FIG & OLIVE and the Irvine Company announced a lease agreement that brings FIG & OLIVE to Fashion Island. With restaurants in New York and West Hollywood, FIG & OLIVE’s presence in Orange County will be exclusive to Fashion Island.

“FIG & OLIVE’s crisp and unique menu and ambiance will continue to transform Fashion Island as a premier destination for unique culinary experiences” Scheduled to open in 2013, executive chef Pascal Lorange — who began his training at a young age with three-star Michelin Chef Georges Blanc in Vonnas, France — will introduce a menu of refined elegance with classic flavors and the highest quality of ingredients inspired by the Riviera and coastal regions of the Mediterranean. FIG & OLIVE is about passion for the best olive oils, with cuisine based on genuine ingredients and a respect for flavors. Fresh, warm and authentic, the interiors embody the ambiance of the Riviera and coastal regions of the South of France, Italy and Spain — olive branches, pots of fresh herbs, and simple cooking have been its formula since the beginning.

Small plates — perfect for sharing at the long white marble communal table and tasting bar — will range from Zucchini Carpaccio, a Fig Gorgonzola Tartlet, and Crostinis, to imported charcuterie, cheese, olives, and marinated vegetables. Main courses will include signature dishes such as Seared Sea Scallop with Truffle Artichoke Tapenade; Grilled Branzino glazed with fig balsamic vinegar, served with figs and snow peas, finished with a sweet Picholine Olive Oil; and Porcini & Gorgonzola Jamon Iberico Ravioli with Porcini Olive Oil. And, the exceptional wine list at FIG & OLIVE includes over 30 varietals from the South of France, Italy and Spain that are offered by the glass or bottle along with a selection of champagne.

“At FIG & OLIVE, I want to highlight our menu’s core ingredient of olive oil, which we use in place of butter in our dishes. Our cuisine, along with an elegant white, green and terra-cotta décor immerse our guests into the essence of the French town of Mougins in which I grew up,” says FIG & OLIVE Founder, Laurent Halasz. “I believe Fashion Island’s premier coastal location and Mediterranean climate in the heart of Newport Beach, together with its commitment to bringing its sophisticated yet relaxed clientele a variety of unique culinary experiences, will be a natural fit for my restaurant.”

Fashion Island will be FIG & OLIVE’s sixth location nationwide. The industrially chic French Riviera-inspired eatery boasts five big-city locations, including three restaurants in New York City’s trendiest neighborhoods — the Meatpacking District, Uptown, and Fifth Avenue — one location in Westchester, N.Y., and a sophisticated West Coast flagship location situated on Melrose Place, which opened in March 2011. The wildly popular NYC and West Hollywood locations have attracted high-profile guests including President Obama, Heidi Klum, Reese Witherspoon, Mila Kunis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Depp, John Krasinski, and David Beckham to name a select few.

FIG & OLIVE will be located on the South side of the Center in a new standalone structure. FIG & OLIVE’s elegant and warm design, with limestone stucco walls, terra-cotta ceiling, and green rosemary and olive trees will exude the essence of the French Riviera and complement Fashion Island’s, and nearby world-famous Pelican Hill Resort’s, fresh Mediterranean look.