The spirit of the French Riviera will soon pervade Uptown Houston when Fig & Olive opens behind the curved Philip Johnson-designed façade of the former Saks Fifth Avenue space at The Galleria on Friday, March 9. Featuring authentic Mediterranean ingredients and a Joie de Vivre synonymous with the coastal regions of France, Spain, and Italy, Fig & Olive is bringing its unique blend of fresh flavors, seasonal dishes, and signature premium olive oils to Texas for the first time.

The brand’s centrally-located 7,000-square-foot Houston home comes complete with multiple unique dining experiences, including an expansive 160-seat dining room, a 24- seat bar and lounge, two private dining rooms with full state-of-the-art audio-visual components, and a 40-seat al fresco terrace that emanates a casual chic ambience reminiscent of summers spent on the Mediterranean.

Inside the interior—which is bathed in natural light—guests will be greeted by the delicate aroma of fresh rosemary alongside an abundance of olive oil, which plays a central role in Fig & Olive’s culinary philosophy, that diners can purchase to take home in bottles after dining at the restaurant. Using the highest quality locally sourced ingredients and channeling the simple, fresh flavors of the Mediterranean, Fig & Olive dishes come adorned with everything from thin rounds of raw zucchini accompanied by fruity picholine olive oil and kabocha squash with pickled mushrooms and pears to supple burrata and 18-year barrel-aged balsamic vinegar. Executive Chef Thomas Laczynski—who formerly manned the back of the house at both Truluck’s and True Food Kitchen in Austin – will lead Fig & Olive Houston’s culinary team in collaboration with the brand’s Corporate Executive Chef Timothy Hughes to execute the restaurant’s seasonally evolving brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. Dishes include a variety of crostini—a Fig & Olive specialty—salads, pasta, risotto, crudo, carpaccio, and vegetables as well as meat and seafood-centric offerings like Whole Branzino with rosemary, authentic Spanish Paella, and Chateaubriand for Two—an ideal spread for those seeking a new and authentic dining experience. The Galleria location will also offer dishes exclusive to Houston – including the Mosaic of Vegetables, which is comprised of vegetable fritters, glazed eggplant, and carrot & cilantro salad; Cured Duck topped with Granny Smith apple, olive tapenade, and 18-year balsamic; Balsamic Glazed Short Rib served with crispy polenta, frisée, and lardons of smoked bacon; and Olive Oil Cake soaked in Moroccan syrup and topped with blood orange dust.

The refined flavors of Fig & Olive’s coastal Mediterranean cuisine perfectly complement the restaurant’s diverse wine collection.

The Houston location houses the brand’s largest wine portfolio, which features varietals from the South of France, Spain, Italy, and California—in addition to a robust roster of refreshing signature cocktails like the Rasberry Mojito with rum, raspberries, and mint; the Rossellini made with passion fruit vodka, blood orange juice, and lime; and the Soul Flower—Fig & Olive’s partner cocktail with popular cycling studio SoulCycle. The totality of the Fig & Olive experience is further heightened by an expertly constructed playlist orchestrated by the brand’s French-born in-house music director, Julien Malaguarnera Nolan.

“The Houston opening marks an exciting and important time in the Fig & Olive journey,” noted Fig & Olive’s VP of Marketing Cory Bronson. He adds, “We look forward to working with Simon and The Galleria team to bring our unique blend of coastal Mediterranean cuisine, cocktails and music to the great City of Houston.” Joining outposts in New York, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Chicago, and Washington D.C., Fig & Olive Houston will be the first of four high profile restaurants that will transform the western edge of The Galleria into an upscale dining destination and veritable foodie paradise. In quick succession, Fig & Olive will welcome like-minded neighbors in the form of Japanese / Peruvian sushi restaurant Nobu; Indian concept The Spice Route Company; and Fox Restaurant Concepts’ Mexican street food brand Blanco Tacos + Tequila.

“There is significant consumer demand for fine dining options, and The Galleria has seized the opportunity to be the first to welcome these exclusive culinary brands,” comments Christopher Lane, The Galleria’s Director of Marketing & Business Development. He added, “The Galleria’s powerful leasing momentum continues to yield premier luxury retailers and restaurants—many of which are first to Houston and even to the State of Texas as a whole. The Galleria continues to be committed to providing shoppers with an unrivaled shopping experience that includes pre-eminent retail stores and restaurants.”