When Craft first opened its doors in Argentina in December 2019, its founders had no idea how quickly it would expand – let alone cross international borders. Fast forward to July 2021, and the opportunity to bring Craft to Miami arose unexpectedly when one of the partners, Nicolas Bleckwedel, was looking for a new business venture. Thanks to quick decision-making and a strong vision, they managed to open their first U.S. restaurant within a few months, and the steady growth hasn’t stopped since. 

With nine Miami locations opening here in Miami in just three years, Craft has successfully made a name for itself by focusing on quality food, excellent service, and prime locations. Today we sat down with Nicolas, who goes by Nico, to discuss their newest and largest location here in Coconut Grove’s Business Improvement District (BID) and their signature blend of comfort food and welcoming atmosphere to our vibrant neighborhood. 

BID: What’s the story behind the founding of Craft? What inspired you and your partners to expand from Argentina to Miami?
NICO: Craft started in Argentina in 2019. We expanded quickly there, and then decided to try our luck in the U.S. This led to opening our first restaurant in the Miami in July 2021. One of our partners was looking for a business to obtain a visa; his initial deal fell through, and he connected with someone we both knew. That contact introduced the idea of trying a different type of business. We began discussions in early February 2019, and by the end of July, we were up and running. The rest is history.

BID: Craft has opened eight restaurants across Miami in just three years. What have been the key factors behind such rapid growth, and what challenges have you faced during this process?
NICO: Opening second-generation restaurants has been key, as it speeds up the process considerably. We actually opened nine locations, but we had to close our Brickell spot because the building is being demolished. Another factor is that our eight remaining restaurants are in prime locations, which is a huge advantage. After the pandemic, many restaurants opened in Miami, and it was relatively easy to attract customers since Miami was one of the only cities fully open. At that time, product and pricing didn’t matter as much – you would still sell. Now, however, we’re seeing a market correction, and restaurants without a solid product, good service, and reasonable prices are closing. Fortunately, I believe we excel in all these areas, making us a place people choose to visit two or three times a week.

BID: Craft’s menu offers a wide variety of comfort food options. How do you balance offering both classic Argentine dishes and other international favorites to cater to the diverse tastes in Miami?
NICO: That’s a question we’re frequently asked. Here’s the thing: We’re not an Argentine restaurant – we’re a comfort food restaurant. We adapted the menu we brought from Argentina to suit American tastes, but comfort food is comfort food anywhere, so we really didn’t have to make many changes.

BID: Coconut Grove is known for its eclectic and vibrant dining scene. How do you envision Craft fitting into this neighborhood, and what can we expect from this location that sets it apart?
NICO: When we open in a new neighborhood, we aim to create a place that feels like home. In most of our restaurants, people become regulars quickly due to our commitment to quality, service and reasonable pricing. I think Coconut Grove needed a place like this. We even chose to be a bit farther from the busy Central Grove/CocoWalk area, but not too far, so that people who live in the Grove can find the calmness and comfort that’s perhaps hard to find elsewhere.

BID: How do you plan to collaborate with other BID-based businesses to create a stronger sense of community and shared success?
NICO: I think the Coconut Grove BID does a great job creating synergy between local businesses, and we’re very excited to be a part of it and looking forward to supporting each other.

BID: You said that Craft makes everyone feel like regulars. How does your team maintain such personalized service across multiple locations? Are you doing anything differently to match the Grove’s unique vibe?
NICO: We train our staff on the essential service basics that every server or bartender should have, emphasizing speed and simplicity. But we also encourage spontaneity. We don’t like “robotic” service where you can predict the server’s next words. We believe in a spontaneous yet professional approach.

BID: What menu items do you think will resonate the most in the Grove? Are there any new dishes or local specialties you’re planning to introduce?
NICO: Our goat cheese croquettes are a must-try, and our Neapolitan-style pizzas are fantastic. I also think our breakfast and brunch options will surprise the neighborhood.

BID: How does Craft plan to engage with our community beyond the restaurant itself? Are there plans to participate in local events, partnerships, or charity initiatives?
NICO: We’ve just opened communications with the BID through their Marketing Director Kristell Hurtado, and we’re excited to participate in everything related to the community. Being an active part of the community is essential for us as a restaurant.

BID: What’s next for Craft? Do you foresee continued expansion in Miami or into new cities? And how does Coconut Grove play into your long-term vision for the brand?
NICO: Our initial goal was to establish ourselves in Miami’s main neighborhoods. We have a few spots left to cover, but we’re almost there. Coconut Grove has always been on our radar, but finding the right space took time. Now, we have a beautiful dining room and an even more stunning terrace. This is our largest and most ambitious location so far, and we have high expectations. We hope people join us on this journey.

BID: Lastly, what’s your biggest passion outside the restaurant?
NICO: I’m a chef, so cooking at home is something I really enjoy.