Arkansas

George’s Little Rock, Little Rock, AR., 12/13/24

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
building – 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72207

George’s is named for George who represents “the perfect night out; the experience of a restaurant with all the comforts of feeling at home.”  It’s the product of Little Rock natives and friends, John Stephens, David Hesselbein and Greg Baber who’ve partnered with Chef Wes Mickel to offer a menu of Italian classics.  Opening in August of 2023, it was in the works for 2 years before opening in the 1930s bungalow (previously housing Cafe Prego).  Having the capacity for 93, guests are seated in a traditional dining room, casual porch, an outdoor patio or in the hidden speakeasy named “Barnaby.”  The main dining room has tables set with white clothes and some bench seating along the walls whereas the porch had bare tables and wicker furniture.  It was more lit than the main dining room which also had art on the walls.  The service was good and helpful and portions were large.  It was a good meal and one I’d recommend you try when in town.  Reservations can be difficult but the speakeasy and bar seating are all first come, first served. Continue reading →

Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom, Little Rock, AR., 12/13/24

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
building – 1318 S Main St Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72202

Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom serves pizza and an Italian style menu in a long space.  One side is the 36-foot bar counter with seating and the opposite wall is a long bench seat fitted with small combinable tables.  A couple of large TV screens are above the bar and a mirrored wall covering is above the bench.  Some plants and sports memorabilia serve as decorations for the room.  There was faint music in the background but you could barely hear it for the loud hum of conversation in the room.  There are 20 beers on tap as well as a full bar offering.  The modern, casual feel is blended with the reclaimed wooden floors that had previously been 18-wheeler trailer beds and the antique brick bar.   The name Raduno translates to “place of gathering” which it seems to be in the SoMa section of Little Rock.  The service was slow and constantly disappearing but it was very crowded.  However, someone other than our server brought out the pies and they had sat in the back for some time.   The food was average at best. Continue reading →

Brave New Restaurant, Little Rock, AR., 12/12/24

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
building – 2300 Cottondale Ln #105, Little Rock, AR 72202

Brave New Restaurant describes itself as “a casual, warm environment, delicious food and excellent service at a reasonable cost.”    Opened by Peter Brave (and his ex-wife Marie) 33 years ago in a former Steak and Egg location it had 1750 sq ft.   In 2000 he moved to its present location – a large upstairs space with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Arkansas River.   Through the years he’s added on space, patios and private dining rooms to total 5,980 sq.ft.  He worked in the kitchen as well as the floor until Chef Ben Lindley was hired in 2022.  Now his son Gordy, who serves as General Manager, and his daughter also work at the restaurant and they are poised to continue the legacy he created.  The large room had no music, lowered lighting, carpeted floor, acoustical ceiling and a corner of the room open to the kitchen.  The black tables were unclothed and art was on the walls.  Peter Brave made his way around to tables of regulars.  Service was good as was the food.  The menu has options at many price points with generous portions. Continue reading →

The Root Cafe, Little Rock, AR., 12/12/24

~ hsnixon ~ 8 Comments
building – 1500 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202

The Root Cafe sources as much as possible from small farms and producers in Arkansas.  They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at different times during the day Tues – Sun.  Opened in June 2011 in the SoMa district of downtown Little Rock by Jack and Corri Sundell, it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  A second location in Breckenridge Village opened in 2022.  The Sundell’s philosophy is to create a more sustainable food system for Arkansas and have even used that principle in the design of the building, landscape and public events they sponsor.  It’s a small interior but lots of patios are enclosed in plastic to provide climate control.  A large mural of vegetables is on the wall of the building next to the parking lot.  Inside the decorations are funky and historic with lots of photos to look at.  There is a counter at the entrance where you place your order and a self-serve beverage area in front of it.  After you order and pay you receive a token to place on your table and they bring out your food.  Each token seemed to describe one of the farms they trade with.  The food was well thought out and I like their philosophy but nothing we had sang with flavor. Continue reading →

The Pantry Crest, Little Rock, AR., 12/11/24

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building – 722 N Palm St, Little Rock, AR 72205

The Pantry was opened by Tomas Bohn in 2009 in west Little Rock.  Based on its success, he opened The Pantry Crest in 2014 in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood.  Both locations serve Czech and German classics but the Pantry Crest is dinner only Tues through Sat.  They do not take reservations, so first come, first served.  The Pantry Crest was in a 2 story building with limited parking supplemented by street parking.  Downstairs was a good-sized bar counter with seats and high-top tables.  Upstairs was segmented into several rooms with varying sizes of tables.  Art was on the walls and a large mural was on the ceiling.  It seemed to be a very popular place with many of the tables turning  and lots of young folks in larger groups.  The service was helpful and friendly and the portions were on the large side.  However, the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Doe’s Eat Place, Little Rock, AR., 12/11/24

~ hsnixon ~ 9 Comments
exterior – 1023 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201

Doe’s Eat Place started in Greenville, Mississippi, where pilot George Eldridge would fly friends and clients to eat steak.  He eventually contracted to bring one to Little Rock and maintained the no-frills tradition and fabulous steaks.  They achieved even more notoriety when it became known that President Bill Clinton was interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine there and Clinton’s staffers made it their hangout during the 1992 campaign.  Eldridge escorted former chef Lucille Robinson to his inaugural ball.   Daughter Katherine Eldridge assumed ownership of the restaurant in 2012.   Clinton is not the only regular of note with entertainers, sports stars and other professionals eating there on a regular basis.  We were in town to see Clinton’s Library so where better to eat than one of his favorites?  It is a very down-to-earth place with red checkered oilclothes adhered to the tables, a high open ceiling, a black and white linoleum tile floor, no music, walls covered with photos and memorabilia, flatware distributed in paper bags and very friendly and helpful servers. There’s a back room where “deals are made” by local power people but I didn’t photograph it.   You should visit when you’re in town.  Continue reading →