After my husband's recent birthday party at Escape Room, he wanted to go to dinner at Cleaver & Cork.  The last time I visited this location was when it was Maker's Mark.  The steak dinner I had was good, but I didn't want a mediocre meal for my husband's birthday celebration.  Our friends and family were with us and I wanted everything to be enjoyable.  We love trying new restaurants and my husband was adamant that we go to Cleaver & Cork.  I'm so happy that we did.

Here are the best things about Cleaver & Cork

1)  Marble entry way
Upon entering, at the top of the steps at the host stand there are beautiful hexagon carrara marble adorning the ground.  Breath taking.  There are meat hooks turned light fixtures in the bar area.

2)  Planks
The ceiling and column posts are beautifully clad in varying wood planks.  It matches well with the neutral chairs and gray walls.

3)  Outdoor Seating
The weather was amazing; a perfect 82 degrees with low humidity.  We opted to sit outside on the patio where we could enjoy the Royals game on the big screen on the KC Live Mainstage.

4)  Server / Staff
The server and staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

5)  Drinks (Sazerac)
My brother-in-law loves a fine cognac and whiskey.  On this night, he ordered a sazerac, a drink that I've never heard of before. The server didn't know how to spell sazerac.  She was worried that the staff wouldn't know how to make it.  My BIL said that if they needed help that he would explain how.  My husband knew the bartender and said that he wouldn't have a problem.  When the drink arrived, my BIL tasted it and declared it was the best sazerac he had ever had.  I was relieved.  My husband declared that the head bartender is from the Rieger Hotel.  My BIL said that they are known for their sazeracs.  How could that be?  I've never even heard of it before?!?!

5)  Food - Roasted Chicken with Brussel Sprouts
After heavy contemplation and staff suggestion, my friend and I ordered the Butter Lettuce Wedge salad and Roasted Chicken with brussels sprouts.  While I hate meat on bones, I was eager to eat something delicious.  Most (if not all) of their meats come from the Local Pig so it was sure to be high quality.  My sister ordered the Sauteed Scallops.  She said it was very good and the largest scallops she'd seen.  My girlfriend ordered the Wild Gulf Shrimp which she also loved.  It was then my husband told us that the manager came from Bluestem.  It was starting to fall into place.

6)  People watching
When we weren't talking with one another or watching brief moments of the Royals' game on the big screen, we got to enjoy watching people pass through the main block.

7)  Food - Smoked Ribeye
I couldn't get enough.  We went back to Cleaver & Cork last night.  I contemplated the Strip Steak but at a couple staff members' suggestions, I ordered the Smoked Ribeye.  Holy moly!  I'm so glad that I did!  It was amazing!  The smoked ribeye that covered most of my plate was topped with a red wine demi glace sat on a bed of chopped parmesan potatoes.  The thick meat was cooked exactly to my specification, and was juicy and tender.  Incredible!

8)  Happy Birthday
My husband knows a few Cleaver & Cork people so several came by to wish him happy birthday.  I thought it was really nice of them to come by and make him feel special.

9)  Beautiful Menu
The menu was beautifully designed and the reciept came attached to a board with a binder clip.  Now I see why Husbando wanted to come here!  ;)



10)  Wonderful Friends
The best thing about any meal is who you share it with.