Apparently, Connecticut’s appetite for upscale burger joints is far from sated, judging by the tremendous turnout for Artisanal Burger Company’s opening night on Monday, December 1. Brought to you by Dorjan Puka, who owns Treva Restaurant and A’Vert Brasserie in West Hartford, Artisanal Burger Company has taken over the Manchester space previously occupied by Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar. It bills itself as the place for Burgers, Beer, Bourbon, Sports.
Enthusiastic visitors, who paid a $10 cover that will help the Manchester Area Conference of Churches provide food, shelter, clothing and advocacy, were rewarded with bountiful beer and wine plus a buffet menu that included cocktail shrimp, chicken & waffles, pulled pork poutine, swordfish & grits, three salads and cornbread.
As you might guess from the buffet, chef Anthony Phenis’ American comfort food menu exhibits some Southern leanings. You will also find items like fried green tomatoes, sizzling homemade bacon, chicken-on-biscuit sliders, corn dogs, fried mac & cheese bites, barbeque baby back ribs and rustic meatloaf.
But there’s so much more, with offerings like the colossal pretzel, candied bacon popcorn, Mediterranean salad with lamb patty, Reuben sandwich, rigatoni Bolognese, cedar plank salmon, hanger steak and prime rib. Best of all, there’s an extensive burger lineup, which includes both conventional burgers and intriguingly unconventional ones like the roasted vegetable burger, ramen burger, muffuletta burger, salmon burger, lamb burger, turkey burger and Kobe burger. And for dessert, there are delights like waffle dippers and apple cinnamon donuts.
Obviously, this is not just good food but fun food. Manchester’s already-interesting restaurant scene has just gotten a little better.
THE VERDICT: Artisanal Burger Company offers food with Southern leanings and a high fun quotient.
FEEDBACK: Tell us how you like Artisanal Burger Company in Manchester.
CONTACT INFO: Artisanal Burger Company, 1436 Pleasant Valley Road, Manchester; 860-644-0046; www.artisanalburgercompany.com