Top : United_States : IN : Bloomington : FloraFine Italian dining in a casual atmosphere. Open very late.Smoking allowed on outside upper-deck. 620 W 5th St
Bloomington
IN
United States
Telephone : 812.339.8430
Type of cuisine served :Price DetailsThe typical price range for a meal at Flora is $15.01 - $30 Payment MethodsAll restaurants accept cash; additional methods of payment are :-
Alcohol : wine / beer. Smoking : section. Dress : dressy casual. Parking : own parking lot.
ReviewsCasual Italian atmosphere, but nothings casual about the food Flora is located just west of the Kirkwood/Rogers Street intersection. It's housed in an old two-story apartment building that -- appropriately -- has flowers painted all over it. Flora is located just west of the Kirkwood/Rogers Street intersection. It's housed in an old two-story apartment building that -- appropriately -- has flowers painted all over it. Once inside, it has the casual feel of being at your grandma's kitchen table. They offer a full-menu, desserts and wines. Children are welcome. Now to the most important thing: the food. They offer a variety of antipastos from a scrumptious homemade polenta (two orders make a meal for you vegetarians) to appetizer "specials" like fried green tomatoes. They offer several salad dinners, as well as a number of homemade pastas and sauces. They recently changed their menu, but some of my favorites have been Chicken Bottacelli and Fettucini alla Flora. The Fettucini alla Flora is a wonderful blend of cream sauce, artichokes and spinach with or without chicken served over fettucini. Trust me, it is delicious. They also serve three kinds of lasagna: cheese, vegetable and meat. In the past, I have really enjoyed the unique way in which they served their sausage -- cut into chunks, rather than ground. However, I was there last week and instead of their traditional sausage, I received ground beef. It was much less appetizing, but still good. They also offer several homemade desserts, though honestly, I've always been to full to try them. Though, once Josie (one of the owners) insisted that I take home a little sampler of homemade pastries and candies (truffles and small crescent rolls with cashews and honey). They were DELICIOUS. That's the other thing about Flora -- the owners are there to welcome you with open arms. If you dine often enough, you will see Josie running around in her chef's cap greeting customers or the more reserved Elizabeth making sure everything is to customers' satisfaction. Every Wednesday, they offer a special multiple course meal for a flat rate that includes some luxurious one-time, gourmet concoctions. I believe (don't quote me) that a glass of wine might be included in the price. While it's easy to get in on most nights, you should definitely make a reservation for special events like Valentine's Day, graduation or other typically busy periods. If you have not made it down to the little white house painted with flowers on West Fifth Street (Kirkwood), I highly recommend that you do--and tell them "Tracey" sent you! :) SPECIALS: During the summer 2001, children eat free. You might want to call them to make sure they are still running this special. Also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm, entrees are buy one, get one free. AVERAGE PRICES: $12-$14 Food Rating [10/10] Service Rating [8/10] Ambiance Rating [6/10] Not even Ragu I have been to many many Italian restaurants throughout the East Coast and the South, and even grew up in an Italian family. Flora was pitifully substandard. I have been to many many Italian restaurants throughout the East Coast and the South, and even grew up in an Italian family. Flora was pitifully substandard. Flora Ristorante came highly recommended, and after eating there, I wonder if it was the same place that was recommended, or those that recommended it to us were without taste buds. The bread was marginally warm, nothing special by any means. The salad had limp lettuce with a dressing that left a lot to be desired. My meal tasted like horsemeat with old cheese and Ragu red sauce. I was thinking about trying dessert, but I was afraid to. Sorry, but if this is the Midwest version of good Italian restaurants, then I don't ever want another Italian meal here. I was really disappointed, and maybe we went on a bad night, but everything left a lot to be desired. Food Rating [2/10] Service Rating [6/10] Ambiance Rating [2/10]
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