The well-rounded beauty of Botanica
Come for the food and recipes, leave with the market in tow
Silverlake-based Botanica, serving Californian farmers-market cuisine, is one of our favorite restaurants in LA. I’ve been a longtime lover of UK-based Yotam Ottolenghi’s Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, which directly influence the dishes at this establishment. We have no qualms about making the 45-60 minute pilgrimage to this food destination that seeks to always provide “nourishing hospitality.” From the moment I walk into the restaurant, I’ve always noticed a disarming sense of calm, which feels truly counter to the buzzy, chaotic vibe that marks so many local restaurants and feels like an expected hallmark of the industry - especially after watching The Bear. My guess is that this calm is a natural byproduct of Botanica’s ethos, which was created with great intention through its two female founders.
There are more than a few things that I love about Botanica and why I believe that sharing a longtime “le find” is worthwhile, regardless of your LA resident status.
Botanica Magazine is a digital publication filled with mouthwatering recipes that even make appearances on the local menu. This tahini ranch dressing brings magic to garden lettuces, caper salsa verde with Japanese sweet potato is an item we order nearly every time we visit the restaurant, and if you’re looking for something sweet (and vegan no less!), their dark chocolate olive oil cake with rose coconut ganache is a showstopper
Not only do they publish written recipes, but they also recently launched a Botanica At Home video series
Within the restaurant, they have a fully-stocked market with natural wines, homemade herbs and spice mixes, granola, and other gifts. Many items are also available for purchase online. We’re personally fans of their seed & nut dukkah, date-caraway granola, and this adorable tea towel made in collaboration with Block Shop in LA. We regularly put the dukkah on avocado toast and hummus. If you’re looking for a great gift, check out their women-made bounty box or their pantry box
And finally, if you’re fortunate enough to live in LA, the food is always sensational and it’s not too difficult to snag a reservation on Resy. If you happen to be in the area during the daytime, they sell sandwiches and pastries to go
About the Founders
Emily Feiffer and Heather Sperling were food and lifestyle journalists in a prior life and founded Botanica with the intention of starting to quietly revolutionize the industry. In the mid-2010s, vegetable-forward dishes, sustainability and natural wines, and the appreciation of positive working cultures fostering high-functioning teams were not yet as openly embraced as they are today. As I’ve learned more about Emily and Heather, I see so much of their DNA in every delicious Botanica bite.
Emily previously wrote for DailyCandy in addition to other publications, and ultimately talked her way into London-based apprenticeships at Yotam Ottolenghi’s Nopi and Sam & Sam Clark’s Moro.
Heather grew up cooking and worked professionally as a culinary editor in addition to consulting various restaurants, markets, and food brands. Her Lebanese heritage and time spent living in India as a child have influenced so many of the flavors brought to life through Botanica.
Both women are passionate about vegetable-forward dishes with delicious, complex seasonings and champion a healthy, positive, and professional restaurant work environment. I was already inspired by their dream-come-to-life when visiting for dinner, but after learning more about their mission, I feel proud to support their efforts.
Happy noshing.
x jz
Images | 1-5 | Botanica | 6 | Resy | 7-10 Botanica | 11 | Bon Appetit Magazine | 12 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me
Note: I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.
Can’t wait to visit on my next LA trip!