Botanist Brings a Swanky New Cocktail Bar to Bishop Arts

Botanist, a very adult-looking cocktail bar, opens today in a new Bishop Arts development at 308 North Bishop Avenue.

Think swanky leather settees, velvet-clad chairs, Oriental rugs, and crystal chandeliers. “It looks like someone’s very rich English grandmother left them all of her furniture,” a representative of the bar accurately describes. The upscale vibe shouldn’t deter weekend revelers — there are plenty of board games and shuffleboard to unleash your competitive side, along with expertly crafted cocktails to unwind.

The herbaceous cocktail list includes items like the “Bob Ross” with jalapeño-infused beet tequila, lime juice, agave, dry Curaçao; the Chrysanthemum with Fernet-Branca, Bénédictine herbal liqueur, turbinado sugar, absinthe spritz, and chrysanthemum garnish; and The Mitchell with Cynar, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, and lemon juice. Small bites include oysters, shrimp cockail, tostones topped with caviar, fried baby artichoke, plus plates of cheese and charcuterie.

Botanist is the first concept to debut in the new Bishop Arts development owned by the Nazerian family at 308 North Bishop Avenue. The site will also house several more concepts set to open in the coming weeks. Those are:

• Paradiso, which will feature Mediterranean mezze and Italian dishes like Tarragon linguine with chanterelle and summer truffle, plus a Neapolitan-style pizza created in a wood-burning oven.
• Good Companions serving up coffee, tea, and natural wines in the renovated Craftsman-style house on the property. Also on offer will be pastries including Italian stuffed doughnuts and European-style sandwiches with mortadella, handmade mozzarella, and arugula.
• Tejas will be located down the street at 250 North Bishop Avenue and will offer an abbreviated menu of tacos and one burger option. For breakfast, think house-made tortillas stuffed with chorizo, bacon, and potato, plus a chicken tinga taco for lunch or dinner. The Tejas Burger will feature a straightforward assemblage of beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a house-made bun.

Botanist officially opens August 2 and will operate from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the kitchen serving until close. Stay tuned for the official opening dates for the remaining concepts.

• Four Exciting New Restaurants Hit the Bishop Arts District This Summer [EDFW]