CraftWorks Kitchen, a new American tavern concept, will open in Plano’s LakeSide Market in October 2019. The restaurant is the brainchild of two accomplished restaurant executives, Troy Cooper and Mike Hutchinson.
The 3,100-square-foot space features a warm, casual ambience. The restaurant will seat approximately 70 in the cozy dining room with seating for another 15 in the clubby bar. Outside, a comfortable patio will seat approximately 50 people, and will be home to live entertainment each weekend.
CraftWorks Kitchen’s menu offers diners an elevated take on modern American cuisine, all at a moderate price point. The restaurant will open serving both lunch and dinner, as well as a festive weekend brunch. The menu plans signature appetizers including an Ancho Spiced Candied Bacon, Blue Cheese Chips and New Orleans-inspired chicken wings. Entrees feature steaks including a Duck Fat Sous Vide Filet, fresh seafood such as salmon and Ahi tuna, and pasta dishes. Lunch or light meal diners will appreciate the array of entrée and side salads, rich hearty soups, and sandwiches including a Reuben featuring house-cured pastrami.
The restaurant plans a signature cocktail list complemented by a curated wine list featuring numerous by-the-glass options. Guests will enjoy both draft beer and bottled as well as specialty frozen cocktails.
COO and culinary lead Mike Hutchinson most recently ran operations for Kenny’s Restaurant Group, the award-winning collection of restaurants including Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill and four other concepts. Prior to that, Hutchinson had roles with Rockfish, Twin Peaks, Plano Café and others.
President and CEO Troy Cooper comes to CraftWorks Kitchen with a long history of growing brands across multiple markets. Cooper led such brands as Rockfish, Boston’s, Front Burner and others.
The team plans to open additional CraftWorks Kitchen locations across North Texas.
