Leeds - The Botanist

It's been far too long since either of us posted. Needless to say, there have been rather big changes both of our lives - turns out the North is actually pretty cool (in more ways than one - bring a jacket). I now live in Leeds which is a loooong way away, but full of amazing places to eat, so what a great way to get the blog started back up again with The Botanist.

Like its Bristol namesake, The Botanist is a cool and classy establishment that serves delectable meals. Unlike the Bristol version, I can actually afford to eat here without needing to take out another bank loan. Incidentally, a northern-based friend from my time at Bristol recently celebrated his birthday in Leeds at Cielo Blanco (see my next blog post!) and we ended up here afterwards for drinks. Its fascinating, rustic interior (check out the chandelier-esque lighting) is complemented by a myriad of craft beers and ales no-one's ever heard of - typical hipster Leeds.

A few days afterwards my best friends came up to visit and, being fairly cheap, we decided to have a few drinks there before heading off elsewhere to eat. Except, we never left. Sitting in the heated outside area on the hardest-to-sit-on bar stools you'll ever come across our eyes kept being drawn to the open kitchen where wonderful creations continued to be brought out.

Being a bit boring, all 3 of us opted for the same thing - a simple beefburger. Beefburgers aren't particularly difficult to get right, but to make them special is something else. Somehow these plain beefburgers tasted incredible. Perhaps it was the salsa served in a tiny jar? Or the perfectly seasoned chips? Or the fact it all came served on a wooden tray? Or perhaps there's just something in this northern water that makes those cows extra special? Either way, The Botanist delivered.

Although given the choice of pink or well-done, the burger patty itself wasn't quite well-done enough for my liking, but still tasted delicious. My error was to add a blue cheese topping - it didn't quite work; perhaps not a strong enough cheese to balance the saltiness of the burger. Should have gone for the bacon - always the best default topping.

Overall, it was a lovely experience - definitely better than your average gastropub - and suitable for a nicer occasion. The outside does get busy though and the awkwardness of those bar stools doesn't help, but still worth a visit.

*A*