survey result

Summary

£123
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant.....and tucked away in sleepy Amersham”; Laurie Gear’s “classy” venue is celebrating over 20 years in its sixteenth-century grade II listed site in Old Amersham (although it took Michelin until 2019 to cotton on and give it a star). It is one of the most commented-on venues in our annual diners’ poll on the fringes of the capital. “Stunning”, relatively traditional cuisine is “served by people who actually understand the job of hospitality”, in a Scandi-influenced interior.

Summary

£98
 ££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Laurie Gear’s “exceptional restaurant nestling in Old Amersham” has been “a favourite for two decades” and – having opened in 2002 – was “belatedly awarded a Michelin star” in 2019. “The best restaurant for miles” in this part of the outer burbs, it is one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. One or two reports did include some ‘rough edges’ this year (“a return to form after a former disappointment…”; “a couple of dishes were odd, but never boring!”) but the main theme was of “divine” food, “exceptional value tasting menus” and “delightful matching wines”, all delivered by “attentive and knowledgeable staff”. “I almost hate to give a good review as more people will find this true gem!”

Summary

£93
 ££££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“At last the French tyre company and restaurant guide has come to its senses” and in 2019 finally awarded a star to Laurie Gear and his team: recognition that had been bizarrely lacking for so many years. A characterful location in Old Amersham, “it’s a lovely small place where you’re made to feel very much at home”. The main attraction, though, is cuisine showing “a positive attitude to developing new dishes and combinations of flavours and ingredients”“not cheap, but very memorable”.

Summary

£93
 ££££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Laurie Gear and his team never fail to delight in this French fine dining establishment”: a “small and intimate” haunt in a characterful part of Old Amersham, where “the best seats are downstairs by the kitchen where you can witness how hard and skilfully the chefs work”. For many years now, the opinion has been widespread that its “impeccable” cuisine and “warm and welcoming” service were being inexplicably ignored by the tyre men, but in October 2019 Michelin finally gave way and gave it its long overdue recognition with the award of a star.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Artichoke?

Owner's description

Laurie and his wife Jacqueline opened the Artichoke Restaurant in 2002 and have taken it from strength to strength, creating an innovative space offering modern creative cuisine with personable service. Having achieved early acclaim, the Artichoke has gone on to win an array of prestigious awards and accolades, which include The Good Food Guide’s Best New Entry 2011, a rising star in the Michelin Guide for 2011 and was extremely proud to be named the AA Restaurant of the Year for England 2013/2014 and awarded Three Rosettes. Currently listed 28th in the Good Food Guide’s Top 50 UK Restaurants for 2015 with a Cooking Score of 7/10 and listed 9th in UK’s Best Restaurant BMW Square Meal 2015. We are also very happy to have been voted one of the UK's top 30 French Restaurants 2015 in Harden's. The restaurant was extended into the adjoining building in May 2011, which ironically was the scene of a devastating fire in June 2008, which forced Laurie and Jacqueline to close the Artichoke for 18 months to rebuild the property to its former 16th Century glory. The interior was designed by Fiona Johnston Parke from the Award winning Emily Todd Hunter, who combined the original features of the building with Scandinavian inspired interiors, in memory of Laurie’s time spent at Noma; with muted grey tones and accents of amethyst, which create a seamless, comfortable but stylish extension of the original building. Now the Artichoke offers three dining areas including a Private Dining Room with its own wine cellar, the Kitchen Dining Room with an open Pass, and the Garden Room, with a view onto a botanical “living wall” of herbs. Laurie’s innovative cooking showcases well sourced ingredients, changing with the seasons, using highly dedicated producers. The open kitchen with its willow resin screen offers the opportunity to experience the culinary theatre of the Pass. The collection of expressive menus include an approachable set lunch, an intriguing five courses Tasting Menu, and a eight courses Tasting Menu as well as the three courses, The Artichoke Menu. Dishes focus on flavour, presentation and taste combinations, often inspired by time spent with Rene Redzepi at the legendary Noma during the enforced closure. The notable wine list features forward thinking winemakers and local ales with all tasting menus offering eclectic wine pairings, chosen by Restaurant Manager/Sommelier Valentin Le Bouter, combined with the open pass and the ultimate Chefs’ tables, the Artichoke offers a unique fine dining experience.

