Over the weekend, I got a peek at the construction progress at Craft 64, the acclaimed pizzeria and bar in Old Town Scottsdale that is taking over the former La Stalla Rustica Cucina space near the new Flix Brewhouse in downtown Chandler.
The restaurant’s front windows are being replaced by two roll-up garage doors that will open to a small sidewalk patio. Just behind the entryway’s hostess stand is a glass-enclosed wine room.
From the front door, you can see the bar to the left and the pizza ovens to the right. Two long community tables will run down the middle. The dining room is in the back. Overall, the space is twice as big as the Scottsdale location.
The bar is 60 feet long and will feature a wood top. Behind the orange ladder is where the 30 all-Arizona beer taps – including eight for Craft 64’s own beers – will be located, the same number as Scottsdale.
Unlike the Scottsdale location, there will be two wood-fired pizza ovens behind a low wall, which will support the prep counter. The walls will be covered with shiplap siding.
Behind the restaurant, a former parking area is being replaced by a large patio that will have two fireplaces, two-top tables, banquette seating, planters, large trees, and a gated rear entrance.
Co-owner James Swann takes a photo of the ‘‘Coming Soon’’ sign as another owner, Roger Carpenter, looks on. Craft 64 is expected to open on Buffalo, just west of Arizona, around May 1.
