Dine / Finney ’ s Crafthouse
FOOD & DRINK
Well-Crafted Cuisine
FINNEY ’ S CRAFTHOUSE SERVES OVER 30 LOCAL BEERS ON TAP , PLUS CREATIVE BURGERS , PIZZA AND MORE , IN A RESTORED HISTORIC BUILDING .
By SHARON STELLO
Top left : Finney ’ s Crafthouse dishes ( clockwise from bottom right ) including Buffalo cauliflower , cheesesteak eggrolls , mini lobster rolls , carnitas nachos , beer and a sour ; clockwise from top right : cocktails ; Peggy ’ s Crispy Chicken Sandwich plus the sausage and garlic pizza ; the restaurant ’ s interior space
W ith brick and distressed wood walls as well as plush leather booths , the new Finney ’ s Crafthouse on South Coast Highway is warm and inviting . It ’ s also a lively place to gather with family and friends , thanks to the extensive bar area and multiple TV screens showing a variety of sports games .
A small regional chain , Finney ’ s takes the place of the former White House restaurant , which was a mainstay in town for a little over a century until it closed in 2019 . An
extensive restoration of the historic building led to Finney ’ s opening in March .
Beer lovers will rejoice with 30 mostly OC-area brews on tap in flavor profiles from light to fruity , hoppy , toasty and malty . Thousand Steps , an India pale ale by Laguna Beach Beer Co ., can be found alongside GameCraft Brewing ’ s Otaku lager from Laguna Hills and Left Coast Brewing Co .’ s Asylum , a Belgian tripel ale from San Clemente . Craft cocktails and California wines round out the alcohol menu .
When it comes to the food , diners may have a hard time deciding with an eclectic lineup of more than 50 made-from-scratch dishes like tacos , pizzas , salads , hot wings , burgers and sandwiches . The starters menu alone features 18 options , from deviled eggs with candied bacon and Sriracha to mini lobster rolls on sweet Hawaiian roll buns .
The carnitas nachos are a local favorite and it ’ s clear to see why . The massive serving is more than enough to share with the whole table . The savory meat pairs perfectly with melted cheese , pico de gallo , chunks of avocado and Fresno chiles for tasty bites with a slight kick , cooled down by cilantro crema .
Another snack that will keep you coming back for more is the Buffalo cauliflower . Deep-fried cauliflower florets on a bed of garlic aioli are drizzled with a tangy yuzu sauce and topped with blue cheese crumbles . The flavor combination is a satisfying way to start a meal .
When it comes to main dishes , the most popular item is Peggy ’ s Crispy Chicken sandwich , complete with a thick , juicy piece of fried chicken , pepper jack cheese , Fresno chiles , tomato and slaw on a potato bun slathered with spicy aioli . The flatbread pizzas are also tempting with varieties like barbecue chicken , sausage and garlic or mushroom and truffle . Meanwhile , tacos come filled with chicken , steak , mahi mahi , crispy cauliflower or Kalua pork carnitas . And hot wings are offered in tantalizing flavors like chipotle barbecue , mango habanero and Nashville hot . Hefty burgers include one topped with a fried egg , crispy jalapenos and chipotle aioli . For the more health conscious , there are also plenty of salads , like the Asian option filled with seared ahi , mixed greens , mandarin oranges , peppers , carrots , onions , cucumber , tofu and a ginger-miso vinaigrette .
For dessert , choose between churros , a brownie and an ice cream sandwich made with cookies . With so many items , it ’ s easy to come back again and again , while making everyone in your group happy and never having the same thing twice . g
FINNEY ’ S CRAFTHOUSE : 340 S . Coast Highway ; 949-484-8140 ; finneyscrafthouse . com HOURS : 11 a . m . to 10 p . m . Sunday through Wednesday ; 11 a . m . to 11 p . m . Thursday through Saturday
TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT : ASHLEY RYAN
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