We had the good fortune of connecting with Blake Mellgren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blake, what inspires you?
Growing up in Orange County, there was a lack of creative culinarians and culinary options. Having food that blew your mind was something that excited me at an early age, but there wasn’t much in the scene that did that.

What inspired me most was working and living in Los Angeles and New York, having great food at 2 a.m. in the cities, or being in a hole-in-a-wall that has zero seating. That’s what inspired me to make a restaurant. To share those experiences with my community, with people who may not yet have had those experiences.

I’m also inspired by the quality of the product we use. I’ve worked with Sunny Cal Farms for 8 years. Same with Harbor Fish Company. Other vendors may have quality product, but in knowing the people I’m getting my product from, I know their ethos and standards are has high as mine. That makes me want to create the best dishes we can, to showcase what we’re sourcing.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

What sets Craft House apart is a combination of things—location, experience menu, and bar vibes. We’re located in beautiful South Orange County, near the turn into the Lantern District where Pacific Coast Highway comes into Dana Point. We often see our regulars a few times a week, and it stays that way because our staff is friendly and cares about the craft of great service.

Our menu is Southern inspired, by both the American South and Southern California. We make a lot of our components in house, and everything that we don’t, we source from people we believe in. We feature 150 bottles of whiskey and make a variety of Old Fashioneds that are considered the best in town.

We’re especially proud that Dana Point locals voted us the Best Overall Restaurant in 2023 in our local newspaper, the Dana Point Times.

What made Craft House what it is today is that we swing for the fences continuously. We aren’t afraid to go for it. It’s always easier to rein it in than to step it up. It’s never easy. It can be brutal at times, especially in the pandemic. But that’s what makes it rewarding. If it was easy, there’d be no joy in success.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that you just have to go for it. What I want people to know about my brand is that it’s driven by authenticity. This is who we are, and we represent that on every plate, and with every drink served.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Dana Point the spots to go are Giana, Maison, A Pizza Doho, Truly Pizza, and Harvest at The Ranch (technically Laguna Beach for that one).

Moulin also has delicious french pastries that are very authentic, and their ham & cheese paninis have, somehow, the crispiest and the fluffiest bread.

Also, Ahba in Laguna Beach. They have great food.

For drinks, I’d go to Turks or Blue Dolphin. If you want a nice glass of wine, don’t miss Old Acre Tasting Room just outside of the harbor.

I’d hang out at Monarch Beach Golf Links or Ben Brown Golf.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out everyone who’s been there for me at Craft House. It’s the farthest thing away from a one-man operation that could exist. Every single person who has stepped through the doors as an employee—whether that’s front of house, kitchen, bar—I’m only someone with so many ideas and so much follow through. Everyone has been an integral piece over the last 8 years we’ve been in business.

Especially my wife!

Website: eatatcrafthouse.com

Instagram: instagram.com/eatatcrafthouse

Facebook: facebook.com/eatatcrafthouse

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/craft-house-dana-point-2

Image Credits
Niyaz Pirani / Knife & Spork Public Relations

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.