Artisan II
After a wonderful meal at Artisan in West Hartford, CT, earlier this year, we were eager to try their other location in Southport, CT. The opportunity arose during a visit to Southport, and we seized it to snag a seat. Our experiences with Delamar restaurants have always been excellent, so we were greatly looking forward to these meals!
Artisan
Location: Inside Delamar Southport
Address: 275 Old Post Rd
Food Type: Seasonal, Coastal Cuisine
Dining Experience: Indoor & Outdoor
Price: $100+ per Person
Dress Code: Smart Casual+
Reservations: Recommended
Special Diets: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Gluten-Free (not GF dedicated)
Our Meal
Our servers were very careful to ensure that everything I ate was gluten-free, since I have celiac disease. I was so thankful that they not only knew what that meant and what to avoid, but that they were also happy to triple-check that everything was safe for me. That level of care and consideration should be commonplace, but those of you with food allergies and/or celiac disease know that isn’t always the case. I was in good hands at Artisan, and for that I’m very grateful.
Watermelon & Mozzarella di Buffalo
The first course set our expectations sky high. The sweetness of the fruit blended perfectly with just a hint of heat against the mellow mozzarella, which gave us the best of both worlds in every bite. I would eat this every day if I could!
Crudo
This beautiful fluke crudo was served with stone fruit, radish, cucumber, chive, and jalapeño, and every bite melted in our mouths. I nearly ordered three more of these!
Octopus Ceviche
By far the most creative ceviche presentation I’ve seen, this was a delightful blend of seafood and citrus in a way that’s difficult to get right. Artisan knocked this one out of the park, too.
Lobster fra Diavolo
Housemade tagliatelle and succulent lobster from the water just outside the restaurant made this colorful dish a standout during our meal. It smelled phenomenal, too.
Peach & Blueberry Cobbler
We almost never have dessert, but at our server’s behest, we gave this a try, and I’m so glad we did! The flavors were refreshing and bold, yet balanced out by the homemade crumble and locally made vanilla ice cream. This was the perfect end to a perfect meal.
The Verdict
This was a fantastic meal and well worth the drive if you’re not a local. We loved every bite and would definitely eat here again. Though it was too hot and humid to eat outside during our mid-summer visit, I’d love to dine al fresco next time in one of their beautiful outdoor seating areas.
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