HERE ARE the pictures from the big new food and drink summer opening, Artisan.

This is a Living Ventures' (Australasia, Oast House, Alchemist, Grill on the Alley) operation and extends across the whole first floor of the former Manchester House (now called Tower 12) on Bridge Street. It has almost 290 covers across 12,000 sq ft. 

Thomas has delivered an eclectic and exuberant menu that involves lots of fire and fish nailed to planks of wood.

There's art for sale from the Manchester-based Buy Art Fair people and a look that's been described as 'Romantic Industrial'. No, honestly.

The food comes from Dylan Thomas (since it opened in the last week of June literally every single joke reference to the legendary Welsh drinker (er...writer) has been done, so don't bother). 

Thomas has delivered an eclectic and exuberant menu that involves lots of fire, fish nailed to planks of wood, pizzas, rib-eye steaks, salads, little bites and puddings layered like mountain ranges. 

The opening event depicted here in all it's fleshly Manchester glory was huge fun.

Now it's down to business for Artisan as it attempts to fill the huge space with panting punters. Given it had almost six hundred through on Saturday evening it seems to be achieving that already.

You can follow Lottie on Twitter @lottiemoore

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