We didn't take photos because we just got to eating...and it was all absolutely amazing! We had the shrimp toast appetizer which was out of this world delicious! How they got so much flavor in those small bites...I have no idea. But we loved it! My husband had the 15oz NY strip special and gives it a 9 out of 10 which is HIGH prize from him! I had the crab cakes and grits...another fantastic flavor filled dish! We then found room (we were soooo full) for the pecan cheesecake.... As a New Yorker originally, I am picky about cheesecake... and this one sincerely was perfect!! Staff were all very friendly and attentive! Wish we lived closer!! read more

The chef at Craft Bistro is wonderful. The fillet with black truffle sauce is the best steak I have ever had. That is amazing since I have been eating fillet's for more than 60 years. My very next visit I had a Hawaiian fish called walu and it was the best fish I had ever had. read more

This was the third time I have had the absolute pleasure of eating at Craft Bistro. Any really great dining experience starts with the bread and theirs was delicious. Had a cocktail, that was both pretty and very good. We then went on to the shrimp appetizer, which though featuring wasabi our waiter assured us would not be hot, but was delicious. My friend and I split the filet and the waiter recommended subbing in the white chocolate risotto, and he was absolutely right, totally amazing pairing. Our other friend had the scallops which he raved about. Finished with splitting the key lime cheesecake which was so good we are still talking about it. Can't wait to go back. read more

Every part of our meal here was exceptional! Our server Patrick was amazing and attentive throughout our meal. All of the staff here is super friendly yet incredibly professional. My crab encrusted salmon was perfectly cooked and soooo good. Love all the local art inside, too. We all agreed it was one of the best meals we've had in quite a while. This is a really great find dining spot. Delicious food, great atmosphere - what more could you want!!! read more

Craft Bistro - Crab encrusted salmon - New American Near Me - West Jefferson, North Carolina

The food, INCREDIBLE!! The service, IMMACULATE!! Best food ever!! On the pricey side but so worth it. Best food I've put in my mouth ever!! You won't regret going!! read more

Craft Bistro - Mahi mahi & chef special filet mignon, crab cake, and 2 tiger shrimps on top .... DELICIOUS!!!! - New American Near Me - West Jefferson, North Carolina

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West Jefferson has a lot of very nice restaurants. Craft Bistro is head and shoulders above everything. That is solely meant as a sincere compliment to them and not a slight to a couple of others we enjoy. I have been blessed to be able to dine all over the country and abroad. This is the gold star winner. Staff, the best. They are awesome. Owners, you will never meet nicer more sincere people. Food, probably the best or if not close to it I have had anywhere. Ambiance, relaxed cozy and soothing as fine dining should be. Because this is fine dining at its best. This review was long overdue after 8 or 9 dining experiences that made my family and my own evening always memorable and satisfying. read more

Everything we ate was simply perfection. You could see how well the waitstaff was trained and how much they cared about making sure you had an enjoyable experience. Our server was Patrick, I have never had a serve who was that kind and helpful. Not to mention how beautiful the restaurant is! The lighting and art were simply gorgeous. Would highly recommend!! read more

Craft Bistro - New American Near Me - West Jefferson, North Carolina

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It is located in downtown - very cute venue. Honestly We have had better steak at the Mexican restaurant. I don't know what grade of meat it was but I will never order that again if we return. The meat was full of grizzle and not that enjoyable. For $60 per meal, plus drinks, plus dessert & appetizer we were over $200 for an average diner. We like to support local but also expect the quality for the prices. Most of the staff were very nice. read more

The only thing more impressive than the exquisite meal we both had was the service. The staff here were all extremely attentive and genuinely cared about our dining experience. Patrick was the perfect server. Our food was prepared and served to perfection and was a meal that we did not want to end. The evening was capped off by a trip upstairs to have Drew (can't miss him!) Craft the most amazing pecan pie Old Fashioned. We look forward to dining here again and bringing friends. If would give six stars if I could. Jarred and his team are superb. read more

I was excited for a "fine dining" experience but immediately disappointed in the ambiance of the place but we were there to enjoy each other's company so ultimately it didn't matter where we were seated. The ahi tuna appetizer did not disappoint and was cooked perfectly. Our table ordered the encrusted salmon, Mahi Mahi and three seared scallop entrees. The salmon was perfect while the other dishes were over cooked. They were made aware of the scallops and the chef came to the table and apologized and glad for the feed back. A second drink order was never received to which the server accepted the error was on her and said they would not be charged for it. Stands to reason. The to-go orders of key lime pie and chocolate torte were delicious! The winners for the night were the garlic potatoes and steamed broccoli which is pretty basic for "fine dining" so best to pass if that's what you're looking for. The cost of the meal was fine dining but the meal, environment and service not so much. read more

Service here is impeccable! The food is wonderfully prepared, presented, and delicious!

