Ahead of its 10th anniversary next year, The Botanist Sloane Square reopens its doors to reveal its opulent new interior and introduce its brilliant new menu, thereby securing its place as Chelsea’s buzziest drinking and dining hotspot.
The stunning refurbishment from Russell Sage Studio has created a venue with two distinct spaces, between the sumptuous restaurant and bar areas. The light and elegant dining room in soft lilac, rose and spearmint tones, with its iconic chandeliers, creates the perfect backdrop to the brasserie-style dining experience whilst the art-deco style bar against the modern, emblematic watercolour wall treatment evokes a sleek and sultrier vibe. Tropical prints and botanical tiles unite the two spaces and are an homage to famous botanist and Chelsea resident, Sir Hans Sloane.
Modern Menus
New Head Chef, Ameya Bhalekar (34 Mayfair, The Savoy, High Road House) has created an all-day menu that takes diners from breakfast to dinner with refined modern European dishes featuring the best of the UK’s heritage breeds and responsibly sourced fish.
Starters include classics like oak smoked Scottish salmon, and prawn and avocado cocktail, as well as beautifully original dishes including bass ceviche with citrus, pickled onion, jalapeño and sweet potato or scallops with burnt cauliflower purée and crispy serrano ham. Signature mains revolve around grilled meats, fresh fish and classic dishes, all of which showcase the high quality and responsibly-sourced base ingredients. Grills include perfectly cooked sirloin and hanger steaks, exquisite fish plates such as tuna with pinto beans and sweetcorn, and perennially popular classics like schnitzel Holstein with egg anchovies and capers or crab linguine with chilli oil.
Breakfast and brunch dishes range from the more exotic coconut and chia seed pots with fresh mango, passion fruit and quinoa and egg white omelettes through to modern interpretations of brunch staples such as avocado on charcoal bread, shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, chili and feta or ricotta pancakes with bacon, berries and maple syrup.
The bar menu, available all day, features canapés and lighter bites ideal for grazing. Choices include buttermilk chicken with ranch dressing, mixed sashimi, steak tartare and oysters.
Sip & Be Seen
The striking bar area provides a contrasting ambience to the elegant restaurant. With its statement overhanging light installation, the art-deco style bar provides a sumptuous backdrop for twilight mingling. Discerning drinkers can perch in comfort on the leather-luxe high-stools around the bar and see and be seen courtesy of large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Square.
An array of artfully-crafted cocktails embraces the botanical theme by using natural ingredients; drinks are served in stylish glassware with picturesque garnishes including fresh pansies. Visitors will revel in discovering innovative creations such as the Gin & The Bean Stalk, a mix of gin, green chartreuse, absinthe, sugar snap peas and lemon, and Down by the River, an herbaceous shake-up of vodka, Belsazar white vermouth, Strega liquor, basil and celery. Playful serves such as the Knickerbocker, a mix of Santa Teresa Claro rum, Cointreau, raspberries, marshmallows and lime has been created with indulgence in mind.
Bubbles are as much a focal point as the botanical imbibes, with a list that runs the gamut from the major champagne houses and Grandes Maisons through to varietals from boutique, family-run vineyards. The wine list, featuring over 20 by the glass, has been carefully curated to complement the food, whilst hop lovers can opt for ETM’s Long Arm Lucky Penny pale ale or Lagunits IPA on draught, or choose from a range of craft and premium brews and ciders, bottled or on tap.
Whether catching up over cocktails at the bar, or savouring the delicious new menu items, The Botanist Sloane Square is back as the place to be in Chelsea.