Craft and Commerce

Craft & Commerce is a new project in San Diego social engineering with a bold vision to eliminate fast 'n' easy artificial stimulation and reinvent the art of real human interaction. A canvas of materials, ideas and quotes that have inspired them along the way, Arsalun Tafazoli and Nate Stanton have brought to life their understanding of an ideal conversation space – the cornerstone of culture. It is here in casual dining halls that patrons should gather to read, reflect and exchange ideas.

Craft & Commerce is at once traditional and ahead of its time in décor and ideology. Piecing together antique reclaimed snow fencing from Wyoming on the ceiling, metal and glass front doors with Model T Ford steering wheels as the handles and quotes from notable books, like the Grapes of Wrath and On the Road written on the walls and across the booths, Craft & Commerce dares to test Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy of social engineering in San Diego’s ultra-modern community of Little Italy. Although you won’t find any sensory-overload gimmicks at Craft & Commerce, what you will find is extra-strength champagne cocktails served in 38-ounce punch bowls. Oh yes. Creating the cocktail program is award-winning bartender Phil Ward of Death & Co. and Mayhuel fame in New York, who has combined quality spirits with fresh-squeezed juices, delicious champagne cocktails, and of course, punch-bowl service. What’s even better? Craft & Commerce introduces the first Kold-Draft ice machine in San Diego, which makes the slow-melting, perfect cubes required for a superior cocktail.