table movement, this is the place to go.
(5)
Miesha M.

Terrible service, waitress had an attitude, bug in salad with no apologies offered- rather the waitress and manager treated it as a joke. To top it off - they charged me for the mediocre dry carrot cake which was supposed to replace the salad. I refused to pay and am never going back.
(1)
Serena B.

My boyfriend and I visited for Sunday brunch .... Needless to say we want to come back every week for Sunday brunch! Knowing the handsome Tony and Klint to back up the rep of this restaurant there was nothing more then amazement to happen after we settled down with our HOMEMADE CINNABUNS and HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER! Let me tell you all this place is delicious! Highly recommend the Huevos Rancheros. Not only is this a rare dish but a beautiful display as well! And don't forget to stop next door at their quaint little supermarket and pick up some local foods to take home!
(5)
Bender R.

I've only been here for brunch. Quite good. I could tell the ingredients are of above average quality. The salad was quite good, and would think about getting it when I come here for dinner / lunch. The sticky buns were good. Shared it before the main dishes came out, and satisfied my sugar cravings. Would recommend the Shaksuka with the sausage if you are into a savory breakfast. The chilaquiles were okay, but probably won't be it again (here at least). Overall, the ambiance is quite nice, and looks like a trendy place for date night. The mid-range prices were in line with the quality.
(4)
Brady B.

Very cool area to go out in Cleveland, and lots of great eating options to choose from, but If you are looking for quality food- flying fig is the place to be. Yes, you will be paying for it because the food is expensive, but high quality. Nice for a special occasion. As a vegetarian, I especially appreciated a diverse set of veggie options, and a generous wine list. My husband and dad meat-eaters also enjoyed their meat options. Menu is somewhat limited due to boutique nature of the restaurant, so if you are into substitution or customization of your food, this is probably not a place you would want to eat. We ate on the front patio so enjoyed people watching and a nice Cleveland summer afternoon! Pretty easy walk to Indians baseball game afterward (if you don't mind crossing that huge bridge).
(5)
Stella M.

I was fairly disappointed with our meals. Over priced for meals that can use some perfecting. I ordered an omelette and the eggs were a little overcooked, resulting in a overly chewy dry texture. Also, the peppers were cooked well but bitter. Nothing in the omelette was very complementary to the bitterness of the peppers. My husband ordered biscuits and gravy and that was a sad dish. The proportions were tiny for $13. You can easily get this meal for less than $6. The biscuits were really small so they don't have the soft flakey texture of larger biscuits. On top of that, our cups of coffee were $3.25. However, my friend ordered the chicken biscuit sandwich and that was delicious. No complaints about that dish.
(2)
Rachel G.

Well I had high hopes for this place. My waiter arrived and had an awesome man bun! In the end however I was left saying "meh". The food was mediocre and overpriced and when I asked to sub things like breakfast potatoes instead of a salad that was meant to come with my breakfast (?!??) I was told the owner didn't believe in subbing and I would be up charged. I wanted a bagel instead of toast and OF COURSE that was an up charge too. Most likely won't recommend and won't go back...
(2)
Wendy W.

First Visit! Nice atmosphere helpful and personable staff! The young man who waited on us was very knowledgeable about the menu and made us feel very comfortable in making our choices!The crepinette I ordered was delicious, fresh and filling!! The lovely owner ,Karen, and I share the same birthday we learned when she came by to conversate with us! I will definately recommend this resturant and will be returning!
(5)
Nadia G.

Went for happy hour a while back and had a good time! Enjoyed all the food options and strong drinks! We had a good waitress named Amy who took good care of us!
(4)
Andrew C.

I can't stress enough how fantastic this place is. The service is amazing. Start with the sticky buns, then go ahead and order the corn cakes. I've only been here for brunch, but I have to imagine that the rest of their menu is just as good. It can be difficult to get a seat, but that's an easy problem to fix. Make a reservation.
(4)
Margaret V.

If you like overpriced, mediocre food served by snotty unprofessional staff who treat you like you are bothering them by eating at their restaurant, than this is the place for you! I was looking forward to a special lunch after visiting the Rock and Roll of Fame and wanted to go to the brew pub across the street, but there was a 60 minute wait... I had read good things, but was sadly disappointed. The menu offered a lot of brunch items as well as a few sandwiches, salads and burgers. I ended up getting the cobb salad without egg. It consisted of an average amount of spring greens, a few oven roasted tomatoes, chicken, a half piece of bacon crumbled and hardly any blue cheese. It was supposed to have a vinagarette on the salad, but I really couldn't taste any. I know salads aren't the most exciting things to eat, but this could have been much, much better. The thing that really put a bad taste in my mouth was the service. It was deplorable. I'm not sure who the woman was who brought me a glass of water, but I really apologize for doing something to tick you off. It was clear you were unhappy by the fact you slammed the glass down on the table and spilled water all over my purse. No apologizes offered. The waiter took my order and never came back except for when I asked for my bill. When he brought it there was no "thanks for coming in", "thanks for visiting" or "have a nice day". It was just "here you go". There are a lot of great restaurants in Cleveland. I would not recommend this one, at all.
(2)
Sue A.

I took my brother here for brunch on Labor Day weekend. We ate at the bar because we didn't have reservations but that was okay! It was a busy weekend for the area restaurants. I had huevos rancheros which can go terribly wrong but everything was right about it. Tasty black bean purÃ©e, sandwiched between good quality crisped tortillas, perfectly done fried eggs and a delicious chili sauce. My brother had the Thai salad made with Ohio City ramen noodles, very fresh veggies and a tasty dressing. I did not find the prices out of line for a small, chef run restaurant.
(5)
Gary T.

The Fig is OK. If you hit one of the specials you will love it. The rest of the menu is just OK. The best thing to do is sit at the bar, have a drink and a small plate. The people are great and you meet interesting people at the bar. I wish somebody would just make a great steak, steamed veg and baked potato in Ohio City. Am I asking for to much.
(3)
Michelle H.

Went for happy hour and loved it! Their HH cocktails change and are signature drinks. Mine had bourbon and was well made. The food was well priced at 5/6$ and was delicious. HH options include pulled pork nachos, burger, fries, cheese plate, vegetarian empanadas and more. Loved our waitress, Amy, she took great care of us!
(4)
Amy C.

Started with bacon wrapped fig then the special hanger steak. Perfectly cooked, wonderful service. Amazing local place. Found this place by accident and so grateful for it!
(5)
Laura C.

This is my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Tonight was my third visit here, and it was great, as always. Amazing dates, carpaccio, calamari... The ribeye special tonight was awesome. The wait staff is great, and they work beautifully as a team.
(5)
Sarah Y.

One of the best brunch spots in Cleveland, hands down. Their huevos rancheros are to die for. Servers are friendly, knowledgable, and efficient. The huevos come with an amazing red sauce with a perfectly cooked egg on top. It's a hearty, filling dish and you'll never go wrong. Bellinis are also refreshing and their cocktail selection is awesome! Couple the food with the location and you've got the makings for an Ohio City staple. Love this place!
(5)
Fallon F.

This review isn't based on the food, since we didn't end up eating there. We made reservations for Flying Fig on New Years Eve. We arrive and are told we must order from the $80 per person tasting menu. I really wasn't upset about the price, but I was upset about the fact that we were not told this when we called to make the reservation. I also was not thrilled about the hostess looking us up and down and saying " you know it's $80 per person, right?". Honestly the menu looked good and we probably would have given the mandatory menu a shot, had we been forewarned, but it really wasn't what we were looking for. Maybe we should have assumed there would be a mandatory menu we would have to order from? I don't know. I just didn't want a four course meal. All we really wanted was to share a few small plates before we started celebrating. I'm just disappointed we were never told (we checked out the website beforehand and we called to make the reservation). If we would have known prior, we could have had time to make arrangements elsewhere. In the end, we were luckily able to find a table elsewhere, and shared a few apps and had some cocktails, which is exactly what we wanted. I'll probably try Flying Fig again, but I don't have a great memory based on the way we were treated this time.
(1)
Dan M.

Solid brunch options with heavy meat options, I could devour these plates.
(4)
Lauren F.

Stopped in for brunch on Sunday and was very impressed. Beautiful and busy outdoor patio area, great brunch cocktails, and delicious food. I had the Migas and loved it. Highly recommend.
(5)
Katie G.

I must say, Flying Fig has always been a favorite. Not sure if it was just an off night, but went last night for the appetizer menu which sounded fabulous, as always. The food my friend and I both had, just fell flat. The burger and the fries were flavorless, tasteless, not even just ordinary. My friend had the chicken chorizo empanada, which at first, the waitress brought her the chicken dumplings, instead. When they brought her the empanada, my friend said tasted like they took it out of a box from the freezer and reheated it. Hoping this was an off night and not a change in chef, management or philosophy.
(2)
Mary R.

Seeing from a previous review that emails about bad service get no response, I decided to post my experience here. The Flying Fig was always one of my favorite restaurants for its food, location, ambiance. For reasons having nothing to do with any of that, I haven't eaten there for several years. Wanting someplace special for our anniversary dinner, it was the perfect spot. Arriving for dinner at 7:30, we got our table right away. Service was ok but nothing out of the ordinary, and certainly not warm or friendly. I ordered a special entree, the hangar steak. Got our wine, starters and salad. Food was very nice. As we were finishing our starters, the server came back to confirm our entree orders, walked away and returned with, "We are out of hangar steak." Seriously? At 8:00 on Saturday night, you are unexpectedly out of one of your 3 special features? The server just stood there looking at me. I scrambled to pick something else, but was very clearly disappointed. The short ribs, also a special entree, were ok. They should be falling apart tender, but were kind of tough. However, on the whole, our food was very good. The dessert was delicious. But I definitely agree with other reviewers who say that the staff gives the impression you are doing them a favor by eating there. No outright rudeness, just indifference. For example, in other restaurants, when I've been told, in the middle of the meal, that my food choice is now unavailable, the server has offered a complimentary glass of wine or dessert or something. Leadership in all things comes from the top. Based on the totality of the circumstances, I feel that our experience is likely the result of an unfortunate leadership failure, rather than one indifferent server. Cleveland has so many great chefs and restaurants, there's just no need to eat where the staff gives off a vibe of "whatever..."
(3)
Jenna H.

Infatuated with Flying Fig! I adore the ambiance of the space itself and the intimate feel it offers. I have been there for dinner with my fiance and then on another occasion with a couple girlfriends, and it was perfect for both. It doesn't get loud in there, so it is easy to chat and have a fluid conversation while enjoying delicious food. Their calamari is so light and tasty, the sauce they serve with it is lemony goodness and doesn't give you that heavy, full of fried dough feel that some calamari tends to do. It might be the best prepared calamari I have ever had!! For my entree, I ordered the polenta. SPOT ON. The combination of the polenta, ratatouille and fried egg sounded like an odd trio to me, but I trusted that FF knew what they were doing and man am I glad I did! Everything is so fresh and flavorful and allows you to leave feeling guilt free. All the staff if super friendly and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Ida G.

Went here for brunch, food was amazing! They had a very creative take on brunch but everything worked together wonderfully. Service made me and the rest of the table feel a little awkward and they also messed up several aspects of the order. Even with the problems with service still a wonderful meal and would return time and time again!
(4)
Lana K.

I came here with a group. We were given a menu of 6 or 7 options. I was not happy with my dish at all. It was cooked okay and came out okay, it was just completely unremarkable. Perhaps I would have better luck with a full menu.
(2)
Mandy T.

I went yesterday for brunch which is every Saturday and Sunday from 11-3. We went around 2pm so there was no wait and we were seated promptly. The atmosphere is a little more upscale which I liked. It is right across from Great Lakes brewery so if you're thirsty afterwards it's a bonus for you! I ordered the croquet madam which was amazing and I would definitely order again! My friend got the frittata which I tried and just thought it was ok, but huge portion!! They also have a different frittata everyday so I thought that was cool. It came in a cute cast iron skillet which was creative as a serving dish. I loved the bread and apple butter, great way to start off a fall brunch in my eyes. All in all its my new favorite brunch spot when I'm out that way to go to the Westside market!
(5)
Samantha P.

