1000 Figs. Esplanade Ridge: 3141 Ponce de Leon St. 504-301-0848.

1000 Figs. Esplanade Ridge: 3141 Ponce de Leon St. 504-301-0848.

1000 Figs

Esplanade Ridge: 3141 Ponce de Leon St. 504-301-0848. Map.
Very Casual.
AE DS MC V
Website

ANECDOTES AND ANALYSIS In New Orleans we have no shortage of Mediterranean restaurants, but in recent years a decline in overall quality has afflicted the category. At the same time, the opening of Shaya by Alon Shaya and John Besh demonstrated the possibilities in the food of the Middle East. Meanwhile, there was this food truck serving Middle Eastern food, almost all of it vegetarian. It found a permanent spot last year, and began extending their menu to include seafood, chicken and lamb--although the vegetarian aspect offers plenty of meatless choices.

WHAT'S GOOD The menu is abbreviated as Mid East restaurants go, but almost every familiar Lebanese dish can be found on it. Because of the vegetarian tilt, meatless entrees get more attention from the kitchen. Here is what I find to be the best falafel in the city. The pita bread ranks just under Shaya’s offering. I’m a huge fan of heavy tahini use in the hummus--a fantastic addition to any of the dishes. It's especially delicious in the roasted beet salad. Everything here shows a lot of effort and rethinking of old cliches. No matter what, get that Falafel Platter, as it is the best thing they serve.

BACKSTORY 1000 Figs started in 2012 as a food truck called The Fat Falafel (still going strong ; its location can be discovered via www.thefatfalafel.com). In 2015 it found a brick-and-mortar location amidst the several polyglot restaurants between Esplanade Avenue and the back gate of the Fair Grounds. (In back of Santa Fe, around the corner from Liuzza's by the Track, near Cafe Degas and Lola's).

DINING ROOM
The space is small but better looking than you expect to find, with enough windows to make it seem almost airy. A lot of customers dine outdoors. I’d recommend taking a date, be it friendly or romantic, and get ready to cozy up with the rest of the folks dining in. But the best experience is in getting take-out and having a relaxing date on the City Park benches.` FULL ONLINE MENU[/title] BEST DISHES
Dips Served with house-made bread Hummus Baba ghanouj Cucumber herb yogurt Beet, pecan, and yogurt Roasted carrot and walnut Salads Green market salad Roasted beets, herb pesto, feta Tabbouleh Carrot, parsley, and dill Red cabbage, kale, cucumber Olive, walnut, fennel, parsley Barley, wheat berries, feta, cranberry Carrot and beet slaw Small plates Spicy lentil soup, yogurt, parsley/ French fries Brussels sprouts Falafel Pickled vegetables Mushroom and leek confit Halloumi (flaming cheese), seared kale Lamb loin chop: onion, tomato, sumac Large plates Falafel sandwich or falafel platter Burrata, herb salad, sourdough loaf Shakshuka (slow poached eggs, tomato, yogurt, bread) Chicken salad sandwich, semolina, rosemary aioli, salad For the table Carrot dip, beet and pecan yogurt, tabbouleh, olive salad, barley salad, carrot salad Falafel feast (flatbread, hummus, baba ghanouj, yogurt, pickles, slaw, local greens, tahini, cilantro chile sauce, toum (garlic sauce) What’s Good While the menu may not be 8 pages long, everything on it caters to those with a palate for Middle Eastern cuisine. They easily have the best falafel in the city and their pita bread ranks just under Shaya’s offering for me. I’m a huge fan of the heavy use of tahini in their hummus, which is a fantastic addition to any of their dishes (I love putting it into the Roasted Beet Salad, personally). In essence, everything on the menu is good and represents a lot of effort in bringing quality ethnic food to the city. Backstory They started in 2012 as a food truck called The Fat Falafel (which is still going strong and can be located via www.thefatfalafel.com) someplace I frequented whenever I was in the Bayou St. John area, serving a similar menu with a less upscale feel. They now occupy a small building directly next to the site of where the truck used to frequent. For all the things that it is, 1000 Figs is not a good place to take a group due to it’s very limited space. I’d recommend taking a date, be it friendly or romantic, and get ready to cozy up with the rest of the folks who decided to dine in. The best experience with their food I’ve had was getting take-out and having a relaxing date on the City Park benches. No matter what, get that Falafel Platter, as it is the best thing they serve. FOR BEST RESULTS
Split almost anything you order. Portions are very large, yet very fine and fresh.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
As the restaurant adds more non-vegetatian dishes (notably seafood), it gains in its appeal.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

Dining Environment +1

Consistency +2

Service

Value +2

Attitude +1

Wine & Bar

Hipness +2

Local Color +2

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

• Sidewalk tables
• Good view
• Open all afternoon
• Quick, good meal
• Easy, nearby parking
• No reservations