Botaniste

A big equestrian table, a monumental chandelier, tiger cushions, Louis-Philippe furniture, a collection of apothecary phials… If you had forgotten that the luxurious Shagri-la Hotel was once the hôtel particulier of Roland Bonaparte, the great-nephew of Napoleon and a skilled naturalist, the décor of the Botaniste bar is there to remind you. The only anachronism: the very uninspired electro soundtrack… However, there’s a really beautiful menu of imperial nectars (€27 each) mixed by Clément Emery (ex-Lancaster), including a very floral Genesis (genépi, lime, ginger beer, barley sugar) served on a slice of pinewood, or a lovely Mezito (La Vida mezcal, Suze Agrumes, candied kumquats, fresh cilantro and Seltzer water). To flesh out the scene: a few fruity and alcohol-free creations (€20) and some classy amuse-bouche: miniature truffled croque monsieurs (€25), dim sum (€31)… // A.B.