At a glance
🍴 Type/Cuisine: All day dining brasserie-style restaurant.
📍 Location: 6 Hercules Road, London SE1 7DP, London.
🗣 Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
💸 Price: dinner for 2, 3 courses pp with glass of wine: £80
🌏 Website: http://www.florentinerestaurant.co.uk
All-Day Dining in Waterloo.
Restaurant recommendations in Waterloo can be a be a bit tricky. After all, it’s hard when swanky Mayfair and hip Soho is just across the river. But Florentine is an all-day dining brasserie-style restaurant worth crossing south of the river for.
Swanky with a capital S.
The first thing I noticed was how swanky the interiors are. There are comfy looking banquettes and the dark furnishings just oozes class. The dining room is separated from the bar and reception by a giant screen producing a soft golden glow which created an intimate vibe in low-lit settings, and the melodic acoustic of pop classics playing softly playing in the background further helped create a relaxed atmosphere.
Ravioli and steaks on point.
The menu is pan-European a la carte. While I thought the fried squid could’ve have been a bit crispier, the buffalo ricotta ravioli, on the other hand, maybe the best I’ve ever had. It’s completely drenched in a buttery and creamy sauce, topped with thinly shaved black truffle which took it to another level. For mains, steaks can be tricky to cook. But I was pleased that the rib-eye 220g of grass fed, 32-day aged rib-eye with béarnaise sauce was perfectly juicy and cooked just the way I like it. With the braised lamb shank, although melt-in-the-mouth tender, I can’t help but think there are better ways of cooking a lamb shank to really make it really stand out. It was nonetheless delicious.
Venetian doughnuts for days.
To end, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy a tiramisu. At Florentine, I found this Italian staple dessert done superbly. The Venetian doughnuts was also a sweet success. Three pillowy balls coated in sugar and filled stuffed with boozy marsala cream.
Service first in its class.
The service was just as excellent was the food. From the moment I stepped into reception, the welcome was warm and friendly. Fabio, our star Italian waiter, was attentive always making sure that our glass was always full and together with the sommelier, shared their expertise to help pick out the best dishes and wine to complement our meal when asked.
Wow factors.
Although not a dish I ordered, I was invited to see first-hand the mahoosive size of their Herculanean burger and Tomahawk steak. Intended for sharing, it’s sheer size is a sight to behold and sure to amaze. Bring your mates, this is a food challenge you can’t handle on your own. If brunch is your thing, I am told you should come down between April – September where the fry-up featuring the gargantuan ostrich egg will be available again.
A restaurant for that special occasion.
You no longer have to book yourself table the swankiest restaurant in Mayfair to treat yourself. Florentine’s intimate vibes, slick interiors, top-notch service and food make Florentine an excellent choice to bring a date or to celebrate a special occasion including birthdays. While it won’t be cheap, Florentine won’t blow a hole in your savings either. It’s fine dining-that the every day hard-working Londoner can afford to treat themselves to once in a while.
✨ DECOR & AMBIENCE: 4½ / 5.
🤵🏻 SERVICE: 4½ / 5.
🍸 FOOD: 4 / 5.
🌟 OVERALL: 4½ / 5.
See more photos of Florentine.
Diners with a sweet tooth are well looked after with three selection of treat. Perhaps my favourite was the Knafeh made from akkawi cheese and kataifi pastry soaking up all that sweet orange blossom syrup.
