Scott's story
A Pennsylvania native, Scott Crawford has always had a love affair with the Southeastern U.S. After years of moving and exploring—including training in cities like San Francisco and New York—Scott and his wife decided it was time to put down roots. When they landed in Raleigh, they knew they'd found something special.
A talented chef, Crawford has spent more than 20 years winning over people's hearts with his food, and his passion for hospitality has helped to shape and further the Raleigh area's award-winning food scene.
In late 2016, he doubled down on his commitment to Raleigh and opened the warm, inviting restaurant he’d always envisioned. A casual-yet-elegant neighborhood eatery, Crawford and Son has since been named "restaurant of the year" by both Raleigh's The News & Observer (in 2018 Opens a New Window. ) and Indy Week (2019 Opens a New Window. ) publications. In 2024 the restaurant was a finalist for a James Beard Award in the category of Outstanding Hospitality.
Crawford's second restaurant, Jolie, a French bistro named for his daughter, opened in 2019. Sitting directly next door to Crawford and Son, the eatery includes a rooftop dining space and a menu that features French classics and modern interpretations. More recently, an intimate, 1000-square-foot underground bar was unveiled beneath Jolie. Crawford's first cocktail bar—Sous Terre—delivers time-honored classics in addition to spirit-free offerings.
In spring of 2024, Crawford opened his most recent highly anticipated outpost—a dreamy date-night dining spot inspired by family travels to the Adriatic coast. Named for the fragrant fish stews found in Italian and Croatian seaside towns, Brodeto serves up its namesake dish (a warm, brothy concoction of monkfish, prawns, octopus and more) alongside a wide variety of lighter, shareable dishes, plus house-made pasta and bread options that are both a palate and a presentation pleaser.
Opens a New Window.
On top of all that, Scott finished off a banner year by opening his largest (and grandest) restaurant to date. Crawford Brothers Steakhouse serves up modern vibes and sports a full menu of dry-aged beef—accompanied of course by classic sides and a massive wine list—within Cary's Fenton development, a location becoming a destination dining spot in its own right.
It comes as no surprise that this methodical building of an empire has garnered some attention, both locally and beyond. The James Beard Foundation honored Scott with a semifinalist nomination for 2025's Outstanding Restaurateur award, a nod that no other Raleigh area chef has ever received.
Make a trip
Crispy catfish with potato-leek chowder, salt cod and celery relish. Pork cheeks with aged white cheddar grits and smoked tomato ragout. Beef short rib with Parmesan sweet potatoes and maitake mushroom glaze. Hungry yet? Crawford and Son's menu always offers a worth-a-trip meal—one you'll be sure to talk about over and over again.
Include Crawford's Jolie in your plans as well (and be sure to make reservations!). The bistro offers both classic French dishes like Steak Frites au Poivre and modern interpretations such as his White Corn Vichyssoise, complemented by sparkling wines and French aperitifs in an intimate and lively setting.
Make sure to work in drinks at Sous Terre—keys to access Sous Terre can be purchased at Crawford and Sons or Jolie for $50, which gives you a lifetime membership. If you dine at one of Crawford's restaurants upstairs, you will not need a key to enjoy Sous Terre.
Complete a visit to Scott's restaurant with a day exploring the surrounding Person St. neighborhood in downtown Raleigh, with some of the best shops and bars in the capital city, plus even more top-notch dining spots. Before dinner, shop Edge of Urge, a handmade and independent designer clothing boutique, or the carefully-curated So & So Books for both avid and occasional readers. After dinner, hop over to local-favorites William & Company, Person Street Bar or passionate mind Niall Hanley's The Station for drinks to cap off the night.
“The food here has a lot of love put in it—from the people who grow it, to the people who get it to us, to the cooks that handle it with the utmost respect. There’s a power in that love that comes through. I think it’s a beautiful way to experience a city and the people of the city."
Top food photo: Jessica Crawford Photography
