Promotion
THIS popular, open-plan urban loft in the heart of the city centre has recently undergone a ‘spring clean’ refurbishment, along with a refreshed food and drink menu. Since it opened in June 2013, Artisan has always been seen as an inexpensive, casual space to meet and eat, and a cool, lively hang-out for groups of friends and families alike. It’s a meeting place, a kitchen, lounge and bar, a place to enjoy good food and drink while listening to great music in a relaxed modern atmosphere.
Many dishes now incorporate lots of green leaves, fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and nourishing grains.
The new menu features naturally colourful dishes with a fresh marketplace feel. Many dishes now incorporate lots of green leaves, fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and nourishing grains. Customers can also enjoy a range of globally-inspired sharing platters with rustic flatbreads, wholesome main courses, seafood dishes or just some drink-friendly nibbles and snacks.
The unusual 20-foot bar serves handcrafted signature cocktails alongside cherry-picked bottled and canned beers, ciders, wines and premium spirits. Artisan has also introduced a refreshing selection of flavoured waters and homemade thirst-quenching ‘shrub’ syrups – many of which form a colourful display behind the bar.
Pineapple and Mint Infused Water
After a reviving jug of pineapple and mint infused water (plus an apricot and strawberry crush cocktail, for balance) we enjoyed a deliciously vibrant prosciutto and watermelon salad with beetroot dressing to start. We also tucked into a huge and generously summery garden board with fresh asparagus, hoummus, flatbread, summer greens, crunchy radishes and heritage beetroot.
Prosciutto and Watermelon Salad
With the weather outside being so changeable we weren’t sure whether to plump for a hearty main course such as confit duck leg with chickpea cassoulet, a Mediterranean-inspired chicken and chorizo flatbread with balsamic onions and smoked aubergine puree, or a superfood salad with golden beetroot, spinach, avocado and chia seeds.
Chickpea Cassoulet, Smoked Aubergine Puree and Flatbread
In the end, we decided on an (all-weather) open sandwich with slow cooked short rib and sweet potato fries and, from the list of main courses, salmon en papillote with Thai green curry, which tasted as good as it smelled as the bag was opened releasing its aromatic aroma.
Slow Cooked Short Rib Open Sandwich
We are never knowingly too full for pudding and Artisan’s new list of desserts continue the fresh garden theme with many incorporating wholesome fruit, nuts, herbs and honey to make sure you don’t feel too naughty. We couldn’t resist Italian pistachio meringue with lemon chantilly cream, berries, pomegranate and a striking drizzle of vinegar syrup. We also made room for vanilla, yoghurt and honey mousse with fresh berries which turned out to be a light panna cotta garnished with dried fruit and nuts.
Vanilla, Yoghurt and Honey Mousse
Whether you’re a regular visitor to Artisan or it’s been somewhere on your ‘must visit’ list for a while, we recommend that now is a great time to enjoy their brand new menu washed down with something cool and refreshing in this funky, relaxed and welcoming space.