Great breakfast! We had the huevos rancheros (so good) and the croques madame. The croques madame was great too but I'd get the huevos next time. The potatoes with pork belly are also rockin. We didn't have any cocktails but the cocktail menu looked great.
(4)
John M.

Great brunch spot with amazing food! Local, fun and creative menu with a really nice drink list to go with it. I sat at the bar and got great service and will be back again to try the rest. Can't go wrong with anything I saw coming out of the kitchen. Great job!
(5)
L H.

A+ food, wine, and service. More vegetarian options than I remembered. Cleveland tofu dish was awesome. Just one question: why the dump of a bathroom?
(4)
Young P.

A couple years back I had an amazing first experience at Flying Fig. Had dinner with a friend, ordered a delicious pork chop, and the service was great. Even my experience during brunch was memorable. Not sure what happened, but the service can be a hit or just flat out terrible. I remember waiting forever for my drinks, food, and check. And, before I even got my check, our waiter had to grab the host to check the weather outside to see if it was suitable to have a quick cigarette. ??? Your mileage may vary, but I once really enjoyed this place and considered it one of my favorite restaurants in Cleveland. Now, if I'm in the area, I wouldn't even consider it.
(3)
Serena S.

I died and went to biscuit and gravy heaven. Scratch that, brunch heaven. I need to go back daily until I try every last thing on their menu. The biscuits and gravy had large chunks of delicious sausage. The best part--- they made tasty homemade biscuit sandwiches with the sausage and biscuits- it was both adorable and tasty. Much better than the typical giant biscuits swimming in over peppered, dense gravy. My best friend got the polenta, which was very tasty, and a bit lighter. They don't have giant portions-so you don't feel like you need to leave on a stretcher. Mimosa was tasty, service was great, atmosphere was pretty decent too. Do yourself a favor and eat here.
(5)
Teejay B.

My boyfriend and I went here on a whim while waiting for our friends. I was definitely not expecting it to be as fancy on the inside and unfortunately I was wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt, so I felt really underdressed. We sat at the bar and for some reason I was having a really hard time choosing what I wanted to drink. The wonderful bartender sensed my decision despare and offered to make me something she thought I might like. I'm not sure exactly what was in it besides fancy gin and champagne, but WOO! My head was foggy after that, not to mention it was downright delicious. Lemon-y with a kick! I always appriciate a bartender who takes the time to really help you when you are unsure of an order. After our tasty drinks we ordered the lettuce wraps as a late night snack. WOW, were they good. I don't take my wraps of any kind lightly when it comes to rating...but I was impressed. If you ask me the pickled carrots made the dish. What an awesome spin on an already wonderful appetizer! I would LOVE to give this a five star rating, but I feel like I need to try a full meal before that. Obviously I will not be hesitant to return for the meal and the review update! An Ohio City gem ladies and gentleman.
(4)
Tahiya M.

WONDERFUL! Best food on my trip so far. The calamari appetizer was astonishingly good. My polenta and my dining companion's pork chop were perfectly cooked, full flavored and just delicious. Service was warm, courteous and on point. Thank you Flying Fig for putting paid to the claims of Cleveland's burgeoning culinary offerings.
(5)
Christie Y.

I have been coming to this restaurant for years. Long before I became friends with the wonderful chef/owner, Karen Small. This place is perfect. The food is delicious, farm to table, local fare. The menu is on the smaller side (my preference!) and yet I always have a hard time deciding what to order because the menu is full of things I actually want to order. I have loved every single thing I've ever ordered at Flying Fig (and I can be a little snobby). The small outdoor seating area is my favorite place on a beautiful day, but they recently completed an interior remodel, breathing some new life into the interior design of the place. They always have a phenomenal wine list and the talented bartenders will mix you up a mean cocktail. Flying Fig brunch is my hands down favorite in Cleveland. Eggs for days! :) I'm all about the grits/polenta and some yolky eggs. But they have sweet pastries and lovely bread-based dishes and even an item or two just for the kiddos (at kids' menu prices).
(5)
Andrea Z.

I've been twice now, once to meet up for after-dinner drinks and tonight I finally was able to come for full dinner. Location/ambience: Cool spot in the Market District, right across the street from Great Lakes Brewery. Great location and with a cute little patio out front for the nice days. Ambience at the bar/up front is nice, chill and with some cool booths to eat in the bar area. Back in the main part of the dining room though, it didn't seem like much attention was given to decor. Tables and chairs are basic-looking and old. My original chair was super wobbly and the carpet seemed like it could use a good cleaning, if not replacement. But on to what really matters, the food! Tonight our group split two apps: flatbread and calamari. Both were tasty. The flatbread was basic, nothing particularly special about it. I like a very crispy thin crust when I think of flatbread - this one was a little too floppy in my book. Still tasty, just not 5 star good. Calamari had great flavor and I loved the sauce that came on the plate. The pepper garnish was a bit odd, but still good. Texture was perfect - not at all rubbery. All four of us tried different entrees: Polenta, Swordfish (special), seafood pasta, and I had the pork/chicken crepinettes. All of us were quite pleased with our meals and cleaned our plates. The crepinettes are basically like sausages which are pan-seared and very very good. The asparagus and mushroom risotto that came with them was also quite tasty. After a while of eating the risotto, it seemed like there was just a bit too much pepper for my tastes, but overall a very good dish. I feel the portion sizes here are perfect. Not too small so you'll leave hungry, but not so much that you can't eat it all without being very stuffed. Menu is small with more appetizer choices than entrees, but the dishes are very well done and there's something to please any palate. Flying Fig is pretty solid in my book. There are places that are better at this price-point, I'd say, but overall a good option with a nice wine list, good cocktail menu and tasty food. I hear the brunch is fantastic so I'm looking forward to getting back at some point to try that out.
(4)
VJ V.

Flying Fig is located across West 25th street from Cleveland's legendary West Side Market. It is nestled in a brick road, lined by tall shade trees, amidst a row of cafes and the Great Lakes Brewing Company; at the epicenter of the hip Ohio City neighborhood. This is a small restaurant in a charming location. In the summer months, I would opt for patio seating to soak in this lovely ambience. This is THE way to hang out and spend a weekend: to soak in the outdoor seating, architecture, people, and to be one with the city. We were here for lunch. The local beet salad I had was a magical mix of flavors. The sweetness of the pickled beets, with the bitter arugula, the perfectly cooked 6-minute egg, and the salty croutons danced all over my taste buds. All of this was on a base of whipped cloverton. Cloverton is made from cow's milk but has the flavor profile of goat cheese with perhaps a quarter of its intensity. This was a refreshing surprise on that dish. All-in-all, I'm a fan and I would definitely come back. This might be an excellent place to take out-of-town guests for brunch which I am looking forward to sampling, perhaps to be followed by a visit to the West Side Market and the brewery later in the day. I was definitely impressed.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Had the biscuits and gravy which have seen micheal symon suggest. It was awesome! Corned beef sandwich was good also that husband had. Portions are just right. Price was fine for such great taste Will be back
(5)
T S.

We have never been disappointed with our experience here. Brunch is also great. Flying fig is a must try... again and again!!! Always great specials and friendly service. They just seem to enjoy what they do and it comes through in the food.
(5)
Melissa O.

En route to Los Angeles from upstate New York, the Flying Fig was our first stop for food. Even though the atmosphere and food could call for a more pretentious attitude regarding attire, they welcomed us warmly in our driving clothes. Our server was very friendly and knowledgable, giving us ample time to choose from the menu while maintaining contact and not disappearing. It was very difficult to decide what to have for dinner. Everything sounds good. We started with a special appitizer of the day, an asparagus-bacon quiche. Unlike a typical quiche, this was fluffy, light, and full of flavor. Next, my fiancÃ© had 3 small plates: gnocci with rabbit, chorizo stuffed dates, and a crispy polenta cake. I had a pasta special of penne with smoked chicken and kale in pesto. Normally, we're fast eaters, but Flying Fig had us Oohing and Aahing at every bite, trying desperately to make it last. It did not, and we were tempted to lick our plates. Luckily, our lovely server reminded us of dessert. He ordered the chocolate lava cake with fig ice cream while I ordered the rhubarb cake with strawberry ice cream. Amazing. And we left with enough energy to make it to Indiana that night.
(5)
Lindsey G.

I was quite impressed by this place. The only reason for the 4 star is the price. The portions are just right but the price is high. The drinks are made proper. We found a reservation easily at last minute on the weekend.
(4)
Bonnie Y.

honestly... i chose this place because.... Lola isn't opened on Sunday and we only had Sunday free! oh well... it was a pleasant experience afterall... but 4 stars? i don't know... i'd give it a 3.5 if i could... everyone says the bacon wrapped dates is a must try... but some of us don't eat bacon, some of us careless about the dates... so we missed it... we probably should have ordered it anyways? because the food to me is really average... nothing really stands out... besides the bread and the desserts! bread oh bread... we asked for more bread three times!!! it was that tasty!!! for the desserts, try the bread pudding and the warm chocolate cake, both very yummy... service was good too... we didn't know that the soup we ordered was 'chilled' and the server was nice enough to take it back and take it off from the bill (after all 5 of us took a sip... lol) the neighborhood is quiet and pretty at night... perhaps what we had at Moxie the night before was much better that's why we didn't care too much here... but check it out! not bad!
(3)
Krissie W.

the suburbanites might come and visit town hall for a questionable dinner, but the locals visit the fig. great happy hour, amazing brunch, and top notch farm-to-table food. karen small is one of the ohio city original great chefs, and although her name isn't as recognizable as some, she is worthy of praise. i recommend fresh squeezed orange juice and pancakes on the weekend and the happy hour $5 burger during the week.
(5)
Niki F.

We went to the fig for my husbands birthday. Overall, we had a great experience. I really enjoyed the design of menu and bar area. I did feel though, that the dining area fell flat. It was far less romantic feeling than the bar. Our drinks were fantastic, as was the service. We started with the spicy tomato soup which was outstanding. Followed it up with a molasses glazed pork loin. I very much enjoyed this dish. The locally grown pork had a nice flavor. My only discrepancy was that it was not cooked to specification. I asked for no pink at all, and it came to us with the center extremely pink. Overall, I would recommend a drink and an appetizer in the bar. Cute bar for the area.
(4)
Bryan V.

The flying fig seemed promising from the reviews and upon our initial entrance into the restaurant with a nice quaint feel. The relatively limited menu seemed to be a good sign as well with the expectation that only the best items would be served. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Both the gnocchi and a fish special were incredibly salty as presented. The gnocchi was particularly salty where water with each bite was almost required. The flavoring was adequate if not for the over zealous use of salt. The fish (so unspectacular that I didn't remember what it was) had a salty herb coating that was almost crisp, but the fish itself was dry and overcooked. The white beans on the side of the fish were actually undercooked and not very tender. Overall this was a disappointing experience with the waiter seeming to be more interested in talking to other staff than being attentive. There are many better options down the road in Tremont for similar price.
(2)
Joan A.

My first visit being from out of town. Looked up best places to eat and found this. The bread was not good. Stale, pre-cut it seemed and deserving of some heat, just a little toasting would have made it soo much better. As it was, it was tough to eat and hard to chew.The chanterelle salad with the hints of blue cheese, grilled Romaine and bits of crunchy croutons was primo. As were the tempura green beans. The chicken meatballs very good. The seafood item my daughter got was run of the mill and just okay. I didn't think it would be anything special though. I always look forward to dessert and the butterscotch brunino sounded awesome. The almond sable cookie that came with it had zero salt and tasted like it had zero salt. Terrible baking skills for the simplest of items, the cookie. Then, the actual butterscotch brunino was way too salty!! I mean, I wish I could have spit it out it was so over salted! We were thinking maybe the chef was trying to counter the sweetness of the caramel with the salty of the brunino? But, no way! Someone didn't taste this before it went out. Or I hope that wasn't the thought because it was a miserable execution of very easy items to make. Hence, the meal was okay. The service was good:)
(3)
James H.

