Tucked away in the heart of Dorset, just a short distance from both Bournemouth and Poole, Thirteen is a family-run restaurant showcasing the very best local and seasonal ingredients in its menus. Head chef Alex Naik, has teamed up with his sister Frances, their parents, and co-owners Hem and Elisabeth to bring you artful and creative dishes.
Sleek and stylish, you’ll find several intimate tables dotted round the space, with a six-seater chef’s table that offers a front row seat to the kitchen, allowing you to watch as dishes are deftly crafted right in front of your eyes. Framed photos don the walls, adding to the cosy feel, with books and jars of spices lining the shelves above the bar.
When it comes to dining at Thirteen, it’s all about the tasting menus. Its signature thirteen-course option is a favourite, showcasing innovative techniques and freshly foraged ingredients that reflect the restaurant's ethos of seasonality and sustainability. Dishes are ever-changing but could include jerusalem artichoke tartlet with pickled shallots, marmite glazed ox tongue with celeriac, new venison tartare topped with quails yolk, or pan fried cod with langoustine in a saffron bisque.
For those visiting for lunch or looking for something lighter during the week, you can expect a 6.5 plate menu, with dishes such as roasted guinea fowl with confit leg and offal pie, or south coast cod with langoustine tortellini and crispy sea cabbage. Each tasting menu comes with the option to add optional wine pairings, with expertly recommended glasses to partner each course, and elevate the experience further.
Come Sunday, guests can pick and choose from the a la carte, delving into roast rib of beef, with all the trimmings of a classic roast, or poached Devonian skate with hasselback potatoes, chicken skin scraps and a peppercorn fish cream.