The Botanical
| Where | 169 Domain Road, South Yarra, 3141—View map |
Contact | 03 9820 7888 info@thebotanical.com.au |
Website | www.thebotanical.com.au |
Open | Monday to Friday 7.00am to 11.00pm Breakfast until 11.30am |
Payment | EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX, Cash |
Diet | Check with venue |
Seating | Inside and outside |
Kids | Welcome |
Pets | Welcome |
The Blond and the Beautiful
Ellie Parker 22 April 2008
Update: Since we posted this review The Botanical has been in a bit of strife. The chefs (first Paul Wilson and then Stuart McVeigh), the manager, the staff and the owners have all changed. We look forward to reviewing The Botanical again once it is up and running - posted July 2010.
The Botanical is Beautiful and Blond. Blond women and blondwood mostly. It is one of those places that makes you feel buoyant andterrified at the same time. This is where serious ladies do serious brunch.They wear serious frocks and drink seriously French champagne and exchangeseriously good gossip. If you put your head underyour table you will find a sea of skinny ankles in stilettos.
To match their patrons, The Botanical serves up a seriouslygood breakfast.
The famed Botanical Breakfast involves BBQ bacon and eggs, withroasted tomatoes, cheese kransky, braised cannellini beans & black puddingserved with toasted English muffin. You certainly get bang for your buck with this dish. Cooked toperfection, the Bot Breakfast is a triumph deserving only the most serious ofhangovers. Human consumption is at its finest when you realise you have enjoyedtwo eggs, a cheese kransky, a thick rasher of bacon and a black pudding before9am. Washed down with a bottle of bubbles, the Bot hits the spot.
For those ofus who are of a more delicate constitution, the chilled watermelon, summerberries and honeyed vanilla yoghurt is a delicious alternative. The Birchermuesli with poached gingered red fruits is another scrumptious option. Refreshingly juicy, these dishes are also great if accompanied by The Botanical’s selection of freshlybaked pastries, especially if sharing with friends.
One of the highlights of the menu is the boiled free rangeduck eggs with soldiers, sea salt and French butter. This dish looks handsome.The soldiers are neatly stacked. The yolk is golden. The French butter sublime.It tastes like a posh version of childhood. Simple, yet elegant.
The Botanical menu is actually one of the moreextensive breakfast menus in Melbourne.From eggs benedict to hot cakes with basil poached peaches, this restaurantcrosses all the t’s and dots all the i’s. It is a great breakfastspot for entertaining out-of-town guests or for special occasions that deservebubbly and cheer. Most dishes look like they have sprung from a professionalkitchen with two hats, which they should. The Lavazza coffee is fine, but Isuggest you dive into a Bloody Mary and contemplate that black pudding. Youonly live once.