CRAFTkitchen
Coffee
Hot Chocolate with Biscotti
Chocolate Cherry Scone
Ube Kouign Amann
Ham & Cheddar Kouign Amann
Pumpkin Cheesecake Kouign Amann
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Poptart
CK Monkey Bread
Apple Pie Pancakes – Buttermilk, Cinnamon, Stewed Apples, Cinnamon Streusel, Caramel Sauce
Carrot Cake Pancakes – Buttermilk, Shaved Carrots, Golden Raisins, Candied Pecans, Cream Cheese Icing
Florentine Benedict – Spinach, Oyster Mushrooms, Tomato Confit, Poached Eggs, Sundried Tomato Hollandaise, Crispy Herb Polenta Cake
“K.F.C.” Korean Fried Chicken – Korean-inspired Fried Chicken, Sriracha Slaw, Fried Egg, Ube Bun
The Monte Cristo – Battered and Fried Bread, Niman Ranch Ham, Sliced Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Strawberry Jam
Ube Bread Pudding – Coconut Cream Sauce, Coconut Flakes
Pumpkin Bread Pudding – Candied Pecans, Caramel Sauce
From the day CRAFTkitchen opened it raised the bar for breakfast Valley-wide, and on Saturday for the 200th edition of #everchangingbrunch Jaret and Tami’s little place in Henderson again dazzled with quality and creativity plus service that attests to well-trained employees working with a sense of pride.
Four years old just prior to Halloween, the Blinn’s investment of money, time and talent paying off thanks to their commitment to quality and community, it was arriving before the 11:00am rush that three guests were seated on the Restaurant’s left half, several familiar servers and a new General Manager all moving quickly but purposefully with smiles on their faces.
Still as bright and tidy as day one, living walls and art from the Blinn’s daughter flanking the Coffee Bar and Pastry cases full of delights, it was shortly after seating that beverages were served, brewed to order Coffee bold and balanced while Hot Chocolate found added depth in Milk with a tiny Biscotti at its side.
Surrounded by folks of all ages, a “35-40 minute wait” avoided by calling ahead, it was with five of the aforementioned Baked Goods that dining got started, the Chocolate Cherry Scone crumbly but moist with Black Forest inklings while Jaret’s seasonal Poptart packed with seasonal Pumpkin Cream Cheese remains reference-standard for how to take a commercially available icon and make it better in every way.
Continuing with Kouign Amann, pockets of melted Butter visible amidst flaky layers, one would be hard-pressed to decide which was tops among Ham and Cheese, Ube Coconut or Pumpkin Cheesecake, the best bet a side-by-side tasting, but only if that still allows enough stomach space for Sin City’s best Monkey Bread.
Equally indecisive with regard to Pancakes, both Buttermilk and Birthday eventually missing the cut in favor of two weekly specials, fans of CRAFTkitchen’s Carrot Cake will be delighted to find all the same spices in a short stack topped by Cream Cheese, Sultanas and Nuts while Autumn is also highlighted by the flavors of a Caramel Apple combined with Cinnamon Streusel that eats much lighter than it looks.
Next veering savory, the #everchangingbrunch this week featuring two new choices, Gluten-free diners would be smart to check out Blinn’s Benny featuring Spinach, Mushrooms and Tomatoes over seared Cornmeal while others ignore any such allergy (or calories) to indulge in *The* Monte Cristo done as the original recipe suggests by way of Turkey, Ham and Swiss fried and ready to be dipped in housemade Jam.
Adding one item from the “regular” menu, though calling CRAFTkitchen’s “K.F.C.” anything but exceptional undermines everything from the housemade Purple Potato Roll to a sticky Organic Chicken Breast and spicy Slaw, it was after devouring every messy bite that Dessert arrived, another debate ensuing as to whether piping hot Pumpkin Bread or Ube with lightly sweetened Coconut Sauce was the better place to invest limited remaining appetite.
FIVE STARS: Undeniably a fan, the entire Valley remains fortunate to have CRAFTkitchen where Tami, Jaret and their staff continue to deliver on a motto of “Food with personality delivered by people with passion” each and every day, but even better with the #everchangingbrunch on weekends.
RECOMMENDED: CK Monkey Bread, Ube Kouign Amann, Ham & Cheddar Kouign Amann, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Poptart, Apple Pie Pancakes, The Monte Cristo, “K.F.C.” Korean Fried Chicken, Ube Bread Pudding.
AVOID: …the line at Popeyes and go check out the K.F.C. instead. You’re welcome.
TIP: With the Holidays coming up consider CRAFTkitchen for both off-site catering and buyouts. Give them a call daily until 3pm at (702) 728-5828 to place orders or inquire, and see the Thanksgiving to-go menu above.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.craftkitchenlv.com