This place is Ok. You get some nice choices and good portions but of the many upscale nice restaurants in CLE this place is a step down. I ordered the tempura green beans and they were Ok but not amazing like some other reviews have said. Also the decor of the restaurant is pretty plain. It looks like it was designed in the 90's and never remodeled. With so many other choices near by I think this place is down the list.
(3)
Richard H.

This was a difficult review to write. I really wanted to like this place. The location and ambiance are fantastic! We had the calamari for an appetizer. It was breaded in unseasoned cornmeal and served with a bean salad on top of it. They were like little bands of rubber and had no taste at all. Not exactly what we expected from a place like this. I had the pork chop (notice singular) and my X had the halibut special. Both were spectacular but the portions were lacking and you were left with a "that's it" feeling after words. I mean $25 for one average sized pork chop? This place is borderline $$$$ rating instead of the $$$ that Yelp is giving it. Open Table said it was only $$ which is way off. Two people, 1 glass of wine, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees... $85... Its not the cost that really bothered me, it was the lacking feeling when i left. I think it was nice that we went, but i cant imagine ever returning. Wish there was a 2.5 star rating. I feel bad only giving it a 2.
(2)
Alden G.

Flying Fig is tops in my book. Found it here on Yelp, so thank you Cleveland Yelpers! Last night tried the dates, broccoli cheddar soup, and short ribs. All good. Friendly staff, excellent atmosphere.
(5)
Paul J.

Went here because of the buzz from other Yelpers. While we weren't disappointed per se, both my wife and I felt the food here lacked inspiration -- even if it was technically prepared as advertised. Hard to put my finger on, but the food here just lacked the small details that set a five star review apart from the rest. Started with the chorizo stuffed, bacon wrapped dates. A great start: flavorful, just the right amount of sweet with the kick of chorizo. Also had the tempura green beans: these were undercooked and a bit too stiff, having had these numerous times elsewhere at other restaurants. My dish was the steak, a bone in strip: I'm a Texan, and in Texas we let the steak speak for itself. Here, they drowned this thing in butter. Flavorful, but I kept trying to get past the heavy butter to taste the beef. The side dishes served with the steak, while generally well prepared, were pedestrian: chopped and seasoned potatoes, and asparagus that, like the green beans, was undercooked. My wife had the lamb. Again, solid but unspectacular: plated like you might at home, and with some heavy grains & cream that might be s mismatch with such a rich meat. Service was prompt, friendly; not too crowded for main suppertime during a Sat night. Would I go back next time I'm in Cleveland? Probably not, but not because we had a bad experience -- just that there are better options (Lola, for example).
(4)
Morgan R.

If I could give Flying Fig 3.5 stars I would. I feel like I am cheating the establishment a little only giving 3 stars, but given the choice of "A-OK" and "Yay! I'm a fan!" I lean toward A-OK. First, I need to give the folks there major props for being so nice. Our reservation on Open Table never made it into their system and yet they were more than willing to accommodate us on a Friday night. I was honestly expecting to be told that we were SOL, but they were awesome. The French 77 is a great cocktail. I drink St. G and 'pagne pretty regularly, but never with fresh lemon juice. It tasted like British lemonade. Yum. The small plates are really the stars here. The bacon wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo were phenomenal. The stuffed banana peppers were really amazing as well. Entrees were a bit more "meh". The hangar steak was flavorful, but the chimicurri-style sauce overpowered the beef. The short rib was much better; it had a nice combination of caramelized exterior with tender beef flavored by fat renderings. Both the roasted potatoes with the hanger steak and the mashers with the short rib needed more salt. They were flat, bland. Dessert was lovely: fresh, housemade doughnuts; two kinds served with an amazing fig compote. Perfect to split between two people to end the meal. I think Flying Fig really wants to be a tapas style restaurant and offers entrees for those who aren't ready for tapas. Given that, I would stay away from the entrees and order up all of their small plates and sample and enjoy. It is a much more enjoyable experience than the normal courses, anyway!
(3)
Shayna R.

Yum! One of my best friends introduced me to Flying Fig a few days ago for some drinks and appetizers. I got a ginger margarita which was so delicious that I actually had a dream about it the next night. No joke. I feel like all my future margaritas will be a disappointment compared to that! We split the famous tempura green beans as well as the chorizo dates with bacon. Both were great, and I could've eaten far more of them! Our server was friendly and just the right amount of attentive, and I loved the atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Bea T.

Very good, consistent quality for lunch and dinner. Will definitely return with friends!!
(5)
Liz B.

Quick recap: Ordered the much talked about tempura green beans. Just ok. Probably not worth the fried calories. Ordered the seared Duck Breast with leg confit. The leg was incredibly tasty and properly seasoned. The breast (the main portion of the dish), resting on the pumpkin puree, was entirely forgettable and fairly bland (I had to ask for salt). I expect more for $26. My mother ordered the polenta and was only marginally pleased. The kicker was (and perhaps there could be some argument on this one) I started out ordering a glass of wine ~ the Fidelity Merlot ~ and once it arrived was so offput (by one sip) by the incredibly chalky, earthy, dirty taste of it, I (after saying I NEVER do this) sent it back and asked her recommendation for a replacement that was lighter, etc. I ended up with the pinot noir that was decent and drinkable. BUT she charged me for both glasses. REALLY?!?!?!? I suppose the restaurant was within their fair rights to do that, but it made me incredibly unhappy as a customer. I paid the full bill, but left knowing that I will NOT recommend the restaurant, based on that poor service element and the marginally pleasing food, and will certainly not return myself. Hope the management reads this and realizes how unhappy this made me as a customer.
(2)
Stephanie F.

walking into the flying fig I had recalled how dark and cavernous the space had looked in the summer, but how inviting and lush it looked in the winter. my date and I took a seat at the bar- unfortunately, the only two seats available were by apparently what was the servers' watering hole at the end of the bar and we overheard them multiple times making fun of some of their customers of the night. professional!!! the way the space is arranged allows a cold, forceful draft to swiftly make its way from the front to the back of the restaurant. not sure what can be done about this, but the draft certainly took away from the cozy ambiance of the place. i had some delicious bar chips and ordered an OC Breeze which was nice and potent, the fried oysters, and striped bass with risotto. The fried oysters were disappointing, because the traditional structure of the dish had a lot of room for improvement. They were served with grits, a green onion butter and lardons. The lardons were a great touch to enhance the savory flavor of the oysters, but the rest of the dish was absolutely unctuous and fatty. There was no essence of lightness, and besides the fried coating of the oysters, the only texture on the plate was slimy and fat. The butter had no other element to it, and the grits were finished with.. copious amounts of butter. This dish demanded some acid and brightness- the tabasco that was promised on the menu would have done the trick completely, but I did not detect it. the striped bass itself was really perfectly cooked; it was a beautiful, substantial, fresh cut of fish. the risotto was delicious and I loved the striking Parmesan flavor, but once again, heavy, with no herb finish or anything of that nature that you would expect to see on a traditional risotto. the Meyer lemon and onion confit was what really did this dish in- you would think this would add an subtle sweetness that was yet acerbic, but however it was rendered made it very bitter and inedible. some elements of the dishes are brilliant, but in the restaurant's mission for rusticness, can be very heavy handed, and ultimately it loses its refinement in that. lots of potential.
(3)
Jill D.

Loved the burger and the brussels sprouts most of all!
(5)
Jeff E.

Self-realization has led me to consider my rating system, as my reviews are heavy on the 4 and 5 stars. This has me questioning whether I'm too easy on the places I frequent and as of late, might have caused me to be a tad more critical. But this place gets the 5 stars anyway! I drove from Solon to try this place and though some might say simply leaving the suburbian wasteland for Foodies tilted my tastebuds in favor of Figs-a-Flying, I relent. But it doesn't change the fact that they've got it all right in this place. Sat at the bar, struck up conversations with locals, and realized that this place is the real deal. It's been here for years and was using local ingredients before that was hip. I had the special: The Grilled Marlin with a Chimichurri that was on a bed of Spinach-infused Couscous along with roasted Carrots. The carrots were perfect and I'm not a fan of carrots. I wish there were more! As for the couscous, much the same situation. Usually, I think couscous is overrated, but this deserved serious attention (which it got as I devoured every last morsel). The chimichurri was a delight on the marlin and if I had to complain about anything at all, I might say that the marlin was a little unevenly cooked with one side being a little crispy. I'm hooked. I get to Cleveland at least once a month and now I've found a new favorite. Oh, what a Happy Plate I had!
(5)
Kate W.

Stop #2 on my wine bar crawl of Cleveland. Really empty - just a table or two occupied, and no one at the bar except me - it was a Wednesday so I should give them the benefit of the doubt, but there were more employees than customers, and while the bartender (maybe the owner? she seemed to be in charge...) was completely attentive, I felt awkward sitting at the bar - the only customer at the bar, mind you - while a gaggle of employees chatted loudly at the end of the bar. Aside from that, the wine and food were lovely. They didn't seem to have too many wines by the glass, but the one that the bartender recommended for me was very nice. I tried the chorizo-stuffed dates that someone else here recommended and they were great - very filling, even though you only get three. The atmosphere, at least in the bar area, was a little trendier than I personally care for with some uber-modern art on the wall and very low lighting, but this would be a very nice impress-your-date place.
(4)
Wendy D.

Loved the food. Service was bit slow but, the food was wonderful.
(5)
Funglin W.

I went to Flying Fig around Christmas time. The place is quite classy although it is a bit noisy inside. We were well attended and our waiter was very friendly and explained the menu to us very well. For appetizers, I got the beef carpaccio and although I do not eat raw beef, the carpaccio was amazing! If you eat an entire slice with a bit of the cheese in your mouth, it almost instantly melts! For entree, I had their duck breast & duck leg while my friend got their lamb with Polenta. The duck breast & duck leg is delicious. I had it cooked medium (what the restaurant recommends) and when I cut the duck leg, it was so tender and juicy. The roasted brocolli was perfectly roasted too and probably the best brocolli I've ever had! The lamb & polenta were great as well. The lamb was delicious but not as great as the duck meat. However, the polenta was great-- best ever!!! For desserts, we got their apple crisp. It was heated just right and crispy and great. The apple was crisp and sweet and nicely made. Overall, the quality of the food was top-notched. However, it was a bit pricey considering I was able to devour my food easily and paying almost a $100 total. I would definitely come back again for another special occasion but not a restaurant I'd be able to afford to go regularly. Another nice to to note was that the store owner walked around the room delivering food and greeting guests which was nice and friendly!
(5)
Mike F.

Great drinks! Haven't had a chance to sample the menu, but if it's anything like their bar tending perfection, it's out if his world.
(4)
Sarah H.

Came here for the Sunday night happy hour. I thought it was good. Not great. Not 4 or 5 stars by any means, IMO We had tempura green beans, bleu cheese burgers, french fries and pork nachos. Average. Painfully average, as I went in here with very high expectations. Poo.
(3)
Christopher W.

