The Botanist, Chelsea, London

In a restaurant on Sloane Square, you might expect good food and drink but you would definitely expect great service. I was taken here for a pre-theatre meal by my other half's family, 7 of us in total. From the outside The Botanist looked very neat, the black and white exterior with its touch-of-green lighting inside complementing the restaurants name nicely.

Inside you could tell you were on Sloane Square. Suits everywhere, bustling atmosphere and in my jeans and trainers I felt slightly out of place, though there were the odd few guys dressed the same so I wasn't put off. We waited patiently past the bar at the entrance to the tabled section and while waiting got told off by a member of staff for being in the way of the restaurant. We politely remarked we were actually waiting for someone to seat us and with a brief apology she walked off.

Eventually seated we all ordered fairly quickly as the show was ever approaching. The tables were cramped and all very close together as if they had tried to fit as many in as possible. It was quite hard to navigate around and between them on the way in and out, and for seven, the table was very small.

The food was good, but could have been better. My steak was cooked well, but was very fatty though the chips were good though could have been more like an armadillo - crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside - as it were they were quite stodgy. Other meals on the table were equally in the category of 'nothing to write home about'. Service was slow and abrupt and prices (though I wasn't paying) were expensive for the quality of the food. Of course though, you are paying for location in this neck of the woods...

However, the redeeming feature for me was the décor. I loved the look of the place, the wooden floor and the walls covered with photos of animals and flowers that looked like they had been taken from an old science textbook were a great touch. Reading other reviews it seems the drinks are the star of the show here rather than the food but unfortunately I didn't volunteer my services for cocktail tasting this time.

The Botanist is one of my favorite places to go for cocktails. The bartenders take their time making delicious drinks you'll remember. I'm a big fan of the dirty martinis, and everything is pretty reasonably priced too. Haven't had too much food here, but everything I've had has been great. There's a great atmosphere during the summer when all the windows are open, and it's definitely worth a visit.

Bloody Marys, perfect! - Wines great! Food OK(ish), The veal papardelle in sage butter was nice but the overall menu was not to my personal liking as there was a high proportion of fish dishes. Would have liked to have seen some daily specials, but the atmosphere, service and venue were otherwise good.

I have been here several times for breakfast and loved it every time. The food is excellent, the service is very friendly and the atmosphere is super fun. There is a great buzz about the place and I definitely recommend it for breakfast.

Wonderful bar in the 'London-In’ style, quite junior top level and scene of the young generation lifestyle. We know where we are … @ Sloane Square. And if you want to be part of the 'top-scene’, you pay the bill that comes to your eyes… it, cool for after-work drinks.

