“Step inside Botanist, a world where day blurs into night,summer into winter, and food and drink are plenty.” – From theBotanist Restaurant

When I see this newly opened restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, I think luxury. I think elegance and I think comfort, but it is rare for a place of such opulence to make you think, homely and domestic because usually, the two counteract. In mention of that, it’s without a doubt that this observation is what makes this interior memorable and exclusive. Maybe it’s the neutral tones, or the botanical side to the design that runs throughout the space. Maybe it’s the patterned furnishings or the smell of freshly baked goods that get carried throughout and linger amongst the air and furniture in the rooms; rooms that are carefully partitioned to suit the atmosphere of each accommodation and its specialty. A Dining Room, a Cocktail Bar and Lab, a Garden and a Champagne Lounge, all individually unique with a classy but contemporary design approach.

The creators behind this exquisite design areSte. Marie DesignandGlasfurd and Walker, who are responsible for the development of branding and identity. One of the most crucial design outcomes were decided upon the restaurant’s requirements and personality and the aesthetics that the designers were aiming to offer, which subsequently ‘make’ the restaurant itself and that, is the food. The culinary prospect has taken a big influence to each allocated room. Produce used in the restaurant is sourced locally and is carefully selected, to not only bring a delicious experience to its customers, but to reflect and complement the bountifully flourished and organic climate that is provided from the overall décor.

An array choice of sustainable goods such as various options of seafood, root vegetables and signature dishes like oven-roasted halibut with spring vegetables and crab emulsion, to herb crusted lamb rack with green garlic panisse, fava and shallots, are a few examples of the kind of food that enhances the mood of the location. Every item is remarkable and is brought to this restaurant through the best agricultural processes, progressive farming styles and wine-executing operations, that all accompany the sustainably fashioned venue.

THE CHAMPAGNE LOUNGE

A quaint and humble spot to be in, the Champagne Lounge is enveloped in high glass windows and inching greenery. Its selection of worldwide imported wines and limited collections of champagne make it an excellent choice to enjoy a glass of a sparkling beverage in, with a platter of oysters, caviar and a variety of artisanal cheese. This stand-out restaurant is famous for its culinary equipment that add a peculiar sense altogether. Devices like a rotary evaporator for extracting flavour essences from ingredients, a band saw for sculpting small ice figures and centrifuges for separating ingredients of different density are spotted throughout the area to embrace the botanical and eccentric scene that is portrayed here.

THE COCKTAIL BAR AND LAB

Unlike the Champagne Lounge, the Cocktail Bar is a little more adventurous as it devotes its design to the scientific aspect of this restaurant through botanically inspired drinks which are creative and wisely put together, just like the bar itself. Italian Terrazzo finishes and curved glass features, form the space which matches the experience that is given to guests through the atypical cocktails; ‘The Deep Cove’, a popular choice, with Island Gin, sea buckthorn and blue algae, is presented in an unprecedented, moulded glass that sits on a log of driftwood. Clearly intending to awe visitors in this way, the restaurant and the drinks themselves are inspired by the concepts and physical practices of the visible chemistry and botany used here. Even the large amount of plants displayed in the adjacent garden, behind glass walls, are a representation of this as the nature driven space is crawling with more than 50 different species that aid the restaurant by contributing edible elements to the kitchen and bar, such as fruit, green tea camellia, cardamom and ginger.

THE DINING ROOM

Arguably the heart of the restaurant, the Dining Room offers a combination of awareness that concludes the perceptions of all the adjoining venues. The energetically constructed appearance of this room is made using limestone, varnished timber and beautifully sculpted metal work which acts perfectly as the backdrop for all the ever-growing greenery surrounding the grand columns, making the room burst with colour. Continuous, curved, light bronze, leather sofas allow for plentiful seating spots that become semi-private for a more concentrated dining experience. What really catches the eye however, is the exclusive bread serving station which is situated in the centre of the Dining Room, offering freshly baked bread and pastries daily, that can be purchased in the restaurant and taken away to enjoy at home. Made of textured limestone and elevated, golden finished metal shelves with wooden surfaces, the central feature is always stacked with baked goods that add a certain warmth all around.

Photos ©V2COMBotanist Restaurant

Photography courtesy ofIan Lanterman