The Botanist, Newcastle

Last night, Mr T and I went along to the official launch of The Botanist but just before Christmas I paid a visit to The Botanist for a girly lunch and it was a sheer delight.

Taking up residence in the old Monument Mall food court, the space has been transformed in to a botanical garden (get it?) of wonder and amazement. As you enter the bar you are greeted by a huge tree filling the existing glass atrium, ringed by the well stocked bar. Dining is placed towards the front of the building with views out over Greys Monument and the surrounding shopping streets.

Settled down at our table we perused the expansive cocktail menu. I opted for an alcohol free version as I was driving but my partner in crime and I were very impressed with the wide choice of elaborate cocktails that used botanical elements such as herbs. I was also impressed that water for the table was offered and topped up throughout our visit.

A rosé sangria (£7.50) and a grape, raspberry and elderflower cooler (£4.50)

The food menu is quite small but packed with super tasty treats that would appeal to most. As it was Christmas, we pushed out the boat and had 3 courses.

To start, we had the  Home made Houmous board (£4.95)  which was so big it could have been a sharer. The houmus is served in a half red cabbage which I think is a bit style over substance. Our poor lovely waitress couldn’t balance the rounded-bottom cabbage on the platter and managed to upend the whole thing just as it got to our table. A replacement was almost instantaneous but we felt so sorry for the poor lass, she was so nice though bless her, it wasn’t her fault! The whole starter was delicious but maybe the cabbage serving idea could be looked at?

I picked something a bit safer for the waitresses to carry – Salt & Pepper Onion Petals with sour cream dip (£3.50). The batter on this was AMAZING. I can’t stop raving about how delicious it was! I could eat it again! This is the kind thing I would order as a bar snack if I had just popped in for drinks!

Moving on to mains, Christine ordered the Scampi & Chips (£9.75) which came in an adorable wicker picnic basket along with chips and a mini watering can full of tarter sauce. Perfectly cooked, juicy succulent scampi and a generous portion of chips hit the spot perfectly. Presentation was perfect.

I had the famous hanging chicken kebab (£9.95) which came with chips. Presented on a hanging skewer, as the name suggests, you are given a pot of melted garlic butter to pour through the frame so that it trickles down and bastes the meat and veg as it travels down to collect in the bowl of chips below (YUM!). It was deceptively filling and the chips glazed with the garlic butter were the highlight!

For dessert I ordered the Peach Melba sundae (£4.95) and it was jam packed with fruit and ice cream. A really nice, fresh take on a classic ice cream sundae.

Christine ordered the Chocolate & Praline Mousse (£4.95) and it looked like pure chocolate decadence when it arrived. If you have a super sweet tooth, this is the dessert for you!

Without cocktails included, the food is very reasonably priced and very good value. My 3 courses came to less than £20. I am craving those salt & pepper onion petals… I will be back again very soon!

My only tip for your visit – book a table if you are going at peak times!