South Kensington is to get an Anglo-Indian botanical restaurant and bar this October…
Who’d have thought that South Kensington was destined to be flavour of the month? Following swiftly on from our exclusive announcement yesterday about The Hour Glass (a traditional boozer coming to the Brompton Road in November), is news of the arrival of Flora Indica: a British-cum-Indian botanical-inspired drinking and dining den that’s set to throw yet more tang into the South Ken mix.
Named after the works of celebrated botanists, Flora Indica is inspired by the gardens of India and the period that gave us kedgeree, piccalilli relish and, most importantly, the G&T (so, an era that’s very dear to our hearts). Incorporating a restaurant, bar and lounge, with two dedicated cocktail bars and a spacious dining area, the interior has been designed by Henry Chebaane of Blue Sky Hospitality and combines characteristic Kensington chic with industrial features reminiscent of the 19th-century brewing and distilling industry. Expect plenty of warm mahogany and white marble offset by silver highlights, pewter, leather and Harris tweed upholstery. Adding distinctive touches are ceilings and walls covered with vintage plaster roses, botanical light wall sconces and no less than half a mile of metal piping running from the bar and kitchen to and from a steampunk-style distilling installation.
Enter the ground floor into a 30-cover cocktail, gin and whisky lounge where a concise menu of bar snacks and sharing plates is offered; downstairs, a dining room seats up to 70 for an à la carte or tasting menu. Head chef Suresh Pillai (a graduate of Indian high-flyers Veeraswamy and Gymkhana) has devised a menu incorporating the botanical flavours discovered across India and Britain during the Georgian and Victorian periods. Fragrant creations are set to include: Isle of Mull hand-dived scallops, pan-seared and poached in juniper coconut milk; Cornish mussels in a ginger and tamarind broth with coriander naan; and Tamworth pork vindaloo with purple garlic and palm vinegar.
A wide-ranging drinks list boasts Portobello Brewery craft beer, an enticing choice of malt whisky and a dedicated small-batch gin and punch bar. Private dining will also be available, with a pair of snug booths under the vaults suitable for group hire.
The restaurant is to open for a soft launch, offering 50% off the total food bill for a limited number of dates (watch this space).
This article was published 25 August 2015