Veggies Shine at Botanical Plant-Based Fare
Whether you follow a vegan diet or not, you don’t have to worry about missing animal products in the food at Botanical Plant-Based Fare. Botanical has two locations, one in Charlottesville and another in Crozet called Bar Botanical. According to Botanical’s website, “At Botanical, we believe that the future of food is plant-based. Everything on our menu is carefully crafted to be 100% plant-based (vegan) and therefore, sustainable. One thing we can all agree on is that everyone should include as many fruits and vegetables in their diet as possible.”
On a warm Friday evening in April, my grandmother and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Botanical’s downtown location. We sat on their outdoor patio, right on the Downtown Mall, where we could entertain ourselves with people watching as we ate our meal. The restaurant was mostly full around 6 p.m., but it did not feel crowded.
As someone who eats almost entirely plant-based, I am very grateful to have such a wonderful vegan restaurant in Charlottesville. I eat at Botanical regularly and almost always get their rainbow terra salad, which is $10 for a small and $17 for a large. This past night was no different, and I wasted no time in ordering a large rainbow terra. My grandmother opted for the $13 okono cakes, and we shared the $11 gochu street corn. Botanical has QR codes on their tables for you to order from, so the service is always very quick.
My salad was as delicious as ever; it had a base of crunchy and fresh romaine lettuce and was topped with generous quantities of creamy white beans, purple cabbage, corn, avocado, mango, chili cashews, tamari ranch, and vegan “feta” cheese. The vibrant mix of colors made the name rainbow terra very fitting. The blend of textures and the freshness of the produce were just as appealing as the visually-appealing colors. The “feta” was surprisingly convincing. It might not fool any cheese lovers, but it will surely please their taste buds!
The okono cakes were three pancakes, akin to latkes, made of grated cabbage and carrots. They were topped with a teriyaki-inspired sauce, gochujang aioli, and scallions. I was not sure what to expect when I saw the cakes on the menu, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were crispy, savory, and had a deep umami flavor. The gochu street corn had an equally tasty flavor. The fresh corn was covered with more of the “feta” cheese, aioli, lime, cilantro, and tajin. The toppings created a wonderful blend of creaminess, mild spice, and juicy corn.
After dinner, we both ordered soft serve ice cream. I got a small cup of pineapple, and my grandmother chose a small pineapple and vanilla swirl. I would never have guessed that the ice cream was vegan. It was deliciously creamy, smooth, and refreshing. On such a warm night, it was the perfect end to an excellent meal.
Botanical has a variety of small plates, salads, sandwiches, mains, desserts, and a kids’ menu. The restaurant also offers a seasonal menu, espresso bar, a full drink menu, and á la carte options. Brunch is served from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. on weekends, and there is a happy hour from Wednesday to Friday, 4-6 p.m. The menu is completely plantbased, and there are many gluten-free options.
I have never been disappointed with a meal from Botanical; some of my other favorite dishes are their wonton nachos, breakfast burrito, and brunchin’ bowl. If you are searching for healthy, fresh, and flavorful meals, I highly recommend Botanical!
Botanical’s Charlottesville location is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The address is 421 E Main St, Charlottesville, 22902. Bar Botanical is open from 4-10 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday. Its address is 2025 Library Ave, Crozet, 22932.
