20. July 2013: Restaurant The Botanist
Like the “Botilleria y Fogón Sacha“, The Botanist is a recommendation of “Where Chefs Eat: A Guide To Chefs’ Favourite Restaurants and while it was not as mind-blowing as the “Botilleria y Fogón Sacha“, I understand why it is in this book.
The place is absolutely lovely! Totally booked, no chance to get a table ad-hoc but if you book in advance you are rewarded with a great place for breakfast or lunch. I had the “Steak Tartare” (GBP 9.50) as a starter and I must say it was okay. The meat is fresh and cut quite roughly but tasty.
My main was the “8oz Longhorn Beef Burger, smoked Cheddar, bacon, aioli, tomato chutney and french fries” (GBP 17.00) which was fine. The meat patty was medium as requested, juicy and tasty. Only the tomato chutney is somehow a bit too overwhelming the other flavours. While the burger was okay it was a bit overpriced imho.
The bread which was served upfront with butter was astonishingly good and was not even charged. Also, the prices for the beverages are fine: 0,5L Cider Draft account for GBP 4.70, a bottle of still water for GBP 3.60.
Even the friandises which were “served with the bill” are absolutely tasty – I mean they are very chocolatey but they are definitely tasty. The waitresses are dedicated, friendly, even up for a joke without being all over you, so very good and friendly service.
Overall, The Botanist is a very lovely place – the interior is amazing, the crowd is good, the service is fine, the prices are fair, only the food is not top notch but the fresh artichokes I have seen (too late, so I could not try them) looked delicious. Booking in advance is absolutely necessary to have a chance to sit down!
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Contact Details:
Restaurant The Botanist
Sloane Square 7
SW1W 8EE London (UK)
Tel.: +44 20 77 30 00 77
E-Mail: info@thebotanistonsloanesquare.com
Homepage: http://www.thebotanistonsloanesquare.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
