Scottsdale‘s The Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen has expanded to both Tempe and the Verrado community in Buckeye. Inspired by a beloved farmer who held dear to his heart an ethic of working with his hands and tending to local land, the concept for The Craftsman was born. The restaurant keeps alive the memory of the farmer by providing come-as-you-are dining to local families, friends and associates and a creative experience that highlights a curation of unique eats and drinks that anyone can enjoy.
Buckeye’s The Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen not only offers visitors a chance to enjoy quality, craft cocktails but also offers them a chance to savor locally sourced ingredient-based starters and entrees. Locals or vacationers can indulge in tastes of shareable bulgogi steam buns, made with an Asian flare of Korean barbecue and togarashi aioli, a crispy ahi stack made with wontons, tomato-cucumber salad and house citrus-vodka marinade, as well as a pretzel or charcuterie board. The menu also hearty entrees, like an Italian sausage pasta and a highly favored filet mignon.
Although this location’s overall aesthetic is a bit more easygoing, the dining options are quite elevated. The Craftsman makes for a perfect juxtaposition of unpretentious and luxurious. On site, the Buckeye restaurant hosts both a distillery and a speakeasy. Where the distillery is positioned, the feeling is that this could be a quick, chill place to indulge in a full-service experience. However, its newest addition, The Westward, is a complete 180 from this sentiment.
The Westward is the Buckeye location’s intimate yet opulent speakeasy, inspired by spiritual matters. Each cocktail is in the form of a tarot card—whose recipe is a description that is fitting to the reading of the card. “Sometimes people don’t even order the drink by the name,” says The Westward’s lead master mixologist. “They’ll say things like, ‘I could use more balance in my life.’ And based on the reading of the card [the recipe], I’ll know what their order is. It’s kind of fun because it will allow me to create more of a personal connection with them rather than just knowing their drink order.”
The speakeasy is finely decorated with low lighting and candles, lanterns, a fireplace, wood-paneled walls and dark-toned furniture. The space could be classified as sensual and lounge-y. It can still be enjoyed in many forms of company–whether that is with a partner, a group of friends or a colleague.
To enjoy the speakeasy, make sure to stay up to date with The Craftsman on social media, on its website or in community newsletters and event flyers. The Westward password will be provided in these forms or is accessible on site by pulling a tarot card.
The Craftsman Cocktails + Kitchen is open for dinner Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 2 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. Brunch is served on weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and happy hour is available Monday through Friday, from open until 5 p.m.
For more information, visit thecraftsmanaz.com.
19580 W. Indian School Rd.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340