The Artisan has been a staple for fine Italian cuisine in Dubai from when they opened their doors and served the first customer in 2020. With a fresh, young team heading up the kitchen and running the front of house, The Artisan is a force to be reckoned with. Over a short two years, the venue has garnered many elite accolades such as the Michelin Guide, Gault et Millau, The World’s Best 50 Discovery list, and Gambero Rosso’s Top 20 Italian Restaurants Abroad.
To this day, the beloved Italian restaurant continues to push the creative boundaries while maintaining its quality and stature. The driving force and passion behind The Artisan, Founder Managing Partner, Firas Fawaz says “Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this journey and thank you to the customers who have contributed to the restaurant’s success”. He continues to lead The Artisan into its ever-growing successes, whilst still enjoying his favourite Fassona Beef Carpaccio which he believes is the “Perfect palette opener to begin your culinary experience at The Artisan”.
Known for storytelling through their food and fine ingredients, The Artisan does it best with their beloved dishes. In honour of this second anniversary, we look back at some of the key moments and best menu items that brought The Artisan to where it is today. The famous Polpo Croccate, a slow-cooked octopus seasoned with lemon-flavoured potato cream is a customer favourite, with over 3,600 plates ordered in the last two years! Transporting patrons to Emilia Romagna, the mouth-watering Agnolotti Del Plin Alla Zucca Con Fonduta Di Parmigiano Reggiano, is another staple. Featuring a delicious homemade agnolotti Del Plin stuffed with pumpkin butter, sage, Parmigiano Reggiano fondue and almond sticks, this unique hand-crafted dish has been ordered about 5,040 times over the last two years!
Core members of The Artisan team include the talented General Manager Tommaso Li Vigni, working at the front of house, and provides exceptional service to his guests while continuously growing his team. Tommaso’s mission is to maintain The Artisan’s reputation as one of the best, most authentic Italian venues in Dubai. The Head Chef Francesco Magro who personally scored one toque at the Gault&Millau UAE Awards 2022 recently, will always pour his passion into The Artisan and its menu. Marking the occasion of their 2nd Anniversary, the team has worked on a specially curated menu of exquisite Chef’s specials taking guests on a culinary trip across Italy.
Going back to where it all began on the rolling hills of Tuscany, one can delight in the delicious Fiori di Zucca, a zucchini flower with buffalo mozzarella, Tuscan pesto, and tarragon-flavoured baby zucchini in carpione. Then, journey to the beautiful and lively city of Naples where the tantalising Cozze Alla Tarantina was curated. The Artisan’s oven-baked Italian mussels, tomato sauce, and pizza crust send Dubai’s cosmopolitan palate into a frenzy of flavours. Finally, don’t miss out on the creamy Risotto Nocciola, “Acquerello rice” with PGI piedmont hazelnut, 20 years aged DOP balsamic vinegar and thyme leaves to garnish.
For those possessing a love for authentic Italian cuisine and looking for a quality experience, The Artisan will continue to be the leader as the ‘local Italian Eastery’ in DIFC. As Firas once said, “Two years have passed by, just wait and see what the next two will bring”.
