Breakfast at The Botanist, Cheltenham

One of my favourite things to do on the weekend (or any day of the week for that matter) is to go out for brunch. We are truly spoilt in Cheltenham and across the Cotswolds with food options. Choosing where to eat on a Saturday or Sunday morning can prove difficult with so much choice and that’s before you have to decide on what to eat from the array of delicious breakfast delights. So you can imagine my excitement when the team at The Botanist got in touch to tell me about the new breakfast menu that they’ve just launched and invited me along to try it…

AD – The Botanist kindly invited me along to try the new breakfast menu for free. All opinions are my own and my love for going out for breakfast is real.

My first experience at The Botanist was only early last month when they launched onto the Brewery Quarter scene. First impressions were good and the place was buzzing with locals who were all invited to check out the new bar on the block. This time round, I had the important job of choosing what to eat from their recently launched breakfast menu. Currently only being trialled in Cheltenham, we are the lucky ones who get to brunch in a beautiful botanical eatery.

Sunday morning, we were up and out of the house early to enjoy a much needed brunch date together. I had walked a few miles with the girls over Cleeve Hill the day before so a hearty breakfast was just what my stomach was calling out for. I’d had a brief look at the menu before our visit but as I’m usually so indecisive I knew that my choices would probably change. We were greeted with friendly faces and got to choose from a variety of places to sit, the bonus of turning up early perhaps.

Before we had taken off our coats we had made the most important decision – coffee.

A cappuccino for me and a latte for my man.

We perused the breakfast options over caffeine. Unfortunately, they had ran out of smashed avocado and pancakes (my first choices) so it was back to the drawing board. Plan B consisted of the Full English, a Cumberland Sausage Sandwich and the French Toast to tickle our sweet tooth.

I found myself exploring the restaurant whilst we waited for our food to arrive. Distractions to keep hanger at bay.

It’s all in the detail. From the gorgeous green plants to the beautiful light features, you can even rent out a separate space tucked out of sight for parties or events.

Moments after sitting back down at the table, our feast arrived and we couldn’t wait to tuck in.

Everything was cooked to perfection and served hot. The bacon was exactly how I like it, crispy! I usually opt for the veggie option as it tends to be less greasy, but this plate was an exception. For extra points, I would have liked a hash brown and/or a piece of toast to complete the dish. Of course I shared it with my man, who happily dived into his Cumberland sausage sandwich with a dollop of ketchup on the side.

Now, I don’t know about you but sometimes I find choosing between a savoury breakfast and a sweet one can be tricky. If you’re like me and need something sugary to finish off a main course, then perhaps do what we did and order a third dish*! The Nutella and Biscoff triple-layered French toast with caramelised banana and cinnamon butter was deliciously sweet and compensated for the pancakes that weren’t on offer.

*Sharing is optional.

Bellies full, we sat back and contemplated ordering a cheeky Bloody Mary. It was on the menu and thought it would be rude not to try one…

Can you believe that I’ve never actually tried a Bloody Mary before (!)

We were served up the Smoked garlic and rosemary option (medium spice for me). Presentation was spot on and for all you Bloody Mary fans out there, I think you’d love it. Perhaps not to my fussy taste buds (I’m a prosecco gal at heart), but if you’re looking for a drink to warm you up this winter, this is the one. Spicy but it won’t knock your socks off. They have the classic and red chilli versions on offer too, or perhaps you’ll join me in ordering a glass of Prosecco next time you pop in. I was too full of French Toast and Full English to finish mine, but cocktails over brunch with friends will have to be my next visit.

Whether you’re a Bloody Mary or Prosecco fan, this menu serves up a real treat. Why not make a date and book in for breakfast at The Botanist between 9am and 12pm on weekends or weekdays and try these dishes for yourself.