Botanero Restaurant

Everything we ate was good to great, my favorites being the Shrimp Tempura, Deviled Eggs and Brussels Sprouts. Hard to say what was reasonably priced or overly priced but the total was definitely more than I thought it would be as the tapas/small plates really add up. Our server did a great job and gave great suggestions on what to order. Probably not somewhere I would want to come all the time but nice place for a special occasion or get-together with friends.

The server was very friendly and attentive, quickly resolving a mistake with our order. We especially loved the flaming shrimp — it was both entertaining to watch and packed with flavor. The braised beef short ribs were wonderfully tender, with seasoning that hit all the right notes. The crab dip and croquettes were tasty, though they didn’t stand out as particularly memorable. I really enjoyed the seasoning on the fish, but unfortunately, it was overcooked and had a bitter, burnt taste. The seared scallop fell short as well — the texture and flavors didn’t quite come together, so I wouldn’t recommend that dish. The dining space felt quite small and a bit cramped, which made it less comfortable. On a positive note, they do have a bar with a good selection of wines and cocktails.

We had a birthday celebration at their private event room. The room was perfect. We had these tapas Garden Pasta Salad Cabernet Salad Bbq Chicken Flatbread Seafood Paella Gnocchi in Cream Sauce Mushroom Croquettes Bacon wrapped dates Beef Empanada All above were very good. The red and white sangrias were very good also. First rate service.

Food eater here, as per the photo, you seem the remnants of job well done, satisfied with no complaints. This nestled oasis is placed in a shopping center of all places, with a French, Italian vibe about the atmosphere. The marrying of all the positives of a 1960’s, minus the Vietnam war, racism and replacing with wonderful music, perfectly dim lighting and rustic setting will have you falling in love with this space. Okay. But this is about the FOOD. The food is WONDERFUL, or maybe in entering I was transported to a scene in The Godfather, slow dancing in mind, spoon in hand, tastebuds set ablaze with flavors my palette didn’t know was missing. Come here. Eat. Yes. It’s in a shopping center. However, from the music, service and old world feel you will be deeply satisfied. 😁

The restaurant offers the ten-days special $49 Maryland Restaurant Week menu. Each patron selects any one dish from the “signatures” section and then any three additional items from the “classics” sections. The whole dinner covers main dish, starter, side, wine or sangria, and dessert. Received warm welcome upon walking in. The in-store decorations were modern. The service was at the right pace, so the dinner was well served at an hour.

I've been watching this place and came here with my wife when we were in the area. We were able to quickly grab a seat outside and were attended to very quickly. I asked for sangria, and while it was good and refreshing, it tasted a little water down. Next we started to order the plates, and honestly I could have just kept going. After trying a few I wanted to try all of them. The food is spectacular. I honestly felt like I was eating at a Michelin star restaurant. The plating is beautiful, and the dishes went really well with a sides. The short ribs was incredible. It was our first time trying octopus and that was also a star of the show. Everything was cooked perfectly. The only other thing I didn't like was feeling rushed to leave. We didn't overstay or anything like that. I just left a tip and the server was very quick to take it back, when usually it's nice to let your guests leave first. I will definitely return and submit another rating these details are worked out. Overall, this place is a must. I think this is one of the best restaurants in Moco.

I met friends for brunch here on Saturday. Shoutout to Lisa, our server, who was fantastic! We all ordered bottomless beverages and she was quick with the refills. The sangria was the best though the bottomless drinks offered included mimosas and bloody Mary’s. There aren’t many places for brunch in Montgomery county and I’m so glad we dined at this one. We will be back!

The food is always amazing!! Such a great little spot in king farm. Drinks are great as well. This was a notable espresso martini. The paella was out of this world and I’ve been to Spain. Highly recommend!

What a little gem in King Farm - everything is great at Bota's! Their entire menu are delicious tapas. I'm crazy about the seared scallops & the flaming shrimp. Chad at the bar will make an incredible crafted cocktail or you can enjoy a wonderful glass of wine. I hear the brunch is amazing & it's necessary to make reservations cause it's so popular. On the way out I caught a glimpse of a beautiful paella dish being served to a table - I am absolutely getting that next. Check out this adorable, delicious little tapas place!

