Turkey hanging kebabs, and pies topped with pigs in blankets are just some of the dishes on The Botanist’s new winter menu.
The Botanist may have been known for its imaginative food and drink creations for quite some time now, its new winter menu for 2023 is something else – with everything from indulgent sharing boards, oozy Camembert bread loaves, and mouthwatering twists on Christmas classics on the lineup to choose from.
Described as being “comfort food to indulge in as the winter chill creeps in”, The Botanist‘s new limited-edition seasonal menu has been expertly-crafted by the chain’s in-house chefs, with diners told to expect every dish to have been “created lovingly” from scratch.
So, what’s on the lineup for the festive season then?
The Botanist has launched its festive food and drink menu for the winter season / Credit: Supplied
Well for starters, there’s a whole melted camembert baked inside a sourdough loaf, with sweet onion marmalade and served with crispy garlic croutons to dip in.
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For those feeling a little indecisive, there’s a new ‘Hot Board’ that comes with tater tot poutine, Cumberland scotch eggs, halloumi fries, salt and pepper chicken wings, and chicken katsu bites, as well as a vegan version with bang bang cauliflower, giant couscous, houmous with roasted chickpeas, vegan meatballs in marinara sauce, and crispy mushrooms.
But, of course, it wouldn’t be The Botanist without those famous hanging kebabs, right?
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And thankfully, there’s a new seasonal special to get stuck into this year – with orange and cranberry glazed turkey, stuffing, and pigs in blankets, served with all the trimmings and a pot of gravy to drizzle down the kebab.
There’s turkey hanging kebabs, pies topped with pigs in blankets, and more / Credit: Supplied
Another showstopping main dish available right up until Christmas is the turkey ‘pie of the day’, which is topped with a giant pig in blanket, and served with mashed potato, cranberry sauce, crispy sage, and lashings of gravy on the side.
There’s also a new prawn linguine, a spicy coconut sweet potato pie, a sweet potato and goat’s cheese tart, butternut squash soup, chicken and liver brandy pate, and even a tear-and-share garlic fougasse bread.
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Those with a sweet tooth haven’t been forgotten either, as the restaurant’s signature cookie dough has had a seasonal update too to create a new S’mores option that’s topped with toasted marshmallows and chocolate brownie chunks, and finished off with a biscuit crumb.
There’s also a Salted Caramel Pretzel version too that comes with a sticky and sweet butterscotch sauce, and lots of salted pretzel pieces.
“This time of year is all about celebration and enjoying good food with loved ones,” explained James Scott, who is the Executive Chef at The Botanist.
“With this menu we wanted to showcase a modern take on feel-good comfort food with festive flavours, offering our diners a seasonal update to the signature dishes they’ve come to know and love when visiting our restaurants.”
The Botanist’s new winter menu is now available to indulge in at all Greater Manchester locations, with dishes starting from £7.25 for starters, £13.95 for mains, and £5.25 for desserts.
Featured Image – Supplied
Food & Drink
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.