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FIG Restaurant has been serving up California Cuisine inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica for years. But some changes have taken place and now there is the NEW FIG Restaurant. Fig at Fairmont The space is still the same and the covered patio is flush with natural light. The decor now has a warmer feel to it with hanging plants adding life to the space. And there is a wood burning oven that has been added that you can see when you first walk into the restaurant. Fig at Fairmont Fig at Fairmont At the helm of the new FIG Restaurant is the personable Chef Yousef Ghalaini. A native of Lebanon, Chef Ghalaini grew up in his grandfather's bakery where he first learned the art of the wood-burning oven. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and worked in Napa, Florida, Connecticut and New York before coming to FIG Restaurant at The Fairmont Miramar. At FIG Restaurant, Chef Ghalaini works with local farmers and fresh California ingredients to create his Mediterranean inspired menu that integrates the warm spices and legumes of Lebanese cuisine. 
When it comes to sushi, I am a purist. I was raised going to Nozawa, the "sushi nazi," where I was instructed when to use soy sauce and not offered "Americanized" rolls. It is always about the purity and freshness of the fish. That said, I am a fan of Asian fusion cuisine and I like other dishes beyond sushi. So, when I was invited to check out Slow Fish on Wilshire Blvd in the Miracle Mile, I went with an open mind. SlowFish SlowFish, with a second location in Huntington Beach, was founded by Korean entrepreneur John Lee and Executive Chef Sean An. Together, they focus on offering Asian fusion cuisine with a California twist. Chef Sean An The decor of SlowFish is not typical of an Asian restaurant. It has an art deco decor with high ceilings, dark red and black interior and chandeliers.
If you are heading to Napa, you might think of making Yountville or St. Helena your base. Not only are there wineries nearby but, at the end of the day, there are lots of restaurants to chose from that are an easy walk from a hotel. But, now you should consider making Downtown Napa you home base. What was once seen as a town to pass through, Downtown Napa has experienced a revival. There are blocks and blocks of restaurants, tasting rooms and shops, as well as a beautiful riverfront to stroll along. In Downtown Napa you can explore a world of cuisines. Here are five restaurants to eat at, and one place to drink. Miminashi 821 Coombs St Napa, CA 94559 An Izakaya serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Minimnashi is Napa's newest restaurant. From noodles to yakatori, there are a lot of small plates to share. In addition,there are vegetarian options for the non-meat eaters. For the more adventurous eater, there is heart, base of heart, base of beef tongue and tip of beef tongue yakitori. For dessert, enjoy the soft serve ice cream in Japanese flavors such as buckwheat, lemon verbena, milk and peach leaf with whiskey butterscotch or miso caramel on top.
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