Botanist – Upscale Downtown

If you’ve been putting off a visit to the downtown hotspot Botanist because of the price, consider going during lunch when you feel like treating yourself.

Get the Wagyu Burger with caramelized onions and blue cheese on a sturdy pretzel bun with fries for $22 CAD. Go with the recommended preparation of medium rare. Mine came out a little more towards rare, and it was perfect. There are a lot of great things about this burger, but what really made it for me was the fresh, rather than dried, herbs gently mixed into the Wagyu. The size is decent, and with the bread before the meal and the fries that come with the burger, you won’t leave hungry.

The wine list stands up to the menu; diverse enough to pair with any given meal selection without being overwhelming in size.

The service was attentive but efficient. And finally, Botanist is also just a beautiful place. The modern design is softened with a neutral palette and lush greenery. There is the main dining room, but also a garden area with even more natural light.