Botánico

Botanica Restaurant Column: We Left Our Dream Jobs to Open a Restaurant Across the Country | Bon Appétit

"Run by editors-turned-owners Emily Fiffer and Heather Sperling, this airy all-day café in Silver Lake champions a vegetable-first, “healthyish” approach that treats produce with the same care typically reserved for meat and seafood; the menu balances lavish vegetable and grain dishes with Pacific seafood and sustainably raised meats, and the beverage program emphasizes natural wine. Born from a gut-renovated 1940s liquor store after the duo moved from Chicago and rallied friends, supporters, and a talented crew, the operation now includes a market component and a roughly 50-person team devoted to food, coffee, cocktails, ceramics, florals, and music. The owners prize a supportive, women-led workplace—small gestures like hugs, cookies, and generous pours underscore their focus on staff and guest care—and the kitchen’s resilience was memorably on display during a power outage when cooks seared lamb kabobs on a backup stove while friends provided music and ambiance. Signature details mentioned by the owners include a vadouvan cauliflower dish (they still tweak it with curry leaves) and an attention to staples like matcha, all of which reflect a mission to weave health, nourishment, and creativity through every aspect of the restaurant." - ByEmily Fiffer and Heather Sperling