Botanica Cuisine By Dag Demarkow & Co — Restaurant in Victoria

This is a world class restaurant attached to a motel in Mildura. The offerings on menu were all superb and my lady had Duck Confit and it impressed her socks off. After looking through the menu I found something that I order frequently, always enjoy, but never executed so perfectly. There were beautiful fine dining options but this chef knows his market and has created something truly special that no Australian restaurant should be without - the Chicken Parmigiana!

This was a work of art and clearly every part of the Parmigiana was thoroughly thought through to make it the finest Parma that has ever been! The crumbing had crunch that could be audibly heard from the other side of the table, the sauce was a two or three hour reduction of tomatoes and herbs and the cheese was melted on the top, with little well done bits and as it made it to the edge, had crunch and incredible flavour. Not overcooked, not burnt: it was perfection in the way that people make those little amazing Parmesan chips.

I kept making happy and other noises as I gesticulated towards my Parma and the rest of the table. Only when I neared the end and spoke of the Parma could I start to muster the necessary words.

This was the best Parma I have found anywhere. The size was perfect. Large but not hanging over the edge of the plate like those ones that are clearly an entire flattened chook. This was a Parma that would make the angels cry. If you’re in Mildura, eat here. If you’re not in Mildura, come here. This should be part of some pilgrimage. Come in your trucks, cars, bicycles or by foot. If you’re driving Sydney to Adelaide, stay here and eat. You will be happy.

It was the first thing I thought of as I woke this morning and the last thing on my mind as I fell asleep last night. It was a Parma defining moment in my life. It was love...

This place has been much hyped and positioned premium. However, when you walk in, you notice the uneven layout with a section of the restaurant upwards from steps on the left where the toilets are located and the dining area on the right and a party room on the far right. There is a beautiful deck outside sorrounded by green trees. We requested to be seated outside but the serving staff said that it may rain (there was no rain forecast) and we missed the opportunity to sit and eat outside. The dining chairs' upholstery was torn in places and we were seated next to the store room with half curtain open (not a pleasant view) when you are hoping to enjoy a nice view at a premium restaturant. Also, I could smell some dust in that area due to my hypersensitivity to enclosed areas. The mains were mostly between $35-$45 and entree's were around the $25 mark which is again premium pricing and the choices were quite limited. The serving staff asked us to order all food at once even when the restaturant had just opened (this is unusual as staff mostly hurries up when the kitchen is about to close). We did not want to be rushed so we only ordered the entrees first. The food was somewhere around 6/10 which is just passing marks. Overall, this restaurant failed to impress. I noticed that lots of local old people dine here and the interiors are also quaint and classic. May be for them this is a premium dining experience but it failed to impress me. Am I going there again? May be...

Okay... So where do I start... The booking! Online. So easy. That very same day! (The gods smiled upon us) Though it was a small allocation. Dinner for two, plus a 5 week old Disney Princess, aged 5 weeks. Lovely atmosphere, warm greetings on a cold night, assistance with the pram on entering, 10/10... Service! Amaze-Balls! Michaela (incorrect spelling, I'm confident) was just incredible. So attentive whenever we needed the service, drinks immediately, dinner when we were ready.. this staff member even noticed that I was struggling with a Newborn whilst trying to cut up a steak and she offered to TAKE THE CHILD whilst we ate... Omg! We were blown away! Sooo! Thankful! So understanding, so thoughtful, so wonderful! The meal! Two steaks ordered medium rare, cooked to PERFECTION. Couldn't have asked for a better meal. The prices are high for Ol' Mildura Town but it was 100% worth it. This was a steak that you'd talk to the boys about- around a campfire, weeks later, for sure! In conclusion! Try this place if you haven't. You won't be disappointed. They DESERVE your business. This place...