A.P. Crafters Kitchen & Bar Now Open

But those pretzels and beer cheese... I could live off that. I will definitely be going back.

+1 Definitely addicting to say the least!

Just got back from our first visit - YUM!!!!! What an excellent burger The pretzels/cheese were awesome. I tried my FIL's shrimp app and it was really good. I had the portobello/swiss/grilled onion burger and it really was a great burger. Mike had the Morning After and loved it as well. Madison was a little fussy, but she did like the sweet potato fries and ate some of my burger. Our server was very sweet and did her best to help us try and keep Madison entertained. We did not have room for dessert, but the doughnuts did look very tempting!

Their house beer was well above average.

Just FYI, it is my understanding that Crafters Lite is Kentucky Ale (Kentucky Light), Crafters Dark is Schlafly (not sure which one), Crafters Wheat is Upland (Wheat), and Crafters Pale is BBC (American Pale). So, it's not so much "house beer" as re-branded/named craft beer. That said, they are priced below the other beers on the menu, below what it would cost to get them elsewhere in town, and are good beers.

Their house beer was well above average.

Just FYI, it is my understanding that Crafters Lite is Kentucky Ale (Kentucky Light), Crafters Dark is Schlafly (not sure which one), Crafters Wheat is Upland (Wheat), and Crafters Pale is BBC (American Pale). So, it's not so much "house beer" as re-branded/named craft beer. That said, they are priced below the other beers on the menu, below what it would cost to get them elsewhere in town, and are good beers.

That's a standard move for that family of restaurants. I appreciate the cost point. At the same time, I don't know why they need to misrepresent the beers by "re-labeling" them. Guess it's all about the audience you are hoping for.

Having had my fill of extracurricular forum participation, I thought I'd get crazy and post an actual review.

Ate at AP's tonight with my mother.

I had the AP burger and slaw. My mom had a turkey sandwich with slaw. Unsweet tea for me. Diet Pepsi for her.

What I really liked: the decor, the well-spaced tables (noise level was well-controlled), the eating area without any TVs, the iced tea, the price point, and the option to get a sandwich with something other than fries as the side. Lots to like here.

What I really didn't like: the very overattentive wait staff and the lack of seasoning in the meat.

Like I said lots to like -- but unfortunate that both service and food came up short (that's 99% of the game!). The burger was well executed as a concept. The problem was they forgot to season the actual meat. My mom asked how it was, and I told her I felt like a judge on Top Chef. Just disappointed that I couldn't really enjoy the burger because the meat lacked any and all seasoning. Come on, just a little salt and pepper. That's basic. That's something I shouldn't have to point out to a manager.

The service was atrocious. I say atrocious not in the sense that I would actually complain about it to a manager. In fact, the server really didn't do anything wrong. She also didn't do anything right. Just atrocious in the sense that I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I was in the middle of. Here's the problem. I sensed a complete lack of awareness on the part of every service person we interacted with. All they ever did was ask questions. Can I take this? Are you done with that? Is there anything I can get you? Service starts with awareness. Service starts with acting based on observations. To be a good server you have to be able to read a situation. You have to be able to observe. You have to be able to weigh different options. These servers seemed to only be able to interrupt conversation, ask a question, and respond accordingly. If nothing was needed, they were sure to ask again in 2.5 seconds.

So, am I out-of-line to say this on the forum seeing as I said nothing to the manager? No, I don't think so. It's probably just a sure difference in philosophy. Maybe it's a demographic thing. Maybe it's a training thing. Maybe it's an end-of-town thing. Maybe 92% of customers are happy with the service. I just found it intrusive, unaware, and, at times, boarding on oblivious. Really, you are going to set the (empty) to-go container down on a pair of eyeglasses? Really, do you need to ask if someone wants a plate cleared when they've already boxed up the leftovers?

Really wanted to like the place. I still want to like the place. Three minutes after sitting down, I thought, "I think Tony has something good going on here." And yes, I made a earlier post about "jumping on the gastropub bandwagon." There's plenty of potential there. But, from this perspective, I'm not soon going to engage that service again.

I'm still disappointed in my disappointing experience. I wanted to like it. I thought I was going to like it....

The service was atrocious. I say atrocious not in the sense that I would actually complain about it to a manager. In fact, the server really didn't do anything wrong. She also didn't do anything right. Just atrocious in the sense that I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I was in the middle of. Here's the problem. I sensed a complete lack of awareness on the part of every service person we interacted with. All they ever did was ask questions. Can I take this? Are you done with that? Is there anything I can get you? Service starts with awareness. Service starts with acting based on observations. To be a good server you have to be able to read a situation. You have to be able to observe. You have to be able to weigh different options. These servers seemed to only be able to interrupt conversation, ask a question, and respond accordingly. If nothing was needed, they were sure to ask again in 2.5 seconds..

