If you’re craving bold flavours, cocktails that pack a punch, and an experience that feels as authentic as it does stylish, then look no further than Florentine. This Middle Eastern–Mediterranean spot is located in the heart of the CBD, in lively Loop Street. Let me just say that the vibe of the restaurant matches the buzzing energy of the city, minus the chaos. Upon arrival, we were met with a statement sign that almost glowed, you couldn’t miss it. I am grateful for that since I always find it a bit tricky to look at my GPS and figure out exactly where I am going at the same time. That makes sense, right? Anyway, in true town fashion, I parked a couple of streets down the road. I have my lack of ability to parallel park to thank for that. We then began our quest to an authentic escape. And the best part? No passports or visas needed. Once again, we had the burnt orange sign within our view. It gave off an urban edge that was met with Mediterranean sunshine. A very Instagramable street shot moment, which naturally I became a victim of. After a couple of awkward snaps of me pointing at the cool signage overhead, we made our way inside.

Walking in, my first impression was that the space was sleek and polished. Very much Middle Eastern–Mediterranean charm woven into a contemporary shell. I loved how open and airy it was but at the same time, it was incredibly warm and grounding. The golden lighting was an instant mood lift, casting a flattering glow. It caught onto the warm terracotta walls beautifully, and enhanced the natural tones of the wooden tables and chairs. The subtle greenery added life without being overdone. Everything felt intentional, but not over styled. The kind of place where you can sip on cocktails, nibble on some delicious eats, and accidentally stay for three hours. Talking about three hours, let’s get into it!

“This wasn’t just a cocktail, it was basically a personality. Bubbly, zesty, and a little dramatic (so yes, very me).”

We were shown to our table and were given a bit of a breakdown of the menu. My jaw quite literally dropped at the descriptions of their dishes. I knew I was in for a flavourful, and perfectly curated afternoon. I also love to see when a person is so passionate about the food that they serve. It really brings out the heart and soul of an establishment. Since I could tell we were both true foodies, I decided to trust his recommendations. Did I over-order? Yes. Did I eat it all? Also yes. Do I care? No.

Our orders were in, and to my delight, our drinks were served. Placed in front of me was a blushing pink fizz, AKA a Paloma, that looked like it was on holiday in the Med. The orange wedge was perched on the rim like it knew it was the outfit accessory. But of course, with some za’atar sprinkled on the one side, giving it that Middle-Eastern flair. I reached for the straw and gave it a good sip. The grapefruit hit like a zingy wake up call, then the za’atar slid in with an earthy, herby whisper. I really enjoyed how the sweet and savoury notes intertwined, it was unexpected but addictive. The tequila backbone was present but polished, supportive but not overpowering. Gosh, must be nice…  A perfectly balanced mix of bitter, citrus, herbal, and subtle sweetness. It was refreshing enough to drink three, and layered enough to feel like a moment. This wasn’t just a cocktail, it was basically a personality. Bubbly, zesty, and a little dramatic (so yes, very me).

Thinking my life couldn’t get any better than that moment, a Mediterranean feast was put onto the table. I’ll start with the kawarma since it looked like a centerpiece demanding attention, and the flatbread was the size of my ambitions. So naturally, it was a bit difficult to ignore. It was almost architectural. Layers, colours, and textures were all carefully stacked. The bright tomato and pickled onion popped against the creamy white bed of tzatziki. After the “oohs” and “aghs” it was time for me to dig in. I broke off a piece of the flatbread and smeared it through the skillet, making sure I got a bit of everything on it, and a generous amount, might I add. Where to begin, this was a flavour bomb. The pulled lamb was rich, tender, and melted in your mouth with smoky undertones which was cooled by the garlicky tzatziki. Creamy yin to the meaty yang. There were warm, slightly sweet spices that hit in layers, and the tahini was nutty and earthy, a background note that tied everything together. I loved the addition of the zesty, herbaceous tabbouleh as well as the tangy pickled onions. It brought some freshness and cut through the richness like a sassy sidekick. As a carb fanatic, I must mention that the flatbread was outstanding. It was chewy with little crisp edges and infused with olive oil and za’atar, basically edible perfume. This is one of those dishes where you keep building the perfect bite like it’s Jenga for foodies.