Oh Flying Fig, how I wanted to love you, but I just couldn't. Let's start from the beginning. I typically don't review the decor of a restaurant on these Yelp reviews, but I just can't avoid this one. The chairs were ugly and uncomfortable, tables appeared to be made out of the same stuff has a high school cafeteria (just stained darker). The bathrooms had teenager writings and drawings carved into the stalls, the soap appears to be the 99 cent soap from a local WalMart, and the paper towels were that of a fast food chain. Not a great impression. We skipped the appetizers tonight in hopes of landing a great dessert. Needless to say, we never stayed long enough to even see the dessert menu. Drinks - I ordered the Old Fashioned. Thus is where menu problem one popped up. According to the menu I was to be charged $8 for a Jack Daniels Old Fashioned.....ummmmm excuses me? $8 for a Jack Old Fashioned? When the star of the cocktail is bourbon and you give Jack we are not off to a good start. My best upgrade available was Maker's Mark, which I still wasn't thrilled about. I also paid a couple of bucks extra to upgrade this from Jack to Makers. Definitely very disappointed. Entree - I order the Burger. I was super stoked to get this knowing it was purveyed from a local Ohio farmer. Grass fed Burgers are probably my favorite thing ever, besides a pork product. I ordered the burger medium and it came to the table as such. Problems with the Burger - it was scalding hot. The meat was not rested at all before making its way out to. About 10 minutes into my meal, my medium burger transformed into well done. The meat they used was no less than a 90-10% lean to fat ratio. In my opinion, this is much to lean for a 10 ounce burger. There needs to be some substance and juice to such a hunk of meat! The only sauce offered on the burger was a mustard aioli. This appeared to be nothing more than stone-ground mustard and mayo. Not impressive. They cheddar cheese was non-existent (I honestly could barely see it, and definitely could not taste it). The onion rings were pretty good, as well as the bacon. The house made sweet pickles were neither sweet nor pickles. It tasted like cucumber that had been pickled for less than a day or two. The fries were crispy. However, they came to the table cold and not seasoned. Very disappointed with these as well! The prices charge at this place are definitely not worth the quality of the food you get. My fiancÃ©e and I love going to farm to the table places and one of our favorite restaurants is one. This place gets high marks for investing into the farm to table mentality, however both or our dishes were very poorly executed. We left Flying Fig early due to the loudness of the restaurant. We are both in our 20's and were getting incredibly annoying by the 40 and 50 somethings in the table behind out shouting and yelling throughout our dinner service. I feel that if I am paying between $25-$40 for an entrÃ©e alone, the management staff has the right to tell a table of annoying drunks to shut up. Again, very disappointed. At least a compensated drink or dessert was deserved. We were not the only couple annoying in the restaurant. Definitely will not be back to this one.
(2)
Peter W.

The wife and I recently visited Flying Fig for a late evening dinner after a long day of digging out from the previous nights blizzard. I was pretty surprised to find that the place was mostly empty at 10PM on a Friday, but I guess a lot of that can be chalked up the weather and a metric tonne of things going on in town that evening. The sparsely populated dining room and bar were actually a welcome sight, having just come from a fun, but over-crowded gathering, and after we made ourselves comfortable in our booth we got down to the business of trying to decide what to order. I suppose that to say I've heard great things about Flying Fig is an understatement, and for certain friends, it has been their favorite restaurant in town for years. Finally having a chance to take it all in in person proved they at least had a very solid argument. I ended up ordering the lamb shank, and the wife ordered the burger and when they arrived I'm pretty sure our eyes popped out of our heads. My lamb shank looked as if it might have been a prop from the Flintstones, and my wife's burger looked mouth-wateringly good (as did the accompanying mound of fries and onion rings). Both dishes tasted even better than they looked and it wasn't long before they had disappeared completely. The service was friendly and efficient. As I said earlier, it seemed as if we might have hit on a relatively dead night, but I feel confident we would have received the same treatment had we come at a busier time. In my opinion, Flying Fig has earned every word of praise I've heard about it, and I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Ben H.

My wife and I visited here looking for a nice little place to enjoy a weekend meal. Although we didn't have any expectations (other than the 4.5 star yelp rating), we left a little disappointed. The environment was nice,but the comfort was below average. The chairs were small and wobbly and the tables were close enough together to hear what was going on with the neighbors sick grandma and the difficulty of her partners work/life balance. The food was good, but not great either. Lets start with the basics - the bread. As you can see by my photo, the bread just didn't do it. The olives were good (not to lolita standards), and the salads were literally iceberg lettuce smothered in oil. The highlight of the meal was the hangar steak, but it was covered in caramelized onions which overpowered the steak itself. We both had a drink, an appetizer, a salad and we shared an entree and were out the door for $75. All in all, not a bad spot, but I expect a little more for the pricetag.
(3)
Michelle L.

The Flying fig is amazing!! Great service, cozy ambience and phenomenal food!! The tap wines and the corn bread are a must as is the gnocchi. The bruschetta is also lovely...fresh and light.
(5)
Rick G.

Food was excellent nice atmosphere. Second time there will diffently go again
(4)
Gary P.

The beet salad was a nice follow up to the cheese plate appetizer. The winter squash had great flavor
(4)
Tom G.

Excellent food and service for dinner. The breakfast was not as good.
(5)
Melissa P.

It's not every week you receive an invitation to visit a new friend with the intentions to check out martini bars and new restaurants. Flying Fig was my friends first choice for eating out in Cleveland. I'm no expert in this state, but the Flying Fig may have one of the most stylish decors in all of Ohio. Certainly Cleveland has never seen anything like it. The Flying Fig clan poured mucho dineros into the design alone. And the food... My friend ordered a huge hunk of hangar steak and potatoes dipped in duck fat. She gobbled it down with pleasurable mmms. My order had simple ingredients done in a very interesting way. Richly wedged polenta, as well as flat bread pizza with ricotta and mushroom. The portions were fairly small and a bit overpriced. Though, the food was exquisite. Whether you like the look or not, you've got to applaud such investment at a time when the humble gourmet eatery has become an endangered species in many towns all across the US.
(4)
John H.

By far my favorite restaurant in Cleveland. I was just in recently on a saturday night and I enjoyed it so much I came back for brunch 14 hours later! Service is excellent. Seems like they have had the same wait staff for 10 years now. The food is fantastic. Clean, simple and local. Make sure to have the tempura green beans. I think its one of the few staples that's always on the menu. Menu changes frequently. Go support the fig, it truly is great.
(5)
Roxanne L.

My aunt and I went to flying fig last Saturday about 9:30pm without a reservation. To be honest we were out all day and didn't think of making one. We were seated without a problem. Started with a pinot noir from Oregon and the chicken liver starter. Absolutely delicious, chicken liver with grits, apple slivers, and arugula. I had the rock shrimp risotto and my aunt had the duck breast. Both were A+ dishes. We shared the molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream. I did not taste any fig in the ice cream, but it was still delicious.
(5)
Theresa C.

My first time at Flying Fig was definitely better than the second time. However, I still have hope for Flying Fig, so I'll be willing to give it a Four Star. To make my life easier, below are the reasons why it deserves a four star and reasons why it was disappointing at times: Why I gave it a 4 star: 1) Great appetizer - try the dates, it was delicious! 2) Classy place to go for a date 3) Happy Hour food was decent with some fun drinks (chicken drumstick was good, bruschetta was interesting) 4) The majority of their dinner selections were pretty tasty - the duck was good. Now, why I shouldn't have given it a 4 star: 1) We got a random gratuity charge when we went for happy hour - there was only 2 of us eating too. 2) I did not like their short ribs. The lamb meat wasn't as tender as it could have been. Overall, my second time dinning there was a bit disappointing - the price I paid wasn't worth the quality I received. It's okay, overall, this is a nice place to go. I'd give it one more try sometime to let the restaurant redeem itself.
(4)
E David C.

This was my first time there for lunch and it was great. Good times, small place. Enjoyed it.
(4)
Natalie P.

I was so excited to try this restaurant, because who doesn't love a good farm to table restaurant? However, I felt that some of the food really shouldn't have made it to the table. I came here for dinner with a large group of people and ordered the pan seared walleye with bacon & potato salad on the side. There wasn't anything extraordinary about the walleye. It was bland and boring. The potato and bacon salad was unique and quite good, but I didn't pay $24 for bland fish and a small side salad. A friend ordered the grass fed burger which he stated was good, but not amazing and certainly not worth the price. I also agree with many other reviewers that have stated the portions sizes are small. Looking around the table at my friends' orders, many of the appetizers and entrees looked miniscule. I was expecting a lot more from a restaurant with so much hype. But alas, they can't all be winners.
(3)
Ben S.

Unfortunately no longer on Open Table ;( but still the best brunch in town in my book. And still always busy so clearly they don't need Open Table's help. Though to make a reservation you now actually have to speak into your smartphone (soon to be watch): 216-241-4243. I haven't written a review since the Brunch menu changed. My favourite Migas dish is no more, but it has been replaced by a new favourite - Shaksuka. Something that I've never heard of before, but have now had twice and love. It's so simple, yet so flavourful and always consistently good. The menu calls it spicy, but I'd disagree and just say well flavoured; it's not "hot" - maybe even a little sweet from the peppers and tomatoes. If you order it definitely add the lamb sausage. You get one links worth, about half the plate in size. It really makes the dish and adds substance to it - not optional in my opinion. Just like I was on the Migas I am hooked on this dish. Soon I will have to try something else as the rest of the weekend (still both Sat & Sund 1100-1500) brunch menu looks great! The sticky buns and apple butter sure are.
(5)
Nick H.

An amazing little bar and restaurant nestled in the large looming shadow of Great Lakes brewery. Sure the prices of some menu items might be a little high, but the presentation, ingredients and service make it worth the extra penny. The beer selection is small but well thought out, as well as the cocktail list. The ambiance was great and included a nice little patio in the front. I had the flatbread appetizer with two pints of north coast scrimshaw Pilsner. It was the perfect amount of food and beer, would recommend to anyone that happens to make the same mistake I did... Going to G.L. On the one day they are closed!!!
(5)
Ellie S.

Great place for brunch. I loved being able to eat outdoors. The food was fresh and very delicious I ordered the croak madame came out piping hot. I asked for the eggs to be punched on top which I think was a good decision. Definitely more than enough food to share. The bloody Mary's were exceptional. The other people I went with also got drinks And were very satisfied.Wait staff was very attentive and the establishment in general is very well-run. We came on a Sunday around 10 AM and didn't really have to wait at all. There is an open market right next to the restaurant and we were able to do a little shopping after French set a location was convenient. I would definitely come back here, think it might be a nice place to try for lunch. Prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Jessica M.

Wasn't a huge fan of this place. Came here for brunch over the weekend and I wasn't very impressed. The menu to me wasn't very good... Maybe one thing on it caught my eye. I felt like it was trying a little hard to be unique and have creative dishes that none of them sounded very good. I decided to get the special which was a squash ricotta mixed greens filled omelette. I thought it was over priced for what you got. My omelette was $12 and it only came with a few potatoes. If I'm paying that much for an omelette I want it to be appealing to look and delicious and filling! The flavor was okay nothing I couldn't make...Other dishes were priced higher then that and it wasn't a ton of food you were getting. Definitely think this place is over priced for okay food.
(2)
Grant W.

The Flying Fig was once our go-to restaurant for nice nights out or to show off the best of Cleveland to out-of-town visitors. Our last visit, however, was such a disappointment that we haven't been back in awhile. It started off fine until our server realized we weren't going to order alcoholic drinks -- and his demeanor went from friendly to cold and dismissive much the same way Bruce Banner turns into The Incredible Hulk. He treated us like teenagers who didn't deserve to be in the restaurant anymore... and that alone overshadowed the entire experience.
(2)
Bee S.

My first visit here was great! (I even posted a yummy yelp photo of my huevos rancheros with a bloody mary from that day). Granted that visit was over a year ago.... the recent rumors/bad reviews are true. It really is too bad, because this place is nestled right in the heart of such a cute area in Ohio City with all the potential in the world. I can attest to the accuracy of 2 other reviews stating a terrible experience involving a huge, live, bug wiggling around in my friend's salad (not to mention the original order was wrong to begin with, live bug not included). One of these reviews has been flagged from the Yelp filter (hey, they can't get them all right). The way it was handled was COMPLETELY unprofessional and downright insulting. Manager and waitress both gave zero f*cks and when she asked for a small slice of carrot cake in lieu of said-bug-infested-salad, it was dry and "meh" and they still charged her for ALL ITEMS. Excuse me, what? This is a restaurant. When there are live bugs in your food, you either replace or comp the dish. Or even if you don't, at least offer an APOLOGY and replace it with a bug-free version?? Get your act together, guys. It really is a shame that this place has gone to waste.
(1)
Lu U.

