CRAFTkitchen
Coffee
Pear & Pomegranate Danish, Strawberry Pop-Tart
Blueberry Scone, Cinnamon Roll, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin
Lemon Poppyseed Raspberry Loaf, Nutella Cronut, Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Kouign Amann, Ham & Cheese Kouign Amann
Roasted Tomatoes on the Vine- Parmesan, Pesto, Grilled Housemade Bread
Celery Root Tart – Pomegranate, Apples, Caramelized Walnuts, Truffles, Cream
Gougeres – Truffles, Bechamel
Pork Belly Rice – Quail Egg, Scallions
Mushroom Ravioli – Chanterelles, Truffles and Mushroom Cream
Short Rib Hash – Braised Short Ribs, Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Onions, Pepper
The Cobbler Benny – Pulled Turkey, Sage Stuffing “Cake,” Poached Eggs, Cranberry Compote, Citrus Hollandaise
Pumpkin Waffles – Caramelized Pecans, Cream Cheese Drizzle, Pure Maple Syrup
Apple Cobbler Pancakes – Buttermilk Short Stack, Caramelized Golden Delicious Apples, Streusel
CK Monkey Bread – Cinnamon, Sugar, Cream Cheese Icing
Just now approaching its second anniversary, the weekend line continuously present and Chef Blinn still all smiles when discussing his decision to leave corporate kitchens to pursue his own path, it was with another soon-to-be restaurant-owning Chef that breakfast was enjoyed at CRAFTkitchen on Saturday, everything about the morning thoroughly enjoyable as Jaret veered off-menu to prepare several unique plates in addition to the restaurant’s delicious Pastries and weekly Brunch Specials.
At this point a Henderson institution, numerous diners and almost every server a familiar face from several prior visits, it was just minutes before 10:00am that three guests checked in at the hostess podium with seats reserved at a four top to the right, both the manager and Chef Blinn soon to stop by along with a waiter present from the very beginning who cheerfully kept Coffee and Water filled throughout the morning.
Deferring the menu to Jaret and his kitchen staff, essentially a Carte-Blanche situation that expectedly started out with Pastries, those familiar with CRAFTkitchen will not be shocked to know that Autumn has seen the launch of over a half-dozen new selections in addition to old favorites, the Pear & Pomegranate Danish as well as a Roasted Strawberry Pop-Tart both elegant and flaky with big Fruit flavors while the Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin and Pumpkin Cream Cheese version are welcome returns, as is the Ham & Cheese Kouign Amann that has improved with time to rival the traditional one in terms of texture.
Left to the Pastries for a good thirty minutes, the bulk of them divided and enjoyed with many halves and quarters still being picked at after share-plates and utensils were replenished for savories, it was with roasted Tomatoes on the Vine atop vibrant Pesto that five off-menu surprises began, the simple focus on great produce once again indicating why CRAFTkitchen costs a few bucks more than Egg & I or Mr. Mama’s while the Celery Root Tart dressed up the idea of a traditional Waldorf Salad with shaved Truffles, Caramelized Walnuts and Pomegranate Seeds.
Continuing with more late-summer Truffles, a bit of Truffle Oil detected in both the creamy Gougeres with textbook Choux and a plate of tender Ravioli stuffed with Mushrooms in Sauce Chasseur, it was between these two plates that Jaret served the Miso Pork Belly recently offered as a special request during “Friday Recess,” the protein a bit undercooked compared to what some might prefer but still very tasty when mixed with the fluffy Garlic Rice, Quail Egg and Scallions.
Not getting any lighter with the day-one top-seller Short Rib Hash or weekend special “Cobbler Benny,” both dishes served with poached Eggs and fork-tender Protein with the former a bit spicy and the later a sneak-peak of Thanksgiving, it was with both plates mostly finished and stomachs full that “Dessert” was offered in the form of three more plates, the piping-hot CK Monkey Bread still worth every cent and calorie as Butter and Cinnamon bubble up to harden around soft nuggets of Dough while the miniature Pumpkin Waffles and fluffy Apple Cobbler Pancakes are both equally sharable and perfect for the cooler months upcoming.
N/A: Not fair to rate as many items are not currently available to the average guest, suffice it to say that CRAFTkitchen remains Henderson’s best restaurant and the city’s best place for Breakfast Off-Strip even after two years, the scene one of true community investment and the menu never stagnant even though many guests are happy to order the same thing time and time again.
RECOMMENDED: Pear & Pomegranate Danish, Strawberry Pop-Tart, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Ham & Cheese Kouign Amann, Apple Cobbler Pancakes, Short Rib Hash, CK Monkey Bread.
AVOID: The Truffle Oil was a little heavy in the Mushroom Ravioli, though not as overwhelming as it can be, while some felt the Pork Belly should have been cooked crispier to add contrast.
TIP: Throughout October stop by CRAFTkitchen for the annual #CRAFTgoesPINK effort in which 50% of the proceeds from their #pinkribbon pastries will go to the local Susan G. Komen chapter.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
http://craftkitchenlv.com/
