If I could give this 10 stars.. I would!
We visited for dinner tonight with our friends and 2 young children. All of us loved the meatballs, entrees, mains, desserts and wine list!
Steak on the childrens menu is amazing and was loved by Miss 5 who's 1st choice is always steak yet rarely found on a childrens menu. Thank you for being so accomodating of the little ones, attentive (it's the little things that made this experience amazing!), friendly and well done to the chefs for cooking the most delicious food. We can't wait to return!
I would like to thank Stratos and staff for a wonderful evening last saturday the 17/2/2018. We were celebrating my husbands 70th Birthday. Everbody enjoyed the food and astmosphere it was fantastic. We would recommend this restaurant very highly. My family and i have been coming here since 1978, Once again i thank you and your staff for helping us to celebrate his birthday.
A group of six of us recently ate here with mixed results. 2 of us shared the "cut your own" steak and had an 800g steak between the two of them that was cooked to perfection and was definitely the stand out.
I had the cleaver and spice which was also cooked perfectly but I found the flavour of the meat was a little lost in the seasoning.
The other three in our party also had a mixed experience, some loved their steaks, one was less impressed.
The decor of the restaurant is stuck in a time warp and really needs work. You kind of feel like an 80s stockbroker having a long lunch. The service was ok but nothing special. This restaurant is an Adelaide "institution" but I think it's resting on its laurels.
Based purely on the food it is a great experience if you choose well but with some modernising it could be brilliant.
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Love how they retain the 1970s feel with the old fashioned service and dated decor. The old gentleman who appeared to be the owner of the establishment was courteous and pulled out our chairs for us. We had an older lady look after our table and although she did well with ensuring our food orders were taken and brought out to us, we felt that there could be more smiles to add to a nice evening.
I enjoyed the chilli crab cakes and could taste perhaps curry powder that added an Indian flavour to them. We ordered the chateaubriand and the first thought that flicked through my mind was 'that's not enough' but don't let this fool you. I am ashamed to say that we could not finish our meals! The meat was buttery and had a charcoal flavour. Despite this we were still keen on ordering a tiramisu and Italian meringue. I absolutely loved the Italian meringue with the fairy floss on top! It is beautifully presented dessert that is light on the palate and leaves you craving more with each bite!
This is the best place for steak. The steak is cooked in a way that makes it not too sickening. Sauce is super flavorsome.
Compared to Gaucho's and Sosta, I'd rate this place over them anytime.
Old gentleman that owns the place is also super friendly.
Highly recommend.
Tonight was the second night we have been here now. I love this place, right from the start, excellent friendly and helpful staff. The food cannot be faulted, perfectly cooked steaks and delicious sauces. And you don’t have to wait to long for your food either! Desert was incredible and all drinks and cocktails came out quickly and were yummy also. I will be going back.
Came here for the 1st time after being told numerous times about this place, and their steaks definitely lived up to their reputation. It has the definite old world feel and the service is simply lovely and very homely. The complimentary bread and meatballs are tasty as! Love the fact there is the bar you wait at first before being seated that offeres dip & crackers. The menu is on a blunted meat cleaver which is a great touch too, and the price is what you expect for good food. Shared oysters & crab cakes for starters, then got stuck into steak for mains. I had the 400g NY cut and it was perfectly charred and perfectly pink! Others had Black Angus and Eye Fillet with garlic prawn topping which I would like to try next time. Wine selection was very tasty and we were treated to some 20 yr old house port by the owner at the end of the night. A lovely night had all round, and will most certainly be back. 👍
Cork and Cleaver is a firm favourite of mine. Brilliant steak and excellent service. I can't help but do serious damage with their wine list every time I open it. Great selection of wines too. The complimentary meat balls have been a feature here as long as I remember and I'll always try to include their Steak Tartare in a visit. A few people have remarked on the "old decor" and yes it has looked this way again as long as I can remember (and the 'cleaver' menu) but its one of those places that doesn't need to re-invent itself. This is the way the Cork and Cleaver is meant to be. The steak and wine do all the talking! Always happy to recommend this place and bring guests here too!
This place serves good and honest food. There is no fancy menu, they are showed on a blunted cleaver. There is no artistic plate or food decor, but food is well cooked with generous serving. The place has a traditional and old fashion furniture and decorations. Nobody uses a phone during the meal. U feel reconnected. Great place. Will definitely go back again.
Now Adelaide has steak places but this place is simply the very best. When entering its not modern it's teleporting you back in time of the 70s very classy service. Now to where it counts the food what can I say what you pay for what you get yes steak might be $50+ but very worth it just lost for words on the flavouring. This place service is AAA+++
I personally rate these as the best stakes in Adelaide. Always consistently good. I would only recommend ordering steaks here. I have dinned with other people who have ordered other mains are were a little let down. The sticky date desert is amazing as well. Overall great place with great service, but order what they do bes
Every year for my birthday one of my dearest friends takes me out for dinner, to anywhere of my choice. This year, after noticing some buzz in the media and hearing many stories of my friend's previous visits, I (Amanda) select The Cork and Cleaver. As soon as I step inside I realise I've been teleported back in time all the way to the 80's and I love it! A thatched roof, cork placemats, gold plated life sized palm trees... can it get anymore old school?! Oh yes it can....
This is a famous South Australian Steakhouse the decor is the same as opening day 38 years ago and the food is always amazing.
My first visit to Cork and Cleaver to celebrate my wife's birthday! Service was prompt and friendly, the food was delicious and more than satisfying... The seafood chowder was superb and my steak was cooked to perfection!! Loved the affogato for dessert too 🥰 It was interesting to have the menu, not to mention the daily specials, listed on individual meat cleavers!! See you again soon!!
We had nice time. Friendly and great food.
Easily the best steaks in Adelaide. As a regular over many years, it is sad to see this institution close after 43 years. It will be missed by many! The wine list has always been outstanding, along with the food and service. It was a privilege to enjoy the experience one final time. Thank you for all of the memories Cork & Cleaver!
We went fortunate to get a table for lunch, before the restaurant closes for good. It's a serious pity that we will say goodbye to Cork & Cleaver. Great warm service with melt-in-your-mouth juicy steak that is very flavoursome. I've tried the offering of the newer steak restaurants in town, and the steak from Cork & Cleaver still wins hands down.
Although we won't be able to have an encore, thank you for the experience, and please enjoy the well-earned rest to everybody at Cork & Cleaver.
Rare opportunity to dine at the famous Cork and Cleaver before it closes on 18 December this year (2021). Food was superb, and very friendly attentive staff, wasn't cheap ($150/head!) But happy that the group got to relive some of those fine dining moments of the 80s and 90s
Went there recently for a small family birthday.
Atmosphere was amazing and sophisticated,
The food even more so!
Lovely steaks, amazing sauces and spices, and the wine was just divine.
Even got a surprise candle on the dessert for the birthday boy (didn't have to ask for it).
Very friendly and informed staff.
The steaks was perfectly cooked , the wine list was a plenty and the service outstanding.
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