South Yarra's Botanical Hotel returns to local pub roots

South Yarra's Botanical, a Melbourne hot spot in the early 2000s, when chef Paul Wilson was plating up poached eggs with truffled soft polenta and Chris Lucas (now of Chin Chin) was the licensee, has a new owner. Well, newish.

Rabih Yanni, who sold St Kilda's Grosvenor Hotel last May, took over the Domain Road pub in November and says he's finally coming up for air after surviving the silly season.

Describing himself as the hotel's latest custodian, Yanni's focus is on reviving the Bot's reputation as a local hotel, a spot where people can drop in several times a week. "Everyone has a fond Botanical story," he says. "But I want people to say this is great rather than this was great."

He's introduced a $25 daily plate, which comes with a glass of wine or a beer, but chefs Shaun Sheridan and Daniel Morton will reboot the rest of the menu later this month, giving good produce a chance to shine in simple brasserie dishes.

169 Domain Road, South Yarra, thebotanical.com.au