clever koi

New Cocktails and Winter Menu at Clever Koi

A Valley favorite for delectable ramen and creative cocktails, Clever Koi, the award-winning pan-Asian restaurant with locations in Central Phoenix and Downtown Gilbert, has upped its game with a brand new comic book-style illustrated drink menu. In addition to the new menu (with more than 60 cocktails), Clever Koi also rolled out an array of winter menu items for savoring alongside the fresh sips.

For more than a decade, Clever Koi, from Phoenix’s Born & Raised Hospitality, has been dazzling local diners and visitors with its array of delicious steamed buns, dumplings, and inventive noodle and rice dishes. And while its cocktail lineup has always been stellar (Riding the Pine is a longtime personal favorite), it is now receiving the star treatment with its just-released, eye-catching comic book-style menu.

clever koi

The cocktail book now features a highly stylized manga/graphic novel storyline, though the most important characters are the 66 cocktails that line the pages. The menu was curated by Born & Raised Hospitality founders, Joshua James (former Last Slinger Standing cocktail competition winner) and Nicholas Campisano, alongside Mike Lopez of sister restaurant, Across The Pond, in Phoenix. “All the heavy lifting is done on the backside, spending hours preparing each ingredient so we can serve it with just a few final touches once we’re behind the bar,” says James, in a recent press release.

Diners will find elevated classics, from martinis to mojitos to Manhattans, alongside shots, wines by the glass, sake, and mocktails. The real razzle dazzle comes in with the selection of House Cocktails, each option accompanied by a colorful illustration. Kanagawa’s Great Wave is a fluffy, frothy twist on the Ramos Fizz with yuzu lime and a crystal cordial (its purply-blue hue will make it an instant Instagram darling). The new Golden Myth offers a cornflake-flavored twist on a clarified punch. The cinnamon spice and red banana-infused rum make it a no-brainer for a cozy wintertime sip. Whisky lovers will also adore the tropical-inspired Zenitsu Zour, with Suntory Toki Whisky, Couvignac, coconut cream, acid-adjusted orange juice, ginga, and yuzu.

clever koi

On the plate, duck ramen, an Asian-Italian Kimchee Carbonara, and Kimcheese Burger, a returning favorite, all join Clever Koi’s winter menu. (The addicting avocado-crab rangoons are also newly added and deliciously paired with Chinese hot mustard.) The confit duck leg is the star of the ramen dish, as the delicate meat the falls off the bone and is welcomed with soft egg, bean sprouts, and mushrooms. And the smashburger, topped with ooey gooey kimcheese, yum yum sauce, and mushrooms, is a mouthwatering, beefy behemoth, paired with crispy fries.

For more information, visit www.thecleverkoi.com.

4236 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012

384 N. Gilbert Rd., Ste. 101
Gilbert, AZ 85233

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*