The second dish of this Mediterranean feast was the Tuvuk. This was hands down my favourite bite of the day. First of all, it looked glossy, vibrant, and glowing with spices. The ruby red peppers and herbs scattered like confetti while the creamy chilli labneh was lining the dish like a fiery halo. Alongside the skillet was fluffy pita fanned out neatly. Once again, I formulated the well stacked bite using the warm and pillowy soft pita as the vessel to get all of that goodness into my mouth. Wow, wow, wow! The chicken was insanely succulent and was balanced beautifully with crisp charred edges. The labneh was creamy, with a kick, a cool heat that builds slowly. It was incredibly well spiced with many herbs that are quite new to me. They brought about a lovely earthy and nutty depth, as well as a good amount of texture. Much like the kawarma, the freshness from the salad cut through the richer flavours. What really stood out to me was the pilpelchuma paste, it was smoky with a sun dried tomato punch, and was slightly sweet, and a little fiery. It was seriously addictive. I kept dragging the pita through it long after the juicy chicken was gone. Honestly, this is the dish I’d come back for today.

I know what you’re thinking, I deserved a reward after demolishing all of my food. Since I wasn’t quite ready to conclude the eating journey with dessert, I thought the next best thing would be to get another cocktail. This time I went with the No.87 and let me just tell you that this cocktail looked like it knew it was the main character. It was deep purple with a frothy crown like velvet. It was garnished with a sprig of rosemary, minimal but chic. To my surprise, it was dense and luscious, almost like a boozy smoothie. At first, I was a bit sceptical of the texture but after my second sip I began to wonder why more cocktails weren’t this thick. I loved it, it was fun to drink, and so wholesome. The berry compote was rich and nostalgic like childhood jam but all grown up. The orange syrup lifted the berries while the cranberry was tart and sharp, balancing the sweetness with sass. This didn’t last long. Spoiler… I inhaled it. 

After a sweet little break, it was time for our final savoury dish, the melitzana. It looked like a rainbow in a bowl. Rich purples from the aubergine, jewel like cherry tomatoes, bright pickles, and glossy olives. The crispy golden potatoes on top were almost too photogenic, like they were auditioning for a skincare ad. It was basically a mezze board that got a glow up and joined Soho House. The aubergine was cooked to perfection, it was smoky, velvety, almost meaty. It melted in your mouth and had that flame kissed bitterness that kept it interesting. The hummus was smooth and nutty, the grounding base that tied all the chaos together. The saltiness from sharp feta and briny olives enhanced all the other flavours in the skillet. I loved the incorporation of the crispy chickpeas. They were nutty, earthy, and crunchy, like little savoury popcorn surprises. If you’re a potato lover, these ones are for you. They were slightly smashed, making the edges nice and crispy, but keeping the inside soft and fluffy. Total comfort factor. Every mouthful shifts gears. Smoky, then tangy, then crunchy, then creamy. You can’t pin it down, and that’s what makes it fun.

Since I am all about ending things on a sweet note, I obviously had to order dessert. I decided on the Florentin toast, French toast’s cooler, Mediterranean cousin. It was beautifully presented, just like everything else had been. The golden, caramelised crust caught the light. A bronzed slice that looked like it got kissed by the pan. It was topped with a cloud of cream that looked dangerously inviting. There was some orange on orange action going on. Fresh, juicy segments, against a smouldering charred wedge. The brioche was soft and light with a slightly crisp exterior. It wasn’t overly sweet or rich at all. All the flavours were delicate and perfectly balanced, nothing was overpowering. There was a sweet warmth coming from the airy cinnamon cream, a subtle sweetness coming from the citrusy syrup. The fresh orange was bright and juicy, while the burnt orange brought in some smoky, caramel tones. Then the coconut crunch added a cheeky little surprise with each bite. This was the perfect balance between breakfast comfort and dessert indulgence. Fluffy, zesty, and toasty, basically sunshine on a plate.

Overall, I had a fantastic and rather festive feeling afternoon at Florentin. I was absolutely blown away by the flavours, it truly is more of an experience than just a meal. They have so many delicious dishes to choose from, it is the perfect place to go time and time again. I am genuinely excited to go back. I can’t wait to try the rest of the menu, and of course, some more of their cocktails. If you are a brunch lover like me, they have got you sorted. I am literally planning my next visit purely based on just their brunch menu. I mean, how amazing is that? I highly recommend giving this spot a go, and be sure to cancel the rest of your plans that day, you won’t want to leave. 
Thank you Florentin, till next time!