With our lives moving so fast, and a challenging start to the year, we often forget to slow down and truly connect with ourselves and the people we spend time with. The Botanist in Kirribilli, who already run their Kindness Project based on small acts of kindness to others, have paired up with South African alt-gin producer CEDER’s to help us practice mindfulness and being fully present as we experience life throughout Mindful March.
The Botanist has long focused on sustainably sourced food and drinks and are extending the mindful approach to their entire process from supporting smaller suppliers to minimising waste. CEDER’s alt-gin is a distilled non-alcoholic gin based on either herbal botanicals or tonic for those preferring a bitter leaning. Featuring two refreshing CEDER’s alt-cocktails during Mindful March for $12 which are sophisticated yet guilt-free drinks given they are sans alcohol and only 2 calories. And as an extra treat – on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout March, they come with a free neck and shoulder massage! Don’t forget to share the kindness via a note of gratitude in the Mindfulness Box as you leave.
Once you have settled in to a comfy booth or sharing table with your alt-gin cocktail; take time to peruse the menu full of healthy, colourful, Mediterranean based sharing plates. The beef croquettes with pickled onions and a punchy mustard are a light start that whets the appetite and if you are lucky, the champagne chicken and leek croquettes will be on the specials menu. The beautiful roasted rainbow trout tail with a pomegranate and tabouli salad is an elegant dish which is a favourite with locals for good reason. Char-grilled octopus is perfectly cooked and paired with crisp cavolo nero, pink slaw, bottarga and black romesco sauce. It is hard to pick just one of the vegetable side options as they all look so good! The twice cooked potatoes on a bed of lentils, rocket and shaved zucchini offers a unique mix of slightly sweet sauce meeting the saltiness of the potato and bitterness of the rocket.
For those consciously choosing to enjoy alcohol, the bar team headed by Isaac have curated a wine list that supports small local producers with grape varieties not often seen in Australia. The cocktails have been created with a mindful and inclusive approach, featuring mixers such as aquafaba instead of egg whites suitable for vegans (and non-vegans of course!). Check out the Pepperberry Spumoni with gin, campari and grapefruit with aquafaba for a great example. The fruit-forward Lets Get Fizzi-cal is a light vodka and wine based cocktail that partners well with any of the sharing plates. Finally, their special dessert of the day was a delicious homemade tiramisu which was fluffy, light and (somewhat!) healthy with dark chocolate.
With more people conscious that they need to slow down, connect fully in person (not with their devices!), be kind to themselves and others and wanting to enjoy a foodie experience without the guilt, it is the perfect time for CEDER’s and The Botanist to host their Mindful March pop-up. Whilst it may officially finish on the 31st March, you can continue your mindful practices throughout the year for a healthier, kinder, more thoughtful 2020.
The Botanist
17 Willoughby St, Kirribilli
Opening hours: Mon – Tues: Dinner only; Weds – Sun: Lunch and Dinner
The March Mindfulness pop up runs through to 31st March and features various activities to participate in, including free 10 min neck and shoulder massages every Weds and Sun with every $12 CEDER’s alt-cocktail purchase.
