Cheshire’s poshest potting shed The Botanist in Alderley Edge is the perfect place for summer wining and dining says Janet Reeder.
I love, love, love the outdoor area of the Botanist. The garden space is overlooked by a wall onto which is projected old movies, while patio heaters keep alfresco drinkers and diners warm when the sun goes down.
Of course a garden area is an essential - after all this is The Botanist, an Alderley Edge hot spot with a fashionable shabby chic interior that makes look like the poshest potting shed ever.
The Botanist has been in the village for a couple of years and attracts a really fantastic mix of glam and affluent, fromdressed up girls sharing cocktails and gossip to couples having romantic nights à deux.
During daytime the pavement seating allows you to practice Cafe Society’s favourite thing which is people watching but at night time there’s the option of a bustling bar and restaurant with funky friendly service and that outdoor space.
We were there to sample the new summer menu, which is based around a hit format that allows you to make eclectic choices from sections labelled... starters and nibbles, deli board, rotisserie, “off the barbecue”, sides and desserts. It’s a more relaxed way to dine. If you don’t want three courses you can just share a deli board, or some nibbles.
On a warm evening you can feel a little bit Mediterranean too. Calamari with lemon mayo and Humous with crudités and flatbread fit this idea perfectly. The steak main course is top notch. A perfectly cooked 9oz rib eye served with crisp fries. We kept up the Med theme with a hanging kebab - an eye-catching house speciality - this one the vegetarian Halloumi option, which is really soft, salty and delicious, served with a crisp side-salad.
We concluded the feast with a warm chocolate fudge cake and chocolate and praline mousse - thus destroying the dining on the Med theme a bit!
So loved the live music and adored the friendly attentiveness of the staff. The Botanist certainly grows on you pretty rapidly. At weekends it opens until 2am. Can’t wait. We’ll definitely be back.
Janet Reeder was a guest of The Botanist, 15 London Road, Alderley Edge
Cheshire SK9 7JT 01625 865 637
