Restaurant Botanica
14/20
Modern Australian$$$
The name is a giveaway; it's all about respect for the earth. Botanica has a kitchen garden, a focus on composting and beautifully handcrafted Australian timber tables in the dining room. Add to that locally made ceramics, seamless service, a smart wine list, views that stretch to Broke Mountain and a menu that treats everyday ingredients with respect. Entrees flirt with Asia, as in grilled calamari stuffed with sweet caramelised ginger and pork with a big, butch slick of tomato, kaffir lime and coriander sambal. Main courses are a nod in nonna's direction. Ribbons of house-made rigatoni are coated in tomato and basil sugo plumped with pork and veal meatballs and tossed with house-made ricotta. Care is also taken with duck confit - the skin crisp, the meat pink. Dawdle long enough for the retro glamour of dessert. a crisp shortbread sandwich with a light vanilla cream and quenelle of honeyed ice-cream.
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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/goodfood/sydney-eating-out/restaurant-botanica-20130903-32c9l.html