It is not immediately clear what you have walked into when entering Bonsai Botanika. Is it a bakery? Is it a food store? Is it a cafe? Where are all the tables? Why can I smell ramen? These questions form the creative genius behind what this establishment strives for. It is indeed a cafe. It is also a bar. And a ramen and grill restaurant. Split across three levels there is a mecca of Japanese inspired food and drinks on offer.
The ground level cafe has a full suite of espresso and filter coffee options, hot chocolate and cakes. There is also some seating in the form of a communal table. On the second level is more seating with a mix of bar-style high tables, conventional tables and a long curved bench overlooking the cafe. This level also has a full bar. The top level houses the dining area and a ramen and grill kitchen.
On this visit I was in search of an afternoon coffee break and so I ordered a single origin flat white and a flourless white chocolate cake. Due to the limited seating in the ground level I was nearly going to takeaway until by shear accident that I noticed the stairs leading upwards, to which I ventured. The coffee was the trusty Ethiopian Yirgaceffe. Unfortunately when ordering, I was asked if I wanted it in a cup or a mug. The inner coffee snob in me sees this as instant points loss, especially given the range of specialty coffee brewing methods on offer.
The flourless white chocolate cake was the redeemer, giving that lovely melting in your mouth texture. It was served on a quaint metal plate with a side of cream and a small cup of a sweet lemony sauce. Divine.
The creative eclectic design that is Bonsai Botanika has much to promise but similarly its downfall where passers by, or even those that enter, are not fully aware of what is available. I hope to return and sample the ramen and grill upstairs.