Craft & Commerce

This review (for 5 stars) is going to be purely based off of the biscuit aloneThat biscuit!... I'm still debating if it's the number one on my list or if it's just located somewhere in the top three but holy shizzz it that was amazing! Mouthwatering... want to go for seconds and thirds, a-maze-ing!I ordered nothing else off the menu. The service was not amazing. It was actually quite slow and blah but the host that sat us was greatI can't say anything about the drinks or food...but those biscuits....! Wow. And I am well versed in the biscuit world.my first thought when I entered, this restaurant was to runaway .. this place stinks... the incense were so overwhelming at the entry way my stomach INsTANTLY turned queezy! Like I walked away from this place and ate at another Michelin recommended place.., then on my way back I still wanted those biscuits so I sucked it up!That smell can really be deterring tho... maybe consider mellowing out that super nasty smell... it was unexpected. And threw me off. Just saying.

No coffee? So weird.No Irish Coffee ? No thanks, then.Crowded, with a huge line for their "speakeasy ". I don't think they understand the meaning of speakeasy. LOL!It was nice that it was air conditioned, even with doors and windows open.We left though, since they had no coffee or Irish Coffee.

This place had some interesting decor. There is a lot going on, but it all somehow worked together. I sat at the bar and the bartender was really great throughout the night. I started with their Songbird, which I really enjoyed and ended up getting two of them. Foodwise, from most to least favorite, I ended up getting to try their Steak Tartare, Confit Duck Leg "Tacos" and Bone Marrow. The tatare was soo good! I really enjoyed the flavor of this, but it came with the thinnest and cheapest chips to ever exist. The chips would break any time you tried to use them and it ended up taking away from the deliciousness of the actual tartare. I ended up eating the tartare with the bread that came with the bone marrow and it was such a better combination! Made a world of difference with the flavor. The duck was perfectly cooked and I had fun making the tacos myself so I could add as much or as little of each ingredient as I wanted. I ended up dipping my taco in the duck juice itself and it was soo good! Downside to me was the bone marrow it came with as it was way too salty and wasn't as good as the appetizer (which was still not the greatest). As much as I had fun with the dish, I did end up getting bored of it after the second taco. Dishes should always get better with each bite, not viceversa. The bone marrow was the one that was highly recommended, but the most disappointing. I wasn't impressed with the presentation or the flavor of it and there was barely any bone marrow for the price. I feel like I mostly paid for the bread if anything. I'm giving this place a 3 because the only dish I would get again is the steak tartare and hopefully be able to change the chips to bread. Each dish had a disappointing factor to it and, overall, just doesn't seem to live up to the hype or the quality I like in my dishes.

Craft and Commerce seated us as walk in's on a Friday early evening (pre-5PM). Initial waitress was training a newbie and warned us so the slightly slower service was expected and OK. Host asked us to slide over a table to accommodate a larger group next to us and we were happy to.Food was excellent, I had the bone marrow, date had roasted carrots and 'good old fashioned french fries'. It was all going swimmingly until my date ordered Ketchup since the fries came with traditional mayo and she doesn't care for mayo. "We don't have ketchup" was the servers weary and clearly oft-repeated reply. They offered and date took the "artisanal bbq sauce". Anyone who loves Bourdain knows two things 1. 'never put the word 'artisanal' before something and 2. Don't eff with the Heinz cartel, Heinz Ketchup is a perfect condiment needing no embellishment or replacement, let alone banishment from a menu.It would have been 5-stars but for our shaming as Ketchup-loving Philistines. The fries were excellent as were the bone marrow done is a slightly spicy salsa way with toasted sourdough. Roasted carrots were too delicious for vegans.Still going back, the food was great, and we finagled our way into False Idol from the the C and C dining room after. Still love Craft and Commerce and False Idol Ketchup shunning and all. Did I say Ketchup too much?

Ordered:Chicken Wings (~$15): gochujang miso bbq, jalapenos, garlicBone Marrow (~$19): with fresno chili relish and toasted sourdoughLamb Chop Lollipops (~$28): dill yogurt, nut dukkah, arugula, pickled red onionsCast-Iron Cornbread (~$10): with togarashi hot honey butterAya's take:Interesting atmosphere with a very unique aesthetic. From the taxidermy to the mirrors to the plates with all the US presidents on it - it's definitely different from other restaurants in SD. The food honestly did not stand out to me much. I am a sucker for Chicken Wings but these were way too overpowering with a vinegary/spicy flavor. The Bone Marrow also was just fine. The Lamb Chop Lollipops were super tender but the nut dukkah threw me off completely. Now the Cast-Iron Cornbread. Good Lord. This is by far one of, if not, the best cornbreads to touch my tastebuds. The Cornbread is baked to order and the cast-iron truly elevates it. It's slightly crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside and the hot honey butter is just perfect. It's a good thing I don't live in San Diego because I could literally eat that everyday. Whatever you do, get the cornbread!

WOOOOOW! The taxidermy makes this place stand out in the best way. The lush decor and dark lighting is extremely inviting. I have had this reservation on my calendar for months now and I was eagerly awaiting the drinks and the yummy food. The service was outstanding and the food was high quality. Cannot wait to come back.

My wife and I stopped by for just drinks and apps. We ended up ordering the biscuits based on other Yelp reviews and the Brussel sprouts based on the severs recommendation. Biscuits were moist, the right density and a good hit of salt so the honey butter hit perfect. The brussel sprouts were flavorful and had a great char. The espresso martini was creamy smooth and well balanced. We will be back for real food some time.

Rudest bartender went up to her to ask for a drink because no one was there .. with the rudest response there's other people ahead of you and gave the rolling eyes ... we walked in for a drink and everyone was rude except the hostess. Won't even try to come back here... she tried smiling there because she knew she was rude

Reservations are recommended, but if you come for happy hour there's usually bar seating at 4:00pm. I don't know if it was just the drinks talking, but this is one of my staple happy hour spots in Little Italy. From the decor, service, to delicious drinks and food - it's worth stopping by (especially if you want to follow up with a tiki drink at 5:00pm ).Their sliders are full of flavor with their secret sauce, and the $5.99 bone marrow is something i'm thinking of to this day. 100% recommend adding on the luge with it as well. Restrooms are located separately, so you'll just have to ask the staff before using.

Craft & Commerce has been a reliable and faithful Little Italy option for many years. The ambience is quirky, yet spacious and inviting, and the staff is always very friendly and helpful. I've never had a disappointing meal there and they also do a great job with their cocktails. Last time there I went for the duck confit tacos, that came with bone marrow, and it was amazing. This is a top option for dinner in the neighborhood and will highly recommend.