Review: Blue Fig in Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, offers perfect date night spot

We embarked on a culinary journey at a newly opened Mediterranean bistro in Bury St Edmunds which left us wanting more.

After a visit to the Blue Fig in Abbeygate Street, where I explored the restaurant's interior and had a chat with owner Lamen Reddy, I was eager to return and try out their menu of small plates.

Formerly Neal's Yard, the bistro boasts a spacious layout with modern wood panelling, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Warm lighting adds to the cosiness, while the buzz of nearby conversations enhanced the ambiance.

Also owned by Regis Crepy, former owner of The Great House in Lavenham and Maison Bleue in Bury St Edmunds, the Blue Fig accommodates 30 customers downstairs and features two private dining rooms upstairs.

We were seated by the large window looking onto Abbeygate Street and our dining experience began with sourdough bread and butter, setting a promising tone.

The attentive staff informed us of the restaurant's busy opening period with bookings filling up quickly.

Our meal started with padron peppers in hot honey and burrata with caramelized shallots, crispy chili and grilled coca bread.

While cutting into the burrata was extremely satisfying, the grilled coca bread stole the show with its delicate crispness. However, I could have done with another chunk of bread as we found ourselves with little else to dip into the burrata.

Next came golden hash browns with crème fraîche, dill, chives, and salmon caviar – a truly standout dish. A bold statement, but they were perhaps some of the best hash browns I’ve ever eaten. An utter triumph.

The confit pork ribs with sherry barbecue glaze and mojo chicken were equally impressive, with bold flavours and expert preparation.

We had never heard of this ‘mojo’ flavour so decided to try it on a whim – and it did not disappoint. The marinated chicken thigh was superb and the subtly spicy mojo picon sauce was to die for.

Although I’m not the biggest fan of ribs and would never usually order them in a restaurant, I was so glad I did. The pork ribs were cooked beautifully with the tender meat almost falling off the bone.

However, the cumin-roasted carrots, with a very flavourful goats cheese, fell slightly short in my opinion. I’m sure goats cheese lovers would enjoy the dish a lot more than we did as it was the only thing we left as the staff cleared away our empty plates.

By this point, we were both completely full and simply could not eat another thing.

However, naturally, we just had to share a slice of the Basque cheesecake. It would have been rude not to.

The cheesecake came with limoncello strawberries and pistachio dust – a delightful conclusion to our meal.

Head chef Wayne Gray floored us with the impressive spread on offer at the Blue Fig and we will definitely be returning in the near future.

Though slightly pricey, the restaurant's quality justifies the cost, making it an ideal ‘date night’ spot for special occasions or romantic evenings.

For those in Bury St Edmunds seeking a fine-dining experience, Blue Fig is a top choice.

It is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 12pm to 9pm and to book a table, email hello@bluefigrestaurants.com.