I've been wanting to try Botanero for a while now, so I was looking forward to trying a variety of their small plates. My friend and I share their short rib flatbread, brussel sprouts, chicken skewers, chicken croquettas, and tres leches cake. The short rib flatbread didn't have much short rib on it. Instead, it was a little overpowering with onions. The brussel sprouts were my favorite small plate. The chicken croquettas and skewers were also really filling. From the picture, it may look small, but we were stuffed and took some home. The whipped cream on the tres leches cake was really good and fresh tasting. Unfortunately, the cake was a little too thick for a tres leches cake. It wasn't terrible but I would recommend ordering a different dessert.

Fun, hip tapas restaurant with excellent food. The vibe feels very "weekend night" - dark, moody, a little loud and lots of black. We sampled the IPA on draft and I'm glad I did, because it wasn't in my zone and I shifted to a reliable Dogfish 60min. My brother got a glass of sangria and didn't love it; very little fruit flavor. We started with 3 items for the 3 of us: lamb chops, flaming shrimp and brocollini. The lamb chops were very good, although a tiny bit overcooked. They were a little smaller than I expected ($20) but good flavor. The flaming shrimp is just fun. The shrimp have a nice Cajun flavor. It comes with some bread, but I didn't think the shrimp oil was great, so bread was dipped in gravy from lamb. Broccolini was very good, cooked well and nice green to go with the meal. A little overpriced for this dish at $9. We were still hungry, so we ordered the grilled salmon. That was the best item for us, wow, so tasty!! Despite the char on the outside, it was exactly the Medium Rare we ordered and so moist. The quinoa and lemon butter sauce went perfectly. Service was friendly. Overall, we left full and happy!

Want a fancy Happy Hour? One that is not filled with fried food or cheap flavorless frozen items? This is the best Happy Hour around, promise. Not only do they have creative and tasty food but they have a top-tier wine and cocktail list. Where in this area can you get an Old Fashioned under $10? $7 glasses of wine from $50 bottles? Botanero is a gem. Still have yet to get here for brunch but I heard it is quite epic.

Everything was great. Food, cocktails, mocktails , and service were all exemplary. Can't wait to go back.

Revisit to Botanero and I was very pleasantly surprised. Came for HH again which is now expanded beyond the bar. The four of us were comfortably able to sit at a table. Got the sparking sangria pitcher and seasonal pitcher (cranberry). The value was good. Sparkling was better for me. Would not get cranberry again but I was curious. Regrettable flavor for me. For food... We got beef empanadas, spinach empanadas, deviled eggs, bacon wrapped dates, truffle fries, fried gnocchi, bourbon wings, chicken skewers. Most were HH menu but not all. It appears they change their HH menu from time to time which is really cool. Prices are decent. Wish some of the portions were larger and/or cheaper but others are about right. Overall, everything was tasty and service was very good! Will be back!

I visited Botanero for happy hour and it was so delicious! They are a tapas style restaurant with lots of Spanish-style dishes. Their happy hour is M-F 4-6 pm with drinks ranging from $7-$10 and happy hour plates from $5-$11. I had the short rib which literally melted in my mouth. This was a recommendation from our server and was he right about how good it was! I also had the truffle fries which were so addicting. I had the seasonal sangria but I was not very impressed. The restaurant is super cute and definitely a perfect place for happy hour with friends or date night. I will be back!

service and atmosphere were fun and nice for new year's eve. Food was 3/5 for the price to quality, but rounding up for the service and atmosphere. sparkling sangria: 3.5/5. it was good, not offensive but also not memorable. kefta: 4/5. meat was very nicely spiced and dough was crispy. good sauce and coleslaw too. Mediterranean salad: 4/5. subbed for Caesar dressing because I don't like Greek yogurt. loved the medley of vegetables, chickpeas, and feta. but also didn't seem like there was a lot of creativity in the presentation compared to other places with salad. duck confit: 3/5. tasty but awkward tapa to share with folks as it was just a single large duck leg. lamb chops: 4/5. tasty and satisfying. the cheese butter (?) looked pretty and creative but seemed unnecessary with the other sauces. red snapper: 3/5. way too oily. there weren't distinct flavors or textures. tasted like mush. tres leches: 4/5. too much whipped cream for me, but otherwise pleasant. Cookie with ice cream and melted chocolate: 5/5. love the complimentary temperature and texture differences! churros: 4.5/5. one of the best sets of churros I've had in the u.s. light, crispy AND soft, with a generous amount of dark chocolate dipping sauce.

