Coastal Cuisine: Wild Artichokes, Kingsbridge

This pop-up restaurant and catering business combines the knowledge and skills of chef and food writer Jane Baxter (Leon, Riverford Field Kitchen) and events manager Sam Miller. Specialising in sharing plates, dining at Wild Artichokes is a tapas-style experience, where the whole venue eats together, sampling every delicious dish that comes to the table. Look out for pop-ups over the summer in South Devon, or book them to cater at your own venue.

 

Vegetables get just as much attention as meat or fish with the Wild Artichokes menu. Making use of seasonal and locally sourced food, you will find original recipes that you probably won’t have tried anywhere else. Some of my favourite starters from our feast included truffle arancini and okonomiyaki (a Japanese pancake). For mains I loved the Slapton clams with wild garlic and white beans, and salt-baked salmon with aioli. Desserts were divine, and we got to try three between diners on our table, a system I love: a perfect pear and almond tart, a pavlova and a delicious plum crumble. 

 

Relaxed and friendly, the pop-ups are great places to meet new people and make friends. We loved chatting to the people we shared a table with, and our conversation added to our dining experience. 

 

Not from the Kingsbridge headquarters, but plans are afoot for waterside venues over the summer. 

 

A three-course menu costs a very reasonable £35 a head. 

 

Always check online for feasting times. To book, visit wildartichokes.co.uk.