Botanist

We arrived at the Botanist Bar at the Fairmont Hotel. At first we weren't sure we were in the right spot but they had a huge sign advertising one of North America's 50 best bars...that's when we knew it was the right spot.
The venue is located on the second floor of the hotel, past the lobby area. We checked in at the hostess stand and got seated at the bar. They had quite a few offerings and we finally decided on some cocktails: Wild and Free and Beekeeper. Each had a description and a drawing beside it on the menu, but each cocktail seemed like a work of art. The bartender/mixologist was pretty precise with his pours and measurements and within a few minutes, effortlessly made the cocktails. While waiting for the cocktails we snacked on some appetizers/tapas brought to us: olives and chips. Delicious!
The cocktails were a cross between works of art and balanced treats. I found out that the menu changes with the seasons and the programming for this venue is tied to sourcing and utilizing local ingredients to highlight the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I've only had a handful of cocktails that made me stop and sip and enjoy, but I'm glad to say that this was one of those experiences.
The restaurant seemed to also be as busy as the bar, but not busy to the point that we were not amply taken care of. The service was also spot on.
The service, quality, and the ambiance was amazing. Definitely worth another visit when we return. Maybe this time we can take more time to try out the restaurant.

In a swanky hotel. Lovely restaurant with live piano player.
I do a lot of tasting menus in the US so this is very reasonable pricing IMO.
Lots of very flavorful food- the only slight miss was that mushroom marshmallow- kind of an acquired taste

Took my special lady for a birthday dinner here and OMG, it did not disappoint. Decided on the tasting menu and we were treated to some of the most incredible food we've ever eaten. The style is a fusion of French, Mexican, and Western. It's inside the Fairmont hotel in Vancouver. Beautifully decorated with lots of greenery and interesting wall art.

Our host Chris was just amazing and he went above and beyond to make this a special one for my girl. We loved it and highly recommend if you go, get the tasting menu. It's a no rushed dinner that bas to be experienced to believe. I don't remember the names of anything but my mouth sure misses them.

Stopped by Botanist after reading about their accolades. It's located on the second floor inside the Fairmount. The bar is laid out in an odd way- our seats, squeezed in tight at the end of the bar, were in an odd spot where we could only see the well and a wall. By 7:30p on a Saturday night it was empty with a vibe that was just off. Drinks just ok and on the expensive side. Sunny Side was sweet and though it was made with sparkling wine, it tasted flat. Friendly staff, but not my place.

Amazing service, super friendly staff. And the food was delicious! Had lunch there, and ordered salad and pasta dish, both were really good.

Tonight was super special. We had an absolutely FANTASTIC culinary experience this evening at Botanic in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. This one was my wife's find, thanks to the rave reviews on Yelp and other venues.

I absolutely love tasting menus - they really showcase each team's experience with sourcing ingredients, preparation, presentation, and overall experience of hosting diners.

Our server, Nicole was exceptionally skilled in service, knowledgeable about the entire menu, and attentive to our comfort and overall dining experience.

She was able to discuss and explain each course without the over the top pomposity that has become all too familiar and even maligned (watch "The Menu" if you don't believe me...). Our experience with her service was the opposite of all that, and really highlighted the evening's courses.

She was friendly, took her time, and offered her own opinions about each of the courses and how to savor the components and put them all together - all without being overbearing or "pushy."

Matthew, our sommelier, was another highlight of the evening. He clearly possesses a wonderful palate and the knowledge to back it up - when I told him we weren't super into doing a wine pairing, choosing instead to select one bottle of white (ended up with a wonderfully complex and also versatile chenin blanc..) he offered several choices and informative guidance. Of course, it was a lovely bottle, and was well up to the task.

When we had the final savory course, an absolutely marvelous duck breast and seared foie gras with sautéed morels, shishito puree and deliciously umami-rich jus, I asked about port selections, and he considered a Tokaji, but then smiled and returned with a marvelous and thoughtful flight - a South African chenin blanc straw wine, a French Sauternes, and an amazing Tokaji selection. Each complemented one of the three major components of the dish, and elevated the whole experience.

It was such a fun and educational culinary experience - local ingredients were certainly the center of attention, and we had a wonderful evening together. The kitchen certainly does an INCREDIBLE job putting these dishes together in their open kitchen, and also deserve a standing ovation! C'est fantastique! Will definitely return on our next trip to Vancouver!

If you're curious about what we had, read below... personally, I love NOT knowing, but I think this menu description may help anyone who is hesitant.

"Oyster" - cracker shell, scallop tartare, oyster foam, osetra caviar

"Escargots" - sun-chokes, escargots, sun-choke cream, dashi

"Peas and bacon" - English peas, fried jamón Serrano, halibut, bonito jus

"Lasagne" - dehydrated tomato cracker, Dungeness crab, tomato foam, raisin bolognese

"Duck" - Foie gras, morels, asparagus, duck breast, konbu jus

"Apple" - green apples, apple crisps, white chocolate ganache, sorbet

Drinks were really good, me and my wife love both cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails. Food is average but however nice present.

We recently made reservations at Botanists and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious brunch and the wide range of menu selections. The quality of food was very good and the cocktails were on point. The service was excellent with our food being brought out in a timely manner and the items on the menu were explained to us. Space ambience is beautifully decorated with plants, lovely tables, chandeliers and very comfortable seats. Overall it was a really pleasant experience and I highly recommend it- see pix of our food & beverages. Bon appetite!

Five star prices ... matched with five star dining. Success.

Walk into the Fairmont and take the dragon stairs ahead of you up to the mezzanine. The restaurant will be on your left ... check in by the Taschen sign. You'll likely be led past the bar on your right under a looong warm origami light fixture to your table. You'll eventually pass a piano, and if you're lucky you too will enjoy the Mario Bros theme song played live during your meal.

This was our final dinner leaving Canada after a week at Whistler and we couldn't have picked better. But what we didn't pick was our food. Opting for the chef's choice aka "We'll take it from here" we enjoyed a seven course meal over the span of a couple of hours. Now... I think this actually only comes with six courses but we also ordered the lobster and the chef fit the food into the sequence in a way that worked - each dish becoming bolder in flavor than the last.

I won't say that I loved every course. But there were several that were incredible and I definitely enjoyed the experiences that each one brought ... from flavor, to texture, to novelty.

While we didn't go with the wine pairing, we did enjoy some wine and cocktails with our meals. I gotta say - don't leave here without trying the botanist marine martini. It may be the best martini you ever have. Incredibly crisp and enjoyed one very small sip at a time.

Looking forward to my next visit, even if it won't be for years...

Restaurant in Fairmont Pacific Rim, a beautiful five star hotel near waterfront in Downtown Vancouver, BC. Lovely environment with both open vibrant dining room and semi private areas good for business meetings. When you arrive, get there early as they have some very nice bar and couch seating to enjoy wine or cocktail before dinner.

Food was excellent. We had scallop, octopus and beef carpaccio appetizers. For dinner I had halibut poached, perfect. We had some epic white wine with dinner.

Service was attentive and pleasant. Sommelier was outstanding.