While you're planning out your holiday weekend, don't forget to check out the first ever Argenta Foodie Festival... which will be held between 6th and 7th Streets off Main in North Little Rock tomorrow from 9am to 2pm (whew, that's a mouthful!).  14 area chefs will be demonstrating and offering foods created from produce and meat from around these parts (most of which comes from within a 50 mile radius of Argenta, imagine that!).  There will be plenty of family friendly entertainment, stuff for the kids to do, amusements, music (even a steel drum musician, cool!) and of course there will be a lot of food.  The Farmers Market, from what I gather, will still be open (which makes perfect sense), and there will be arts and crafts.  It's a good chance to take an opportunity to spend the day in Argenta; head over to one of the dozen or so local eateries in the Argenta district or check out artwork at the THEA Foundation.  The festival itself is free, and if you're even the slightest bit concerned about parking you can ride the River Rail to get there.  For more information, check out the website.  And celebrate a responsible and happy Independence Day. 

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I missed the little coffeeshop in Hillcrest where my peeps would gather on the odd Friday night to sit around and commiserate.  Sure, there are all sorts of places you can go to have coffee in the evenings, but finding a place open past 9pm that didn't care if you hung out on the furniture and took up space for hours at a time? 

So I'm glad to see The House go into the old Sufficient Grounds/Laughing Moon Cafe slot on North Palm.  Sure, the location is plagued by a lack of decent parking (and believe me, I did notice the new fence put up across the side of the Kroger parking lot), but it has charm in the way only an old, beloved house can have.

The food, by the way?  Well, read about that Surf and Turf burger (above) and more, after the jump.

Continue reading "Open for Business." »

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Say what you will about the inevitable wait, but good things can be found at Boulevard Bread Company in the River Market's Oppenheimer Hall.  It never fails; the hankering for one of those big salads or plates will come over me and I'll find myself in line behind half a dozen or more people, some of which can't make up their minds on what to get.  Of course, that's no big fault of their own -- the menu is huge, and there's all sorts of combinations.

For me?  While I like the pastrami sandwich ($6.50), if I have time to sit down and enjoy a leisurely lunch the Greek Sampler ($7.50) is the way to go -- with chunks of tomato and lots of olives, pepperoncini peppers and Feta cheese, dolmas, hummus, and that fresh bread... ah, throw in a passion fruit iced tea and find a corner to sit in, and there's a good lunch hour of people watching and munching for ya.

The coffee choices are also quite excellent.  I just wish the line was a lot shorter... because (with the exception of one rare morning a couple of years ago when I was in the building before 6am) I don't believe I've ever seen the place without a line.  (501) 374-1232. 

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The fire that damaged Fordyce's popular Klappenbach Bakery won't keep a good place down. Though the bakery is temporarily closed, folks over at City Hall say they're excited about it reopening soon. The fire May 30th forced the closure of the eatery, which has operated in that location for more than 30 years.

Personally, I am relieved to hear this, especially because I've missed that cheesy pull-apart bread I discovered there a few years ago.

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Little Rock has been blessed with so many new Japanese eateries in the past few years -- it’s hard to keep up with them all. Finding a standout among the crowd is hard.

However, Gina’s Chinese Kitchen and Sushi Bar manages to do just that, by making a break with tradition and aiming right at the taste buds of Central Arkansas patrons.

The restaurant’s menu is dotted with what appear to be traditional names, even among the sushi. Indeed, there’s still a miso soup starter (which, while savory and pleasant, we’d be willing to pass up for the mushroom soup again in a heartbeat). There’s crab Rangoon -- here, a delicious and savory version served very hot with very cold duck sauce.

But it’s in the sushi itself that flavors of the South peek through.

(more on the jump)

Continue reading "Japanese Style, Arkansas Flavor." »

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Challis Muniz of the Times and El Latino sends word to a fellow taco lover (me) of a place worth visiting in Hot Springs.

The Taco Shop is in Hot Springs on Central Avenue, near Kroger.

