36 Restaurant & Bar

Our passion is obvious.

We’re Vanessa and John Eric Klein, and we are proud to own and operate 36 Restaurant & Bar. We started as coworkers, became friends and after our happily ever after, the idea for 36 Restaurant & Bar was born.

A big project starts with a small step, so we started with a business plan. The big plan had to be put on hold for a year to arrange our wedding. We were so excited that we picked right back up and dove in immediately after the honeymoon. “We wanted to do this now, while we’re young....because if not now, when?”

We met Chef Houston Sutton while working at another local establishment and immediately became friends. Years ago, during a game of golf, we developed a mutual understanding that if ever the chance to open a restaurant came, we would take it. So, when the opportunity arose, Chef Houston stood behind his word.

We started the search for restaurant space in downtown Cape Girardeau. We’ve always liked downtown; the smells, sights, sounds, the river, the old buildings, and all of the history. As soon as we walked into the building at 36 North Main Street, we knew we had found the perfect space. It had great flow. We closed on the building in August of 2014 and started working full-time to get everything ready to open. We rolled up our sleeves and demoed, renovated, and did most of the finishing work ourselves. We brought in experts for the big items, like the plumbing and electricity, but WE sanded and stained the bar, painted, installed trim work, ripped the old plaster, and more.

36 is a cozy, welcoming spot, and we think our hard work paid off with a dining room that is special but not stuffy. We aimed for something intimate. You’ll find artwork and décor inspired by the Great Gatsby, Erte-style prints, a grand mirror you might recognize from another Cape Girardeau fine dining classic, Mollie’s, and an antique buffet from down the street. We fill the vases with fresh roses daily and hope you feel at ease in the comfortable old-school style that will make a lovely backdrop for your exceptional evening out.

Upstairs, we created a custom private-dining space for special events, groups, and meetings. It includes private restrooms, a bar and dedicated bartender, a balcony, and two separate rooms that can be combined for a unique experience. We have since expanded to include offsite catering. Now, we are capable of catering almost any number of guests into the hundreds.

We pride ourselves on attention to detail. There are over 400 wines on the always growing wine list; served in genuine German Riedel crystal stemware. You’ll find mostly French and Californian wines, and the beer list is continually evolving and features a wide variety of styles. This year, we were awarded the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

What’s next for 36? We are excited to add tables in the courtyard. Wouldn’t a jazzy 1920’s era joint with a speakeasy be fun? We always have three projects going on in our heads, so who knows what is coming down the line!