• 3
• Interesting in a few respects

It was a bit off-putting to realise that despite their fancy website this isn´t exactly a restaurant, but more of a bar inside the local market. In addition, it feels like it´s in the way, as it´s right by the stairs instead of in a more "isolated" area. Even though it´s on the first floor, you may get second-hand smoke in your face if smokers outside don´t take a few steps out of the premises, that's how close it is. In terms of the food, I tried all three tapas, which I enjoyed, especially the lettuce wrapped in some dried strawberry with a great sauce. I also tried the raw food pasta, a bit insipid and nothing special in my view, and would have benefitted from more pesto. I was still hungry and above all curious, so I gave the selection of raw cheeses a try. Glad I did, because they were nothing short of a remarkable creation, with fresh figs and all. The dessert was ok, but by then I felt that having strawberry and orange again (these were present in my previous dish) was kind of repetitive, especially since the menu itself is quite limited. On the whole I thought I got a meal that was up to my standards, not dirt-cheap but reasonable considering they were organic products... only they are not! As I was leaving Botanique I had a look at the window and I could see a few items, which didn´t appear to be organic at all.. plus some sort of chocolate brought to you by a death corporation such as Nestlé.. definitely not what I thought I was getting.. It feels especially deceptive given that they really market themselves as organic, for crying out loud it's even painted on their wall... Interesting, creative cuisine... but leaves a sour-ish taste.