101 Craft Kitchen — Restaurant in Carmel

UPDATE Came in again on a Friday during Happy Hour [4:00-6:00] for the Pretzels ($4.75) and Buffalo Cauliflower Dip ($6.00). The pretzels with their caraway seeds are my favorite. However, I am posting this update purely to sing the praises of their small plates that were also amazing: Brown Butter Gnocchi ($8.00) and Crispy Blue Cheese Potatoes ($5.75). The flavors in the gnocchi are amazing and the potatoes are a crispy, cheesy, and spicy treat. Just wish they had a porter or stout on tap.

UPDATE This update is long overdue. Mary Michael, the GM, was awesome in reaching out after learning of our previous experience. My wife and I finally were able to return this evening and took advantage of their happy hour specials.

M-F 4:00-6:00 they offer 1/2 off their starters, dips, and spreads as well as $3 off draft beer. We sat in the bar, which we prefer for the atmosphere and because the service is fantastic. In the future we will probably sit at the actual bar as the light from the exterior windows to the east are a tad bright on the eyes when looking across the table in their direction.

They have 20 draft beer options, of which my wife chose their cider and I went w/ the oatmeal stout. We each agreed we would order them again, although I also would try their other options as well.

We shared their Housemade Pretzels, Loaded Hummus, and Street Corn Dip. The Street Corn Dip was fine, but we didn't love it. Most of the flavor was concentrated in the center portion. Loaded Hummus was a nice blend of ingredients w/ some very good naan, although it would be even better with a bit more feta.

The star is the pretzel. There were 2 in the order. It was a 100% improvement from our last experience as they were soft, hot, and had an outstanding, unique flavor with their caraway seeds. The beer cheese wasn't as good as the cheese ball we got the 1st time we visited, but it was much better than the previous visit. It was creamier than the cheese ball, but we believe it had a note of horse radish that gave it a nice kick.

So for 3 apps and 2 beers, our total bill came to a shade over $25 before tip, which we thought was excellent. It's a bit out of our way, but we will definitely return for the happy hour when we can to sample more of their beers, apps, and definitely the pretzels.

UPDATE Returned for a 2nd visit, looking forward to the unique pretzels we tried last time, but also noticed a decent bit of the menu had changed since our previous visit. Sadly, this visit was subpar in comparison in pretty much every way. Would probably go 2 stars on this visit alone, but averaged out with the 4 stars we gave it last time to a 3 overall at the moment.

First, we selected the street corn dip ($10.25) and the pretzels (normally $9.50, but $4.75 for the Friday happy hour. I enjoyed the corn and guac in the center of the dip, but its quantity was limited compared to the sour cream mixture that surrounded the majority of the dish. It tasted fine, but for the price we thought there could be a little more substance to the dip beyond the concentrated center piece. After our previous positive experience with the pretzels, they were the real disappointment. There are 2 in an order, but they seemed smaller. Worse they were possibly old or at least very over cooked and they were not soft and honestly a challenge to bite off and chew. The accompanying dip that we enjoyed last time was like a cheese ball, but it was replaced by a small, creamy, unremarkable cheese dip.

My wife and I split the Margherita Flatbread ($12.50), which actually packed a decent flavor punch with its garlic pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil & extra virgin olive oil. The 'flatbread' was the weak point as it was thin like a tortilla and burnt crisp, which seemed to be a theme for us from the kitchen...

My family and I were visiting from out of town. We arrived here for dinner, upon arrival, we were told it was “open” seating and that outside was the only location available. While being taken to the outside area I noticed two tables open for 4. We got seated outside by the hostess, whom did not fill our water glasses, mind you it was 90 degrees. Another family got seated after us and immediately got water and was asked if they wanted an appitizer. My family and I waited 15 minutes and still did not have water, nor service. At this point I got up and went to the hostess, I asked her if we were going to get service outside, at which point she became rude and I asked for a manager. The manager approached and I took him to the open seats inside at which point he said they were reserved. Now again, we originally were told it was open seating. So which is it, do you need reservations or is it open seating. Either way, the empty tables should be marked “reserved” to avoid the negative perception. When we finally got service, the food was mediocre at best for the price and crappy service we received. At the end of the day the manager could have comped our first round of drinks, yet that did not happen either. We watched two more families get up and leave from the outside area while we were there, due to the poor service level and lack of drinks on a hot day. I would recommend not going here, as when we did leave there are many more options around, and we all said we just should have gone to Piada,

Update: I appreciate the reply to my initial review, however the manager DID NOT discount anything. That was my point! Don’t worry, we will never be back to this establishment, it is obvious you operate as a “we don’t do anything...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

If you're looking for a local spot with top-notch service, great food, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere, 101 Craft Kitchen in Carmel should be at the top of your list.

The heart of this place is the amazing staff, led by the General Manager, Mary Michael. She’s one of the most attentive and hard-working managers I’ve ever seen—always on the move helping wherever she’s needed, whether it’s in the kitchen, behind the bar, greeting guests, or checking in at your table to make sure everything is just right. She genuinely cares, and it shows.

The bartenders are also fantastic, especially Bailey Brown. She’s friendly, fun, and has that perfect balance of personality and professionalism. She knows the regulars by name (and drink!) and makes everyone feel right at home.

The chef and sous chef consistently knock it out of the park—everything from small plates to entrées is flavorful and well-executed. The entire staff is knowledgeable, hardworking, and personable. They know the menu and beer selections inside and out, and they’re always happy to make great recommendations.

Happy Hour runs from 4–6 PM on weekdays and it’s one of the best around. TVs in the bar make it a great spot to catch a game, and the outdoor seating—especially the covered, heated four-season room—is perfect year-round.

I’m usually here most Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for Happy Hour, hanging out at the end of the bar. Come say hey!

Bonus: My real estate team, The James Embry Team, hosts a free client appreciation event every other month on the 3rd Thursday—free food, drinks, and great company.

101 Craft Kitchen is truly a gem. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, do yourself a favor...