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| - I was debating a 3 or 4 star for this place on my drive home. I decided this place is certainly over the 3.5 star mark, so 4 star it is.
First, you will find that the Cleaver Koi is on the west side of Central/Lite Rail in a small copper/bronze colored building that has a small breezeway down the middle. The sign out front is small. You should turn on/down (don't U turn) Glenrosa St or if you U-turn, be sure to turn into their parking lot at the FIRST left turn (just north of the building) you get to. If you try that second turn, you will be turning into the wrong parking lot and you will have to circle around on Central and come back again. Don't ask me how I know this. But I will say it could be helpful information for those who are not familiar with the area.
Cleaver Koi is a very "neat/cute" space. I LOVE the ambiance, the look and feel of the restaurant. It has an atmosphere that is right on par with Central Phoenix, hipster, chic, cool. I stopped in there today, a Saturday, for lunch. The cleaver Koi has been open about 2 months, so there wasn't a crowd, but the server mentioned that the day before on a Friday, they were completely packed pretty much the entire lunch and dinner service. So as the masses are finding out about this place, it is filling up like good CenPho restaurants do.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-clever-koi-phoenix?select=mXNzgML9mn7GR0EFTj5Otg#6MLtRK4fGBKOt9g05P8XFg
My friend and I ordered a variety of things. Here's my take on a few of memorable things.
My favorite item was the "Pig Face" dumplings!!! Amazingly delicious and savory with an appropriate level of spice. Tender dumplings that practically melt in your mouth.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-clever-koi-phoenix?select=mXNzgML9mn7GR0EFTj5Otg#TwNmKVIhbSWHQgm22KMfQw
We also tried the following notable things:
Salt and Pepper Shrimp: worth having again. I was pleased with the size and amount of this dish. I would have had that as an entre. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-clever-koi-phoenix?select=mXNzgML9mn7GR0EFTj5Otg#QJLxMqO42DMuun5bZzDsoA
Peking Duck Steamed Bun: Oh man, the duck is very good!
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-clever-koi-phoenix?select=mXNzgML9mn7GR0EFTj5Otg#uy69wuSn45EnO-Z0sUj88Q
I will definitely come back here for HH when I get the opportunity. I originally planned to have the roasted pork ramen, but I ended up ordering the Massaman Noodles. I was satisfied with it, but I ordered it thinking that the noodles would be in a more brothy/soup-like base. but this dish is certainly a curry (gravy) texture (as the menu stated) and the dish could be eaten with chopsticks.
Oh, they have the cutest crafted cocktail menu... there's one drink "Hey Bartender"... you tell them the spirit and the flavor choice you like... the bartender creates a drink just for you. It worked twice for us! Awesome, loved it.
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