Cleaver and Cork: Steaks, Seafood, Sophistication and Timeless Comfort for a Summer Night

Cleaver and Cork enjoys prime real estate in the Power & Light District near 13th and Walnut, just a stone’s throw away from the KC Live! Stage.

About two years ago, Cleaver and Cork moved into the Power & Light District with a stylish interior. The rustic industrial look combines natural wood finishes, light grey accents and subdued chandelier lighting to achieve a warm glow and urban casual ambiance. The bar area includes a chandelier crafted from repurposed meat hooks, which is cooler than it sounds. The unique features and creative details of the space dovetail nicely with the unique and creative cuisine that Cleaver and Cork offers. What you see is also what you eat.

A new Executive Chef, Farris Saadah, recently took over the C&C kitchen after working his way up through the ranks in various restaurants over the past 20 years. He and general manager, Andrew Coleman are currently developing a fresh take on their farm-to-table menu, keeping their most popular items but recreating them to enhance the superior quality and vibrant flavors of the ingredients.

“We do a few things and we do them really well,” said Andrew. “We do whatever it takes to provide the best quality within a local theme.” They work with several local and regional farms to source everything from meat to organic produce to poultry and cheese.

I sampled several of their guest favorites, with some curated sips alongside. I showed up on a Tuesday, which is half-priced steak night, and that meant the Smoked Ribeye was a must-order. It was served over lovely parmesan potatoes and topped with crisp roasted asparagus. By far their most popular steak, it was tender and flavorful, cooked to perfection.

As good as the ribeye was, seafood will always have my heart, so I must discuss the sautéed scallops and the organic Wild Isles salmon. The scallops were enormous and tasted like they’d just been pulled from the sea. The accompanying sweet potato tart and prosciutto were surprising accents but so complementary. And then there was the salmon; this version, with the kalamata crust and olive parmesan risotto, brings out the unique flavor of the fish. So whether you prefer surf or turf, there is something delicious here for you.

The bar at Cleaver and Cork is a beautiful and prominent feature of the restaurant. It offers a variety of seating options, including cushioned bar stools to ensure that guests enjoy their food and beverage in comfort. Happy Hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, in the bar and patio with very competitive specials: $4 domestic draft beers, $5 Boulevard beers, $5 house wines by the glass, and $6 seasonal craft cocktails. Dapper bartenders serve tasty signature cocktails mixed with high-quality spirits and unique flavorings. They also offer discounts on select menu items. If you’re into whiskey and bourbon, you’ll want to pay this place a visit. They offer a wide selection of premium spirits; Thursday is half-priced bourbon night all day.

With patios on the south and east sides of the restaurant, Cleaver and Cork offers some of the best seats in the house for the KC Live! Stage summer concert series. It’s an ideal location for a private event, and they host groups of all sizes. There’s intimate private dining space for parties up to 50, and the entire restaurant is available to buy out for events up to 400 people. The full-time Director of Sales, Jessica Mullen, will make sure your party is something to talk about.

Cleaver and Cork is popular with the business crowd, but it shouldn’t be overlooked for Girls’ Nights Out and date nights. Ladies, martinis are only $3 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Fridays! Plus, the cheese and charcuterie starter is a great shareable option, with gourmet meats and cheeses, assorted veggies and pickles served with house-made jams and warm crostini. There is sweet, there is savory, there is cheese. It is heaven!

Live music can make or break a restaurant. At Cleaver and Cork, they do music very, very well. On Tuesdays and Fridays, you will hear acoustic versions of familiar hits from the ’90s and 2000s.  There is Live music Tuesdays for 1/2 price steak with Jayson Kayne, and on Fridays, Jayson starts at 9 p.m. Soon they’ll be adding Thursday night piano performances to the lineup. On weekends beginning at 9 p.m., a DJ takes things up a few notches; the laid-back cool of the dinner hours transition into the kind of lively nightspot we’ve come to expect from the Power & Light District. Saturdays feature Adam Paultish and Andrew Northern DJ at 9pm. To entice further, they offer the 4Play Reverse Happy Hour that goes into effect at 9 p.m. It’s a deal you don’t want to miss: $4 call cocktails, $4 draft beers, $4 wines by the glass, and $4 small plates at the bar. All of these specials are honored even on concert nights, so it’s a perfect place to stay cool on a hot summer night.

At Cleaver and Cork, it’s all there with style, sophistication, comfort, value, quality, flavor and entertainment, a perfect choice for a trendy private event, a quiet dinner for two, or a festive gathering of friends. Make your reservations today to find out for yourself! ■

Visit Cleaver and Cork at 1333 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri, call 816-541-3484 and check out the menu at cleaverandcork.com.