The Artisan in Narrabundah

On Thursday night Miss19 and I went to dinner at The Artisan in Narrabundah.

Miss19 is in Canberra visiting friends. It was fantastic seeing her and getting an opportunity to enjoy a nice evening with her over a meal.

 
The Artisan on Urbanspoon
 

Miss19 had eaten a big lunch and she was happy with an entrée as a main while I went for an entrée, main and a side (we shared the side). 

The menu has a good diverse selection of dishes including some Australian fauna. It took us a while to choose what we wanted to eat. 

While we were contemplating the menu we were served an amuse-bouche of apple and goat cheese.

Amuse-bouche | Apple and goat cheese | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/20sec, ISO 250
Amuse-bouche | Apple and goat cheese | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/20sec, ISO 250

I asked for the Buckwheat crêpe with confit duck leg, sugar snaps, watercress, grapes and saba while Miss19 went for the Twice cooked potato and sorrel soufflé with champagne vinegar compressed pumpkin salad but as a main. 

Buckwheat crêpe with confit duck leg, sugar snaps, watercress, grapes and saba | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10sec, ISO 100
Buckwheat crêpe with confit duck leg, sugar snaps, watercress, grapes and saba | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10sec, ISO 100

I chose the Angus beef for a main.

Angus beef bavette | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 320
Angus beef bavette | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 320

We shared the pommes purée as a side.

Pommes purée with garlic chips | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 320
Pommes purée with garlic chips | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 320

For dessert we chose the tasting plate. I’m sorry the pavé is so out of focus. 

White chocolate and raspberry mousse with mulberry leaf ice cream and meringue | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/4sec, ISO 125
White chocolate and raspberry mousse with mulberry leaf ice cream and meringue | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/4sec, ISO 125
Very OUT OF FOCUS Bitter chocolate and orange pavé with burnt orange cloud and orange segments | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/4sec, ISO 125
Very OUT OF FOCUS Bitter chocolate and orange pavé with burnt orange cloud and orange segments | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/4sec, ISO 125
Violet crème brûlée with violet peach salad and rose rice crisps | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/4sec, ISO 125
Violet crème brûlée with violet peach salad and rose rice crisps | Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/4sec, ISO 125

We enjoyed our meal. 

From my perspective the buckwheat crêpe was okay. It would have been nice to have it like a Chinese style duck pancake but the confit duck was really nice. The beef was very nicely cooked and very tender. 

The desserts were very interesting. Our favourite was the mousse which was quite salty. The saltiness contrasted nicely the sweetness of the chocolate. The pavé was good with a nice orange flavour. The violet crème brûlée was really interesting. The rose rice crisps tasted more like a rose water prawn cracker but in a really good way.

The only downside was that while we enjoyed sitting at a table in the front next to an open window at 8 pm a swarm of mosquitoes invaded and I needed antihistamines to get to sleep. 

Despite the mosquitoes, I’d happily eat at The Artisan again and again. The food is great and the service very friendly. I’m happy to recommend The Artisan to anyone living in or visiting Canberra. 

Have you been to The Artisan? What was your favourite dish?

 

The Artisan Restaurant Pty Ltd
16 Iluka Street
Narrabundah ACT 2604
02 6232 6482
Hours
Monday 6–10 pm
Tuesday–Saturday 12 noon–2.30 pm and 6–10 pm
Accessibility
The Artisan is wheelchair accessible throughout the restaurant, including to restrooms.
Gift vouchers
Gift vouchers are available for any amount and can be purchased from The Artisan during opening hours.
You can book using www.dimmi.com.au

6 Responses

  1. I never knew mousse tasted salty. I’ve always had the overly sweet and heavy kinds. Very sorry to hear about the mosquitoes, and that you were food for them :/ Awful. But hope you enjoyed the fine food. It all looks good, especially the beef.

    1. Thanks Mabel. The mousse was sweet but it had salt in it like salted caramel. It was pleasant. Despite the mosquitoes I had a really good time.

  2. Missing your food posts! Not sure when I will get to your side of the world to try the restaurants you are reviewing…any chance you can get into these kitchens to see how they are preparing these dishes? Hugs to you Gaz! Be well! ^..^

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