Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Kraft. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Root & Branch Bistro is built on the experience and second, to none passion Chef AJ Kraft has for food and culinary integrity. The concept of Root & Branch came to life in 2017 after continuous feedback from the local community that Clermont desperately needed a quality dining option. After years of working in casual fine dining restaurants as well as regularly traveling long distances for an elevated dining experience, Chef Kraft considered a venture of his own. In partnership with his wife Dana, who also envisioned one day owning and operating a restaurant, the couple made the decision to follow their dreams and open Clermont’s most unique dining experience. Chef Kraft now has the ability to apply what he has learned and loved for so many years in his home town providing an elevated culinary experience and delivering exceptional service standards.
AJ & Dana’s goal is to deliver locally sourced food with integrity in an inviting and service-oriented atmosphere. The Root & Branch brand allows for Clermont to have its first casual fine dining restaurant.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a bumpy road, and covid-19 didn’t help. Like many restaurants, we were take out only for a period of time and we closed our doors for a period of time. But we’ve bounced back, it’s our third year and we’re doing well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The term Root and Branch is an English phrase that means completely and thorough and we like to think we are a complete experience from food and drinks to service to atmosphere. Over the last few years we’ve cultivated a menu that changes hyper seasonally and a beverage program that is always evolving, be it our boutique wine list or our collection of spirits and local beers on draft, there’s something for everyone. We’ve grown from a little bistro to something greater and that’s what we’re most proud of.
Contact Info:
- Email: rootandbranch.aj@gmail.com
- Website: Rootandbranchbistroandbar.com
- Instagram: Rootandbranch_bb
