Must Eat: Artesano

Are you hungry?

If you are, and you're in the mood to try something a little different from what you typically eat, Artesano might have exactly what you're looking for.

The restaurant brings Peruvian cuisine to the heart of Tribeca, showcasing a culinary tradition that is gaining well-deserved international recognition. And for good reason! Peruvian food is flavorful, inventive, and wonderfully diverse, with something to offer almost every palate and a variety of dietary preferences.

One thing worth mentioning, though: your budget might need to be as substantial as your appetite. But if you're willing to indulge, I believe the experience is worth it.

How did I discover this restaurant?

In all fairness, I have to give credit to social media, and more specifically, to Artesano's head chef, Rodrigo Fernandini. He has shared recipes and cooking videos across social media, but what really caught my attention was the way he showcased Peru: its colors, flavors, ingredients, and energy. He makes Peruvian cuisine look exciting and incredibly appealing, and that's no small accomplishment.

His approach to cooking embraces tradition while understanding the importance of experimentation. He gives familiar Peruvian classics a fresh perspective, bringing new life and personality to dishes such as lomo saltado, ceviche, carapulcra, anticuchos, seco, and many more.

He was the initial hook. From there, I started looking through restaurant reviews, photographs, and, of course, the menu online. Before long, I knew I wanted to experience Artesano for myself.

The Experience

On the occasions I've visited, I've made sure to reserve a table and arrive with an appetite. After all, I knew there would be a festival of flavors waiting for me. I've also made a point of requesting a table next to the kitchen. Some restaurants call this the chef's table, and it's an experience I particularly enjoy.

I've visited with different groups of people, and we've always been welcomed and escorted to the table towards the back, right next to the kitchen. Once seated, the menus arrive, and then something rather predictable happens: everyone turns to me for recommendations. Being Peruvian, I suppose this was bound to happen!

I happily share what I know about the cuisine. While I certainly don't claim to know everything, I've always loved the food of my home country and the incredible variety of flavors it offers. I also appreciate having the restaurant's knowledgeable and friendly staff around to help guide the experience. Once everyone has received their recommendations, we get down to the important business of ordering.

I've tried different combinations of appetizers and main courses, but there are a few things I almost always find myself ordering. The Truffle Yuca Fries and Brussels Sprouts are among my favorite sides, and I usually accompany the meal with a glass of chicha morada or an Inca Kola if I'm in the mood for something carbonated. As for the main dishes, lomo saltado, carapulcra, seco norteño, and beef anticucho have all made it onto my list of favorites.

I enjoy ordering different dishes and sharing them around the table, especially when someone is experiencing Peruvian food for the first time. Some portions might not necessarily be designed for sharing, but that has never stopped me! After all, one of the best ways to discover a cuisine is to try as many things as possible.

And then there's the kitchen.

If you're lucky enough to get a table next to it, you'll experience something beyond the food itself. You can feel the energy as the kitchen team works together, moving in sync to prepare and deliver each dish. It's a fascinating little performance, with ingredients, plates, and people constantly moving, all working towards the same goal: making sure every dish that leaves the kitchen is ready to impress. It's a pleasure to watch, hear, and experience that energy as the dishes make their way to the surrounding tables and eventually yours.

And then comes the best part: the food.

You might find it difficult not to close your eyes as the flavors come alive, taking you on a culinary journey to a country in South America that has so much to offer. Peru is a land of extraordinary contrasts and history, from the ancient civilization of Caral and the legacy of the Incas to the Andes, the Amazon rainforest, and the Pacific coast. Its geography, history, and cultural influences have helped shape a cuisine that brings together ingredients and traditions to create something truly distinctive.

And that is part of what makes Peruvian food so special. It tells a story, one that reflects the country's diversity and its ability to embrace different influences while maintaining a strong connection to its roots. At Artesano, you get to experience a little piece of that story.

The Return?

Once the meal is over and everyone around the table is happily satisfied, something interesting happens: conversations seem to flow a little more naturally when your stomach is full and your taste buds have been entertained.

And somewhere between the last bites, the conversations, and the final sips of your drinks, you might find yourself thinking about your next visit. I certainly do.

I hope reading this has made you curious about Artesano and perhaps even a little hungry. Writing about it has certainly had that effect on me. In fact, I'm now thinking that I might need to plan another trip to New York, just for another opportunity to enjoy something fantastic from the Artesano kitchen.

Some restaurants leave you satisfied. Others leave you wanting to return. Artesano, for me, is definitely the latter.