If you are looking for something inspired by both British and Asian cuisine you may well head to the Fig & Olive.

Formerly the Sportsman’s Arms, the restaurant is located on a corner of a busy junction off Pleckgate Road. There is no parking outside but there is normally space on Shear Brow further down the road (Please park responsibly!).

The restaurant serves up a range of dishes such as house specials, sizzlers, and steaks. It also offers pizzas, jacket potatoes and sandwiches for those not looking at something too heavy.

The Fig & Olive does look to offer up a selection of dishes that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. 

There has been a growth in small to medium-sized restaurants of this nature in recent years who are aiming to present their own style of British-Asian cuisine. These are inspired by the traditional British meals you may well find in a carvery or a village eatery but with a subtle Asian twist. In some restaurants the chef will drown the dishes in masala and spices thus losing the very essence of the dish. Here, at the Fig & Olive they are keen not to lose that flavour.

Their daily house specials are listed on a board next to reception and made for some interesting reading. 

During our visit here we opted for the lamb shank, the chilli chicken sizzler and the New Yorker. The latter is a beef patty, American cheese, fried egg, salad, tomato. Quite a mouthful for anyone.

Some of the portions are a tad smaller than elsewhere I have been but that should not take away from the fact that the food is well presented and is of a high standard. The gravy for the spicy lamb shank arrived a few minutes after I had already tucked into the dish but by then then I did not even notice.

Lancashire Telegraph:

There is also no discounting the level of service here which is very good. From the team behind the bar area to the waiting staff, they are keen to make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in.

Great service can make a huge difference to any visit and here the staff were more than happy to answer any questions customers may have had. This resonates well with diners, especially those with families.

There is also much to be made of the layout. If you are lucky then sit in one of the booths near the window. It was also pleasing to see that the despite the facelift some years back they have still managed to keep the stained glass mosaics from what I would imagine was the old bar.