The Botanist is nestled in the coliseum-esque Broadgate Circus, filled with handsome city men in need of a fine beverage after a day of Gladiatoring (Ã la Olivia Pope). The restaurant had a real League of Extraordinary Gentlemen feel, with bookcases, exposed copper pipes, and even a crocodile hanging over the bar! Definitely somewhere to impress a date, or the Harrison Ford in your life.
We were promptly seated by the wonderfully attentive Olivia, who no word of a lie, is a complete ringer for Scarlett Johansson. One too many cocktails, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re on the set of a Luc Besson movie. Having already had a couple of glasses of bubbly pre-review (when in Rome!), we decided to go for the Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc, perfectly oaky to offset the fizz.
Both Dylan and I found it very difficult to choose from the varied and extremely appetising European/British menu – we were quite simply spoiled for choice.
I eventually landed on the sizzling queen scallops, chorizo and samphire with wild garlic (of course, I had to go for the only thing on the menu with the word ‘queen’ in it) and Dylan selected the Wiltshire asparagus, Sheep Rustler and quail’s egg.
The scallops were plump and succulent, nestled on a large slice of chorizo that actually looked more like pork, but definitely had the same zing as the meat you know and love – much better than those £3.50 rings of chorizo you can buy in the chilled aisle! My compadre equally enjoyed his starter. Loves a quail’s egg, so he does.
The main course was an equally meaty affair for me, going straight for the roast lamb rump, calcot onions and pea & bacon champ with a mint jus. This, is how you do a roast. None of this Yorkshire pudding nonsense, just delicious meat, creamy mash, and a beautiful jus (no Bisto here!). Dylan, the pie of the day, devoured his pie of the day, which looked as good as it tasted, with crisp and light pastry and tasty meat.
I ALWAYS get dessert, but the mains and wines were just so good, I honestly couldn’t manage it.  Shocker! Without a doubt, one of the best meals I’ve had in London. I’ll be sure to make a return, perhaps not until I meet my very own Indiana Jones, so he can be suitably impressed by the décor and food too.
• The Botanist is at Broadgate Circle, Liverpool Street, EC2M 2QS. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am – midnight.
