Henrietta has finally arrived in Melbourne, and it has not disappointed.
Inspired by the Middle East, built on a dream, and ignited by fire, this exciting new Middle Eastern restaurant is a huge milestone for ESCA Group as their first interstate venue.
Drawing inspiration from the diverse flavours of the Middle East, Henrietta combines modern Aussie flair with this unique cuisine and brings the heat with fire at the heart of every dish. Whilst the menu is different for Melbournites, all those iconic things you love about Henrietta (think: the falafel, the charcoal chicken, and the garlic toum) will now be available in their newest 80-seater dining space in the heart of Windsor, Melbourne.
I recently say down with Ibrahim Moubadder, Co-founder of ESCA Group, to discuss the inspiration and flavours behind this delicious new Melborune hot spot.
Congratulations on the success of Henrietta! How did you come up with the concept?
Opening Henrietta in Melbourne marked a huge milestone for us, as it is our first interstate venue. This is a testament to our continued ambition for growth and passion for our business. We wanted to open in Melbourne and become a part of their vibrant dining scene and exciting hospitality landscape which created our concept of Middle Eastern spirit with a combination of Melbourne’s vibrant hospitality.
What is the inspiration behind the menu and the fit out of the restaurant?
Drawing inspiration from the diverse flavours of the Middle East, Henrietta combines modern Aussie flair with this unique cuisine and brings the heat with fire at the heart of every dish. Think of all the iconic things you love about Henrietta: the falafel, the charcoal chicken, the garlic toum, and more. We found there was a lack of charcoal chicken, and we wanted to share the love, but this time in a more elevated way.
What is a must-try dish?
Without a doubt, our Charcoal Chicken is an absolute must-try when you dine with us! It’s the heart of our kitchen and the very soul of our restaurant. Don’t forget to pair it with our mezzes, such as our Hummus with green shatta and nuts or Falafel with tahini and house pickles. Trust me; You will keep coming back for more.
What is the must-try cocktail?
The Arak Highball, is a refreshing and delicious way to drink Lebanon’s liquor Arak.
How did you come up with the name Henrietta?
We called it Henrietta as we wanted a fun name! One night, after a few drinks, Jorge said Henrietta and we both looked at each other and said Yes this is the one.
