Confidential discover a midday menu which works a treat
ARTISAN is a lesson in contrasts. Set in a sprawling warehouse space that straddles both sides of The Avenue North, this Spinningfields restaurant manages to be both industrial and intimate at once. Shelves of quirky curios section off the 12,000 sq-ft space, spanning glass vessels to horse head sculptures, while enormous artisanal lampshades cast a mellow glow.
Keep your eye out or ruthless dining companions will try and pinch
Naturally, art is a staple too: brick walls display JJ Adams’ acclaimed mixed media, Antony Gormley’s mesh figures hung suspended outside and even the ladies’ loo boasts an imposing Mona Lisa.
It’s an impressive space but, as Confidential discovered on popping in for an impromptu midday meal, Artisan boasts some impressive prices too. And by that we mean remarkably good value. At just £11.95, the light lunch menu is available every weekday from midday to 5pm and includes two courses - even mussels (main image) make an appearance.
Naturally, we took advantage. After being whisked upstairs and seated on a bright window-side table overlooking the theatre kitchen, it wasn’t long before we were tucking into our starters.
Again, the contrasts. In one salad, salty prosciutto was offset by refreshing chucks of watermelon and a tangy beetroot side while the other paired asparagus with a deceptively creamy broccomoli dip. If you fancy something a bit more substantial, there’s also flatbread with dips (wood-fired dishes being an Artisan speciality) and our final starter of gnocchi. These ingenious little dumplings - pan-fried and crisped to perfection - come with an earthy medley of radish, broad beans and edamame. Verdict? Lovely jubbly.
Prompt service meant we didn’t have to wait too long for mains, which again displayed those important little touches. Baked mussels went hand in hand with their white wine and tomato companions, sat on a bed of fregula with a sprinkle of fresh coriander. Half roast chicken, meanwhile, boasted a crisp herby skin and came with some moreish matchstick fries (keep your eye out or ruthless dining companions will try and pinch)
Last but certainly not least, ‘healthy salad’ lived up to its name yet managed to avoid being boring, with a patchwork of texture and colour: golden and candy beets, spinach, avocado and couscous with a handful of crunchy chia seeds and a drizzle of walnut dressing. If that all sounds a bit herbivorous, worry not as it comes with a choice of salmon, chicken or tender beef.
Other options include short rib burger and inca tomato, smoked aubergine puree and fresh basil open sandwich with sweet potato fries - but unfortunately we had no room.
A good excuse, then, to nip back pronto… Artisan’s lunch deal is a steal indeed.
Artisan, The Avenue, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
Photo Credit: Georgie Glass
