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"We are farm-to-table (not frozen to table!) restaurant and all of our food is cooked fresh," explained Co-owner Robert Beckert, a certified sommelier and Wyckoff, N.J. resident. "Hand-cut fries, crab cakes, grass fed beef, and short rib grilled cheese are some of the highlights."
As for the bar, it's all about a thoughtfully put together list of libations with an emphasis on craft beer. This list is continually rotated to bring a fresh, seasonal variety, said Beckert. At the moment, you'll find a lot of stouts, porters, and dark ales befitting the start of winter's grip .(In summer, expect more fruit beers).
Craft House also has an exclusive with Wappingers Falls-based North River Hops and Brewing ... at least until they expand. "We are the only bar in Rockland to carry their beer at the moment and they are not in New Jersey," said Beckert.
The restaurant, which will celebrate it's one-year-anniversary in January 2016, also features a comprehensive wine list along with house-made cocktail recipes that also change with the seasons.
Doing something unique to the area was important to Beckert, who co-owns the restaurant with Chef Craig Levy, a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) grad and owner of Rocca, an upscale BYOB in Glen Rock, NJ. "His sister lives in Airmont and knew we were in the market for a craft beer gastropub bar and helped us make the connection," said Beckert, who worked for some time as a manager at Rocca (he also worked as a mixologist at New York's famed Oyster Bar).
"We guarantee no other restaurant in this area has the same selection of local craft beer," he emphasized. "Not to mention great food and service." New to the menu: the restaurant's popular brussels sprouts and creamy roasted cauliflower as well as fun beer cocktails.
Said Beckert: "You can always try the favorite, ''The Smoking Gun,' a blend of scotch, fresh squeezed orange, and IPA, giving people the best of peat and hops."
Craft House is at 150 Lafayette Ave, (845) 547-2555, www.crafthouseny.com/.
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