Chef Cullen Campbell, owner and chef of Crudo, has been restaurant-less since July, when he was forced out of the Steven Paul Salon where Crudo made its home on the patio and in-house cafe. Since then, he's been searching for a new location while bringing his inventive raw seafood and handmade pasta dishes to the masses, pop-up style, at places like Posh, Cycle, and Jam.
Looks like those days are over.
Campbell has found a new location for Crudo at 3603 East Indian School Road (Indian School Road and 36th Street.) Formerly the Back Street Wine Salon, Jock Wulffson's restaurant and wine shop that closed in February, Campbell says the Central Phoenix location doesn't need a lot of work and should be ready in the next few weeks.
"I can't wait to get back into a kitchen again and expand my menu," Campbell tells me. "The landlord has been great and is helping to make a lot of the changes."
Changes? Expanded menu? Do tell.
In addition to familiar Crudo fare like handmade gnocchi and raw seafood dishes, Campbell says he'll be adding a wood-fired grill to the new location for creations such as grilled short ribs and pork belly rib with an Italian-style barbecue sauce.
"That should make the men of Arcadia happy," Campbell jokes.
The new Crudo will be BYOB until Campbell gets his liquor license (like his pop-ups, he'll charge a $10 corkage fee), but plans to have a full bar and, being a lover of spritzer, Prosecco sparkling wine on tap.
Campbell says Crudo's new interior will be warm and comfortable which means painted brick walls, couches, exposed ceilings and duct work, and concrete floors. He'll also be using antique flatware paired with modern plates and dishes for an eclectic mix of dinnerware.
The good news? Folks won't have to wait until grand opening day to experience Crudo cuisine. Campbell plans to do pop-ups inside the new location three or four days a week.
"Before the deal went down, Josh [Hebert of Posh] asked me if was experiencing sleepless nights yet," Campbell tells me. "I haven't slept well for the past two weeks. It's felt like a really long time to me. I can't wait to have my own place again."
To make reservations for a Crudo pop-up or for the completed Crudo, call 480-353-8867 or email [email protected].
