CLEAVER to Open in Grandview Heights
Owners of The Old Spot Announce Name and Concept
(Grandview Heights, OH) – After closing The Old Spot, owners Tony Tanner (The Butcher & Grocer owner) and Matt Evans (investor in TB&G) announced the new name and concept today, which will replace the former Old Spot at 1099 West First Avenue.
“We have had a vision of The Butcher & Grocer having a leading role in a restaurant and now we are there. CLEAVER will source exclusively from Ohio farmers and makers whenever possible for our meat-centric menu. We are excited and with COVID-19, we will probably have the longest soft opening of any restaurant in the history of restaurants,” Evans said.
Jay Kleven, most recently the Executive Chef of Rockmill Tavern will be leading the culinary team for CLEAVER. “I’m beyond excited for this opportunity. Tony and Matt share a common vision for the restaurant, and it is one I believe in as well. Sustainability, using Ohio product at the peak of freshness and focusing on using everything the product provides us from tail to snout and from root to leaf,” Kleven said.
CLEAVER will not open to the public right away. Instead, they will be pre-selling tickets to Dinner Party – a private 6-8 course dining experience. Guests will pre-purchase tickets for a fixed menu, there will be two seatings and a drink pairing option. There will only be 20 seats available per time block so guests can be socially distanced.
“It’s a crazy and exciting time to be in the restaurant business and we believe people still want to go out and have a nice dinner. Dinner Party provides that opportunity in a very secured environment. We’ve had great success with these types of events at The Butcher & Grocer and now we can do it here,” Tanner said.
Tanner continued, “As we continue down a path of COVID uncertainty, Dinner Party will do several things for the restaurant. First, we can control all our costs. Second, guests will essentially be guiding us on what our menu will be when we can fully open our doors. Finally, and most importantly, we can strictly control the dining room, which will provide an environment where everyone (guests and staff) will be safe and comfortable.”
The first Dinner Party is planned for August 7 and 8. Dinner Party evenings are slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until the restaurant can fully open. Tickets will be sold through Eventbrite. Keep an eye on social media for ticketing information.