California’s super bloom lit up our feeds this year with a wash of rainbow-colored wildflowers. A bucket list item in itself, the short window of time to catch the vibrant flowers eluded most, but recently we’ve come across a restaurant that’s sure to make you forget all about those California poppies.
The Florist, in Watford, England, boasts a bounty of blooms that will leave you inspired and… hungry. The cocktail bar and restaurant sum up the experience best with, “The Florist believes in the fundamental principles of floristry, to charm each of the senses.” Indeed, they’ve created an all-encompassing sensory experience from the moment you walk in. This isn’t your average Instagram bait though, the team has carefully thought out their guests’ experience to cater to groups who appreciate mixologist designed cocktail menus (read: no sugary mimosas) and hearty food offerings in a beautiful space.
Photography courtesy of The Florist
Flower Power
One peruse of The Florist’s Instagram account and you’re transported to a secret garden bathed in rosy hues and bursting with flowers everywhere you look. Rising up from the center of the space is a flowering tree that extends its branches over nearby tables while pink banquettes line the window-filled perimeter, marble-topped bistro tables sit pretty in the dining room, and a group table that’s able to accommodate 10 lives under a chandelier of flowers. Even on the gloomiest of British days, The Florist is a bright oasis of color and texture.
Botanical Brunching
Inspired by all things floral, the team at The Florist has designed their cocktail menu around fresh, blooming ingredients and organized the menu by three key styles of floristry: Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement; English Garden, a soft style of floristry with handpicked and seasonal flowers; and Modern Contemporary, a more experimental approach using asymmetry, negative space and exotic blooms.
These three styles are translated into drinks such as the elderflower yuzu spritz for Ikebana, the blueberry lavandula for English Garden, and the hibiscus margarita for Modern Contemporary. Beyond this detailed and creative menu, there’s also an entire gin menu and shareable gin vase drinks (think punchbowl style) – because, botany.
We didn’t forget about actual brunch here (well maybe, those drinks are too good) and the menu is crafted to keep you full and able to order just one more drink. Find a traditional English breakfast (with a vegan counterpart as well), a couple of breakfast sandwiches, blueberry pancakes, omelets, and all of the sweet and savory toast options.
Masterclasses
This kind of brunch extravaganza is best experienced with your most fabulous crew in tow (who’s going to help you finish that gin vase, after all?), but to make your botanical brunch really bloom, book one of the masterclasses offered onsite for your group. Starting at $25 per person, choose from either a cocktail, floristry, or gin masterclass.
The cocktail masterclass guides you through the three styles of floristry that inspired the cocktail menu while the gin masterclass is all about learning the different nuances of gin through guided tastings. If you really want to get in on the flower power, the floristry masterclass teaches you how to create flower crowns or bouquets. There’s no wrong pick here for birthday parties, bachelorette parties or simply a unique add-on to your weekend brunch. 
Take your weekend brunch to the next level →