My brother and his wife took me here for my birthday. The service, atmosphere and food was top notch amazing. The servers all worked together and were friendly and engaging. The owner came to the table and expressed true appreciation for our business. This is a class A establishment. read more

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What an amazing restaurant! The smoked trout appetizer was delicious. I had the ribeye special which was also delicious. Everyone else had the filets and they were cooked perfectly. We had three different people serving our table and I will say the service was outstanding. Even the guy with the green hair was incredibly polite and efficient. We will definitely be back! read more

The food is always excellent, and the attention to detail is high, which is required for this fine dining experience. When we just want the best Martini in town we go upstairs and visit the bar get an appetizer or just some of their tasty, warm bread! read more

Craft Bistro is a hidden fine dining gem and our "go to place" every visit. The food is exceptional, comparable to restaurants in our largest metropolitan cities. The chef and family, as well as the servers are attentive, friendly and professional. Try the lamb pops, steak, salmon, scallops with great wine and/or martinis. And, enjoy a chat with the owners/chef as they often come to your table to check on you, grateful for your patronage. read more

Great food and service. Good selection of wines. Service impeccable! Come here each time we are in WJ.

Awesome birthday celebration at Craft Bistro. Wonderful service, food and ambiance. Best food in WJ! read more

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The most delicious food i've had in North Carolina. Server was also incredibly attentive and kind to the table! read more

Craft Bistro - Crab Encrusted Salmon - New American Near Me - West Jefferson, North Carolina

We've been 3 times over the years and all three visits were stellar. Fantastic food, cocktails, service and atmosphere.

This highly recommended restaurant was the highlight of our trip to see the Blue Ridge Mountains. To celebrate my husband's birthday, I wanted to find a place that had great food with great service. This place exceeded my hopes! At first glance, the menu looks simple, but the subtle twists and creativity takes each dish to an entirely new level of dining. This is a fine dining experience at a much lower (and appreciated!) cost. My husband and I have eaten at Michelin starred restaurants that were not as good as Craft Bistro! We ordered the shrimp toast with edamame wasabi purée and the smoked salmon guacamole as appetizers. Both were excellent but our favorite was the shrimp toast. Our table ordered: * 8 oz black truffle filet with blue cheese and scallops, with mashed potatoes and green beans * the salmon special: fresh salmon that had been cured in brown sugar, sea salt and pepper, seasoned with a mix that is similar to a Cajun spice mix, grilled and topped with Parmesan sauce, crab, feta and tomatoes (I think I got that right!) * scallops and risotto * grilled 8 oz filet with hazelnut veal reduction Everyone was thrilled with what they ordered. At the end of our dinner, the chef/owner, Jared Yelton, came out to chat with us. When asked about how his restaurant has fared during the Covid-19 pandemic, he began to tell us stories of the extreme generosity and support of the community. He had us in tears with his heartfelt appreciation. Our server, Patrick, was the first employee he hired when he opened, 3 yrs ago! We went to this restaurant with our best friends to celebrate my husband's birthday. We left with our hearts as full of goodness as our bellies. I think we will all remember this evening as one of the best meals we've ever had. Thank you, Jared, Patrick, Drew, and the coolest dishwasher, 18yo Calen. read more

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Once again, we are blown away by the quality and service locally! We used to head down the mountain to Winston Salem for a fabulous steak, but we tend to stay local now because this is just so good! Hubs had scallops, I had filet. Incredible! Don't miss out on this place! read more

Everything about our meal, from drinks, to appetizer, entrees and desserts was incredible! And the amazing service from Richard as well as the rest of the server team made a good dinner experience great. Many thanks to Craft Bistro for a fabulous evening out! We will be back! (Even if it is 2 hours away!) read more

Cost is a big issue and this is not a family restaurant, by any means. So get that out of the way first. If you are looking for a fine evening with friends, this is a fine place to do it. The chef is quite a master of his work. I will one day get back there again. read more

This place is always amazing and service is top notch. We have never had anything on the menu or specials that wasn't beyond expectations. If you come to West Jefferson make sure you make a reservation you will not regret it. The chef and employees are some of the friendliest we have ever encountered. read more

