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*

Bristol - 51

Here's a short one.

A: Stokes Croft - Bristol's eclectic, independent haven where anything local is praised and endeared. What a wonderful pub though, with three different levels, unusual interior and offered a whole range of different meals using all locally-sourced ingredients in true Bristol style. 51 was classy, yet rough on the edges and a nice change from the big chains that dominate most city centres.
 

J: Another friend joined us and we shared the portobello mushroom and brie burger, which was equally delicious and filling. We were told that all the food there had been tried and tested to make it as healthy as possible, and you could really tell. Even the chips felt healthier than usual and there was a slight tussle for the last few, which is always a good sign.

A: Having had a little gorge earlier, I wasn't fancying something too filling and to my delight the pizzas prepared were specially-made to be lightweight, yet full of filling and flavour. I went for an interesting choice in the butternut squash, ricotta and pine nut pizza. An unusual choice of mine, but not regrettable. A palpable, quaint pizza to fill that little hole - just what I wanted.

 

 

 

A & J