10.10.23 Unfortunately happy hour menu is limited to the bar or outdoor patio. My work buddies and I had reservations for six at 5pm. We were seated in the corner by the front door by a window which I loved as it was more intimate. We each ordered a few small plates, aka tapas. I ordered the shrimp tempura, Asian pork buns, and bourbon wings. The tempura was good, however, one suggestion I would make is to request that the sauce be separate as it made the batter soggy. I asked that the wings be cooked crispy, which regrettably made it a bit drier. I requested additional sauce, which helped. Our server was good, however, we had asked before placing our order if he could do separate checks. When we asked for the tab, everything was rung up on one. The bar got obnoxiously loud at times, particularly due to patrons at the bar. Otherwise, my friends and I enjoyed our tapas and each other's company.

Another 5 starts for this lovely place! This is the third time we've eaten here and second time carrying out and it has always been a hit. Me, my husband and a toddler shared these meals and it was absolutely divine! Best meal we have had in awhile. The Beef Short Ribs is still our favorite, but all the meals were so tasty and sumptuous. Will most definitely be back for more!

My friend and I popped in here on a whim around 8pm on a Friday night and were absolutely BLOWN AWAY! The service was quick, the interior was very intimate and charming, and the food was sooo delicious. The bacon-wrapped dates were out of this world. It's so hard to find this item with crispy bacon on the outside--and this dish delivered! The flavors were perfection. The scallops were cooked to the exact right consistency with a delicious risotto underneath. The kale salad had amazing elements and a great coriander vinaigrette. And the squash flatbread was light and tasty too! I'll definitely come back here--what a treat!

Visited Botanero for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I found it based on reviews and a post in a Facebook group, I had no idea this place has been around for seven years. I'm really glad I found it, it exceeded my expectations! It's small and the atmosphere was very lively on a Friday early evening. When I walked in the door, I received a very friendly greeting, and then was seated promptly at my table, where I waited for my two friends to arrive. The server was very attentive, and while I was waiting, I ordered a cocktail which was absolutely delicious - Pineapple martini. My two friends arrived and we ordered some small plates and drinks and everything was absolutely delicious. Again, this restaurant exceeded my expectations and I definitely will be coming back!

My daughter and I came in here today. We were the first customers. We were warmly greeted by the host/waiter. We were seated right away by the window. Which was nice, because I love to people watch (weird.. I know). The restaurant had a French country with minimalist decor. My favorite was the Garlic Mussel . It was creamy, tangy, and salty. We had to order another serving of grilled bread to mop out all the sauce. My next favorite was the short rib flatbread - meat was tender, I love the chipotle aiololi on top and the addition of the creamy brie. Next was the duck dish with mashed potatoes. Delicious and tender. Perfectly crispy skin and soft buttery meat - I really enjoyed. The lamb skewers and chicken croquettes were underwhelming. It needed more flavor, and the lamb skewer was dry. The dessert was the perfect ending to our lunch. Tres Leches was delicious! It was spongy, milky, creamy, and perfectly sweet without it being sickly sweet. I love the strawberry sauce, perfect fruity compliment. Try this place out, you won't be disappointed!

Was meeting a friend and decided to have brunch here. Overall, we had a great brunch at Botanero. They were hopping on a Sunday morning. Inside was fairly packed and a bit noisy. We decided to eat outside and happy about that choice. Brunch menu was straightforward. Service was a tad slow but understandable because the hostess seating us explained that they didn't have many servers for outside at the moment. I got the steak and eggs and my friend got the ham omelette. Both meals were decent. I would say things were a bit bland. I had to ask for salt and pepper and after waiting for a bit my friend got up and asked another table to borrow theirs. I also got a mango mimosa which was fine. Overall, decent experience.

I love all the food we ordered. The flaming shrimps are the best! The environment is very clean and the service is good. And I think there are a lot of choices for the small plates. I would come back again.

Excellent brunch with bottomless cocktails. It is a local gem with great service and cozy atmosphere. Joshua was really nice and helpful.

Good food. Good staff. Good ambience. Good people. Good community. Nice happy hour. Decent process. Good place to go!

