Tucked in a plaza in Bushnell's Basin, Fig Cafe (665 Pittsford-Victor Road, Pittsford) provides a healthier, non-chain alternative to eating on Route 96. Mainly a take-out spot, the owner's intent is to provide ready-to-eat gourmet meals.

Third time could be the charm for owner Debi Caruso Smith, who has had two successful careers before opening Fig. After going into nursing and law, why would someone make the transition to a restaurateur? Smith says, "Especially in law, working eight hours a day seemed like forever. I work 12 hours or more a day now, but I don't mind, as I am doing what I always wanted."

Fig Café opened in October with the plan of combining café, bakery, and catering services. Smith admits that she hadn't even tried a fig before coming up with the name. Now she enjoys them, and they are featured in the menu. Chef Eric Mack-Davis joined the crew in February. Park Avenue patrons may recognize the name, as Mack-Davis was the chef at the now-defunct Jack LaVere's.

Unfortunately, a recent visit found a few disappointments. I came on a Tuesday, and many of the items were not available due to the café being closed Sunday and Monday. Smith said that the eggplant meatballs are a customer favorite, but they aren't usually not available on Tuesdays due to the time required to make them. Looking at the menu, I then set my sights on stuffed bread. Alas, there was none of that available as well.

Some selections are offered in a display case, so I decided to forgo viewing the menu and chose from what was in front of me. The chicken salad was earthy, slightly smoky, and the fig provided a nice sweetness, although the croissant was a bit dry. The red pepper and goat cheese quiche was rich, but the consistency was a bit like gelatin (although it still held up when being cut). The seasonal side salad was a delight to eat; firm, yet chewy rice heavily flavored with spices and walnuts. The popular peanut butter cookie was flavorful and inundated with chocolate chips, and while I loved the concept of the "filled as you wait" cannolis, I was disappointed in the chocolate-infused, granular taste.

While I wasn't able to try some items and some weren't exactly to my liking, I'm all for the gourmet take-out concept. Here's hoping that Fig will continue to grow and succeed.

Fig is open Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information call 248-5749 or visit fig-cafe.com.

Open Face turns 4

The South Wedge's Open Face (651 South Ave) goes beyond the normal sandwich shop. This shop's got moxie - quite literally, as it serves Moxie, a soft drink that used to outsell Coca-Cola back in the 1920s, and also displays Moxie memorabilia, including bottles, cases, and advertisements.

But there's more to Open Face than pop. Jared Valentine and Drew Sterman opened the sandwich shop four years ago on April 26, 2005. The pair has developed a loyal following, and with good reason. The sandwiches are inventive, the small shop is comfortable - and they also dig scooters.

Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, celebrate the big birthday with raffle tickets with every sandwich purchase. Winners will be posted on the store's website (openfacesandwicheatery.com), which is, by the way, updated daily with specials and news.

You'll always find a scooter parked out front of Open Face, and the Negative Image Scooter Gang meets at Open Face Wednesday nights. If you arrive on a scooter (they also acknowledge rides with a few more CCs of horsepower), the proprietors will give you a discount.

If you've never dined at Open Face, we strongly suggest that you try the ginger carrots. This pickled side dish will make you want to eat your veggies. The zingy flavor translates well without being overpowering, and the ginger theme carries on through the candy GinGins that are rolled up with your utensils.

Open Face is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information call 232-3050, or visit openfacesandwicheatery.com.

Creamery stays put

In March we reported that the Corn Hill Creamery (290 Exchange Boulevard) would be leaving Corn Hill Landing and moving to a new location in Fairport. Things have changed: the business is staying downtown, due to an asbestos issue in the new building. Owner Mark Holbrook says, "We love downtown; we are excited to be open this season and will be playing it by ear whether or not we continue to look for another location." Parking is still a concern for Holbrook; however, the owner of Corn Hill Landing has advised that the parking lot underneath the expressway can be used for Landing patrons. Corn Hill Creamery is open now, and we're looking forward to another yummy season.

Corn Hill Creamery is open Tuesday-Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday noon-9 p.m. For more information call 454-5110.