Bianca: A whimsical playful café serving traditional café food with a bit of an Asian twist. Botanica Garden Café is nestled just adjacent to the Waverton station. You wouldn’t be remiss to think you had stumbled into an oasis hideaway. There are many nooks and crannies and spacious seating options.
Sunday lunch there were a mix of groups coming through, families that sat down for a quick-lunch and groups that lingered up the back on large tables. We loved the eclectic/recycled mismatched furniture and serving ware. Giving the place a real personal touch.
Bypassing our usual coffees instead for a Peach Iced Tea and Pineapple Express Juice for Alejandro. Both were very refreshing and way too easy to drink. I’d bet these would be popular during the warmer months.
Fans of breakfast at 2pm will love the fact they offer an all-day brekky menu, I rarely enjoy eggs at 9am so I’m clearly not the target market. One thing you absolutely have to order is a side of the Triple cooked hand cut chips w/tomato relish and aioli $7. Studded generously with sea salt flakes, super crispy and let’s be honest you won’t be able to just eat one and call it a day. You’re going to eat the entire bowl….
I was instantly drawn to the Porky’s Sub – Slow cooked pork, watercress, pickled radish, coriander, shallots & sweet soy reduction on a crunchy roll $15. A very strong intense flavour, the pork was gorgeously juicy after being slow cooked. One thing we both picked up on instantly was the fish sauce within the marinade, it wasn’t detractive but it was there. The bread roll was fantastic, soft with a crispy exterior and it was the perfect vessel for the filling, absorbing all the moisture without becoming soppy. The radish was great to cut through the richness of the pork.
We asked owner Ann to surprise us with the 3rd dish because we were so indecisive. She came back with the Quiche to my Heart – w/roasted butternut pumpkin, caramelised onion, mushroom & feta cheese served w/ salad. I love a good vego dish now and then and really enjoyed this one. The quiche was light and airy, the pastry, well cooked. The accompanying relish was great to add a bit of sweetness and we loved the way it was served. In a little tea-cup, adorbs!
We couldn’t look past the Pandan French Toast w/homemade Kaya jam, seasonal fruits, lychee, rosewater cream and toasted almonds. The house made bread was incredibly fluffy with a similar texture to that of a sponge cake. It was presented beautifully with that vibrant green hitting you smack in the face as soon as it’s set down before you. I liked the addition of the lychees as it’s not something you necessarily see often on a menu, particularly paired with French toast. The fresh fruit really helped to combat the sweetness.
An adorably cute kitsch café and one that instantly makes you feel welcome the moment you step in.
Bianca
Photos by Alex
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Botanical Garden cafe. All thoughts however are our own and independent.
Ooh pandan! NEED!