Profiled by de Groots MediaDeep in the heart of North Carlton, renowned for its leafy affluence and stylishly old-fashioned Victorian architecture, you’ll come across Flor. From outside it glows invitingly, its dark wood panelling lit up with soft candlelight as friends share a bottle of red after work. Inside, the music is soft and the welcome warm. While it ticks all the boxes that you’d expect of your local wine bar, it also fits into some very decadent categories. The menu can make you wish you’d paid more attention in high school French, but friendly staff will guide you through without your having to negotiate the awkward pronunciation. An impressive drinks list includes local and international wines, matched to your meal if you’d like, as well as a compelling range of malt whiskeys which, at last count, offered more than 30 different kinds.
The menu has a tapas focus, but also has a selection of delectable mains. Chef Chris Stewart’s imagination and curiosity fuels the ever-changing specials board including the very popular fetta mousse, a Flor original. Another popular dish is the chicken confit with grilled pears, walnut and blue cheese salad. A personal favourite was the molten goat’s cheese in a cous cous crust with honey and cumin, as well as the pumpkin fettuccini with lemon, sage and ricotta.
Jenni Kauppi, October 2007
