Wild Artichokes Devon

A pothole‑riddled lane on a small industrial estate in Kingsbridge is not where you'd expect to find an epicentre of extravagant feasting. Yet, as soon as guests step over the threshold at Wild Artichokes, they get the sense of being part of an exclusive secret dining club.

The venue is run by two dynamic foodies: chef, cookbook author and The Guardian columnist Jane Baxter (The Carved Angel and Riverford Field Kitchen) and Sam Miller (Riverford Field Kitchen) who has had a stellar career in the hospitality industry.

Guests are seated next to new faces who usually become new friends by the end of the meal.

‘Time and time again we witness a natural ease develop round the table with guests bonding over shared experiences and laughing with a shared sense of humour,’ says Sam. ‘It often results in hugs, swapping of email addresses and a promise to reunite in the future.’

The set seasonal menu is designed for sharing and comprises half a dozen starters which include the likes of smoked salmon okonomiyaki, one main course such as partridge served with an array of vegetable dishes, and a trio of puddings.

‘Over the years, many of our customers have become our friends,’ says Sam. ‘It's almost as if an ownership and a pride in being part of the WA family starts to emerge, and they come to eat “with us” rather than just going out.

‘There's something so special about the love and appreciation we feel from diners at the end of a busy night, which means a lot to our small, finely tuned and hard‑working team. I think it's why we do it.’