Review from Jo Jessop @JJPRComms
Open from lunch ’til late, The Botanist in Leeds Trinity, is quickly becoming one of my favourite hidden little gems.
Tucked behind the Trinity church, this hide-away is a deceptively large venue. On arrival you are presented with the outdoor terraces (which I am sure will fill up when the sun is shining) and the open kitchen, with chickens cooking on the rotisserie. Little warning, be careful which door you choose to enter, one takes you to the restaurant the other the kitchen! Awkward!
Whether you want a pit stop for lunch, drinks after work or a relaxed night out, this laid back, not-at-all-pretentious venue, creates an atmosphere which embraces all – from baby to pensioner.
The menu has a vast array of food on offer – after much debate, I went for the chicken hanging kebab, this is served with a bowl of chips which are presented underneath the suspended meat! The magic touch is the bowl of melted garlic butter, flipped over the top on arrival, allowing you the opportunity to watch the juices drip down to your bowl of chips, adding flavour to every mouthful. My dinner dates had burgers served in a kitsch wooden boxes with homemade relish and my vegetarian friend had a hanging halloumi kebab.
For dessert, I recommend the lemon meringue pie which is incredible but the rice pudding is also good, served in a blue and white tin tray (just like nana’s)! Not only is the food great, but the presentation just adds that extra something.
The prices are quite reasonable, the main, dessert and soft drink cost around £20 each. If you are after something a bit stronger than cola, there’s lots of local beer and cider on offer and some rather intriguing cocktails.
Although the whole horticultural feel of the place is staged to make you feel you are in a green house or garden shed, it certainly isn’t your typical garden! My favourite touch being the rustic chandeliers made from glass jars, tools and other bits and bobs!
The live acoustic musicians coupled with the stylish rustic surroundings make The Botanist a place I want to return to time and time again.
Go check it out, I may see you there, if not please let me know what you think @JJPRComms on Twitter