Ahh the Botanist…we have shared many great evenings and indeed, mornings, together!

Having lived just down the road from the Botanist it became my local and I must say now it isn't on my doorstep I do miss it. This is the place for an evening of cocktails, canapes and laughter with friends. The champagne cocktails paired with chilli salt squid, steak tartare and Spanish olives is just divine. The salmon fishcakes are also incredible and to be honest Ive eaten so many I'm surprised I didn't turn into one of their delicious fishcakes myself! The food, even the bar food snacks, are all exquisitely cooked and exceed expectation. Surprisingly I've not had a formal sit down meal in their restaurant before, in my mind it hasn't ever seemed the place for that, I much prefer snacking by the bar as it suits that laid back feel. And besides, just to get a table in the restaurant seems quite an act of skill! The bar area does get incredibly busy, I always found the best approach was to act like a German with a sunbed and get in there early and don't move!

The Botanist has been a venue of choice for many a breakfast though! I have yet to find a breakfast to beat it. I also have never spent more money at a breakfast before but thats another matter. I viewed it as one of life's luxuries that needed to be indulged. The scrambled eggs with Scottish smoked salmon and toasted English muffin are to die for! This followed by the fresh fruit platter and one of their wonderful fruit smoothies or milkshakes made it into a great morning!

Yes this place gets busy, and yes maybe some people come here to be seen, but really, try to get over that and enjoy good food and fine drinks!