With the international day of love right around the corner now, it only seems right that The Botanist – a chain that’s been known for its imaginative food and drink creations for quite some time now – would be one to launch an impressive array of dishes for those looking to celebrate the special day with some proper good comfort food.
The popular chain – which has a number of restaurants in Greater Manchester, and across the North West region – says its Valentine’s menu has been designed for “savouring the moment together”.
This is probably why all the dishes on the one-day-only lineup is especially for two people.
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The Botanist has launched a date night menu that’s available on Valentine’s Day only / Credit: The Botanist
Available to tuck into only on Valentine’s Day (Wednesday 14 February) itself, couples can begin their night with a refreshing strawberry and elderflower mojito on their arrival, followed by a whole melted camembert baked in a sourdough loaf and accompanied by a sweet onion marmalade and crispy garlic croutons to start.
Of course, Valentine’s Day at The Botanist wouldn’t be complete without those three little words… ‘famous hanging kebabs’.
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For thee main course, the sharing kebab includes either chicken, lamb kofta, and Thai red prawn, or the vegetarian option of crispy halloumi, teriyaki mushroom, and vegan meatball, on a triple-skewer rack, and served with coleslaw, houmous, and flatbread.
The menu is made up entirely of sharing dishes for two people / Credit: The Botanist
Then, to finish things off and satisfy those sugar cravings is The Botanist’s signature warm cookie dough, which is served with a choice of either s’mores, Oreo, Crunchie, or salted pretzel toppings, and is topped off a scoop of vanilla ice cream – and two spoons, obviously.
Talented mixologists have also created a love-inspired cocktail menu especially for the night in collaboration with Channel 4 show First Dates, and the drinks are available in all 24 of The Botanist bars across the UK.
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Live music will soundtrack the Valentine’s Day evening too, with talented resident musicians performing from 7pm onwards.
The Botanist’s ‘Valentines Date Night’ menu is available on Wednesday 14 February, and will only set you back £30 per person for three courses and a cocktail.
All First Dates collaboration drinks are priced separately at £9.25 each.
The standard menu is also available alongside for those who fancy their favourite Botanist dishes.
Featured Image – The Botanist
Food & Drink
Manchester’s first banana pudding bar has opened in the city centre
Clementine Hall
Make sure to save room for pudding…because one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands has found a new home.
Buttercup launched last summer, creating little pots of the hit US dessert made famous by the iconic Magnolia Bakery.
Each dessert features vanilla custard whipped with cream, soft sponge, and fresh banana, which you can then customise with rotating flavours and toppings.
And after a brief disappearance from the Manchester foodie scene, Buttercup is back with a bang with their beautiful new home on Deansgate.
Images: The Manc Group
And when we say beautiful, we really mean it.
Glossy burgundy tiles, butter yellow walls and sleek chrome furniture make up the space beneath the huge arched window, and there’s even a few seats for you to enjoy your pud and watch the world go by.
Open daily from 10am til 10pm, the menu includes three puddings on rotation ready to scoop.
Images: The Manc Group
Choose from the classic banana, indulgent tiramisu and an ever-changing seasonal special, alongside a wall of toppings for you to customise your own pud.
Each recipe has been perfected in-house and the proof really is in the banana pudding…because it tastes just as good as it looks.
Since launching, Buttercup has served around 50,000 puddings, hosted sell-out pop-ups across the city, collaborated with some huge brands, and built a loyal following around its signature build-your-own pudding bar.
Image: The Manc Group
With this new standalone space, you’ll of course be able to indulge in its signature banana pudding, as well as breakfast yoghurt bowls, coffee and matcha.
Officially opening tomorrow Saturday 26 September, the first 50 customers will get a free topping and sauce with the purchase of any pudding, plus a free lip gloss from Manchester-born beauty brand REFY.
‘Remember to support genuine independents’ – Manchester’s rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe announces closure
Emily Sergeant
Rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe has called final orders on its time at popular city centre hangout, Side Street.
Serving some of the best rotisserie chicken in Manchester – ‘sexy chicken’, if you will – Tartuffe first landed at Side Street inside the ABC Building back in the later summer of 2024, and quickly became known and loved by critics and customers alike for not just their rotisserie options, but also their stylish bar snacks and standout sides.
But despite being a roaring success these past two years, Tartuffe took to social media this week to announce the end of the ‘longest pop-up ever’, with its final service being tomorrow (25 September).
Tartuffe will be leaving Side Street this Friday / Credit: The Manc Group
Announcing its closure on Instagram, Tartuffe wrote: “That’s right, our time at Side Street has come to an end and our final service here is this Friday.
“It’s been an incredible two and a half years cooking for the wonderful people of Manchester and we’re hugely thankful to everyone who’s been to see us whilst we’ve been here.
“Another big thanks to the staff at Side Street who we’ve loved working with. We’ve made some great friends and worked with some absolutely brilliant people.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2024 
