Craftsman Cocktail and Kitchen in Litchfield Park is expanding its menu. A new food product that will be introduced in the coming weeks is French Fusion.
“We have something very French, but with some Asian influences,” said The Craftsman's head chef Christian Hernandez. “I think people are really looking forward to expanding our menu, so look forward to it when you come here.”
Craftsman Cocktail and Kitchen will open in October 2023 and aims to be a gathering place for family and friends. The restaurant has an attached secret bar called the Westward Cocktail Lounge, which can only be accessed through a hidden door inside the restaurant. To gain entry, customers must provide a password, which is available to email subscribers and VIPs. This bootlegger has a seating capacity of 50.
“In short, The Craftsman Cocktail and Kitchen is creative and comfortable, which owners often say,” says Marie Carroll, general manager of The Craftsman.
“That means adding a creative touch or adding something different to the comfort food that everyone loves. I always refer to the Huntsman Burger, which has four different meats. And when I tried it, it was really delicious beef. Still, it had Wagyu beef, veal, venison, and wild boar. So it allows you to step outside the box, but in a comfortable way. I will.”
With a new menu coming soon, Hernandez highlighted several French fusion dishes, including Korean short rib angler tacos with salmon tacos and kimchi mash.
“We have a new French dish on the menu, which is French brick chicken, but with an Asian twist with miso, lemongrass and caramelized onions,” Hernandez said.
He has only been head chef at the restaurant for two months, but said it has been a great success so far.
“They give me the ability and freedom to explore different flavors and cultures so I can put that on the menu,” Hernandez said.
Carroll said what sets the restaurant apart from the bootlegger and its location is that almost everything is made from scratch. There's also beer from owner Jason Ebel's brewery, Two Brothers Brewery, and spirits distilled by The Craftsman himself.
“Everything we make will be made from scratch, from the ranch to the breads and desserts,” Carroll said. “It's the same with craft cocktails. It's more like an eight-step instead of just a two-step. And at Westward, we're like mixologists over there. So it's not just about drinking a cocktail, it's about having an experience. I think that's what sets us apart from other competitors in the region.”
She added that the nearby Verrado community has supported The Craftsman and praised the restaurant, including other restaurants in the area.
In the future, Carroll hopes to get The Craftsman's name out there and draw people from not only the West Valley but also the East Valley.
She and Hernandez encourage community members to come and enjoy the food and cocktails.
“It's an experience that we offer, where you can come here on a date, have a nightcap, or come with your family and enjoy cornhole on the patio,” Carroll said.
“There aren’t many places around here that offer experiences for people of all ages.”
