We have decided to make Wednesday, date lunch day. It becomes our one meal for the day so no cooking for me! Yipppeee!!! Craftbar is the lower cost, tapas-style restaurant of Tom Colicchio’s Century City restaurant, Craft. All items are priced between $6.00 and $9.00. You can order the Craftbar menu in the bar and lounge and also on the outside patio. You also have the option of ordering from the Craft menu as well.
The bar area
Another view of the bar area
Bread Basket with La Brea rustic French bread and Pumpernickel bread with anise
The pumpernickel bread is stupendous.
White wine
Anson Mills Hushpuppies and smoked maple syrup - There were 9 hushpuppies in the order – a bargain at $6.00 per order plus delicious.
Calamari, ramps and sea beans – this was served warm with a lemon olive oil dressing – calamari were excellent, perfectly cooked
Sea Urchin Panna Cotta, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil. I liked this better than John, but if I compare it to Picholine’s version, Picholine wins hands down. However the price point of $6.00 to $12.00 is basically an unfair comparison.
Picholine’s Sea Urchin Panna Cotta with chilled aspic of lobster stock consommé, topped with Oscetra caviar.
Japanese Hamachi, Fig, prosciutto, Pine nuts and Aged Balsamic – another excellent dish
Flatbread with Fontina, La Quercia Proscuito and Baby asparagus tips cut on the bias – a very generous portion at $9.00
Smoked bacon and lobster roll – when we ate this with the top brioche bun, there was just too much roll relative to the lobster.
It was much, much better as an open-faced sandwich
Suckling Pig Ballotine and Apricot
Cavatelli, Rabbit Confit and House Made Ricotta – this was horrible – the pasta was pasty and gluey and overcooked. To their credit, we were not charged for this dish.
Perfect pasta from Vin Bar.
Duck Burger and Dried Fruit Mostarda – crispy duck with the fruit adding a nice element
Over-all an excellent meal with a couple of misses. The service was excellent – Alex, the bartender handled our wine and food ordering and Jorge, the busser recognized us from Spago and was equally as competent. This is not fine dining or haute cuisine – it is homey food in a casual setting.
Wrote you about getting together for dinner next month (we’ll be in Los Angeles for a week). You didn’t write back. Which perhaps means I don’t have your current email address. If you didn’t get my email – let me know here and I’ll tell you how to contact me. Robyn