I don't understand why this place gets good reviews. I love stopping by for cocktails or coffee and dessert, but in terms of food, it's nothing super special to me. It's definitely way over priced and tiny! A friend and I try a sampler of 3 appetizers and it wasn't enough for both of of to taste! The gnocchi came in a espresso cup for the love of Pete!!! Ridiculous!
(2)
Rilkean F.

i would give this place a 1star based on how rude the short pudgy bartender/floor manager was to us when we walked in there- a snarky & pretentious "can i help you?" as if he had no idea we were there to eat? other than that, the service is great, the food was great. probably one of the best burgers in cleveland. i've also been to their brunch which is usually pretty good, not too filling but you dont leave feeling like you need to go home and take a nap. the bloody marys are also pretty amazing- as long as they remember to use the bloody mary mix and not just tomato juice. so all in all, i would have rated this place much higher if it werent for how rudely we were treated when we first walked in the door.
(3)
Srinivas M.

I have been a fan of the Fig for years - close to about the time they opened. They make fantastic drinks (their Espresso Martini was a phenomenon before most bars had even heard of it) and the food is about as good as it gets. Karen Small, the Chef-Owner, is a true star in the locavore movement and is a genius with her ingredients. The menu changes seasonally and now with the $20 for 3 Tuesdays, this make things even more affordable. The brunch on Sundays is worth waking up for! Service is always polite and attentive without being too friendly or chirpy as some places try to be. I can't say enough good things about the Fig. Oh wait...there's the really nice patio for the Spring/Summer/Fall time!
(5)
Marion S.

After having had a number of rather underwhelming experiences dining at some of Cleveland's finer establishments recently, I was thrilled and delighted to enjoy a superb meal at the Flying Fig last Saturday evening. The bar and restaurant were packed with good natured pre-Valentine's diners at around 8 pm. Our waitress came right over and after a quick perusal of the drink menu, my Valentine and I settled on some brews from Colorado's Left Hand Brewery--an IPA and a "milk stout" (trust me, there was nothing wholesome about this potent brew!). Seeing as how we were right across the street from Great Lakes, it seemed a little suprising that the Fig doesn't offer any of their local Cleveland favorite on tap but no matter...The menu is truly outstanding in its selections, including a number of vegan/vegetarian choices that would satisfy even the most ardent carnivore. The beers went exceptionally well with our appetizer and entree selections--mussels in tomato-fennel-housemade chorizo broth, meaty, fresh, clean tasting mussels in a zesty broth; a savory butternut squash soup with crispy sage and a definite kick of cayenne; and roasted chicken with braised cabbage, haricots verts and tender spaetzle, all cooked to perfection. The meal ended on a perfect sweet note with housemade banana rum ice cream and caramel pecan bread pudding, topped with a decadent schlag and a rich caramel sauce. Can't wait to return for my next meal!
(5)
Steve W.

Sunday brunch with the family was our first dining experience at the FF. We arrived shortly after noon and were surprised at how empty the restaurant was. We had our choice of seating and opted to sit in the rear of the restaurant near the kitchen since there were two young children in our party. The waitstaff were very friendly and competent, and certainly deserving of as much praise as the food. We ordered Tempura Battered String Beans to start. The batter was light and crispy, the string beans were cooked perfectly, and the accompanying sauces gave it just enough flavor to complement the dish. My 6 year old couldn't get enough of it. My wife ordered the Migas, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Needless to say, I didn't get to sample any of her dish. She gave her nod of approval. My 6 year old ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes and Sausages. Four blueberry pancakes were served with two nice sized linked sausages. My younger one was a bit more generous so I was able to sample the pancakes and sausages. I will simply quote what he said about the dish: "these are the best tasting 'city' pancakes and sausages, but not as good as the best 'country' pancakes and sausages." My 9 year old and I both ordered the Grilled Short Ribs. WOW!!! They were fabulous. Two generous cuts of short ribs served with a heaping side of fries, fennel slaw and horseradish sauce. The short ribs were cooked perfectly. Slightly crispy on the outside, and incredibly tender and moist on the inside; packing plenty of rich meaty flavor. The horseradish sauce and fennel slaw were both excellent, each complementing and balancing out the rich flavor of the meat. I only wish a larger portion of the slaw was served. My 9 year old enjoyed it as much as I did. He was so full from the meat and slaw, he didn't even eat the fries, which was a surprise given how much he likes fries. We left feeling completely satiated after our meal, eager to return to sample their lunch and dinner menus. My 6 year old gave the FF 'Two Big Thumbs Up' and has made a special request to return for round two next weekend.
(4)
Eleanor C.

I went to Flying Fig for brunch by myself. That took some guts, but the server was appropriately attentive and made me comfortable. I had the French toast and man was it good. It didn't really need any accompaniment, but I really liked the jam, butter and syrup that they provided, as well as the cinnamon mascarpone that was served with it. I wasn't as excited about the sausage that it came with, but it wasn't bad. I guess I should have gone with bacon. I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to return for dinner some time and to have that French toast again.
(4)
Kevin N.

Pretty good, the bar area was especially nice and the bartenders very good and friendly. The chips with their horseradish dipping sauce were especially good, although they do not quite go with a Manhattan. My food was good but not great. Actually, the short ribs were great, but the scallops were just okay: over buttered and cooked a little too long. I don't know if this is really the "Zuni of Cleveland", but it is true that Cleveland does not have many Zuni-like places.
(4)
Melissa S.

My favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Hands down. Impeccable food, good service, small, independent and funky. Great for dates or smaller groups as well. Perfect portion sizes. I just love it here at the fig!
(5)
Nicole B.

Excellent food and the staff is great! Definitely recommend it and it's in a great area where you can go over to any of the bars after and make it a fun date night or just a night out with the girls
(4)
Pri S.

Based purely on the brunch....I still dream of the migas (best ever per this displaced Texan) and the pastry basket. Oh my! Juice was delish, but yes a bit overpriced. I'll be back often to check out the other menus, but brunch will be hard to beat.
(5)
Julia B.

Fun place to go when I was in Cleveland visiting my parents. This restaurant has a very tastey menu including seasonal options, which are all spectacular. The atmosphere is very chill and relaxing. This is a well known place by many younger people that live in Cleveland area!
(4)
Brian D.

Last night my wife and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at the Fig. I will try to keep this succinct. The scallop appetizer: 4/5. The spices were strong, but very delicious with a honey base. If you like the natural light flavor of scallops, you may not care for this. Small serving of two scallops. Medjook dates appetizer: 5/5. Incredible, but tiny serving. 3 dates. Fish special dinner: 5/5. Great risotto, fish, etc. Good sized entree. Hangar steak dinner: 4.5/5. The cut was a TAD chewy, if I am going to be very picky, but I ate every bite and enjoyed it. At $24, I feel it was a fair price for the size and quality (big cut) I received. Apple cobbler dessert: 1/5. It was moderately covered in sea salt. While I can appreciate the combination of sweet and salty that is the fad these days, the salt was overpowering on this dessert. Perhaps if it was lightly salted, but this was more than a dash. It was the only "miss" of the night. Molten chocolate cake with fig ice cream dessert: 5/5. If you love molten chocolate, you'll like this, and the house specialty fig ice cream is awesome. Portion size is small, this is probably not a dessert to split. Ambiance including dining room, patio, and restrooms: 3/5. It was OK, but considering the prices should have been one step up in "class". For example, stall walls in men's room had a little graffiti on them. Dial antibacterial soap in its plastic grocery store jug. We ate inside, the patio tables and chairs didn't look overly appealing/comfortable. The two of us left out the door at about $120 including 20% tip. I struggled, 4 stars or 5? Overall it deserves 4.5 stars. We'll be back - the food was amazing enough to cover for the minor misses in other areas. 5/15/13: I came back to this review after really thinking it through more carefully, and after hitting up a bunch of restaurants while on vacation in comparison. I still feel the FF is an excellent restaurant but I just can't justify 5 stars. It's a solid 4 star experience -- if they can improve the tiny app portion sizes, take the decor slightly upscale, and perhaps tweak that apple cobbler I'd give the star back. (Or leave the apps tiny, but make them $5-6 instead of $9-10. It's just not acceptable that one person would need to buy two apps for about $20 to get that 'slightly satisfied' feeling that an appetizer is supposed to bring.)
(4)
Nicholas M.

Let's start with the appearance...it's a cute little restaurant with a pretty nice little bar. One thing I noticed right away was the piece on the wall that was made of light bulbs by the front window and one was missing. It kinda stuck out and I wondered why they didn't replace the light bulb. Just a small thing but then I started looking around and noticed that there were quite a bit of lights out. Also, my table was being held in place with one of the server booklets to make sure it was balanced which I thought looked tacky but I guess better than having a table that rocks. It seems like management could easily fix these things with very little effort and make the place look a lot better. Now to the food. My girlfriend and I started with the beef carpaccio which our server recommended. It was EXCELLENT. The beef was very flavorful and had a lemon vinaigrette and fried capers that were outstanding - very well balanced and flavorful. The second dish we ordered was the goat cheese salad. It was a standard leafy salad with a crunchy piece of bread that had a lump of goat cheese on it. It was very average at best and just kinda lacked any real excitement. I guess that's kind of expected for a salad but then I guess it shouldn't be $12 and I wouldn't expect so much from it. The final course we ordered was the gnocchi. It was a homemade gnocchi with good density and was tossed with brussel sprouts. It was nothing to write home about and was overall pretty average I thought. The service in the restaurant was really great - our server was very attentive, recommended dishes when asked, very friendly, filled my glass when it was needed and I would rate her 5 stars. But, the food? I thought it was pretty average and pretty expensive to be just average...
(2)
matt p.

The food here is a 5, but the service drops it. Took forever to get our drinks, slow response to take orders, seemed not to care when we were just having a couple appetizers and drinks. The last place we went to was totally cool about it, but this "small eatery" seemed let down and no, they were not packed. But the food made up for it. The figs, which seemed to be the only use of figs at the Flying "Fig", were awesome and just perfect heat with sweet. The cheese flatbread was so good and the tomatoes were awesomely sweet. Both our salads were good, but my wife is still talking about her beer salad. The food here is a 5.
(4)
Meredith C.

I had dinner at Flying Fig with family on a Friday night. It was only okay, which was a bit disappointing. The restaurant itself is lovely and in a fantastic location. The service was very good and the menu looked interesting. Unfortunately, all 4 of us were not happy with our meals. They were all just okay, boring and mediocre even. Nothing was terrible but I won't be going back, and neither will anyone that I was with. Perhaps we were there on an off night, but when you spend $200+ for 4 people to have dinner, you expect the food to be delicious. I wish I could say that was the case.
(2)
Chad K.

Excellent food, atmosphere and service. All three courses were prepared perfectly and tasted great. Suzanne was an incredible server. She took her time with us and had all the knowledge we hoped for to make the best decisions on everything we ordered. Superb.
(5)
Jo T.

Some dear one took me out here for a special dinner, thinking he'd treat me with a nice steak (although he is a vegetarian.) Off we went. Staff was really polite and friendly, which is incredibly important to me, for that alone I'd give happily at least 4 stars. One server had hellish hair, I do not mean cut, but looked like last time she washed it was Christmas. Yuk. Sorry, But she wasn't our server, so hey. I read through the menu and stared at the prices, envisioning the food and price for it and so back and forth for half an hour. And then I said I couldn't possibly order any of these dishes to the level that I would be full and possibly having even a drink with it and we would walk out under spending at least 70$ and that's really not worth it in a this case. No desserts either.... aaaahhhh, no chocky no sex. That simple. Why waste the money? So we went to 30th Steet Cafe instead. Where I can stuff myself for half the dough and feel still I got a treat in so many ways (the decor...!) Decor here instead one of the style as I see it all over in town now, try to make it elegant and didn't quite know what 'elegant' could possibly look like as last time the person in charge decorated a dive bar. Sorry again. If posh, then real posh and I am happy to sin for an evening and spend BIG. Otherwise I feel double guilty. But maybe I lost out on the town's most fabulous food, that is possible.
(2)
Annette F.

This is our second visit here. Second time is the charm. Had a table for 7 with the two grandsons. This is a true test of dining. Appetizers, salads and then the hamburger for the boys. Adults loved the short ribs and hanger steak and lamb. Staff was attentative, grandsons were well behaved and we all left happy !
(4)
Joyce H.

