Botanic — Restaurant in Nerja

OK, let's mention the acoustics. With the concertina roof closed, Botanic can get noisy, especially with music, rain, a fountain tinkling into a pool of water, and business meetings taking place. Once the floor had filled up a little, the soundscape relented; by then we'd almost reached a finale. Did it spoil our evening? A resounding : NO.

Botanic is a luxury venue serving tapas dishes in the smart streetside bar - all from the a la carte - and in the extended rear restaurant a small menu allows skill and precision to prevail in satisfying appetites. The surroundings are Moorish influenced, as if you are dining in the Jardin de Caliphs, a water fountain & pool, hanging flowers, geometric artwork, rough hewn brickwork sprouting from the Andalusian whitewash. Ironed table cloths. Staff in matching uniforms. The dainty, helpful waitresses corralled by front of house Borja, keeping us relaxed and happy.

And the food? Wow. Wow. Crisp tempura battered langoustines to share, flecked with avocado cream with a hint of chilli. A lush prawn curry with delicately fragrant jasmine rice. A tender lamb shank. A veal cultet with marrow and truffle. Enate Cabernet-Merlot to drink. Deserts too good to describe so here's a picture of my divine white chocolate brownie. Everything sublime.

There's competition for this kind of fare in Nerja, but with summer coming, I'm wishing Botanic...

Very overpriced for a slow service and hospital-like tasting food! The menu is very pretentious but obviously the kitchen staff is not professional- no chef should serve insipid vegetables, foie with veins, etc. Dishes are not thought through- why would you place a slice of bread under the meat??? You can’t cut it all at once, it absorbs all juices and makes no sense on the plate. Or why would you sprinkle ají all over your tuna?? It’s way too spicy and also marinated in soja for way too long. Save yourself the time and money and go for nice dinner anywhere else… he’ll, right in front of it there’s an awesome place called Único which is more humble but muuuch better. Stay well away, maybe it’s nice for cocktails or a drink as the interior is fab but...

Have eaten twice in the main restaurant and had drinks many times in the front part. Despite the food being nice, the service is awful, and I mean awful. The first time we ate we gave them the benefit of the doubt as they had a large table in and all staff seemed to be pandering to their attention, but the second time was no different. We had to chase for drinks, never offered dessert or coffees, chased twice for the bill. The front part of the restaurant never has this problem, with staff always helpful and efficient. Needless to say i won't be eating in here again, although I will eat in their sister restaurant "playa y sol" on burriana beach, which also has great food but has great...