New Summer Menu Launch at Artezzan Restaurant and Bar. #Blog

Briony Wilson
9th May 2023

There is nothing the TC Team love more than an invite to try a new menu, so last week we were very excited to visit Artezzan Restaurant and Bar for the launch of their Spring / Summer menu, developed by Executive Chef Lee Adams and Head Chef Jade Cheema.

The new menu has been created to evoke memories of beach holidays, sunset meals and cocktails by the sea, whilst showcasing the best fresh, seasonal produce that Cheshire has to offer. This new menu has so many highlights and between us we could only try so many dishes, I’ll fill you in on our chosen dishes below, but our wonderful waitress told us we also had to mention their new take on a Caesar salad, served with a chicken Milanese, smoked pancetta and their house dressing and the Greek lamb kofta complete with freshly baked flat bread. Not forgetting the star of the show – baked lobster, smothered in rich tomato, basil and garlic butter, served with skinny, seaweed salt fries. But don’t worry guest favourites like the Grand Carbonara and grilled souvlaki still remain on the menu.

As you walk through the doors at Artezzan you feel like you’ve been whisked away from Chester and off to somewhere sunny on the Med, so like any other trip here we had to start with a few cocktails just like you would on holiday. Taking this as inspiration, there are some great new frozen additions – I went for the Sorrento Lemon Gimlet, perfectly refreshing with just the right balance between tangy and sweet. Tori went for a playful classic the Lemon and Lavender Martini made with one of our favourite local Producers Three Wrens Lemon Verbena Gin and a aquafaba lavender foam.

This is not our first trip to Artezzan and we are very aware of the generous portion sizes, so we decided to make the most of as many of the new pinchos as possible rather than the Starters, in order to save room for mains. Pinchos are the perfect start and great to share, we went with GNUDI, Fried goat’s cheese, ricotta and Gran Moravia cheese with basil pesto; well who cant resist a ball of cheesy goodness and the pesto complimented this perfectly. GREEK BAKED CHICKEN WINGS in wild garlic marinade with fresh mint; not something I would normally go for, but the meat feel off the bone it was so tender and perfectly seasoned. You can’t visit Artezzan without having a CROQUETTE (CHORIZO & MANCHEGO) with a smoked paprika aioli; on this occasion – these scream summer and they are so indulgent being cheesy and meaty. Finally on recommendation from our waitress the GRILLED HALLOUMI with pomegranate molasses, pomegranate seeds, mint and harissa yoghurt. This is much lighter than the previous halloumi pinchos being grilled not fried and the sauce magic, the description does not do it justice and is something everyone must try at least once.

The menu is vast and truly there is something for everyone. Being someone who studies a menu before visiting a restaurant there was easily 9 dishes I shortlisted to pick from on the night, but first we had a nose at everything coming off the pass- there is nothing worse than food envy of the person sitting next to you.

After much deliberation I went for the LOBSTER & PRAWN LINGUINI; in a rich tomato and lobster bisque sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and tarragon. As a city so close to the sea its so surprising how few restaurants in the area offer good seafood dishes, and this did not disappoint. The lobster tail was juicy and flavourful and elevated the rich tomato sauce, but there was no competition within this dish everything complimented each other in every bite.

Tori went for the HOME SMOKED SALMON PAPPARDELLE with a creamy white wine sauce, fresh tarragon, and sweet garden peas. Topped with a soft poached egg. The presentation of this dish was beautiful, and really exemplified a summer menu. Powerful flavour but very well-balanced dish. Alongside our mains we went for a lovely bottle of wine recommended by Chris, given we were both having fish and pasta. It was a perfect accompaniment, very light and refreshing we can certainly recommend.

Despite our well-intentioned plan with the pinchos, we did not have any room for dessert, but since our visit we have heard great reviews about the Tiramisu. We instead opted for a drink from the something sweet menu. The COCOA & CHERRY SMOKED MANHATTAN, is not just a show stopper in terms of presentation this was exactly what I wanted at the end of a rich meal, made from Woodford Reserve, cherry brandy, blue curaçao and cherry syrup smoked in a cloche with apple wood chips, I cannot recommend this drink highly enough for any whiskey fans. Tori finishes with an ANDALUSIAN SKYLINE, another delicious cocktail showcasing another wonderful local gin Kingdom Recommends Lychee Gin, blue Curaçao, lemon juice, apple juice and aquafaba. This drink screams cocktail by the beach and perfect sweet finish to a meal.

On the back new menu launch comes amazing news that the restaurant has been shortlisted for Newcomer of the year at the 2023 Catey Awards. The internationally renowned awards, viewed by many as the Oscars of the hospitality industry, recognise the best of British hospitality, with the winners being announced at an awards ceremony in London on 4th July. Operations Director Jim Dorrington said, “To be shortlisted for a Catey Award whilst launching this menu is such a testament to the hard work and dedication our whole team has to delivering a consistently great Artezzan experience”.