FLOR Design Dinner
A conversation about the influence of creativity
cover photo by Michael Kovacs
[dropcap letter=”I”]In Los Angeles there are few things lacking, so when one of our best restaurants, Republiqúe, and an interesting interior design concept, FLOR, come together for an intimate dining experience, you’re bound to have a memorable evening. Arriving early, I had the pleasure of sharing a cocktail and an in-depth conversation with FLOR Sales Manager, Victor Derdak. We talked of design of course, but we also spoke of the significance of evolution in people’s approach to design; Finding the emotional bond between consumer and designer, client and visionary. While I knew of FLOR, I found the ideology of creating a unique space to be something personal and refreshing. Their tag line: Like A Box of Crayons, Explore the Possibility is playful and inviting. Certainly looking forward to going into the WeHo or Santa Monica showrooms.So while we all settled in with a glass of Prosecco or wine, we were invited to take a seat at the gorgeous table decorated with fresh white and caterpillar green blossoms of rose and hydrangea lined with a FLOR design runner. Shortly after we take our seats, an entourage of dishes begin to make their way to us.
Below is the menu created specifically for the evening’s dinner party …
Republiqúe Los Angeles Menu
STARTER SALADS
Normandy Butter | Coleman Farms Lettuces | Wild Arugula Salad
1st Course
Bucatini alla Carbonara
2nd Courses
Alaskan Halibut | Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Rib
served with Wood Oven Brussels Sprouts
Desserts
Apricot + Blackberry Crisp | Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake
photos ©by Dawn Garcia
The dinner was exquisite and Chef was so gracious, he even made my dishes entirely gluten free. For me the crème de la crème was the Coleman Farms Lettuces salad. The flavors of cilantro dressing, fresh cilantro and toasted pine nuts illuminated the salad. It was much more than mere lettuce in a bowl. The short rib was also perfectly prepared. The meat fell onto the fork in total submission: buttery, robust, delicately coming undone.
The evening was centered with design in mind and while there wasn’t a presentation or product to play with, the few women I spoke with were elevated in the world of design. Fashion Snoops Creative Director, Melissa Moylan and I sat across one another and to hear her perspective on fashion, design, the importance of structure and longevity, timelessness and ferocity was something I understood. Her job is to find out where fashion is heading and one of the things we agree on? The industry is desperate for thoughtful design with that classic appeal of days passed. FLOR has redesigned it’s
624 South La Brea Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tel. 310.362.6115 | Reservations [email protected]
ABOUT THE DINNER
To celebrate the newly re-launched website and introduce the key styles for Summer 2016, FLOR held a special interior design dinner on Wednesday June 22nd in Los Angeles. The intimate sit-down dinner was held at the charming Republique restaurant from 7:00PM to 10:00PM. Fifteen of LA’s leading interior designers, architects, design influencers/bloggers, and lifestyle editors attended the event and had the opportunity to learn more about FLOR’s recently re- launched website including the Design Studio, in addition to the brand’s overall commitment to sustainability and the innovative Summer 2016 designs. The evening kicked off with a reception hour in Republique’s cozy bakery area where guests mingled over Rosé and Prosecco before moving to the restaurant’s Kitchen Table set under French revived elevated ceilings and exposed brick archways.
An artfully constructed table runner composed of FLOR’s Summer 2016 tiles was displayed for guests to view and touch as they enjoyed a five course meal from one of the city’s most esteemed restaurants. A prix fixe menu of farm fresh salas, house-made pastas, seared halibut, braised beef short ribs, market oven roasted vegetables, and refreshing desserts was enjoyed by FLOR’s guests over the course of the evening in addition to red and white wine pairings