After hearing about Flying Fig forever (magazine write-ups, friends), I came here with a few girlfriends to share the small plates. I can't believe its taken me several years to make my way here! It really is one of Cleveland's best. Some of my favorites: house-made pasta (soft, fresh, delicious), medjool dates (chorizo, dates in bacon), and the fig ice cream (creamy, delicious - only needed a few bites!) Mmm.. drooling...right now. Others that were still good: tempura battered green beans, mussels (mmm), roasted beet salad. The overall environment was enjoyable and I had a great time with the girls!
(5)
Vanessa T.

Just had brunch with my girlfriends. We each ordered something different and sampled each other's meals. I ordered the whole wheat blueberry pancakes and I was in LOVE. I did end up ordering a side of eggs because I wanted MORE FOOD! Everything was delicious, but if you're a big eater, you may want to order more sides. I hope that doesn't make me sound too piggy!
(4)
Mike H.

Brunch was outstanding. We had the chive biscuits, non-traditional but tasty. Entrees were Tallegio polenta (creamy, rich, and decadent) and Croque Madam which was outstanding. Great toast, light bechamel, egg a tad underdone, and very good ham. Came with a side salad that cut the richness of the Croque. Servie was solid. Great cocktails as well, peach bellini and trad mimosa.
(4)
Tony P.

Great spot and creative menu. One of the best spots in town.
(5)
Michele L.

This is one of the best happy hours in Cleveland. I have known this for years, but sometimes I just need to remind myself. Last night I did just that. For $5, you can get the best blue cheese/bacon burger in Cleveland (I dare you to find a better one at that price), or the confit chicken legs, which I ordered for the first time last night. I have never had confit chicken legs before, and they exceeded my expectations-especially with the added touch of pickled carrots. The happy hour runs from 4-7pm Tuesday through Friday. If you don't make it to the happy hour, you must stop into the Market at the Fig connected to the Flying Fig. I had the best sandwich of my life there two months ago, and it has made eating sandwiches anywhere else in Cleveland difficult. The market also supplies hard to find beverages and Utz potato chips. The only reason I give this restaurant four stars is because the happy hour menu is limited, and the normal menu can be a little pricey, but this is one place where get your moneys worth in taste. I also commend this restaurant for always buying local, and to me, that is worth the higher price.
(4)
Amy T.

5 stars is an easy decision. I don't get to come here much ($$$$$) but I have had wonderful meals when I do. The first time I came here was after I was dumped...My dad wanted to take his little girl someplace nice. I was coming from the East side and got off the shoreway on w.28. It isn't super easy to make a left there and I was stopped for a few minutes. While stopped, a woman came over and tried to get in my car. Luckily, I am always expecting this and locked the door as soon as I saw her make a move (I have had this happen to me, for some reason, like 10 times). Once again, I thwarted a crazy woman from getting into my car. This did not make her happy, so she turned around and began slapping her backside. I looked in horror, which really did not make her happy, so she pulled up her jean skirt and pushed her bare bottom against my car window. Luckily, traffic cleared and I was able to make my turn without seeing any more body parts. What does this have to do with the flying fig review you ask? A lot. 1) don't come that way unless you want to see crazy lady body parts 2) take your daughter to the Flying Fig when she gets dumped. She will always appreciate it.
(5)
Mitchell R.

Very interesting place. Our second visit here, and both times have been good. We had a burger, frittata, peach bacon sandwich, and chicken thigh sandwich. Everything was well prepared, fresh and tasty. And close to the west side market and Penzeys!
(4)
S H.

On a busy Saturday, the manager was very considerate to all us walk-ins, found seats for parties quickly. Contrast to Great Lakes Brew House, across the street, with an hour-and-a-half to two hour wait. Could not possibly have been worth that. Burger and enchilada were very good, service was quick and friendly.
(4)
Sarah V.

I'm kind of like Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly when it comes to eating mixed nuts at the bar. Yes, I am that freak who thinks I'm gonna get the Ebola virus from a bowl of mixed nuts. I couldn't bring myself to sample the fresh made chips and dipping sauce sitting during happy hour. I wasn't sure how long it had sat out before I made it there. Especially since it took me a while to catch the eye of the bartender to order a drink. Things must wait a long time at the wooden water trough. He was really busy. So I just sloughed it off and got lost in the drink menu. I was torn between 3 drinks. I knew I had to at least try two, and after one I was second guessing my rationale. But I went for it, yelpers! He recommended the Moscow Mule. Vodka, ginger beer, and lime, helloooo Dolly!! It was refreshing and just what I needed to turn it loose. Once I slammed that down, I immediately set the dry glass at the front face of the bar so he could see it. Seconds later he was asking what else I wanted to try. "The Rhubarb cocktail", I said sloppily. It was made with local rhubarb syrup and some champagne. UM-yum. After that drink you could have called me Barb and I wouldn't have cared. By this time our party had arrived. I was a little tipsy, thanks to my new friend at the bar. But feeling goooooooood. And I'm feeling it this morning.... We were there for Yelp Eats. 20% off selected menus. I ordered the Pork Loin. She asked me how I wanted it cooked. I'm used to wait staff asking me this question for beef. But for pork?! Pork and chicken always make me nervous when undercooked. Pink pork, ew!!! She recommended medium, and I graciously obliged. And I'm still alive today! Must be all that lead paint I chewed on as a kid. In the mean time we nibbled on the tempura green beans. They were good, I'm just not sure if I would order them again? It came with 2 dipping sauces, Ponzu or a pineapple sauce. I favored the latter. I just wanted something more from them. Like when you're dating a guy for 3 years and it's not headed to the altar anytime soon. That kind of feeling. When this pork came out I almost fell off my chair. The prices were steep, and I expected the plates to come out with a bite of food on them. This pork was bigger than my hand (that's what she said). When I read the description I wasn't sure what to expect: Molasses Glazed Ohio Pork Loin, Sweet Potato, Pickled Radish, Watercress, Jalapeno & Cilantro. If we could ever eat a really great song, like Pink Floyd -Hey You, it would be this dish. The sweet potato puree had a nuttiness to it. Maybe cinnamon or nutmeg? It was deliciously paired with the pickled radishes/watercress & friends. Mixed with the saltiness of the pork, and there on that day, I witnessed the union of something great. Our waitress offered us a dessert menu. But we drank our calories instead. I should have accepted because after I left I was eyeing the ice cream places on Detroit. I love you Flying Fig. You filled the hole where pork belongs. However, I didn't see any figs flying. I think it's a farse.
(5)
Bruce F.

Fine Ohio City restaurant, with menu that includes grass-fed burgers ( Kettering?) and other locally-based sausage, poultry and veggie specialties. Sidewalk tables are in the middle of everything, including wandering minstrel who looked and dressed like aging Thor. Waitress was attentive, funny and awesome; referencing if you want a burger that's cheaper than FF, just visit other bistros serving SYSCO frozen "beef" that fell off back of a semi. :). Is this Cleveland?
(4)
Randal S.

Sunday evening dinner reservation for four... Seated immediately, attentive but not overbearing service. Started with bacon-wrapped dates and a dish of olives. Dates were served on a nice tomato-based puree and were good, but not great. I don't dig olives, but others at the table seemed pleased. Dishes for four... I had the Rock Shrimp Risotto, wife had the hangar steak, and the two guests both had the pork shoulder. If there's a better risotto out there, please tell me. Shrimp were on the small side, but well-balanced with the corn-bacon-creamy risotto. Topped off by (again) smallish but tasty mussels. All-together, a perfect portion for an entree. Good stuff. Everyone else raved about their meals. Highly recommend!
(5)
Sarah K.

The food was fresh and delicious, with seasonal menu items. The risotto was cooked perfectly, and the outside seating is great.
(5)
Sammy S.

I went to Flying Fig twice this weekend. Once for happy hour/dinner on Friday, and again on Sunday for brunch. The restaurant itself is very warm and inviting. Both visits we had a seat near the bar and found the booths to be very comfortable and good for people watching. Friday night we had a happy hour hamburger which is delicious and a steal at $5. We also got the two-cheese sandwich. This was simply one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. It consisted of very good quality, slightly aged cheese with walnuts, pickled zucchini, figs, and arugula on excellent focaccia. Simply delicious. The cocktails we got were excellent also, including a gin gimlet and a house concoction of St. Germain, gin, citrus, and soda. Sunday brunch was more of the same. We tried the huevos rancheros and the polenta with deep fried egg and mushrooms. Both were excellent. The price is a bit steep for brunch, but the quality more than justifies it. We had the same waiter both trips, and the service was excellent and affably understated.
(5)
Karen W.

Tried the restaurant week menu here. For the most part- delicious. For appetizers, the chicken livers are tender on the inside, flavorful, with a nice breadcrumb crust on them. The dates were also very good- a mix of sweet with smokey bacon and spicy chorizo. For the entrees- Hanger steak- Tender! Great flavor! Probably the best tasting steak I've had in some time. The scallops with pasta- well, just OK. The scallops were great, and the ingredients in the meal themselves tasted good on their own, but when combined, I felt like they were lacking a cohesiveness to make the dish taste just right. Dessert was great- had some chocolate banana bread pudding and tried some apple tart. Both had great flavor and were a perfect finish to our meals. The meals are good sized portions, and we had very attentive service. I'd definitely like to go here again (but I will not order scallop pasta next time).
(4)
D A.

It's worth going here just for the olives! Every time I go they are slightly different and always good! Service is good as well and they are very happy to change something if I request it. Also stopped in their Market last week and they were nice enough to tell me how to make onion soup and get enough for me!
(5)
Jennifer L.

The food was great! We had the mixed green salad, which had an excellent light vinagrette on it. We ordered the hanger steak and lamb loin. Both were cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly. The meat was very tender and the vegetable sides were delicious! Highly recommend the brussel sprouts! It seemed odd that they wouldn't allow us to substitute sides in the dish, but everything was still very good. The server was the worst part of the evening. We ordered a bottle of wine that never came after we sat there waiting for almost 20 minutes. Then a manager noticed that we were sitting there for a long time and asked if we wanted something to drink. We let her know that we ordered a bottle of wine already that never came, and she came back immediately with the bottle and said that they would not charge us for it. The server finally returned back several minutes later with the bottle of wine and was shocked that we already had it. He was not attentive throughout the evening. It seemed as if we were his only table in this section of the restuarant, as we barely saw him. When the bill came, it even had the wine billed on there. When we brought this to his attention that we were told that the wine would be comped, his looked at us funny and went to look into it. Nonetheless, he did return to say that the manager was not there anymore, but he went ahead and took it off the bill. They are definitely lacking communication between the staff here. I would still go back for the good food and hope for another server...
(3)
T D.

On Saturday I had brunch here at the Flying Fig and I have to say it was fabulous. I had planned to take my out of town guest to hit a regular fav restaurant in the area for lunch but my friend really wanted breakfast and saw the Fig's sign for brunch. I had dinner here when they first opened and my memory from years ago was that it was overpriced and not so great but thank goodness for second chances. We sat inside since the tables outside were full as it was a gorgeous day. It was tricky getting seated inside as they had no one greeting guests and the staff at seemed indifferent. Once seated we had great service even with someone new to the staff who was in training. The coffee was excellent and was provided with a lovely side service tray of including raw sugar, sweeter and creamer brought with my coffee. Next came fresh bread with butter and homemade blueberry preserves. A great start to what only got better, my meal was sooo good! I had the migas which was local eggs scrambled with tortillas, peppers, scallions, roasted chili, aged cheddar, tomatillo cilantro salsa and crÃ¨me fraiche served with the most perfectly seasoned, roasted fingerling potatoes. The layers of flavors was perfect and my taste buds savored every bite. My friend had the omelette of the day with which looked awesome and she proclaimed as the fluffiest, best omelette ever. I personally rarely order an omelette because i really hate a "browned" omelet which I find overcooked and tough. Next time I may get the omelette after seeing her breakfast. Oh wait, I forgot I planned to get the creamy polenta with tallegio cheese, local greens & Killbuck Farm mushrooms and a crispy poached egg. But then it again it might be that I'd have the whole wheat Ohio blueberry & banana pancakes (choice of sausage or bacon) and Snake Hill Farms maple syrup. Ah, so many great choices but it could be hard for me to pass up the migas again. Here's my advice, make plans to go support the West Side Market merchants and get your week's groceries -- and enjoy a great brunch supporting this local Ohio City restaurant. Enjoy!
(5)
M. M.

