Artesano – The Art of Health – that is what owner, Bence Jarabek had in mind when he opened his new restaurant in the 6th District.Surrounded by all the casual pubs in the area behind the Opera House, Artesano is a breath of fresh air for those who are looking for an ethnic twist in their fine dining experience.
Feeling that Spanish cuisine was underrepresented in Hungary, Jarabek took his 15-year dream of opening a restaurant, added his love for Spain and Spanish cooking and created the idea for Artesano. Since there were already a few tapas bars around the city, he wanted to offer customers a more refined dining experience. The location was an easy choice as the area is flourishing due to the development of luxury residences and the overflow of visitors from Andrássy Avenue.
From the entrance on Ó utca, Artsano might look like a quaint café with an outdoor terrace, but just beyond the entrance, purposely hidden from the street with a dividing wall, is a sleek dining room. Jarabek wanted to provide an intimate setting for his 30 or so guests. The décor is simplistic and sophisticated with dark wood floors, billowing white linen ceilings and black and white tablecloths. The soft sounds of Spanish music float in the background. From the colors to the furniture, nothing is overdone allowing the food to be the main attraction.
The cuisine is Spanish with some Hungarian influence, incorporating some ingredients and preparation methods from both. The constantly changing menu features regional fares from all over the country depending on what ingredients are in season. The specialties can vary, but there will always be a few tapas options for starters, some meat or seafood dishes and an array of desserts. The current delicacies include gazpacho, mussel tempora served with puree of squash, black rice with grilled calamari and roasted paprika and sea bass with ramsons sauce.
To complement the innovative food options, Artesano offers a wide selection of both Spanish and Hungarian wines. If you’re not sure what to pair with your chosen dish, the eager waiters will be happy to make a recommendation.
Artesano has only been open for three months, but with its moderate prices, fresh ingredients and excellent customer service it has already found a home in its new neighborhood. The restaurant/café is open Monday-Saturday from noon to midnight and is closed on Sunday.