This is the sister of the La Hacienda guys, now doing her own thing. I had tacos there for lunch. They are great, just like the tiendas in Mexico. I only had $3.50 on me, and they were incredibly nice, set me up with 2 tacos al pastor with cheese, and a drink also.

Which reminds to say, for the umpteenth time, that Samantha's Taqueria No. 2, a trailer on Geyer Springs just north of Sims BBQ, has the most righteous tacos and burritos in town. And, last Saturday, they were offering pollo al carbon -- gorgeous-looking chicken halves being roasted on a big pit outside.

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Buffalo Grill has been a staple around these parts for ages (since 1981 for the original Riverdale location and since 1988 over on Bowman Road). But there seems to be a particular issue with the restaurant, something that any 21 year old would be pressed to answer… “what do you really want to be when you grow up?”

At 21 (and 28), is Buffalo Grill a burger joint, a soup-salad-sandwich place, TexMex, what?

This might be calling it too early. After all, there’s no chance of either restaurant going under. Those mounds of generous French fries alone should ensure that. The dinner salads (with their inexplicably complete dousing of bacon) are ample, and there’s enough variety on the menu for almost everyone to be happy.

But, take for instance, the most recent order of Tortilla Flats ($8.19) I picked up. Used to be, this mound of ever-increasing nacholand joy was topped with a sharp layer of Cheddar cheese melted lovingly under a broiler. No more. Now its chili, black olives, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos and chips are covered in cheese dip. Mind you, it’s not a bad cheese dip, but it’s disappointing.

(more on the jump)

Continue reading "Shufflin' Around." »

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That there would be Linda Miller, the winner of the pea cooking competition (and the condiment contest, and the original pea dish contest) and Billie Samples, the winner of the cornbread cookoff, at the PurpleHull Pea Festival today in Emerson. 

Competition was tough.  How do I know?  Because after the morning competitions, the entrants and those who had gathered to witness the proceedings were allowed to sample the entries.  There were some mean good eatin' there -- cornbread of all shades of white to dark yellow (dry to sweet), unusual items like a Pea Zucchini Bread and Pea-Mole Dip (think guacamole, but with peas), and of course the peach cobblers (because what goes better with a pea dinner than peach cobbler?).

After the competitions, I wandered the block and a half from the Baptist Church where the cookoffs had been up to the school cafeteria, where folks of all ages were going after this year's title of World Cup Pea Shelling Winner.  No surprise for many, Doeleta Weaver of Emerson managed to shell 7 5/8 ounces of peas in five minutes (that's nearly half a pound!) to claim that title again.

While shelling was taking place on stage, folks wandered over to the kitchen, plunked down their $6, and went in to be served up good food by the cafeteria ladies.  Sure, there were peas, their sweetness better than any bean you might pull from a field, accompanied by slivers of onion and chunks of ripe tomato, a hunk of cornbread, and a slathering of peach cobbler on the side.  There was margarine for the cornbread (really not necessary, you could taste the butter straight through) and peppers and salsa for folks who wanted to augment their dinner.  And of course sweet and unsweet iced tea.

Boy, I tell you what... there's a lot more to tell, and I might get around to telling it.  But I got whupped by the 100+ degree heat once I stepped out for the tiller parade and race.  I will tell you there was a wipeout that ended better than could be expected, lots of interesting tractors and whatnots, and even a wedding.  No joke.  But I ache in all the wrong places and am about to go to bed.  A great time... but quite exhausting, too.

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Lots of food-related festivals going on this weekend.  My choice -- the 20th Annual PurpleHull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Races down in Emerson.  Yeah, it's a long drive from Central Arkansas.  But that's nothing compared to the fervor in the fields, the kickup of dust and mud from competitors with their highly tuned machines, the slide of thumbnails along cylindrical hulls filled with those fabulous peas...

besides, the entertainment is indoors in the air conditioning. 

And there's gonna be a wedding.  Really -- no joke!

