Craftwood Inn

05/09/06

I don't get It

by pelechko at Citysearch

I don't understand why anyone would visit this restaurant. The food is boring covered in sauce, the building old, run down and musty. It was not romantic and is just in a weird location. My server was unattentive and very nervous. Took ten minutes to get a table ready for three with reservations on a very slow night. I just don't get it.

• Cons: food, atmosphere, service

01/21/08

What an awesome dining experience!

by Darlene7988 at Citysearch

This is one of the best restaurants that I have eaten. The food is exquisite, the service is flawless, the atmosphere is brilliant, and the views are marvelous! The staff is very professional and our server exhibited a fair knowledge of the food and wine they serve. We started by sharing the Combination Appetizer, which was amazing along with the Winter Salad, which was also quite unique. For our entrees my husband had the Trio of Tenderloin and I had the Wild Grill. Both of us were astounded at the quality of these dishes, you can really tell the chef used a lot of creativity and they look like artwork. Our server was prompt, but didn?t rush us; friendly but not intrusive. We sat next to the fireplace and it was so romantic and cozy. I would recommend anyone to go here for a special occasion, to bring visitors, or just to pamper yourself. I will be returning to Craftwood Inn very soon.

• Pros: Ambiance, Selection, Wine List, Quality of Food, Service
• Cons: Nothing to complain about, everything is perfect!

05/27/07

mediocre small town fare

by 1foodie4u at Citysearch

Charming hidden historic building, but has many draw backs. We had heard the Craftwood had a long history of fine dining, but that was not our expereince at all. We dress up, lady in gowns and heels with a group of friends in a limo for a birthday celebration. the limo can't get up the narrow circular drive, so we had to walk a 100 yards up a hill in the rain. The lays are getting their hair and dresses wet, slippy and sliding on the steep drive way... ok a bad start. WHEN WE GET INSIDE WE WERE NOT GREETED BY ANYONE! We waited for several minute while servers were walking past us soaking wet, we want to dry off and tidy up, butdon't know where the restrooms are... we find the restrooms ( not what you expect for fine dining!) ...eventually get to a table.. the place is a little tired and needs a make over, wornout table and chairs, dirty walls, tired carpet. The server appologized for out expereince so far... but added. " what can I do? management is busy trying to run two restaurants now and the place was not designed to handle limoservice" Well food was ok, but not great, are server was too busy to be attentive, it took a long time to get our food and the we saw the chef talking to another table with a glass of wine in his hand in the middle of dinner service...go figure. Overall it was better food than Chilli's or Appleby's, but its a place I go for a 2nd visit.. of course you can decide for yourself

03/11/07

Cozy and Comfortable

by velvetrose at Citysearch

I thought the Craftwood Inn was romantic, but did not live up to what I expected. My husband I were seating right in front of the fireplace, which was excellent. Our server was obviously new and he couldn't answer all of our questions, although he tried. We have good hearts, so this did not bother us. He did drop a glass at another table later in the evening. We left him a big tip because we saw how embarrassed he was. The food was good, but we aren't really in to wild meat. The jalapeno dessert was surprisingly good despite our hesitation. We were confused by the dress. We had arrived quite dressed up and the table next to us were very dressed down in shorts. The father was annoying and very loud and he allowed his older teenagers to order alcohol, which I did not agree with. However, this was not the fault of the restaurant, but another customer.

• Pros: Pretty Building, Fancy Food
• Cons: Overrated, Staff needs better training

01/12/07

WOW says it all.

by dksrss at Citysearch

Just had my anniversary dinner at the Craftwood Inn. I found the waitstaff very professional and yet friendly. Our waiter suggested the salad made with fresh mozzerella and tomatoes. It was fantastic. Followed up with Mac nut Ostrich that was out of this world. I had the Caribou and my wife had the Wild Boar, both were great. The best part was that each item on the plate had its own unique flavors that complimented the entree. We ordered a bottle of L'ecole Cabernet from their extensive (over200) wine list it was one of the best Cab's I have ever had. I have eaten at many restaurants around the country and this ranks at the top. Cozy, quite and intimate. Next time I am ordering the New York Strip steak or will it be the three game samplier?

04/29/06

Not bad

by emilijack at Citysearch

A decent restaurant, but by no means lives up to a high end expectation. the building is old, outdated and slightly run down, the food is also oudated and very messy. It is good, but for the price there are other places you should try.

01/14/06

Excellent Fare for Discriminating Tastes

by corn29 at Citysearch

I've been going there since 1993. As someone who is professionally trained, I was shocked to see the previous review. Craftwood In n dishes are always exquisitely prepared, the wine list has hundreds of entries, and the service is always top notch. Now if you go to a restaurant like this and you're the type which likes to order a NY strip well done, or if you don't like to be exposed to extravagant flavors, textures, and ingredients, you'll probably be disappointed. Bummed they took venison capriccio off the menu. Try the Jalapeno White Chocolate Mouse for desert (yes, you read that correctly)... you won't be disappointed.

• Pros: fresh game, wine selection, daring menu
• Cons: Parking

07/09/02

OSTRICH YES!!! LAMB NO!!!!

by parmetcpa at Citysearch

This quaint former workshop was reviewed in the local press as the best in Manitou Springs. With expectations high, I brought a group of 5 culinaires. A very mixed inconsistent work of food. The appetizers of Ostrich was fabulous, leading us to higher expectations, which the entres did not bring. The veal and mixed grill was just good and the lamb was undercooked and oversauced. The wine list is limited, but you would think this is just Manitou Springs, but the next night I had the meal of a lifetime with a wine list to match. The Craftwood Inn really has some wonderful service staff, friendly, knowledgable, but is not the number one restaraunt in this Pikes Peak village.

• Pros: Ostrich, Wait Staff, Ambiance
• Cons: Lamb, Wine List