'Chopped'-winning chef turns out modern American cuisine at Hoboken's elegant Fig Tree restaurant

Before it became an elegant, upscale eatery, the Fig Tree restaurant on Park Avenue between Third and Fourth streets in Hoboken was known as the Spinning Spirits.

A family-owned Laundromat with a liquor license, it had a working kitchen that turned out the tastiest Italian-Croatian cuisine, thanks to the family matriarch. Imagine  sitting at a friendly neighborhood bar in the early evening, having a drink or two while waiting for a delicious plate -- and your laundry!

Now the Fig Tree, the space is similarly singular, but for different reasons. Owned by Gerry and Amelia Farrelly since last year,  it has been completely reinvented.

Keeping the lush back patio garden where the namesake fig tree grows, the Farrellys have turned the space into a a fine dining restaurant and wine bar.

”We wanted a simple and classic restaurant,” Gerry said.

If you're walking faster than a leisurely stroll, you might miss the green arbors adorning the below-street level entrance. But don't walk past! You wouldn't want to miss this restaurant recently named Hoboken's best by Hoboken Mommies and HobokenGirl.com.

When inside, a lovely hostess will greet you and lead you to an elegant table setting where you'll enjoy gourmet delights provided by Chef Milton Enriquez.

Chef Milton is originally from Guatemala City. At 13, he arrived in Los Angeles to visit family and decided he wanted to stay for a better life.

“At 16, I found my food passion while working at Arizona 206 in New York City as a dishwasher,'' he said.

From Arizona 206, he went on to Sign of the Dove, China Grill, the Royalton Hotel, 11 Madison Park and Compass, winning the Food Network's Thanskgiving-themed "Chopped" episode competition in Season 5.

With a 24-year resume that reads like a culinary rock star's, Chef Milton can be counted on for food that's also art -- in taste, color and presentation.

His modern American cuisine consists of only fresh seasonal organic ingredients. All of the sauces, desserts, breads and pastas are made in house.

The Grilled Lamb Duo ($38) is succulent! Grilled East Coast Halibut ($36) is fresh, tender and simply incredible! The Fluke Escabeche appetizer ($12) is spicy and tangy -- and very refreshing.

The signature Black Mission Fig Salad ($14), meanwhile, is so good, it's almost dessert!

In short, the menu is unbelievably creative.

Chef Milton, meanwhile, is also a Brazilian Ju Jitsu student and serious competitor.

He and his wife, Devora Garcia, has three children: 14-year-old Javier, 5-year-old Milton and year-old Cassandra.

“I get up every day and feel so blessed because I and my family are healthy, I have a stable job doing what I love, and my martial arts,'' he said. "Money comes and goes, it is immaterial. But health, family and a great job -- well, that’s success.''

IF YOU GO ...

The Fig Tree

306-308 Park Ave., Hoboken

Open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday; and 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, go to thefigtreehoboken.com, facebook.com/thefigtreehoboken or twitter.com/figtreehoboken, call (201) 420-0444 or email info@thefigtreehoboken.com.

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