Figs- Beacon Hill

One of my favorite restaurants of all time is without a doubt Todd English's Figs on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Known primarily for its gourmet pizza, fresh salads, and intimate feel, Figs is popular spot for Bostonians any night of the week. I have been to this location for lunch and dinner and love every second of it. Additionally, I think I have tried nearly every pizza on the menu along with a variety of salads, appetizers, and wines.

Figs on Charles is an extremely tiny and warm place. It would be wise to make a reservation if you have a party greater than two, as the place is usually packed. If you choose to walk in and chance it, people can always wait at the bar and sip on a glass of wine to prep themselves for a fabulous meal. I prefer to sit at the front of the restaurant away from the kitchen and oven. There is always great people watching on Charles Street and sitting at the two front tables is usually the most fun. The waitresses are usually very busy but also  attentive despite the packed place and hungry clientele.

My usual routine for a night out at Figs is making a reservation, getting there early, and ordering a glass of red wine at the bar. Once seated, the waitress brings out a great bowl of bread paired with delicious, decadent olive oil. This focaccia style bread is dense yet light at the same time. Savoring this fantastic, garlicy piece of heaven while washing it down with a glass of wine really sets the mood for the oven baked pizza to come.

I am not one to order an appetizer at Figs since the pizzas are very filling, but on occassion I have tried a few. I am particularly fond of the Warm Bacon & Spinach Salad. This is a simple salad of spinach, parmesan, and a vinaigrette mixed with warm bacon. These flavors blend together to give each bite a fresh feel. I can definitely eat this salad alone but I would suggest 1 order split between 2 people in order to save room for the main course.

The Rhode Island Calamari is also a favorite of mine. I am always a fan of hot peppers with my calamari and this dish incorporates them well. Spearing a hot pepper, piece of crispy calamari, and a drizzling a touch of garlic and lemon aioli leads to phenomenal appetizer. One order can easily be split between 3 or 4 people.

Now on to the pizza. PIZZA.PIZZA.PIZZA.

I have never had a gourmet slice as good as the ones at Figs. I truly mean that. Their pizza is not super greasy, the dough is very thin, and the ingredients are fresh and interesting. The pizzas are large so splitting 1 between 3 people will definitely fill you up. You can also get half of one kind and half of another, which is what I have always done. I am getting hungry just thinking about it! Below are my thoughts on a few from the menu:

Isabelle's: This is my favorite pizza Figs has to offer. The thin, crispy crust is topped with country ham, provolone, long pieces of asaparagus, and sweet onion. These ingredients mixed together allow for the most indulgent experience. I love the smokey ham and appreciate the fact that the provolone is not too overpowering. The onions bring a lot to the table in this pizza as well. They are sweet and add a little something. The asapargus is definitely the least obvious addition, but brings another sweet aspect to each slice.

Fig & Prosciutto: This pizza is covered in a wonderful layer of fig and balsamic jam, topped with prosciutto and sprinkle of gorgonzola cheese. This is one of those pizzas that needs to be paired with a more savory kind to offset the sweetness. All the same, this is a very decadent pizza. It is very sweet as a result of the fig spread, but slightly salty with the gorgonzola and prosciutto. I would recommend this for sure if you are found of figs because it is the opitome of a fig lovers dream.

Crispy Eggplant: I might be biased here since I love eggplant, but this pizza is truly delicious. I was originally hesitant to order this pizza because I am not a huge ricotta fan. Thankfully, I was convinced to confront my fear of the fluffy cheese, which is funny, because I like pretty much everything. The pizza is covered in tomato sauce, but not too much, which is great because you can really taste all of the other ingredients. Topping the sauce are large pieces of breaded eggplant, mozzarella, and basil leaves. This combination is a delight and feels pretty sinful. I love pairing this pizza with the Isabelle's.

Roasted Pulled Chicken: This is also delicious pizza. On the mild side, the chicken is topped with basil oil, carmelized onions, and gruyere cheese. This would be a good pick to go with the Fig and Prosciutto since it will balance the sweet with the savory.

Bronx Bomber: This is very similar to a normal pizza you would find at any other restaurant, only this is obviously better. The tomato sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, and basil are the normal ingredients to any pizza, but the crust and minimal grease makes this one the best. This will hit the spot when looking for a tradition slice.

Red Sox: The Red Sox pizza is very, very yummy. Topped with caramelized onions, sweet sausage, roasted red peppers, mozzarella, mustard aioli, over a layer of tomato sauce, this is one fabulous pizza. I particularly love the mix of sweet and salty and the surprise zip of the mustard aioli. If you are looking to try something different but still want something similar to a traditional taste, I would definitely get the Red Sox.

There is nothing better than Figs in Beacon Hill for pizza. I will forever stand by this statement , that is until maybe a new Figs-like place comes around. The gourmet aspect really makes it different from other spots. The feel, people, and food give Figs something that other places cannot replicate. I will say that I did eat at the Figs in Charlestown and it doesn't even compare to the one in Beacon Hill. Keep up the good work Figs on Charles- you're the best around!