Reviews

‘It’s rare for a chef to recommend a rival restaurant. But Raymond Blanc, a restaurateur with nothing to prove, has done so with Artichoke. The proprietors are a young couple, Laurie and Jacqueline Gear, who have built a country restaurant showcasing food that provides original touches on classic fare. After losing everything in a devastating fire two years ago, they have since rebuilt the restaurant and have successfully lured customers back. In reach of London, it’s a gem of a place and worth the trip, as Raymond Blanc would testify.’
British Airways High Life Magazine, July 2010

'The tiny room is a deft mix of olde worlde and crisp newness ….the effect is of right place, right time. My starter is sumptuous: lightly curried scallops, pickled carrot and coriander... the others opt for young beets , Shepton’s goat cheese ….which has an eye popping beetroot sorbet, English rose veal Holstein …it’s a bit like a millionaires fried breakfast. Each main is perfectly balanced - duck with soft apple sauce and wintery vegetables: lamb with creamy cauliflower, garlic and aubergine and a superb piece of bass ...  the puddings ... are all exemplary.  Even the petits fours are fabulous.  Artichoke is serious without being pompous.  I advise visiting before you can’t get a table at all.  If necessary, move into the neighbourhood.'
Lisa Markwell, The Independent on Sunday, 7 February 2010

'After an extensive 12-month rebuild overseen by English Heritage this lovely and cosy little restaurant is back in business. And now, chef-patron Laurie Gear, whose wife Jacqueline runs front of house, puts greater emphasis on British produce, much of it sourced from the surrounding Chilterns. His cooking has never been better – full of surprises and delights with an astute handling of ingredients.'
Humayun Hussein, The Guardian Guide, 9 January 2010

'We are delighted to see the reopening of an outstanding restaurant - at The Artichoke the Gears have created somewhere that achieves true gastronomic highs whilst keeping its feet firmly on the ground.
Amersham Life, December 2009

'Critics love the place ... Since the restaurant reopened this year after a fire, Gear has become even more passionate about using local produce. During the enforced sabbatical caused by the fire, he visited Noma in Copenhagen (recently ranked as third-best restaurant in the world), where the sous-chef is also a forager and the ethos is about getting the flavour of the local land into the dishes. Gear grew up in Lyme Regis, Dorset, and foraged for hazelnuts with his father as a child. He first made elderflower champagne at the age of 13. Next spring he plans to take his whole cooking team foraging for wild sorrel, mushrooms, elderberries and cobnuts.'
Viv Groskop, The Guardian, 12 November 2009

‘The Artichoke set out to be a good-quality neighborhood restaurant & it has never strayed from that path. From the amuse-bouches to delicate petits-fours, every mouthful is a joy.’
Fay Maschler, Evening Standard

‘The Artichoke is a smart outfit, the kind of restaurant you'd hope any fair-sized British town with a modicum of taste could support but, sadly, doesn't.’
Jay Rayner, The Observer