Botany
Newstead
Botany is a cool open-sided restaurant bar located right next to Newstead's historic gas ring, serving a top notch classic menu in a laidback setting festooned with greenery.
Behind the seriously good food is a chef from Strasbourg, who has created outstanding dishes that blend familiarity with creativity.
Take a seat near the fairy lit tree or under the hanging plants inside and order from a menu that looks familiar yet takes things to the next level.
For starters there's bolognese poutine, cauliflower bites with tahini dressing, truffle arancini, buutermilk chicken tacos, the highly recommended saganaki (served in a tiny iron pan) and melt-in-the-mouth spiced crispy calamari that is possibly the best in Brisbane. Most of these are also available as bar snacks to enjoy with a drink in the dedicated bar area.
For something more casual to share you'll find a tasty selection of pizzas (including margarita, pumpkin & eggplant or tarte flambee - sliced onion, fresh cream and pancetta) and a generous antipasto board.
Meanwhile mains include chicken cordon bleu (smoked ham, Swiss cheese & creamy mushroom sauce), truffle mushroom risotto, pork tenderloin in pancetta (with green beans, potatoes & mustard jus), market fish on a bed of veges, slow cooked lamb and creamy polenta. Must try is the house signature: sour dough eye fillet, which is perfectly cooked eye fillet in a cramelized sour dough crust, served with potatoes, mushrooms and rich jus.
Save room for sweets, which are equally delicious - think rhubarb & strawberry tiramisu, molten chocolate lava cake with ice-cream and raspberry coulis or donuts with vegemite salted caramel dressing.
The wine list features a selection of wines from West Australia, South Australia, New Zealand, France and Italy and most wines are available by the 150ml or 25oml glass as well as the bottle. Beers both on tap and by the bottle are a mix of international and local craft and there's also a range of mocktails or fruity refreshing cocktails such as Watermelon Crush and Lychee Goddess. Other choices include blueberry, elderflower or limoncello spritz or carafes of Pimms Cup, Lychee Mojito or Jetty Sangria.
Good to know - At the little greenery-walled side bar you can pop in for a cocktail, beer or wine and bar snack or enjoy a pre or post dinner drink.
Need to know - Secure 2 hour free parking is available (exit before midnight) underneath Gasworks Plaza.
The menu may have changed since our visit.