Said it before and I'll say it again: I am not a foodie. But my husband and I were visiting for the holidays and I wanted us to take a break from family and have a nice couples' dinner out. After reviewing my available local "nice" but not "uberfancy" restaurant options, I picked Flying Fig, mostly because we could wear our jeans, the menu included burgers, and Lolita didn't seem to use OpenTable. As it turned out, Flying Fig did not put one foot wrong all night with respect to our evening, so I was very happy with my choice and would definitely visit again. Although this place advertises itself as a bar first and restaurant second, everybody I know goes there primarily to eat interesting food. Not that the cocktails aren't good but there are lots of other places if you just want a drink. The dining area is small at the Flying Fig, but on this weeknight it was packed for about two hours at dinner time. I would add that due to the small size of the room, "packed" equated to very very noisy to the point where you pretty much had to yell across the table to be heard, particularly since the next table had about five drunk young women whooping and hollering over their plates. It quieted down considerably after about 7:30 pm. If the food and service hadn't been so good, the noise level would have been bothersome, but since we had such a great meal otherwise I'm willing to overlook it. We started with an appetizer of chorizo-stuffed dates which were totally yummy. Then on to the entrees: husband had a very fresh, very large cheeseburger with crispy fries (I stole a few and they were done just perfect and in particular were not limp), and I had a glazed pork shop nestled in some cheesy grits. (Although we picked meaty meals, I noticed that there were also several vegetarian appetizer and entree choices on the menu, in addition to a couple of pedestrian sounding salads.) The food was super fresh and absolutely excellent. If everything at restaurants tasted this good, I just *might* have become a foodie. Our waiter was also awesome, a total pro who really knew what he was doing, even though the place like I said was jammed and seemed to be understaffed. Dessert involved some homemade fig ice cream with the best cookies I have had in a restaurant in a long time. Thank heaven not everybody makes their homemade ice cream the consistency of soft serve (this was hard the way I like it), nor makes their cookies soft (the chocolate chunk was crispy the way I like it, and warm from the oven). The coffee was also among the best cups I have ever tasted in a restaurant and the waiter helpfully informed us they get it from City Roast right across the street. Score for the locals. Be aware that the portion size varies dramatically and a bit wildly. We ordered one appetizer to split because we didn't know how big the plates would be and didn't want to end up ruining our dinners. The appetizer turned out to be a small plate (three dates), and the dessert was also a reasonably small portion, but our entrees were GINORMOUS. The pork chop I ate was so huge it was like the whole hind quarter of a piglet, and the waiter even said that the chops they were currently serving were much bigger than that dish used to be. My husband, who usually has no trouble putting his meals away, couldn't finish his big portion of fries. We took all the tasty leftovers home of course, and ate them up next day, but if you're planning to consume a whole dinner here, I'd suggest you bring your appetite.
(5)
Rachel B.

I'm definitely fatter after last night. At Kimberly K.'s suggestion, I tried the egg nog martini. Words cannot describe. I usually don't drink bourbon, but this drink went all the way dowwwn. I had the Ohio Beef Burger (very reasonable at $15), with buttermilk blue cheese and bacon. It came with a side of extremely delicious fries which came close to Bar Cento's...almost. Definitely had rosemary in them, which I love. They also included some house-made pickles, which were surprisingly sweet. I have a feeling the ketchup was also made in house, because it came in one of those mini-side dishes and just tasted so different and fresh. But I was too embarrassed to ask our server. My husband had a trio of small plate ($24) which included tofu with lentils, rice, and harissa yogurt; fried polenta; and mushroom gnocchi. He enjoyed everything (and only gave me a bite of the tofu, the bastard). We were actually too stuffed for dessert. Like I said, definitely fatter. Will return!
(5)
P W.

One of my favorite restaurants in the city. My first time here was a few years back with my mother for some sort of occasion. I have been back for happy hour and brunch a few times. If you get drunk at brunch is that "brunk"? The brunch is probably my favorite more fancy brunch in the city. I have not had a bad experience yet. I would reserve coming here for special celebrations because some of the items are pricey. If you can afford eating here often, shoot me a message. I can be a lot of fun to talk to and hang out with.
(5)
Jayme K.

Best spot in Ohio City! Can't go wrong with anything on there menu and their dessert is to DIE for ESP the chocolate molten cake :)
(5)
CJ B.

The best meal we've had in Cleveland in a long time. Friends suggested the Flying Fig. These are the same friends we have dined with a L'Albatros, Table 45 and a number of other notable Cleveland eateries. Those places are good; this place is better. The food is interesting, well presented and simply delicious. We started with the tempuraed green beans, the dates, and a special appetizer we don't remember. Then it was on to a magnificent sea bass, the vegetable plate, a salmon special and a pork confit special. All were well prepared with outstanding sides that were both tasty and complimentary to the mains they accompanied. Every ingredient was fresh, apparently locally sourced and properly cooked.
(5)
Maru H.

A trendy restaurant that serves delicious fare based largely on locally-sourced foods. As such, the menu changes often depending on availability. Flying Fig has one of my favorite happy hours in Cleveland. The burger is one of the best around, and has a lot going on-- onion rings, aioli, bacon, cheese and generously portioned. The drinks are delicious and similarly locally-sourced. Most recently, the happy hour special was a strawberry lemonade cocktail made with Ohio strawberries. Overall, one of the best happy hours in Cleveland. Highly recommended!
(5)
Scott D.

Having been charged with deciding on a venue for my birthday dinner with my wife, I asked myself a series of questions: explore uncharted waters or stick to the classics? Somewhere in the neighborhood or a little farther out? Something light or artery-clogging? Lola, Pier W, and Crop Bistro were a few of the names thrown around, but ultimately we decided on returning to the Flying Fig. Honestly, my last meal here had not been mind-blowing, but that was my fault--I'd succumbed to the siren song of the fish special, which is never, ever as good as you want it to be. This time, I decided, I'd stick with what the Fig purportedly does best: seasonal, locally sourced, farm-to-table delights. We arrived ten minutes before our 6:00 reservation, but we were seated immediately. Our server, whose name eludes me, was very helpful and honest, and he made sure we didn't have any misconceptions about the size of the small starters we were considering. With his guidance, we decided on sharing a bottle of 2010 Muirwood Pinot Noir as well as the charcuterie and cheese board. The wine, to our admittedly unrefined palates, was on point, and the meat and cheese board could not have been better. I'm not literate enough in charcuterie or cheese to rattle off a comprehensive list of the offerings, but I can tell you they included Spanish chorizo, prosciutto, manchego, brie, and a variety of accoutrements like local honey, dates, berries, and almonds, and that each of them was delicious. The portion size was perfect for sharing, and while we had no trouble polishing off the board, we still had ample room for the entrees coming our way. And thank god for that, because these entrees were the star of the show. My wife ordered the herbed gnocchi with chicken confit, and it was excellent; the gnocchi practically melted in your mouth, and the chicken confit was pure salty goodness. I ordered the confit of Ohio pork shoulder, a giant hunk pork confit slathered in peach BBQ sauce and served over collard greens, with skillet cornbread on the side. The skillet cornbread was great, if a little dry, and the collard greens were fantastic, but the pork was some next-level shit. It was rich, salty, and so tender that it practically fell apart when I poked it with my fork. I raved about it all night, and even thinking of it now is making me salivate. I'd better stop. The meal wasn't done, however. Graciously accepting our server's offer of dessert menus, we settled on the toddy 'n' cream, which consists of toddy-brewed iced coffee poured over vanilla ice cream. It tasted like the best coffee ice cream I'd ever had. The portion could have been larger, but then again, we could have (and should have) each gotten our own. This wasn't the perfect dining experience. Although I didn't experience any of the rudeness or negligence that some other Yelpers have alluded to, I did find the time between courses to verge on the ridiculous, especially given the small number of diners in the establishment. Still, the food was amazing, the wait staff were helpful and friendly, if not speedy, and the prices were reasonable, considering the quality of the fare. Given the growing number of excellent dining options in the area that I'm determined to try, I can't say we'll be back soon, but if I dwell on that pork shoulder long enough, I just might change my mind.
(5)
Alicia B.

Flying Fig was very close to being empty on a Saturday night. Which makes me so sad because it's such a cute place and I'm pretty sure it was the best meal I've had in a really long time! Everything about our meal was perfect - the drinks came quickly and were really great. Anyone who knows how to properly mix St. Germain gets points with me! Our appetizers were fresh and delicious - the dates (of course!) and a very summery fried squash. But I've come to Flying Fig other times and left slightly disappointed in my entrees and wished I had only ordered small plates. Well, not this time. I had a beef cheek rigatoni that was out-of-this-world good. I was too busy devouring my rigatoni to even ask how the husband's hangar steak was, and by the time I'd looked up to ask if I could try it, it was gone. I guess he really liked his, too. We ordered an apple dessert (I hate apple desserts, I just wanted the ice cream!) and mannnn, was it good ice cream. I wanted to buy it by the gallon and keep it in my freezer at all times. And I don't normally get that excited over vanilla. Overall, it was a perfect (but definitely pricey) meal and I hope the next time I go back it is just as lovely and delicious.
(5)
Kenny Y.

This is a fantastic restaurant, and I've gone here for many a celebratory dinner. But, I'd like to note that their menu changes very frequently based on the current produce that is in season in the local farms. Before you decide to try something at this restaurant mentioned in any of the other reviews, you might want to call and make sure they have it. That being said, everything I've ordered at this restaurant has been excellent. The portions are very large as well. If they are available on the menu, try the short ribs or the bouillabaise. For dessert, the bread pudding is PHENOMENAL - if they have it. Also, the tempura green beans appetizer (which is the one thing that has always been offered when I've been here) is seasoned quite well, and they give you a heaping pile of them, which you will gobble up quickly like potato chips or edamame. In addition, the service here is very good and they refill your water consistently. And I've never been here for happy hour but I heard that it was great too. One last thing - parking may be difficult at this restaurant if the neighboring lot is full. It was full half of the times I've gone here.
(5)
R H.

Stylish interior. Nice bartenders. Expensive, but good drinks. Expensive food that is just alright. Hostess and wait staff were snippy.
(3)
Jason M.

I'm only giving it four stars because I have only eaten here once. I also tried a very basic menu item, the ohio grass fed beef burger. The burger was $19 and damn was it good. Like real good. Like I think it beat out Heck's Cafe in my burger rank. I've also met with... who I think is the General Manager now, Steven and he's a cool dude. He came here from Brooklyn, NY. He said they change the menu almost daily and go with the seasons. Works out great because they are located so close to the Westside Market and can easily pop over to scope the pickings. Changing the menu that often is clearly what makes this place so intriguing. It's almost like trying a new experience each time. Service is solid, not completely blown away but not bad. Like I said, I've been here once for dinner. Looking forward to going back and trying more sophisticated dishes.
(4)
Ron W.

Super tasty sandwiches. Cool hood, nice staff. On point in general
(4)
Jon S.

Long overdue to eat here! At the Westside Market, we wanted a quick lunch and, being the day after the 4th, the market was jammed and waiting lines were long for about everything inside and nearby. Still close, and across from the Great Lakes Brewery "megaplex", sits "Flying Fig". Featuring locally sourced produce and meats, their menu was varied and creative. My friend had the beet salad, which she pronounced "very tasty", and I had a nice glass of Chardonnay and their burger, with cheese, bacon, and terrific fries. Yes, I know that you may think that a burger may not be your best bet to judge a restaurant, but I beg to differ. Granted, they have more elaborate salad and sandwich offerings, but give me a good ole burger, and the quality of a restaurants shines. In fact, I'm now inspired to do a list of Cleveland area's "best burgers": Fire, Cowell and Hubbard, Flying Fig, Thyme2, and Moxie,....you're on deck!! Suggestions??
(4)
Cassie C.