Our party of 5 walked in without a reservation and at first we were told they didn't have any available tables but luckily for us, a big group just left. We were sat as soon as the table was cleaned. The place is small but had a very good vibe. The workers were very pleasant and helpful. We didn't go wrong with any of the foods we ordered. We started off with the Mediterranean salad and it was delicious. The vegetables were fresh and crisp with light dressing. We had grilled octopus and that was very tasty and very tender with a very nice romesco sauce. The beef empanadas was nice and crispy with a very tasty filling paired with an aioli sauce. We also had Asian pork buns which were good but the pork was slightly on the dry side. The barbecue chicken flatbread was just perfect but my favorite was the truffle Mac and cheese. I would definitely come back but make sure I make a reservation next time.

Food was really good. Service could be better. We never got water refills and our cocktails did not come we had to ask for them. It was super busy though on a friday but still. -chocolate skillet was so good, would come back just for that -would get the beef short ribs and duck again (literally fall apart) -would skip on the shrimp, wasnt special -mac and cheese was yummy -kefta was so so -would skip on any breads theyre not worth it Dining outside and inside. I would make reservations on fridays and weekends

I missed Thankful Thursdays but I'm here to write about my Friday Fundays! My fiance and I have been coming to this restaurant/bar since 2018. One autumn night, in the windy breeze, we went for a car cruise around the area. Drove down 495 and ended up in Rockville, by this time it was possible 9pm so we did not have many options for dinner. [Food: 5 of 5]]--(My typical go to's) -Deviled Eggs -Pee Wee Potatoes -Maryland Crab Cake -Seared Scallops -Bacon Wrapped Dates : I dont typically like dates but the goat cheese with bacon and the marmalade, tasted so good, you could barely taste the dates. -Beef Empanadas -Lamb Skewers [Wines] They have about 10 selections of each white and red, with a few sparkling options and beer as well. Unfortunately, I only like really sweet white moscatos, so I have not been able to enjoy of their selections. [Service: 4 out of 5] Sometimes when it is a bit busier, it is harder to flag your server down- but I know they're trying their best. I just wish they would stop by more often to check in on us, or to refill waters. [Ambiance: 5 of 5] I really enjoy sitting outside, but it can get a bit chilly- so always bring a sweater with you! The seating area outside can get pretty full quickly so you may want to call ahead and see if you can reserve an outdoor table. The really neat thing about this plaza is that they are pet friendly as well. So you can bring your furry friend and they have water bowls set on the sidewalks for them! Definitely check out Botanero if you just want a quick snack, or some where to just hangout with your friends (or alone to enjoy the night!)

The food was good, but it did not all come out at the same time. The service was slow and inattentive, making it take longer than necessary. The tapas are all $15+, so the tab can rack up quickly.

Had dinner recently - been a long while since I last visited. Had a sangria with what sounded like passion fruit and mango (it did have a piece of mango in the drink) - I enjoyed it even though it had a lot of ice. My friend had something called a Monti Python - a drink with dry gin and mango among other things in it. They enjoyed it once it was served, but later in the evening, they said the lemon taste got a bit stronger. The drink looks pretty. For food, my friend had Pee Wee Potatoes (you get a lot) and Seared Scallops (only 2 pieces) - I forgot to take a taste, but they enjoyed it - one of their potatoes was very dark (almost looked bunt on the inside, but my friend shared it was just another type of potato). I ended up getting the Beef Empanadas and the Grilled Salmon dish. Their beef empanadas are a staple here - I always try to get it whenever I visit as I like the taste - it has a bit of a mild kick to it and comes with a sauce that I usually spread over the empanadas after cutting them in half. The salmon is served on top of quinoa. You get to determine how to have your salmon cooked - I had mine medium well. The quinoa is cold - so be prepared so you are aware. I ate both together and only left the skin from the salmon on my plate. It is a dish I would have again as I enjoy salmon in most places. For dessert I had the Tres Leches Cake - per menu it is a sponge cake soaked in 3 creams, cream cheese frosting. It is a nice size with 3 or 4 strawberry slices on top (picture one strawberry cut in several slices). I am glad I didn't have to eat it all and got to share with my friend. Quite tasty. Overall, this place continues to serve great food.

I joined a group of friends for brunch at Botanero, and it was all in all a great experience. Their brunch menu selection is very similar for what you would expect from a typical brunch menu: Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffle plus more. We arrived just as brunch was ending and the dinner menu was coming into circulation, so we ended up getting a mix of food from both menus & attempting to enjoy 30mins of bottomless mimosas!! Overall the food was good, and the vibes from the restaurant were generally group friendly.