Great Birthday dinner for my husband. we had the lamb pops amazingly great. We then both had the special..Filet in a black truffle sauce with mash taters.Patrick our server was quite charming and helpful. A must go in W. Jefferson NC. read more

We didn't have a reservation, and were seated in the upstairs "lounge". The bar is fairly stark, the only decorations are photos for sale hung on the walls. We sat at the bar. The bartender was very nice and helpful. My wife had the crabcakes and grits. Pretty good except the crab was a little fishy, as if it had outlived its stay in the fridge for a day or two. I had the salmon with crab sauce, medium rare. EXCELLENT! Best salmon I've had in a year. The mashed potatoes were also really good. Not a cheap place. Our meal (with 1 drink each) was $130 read more

We came to eat here after being on the road for 9 hours, and I can tell you this: It was the most incredible feeling to be greeted by a warm ambiance, as well as the friendliest, most enthusiastic waitstaff and manager we have met in years! Our server, Drew, was incredibly kind, and wanted us to have nothing but the best wines to pair with our meals. He brought out small cups for us to taste, and to perfectly compliments our beyond high quality meals! I had the scallops on a bed of mushroom and white chocolate risotto. My date had the duck, and we both shared the shrimp toast appetizer. We have eaten in and also been servers in fine dining establishments, and can say that this exceeded all of our expectations! Thank you all so very much for the memorable evening! read more

Not to be missed when visiting West Jefferson. Have eaten here multiple times and it's always worthy of 5 stars! Amazing food and ambiance. Definitely get reservations, especially on weekends. You won't be disappointed! read more

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The great reviews brought me to Craft Bistro. Unfortunately, I was treated so poorly by the hostess upon entering the restaurant that I doubt I will go back at all. I am going to hope it was not an ethnic/racist issue and rather a lack of good training and professionalism on the part the hostess working today, Friday 10/20/23. If a restaurant requires reservations it should be properly stated on their marketing platforms. Needless to say she did not give us a table and served the other white guest who came after us. To the Hispanic Community in this area beware of Craft Bistro! read more

This wonderful new restaurant opened very quietly a couple of months ago just off the main drag of West Jefferson, a couple of doors away from the Ashe County Cheese store. It's high-end, chef-driven dining that doesn't really have an equivalent in town. The menu is small and focused, a very manageable size for a new place just starting out. We had a party of three, so we got to sample several things and there wasn't a miss in the bunch. The mussels with chorizo appetizer was good and garlicky, just like you would want. It comes with about a dozen mussels and a generous amount of crostini, so it would actually make an entree for someone with a smaller appetite. I very much enjoyed the chipotle Caesar salad ($4), with crisp greens and a nice burn in the dressing. The scallops with lobster-white chocolate risotto were spot-on (with the chocolate adding richness rather than sweetness). Perfectly-cooked Chilean sea bass came with a delicious side of zucchini pasta and a surf and turf came with the filet rare as ordered and some nicely-sauteed shrimp. Entrees are mostly in the $25 - $28 range, so higher-end for the location but completely justified by their size, ingredient quality, and execution. Sides are included in the entree price. Service was good, with most employees having worked at other WJ establishments and familiar with the area. The decor is fairly basic, but the space is freshly renovated and clean. They could use some textiles and softer surfaces to dampen sound, but they seem to be aware of that so will probably address it. There is currently no bar, though there is a sofa plus a few high-tops at the front separated from the main dining space. They serve beer and wine only, but they have a very nice selection of those. This is a welcome addition to the local scene and a terrific option for a special dinner out or when you just want something different. I plan to go back and hope they do well. read more

Craft Bistro - Scallops with lobster risotto - New American Near Me - West Jefferson, North Carolina

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So same song second, or is it third verse? This place rocks! It is rare to see a 5-star live up to those expectations but the bistro does. Started with mussels--- plump and savory with just the right toast points. Delicious.. Then we had the sea bass and the crab cakes. Great portions and prepared expertly. The grits were awesome.. Wrapped up with bread pudding.... Do not miss this dessert. It is the best you will ever have! Great space, great food, great ambience, and the Bistro team, from the owners to the table hosts are hard to beat. Missing the Bistro while you are in West J will be your loss Hint - if you are having wine, get a bottle. You will want to stay a while.... read more

