What is Florindian?
The shores and swamps of Florida are an ancient, primal and quiet place, full of hidden stories and treasures. Native tribes fleeing relocation, slaves finding freedom, Conquistadores looking for the Fountain of Youth, White settlers looking for cheap land to start anew and so many others looking for safety, comfort and ease have found their way to this land where water and time seem to flow without movement.
Florindian is the telling of this land through the lens of food. A Floridian of Indian heritage, Anand will present his original dishes influenced by traditional Floridian Southern cuisine, Latin-Caribbean cuisine and Indian cuisine in a five course menu with drink pairings. Each dish will uncover a story about the people and cultures that took refuge in the deep and primal lands and swamps of Florida.
Who is Anand?
Anand Deshpande is a Cook, Storyteller and Food Researcher who brings people closer through sharing food stories and experiences. He teaches history through cooking, is the creator and producer of the podcast A Letter from the Chef and researches what food teaches us about each other and the human experience.
The Food
Florindian blends the 3 cuisines that most heavily influenced Anand’s upbringing as a Floridian of Indian heritage: Old Florida Southern cuisine, Latin-Caribbean and Indian. All of which are blends themselves.
Menu
Sample - These dishes are not guaranteed
Food
First Course
Sofkee
Grits + Black Bean Wada + Caribbean Pumpkin Chutney
Second Course
Fried Green Tomatoes
Shepu Creme + Hearts of Palm + Blood Orange
Third Course
Mofongo
Malvani Prawns + Micro Cilantro Salad
Kaju Curry + Cucumber Salad
Fourth Course
Dixie-Deccan Plate
Buttermilk Fried Chicken + Mathri Biscuits + Coconut Milk Collards
Black Eyed Pea Bonda + Cardamom Citrus Sweet Potatoes + Tamarind Fried Okra
Finale
Sweet Tasting
Orange Spice Poached Pear + Muscadine Falooda + Key Lime Payasam
Pairings
Muscadine Spiced Sangria
Orange Blossom Pilsner
Roselle Tea
Details
Picnic on Third
Dates/Times:
First Seating — Saturday, January 18th at 7pm*
Second Seating — Sunday, January 19th at 7pm*
*The experience will begin promptly at 7pm. Please arrive between 6:45 and 7pm for seating.
Location:
Picnic on Third
493 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Offerings:
Non-Vegetarian*
Prix fixe, 5 course meal including seafood and poultry with alcoholic or non-alcoholic paired beverages included
Vegan & Gluten-Free**
Prix fixe, 5 course meal that is both vegan and gluten free with alcoholic or non-alcoholic paired beverages included
*We hope that the two options will be able to help with any dietary restrictions you may have, but please let us know if you have any allergies or requests ahead of time to see if we may be able to accommodate, though we cannot promise we will be able to.
**This is not a substitute for the non-vegetarian menu, but a unique and wonderful menu developed as a stand alone experience.
Dress Code:
Business casual or resort formal is encouraged
What to expect:
Come ready to enjoy unique culinary creations and conversation with fellow diners. Anand will present stories live with each course as each dish is served to you. This is not a restaurant — Florindian is an engaged, storytelling, seated dining experience.