Great food, consistent quality, great service. Try the duck confit and short rib flat bread

Came here with a large group of friends for their bottomless brunch and we had a great time! The brunch entrees are generously portioned for the price. I got the Crab Cake Benedict and it was really good. I also heard high praise for the Braised Beef Omelette from my friends. For $25/pp, you can get bottomless drinks and I love that there's a number of options included for bottomless so that there's something for everyone even if mimosas are not your thing (beer, bloody marys, different flavors of mimosas, sangrias). Our waiter was super busy but still made sure to come around often to refill our glasses. Will definitely be back again to try their regular menu!

My 5 girlfriends and I were in need of lifting our spirits, a chill spot with good food after attending the funeral of a dear friends mother on a Saturday afternoon. I've been a fan of Botanero over the years and knew they could turn our somber day around a little. Whether it was for dining in or takeout they never miss so I suggested lunch there before we went our separate ways. I made a last minute reservation through open table and we were on our way. We were only 10mins away so the commute was quick. They were already set for us upon arrival. We were seated in the large back room at a long spacious table. We started our brunch with a round of much needed mimosas. Being one of the 2 pregnant ladies I was prepared to order juice but was pleasantly surprised when they told me they offered mocktails! The mocktails were DEVINE! The ladies& I ordered almost one of everything on their menu. The winners in my book were the porkbelly, flaming shrimp, garlic mussels, seared scallops & braised shortribs. Service was friendly, efficient & fast. The food was delish & the drinks were spectacular. I'll remain a fan!

Pretty good ambiance with well-priced food. Personal highlights were the mussels which were well flavored and juicy. Chicken palitos were pretty good as well (kinda tasted like a better version of Taquitos). Pork Belly in the the buns was juicy for some pieces but dry and tough for others.

Sorry, didn't take any pictures or check in, but the food was pretty good! We ordered spinach empanadas, chicken empanadas, brussel sprouts and short ribs! All tasted pretty good but the Brussels were my favorite - thought a bit salty, and the short rib were perfect! Soooooo tender, with tasty sauce and grits! Our server Jake was very pleasant and attentive. Only didn't give 5 stars because I wish we had a little more space at the table.

Lovely little tapas place in the King Farm development. We enjoyed everything we got, all meant for sharing. Our table had mushroom and bacon flatbread, Serrano ham, Brussels sprouts with bacon, octopus, duck confit, salmon over quinoa. Portions were a good size, everything was well cooked and nicely presented. The Brussels sprouts were a little more charred than expected but still good. The lemon sauce on the quinoa with the salmon was a stronger flavor than I like but the salmon was perfectly cooked. A creme brûlée for dessert was shared as well. The restaurant itself was quite full so I was glad we had reservations. It was also a bit too loud to have comfortable conversation

Cute vibe inside and out, friendly staff, well balanced drinks, tasty tapas. We opted for the outdoor seating. I've been meaning to head here when they have paellas, but we enjoyed the tapas selection and seasonal cocktails- midnight old fashioned and path of dragon. The kale salad with sweety drop peppers was tasty for a kale salad and definitely needed with the flatbread and pork belly. Flatbread was heavy on onions and cheese- not exactly what we were expecting. Pork belly with carrot hummus was delicious. We will have to come back and try more dishes.

Lived in this area forever and never came here so decided to give it a try. The place is kinda small inside but makes up for the big tastes in these small plates! I ended up ordering quite a few small plates - short ribs, beef empanadas, jalapeño deviled eggs, flaming shrimp, bacon & mushroom flatbread. The short ribs were very good and came with a small amount of grits and a roasted carrot. The deviled eggs were very good also. I've never had a jalapeño style deviled egg but delicious. The flaming shrimp was a head turner. Basically all the food I ordered was amazing and ended the night wjth churros. They only had a chocolate dipping sauce but I feel like caramel would definitely elevate it even more!

The food and service here is amazing!! We have had almost everything on the menu and you can't go wrong!!! They have a good atmosphere as well.

