9 Market Sq, Amersham, HP7 0DF
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A classic, inspired menu is served in a lovely dining room on Old Amersham’s beautiful high street and supported by a great wine list” at Laurie & Jacqueline Gear’s 16th-century converted cottage. It waited almost 17 years for its Michelin star – having been founded in 2002 and winning the accolade in 2019 – and cynics say it’s “consistently good even after the award!” delivering “fantastic food, year after year”. “Prices are reasonable for the quality with dishes embellished with flair and complemented by the polite and engaged staff”. Many best meals of the last 12 months are reported here, and one reporter thought it “as enjoyable as any restaurant we have tried in the past three or four years”. It’s one of the top-50 most commented-on destinations outside London in our annual diners’ poll.
Summary
“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
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
“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”.
For 34 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).
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Owner's description
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £55.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £95.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 95.00 | Lunch only | 6 |
| Menu2 | 130.00 | Always available | 9 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.50 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
Artichoke Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Delightful tasting menu (lunchtime) and superb advice from the very helpful and chatty sommelier. A nice treat and all staff really keen to make sure you are having a good time "
"Ensure your table is downstairs for more of the ambience. We have been several times, it is all good without being exceptional, and the prices keep going up - especially given tasting menu only options most days of the week."
"A disappointing dinner on our visit several years after we quite liked the place. Although the staff were ok it had rather a corporate feel to the place, after visiting many other restaurants the "snacks" start to the menu was very sparse and the following dishes also seemed lacking the spark we look for in "starred" establishments, certainly at the price. "
9 Market Sq, Amersham, HP7 0DF
| Number of Diners: | |
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Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6:15 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6:15 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
