Date Night at The Botanist Chester
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A few weeks ago we were invited along to The Botanist Chester to try out their new food and cocktail menus. Seeing as it’s not very often we get any time together alone and child-free, we jumped at the chance! To spend a little time together just the two of us to allow us to reconnect was just too good an opportunity to miss. Here’s what we thought.
With 19 locations across the UK, The Botanist Chester is a treasure waiting to be discovered. They say that “it started with a seed, an idea to create a secret garden of food and drink” and I say that they succeeded. Filled to the rafters with trinkets and treasures, The Botanist chain is a feast for all the senses set in an intimate and cosy setting.
The one closest to us is in Chester on St Werburgh Street just down from the Cathedral. Which is exactly where we headed on a cold October night.
The welcome was warm and although it took a little time to be seated (we tailgated into The Botanist Chester behind the largest hen party ever!) we were soon sat overlooking the most amazing looking bar.
A GREAT START
Hubby and I are both pickers, so we took one look at the deli board and knew it was for us. With 21 mouth-watering options to choose from, the hardest part was choosing only 4. All are served with a wedge of garlic and herb bread to finish off the plate.
We went with the prosciutto ham, scotch egg, chorizo stew and polenta-coated camembert and – oh my days – it was delicious!
THE MAIN EVENT
Next, we had to go with their hanging kebabs. There were so many things on the menu which caught our eye, but the kebabs just looked so appetising.
I went with the chicken and chorizo which came with garlic butter and hubby went with the five spice duck with hoisin sauce and I have to say that the sauce was absolutely spot on. The fries were seasoned beautifully, and the meal was just the right size without leaving you feeling too stuffed and bloated.
ENDING ON A HIGH
Now the dessert menu was something that looked rather special. This menu certainly outdid itself on the sweet side and I went with the pudding planter. Hubby got the cookie dough which came with Oreos and vanilla ice cream, but to be honest I didn’t even get a picture because it paled into insignificance next to the planter.
Don’t get me wrong, he assures me that it was all kinds of deliciousness but c’mon. It was just no planter now was it? Filled to the brim with an ice cream sandwich, apple and cherry fool, Nutella doughnuts and a salted caramel biscoff muffin. Honestly that biscoff muffin served in a plant pot was something else. In the words of Craig Revel Horwood – it was just AH-MAY-ZING.
I will say though that is was MASSIVE so do not do what I did which was order it for yourself. It’s not worth it and you won’t be able to finish close to even half of it. This will leave you in a limbo state. pining for the rest of the muffin but knowing that if you even try to cram even one more bite in there is a real danger that you may pop. So…..be warned!
You can find the new autumn food menu for The Botanist Chester on their website.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Now, I can’t review The Botanist Chester without mentioning the cocktails as to be honest, they were sublime. This was the first time hubby and I had been out just the two of us for a proper night out for a VERY long time so we decided to attack the cocktail menu with abandon. Here’s what we tried from the menu:
- Miracle Bulb – Empress 1908 gin, yuzu sake, apple liqueir, jasmine syrup and apple juice lengthened with lemonade
- Pink Gin Punch – Beefeater Pink gin, strawberry and poppy liqueurs, raspberry syrup, rosé wine, apple and lemon juice
- The Botanist – Barcardi Carta Blanca rum, Ketel One vodka, St Germain, jasmine syrup, red amaranth, fresh mint, lime juice and lemonade
- Peach and Kiwi Fizz – Peach liqueur, passionfruit syrup, fresh kiwi and lemon juice, topped with Prosecco
Now, it may only be two cocktails each during dinner but keep in mind that we are very out of practice! So, we decided to have a little try of some non-alcoholic cocktails, and I have to say they were rather tasty!
- Rhubarb and Sage Spritz – Portobello Roat gin, rhubarb liqueur and sage syrups and lemon juice, topped with ginger ale (non-alc available)
- Raspberry Disaronno Sour – Disaronno, raspberry liqueir, raspberry purée, pmegranata and lemon juice (non-alc available)
My Rhubarb and Sage Spritz was amazing and I could of happily drank it all night! It goes to show that just because you’re not drinking alcohol that you have to miss out on the fun.
There was not a drink that we didn’t enjoy and each and every one of them were beautifully presented. An experience in itself.
You can find the new cocktail menu for The Botanist Chester on their website.
THE BOTANIST CHESTER – WHAT WE THOUGHT
Needless to say, we had a great evening and want to thank the team for inviting us along. We were very well looked after and never felt rushed. The food menu catered for all tastes and dietary requirements, and we could not fault any of the options that we chose, every single one was delicious.
The cocktail menu was something else though. Wonderfully chosen and expertly blended. Bravo! This was all supported by an impressive array of wine, spirit and ale menus too so there is no doubt that the cater for all tastes.
Overall, I loved the feel of the place and the quirky decor was perfectly matched to the laid back and welcoming atmosphere with live music providing a wonderful backdrop. The upstairs level gave a lovely setting to enjoy a meal whereas the downstairs bar provided a lively atmosphere perfectly suited to a Saturday night in Chester and that’s exactly where we headed after we had eaten to enjoy the rest of our evening.
We had a wonderful evening and there is no doubt that we will be back again in the future. Why not book your table today?
If you enjoyed this review, they why not check out our other reviews over on the blog.
DISCLOSURE: we were invited along by The Bontanist Chester to sample their new food and cocktail menus. However, all options chosen as well as all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own.
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