There's no denying that Bentonville is growing spoiled with great eateries. As our region grows, attracting a standard of dining expected from coastal cities, the most challenging part of managing a social calendar is choosing where to make a reservation. Yet whenever you ask plugged-in locals for their most repeated dinner spot, one name tops the list: Bar Cleeta.
Opened in Downtown Bentonville in 2019, Bar Cleeta has bypassed the fickle hype cycle of modern dining by doubling down on an enduring truth: exceptional food tastes better when served without pretense. Co-owners Trae and Weisi Basore have cultivated a neighborhood anchor that feels less like a traditional restaurant and more like an invitation to the intimate, high-vibe dinner party you always hope to get invited to.
Trae, a Bentonville native, inherited his epicurean instincts from his grandfather, a rural Arkansan with an unexpected passion for the finer things. “He was a foodie before that was even a term,” Trae recalls. “He loved the arts, listened to opera, and cooked straight out of Julia Child’s cookbook.” That early spark eventually led Trae from business school at the University of Arkansas to the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and ultimately into a stint as executive sous chef for celebrity chef Tom Colicchio.
It was in New York that Trae met Weisi, an NYU film graduate then studying under a premier mixologist. Their joint culinary story took root over date nights where friends worked, eventually taking them across the country to Los Angeles. But periodic visits back to Arkansas revealed a rapidly evolving region ready for something fresh.
“I never thought I’d be able to come home and open the exact type of restaurant I wanted,” Trae admits. His vision was simple yet radical for the region: demystify high-end dining by introducing luxury ingredients in small-plate formats at accessible price points, allowing curious guests to explore without the anxiety of a massive financial commitment.
Modeled after the couple's favorite restaurant during their New York days–a tiny space serving tapas style plats–Bar Cleeta marries an elegant menu with an effortlessly welcoming atmosphere. You might encounter foie gras, tarte flambée, or unfamiliar wines, but the setting instantly strips away intimidation.
“The intimidation of fine dining is entirely our industry’s fault,” says Trae. “It’s food. It’s supposed to be fun.”
Weisi echoes that philosophy in both her hospitality and her thoughtfully curated wine list, which deliberately skips fleeting trends in favor of versatile, deeply delicious pours meant to harmonize with Trae’s food. “We want the menu to be disarming while broadening your scope,” she explains. “What we’re introducing isn’t scary. It has to be good because it's been done for thousands of years in other cultures.”
Unintentionally, the couple’s approach has made Bar Cleeta a cultural touchstone for the area—even serving as a secret weapon for local companies recruiting big-city talent who crave a sense of urban familiarity softened with Southern hospitality.
Ultimately, Trae and Weisi have created a rare sanctuary where quality and craft take priority. Whether you are a seasoned fine-diner or taking your very first step into a new culinary experience, Bar Cleeta invites you to relax, pass a few plates, and simply enjoy timeless foods artfully prepared and served with heart.
“We want the menu to be disarming while broadening the scope."
“I wanted to introduce what people perceive as luxury ingredients at a lower price point–smaller portions–to give it to people who are from here that have never had that experience."