Craving your favorite bar food but yearning for something a bit more refined? Imagine sinking your teeth into a burger, but instead of the usual, it’s layered with pineapple habanero jam. Or picture tater tots, not just with ketchup, but topped with savory short rib. This isn’t just a fantasy; it’s the reality at Craft Street Kitchen in Oldsmar, FL.
Located conveniently on Curlew Road, Craft Street Kitchen is redefining the bar food experience. They’ve taken familiar comfort dishes and elevated them with a “crafty” approach, using high-quality ingredients and innovative twists. The restaurant boasts a comfortably industrial yet welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for various occasions – from a romantic date night to a casual hangout with friends or even a relaxed family gathering. Adding a unique touch, the owners have handcrafted many of the interior fixtures, giving the place a distinctive, personal feel.
During a recent visit, even arriving early for a 5 PM reservation revealed the restaurant’s popularity, with a line already forming outside. Seated at a high-top table near the open kitchen, the dining experience became even more engaging, offering a glimpse into the culinary action and sparking menu inspiration.
To start the evening, the cocktail menu impressed with its creativity and local flair. The “Velvet in Retrograde,” a blend of Wheatley Vodka, passion fruit, velvet falernum, lemon, and sage, and the “I Love Vieux,” featuring Knob Creek CSK Barrel Select Rye, cognac, benedictine, fancy vermouth, and orange bitters, were standout blackboard specials. Remarkably, these signature drinks are creations of Craft Street Kitchen’s own talented bartenders, who get the chance to showcase their mixology skills each month.
The food menu at Craft Street Kitchen is just as inventive, featuring dishes with playful names and intriguing ingredient combinations. Navigating the tempting choices, recommendations led to the Shrimp and Grits Egg Rolls and the Short Rib Sweet Potato Tots as appetizers. The egg rolls were a revelation – the crispy exterior giving way to a creamy, flavorful shrimp and grits filling, a surprising textural harmony. Even for someone new to shrimp and grits, this dish was an instant hit.
However, the Short Rib Sweet Potato Tots truly stole the show. These tots are a must-try, loaded with flavor and heartiness, thanks to the tender Thai chili braised short rib topping. The appetizer perfectly set the stage for the main courses.
For the main course, the Three Kings burger was an excellent choice. Featuring a house-ground patty blended with short rib, sirloin, applewood bacon, and gouda, topped with cheddar, funions, and relish aioli on a Kings Hawaiian roll, it was a symphony of flavors and textures. The slight sweetness of the Hawaiian roll complemented the savory patty and smoky gouda beautifully.
The Walk the Flank, featuring marinated flank steak with BBQ pork belly fried rice, pineapple soy glaze, and a sunny-side-up egg, was another winning dish. The pork belly fried rice was exceptional, so flavorful it could easily be a satisfying meal on its own.
Shared sides of truffle fries with balsamic ketchup and skillet mac & cheese with andouille & pork belly further showcased the restaurant’s commitment to flavor and quality. To complement the meal, the Paloma-tini, a refreshing mix of Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Solerno Blood Orange, Pama Liqueur, grapefruit, lime agave, and aquafaba, was the perfect light and zesty drink.
Dessert at Craft Street Kitchen is not to be missed. Opting for the Snickerdoodle Cookie Skillet, the surprise arrival of the Oreo Carbomb Cheesecake was an unexpected treat. The portion sizes are generous, so come hungry! Both desserts were indulgent and satisfying, a sweet ending to a fantastic meal.
Craft Street Kitchen embodies the best of craft restaurants – unique, inventive menus that offer exciting twists on familiar favorites. Located in Oldsmar, Florida, it’s a dining destination that stands out. Word on the street is that their brunch is also exceptional, making a return visit a definite plan.
Craft Street Kitchen is located at: 3153 Curlew Rd, Oldsmar, FL 34677.
Explore their menu and more at their website: Craft Street Kitchen
