“A beauty-salon for you insides. We are a plant-based organic food & natural wine bar.” – Le Botaniste
The beautiful logo & website caught my attention… So this place was high on my list of places to visit in New York. And the reality was even so much better than I thought.
image via Le Botaniste
Le Botaniste is a botanical-based, apothecary-inspired restaurant. It is created by Le Pain Quotidien’s Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Alain Coumont, and he knows a thing or two about good food and good restaurants.
The restaurant looks like a classic apothecary including glass tincture bottles and white lab coats.
image via Le Botaniste
The menu is 100% organic and entirely botanical, which means there are no animal products used on-site. The seasonally changing menu features chef-designed prescriptions such as the Tibetan Mama: a savory combination of brown rice, peanut curry sauce, steamed greens and spicy kimchi, and the Dirty Noodle Soup: with velvety tofu, steamed leeks, garlic and spicy ginger. Hearty specialty soups and fresh juices rotate daily.
image via Le Botaniste
The menu also encourages DIY meal-building, allowing guests to design their own hot or cold entree from the many bases, spreads and toppings available. Meals are ordered at the front counter, where appetizers and entrees are displayed and assembled. They can be enjoyed in-house in eclectic Japanese bowls (I loved those beautifully colored bowls) or taken to-go in recycled, sustainable packaging. A selection of natural wines are also on offer.
images via Le Botaniste
Le Botaniste is committed to composting food waste in observance of sustainable practices.
I really loved the atmosphere and the staff was ever so friendly, but above all it was amazingly good food!!
image via Le Botaniste
Beautiful colors, interesting combinations, very well seasoned and 100% botanical… Whenever in New York please make sure to make a stop at Le Botaniste!
About the author: Mariëlle van de Kerkhof — happy urban gardener who loves to travel and eat great vegan food! www.mariellevandekerkhof.com
