THAT COQ AT CLEAVER
In my opinion there are three reasons why I go to Cleaver restaurant on 17th avenue .
1. Cocktails: they're bold, beautifully presented, and original. #Immigrant combines vodka, Cointreau, mandarin, tarragon, Serrano pepper, and cranberry. No frozen bellinis here.
2. The ravioli: sadly not currently on the menu, but if it comes back, it's killer. A wet egg yolk sits on top of a ricotta pillow, sandwiched between velvety pasta, topped with toasty herbed panko. Cutting into the ravioli, makes the yolk ooze and turn into a sauce that is deeply satisfying. I'm willing to start a petition to bring back the ravioli, who's with me?
3. That cock, a.k.a. male chicken, a.k.a. rooster, is a dish suggested for two but easily serves four. Legend has it that the bearded hipster team at Cleaver brine the bird for a day before slow cooking it. It's served with bread sauce and stuffing, a comfort food that easily tops my favourite bird dish in Calgary.
Reviews on Cleaver are mixed, mostly with diners complaining about service. In my three visits, I've only been welcomed, the food has been delicious and we all left happy. Enjoy this gem before everyone else finds out about it.
