CLEAVER & WAKE, Nottingham’s new eagerly awaited finer dining restaurant at 1 The Island Quarter, has now opened its doors to customers.
Marking the second venue to open at the Island Quarter site, the new restaurant has been designed with breathtaking interiors designed by renowned interior architecture and design studio, Macaulay Sinclair. It will offer an elite dining experience with a regularly changing menu of dishes made from the freshest seasonal British ingredients, and a beautifully crafted cocktail menu to complement every dish.
Named after two Victorian lace dress makers, who worked on the original site, Cleaver & Wake interiors have been designed to reflect the site’s rich heritage.
Featuring a palette of blue and green hues and oversized windows overlooking the city, Cleaver & Wake offers a relaxed, elegant dining environment. Its soft blue velvet upholstery, beautiful rich bespoke blue and green wall tiles and bespoke sea green timber screens combine with copper and gold accents to create a refined yet inviting aesthetic.
The fully accessible open kitchen marks the heart of the restaurant, with diners able to watch the theatre of each dish being made by chef patron Laurence Henry, head chef Hira Thakur and their team of chefs.
Providing diners with a multi-sensory dining experience, the restaurant has been designed to allow guests a clear view of the kitchen from wherever they are seated.
Laurence Henry, chef patron at Cleaver & Wake said:
“We’ve worked really hard to create a restaurant that celebrates premium food served in a stunning yet relaxed setting. You won’t find your traditional white tablecloths or really formal silver service waiters. Instead, we want Cleaver & Wake to be somewhere people don’t just come for special occasions but rather come to relax and taste some of the best seasonal produce from across the British Isles.
“Our open-plan kitchen is also something we’re really proud of too, as it allows us to break down boundaries and take diners on the journey with us while allowing them to also engage with our chefs and in turn the food they eat. From the raw produce to the finished dish, they’ll be able to see each dish come to life as they dine, which creates a truly special dining experience.”
The Cleaver & Wake bar area which guests will enter upon arrival, has capacity for 40 people and features stunning art deco inspired interiors and large windows, providing the perfect space for pre- and post-dinner drinks.
Behind the bar, guests will find a wide variety of tipples, including premium spirits, aperitifs, wines, champagne and top-shelf rums and whiskies.
The bar’s cocktail menu features a range of exciting creations concocted by bar manager, Jack Dorman. These include the Dandelion which features bees wax, chardonnay vodka, Italicus and dandelion tea made with Nixta as well as the Crab Apple which features quince spirit sorbet, Père Magloire calvados, verjuice, crab apple jelly, citric apple juice and Irish black butter
Laurence Henry added:
“This restaurant has been a dream of mine for many years now, so to see that dream become a reality is incredibly exciting. There really is nothing like Cleaver & Wake in the city and I’m looking forward to welcoming our first customers through our doors.”
The space features an abundance of natural foliage throughout, as well as at its reception which also doubles as florist, Gigil & Bloom, allowing people to purchase beautiful hand-crafted flowers, house plants, candles, vases and trinkets.
Care has also been given to the restaurant’s artwork, which features a number of subtle nods to Nottingham, including abstract lace print and images of parts of the canal.
John Whitehead, food, beverage and events project director, said:
“Everyone involved in Cleaver & Wake has worked so hard to get us to this point. The team had a vision and the whole design has been executed perfectly to create a stunning space that seamlessly blends a vintage aesthetic with a modern twist. The food and drinks menu have both been expertly crafted to give customers an elevated dining experience that’s truly something special.”
With seating for 75, dining at Cleaver & Wake is available by booking only. The restaurant is open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
In addition to the evening menu, the restaurant will also be open for lunch where its special set lunch menu will offer a two course or three course meal for £35 and £45 respectively.
On Sundays the restaurant will have a special Sunday menu featuring a selection of premium roasted meats, duck fat roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and homemade Yorkshire puddings.
To book a table at Cleaver & Wake or to view sample food and drink menus, visit: https://www.cleaverandwake.com
Posted on 21 October 2022
