date: 8/23/05
location: st. paul
grade: a

a guest review.

the barbary fig is housed in what used to be an authentic new york style deli that served the biggest pastrami sandwiches in flyover country. not that it's relevant, just an interesting side note. an unassuming two story house on grand avenue house has become a veritable mecca for minnesotans seeking authentic north african cuisine. on this particular visit the weather was so perfect as to warrant dining on the patio.

service was prompt, friendly and knowledgeable. the group just seemed to be of like mind. two chose white wine and three of us had the north african red wine. at $4.50 a glass ($21.95 a bottle) for either, they were great deals and a fantastic match to the food. we all agreed on starting w/ baskets of fresh bread and evoo. appetizers chosen were either the brik, a flaky pastry stuffed with tuna, parsley and lemon and topped with fiery-hot harissa; or a lovely salad, the details of which have completely slipped my mind. i had the brik and have been craving it ever since. we all had one of the specials as an entree. two of us had the braised leg of lamb slices w/ picholine olives, artichokes and tufts of puff pastry over the top. the others had the chicken w/ veggies in puff pastry. both specials were juicy, tender and fabulously spiced. note isaid spiced, not spicy, as in not hot just flavorful and luscious.

for dessert we ordered one of each of the 4 desserts offered: an amazing crème caramel, a poached pear with chocolate and grand marnier, lavender- and honey-drenched cookies, and a plate of fresh, organic dates. all were fabulous, the creme caramel and lavender-honey cookies being the easy favorites.

all totaled, the meal was quite reasonable and thoroughly enjoyable. they had no issues accepting 4 different credit cards and cash for a table of 5, water glasses were never empty. the patio was lovely, traffic on grand avenue wasn't even noticeable.