Botany by Dazzling Café, is the new kid on the block, adding to the slew of cafés along Robertson Quay. The café is run by Serene, Cassandra and local actress, Julie Tan. With lush greenery adorning the ceiling, it is reminiscent of a pretty little garden. The interior is cosy and welcoming with marble table top and full glass pane, allowing light to shine through.
The menu is a mix of East and West with wholesome brunch favourites. Botany emphasises on creating healthy and soulful recipes using the natural flavours of fresh herbs and spices. The restaurant uses only Himalayan salt, raw sugar and vegetable in most of the dishes. Every dish is executed with passion and assembled with creativity.
The brunch menu is pretty decent with popular favourites such as Organic Museli with Fruits, Avocado Toast with Eggs, Croque Madame and Granny’s Chicken Congee and the Botany Signature Breakfast Set featuring Homemade Rösti or French Toast with your choice of sides such as Truffle Salsa, Scrambled or Sous Vide Eggs, Sauteed Mushrooms, Sauteed Baby Spinach, Bacon, Pork Sausage, Smoked Salmon and more. I like the Organic Museli with Fruits (S$13) which comes with generous servings of bananas, strawberries and blueberries, helping me to start my day on a healthy note.
The Botanist Salad (S$15) is perfect for those who desire a vitamin-packed lunch. Consisting of kale, tomatoes and pomegranate with home-made Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Dressing, you can also select additional toppings such as smashed avocados, smoked salmon, grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, pan-seared steak and more.
For soup, I would recommend the Cappucino Mushroom Soup (S$10) which brims with blended field mushrooms topped with white truffle oil, garlic croutons and chives. Every mouthful delivers a burst of delectable flavours.
For the mains, I love the Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl (S$18), which is skilfully prepared with Impossible Meat, developed by Impossible ( a company which creates plant-based substitutes for meats and dairy products). Comprising of Japanese rice served with silken tofu cooked in Szechuan spices and minced chicken and topped with sous vide egg, this dish is hearty and flavourful. For die-hard Szechuan cuisine fanatics, the spice level may not be sufficient. However, it will definitely be palatable for the average Singaporean. The rice is well-cooked and tastes great with the Mapo Tofu sauce which has the pleasant aroma of the fermented bean baste. The sous vide egg makes the dish even more scrumptious and adds a new dimension to it.
For something lighter, opt for the Pan-seared Barramundi (S$28) which is cooked to golden perfection and served with pesto sauce, edible flowers and mashed potatoes. A delightful dish which is satisfying to the palate and pleasing to the senses.
Another low calorie creation is the Crabmeat Aglio Olio (S$22). You can choose to have this with prawns too. Using organic spaghetti tossed in olive oil, garlic and chilli, it is is enough to pack a punch, although it would be even better if more crab meat was used in the preparation.
A noteworthy creation is the Signature Grilled Chicken with Balinese Salsa (S$18). The skin is crispy while the boneless chicken meat marinated with a variety of spices is succulent and tasty. Elevate the flavour by accompanying it with the home-made Balinese Salsa sauce.
A good meal is never complete without desserts. Botany’s Apple Tart (S$8) is ideal for the health-conscious and those on a gluten-free diet. With a buttery crust and thinly sliced, juicy apples, laced with cinnamon and nutmeg, it is slightly lower in calories without compromising on taste.
Overall, Botany is a great place to have a wholesome meal and catch up with your pals. The menu is inclusive, offering something for everyone. What I like is the wholesome ingredients and the relaxing setting.
Botany is located at #01-03, 86 Robertson Quay, For enquiries, call 6951 4861/6951 4890.
Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 9am to 10pm
Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holidays: 9am to 11pm
(Closed on Monday after 3pm)
For more information, please visit here.
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