FOOD: THE RUSTIC FIG CAFÉ
Heart and soul food WORDS Millie Looker PHOTOS Wayne Pearson The story behind The Rustic Fig Café is one filled with love for food, culture and family.
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ocated in Erindale is an eatery pumping out some of the most delectable Lebanese food that we’ve had the privilege of eating. No matter what time you visit, customers can expect a warm welcome, steaming cup of quality coffee and a feast fit for a queen.
On the menu is an array of traditional goodies just waiting to be experienced, and sharing is definitely encouraged — you don’t want any food envy here! Some must-haves are the homemade falafels, which are fluffy yet crispy and made fresh to order; the fragrant traditional dips, like hummus and baba ghanouj, ready to be scooped up by a piece of Lebanese bread; and the chicken tawook dish, which boasts vibrant flavours and sells out daily. Like any good food destination, the passion for delicious eats comes from the people behind The Rustic Fig Café.
Having met many moons ago, husband and wife Naji and Erica built their life together in Naji’s homeland of Lebanon and had two beautiful kids before relocating to Adelaide in 2015. “My husband’s passions are cooking food, eating food, and sharing food!” says Erica, which is why you’ll find Naji busy in the kitchen, perfecting the recipes that he grew up with and creating new ones. If Naji is the heart of the business with his recipes then Erica is the soul, with her affable nature making her the perfect person to run front-of-house. “Being in the suburbs makes it feel like a real community. People can come in and have a coffee and chat — I’m always up for a chat!” laughs Erica as she hops from table to table, greeting regulars by name. Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 2.30pm, it’s the perfect place to drop by for brunch or lunch. Recently, they’ve also started opening their doors for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday with a different menu featuring dishes like the T.L.C (chargrilled lamb sitting on a tart and tangy black cherry sauce). The Rustic Fig Café is also licensed, offering Lebanese and South Australian wine and beers, or you can BYO. If you’ve got a special shindig on the horizon, you can also take up their catering options with tasting plates available in large quantities — the perfect nibbles to enjoy with a glass of wine! As its name suggests, The Rustic Fig Café is warm, homely and ready to feed both your belly and your soul. @rusticfigcafe
therusticfig.com.au
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03-Adelady 042-063 Issue006 2021.indd 56
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