Artesano Tapas Vinos y Mas

Artesano Tapas Vinos y Mas Restaurant Review:

When De la Torre’s Spanish restaurant closed in 2014, the event opened a gap in Louisville’s dining categories. So it is not surprising that the launch of Artesano resulted in full tables and long waits in the dining room accented with paintings of bull fights and Iberian landscapes. The extensive tapas menu ranges from a build-your-own charcuterie platter with such choices as aged manchego cheese, duck serrano and pork lardo to more than a score of hot and cold small plates. (À la carte prices will add up quickly.) Notable among these are ground lamb with sun-dried tomato chimichurri and roasted cauliflower with pickled raisins. Also, the paellas are not as successful as the tapas, tending to be soggy and garnished with an unnecessary ribbon of garlic aïoli. Chef Mark Ford’s menu includes steaks, braised pork shank, and whole oven-roasted fish. The wine selection correctly leans toward Spanish bottles. If you are disappointed by the paella, you will be cheered by the chocolate churros, Spanish-style donuts coated in sugar and paired with a chocolate, berries, and port dipping sauce. Service is pleasant, but rather harried.