I came on a weekday for a happy hour and sat outside. We ordered the beef empanadas, pork belly buns, and jalapeño margarita and peach margarita (seasonal). I really enjoyed the beef empanadas and jalapeño margarita. The empanada was cooked well and flavorful, while the jalapeño margarita was great with the good amount of spice (not too spicy). The peach margarita and pork belly buns were decent, I probably wouldn't order the pork belly buns again. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Bathroom was clean. Our server was good and attentive. There's plenty of parking around: street parking and parking lots.

5'12'2022 Located this place on... YELP!! The accuracy of the reviews were perfect!! A little tricky to locate but not impossible. This place is nestled on the corner of a strip mall in a very nice walkable area. Free street parking and parking lots available. Cutesy and quaint establishment w a Tuscan look and feel to it. Our table person was pretty awesome. We were immediately greeted and sat down to order. We ordered the following tapas. Brussels Sprouts - DELICIOUS!! Flaming Shrimp - Perfectly marinated and cooked. Frilled Chicken Skewers - Great flavor!! Maryland Crab Cake - Very good !! Our food came out within 10 minutes fresh and delish !! Hubby and I devoured this meal in 12 minutes flat !! This place is definitely a neighborhood gem and has earned each of the 5 Stars I'm giving !!

Botanero restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with its-quality ingredients and attentive staff. During my on a bustling evening everything was flawlessly executed, enhancing the overall experience. I highly recommend the crab croquettes, lamb chops, beef empanadas, and the bacon-wrapped dates--all of which were delicious and well-prepared. Additionally, the additional seating in the back provided a more intimate setting for our group. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal and time spent at Botanero, and we look forward to returning for both brunch and dinner. With its cozy ambiance and delectable menu offerings, this establishment is indeed a perfect choice for a romantic date night.

I am beyond grateful and impressed by the service Jake and Ronnie and overall the service I received. Let me guide you through my experience, as I arrived Ronnie accommodated my reservation of 20+. Although the location was small it worked perfect. The customer service was immaculate, Jake truly cater to my party of 20+ (bottomless was truly amazing my drink was never empty) I was coming to celebrate my birthday and the check experience was super smooth. ( I do recommend being cash for a smooth transition) the food wasn't too bad either. I would highly recommend the potatoes and the Brussels sprouts. For my birthday I received a tres leche cake! I am beyond thankful for the overall experience Jake provided. Thank you BOTANERO Crew ! Much love your birthday girl Tiny !

I was in the mood to have a drink so I Google searched, "happy hour in Montgomery county, MD" and Botanero popped up. I'm so thrilled that it did because it exceeded my expectation. The plates that were ordered were the beef empanadas, beef short ribs and tres leches. The drinks that were ordered were the weekend botanist, Baltimore gold rush and Sunday's on the back porch. The beef empanada was nothing I had ever had before - it was saucy, moist and it came with a sauce that just made this a 10 out of 10. The beef short ribs look tasty but it didn't have any flavor, thankfully the grits saved them because it had a thick texture and was very creamy (I really enjoyed the grits). The carrot helped give it a nice crunch. Tres Leches Cake was worth ordering, it had the perfect amount of condensed sweetened milk and the right amount of whip cream. All the drinks were fantastic, that's why I didn't stop with just one. The Baltimore rush was whiskey based, the weekend botanist was gin based and Sunday's on the back porch was wine based - very light and bubbly. You could see the slice of watermelon in the drink. I thought it was a slice of lime skin but it was a whole slide of watermelon, that was a great idea. Parking is tight here, this was on a Friday night so it was packed. We had to park at the Safeway and walk to the restaurant. Not a lot of room when waiting for a table so just heads up. The manager kept his composure with the overflow of people and was friendly. It's great to see leaders set the example and tone for their employees. He greeted us and it was a great experience. Our server was attentive and kept checking in on us. I most certainly want to return here and have recommended this place to friends and family because it's that good!

My first visit here was 2 years ago and I just went back for my second visit a couple of weeks ago. The experience both times was enjoyable and consistent. Service was quick and helpful, and food arrived to our table in a timely manner. My favorite dishes were the shrimp croquettes and beet salad. The short rib and duck were also very tender and flavorful. The only dish I felt was subpar was the calamari - it was quite tough and chewy - a slight disappointment when everything else was great! The interior feels on the tighter side, with tables somewhat close to each other, but not overcrowded. There are also a few larger tables to the side that are more isolated and intimate feeling. Overall the vibe is perfect for happy hour with friends or coworkers or a nice date. My first time here 2 years ago was for happy hour and I hope to try it out again soon!