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Lunch   £80.00
Dinner   £85.00
  Cost Availability Courses
Menu1 68.50 Lunch only 6
Menu2 105.00 Always available 8
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £35.00
Filter Coffee £6.50
Extras  
Service 12.50%

Restaurant details

Highchair
12
No shorts
42
12

Private dining

Our Private Dining Room

Situated on the first floor, this beautiful self-contained dining area offers a wonderful view overlooking the historical Market Town of Old Amersham.

In conjunction with the prestigious Charles Heidsieck Champagne House and wine merchants Liberty Wines, we are delighted to introduce Charles Heidsieck Champagne to our Private Dining Room packages at The Artichoke.

Charles Heidsieck is one of the great names of Champagne and produces some of the finest Champagne wines...

 The Story

Started in 1851, the foundation of its modern fame rests on the work done by winemaker Daniel Thibault, whose style has come to define ‘Charles’. Thibault died in 2002 and was succeeded by his assistant Régis Camus. Between them they have won the ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge an unrivalled 13 times. Thierry Roset is the current Chef de Cave, working with Camus. He has been with the house for more than 20 years and continues the approach that has driven their success - the relentless pursuit of quality. The base wines are made from a selection of the region‘s best vineyards. Charles Heidsieck benefit from the largest collection of reserve wines in Champagne.

 Our exquisite Private Dining Room comfortably seats 8-12 guests creating a memorable and intimate atmosphere for those extra-special occasions. Designed with luxury in mind, the elegant setting is synonymous with the high quality of Charles Heidsieck Champagne.

 With its flexible layout, and dedicated waiting staff, the Private Dining Room is idyllic for a unique dining experience, corporate business lunch or special family celebrations. Tailored menus and strikingly backlit with its own chilled wine cellar will ensure all personal choices are catered for. To create the perfect, relaxed and enjoyable experience, flowers and decorations can also be sourced for a personalised dining package.

 We have specially devised four dining options for our Private Dining Room to allow you to truly relax and enjoy your private dining experience all served with a chilled glass of Charles Heidsieck Champagne straight from our exclusive Wine Cellar.

 *Tasting Menu Package

- to celebrate the ingredients of the season and accompanied by a collection of delightful wines.

 champagne upon arrival, tasting menu with wines to accompany, sparkling and still mneral water, coffee / tea and infusions served with handmade petit fours

 £230.00 per person £145.00 per person without the matching wine flight

 *Three Course a la Carte Menu Package (choice of three dishes per course) 

with a complimentary amuse bouche and pre dessert

- to include a glass of champagne upon arrival, sparkling and still mineral water, coffee / tea and infusions served with handmade petit fours

 £115.00 per person 

(optional wine pairing also available - for this option pre-orders of dishes are required)

 English cheeses selected instead of dessert come at a £7.00 supplement 

- as an additional course £14.50

As with all of our Menus a 12.5% discretionary service charge will be added to the bill.

Please, note there is no room hire charge, but a minimum spend of £1,200.00 at lunch time and £1,600.00 at dinner time. 

Please, note that a deposit is required to reserve the Private Room, which is non refundable with less than one month's notice for cancellation. With less than one week's notice the full package will be payable.

Please, contact our Private Dining Coordinator Ilenia Loguercio to discuss your requirements and availability via e-mail : reservations@artichokerestaurant.co.uk

9 Market Sq, Amersham, HP7 0DF
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Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday6:15 pm‑11 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3 pm, 6:15 pm‑11 pm
Friday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Saturday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
SundayCLOSED

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