Fig Food Offers A Taste Of Wine Country At Home

One of Sonoma County's most-beloved destination restaurant offers an opportunity to take a taste of the wine country home with you. the girl & the fig has expanded their line of "Fig Food" and increased distribution to include Northern California through The Cheeseworks West in Berkeley. In addition, the girl & the fig will display their Fig Food at the 2005 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, January 23-25 at the Moscone Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet owner, Sondra Bernstein, Executive Chef, John Toulze, and taste their fig products at booth number #3611.

The girl & the fig began making Fig Food in their own kitchens to use in their two restaurant locations in Sonoma and Glen Ellen, California. The compotes, chutneys, jams, vinaigrettes and syrups are perfect signature additions to their local cheese courses and other offerings on the menu. Restaurant customers demanded more, so the staff began bottling the condiments and selling them in the restaurants, a few winery tasting rooms and other local venues. The response has been so positive, owner Sondra Bernstein decided to create another "arm" for her business.

"Because the real flavor of figs is still relatively unknown, it is really important to me to highlight the amazing taste and texture of the fig through our specialty Fig Food products. I believe we are helping to increase the popularity of the fig - one taste at a time. Each product is unique in flavor and will enhance many dishes from cheese and charcuterie platters, to sandwiches, to main courses and desserts. Our black mission fig syrup also lends itself to alternative beverage ideas."

All of the products in the Fig Food line are all natural and contain no additives. Their suggested retail prices range from $3.75 to $9.95.

apricot fig chutney - 10 oz - suggested retail - $ 7.75
 great with grilled pork chops, chicken and turkey sandwiches
black mission fig jam - 10 oz - suggested retail - $ 6.75
 try on your morning toast or as a layer in a polenta cake
dried fig compote - 9 oz - suggested retail - $ 7.50
 add some sparkle to a cheese platter or charcuterie dish
fig & port vinaigrette - 250 ml - suggested retail - $ 7.95
 our signature salad dressing at the girl & the fig restaurant!
fig balsamic vinegar - 250 ml - suggested retail - $ 8.95
 a marinade, a dressing component or a drizzle over fresh strawberries
black mission fig syrup - 250 ml - suggested retail - $ 8.50
 drizzle over cheesecake, tarts and ice cream, pancakes, or infuse it in vodka
fennel citrus house blend- 1 oz.- suggested retail $3.75
 Sprinkle or rub on chicken or fish, use as a brine for poultry and pork
citrus sea salt- 2 oz.- suggested retail- $3.75
 Sprinkle or rub on chicken or fish, add to pasta and risotto
lavender sea salt  2 oz.- suggested retail- $3.75
 Sprinkle or rub on chicken, fish, lamb or duck

Bernstein opened the first the girl & the fig location in the heart of California's beautiful Wine Country in 1997 and received critical acclaim from the very first day she opened for business. Today she owns two locations: the girl & the fig at 110 W. Spain Street in Sonoma, and the fig cafi & winebar at 13690 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen. Both restaurants feature country food with a French passion. In addition she has written the girl & the fig Cookbook published by Simon & Schuster in 2004. More information can be found at www.thegirlandthefig.com.

###