Chicken drums with sweet chili sauce and pickled mango is thus far the eatery's most popular appetizer. — Photo courtesy of Artisan's Table
New to Orlando’s downtown dining scene is Artisan’s Table, a versatile venue serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, thus catering to both commuter and resident culture in equal doses.
In its open, inviting space (formerly occupied by burger joint Pine 22), morning visitors will find fresh, house-made pastries and handcrafted barista-drawn coffees. Both are available to go. But business folk in need of a breakfast meeting might choose to stay for smoothies, steel-cut oatmeal or something more decadent. Perhaps a French toast muffin with maple-bacon butter or crème fraiche-accented plate of huevos rancheros.
But with hours that run 7 a.m. to midnight (and into the wee hours come Friday and Saturday night), the venue is looking to court Orlandoans’ comfortably through the various culinary cravings of their circadian rhythms.
Come lunch time, salads, sandwiches and other entrees make an appearance. Sandwiches are decidedly upscale in construction. (Take the gorgonzola grilled cheese, lobster melt or kalbi cheesesteak – which takes the Philly classic and turns it Korean with marinated beef and kimchee ketchup - for example.) Yet, they're surprisingly budget-modest, considering. Prices run from $6 to $12 and each selection comes with a choice of side: fries, salad or a pearly vegetable pasta salad.
Lobster melt with pimento cheese on brioche and vegetable pasta salad on the side — Photo courtesy of Artisan's Table
In a town where the craft cocktail craze has most assuredly taken root, an all-day happy hour that includes selections for $5 a pop may well prove enticing, particularly alongside the high-end bar bites with which Artisan’s Table is pairing them.
Stop in to sample the whiskey punch or Artisan’s Mule (with house-made ginger syrup) and apps that run $5 to $8. Smoked turkey club deviled eggs will run you just 75 cents each; it's a conveniently low-carb, high-style option for both dieters and the budget conscious. These protein-rich goodies are filling.
Entrees ($11-17 at dinner) run the gamut from the house burger to more sophisticated offerings such as lamb ragout and royal red shrimp and mussels arrabiata. But one – or two or a group of friends, for that matter – could easily share an array of small plates (some of which are quite generous) with cocktails or wine and make it a night of sharing and experimentation.
Artisan’s Table’s new look is inviting and clean, its restaurant and bar stylish, but friendly. They’re not too cool for you, always a welcome prospect.
If you want to leave full, you will: porchetta with sweet potato spaetzle, collard greens and balsamic reduction. — Photo courtesy of Artisan's Table
