Cleaverman gives Valley steakhouse scene a boost

My wife and I decided to try it for our anniversary, and it turned out to be a great choice.

• The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the decor, which has a 1920s, "Great Gatsby" feel to it.
• That set the stage nicely for an incredible dinner.

Best bites: For my main course, I got the 8-ounce Australian Wagyu strip loin, which was tender, savory and cooked to perfection — medium rare, of course.

• The restaurant's name evokes thoughts of turf, but don't sleep on the surf — the hot seafood tower was a treat, with king crab and lobster tail.

Cleaverman's side dishes were stars of the show, too.

• The latkes weren't like any potato pancakes I'd ever had — they were actually potato waffles — but were crispy and delicious, with the sweet apple brown butter vinaigrette providing a perfect complement to the savory side.

• And the Yorkshire pudding could've doubled as a savory dessert.
• I loved the Maple & Smoke, their take on the old-fashioned, with bourbon, Irish whiskey, tart cherry maple and a blend of bitters.

Zoom in: Cleaverman also has a cocktail lounge, the Filthy martini bar, where you can grab a drink and catch some live music.

• I didn't have a chance to try it, but I've heard good things.