It's tough when the first restaurant you try is this good. Now it'll be difficult to go anywhere else. The staff tonight was... well fun to be around and helpful. It's great when folks speak with genuine enthusiasm about their food & coworkers. Thanks to TBird, Joseph & Drew. Many thanks to Chef Jared too. We felt welcome. The meals were such a rare treat. Party of 8. So pretty much every entree was ordered & we shared. Deserts too. Again bread pudding was something very different. Nothing is standard here. It is all exquisite. Again many thanks to Chef Jared & his staff. read more

We like to support local restaurants, so when we saw a new one had opened in West Jefferson, we made plans to give it a try when we came up to our little "cabin on da' hill". Of course, the fact that one of our favorite local singers - Matt Bizzell - was going to be there didn't go unnoticed either! Ladies and gentlemen - Craft Bistro is a winner! It has atmosphere, it has class, it has an attentive staff (and owner) and it has some of the best food we have ever found in WJ! Five of us went to the Craft Bistro for Sunday brunch, and five of us left completely amazed with the quality of the food and the chef's attention to detail. From the Trout Guacamole (who would have EVER thought to combine those two things) appetizer to the Orange Cake and Creme Brûlée desserts - and everything in between - the caliber of their attention to detail is extraordinary. I HIGHLY recommend you do yourself a favor and visit the Craft Bistro. The owner and chef, Jared Yelton, puts his heart into each dish and I assure you, you taste it in every bite. You can thank me later. read more

What a fantastic little gem in West Jefferson! Like a prior reviewer, I enjoyed my first meal here so much that I came back again for a second time during a short 3-night stay in the mountains. The food was impeccable and server/bartender/dessert-maker Cindy made the experience even more enjoyable. I can't wait to find my way back to Craft Bistro! read more

Fantastic food and service. Our party of four shared the delicious Shrimp Toast appetizer. For our main courses we had two orders of Crab Cakes, and one each of Sea Bass, and Duck Breast. For dessert we had flourless chocolate torte, key lime pie, and bread pudding, Everything was so good! Drew was an excellent waiter and the owner checked in on us a couple of times too. If you are looking to treat yourself we'd highly recommend Craft Bistro! Our night there was a highlight of our trip to West Jefferson. read more

This was our first night out for a gourmet dinner since the pandemic started last year. West Jefferson is our home away from home, and we have been hoping to go to the Craft Bistro during one of our (somewhat) post-pandemic visits. We were finally able to visit tonight for dinner, and it did not disappoint!!! This restaurant has amazing customer service! They make you feel welcomed like an old friend as soon as you walk in the door. Drew took our reservation over the phone and greeted us at our table after we were seated. We also had the opportunity to met the owners, Jared, and his wife, Becky. They both took the time to chat with us and make us feel at home. Our server, Brianna, was also warm and engaging. She made great recommendations, and we were not disappointed. I wish we would have taken pictures of our entrees and appetizers. However, both had short lifespans on our plates! The scallop trio special was lovely and the tiger shrimp toast was full of flavor. My ahi tuna and seaweed salad was delicious, and my husband's chicken lobster risotto was perfect. We topped it off with the bread pudding and key lime pie for dessert. We're already looking forward to our next trip to West Jefferson and Craft Bistro. read more

High end spot in a town without many similar options. The owner is wonderful and personable. The food is high quality although the menu is somewhat limited. Nice spot. read more

Great service and atmosphere. Good is pricey but good. Need a good chicken option for an entre.

Our first time here. The food was outstanding. Obviously prepared by chefs who knew their craft. Portions were generous and nicely presented. Two small issues: The bread they serve with meals is excellent but the portions are very small. About a 4x4 inch square. They will gladly refill but it would be more convenient to get enough to start with. The other is that our server was very friendly but we were a bit put off by his attire. He wore old baggy jeans and sneakers that were dirty and untied. Not trying to be too critical but this is an upscale restaurant and this can be a turn off to many patrons. Otherwise, fantastic experience. Highly recommend. read more

This amazing restaurant in West Jefferson, NC could go toe to toe with any fancy NY City restaurant and come out head and shoulders above them all! This was not our first visit here, but like our other two experiences, it was five star! The food, the service, the attention to detail, the way the wait staff worked as one team...just perfection! Tonight we had the smoking tuna tower for an appetizer, I had the crab cakes with grits, & my husband had the duck. All of these were crafted to perfection and attention to detail. The wine list worked well with the entree offerings and we enjoyed a lovely bottle of pinot noir that complemented both of our entrees very well. read more