The Botanist Birmingham Opening Soon!

Calling all my fellow Brummies (and those that visit wonderful Birmingham) I have to tell you about something new and exciting that will be hitting up the city centre from 9th April. If you have been locking yourself inside for those winter months or just frequenting one place, well then I have an awesome excuse for you to try somewhere new. I was kindly invited to the media launch for The Botanist which will be opening next week on Temple street in Birmingham city centre. Just a stone throw away from transport links and the bustling shops. I feel like this place just popped up out of nowhere.

Along the lovely Cherry who blogs over at Vegan Family Living we were welcomed by the friendly staff and even recommended which cocktail to try. The first thing that hit me was how quirky and rustic the decor was. They had really thought of all the little touches. It felt as though I had been transported out of the ram packed city into a light and airy country cottage. Logs by a fireplace, cute cactus, little baskets on the tables but all still very stylish and chic. Even the ladies room kept to the theme with big country style sinks just like my Nana had on the farm. My favourite features were the light shades by the main bar so much work and thought must have gone into preparing this magical garden feel.

Lets take a moment to appreciate the drinks. There is something for everyone from craft beers to a huge cocktail list. It took me so long to settle on what to try. First I had a blueberry and passion fruit martini. The bar staff are cheerful and are rocking the coolest uniform with braces! I love watching my drink be made and all the passion that goes into one glass. Presentation of drinks is beautiful as I found out when I ordered a carrot juice based cocktail cheekily named 'what's up doc?' which came garnished with a little organic carrot. The ginger sling was my favourite of the night though mixing ginger, apricot and gin it was like pure heaven and was far too easy to drink. I have a feeling it would be so easy to get lost in the cocktails alone. I even saw a watering can sharer!

Don't worry though like the responsible adults we were the drinks were paced through the evening. We weren't waiting very long to be shown to the dining area. The open plan kitchen is a detail I dig in any restaurant especially when you can watch other meals coming out because the presentation of the food is totally in keeping with the themes. Cherry spotted little wheelbarrows of food. The waiting staff were really friendly and chatty. We started off simple with some Olives and flat bread and baked Camembert. The olives were really tasty and who doesn't love Camembert with a lovely herb twist served with fruit and flat bread.

For main I chose the lamb tagine from the home comforts menu. There is a varied range to choose from, if you are all about the British favourites like fish and chips or Gammon or want to try something a bit more exciting like Malaysian curry. I was tempted by the barbecue menu which offers steak burgers, hanging kebabs or even rotisserie chicken. Cherry being veggie went for a cauliflower cheese pie. The lamb came in a gorgeous tagine pot with pearl cous cous, it was so tender and tasty and the cous cous just popped in my mouth beautifully. Cherry was really pleased with her choice too which had a twist which I wont spoil for you.

Even though I was super full the waitress tempted us with deserts and they all sounded so nice it would be rude not to try them. Plus I have to tell you guys all about them right? That is my excuse and I am sticking with it he he. It would be worth popping in for a girly chat and a cheeky desert just to soak up the chilled atmosphere. I swear we were in there for hours and time just flew. If you hadn't guessed already desert was amazing. I had a Strawberry and marshmallow kebab with had a delicious sailor jetty chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. It came served hanging and you get to put the sauce down which trickles down the toasted marshmallows onto the ice cream at the bottom. The presentation alone was exciting enough but it tasted just as good as it looked. Cherry couldn't finish her huge trifle sundae but I need to go back and sample that some time.

We even got to have a chat with the general manager Julian Rose-Gibbs who was really friendly and really knows his crowd having worked for the Victoria pub which you may have visited in Birmingham too. The Botanist in all is a fantastic place to visit be it for after work cocktails, sampling different ales, live music or having a lovely meal with someone close to you. It has also brought 100s of jobs to Birmingham so get down and support it and lets keep it in our lovely Brum town for years to come!

What is tempting you to visit The Botanist most? Have you been to another branch?