Let's be honest... how many great servers want to work at a low-check-average burger joint?
Add in the fact that they have to wear fedoras... it's a wonder they can keep a service staff at all.

The service was atrocious. I say atrocious not in the sense that I would actually complain about it to a manager. In fact, the server really didn't do anything wrong. She also didn't do anything right. Just atrocious in the sense that I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I was in the middle of. Here's the problem. I sensed a complete lack of awareness on the part of every service person we interacted with. All they ever did was ask questions. Can I take this? Are you done with that? Is there anything I can get you? Service starts with awareness. Service starts with acting based on observations. To be a good server you have to be able to read a situation. You have to be able to observe. You have to be able to weigh different options. These servers seemed to only be able to interrupt conversation, ask a question, and respond accordingly. If nothing was needed, they were sure to ask again in 2.5 seconds..

Let's be honest... how many great servers want to work at a low-check-average burger joint?
Add in the fact that they have to wear fedoras... it's a wonder they can keep a service staff at all.

Not sure if the fedoras thing was a joke. No fedoras last night.

Matthew may I say one thing........? I think I love you.

You'd think that after several weeks of these kinds of reviews, Tony P or someone would have noticed and told the servers to chill out.

You'd think that after several weeks of these kinds of reviews, Tony P or someone would have noticed and told the servers to chill out.

I read, I listen, I follow up with our entire staff when I read negative and positve comments. The wonderful Managers and staff are servicing over 4,000 customers a week at Crafters and based on our customer surveys and secret shoppers, our service is rated 90% or above. But there is the 10% that we could improve, so please, please, please, if your experience is not what you expected, wether is not enough seasoning on the meat, OVER service, etc., ASK FOR A MANAGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. We truly want you to have a great experience. Restaurants makes mistakes, but how we take care of them, will make us great.

Annemarie, Heather, Matthew D and Gary Z, ......thank you for motivating us!

I didn't think my service required the attention of a manager. it was just kinda annoying. the kid looked like he was twelve and just really didn't know the answers to any of our questions regarding the menu or the beer list. worse still, it seemed as if he would just make stuff up rather than just being honest about his ignorance of craft beer.

the bruschetta was great and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. my pastrami rocked! we will be back.

The service was atrocious. I say atrocious not in the sense that I would actually complain about it to a manager. In fact, the server really didn't do anything wrong. She also didn't do anything right. Just atrocious in the sense that I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I was in the middle of. Here's the problem. I sensed a complete lack of awareness on the part of every service person we interacted with.

We had a similar experience when we visited last weekend. Service was just ... lacking common sense. I have worked in both restaurants and customer service. My husband ordered a salad with our meal. We waited and waited. Finally I checked with the waitress and to make sure to let her know we had wanted it before our entrees just in case there was confusion or we hadn't been clear when ordering. She said she knew and had rung it in first but that the kitchen was really busy. Understood, but why not run back and check to make sure it would come out correctly as ordered? It didn't, it came with our meals about 45 minutes after ordered.

Not enough for me to talk to management about, especially while dining out with friends and not wanting to make a big deal out of it. And I felt like I gave the server a chance to correct the issue, how far does up the chain of command does one have to go to get a salad before her meal? But enough to make me wonder about training or even having the right attitude for customer service. When I was presented with that type of situation, I would apologize, check on the situation and correct it immediately for the customer.


Also, the busser tried to take my plate while eating. I seriously had to swallow my fries to tell him I was still eating. Weird.

Overall, pretty good food not good service. Probably won't be back. Especially since we have always had great food and service around the corner at Boombozz.

Sarah,
No matter what restaurant we're at if the salad comes with the meal instead of before it we tell them we no longer want it and have it taken off the bill! They're supposed to be and expected to be served before the main meal plain and simple. They are not a side dish and shouldn't be served as such.

[Robin Garr]

They're supposed to be and expected to be served before the main meal plain and simple. They are not a side dish and shouldn't be served as such.

In Europe, salads are normally served after the main course. Don't never say never.

In Europe, salads are normally served after the main course. Don't never say never.

True, but when I'm dining in Europe that's where I expect it. Here I expected before my entree. It's just as bad if it's served out of sequence there, it's just that the sequence is different. Of course overall I feel the service there is normally handled much more professionally even though they are not working for tips!