The Botanist

The Botanist on Sloane Square is in a prime position to soak up a slice of Chelsea life. It is split between a restaurant and bar area and seems to be equally popular with drinkers and diners.

There was very little on the menu that I would not have chosen, making my decision actually very difficult. I went for a smoked salmon starter with some horseradish cream, soda bread and sprinkled with capers, it was delicious. The smoked salmon was so fine and melt in your mouth that I was thinking about it only early today days after the actual event.

I chose off the specials for the main which was a sea bass, again perfectly cooked which went all too quickly. Only (of course) to drag out the eating experience a little longer did we take our waitresses recommend to try the apple tarte tatin for two, with crème fraîche, vanilla ice cream and melted caramel to pour over everything at your will. This was a dessert worth leaving some room for.

The food is similar to what you would find in the Wolseley which is to say very very good without being too pretentious. The prices are high but then this is Sloane Square and the place (probably due to it being so busy) feels like it could do with some extra breathing space but I would certainly recommend the Botanist for a place to eat or drink after a hard day's shopping down the Kind Road.