Last updated on March 10, 2016
Vegan and vegetarian food have never been a particular draw since college, when in an attempt to escape mystery, and on a couple of occasions raw, meat, I opted to be listed as vegetarian for meals. This, however, resulted in many overcooked vegetable stacks layered with nondescript fatty cheese, and frittatas that Italians would shudder at being associated with.
We went to Botanica, however, on the occasion of a vegetarian visitor. Rather than go somewhere where there was an average vegetarian option on the menu, this seemed to offer something different.
Botanica specifically does salads. And not just your typical Waldorf or coleslaw, but an assortment of fresher flavours in less common combinations. For instance, carrot strips with grapes, almonds, dill and tarragon, with tahini yoghurt dressing (this also tasted like coconut). We also had the mix of freekah, roasted eggplant, prunes, mint, almonds, and turmeric cashew cream.
You get takeaway boxes of the salads, in assorted sizes, depending on how many people you anticipate feeding. You can pick which salads you would like to have, or ask for a bit of everything. They are priced by size of box bought, from smaller individual serves to family size. These salads are surprisingly filling.
You should also leave room for dessert. They do lovely little cakes and muffins. A number of them must be based on almond meal, from their density. I definitely recommend the chocolate bundt cake.
Be aware though, that this place is takeaway only, so you should have another destination planned to take your goodies to consume. They do have eco-friendly cutlery to take with you, but no places. Options are either that you bring your own if you’re planning a picnic, eat out of the shared box communally, or, like us, make do with the box lids.
Price point: $25 for a family box of salad, feeds 4-6.
Value: Good.
Details:
Address: 9/1 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill, Brisbane
Phone: 07 3367 3334
Website: http://www.botanicarealfood.com.au/
