Craft LA Restaurant: Delicious Food and a Creative Atmosphere

Craft LA: A Restaurant Where Food and Art Collide

Apr 21 2025

Craft LA: A Restaurant Where Food and Art Collide

UN DÉCOR FAÇON LOFT

Entre amis réunis autour de la grande tablée en bois centrale, en couple dans la tranquillité d’une table duo le long des immenses verrières, en famille, installés de part et d’autre des tables hautes…

Dans cette atmosphère lumineuse qui marie à merveille métal, bois et béton à la manière d’un superbe loft tout en restant très chaleureuse, chacun trouve la place qui lui fait plaisir.

Et petits et grands retrouvent le même plaisir, simple et authentique, en découvrant la cuisine de marché du Chef, saine et gourmande.

UNE CUISINE DE SAISON

Fidèle à ses valeurs et à ses engagements, le Chef Exécutif vous propose une cuisine de partage composée au fil des saisons, à partir de produits frais venant le plus souvent possible de producteurs locaux ou régionaux qui ont en commun l’exigence de la qualité et le respect de l’environnement.

Alors, comme sur les étals du marché colorés et généreux, on a envie de craquer et de croquer dans tout ; on se laisse tenter devant ces produits savoureux et bons pour la santé.

Ici, la gourmandise est plus que permise ! À chacun ensuite de choisir entrée, fromages et dessert selon ses envies.

Dans le même esprit de convivialité, le Chef et sa brigade cuisinent en direct les plats chauds qui subliment les produits de la région. Entre admiration et un brin d’émotion, c’est toujours un moment particulier d’assister à la réalisation d’un plat dans la cuisine ouverte du restaurant à Chantilly. L’interaction est simple est spontanée, comme au marché avec les producteurs.

LE BRUNCH DU DIMANCHE AU CRAFT À CHANTILLY

Moment convivial et informel par excellence pendant le week-end, le brunch du marché rassemble chaque dimanche familles et amis dans l’atmosphère chaleureuse et décontractée du restaurant Craft à Chantilly.

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[Chef Change] The Review: Craft Los Angeles

Before the Bravo network ever dreamed up “Top Chef,” Tom Colicchio, the show’s head judge, already had a remarkable career. He was chef and partner at New York’s Gramercy Tavern in the mid-’90s, then in 2001 opened his own restaurant, Craft, a block away, holding down both kitchens for a while. Craft was followed by Craftsteak, Craftbar and the cleverly named sandwich spot ‘Wichcraft. Soon he was opening versions in Atlanta, Dallas and Vegas and more.

Then came “Top Chef” in 2006, making Colicchio one of the most recognizable chefs in the country. A year later he opened Craft Los Angeles. At this point, he could easily rest on his laurels, relax and let his name bring in the crowds. And yet despite being one of a collection spun off from the original, Craft Los Angeles continues to be a serious restaurant with seriously good food.

When Craft opened in 2007 next to the offices of some of the biggest players in the entertainment industry at ICM and CAA, it didn’t take Madame Solange and a crystal ball to predict that the glossy, high-end restaurant would become a power-lunch spot. It had the right look — sumptuous, with generously spaced tables, and a menu showcasing great American cooking and top-notch local products.

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Sure, Craft is formulaic. But so is truly regional cuisine anywhere in the world for that matter, in that pretty much the same ingredients are used to make pretty much the same dishes season after season. The surprise for me is that the L.A. Craft has such a sense of authenticity. The menu offers a master class in contemporary American cuisine. You won’t find recipes with 17 ingredients or unnecessary frills. Each dish relies on simplicity and elegance, superb ingredients and expert execution to make its point.

Now the initial buzz has died down, and the key staff at Craft Los Angeles has changed. Opening chef Matt Accarrino has been replaced by Anthony Zappola, who moved over from Craft in Dallas, as did pastry chef Shannon Swindle. I’ve been hearing good things about the new team recently, so it seemed the ideal time to check in and see how things are going.

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S. Irene Virbila is a former restaurant critic and wine columnist for the Los Angeles Times. She left in 2015.