A delicious restaurant for weekend brunch. We had reservations for Christmas Eve brunch but actually did not need them surprisingly. Service was OK. We did have to keep calling her over for things as she and the other servers seamed distracted on there phones. The food was wonderful for flavor. Started with the biscuit (3) and locally sourced jam and butter. Coffee is OK and they will bring you a pot if you ask. We had shrimp and grits, steak and eggs, salmon bagel, waffle with berries and prosciutto eggs Benedict. Overall everything tasted delicious. The presentation was well done as well. Prices seem to be good for the area as well.

I wanted to try Botanero in Gaithersburg, so I took the opportunity to visit the restaurant while I was staying at a nearby hotel. I did not have any problems finding street parking nearby. The place is small and intimate with a bar that seats about 10-12 people. There is number of tables and the decor is simple but cozy. I arrived at the beginning of their Happy Hour (4:00pm), and they do have a separate menu of cocktails, wine, beer and small plates (known as " botanas" in México and Central America, a similar concept of the Spanish "tapas") induring for that time. I sat at the bar as I usually do, to better experience the establishment's service (I will comment about the service later), and enjoy an advantageous view of the place. There was a flutter of people at the bar as apparently a server shift was occurring at this time; 5-6 people were bahind the bar at different stages of coming or going. There were greetings, hugs and goodbyes, which are all fine and bespoke of camaraderie amongst the personnel. However, it took a good 15 minutes for anyone to greet me and ask me if I wanted something to drink or eat. I believe that if a venue is customer-focused, someone needed to acknowledge the customer already sitting at the bar (there were 1-2 people at the opposite end of the counter when I arrived). One of the bartenders greeted me and gave me their Happy Hour, Full and Drinks menus, which I appreciated. I ordered a their regular margarita, and three Small plates; Pork Belly Bao Buns, Tostones (green fried plantains) topped with shredded pork "carnitas" and Beef Empanadas. The Bao Buns were also served with fiery hot "encurtidos" (pickled veggies) with a predominant Chinese five-spice flavoring, and were delicious. The two Tostones with Carnitas had very generous portions, but were somewhat bland, and were also accompanied by the same pickled veggies, but this batch was not hot at all. The two fried beef empanadas had a sweet ground beef stuffing that had Asian flavors, which was odd for a South American staple. My second margarita was "maracuya"(passion fruit) flavored, and was much better than the first "basic" one; the bartender suggested if I wanted it with another flavor, and it was a smart choice. On the desert menu i noticed Tres Leches (Three Milks) Cake, which is a favorite of mine. It was light, spongy and full of milky, fluid goodness; a delicious classic. I buttoned the meal with a Pedro Ximenez, a style of port wine. I thought that Botanero is an intimate space where regular locals meet to have drinks and small plates. I found Botanero's service à little lacking, specially since I was sitting right at an mostly empty bar at the beginning of their service, and there were, at some point, five or six people behind the bar. I did see that there were a few people that seemed to be regulars that were given focused attention; but if there is a desire to attract more and diverse clientele (they are located in an affluent Gaithersburg/Rockville neighborhood), they may need to focus a little more on service to all patrons. I found the Happy Hour food that I tasted slightly bland; nothing horrible, but not specially memorable. I think that Botanero has the potential of offering truly innovative "botanas" mixing Latin American flavors with other cultures and styles. I think that the kitchen needs to decide which direction they want to take, and focus on making a few dishes exceptionally well. I loved the attention to detail in presenting their drinks, decorated with fresh flowers, pieces of fresh fruit and citrus rinds. The bar was also colorful an elegant, with the "misé en place" for the drink additions and little vases of fresh flowers.

3.5**** We came for brunch and it was pretty good! I think I would have given it more stars if I get to try for dinner and other food options. But the brunch was pretty solid, we all liked our entrees and the service was good. They were filling up fast! I had the salmon Benedict and it came out cold but the side potatoes had a lot of flavor. The brunch drinks were also just okay but they do offer bottomless drinks!

