MUKILTEO—At Hook and Cleaver, located on the Mukilteo Waterfront, guests can expect a high-class dining experience, great hospitality, and impeccable views.
Hook and Cleaver is owned and operated by the Lombardi’s Restaurant Group, which also run the Lombardi’s Italian Restaurants in Everett, Bellingham, and formerly Mill Creek.
The restaurant opened in November 2023, setting up shop in the same building where beloved neighborhood favorite Arnie’s Pacific Northwest Favorites had been serving its staple seafood dishes since 1978.
When thinking about expansion Kerri Lonergan-Dreke, CEO and Owner of Lombardi’s Restaurant, informed the Lynnwood Times the Restaurant Group wanted to do something more “elevated than Italian,” and considered branching out into a steak and seafood house.
Around that time, the four Arnie’s partners decided they were stepping aside from the restaurant industry and closing their Mukilteo location, so the Lombardi’s Restaurant Group purchased the property believing it to be the perfect location for their concept – with its 180-degree views of Possession Sound and conveniently located next to the Mukilteo/Whidbey Island ferry.
“We see this as a destination restaurant for people in Snohomish County,” said Lonergan-Dreke. “As far north as Stanwood, Arlington, who are willing to drive 30-minutes for a great experience, this view, and a reason to get out and go somewhere that’s just amazing.”
Hook and Cleaver did a complete remodel of Arnie’s, installing all-new booths, lighting, carpet, tables, and chairs to paint a classy steakhouse, cruise ship, look and feel. The 6,100 square foot building is also home to the Restaurant Group’s corporate office and seats approximately 180 guests.
When the restaurant first opened there were some former Arnie’s regulars who were hesitant to give it a chance, Lonergan-Dreke explained, but they are seeing more and more former regulars stop by – the majority of which are leaving with smiles and a newfound acceptance to the change.
Some of Arnie’s old staff, including the Head Chef, Payton, have continued working at Hook and Cleaver through the transition up until this day. Payton joins Executive and Co-Owner Chef Andy Hilliard in the kitchen bringing years of experience in seafood preparation.
The restaurant’s name, ‘Hook and Cleaver’, is a contemporary way of saying “surf n’ turf,” offering crowd pleasing appetizers like the ahi poke, halibut croquettes in a lobster LeBlanc sauce, and its crab and shrimp cakes. For entrees, on the hook side, they offer fresh Bristol Bay salmon, crab mac and cheese, seafood paella, steamed clams, Cajun prawns, and of course fish n’ chips.
Entrees on the cleaver side include premium Pacific Northwest steaks grilled in beef tallow, rack of lamb, grilled pork chops, roasted chicken, and the house wagyu beef burger.
Hook and Cleaver have even included more vegetarian options over the years including its delicious vegetable risotto which some guests have praised as being one of the “best risottos” they’ve ever had, according to online reviews.
“Lombardi’s has a great reputation, and we wanted to capitalize on that in this location,” said Lonergan-Dreke. “But we also wanted to separate ourselves from Ivar’s, which is why we offer dishes like Prime Rib. Where else in Mukilteo can you get a good prime rib?”
As for beverages, Hook and Cleaver prides themselves on their local wine selection, whiskey collection (offering whiskey flights), and even mocktails.
The restaurant recently launched a once-a-month whiskey tasting, which is just one of several entertainment options it offers from standup comedy, live music, and a chef-prepared wine and tasting events which start on April 2.
“We wanted to offer a quality, professional, comedy show for people without needing to drive all the way down to Seattle,” said Lonergan-Dreke.
The keep up to date on the restaurant’s event schedule patrons can sign up to his free V.I.P. program and email notification list.
Hook and Cleaver also frequently support its community, from donating gift cards to school auctions, to hosting ‘Dine Out’ events where they donate 10% of their proceeds to local organizations such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Volunteers of America, and local schools.
When guests enter Hook and Cleaver they can expect to be warmly greeted by staff and will be walked into the jaw-dropping views of the Mukilteo Waterfront from the dining room. Hosts working at Hook and Cleaver are all very personable, Lonergan-Dreke added, and truly take the time to get to know their guests while walking through the menu, providing top notch service and anticipating their needs.
“Your whole time here should be relaxing, polished, enjoying the ambience, taking in the wonderful smells inside the restaurant of steak and seafood, and just absorbing this stunning view,” said Lonergan-Dreke.
Hook and Cleaver also offers Happy Hour, from three to close, Sunday through Thursday, and three to six, and eight to close, on Fridays and Saturdays offering special prices on food and alcohol.
“Mukilteo is a very tight-knit, fun, community. People are very gracious, and I love being here,” said Lonergan-Dreke. “I feel very welcome here and I love coming here.”
Lonergan-Dreke added that she’s looking forward to the Mukilteo Waterfront redevelopment, which she says will ultimately create Hook and Cleaver to be a year-round destination.
“It’ll be a long process but it’s exciting and we’re looking forward to seeing it come to fruition,” said Lonergan-Dreke.
The Lombardi’s Restaurant Group includes CEO Kerri Lonergan-Dreke, founder Diane Symms, Director of Operations Kristofer Korshaven, and Executive Chef Andy Hilliard.
Hook and Cleaver is located at 714 2nd Street in Mukilteo, Washington.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
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