I support granting a beer and wine license for Fig Tree Cafe, a new, upscale organic-foods restaurant at 5119 Cass Street. This is the kind of restaurant we need in our Pacific Beach community. Fig Tree Cafe provides a gourmet dining experience and a valued neighborhood service within walking distance of thousands of households. Proprietors Johan Engman and Damaso Lee offer a unique menu based on chef Lee%u2019s vision of locally grown ingredients and refined preparation techniques, priced affordably. Fig Tree Cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating under a beautiful tree canopy for a charming %u201Cal fresco%u201D dining experience.
Without a beer and wine license, their restaurant faces an uncertain future. In this tough economy, the restaurant business is especially competitive. Without the ability to serve light alcohol beverages, Fig Tree Cafe will have difficulty attracting a customer base for lunch and dinner. Engman and Lee are committed to working with the community to be a good neighbor. They are seeking a beer and wine license solely for the purpose of improving the dining experience for their restaurant customers, and not for a standalone bar. They will accept conditions limiting hours of operation and addressing any other concerns.