We found this great restaurant on Yelp, thanks to my fellow Yelpers. I read several reviews and marked down every good dishes before we went. The diligence turned out to be very useful and enhanced our dining experience. We dined outside and the atmosphere was casual. Affordable prices and delicious food. All the tapas dishes were cooked perfectly, especially the meat dishes. The waitress was patient, pleasant and honest. She even alerted us that the 20% gratuity was included in the bill. We could have overlooked that and double tipped, not that she didn't deserve it. We loved everything we ordered, I would rate every dish 5*. It was that satisfying. Botanero offered great food and great value, we will definitely come back again. 5*Beet Salad: healthy and good. 5*Fried Mozzarella: great! 5*Flaming Shrimp: a bit salty and greasy though 5*Seared Scallops: only 2 scallops, hard to share. 5*Garlic Mussels: sauce was rich and flavorful. Went very well with fresh bread. 5*Beef Short Ribs: tender and tasty. 5*Duck Confit: perfect. Duck meat fell off the bones with a slight poke. 5*Braised Pork Belly: very good 4.5*Crab Cake: crab cake was was pretty big. My friend loved it. 4*BBQ Grilled Chicken Flatbread: good to share 5*Lamb Chops: perfect, ordered medium. 5*Chicken Croquettes: excellent. We all liked it. 5*Bacon-Wrapped Dates: mixed sweet and salty flavors. 5*Grilled Octopus: tender and tasty. 5*Shrimp Tempura: crispy and tasty sauce. 5*Churros: went well with the chocolate sauce 5*Tres Leches Cakethe appearance was ordinary, but once tasted, it won me over.

Love this place for dinner and brunch! So far my favorite tapas are the short rib and bacon rapped dates. Between the crab Benedict and the prosciutto we liked the crab cake Benedict more.

Wanna know what irks me? When an amazing local restaurant has been around for almost six years and I knew nothing about it! Last night, I had an amazing meal at Botanero. With few exceptions, the dishes were 9.5s or 10s. Some of which you wouldn't expect at all. Here's an example: the fried mozzarella. HOLY SMOKES, it was delish! The aioli and tomato sauce combined with the cheese and breading was a symphony in the mouth. I don't know why we ordered this because it's normally ho-hum in every other restaurant but here it was something to definitely enjoy out of the gate. Other dishes that literally made me bang my fist on the table because it was so good were the seared scallops, the flaming shrimp, and the garlic mussels (don't miss out on dipping the bread in the sauces of those last two). The lamb skewers were also excellent but had a hint of dryness that I think could be avoided. The pork belly was a meh. I probably wouldn't order that again. We closed with the chocolate dipped chorizos which were also yumyumyummo! I am 100% chance coming back to this place (very soon) to try out a bunch of other stuff I didn't get to on this trip.

This is definitely one of my go-to spots for happy hour. Service is extremely friendly, the drinks are delicious, and the food is outstanding. There isn't anything on the menu I've tried that I haven't liked. It's a cozy restaurant with some outdoor seating and an "L" shaped bar inside. The food is served tapas style but the portions are more than generous. I didn't want to share this gem but they deserve to be well known.

Good atmosphere and food, but since it's tapas portions the bill can quickly add up if you're not careful. Portion and taste wise all the dishes we ordered were great with the exception of the duck confit. For the price, I expected more than just a lone piece of duck leg quarter.

I'd give more stars if I could. Everything was delicious. Cocktails excellent. All the little things were done to a T, like the farro that came with the scallops. Can i just get an order of that? Sauces were outstanding, although if I would criticize anything (which I mostly can't), I would say that all the dipping sauces were creamy/aioli/mayo based. Maybe some that were not mayo would have been a nice contrast. I'd like to go back to try the other cocktails, they looked fantastic. Prices were decent, servers were super nice, definitely recommend.

Our waiter Tony was so nice! The crab and classic Benedict's were really delicious! The bacon wrapped dates are must try! I actually am looking forward to coming back and trying more foods!

Fantastic service. Food was seasoned beautifully. We had the chicken and beef Empanadas, the Mushroom Bacon Flatbread, and the stuffed dates with some Old Fashioneds. Just a great experience overall. Lovely atmosphere.

Enjoyed great service and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere on Sunday for some tapas small plates of fresh, crispy calamari, and flaky, well-stuffed, and perfectly spicy beef empanadas as well as the specialty drink of champagne and raspberry liqueur. All very tasty and served quickly in spite of a full dining room. My friend enjoyed her maple glazed wings as well. Definitely left a great impression on me during my weeklong stay in Rockville.