Artisan will steer away from typical Italian dishes

Italian restaurant mixing world flavours to launch on Portobello Road

The team behind renowned Notting Hill-based Japanese restaurant UKAI is launching an Italian eatery on Portobello Road.

The new venture, Artisan, will steer away from typical Italian dishes by combining the country’s traditional ingredients with flavours from around the world.

UKAI’s executive chef, Alessandro Verros, worked with Artisan head chef Roberto Vezzani to create the menu, which will feature dishes including tender grilled octopus with artichoke salad, squid-ink hummus and tarragon chimichurri, and Pancetta-wrapped hake with confit tomatoes and basil dressing.

Head chef Roberto, who owns a pasta shop in Italy, will make all of Artisan’s pasta in house.

An olive tree will serve as the centrepiece for the venue’s main seating area. Artisan will also feature a dining room with dark wood banquet seating and a hand-painted bar.