We’re probably not the easiest family to please in a restaurant. On top of the everyday chit chat we always discuss the food and service in minute detail. This Father’s Day we ventured to the newly opened The Botanist on Sloane Square.
It takes time for new establishments to settle into a routine; The Botanist only opened in May, a short month before our visit. But basic mistakes kept creeping in and with five sister restaurants I had expected the whole operation to be a bit slicker.
The restaurant is located next to the recently renovated Sloane Square Hotel. It was a busy Sunday and customers were certainly crammed into the dining area, making our table of five slightly uncomfortable. The place has a clean feel to it with calming tones and a historical mural which ties in with the restaurant’s name.
So to the meal… The ladies forwent starters, so it was left to my father, brother and myself to sample: Stilton and white onion tart with roast pears, steak tartar and globe artichoke, morel and baby spinach risotto.
The tart pastry was perfect - crumbly, but solid enough to hold the very flavoursome stilton filling. I was disappointed with the pears which, served cold, seemed more raw than roasted, and didn’t have the required sweetness to offset the stilton’s saltiness.
The risotto sounded wonderful, but the creaminess which typifies risottos was swapped for a thin bland sauce which drowned the rice.
The steak tartar was the first sign of trouble with the service. First my brother was brought a stilton and onion tart - not what he had ordered. As my father and I tucked into our starters, and finished them, he was still waiting. Steak tartar doesn’t require huge amounts of cooking. Yet when it arrived it was “overcooked”. Had it perhaps been sitting on the passe for a bit too long.
Being a Sunday it was beef roasts for the lads and fishcakes for the ladies (not that fishcakes are particularly Sunday food!). The fishcakes were a good size but a little bland. The meat was beautifully pink and tender. The jus arrived in a wonderful little copper saucepan. The Yorkshire puddings were also scrumptious: crispy on the outside and light and fluffy inside. The vegetables however were underdone and the potatoes were far too salty and reminded me of those packet roast potatoes from the supermarket.
After the waiter finished spilling water over the table, and forgetting to wipe it up, we ordered dessert. Tarte Tatin was excellent. The pastry once again perfect. Just the right amount of caramel too. The chocolate fondant just dreamy. And the Knickerbocker Glory was, well… just like being a kid again.
The cheese plate ended an average meal. The minute slivers of cheese presented an uninteresting selection.
Slow service, a clumsy waiter and average food (the quality of the met was a surprising highlight though) resulted in the manager gracefully removing the optional service charge from the bill. How kind! But as I said at the start, it takes time to settle down, so I look forward to a second visit to an establishment some promise.

Food 3/5 - Fantastic meat
Service 2/5 - Get to grips with the basics
Environment 3/5 - Calm decor but much too crammed

Lovely place, very chic, glamorous - very Sloane Square! Unfortunately, with all of the above, you must pay out….and it definitely isn’t cheap! I went for lunch with my friend on a lunch break and despite having a lovely time, I regretted it when the bill arrived! I should have been paying more attention to the prices on the menu!

Anyway, I learned my lesson and won’t be returning. But it WAS lovely :)

One of my favourite places for breakfast in London, on the sadly rare occasions a) that I am up early enough and b) I’m over this side of town. It’s rather plush, but I’ve always found the atmosphere relaxed and the service good. Obviously, as it is slap bang in the heart of Sloane Square it does lack the serenity of a quiet night in with the Dalai Lama, if that’s what you’re looking for.

However, when conditions a and b are met, this place definitely greases my chain. Why? The main reason is that the food, God forbid, actually tastes like it should! Fresh fruit packed with natural flavour, Manhattan style pancakes with a side of bacon that tastes like you’re licking a pig and kippers that can only be described as glorious.

Granted, you’ll need to shell out more than your local greasy spoon, but frankly my dears, I don’t give a damn. It’s worth every penny.

Whoever is sourcing the ingredients here, I’d like to give them a big wet slobbery kiss behind the bus stop.

The Botanist is VERY Sloane Square, but then I suppose it is on Sloane Square. Go there to sip on Bloody Mary’s and Champagne or tuck into oysters or fantastic seafood. The service is excellent and there is a bustling atmosphere due to its popularity. It’s not cheap but then youare on Sloane Square.

Not how I usually get to spend a Thursday afternoon but took time out with some friends over from France sitting in the 'lounge’ (bar!) of The Botanist. Was feeling a touch peckish so ordered a burger and fries - Wow, I’ve never had a burger quite like it….. big compliments to the chef, it was the most delicious burger I have ever had, and I’ve had a few burgers in my time.

Friendly service, very chic interior design without being too intimidating, love all the mirrors, all very glamerous and a big treat!! 4 1/2 hours later I had to cycle home in the semi-darkness and realised I’d left my bike lights at home - oooops!!!!

Relaively new Bar and Restaurant, opposite the enduringly popular Oriel, been two or three times now, but only for drinks. Nice touch is the doors/windows opening on fine days.
It’s got quite a buzz, particularly late afternoon and early evening, prices not exactly cheap, but a good place to meet your pals for a drink before going out for an 'occasion’.
Wines are good, but they’re equally happy serving tea and coffee.