The Botanic House in Glasnevin re-opened yesterday with a new seafood-focused menu, after being shut since early 2014. The owners of Aqua in Howth have taken over the lease after they saw an opportunity to bring quality seafood to Glasnevin, and have been working with the owners of the site since last year to give the beautiful building a new lease of life.
Keeping with Aqua’s ethos, Botanic House will have a strong focus on classic seafood, cooked simply. The new menu features moules mariniere, crab salad with local smoked salmon and hot native shellfish with a bouillabaisse sauce, and battered fish comes with triple cooked chips - always a good sign.
The ingredients they're using look good too, with organic salmon, Toonsbridge mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes amongst those listed. Desserts are pretty classic with creme brulée and apple crumble, and there's an Irish cheese board.
There's a full cocktail list, including the “Bombay Botanic” and the new fit out looks cosy, particularly the armchairs by the fire. In an area where good eating options are sparse, we think The Botanic House is going to be a very welcome addition to Dublin 9, and wih the pedigree of Aqua behind it, we'd bet there'll be a critic in here before you can say crab salad.
The Botanic House
26 Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Food served Monday - Sunday 12pm - 9pm botanichouse.ie
