Floripa London is located in the former site of Favela Chic, a well established live music venue with a kind of Parisian cool take on Brazil. This vibe and live music remains (a little disappointing it wasn’t Brazilian) contributing to a loud and lively evening.
Service was attentive and professional from the start. And there is no better greeting that an extensive menu of cocktails, which ended up being one of the highlights. My facourite: the “O Presidente do Brasil”, a perfectly balanced (and powerful) concoction made with cachaça, triple sec, pomegranate syrup and martini dry.
These were accompanied by what in my opinion turned out to be the best pao de queijo in London. The chef is from Minas Gerais, home of this Brazilian delicacy which certainly came as an advantage for his deliciously soft cheese bread recipe. The chicken wings served in cachaça sauce and the rice cooked prawns served in an open pineapple showcase a menu that dares to take a variation on Brazilian traditional tastes. And it works!
The bolinho de bacalhau ( cod fish balls ) was spot on: crisp on the outside, with moist fish inside, and served with a peppery homemade mayonnaise. A salad of spinach leaves was fresh and well presented, making a lovely accompaniment to the moqueca. This was a decent size portion, with chunks of fresh fishand a well seasoned molho ( sauce ). Passion fruit mousse had a refreshing citrussy tang – a real palate cleanser, tastefully presented.
Congratulations to Brazilian chef Marcelo and his front of house team for a very enjoyable evening!
91-93 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3HZ
