Chef/owner Laura Crucet, with her ‘Dream Team’ at her side cuts the ribbon on her new restaurant, Beef and Leaf Cafe, with assistance from Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann, left, Councilor Randall Ryti, second from left, and Council Chair Denise Derkacs, right, Wednesday evening at 3801 Arkansas Ave. The special event included a menu preview and was hosted by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Graduate of the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and award-winning chef and local restaurateur Laura Crucet cut the ribbon on her third eatery – Beef and Leaf Cafe – Wednesday evening to a full house at 3801 Arkansas Ave.
Chef Crucet explained that she created Beef and Leaf Cafe on the dream of taking the comfort food offered at her Pig + Fig Cafe in White Rock and upscaling it to a new level of dining. Her vision was to take the experience of the Pig + Fig Cafe wine dinners, and offer it all week, year round. As a result, Beef and Leaf Cafe provides an upscale dining experience, all while maintaining the same warm atmosphere and familiar food from her first restaurant.
“It’s not just about creating great food; it’s about creating a space with an atmosphere where people want to spend their time,” Chef Crucet has said.
Not only is the food familiar, but at Beef and Leaf Cafe the menu is crafted based on seasonal ingredients. Beef and Leaf has a dynamic menu that is constantly changing with the seasons, in order to use the freshest ingredients available throughout the year, she said. Whether patrons are celebrating a special occasion or sharing a quick snack with friends, Beef and Leaf Cafe offers seasonal hand-crafted comfort food, paired with unique wines, local beers and craft cocktails.
When told at the packed house for her ribbon cutting event that Beef and Leaf Cafe was “destined to be a huge success” … Chef Crucet said, “from your lips to God’s ears.”
Beef and Leaf Café opened to the public at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 1 and the online reservation system can be found at https://www.opentable.com. Given the anticipated popularity of this dining destination, reservations are strongly suggested. The menu and more information about Beef and Leaf Cafe can be found at https://www.beefandleafcafe.com.
Chef Crucet is a Texas native whose culinary career spans more than 25 years and two continents. Before graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, she began her culinary career at Brennan’s of Houston in the late 90’s where she worked her way through the traditional brigade system at the Gulf Coast landmark Zagat called a “peerless Creole classic”. While there, she worked on two cookbooks and was on the opening team for Commander’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nev.
After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2001 where she studied cuisine, pastry, bakery, wine and restaurant operations, Chef Crucet worked at Houston’s acclaimed Rainbow Lodge where she was nominated three times for Best Pastry Chef in Houston. During her tenure at Rainbow Lodge, Crucet assisted in the successful execution of hundreds of wine dinners, wedding receptions, banquets and special events. In 2004, she helped launch the Vic & Anthony’s steakhouse concept, and as Executive Pastry Chef, created another award-winning menu and was once again nominated for Best Pastry Chef in Houston.
Since 1998, Chef Crucet has taught hundreds of cooking classes at Sur La Table, Brennan’s and culinary schools throughout the Southwest. Most importantly, she taught classes at the Holthouse Boys and Girls Club in Houston where she volunteered with underserved inner city youth, teaching them to cook nutritious meals for themselves using limited resources.
After moving to Los Alamos in 2009, she decided to take a short break to spend time with her young children. Then in 2012, she joined Pajarito Brewpub and Grill where she enjoyed creating both sweet and savory dishes. In January of 2016, Chef Crucet opened Pig + Fig Cafe where she combines her passion for gourmet comfort food with her love and appreciation of wine. In 2023, she opened Sugar + Cream Cafe in downtown Los Alamos where she has gone back to her pastry roots and is creating comfort by the spoonful for the community in the form of coffee, pastries and gelato.
Since opening Pig + Fig Cafe and Sugar + Cream Cafe, Chef Crucet has continued to receive numerous awards including: Best Chef in Greater New Mexico (Edible Magazine), Best Woman Owned Business (Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce), Best Restaurant in Los Alamos (Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce), Best New Business in Los Alamos (Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce) and 15 Best Small Town Restaurants Across the U.S. (Travel Awaits).
Scenes From Wednesday’s Ribbon Cutting & Menu Preview
From left, LAPS teacher Jodi Hughes, her husband Fire Chief Troy Hughes, County Councilor Randall Ryti and Municipal Court Judge Elizabeth Allen chat at the ribbon cutting and menu preview event Wednesday evening at Beef and Leaf Cafe at 3801 Arkansas Ave., hosted by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Century Bank Vice President/Branch Manager Karen Easton assists with wine serving during the menu preview portion of the event Wednesday evening at Beef and Leaf Cafe at 3801 Arkansas Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann, left, chats with Flowers by Gillian owner Gillian Sutton at the ribbon cutting and menu preview event Wednesday evening at Beef and Leaf Cafe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Chef and owner Laura Crucet in front of the kitchen of her new restaurant Beef and Leaf Cafe Wednesday evening during the menu preview event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from the menu preview event held Wednesday evening at Beef and Leaf Cafe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from the menu preview event held Wednesday evening at Beef and Leaf Cafe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
RE/MAX First Associate Broker Kristy Ortega and her daughter Olivia mingle with friends at the ribbon cutting and menu preview event Wednesday evening at Beef and Leaf Cafe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from the ribbon cutting and menu preview at Beef and Leaf Cafe Wednesday evening at 3801 Arkansas Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Seated closest to the window Hans Herrmann and his daughter Katie with friends at the ribbon cutting and menu preview at Beef and Leaf Cafe Wednesday evening at 3801 Arkansas Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Chef and owner Laura Crucet, left, wearing ribbon in her hair from the ribbon cutting event and Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann Wednesday evening at the celebration at Beef and Leaf Cafe. Courtesy photo
Front of House Manager Ed Leal opens a special bottle of wine to celebrate the opening of Beef and Leaf Cafe following the ribbon cutting Wednesday evening, as Front of House Manager Dustin Lippiatt chats with a guest. Courtesy photo