Get carried away (to the Mediterranean) at Artezzan, Chester. #Blog

Victoria Hayes
2nd July 2021

One word; beautiful.

A beautiful venue, light, airy, bringing that holiday feeling to the centre of Chester. There is an instant sense of relaxation from the moment you walk in. The cool blue colours invoke the Mediterranean and even the staff uniforms, crisp white shirts and blue jeans, suited managers in blue and grey suits, all tone into the summery feeling.

The huge windows fill the room with light, the excellent air conditioning is on, and beautiful wooden floor warms the room up again. 

We were seated in large comfortable sofa benches and the table was already set with crisp white linen napkins, light blue and white side plates and sparkling glasses and cutlery.

The menu is in itself, a treat. With a gorgeous deep blue cover, each section is clearly marked with a special ‘ocean page’ so it is easy to find the different options. It is a huge menu. The range of choice is incredible.  From starters, to pizzas, to land, sea, garden, and sweets.

We particularly love the pinchos, which, if you are not familiar with them, are small taster dishes, designed to be enjoyed with a glass of wine. I could instantly see myself regularly popping in after work for a glass and these small plates of heaven.

We selected to try the light and crisp pancetta and Manchego croquettes, the Moroccan spiced lamb, the albondigas (meatballs) and the mozzarella, prosciutto, and basil. Every bite was delicious, flavourful and each plate was beautifully presented. The albondigas came with a moreish parmesan crisp. The croquette with a homemade aioli which was so creamily fabulous we almost wiped the pattern off the dish making sure we swiped up every last drop.

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Greedily we also ordered starters. How could we resist. Everything on the enticing menu sounded so delightful. More meatballs and croquettes for the boys who loved the pinchos so much, they had to have more. Crispy, lightly seasoned calamari for me served with black olives and homemade tzatziki. Briony went for the scallops which were beautifully pan seared and served with rich parsnip puree and crisp pancetta. Clean plates all around.

It is not often everyone in our party of four has all good things to say. This was a rarity. And we were about to be bowled over even further.

Our companion ordered the Carbonara, and our dining experience was immediately elevated from thoroughly enjoyable to truly memorable. A trolley appeared at our table and the charismatic and adept Manager Cosimo proceeded to present the pasta.

First, he unveiled a huge wheel of Pecorino Romania. Stunning on its own but followed by the Flambéing tableside of aged grappa poured over the cheese.  The cheese was expertly massaged with spoons to loosen it and then the pasta was placed on top and lovingly rolled over and over on the cheese.

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It was masterful and entertaining, ultimately when plated the dish was rich and creamy with crisp pancetta and was an absolute triumph of classic Italian pasta.

We all had a little food envy until we dove into our own mains which were all special in their own way. One of us had a perfectly cooked sirloin steak, matured for 28 days with Peppercorn and Calvados butter and perfectly seasoned chips, with rocket and Grana Padano on the side. 

One had the stunning Stone Bass, a fish you do not often see on menus. But this was beautifully baked and served on an earthy parsnip puree. Along with a tower of delicious garlicky dauphinoise potatoes, crispy pancetta, and the hint of truffle oil to add to the earthy unctuous flavours.

Finally, Briony had selected the pan seared duck breast. A beautiful plate of food with the gorgeous ripe figs, black olives, her own tower of dauphinoise (so she did not have to steal mine!) and a honey and red wine reduction. Despite being on a diet, she declared it to be more than worth the calories. Briony said it was well seasoned, well cooked, perfectly pink, and the balance of the sweetness of the fig and salty olives makes this dish an all-around people pleaser. 

Briony and I happily enjoyed a bottle of Pinot Grigio alongside our dishes and our companions approved the Angelo Poretti draught beer and the El Dorado 15 rum as adding to the sense that we were in fact abroad enjoying the best the Med has to offer.

Desserts were then discussed. We knew we had to try them, by now we knew they would be good, but were not sure we could eat anymore. Briony and I selected to share the cheeseboard, one of our favourite things to do and we were not disappointed. The Artezzan Cheese Selection included creamy Goat’s Cheese, Tangy Manchego and gorgeous Gorgonzola with homemade and warming chorizo chutney, spiced pickles and it was drizzled with truffle honey and rustic crackers.  We fought over every bite.

Our companions have the sweetest of teeth and so nothing could stop them from ordering the Lotus Biscoff and Mascarpone Calzone with salted caramel ice cream and the Loukoumades which are mini light Greek doughnuts which are rolled in cinnamon sugar.

If the idea of a sweet calzone is a bit mind bending for you, I understand. I would probably not have ordered it but what came was so utterly delicious, I stole so many bites of it, I ended up getting my hand slapped away!! The filling is rich and moreish and is balanced well with the ice cream. I am getting my own next time. 

The doughnuts, well he wolfed the lot before I could try them, so I cannot personally comment, but I believe that statement says a lot by itself.

I should mention of course, the fabulous service we received. Our server Claire was so attentive and delightful, sharing menu highlights and always around when we needed her. We spoke to several other members of staff throughout our evening, and they were all equally knowledgeable and welcoming. You can see these staff already feel like a family, and they are ready to welcome you with your family as soon as possible.

Dining at Artezzan is a transformative experience. It is celebrating everything good and authentic about Mediterranean taste while keep the approach modern, fresh and ensuring that you have a wonderful time.

The beautiful food we enjoyed at Artezzan was a gift from team there and we thank them very much, especially Operations Director Jim, for their kind invitation. However, all the comments in this review are our own and if you do not believe us, or even if you do, we thoroughly recommend you go and see for yourselves.

Artezzan is located at 33 Pepper Street, Chester CH1 1DE and more information about the venue is available at https://www.artezzan.com/ where you can also BOOK NOW.