Botonica — Restaurant in Houston

Walked in and was greeted by none other than Camila Cabello working the hostess stand. She tried to convince us her name was “Elizabeth,” but babe… we weren’t born yesterday. It was her. The subtle refusal to acknowledge her fame? Dead giveaway.

The ambiance was erotically sexy yet cute and modern. I’d describe the vibe as “barely legal but knows exactly what’s she’s doing”. It was giving mysterious, sultry speakeasy with just a pinch of coquette energy.

The drinks slapped—in a sensual, consenting kind of way. Strong enough to make you feel something but smooth enough to keep you classy, but not so strong they tasted like CVS-brand rubbing alcohol. Truly the Goldilocks zone of cocktails: just right. The food- scrumptious. Adorable. The kind of food you want to wrap in a little blankie and take home to protect forever.

Overall, this hidden gem is a total banger of a speakeasy. Whether you’re having a cathartic post-divorce makeup sesh with your ex husband or trying to seduce your situationship into commitment, this place sets the tone. I’ll definitely be back. And Camila… your secret is...

Botonica, located in the heart of Houston's River Oaks, is an elegant and immersive bar with a gothic-romantic atmosphere filled with greenery and vintage details. Its cocktails, deeply inspired by Latin American flavors, offer a unique experience with drinks like the Chamuyera, made with Zacapa rum, coffee, banana, amaro, coconut, and dulce de leche, a complex and seductive drink, and the Desert Dove, a fresh, tropical blend with Singani, Ketel One, St. Germain, ginger, guava, and grapefruit. More than a bar, Botonica is a sensorial journey that also includes sweet delights like the Rum Cake, moist and loaded with the flavor of browned butter and rum, or the playful homemade Chocotaco, ideal for closing the night with a smile. Although it's not a restaurant with main courses, its focus on creative cocktails and well-crafted desserts makes it the perfect place for a sophisticated and memorable evening, where each drink tells a story and every detail is designed to...

Popped by Botonica at 6pm on a Saturday before a dinner reservation. I wasn't sure if we could just walk in or not so I made a reservation for 6 people. Upon arrival it was pretty sparsely populated so we would have been fine just showing up, but it's always nice to come prepared. The lounge is pretty large and split into a front space and a back space. Our table was in the back room which had lower lighting and a bit of a sexier vibe. The cocktail menu here is extensive! Everything that we tried was great and the service was very friendly and shockingly quick (though keep in mind it was early evening). Noise level in here was also a huge plus in that our group of 6 was easily able to have a conversation without shouting at each other. Lots of new cocktail bars popping up around Houston and this one feels like a...