We just ate there tonight and the food was really good but that is only part of the experience the service was way below average and the noise level was so high no one could hear each other and we were seated in the area that the hostess said was the least noisy. Our waiter was rude, obnoxious, and really should not be a server. He had the gall to ask us if we were finally ready to give up the olive appetizer after he repeatealy asked us to take it away when we asked him not to. We saw the high rating and was really looking forward to trying this restaurant we have experienced many of the other restaurants in this area and have found them to be really good. We will choose one of them before experiencing this restaurants bad service again.
(2)
Kayla T.

Oh man, let me tell you about the three bites of heaven: 1)smoky bacon 2)salty chorizo 3) end with a note of sweet dates. Literally three wrapped Medjool dates. Dive down under, visit the Gods of the sea with a gulp of dark stout or the pumpkin ale-Oh-so-smooth. Return to the grassland with the local beet salad: pickled beets, whipped cloverton, bits of eggwhites, pistachios, multigrain croutons, and honey vinaigrette. Skip the bland watered-down shrimp ginger coconut soup! You got to try the dark stout. Find me here-happy hour. Oh yes, setting: upper end-expect waiting on weekends. And they play good background music. "Heart skipped a beat" was on yo! Note: don't ask for the "pumpkin ale-Oh-so-smooth". They don't carry that. Just pumpkin ale (they have two kinds)
(4)
Christopher M.

While I liked my meal well enough here, it's not a rave. I have to say for the price, what I would consider really fine dining, it is too much of a raucous bar atmosphere. I'm sure I must be in the minority, because the place was packed. Granted, my friend and I stumbled in one night without reservations and they accommodated us by seating us in a booth upfront by the bar, still it seemed like there wasn't much separation from the bar and all the other tables, so I don't know that it would make much of a difference. The food was okay, but I don't know if I'll go again factoring in the price and the atmosphere.
(3)
Zack H.

The Flying Fig is what food should be. The world is a better place simply because I tried this place, located in Ohio City near the Great Lakes brewpub, West Side Market, and hundreds of thugs south of Lorain Ave. I'm sorry if I was a little more to the point that I normally am: I am BUZZZZED now. The cocktails served at this place is bar none. They can be dangerous, though; they are strong and rather tasty. They also have complimentary homemade chips at the bar they serve that are coated in salt and some other glorious seasonings. I ended up ordering a tender loin that was covered in carrots, radishes, jalapenos, yams, and tons of other things that don't belong on a tender loin - or so you'd think. The price is rather high, but the quality of the ingredients and the skill with which they're cooked result in this place having some of the best tender loin in the city. Their deep-friend green beans are divine, and I hate green beans with a passion. Green beans, along with mushrooms, are the two foods that can repel me. I can make an exception to that rule here. The porch in the front is intimate and allows customers to mingle and drink over...things, I guess. Meanwhile, the way the interior is lit is simply romantic and awe-spiring. I would absolutely go here on a date if I lived in Cleveland. If you are looking to go on a date, this is the place. If you are looking to go out with friends, go here, then across the street to the Great Lakes brewpub to get drunk. You'll be thanking me.
(5)
Ann S.

One of my favorites when in Cleveland. The staff is knowledgeable and the food is always good with local ingredients. Always something new and unique on the menu. Casual atmosphere and dress. Great place to go before a play or game.
(5)
Jennifer S.

The Flying Fig is one of the best restaurants in Cleveland! Their food is amazing, their service is great, and they have one of the best happy hours in Cleveburgh. Their menu makes great use of local ingredients, and it changes seasonally, although it often has the same types of dishes on it, just with seasonal flair. I always love the duck confit, they have a great burger (although nothing beats Lolita's burger) and a number of fantastic other dishes. Their happy hour is amazing, but you have to get there relatively early to get a spot because it's only in the bar/lounge area. Favorite dishes here are: the dates wrapped in bacon, the warm olives, the mussels, the beet salad, ricotta gnocchi, duck confit, lamb chop, and the chicken. For dessert, you can't beat the chocolate cake with house-made fig gelato. They have had a great brunch on Sundays for a long time, and they just started offering brunch on Saturdays! Woo hoo! They change up their brunch menu, but it's really the best option for brunch in that area. This place is busy on weekends, but I'm always curious about why it never seems to be full on evenings during the week. This is a great place to take out-of-town guests to impress them about how great this city is. Overall, the Flying Fig is one of the best restaurants in the city. Karen Small, keep up the good work, please!
(5)
Mike S.

A MUST STOP IN CLEVELAND! This is my first time at The Flying Fig and I will come again next visit to Cleveland. I stopped in for a drink and brunch. I had tbe Corn Andouille Pancakes with poached egg and potatoes. Best breakfast plate I've had in a long time. They also have their own homemade hot sauces (red and green) that add a nice to to the plate if you want. Great cocktails and service as well. Great Lakes Brewery across the street and small parking lot near by. I came on a Saturday at noon and it was a full place with a minor wait. Look forward to checking it out again at different times of the day. A must stop!
(5)
Jen M.

Sad to say I haven't been to "the Fig" in a long time. We went to celebrate a friend's birthday. As always, the food is outstanding, and the lac or combinations are delicious and interesting. I think this place is THE place to go for the best pork in town. The pork shoulder was flavorful and it fell apart so easily. The short ribs were excellent, too. The burrata cheese appetizer with olive tapenade...killer. Service was super attentive. Our server even brought our dessert out with a candle in it, nice touch. Always a good idea to make a reservation. And their happy hour during the week is very popular.
(5)
Will O.

Pretty good food and a great! Happy hour. I hate going downtown so location is always a minus for me.
(4)
Sarah S.

I went to Flying Fig for the "Independent Restaurant week" last year. It was $33 for an appetizer, main dish and dessert. Such a great deal! I love everything that this restaurant stands for. They support local farms and try to serve dishes with as many local ingredients as possible. I chose the cheese plate as my appetizer. It came with three different cheeses and we decided to get the bread basket which offers numerous varieties of breads. For my main dish, I can honestly say that it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was a piece of acorn squash with quinoa, goat cheese and mushrooms on top. It was creamy, savory, flavorful and downright delicious! My dessert was some kind of apple compote with vanilla bean ice cream. A great finish to the meal. Another thing that I love about this restaurant is that they have wine on tap!
(5)
Anna L.

Simply outstanding. From the warm friendly greeting of Tony Mellon.. to the excellent cozy table we were seated at ..the atmosphere at Flying Fig was welcoming and first class from the moment we entered. Our server Eric was friendly and informed. He showed us just the right amount of attention, and sensed instinctively when space was required. He was knowledgeable about the dishes and guided us towards the perfect dinner selections. Both of our meals were absolutely beyond perfect. The presentation was artful. We were perfectly satisfied ..and enjoyed every moment of our meal. Flying Fig is Devine. A master class in fine dining at it's best.
(5)
George T.

My dish was pretty tasty. A tad on the lighter side, but I left full. Drinks were mixed to perfection. Ambient atmosphere that would make for a good date.
(4)
Bryan M.

Wow. This place likely takes the prize for best restaurant in the city, though it's been a few years since I've been to Lola and have yet to check out Dante. It feels like the only place I've been to in Cleveland that could survive in NYC, Chicago or SF based solely on the concept and execution of the food. Decor/design: swank and modern but totally comfortable in it's backed off minimal approach. The service mirrored the decor...relaxed, but friendly. As for the food... Medjool dates - possibly the best take on "devils on horseback" I've ever had - chorizo, smoked bacon and paprika...no almond inside, but that was a nice change up, and who cares anyways when the chef lets the natural sweetness of the date come though without having to resort to using a maple glaze. The chorizo is a brilliant idea. Delicious. Antipasto plate - one of the nicest (and largest) I've seen to date, full of an amazing array of small bites: marinated olives, cured meats, a few different cheeses, nuts, roasted peppers, pickled fennel?, crostini, and chicken liver pate. Really nicely done, with some thought and effort put into the dish instead of the usual boring, played out offerings. Tempura Green Beans w/ ponzu sauce and pineapple caramel - these things were so good I could've eaten the entire plate on my own. As for the main, the pork chop was incredible, and I don't say that lightly given some takes I've had at spots like Babbo, etc. The chop is from New Creation farm, which is a family farm in Geauga County...you can totally taste the difference between these types of pigs vs. those from larger industrial farms. Berkshire, to be exact...which is pretty much the dog's bollocks for me. Done with a bourbon reduction, caramelized brussel sprouts and cheesy grits. One of the tastiest, most satisfying pork entrees ever. A1+. So, yeah - this place deserves all the praise it gets.
(5)
Kelly R.

This was my first time dining a Flying Fig. A co-worker and I journeyed there for lunch. I love the fact that the restaurant is tucked away on Market Street away from the hustle and bustle of W25th. We ordered the calamari and rock shrimp appetizer to share. This appetizer was SOOOO good, one of the best preparations of calamari that I've ever had. The calamari was so tender, lightly breaded, mixed with pickled vegetables and served on a bed of arugula with a side of aioli. The portion was very generous, more than enough for 2 people to share as an appetizer. I could have also had this as an entree with a small salad or vegetable side. On to the entree, I ordered the warm roasted chicken sandwich which was artfully prepared with sliced apples and brie on a warm toasty ciabatta bun with a side of homemade chips. My co-worker ordered the burger, which arrived with a side of handcut fries, which she mentioned was very, very good. I am very much looking forward to going back to Flying Fig for dinner and brunch. This meal was a homerun!!
(4)
Brian C.

Truly as good as it gets in terms of food. On both visits so far I've sat in the front at the bar - which does seem to have different decor and a cooler vibe than standard restaurant tables at the back - but the food was truly top notch starting with the bread which was really fantastic and clearly homemade. I've tried a tomato salad, fresh sockeye salmon entrees (perfectly cooked, and great flavors), and a couple different desserts that were fresh and great. I lived in Oregon for 4 years so I RARELY order salmon at a restaurant but this is one of the few places in the country that I have no hesitation because I know it will be fresh, and great. I will definitely be back often when working in Cleveland, Flying Fig is easily one of the best restaurants in Cleveland and I am confident it can hold it's own against any place in the country.
(5)
Lyndsay V.

Food was okay. Service was awful. Server messed up my friends order and didn't offer to fix it, discount it or comp it. Also, after being told my friend was allergic to eggs brought bread to the table that we discovered was made with EGGS after we inquired... ?!?!?!
(2)
Tyler L.

Very good food and friendly service, but it was just missing something special for me to make it spectacular. The cocktails were very good, tasty and not strong tasting, but potent. The beef shoulder was also very well cooked, though the mashed potato puree was a bit uninspired. I enjoyed the dish throughly, but it was just good, not exceptional.
(4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Address : 2523 Market Ave
Cleveland, OH, 44113
Phone (216) 241-4243
Website https://www.theflyingfig.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Paid
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Flying Fig

2523 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44113

Flying Fig Menu

Savory Starts

Trio of Small Plates

Salads

Entrees

Sweet Endings

Healthy Meal suggestions for Flying Fig

Savory Starts

Trio of Small Plates

Salads

Entrees

Sweet Endings

John M.

L H.

Brady B.

Stella M.

Rachel G.

Wendy W.

Nick H.

Margaret V.

Sue A.

Ben S.

Ellie S.

Jessica M.

Grant W.

Bee S.

Christie Y.

Andrea Z.

VJ V.

Jennifer S.

Serena S.

Natalie P.

Samantha P.

Young P.

Teejay B.

Tahiya M.

Katie G.

Mary R.

Jenna H.

Ida G.

Lana K.

Mandy T.

Nadia G.

Bea T.

Niki F.

Alicia B.

D A.

Jennifer L.

T D.

Tony P.

Phil M.

Sarah H.

M. M.

Rachel B.

Mitchell R.

S H.

Randal S.

Sarah K.

Ferdinand H.

Sammy S.

Karen W.

Vanessa T.

Mike H.

Sarah Z.

Michele L.

Amy T.

T S.

Maria W.

Sarah V.

Bruce F.

Melissa O.

Lindsey G.

Bonnie Y.

Krissie W.

Melissa P.

John H.

Roxanne L.