Head judge of Bravo's Top Chef series and James Beard award-winning chef status aside, Tom Colicchio is known locally as a culinary god. The refined simplicity of his contemporary menus and his almost obsessive commitment to the world's purest ingredients come to the second of his ventures (the first being Union Square's fair-haired Gramercy Tavern). Craft's debut left many diners stunned by the true à la carte dining approach. But Colicchio's kitchen makes build-your-own plate a build-your-own adventure, each bite of preferred protein and sides revealing an exciting burst of sublime flavor. From black bass to beef tongue, braised is best, but it's hard to go wrong with such expert execution. Reservations required. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon-Fri, dinner nightly.
Where the Locals Eat rating
Top 100 Restaurant, New York City
"Tom Colicchio's Craft received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant nationwide in 2002, and has since spawned a host of imitators for its unique marriage of the finest ingredients, haute cuisine and family-style service. Against the award-winning architectural design of Bentel and Bentel, and under the glow of filament bulbs, diners share from dishes that celebrate 'single' ingredients, expertly and simply prepared."
– Craft website
"... strong, pure flavors and back-to-basics cooking techniques. ... Every bite is a revelation."
—The New York Times
"Craft gets four stars for its huge influence on the way restaurant meals are conceived, presented, and eaten in this new Greenmarket era, and also for Karen DeMasco's impeccable desserts. ... which are the best in town."
– New York magazine
"Diners can appreciate beautifully constructed dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients. Fish, veal, steak - they're all on the menu."
– Newsday
"In an age of overwrought menu descriptions, Craft offers dishes like ‘Wild Striped Bass' and ‘Sirloin.' Simple as it sounds ... the preparation is anything but boring."
– Village Voice
How others rate Craft
The New York Times
*** (excellent)
Top Pick
New York magazine
**** (exceptional; consistently elite)
Critics' Pick
Zagat 2009
26 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
Time Out New York
Critics' Pick
James Beard Foundation
Best New Restaurant, 2002
Outstanding Pastry Chef 2005: Karen DeMasco
Tom Colicchio, nominee, Outstanding Chef 2009 (national)