But the part you're going to want to check out happens to be, well, the peas.  At ten tomorrow morning, the best cooks in the land will vy over who has the best PurpleHull Pea and Cornbread dish.  That should be worth savoring.

But heck, why wait until tomorrow?  Festival begins today -- and there's a cakewalk (mmmm, cake) and lots of other things going on.  Go check out the festival website for more information.  I'll be headed that way tomorrow morning. 

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Too hot for pasta?  The heck you say.  Within the air conditioned comfort of Pia's Italian Restaurant in Conway, warm and delightful pastas accompanied by cold refreshing beverages are a diner's delight -- especially when they come with a sauce this good.  I found myself spooning up the incredibly rich and deep Cardinal sauce that accompanied my Tortellini ($11.99) with favor and gusto on a recent visit.  It's a very good balance between the rich marinara and the creamy Alfredo with a healthy wine reduction included.  I am all about that.

Fortunately, there was also a handy sponge to take in a lot of what I couldn't pick up with a spoon.  The eatery steps away from the rustic coarse bread/olive oil and pepper routine that all the "trendy" Italian restaurants tend to use these days.  Instead, the bread is sweet, it's served with a peppered butter, and it's very soft.  It might throw you for a loop at first, but stick with it at least until you get your pasta.  Then you'll appreciate the morsels that can discreetly soak up sauce without making you look too famished or greedy.

Pia's is located at 915 Front Street.  They do lunch and dinner, pasta and salad and sandwiches.  Oh, get dessert while you're at it.  (501) 513-9944.

Posted by Kat Robinson | Permalink | Comments (2)

Catfish.  Arkansas may not be the top catfish producer, but big cats are a part of life around these parts.  Finding a restaurant that only serves Arkansas-raised catfish?  Well, it's a good thing -- especially when you're talking about whole catfish fillets.  Check out the piece on Uncle Dean's Catfish and Such over on Tie Dye Travels.  And, if you can, please explain to me why every Arkansas catfish restaurant serves that slice of raw onion with hot fish?  I've lived in Arkansas almost my entire life, and I still don't know. 

Posted by Kat Robinson | Permalink | Comments (1)

Continue reading "Where Sami Always Knows Your Name." »

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Asian food.  It's not just Chinese egg rolls or Japanese sushi.  It's the peanuty goodness of Pad Thai, the spicy tang of Indian Chicken Vindaloo, the comfort of Vietnamese Bun Cha.  Many of these delicacies aren't available commercially around here, so any time I can get a chance to enjoy them I rush at it.

Of course, experiencing bits of the cultures behind the food just makes it easier to savor, at least for me.  That's why I rather enjoy the Asian Festival.  It's not huge (yet, but it's getting there), but it is a great chance to sample some good food.  It's also a good chance for all sorts of demonstrations of martial arts, beautiful pieces of art, and shopping for exotic and ethnic items.

The event will be held this Saturday from 10am to 6pm at the Mosaic Church on Colonel Glenn Road (the former Wal-Mart location next to Kroger).  It's $3 admission for adults -- free for kids, senior citizens, and members of the military.  For those that come before 11am, it's a buck.  For more information, contact the Asian Pacific Resource and Cultural Center at (501) 244-2490.

Posted by Kat Robinson | Permalink | Comments (1)

Morrilton's annual laud to all things porcine begins Friday at the 21st Annual Great Arkansas Pig Out.  Good chance to have a swine time and enjoy the National Hog Calling Contest, the Piggy Dash Family Fun Run, and all the free Petit Jean Hot Dogs you can eat.  And plenty of pork butts will likely be sacrificed for your entertainment and enjoyment in the culinary sense.  Check out more info on the event's website. 

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To say that there were no peaches at the 67th Annual Johnson County Peach Festival would be a fallacy.  There were enough for a cobbler, a jelly, and for a couple dozen kids to go after a peach eating championship.

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It’s inevitable… if you get a reputation to be “into” food, you’re going to get recommendations.  And one of the big recommendations I get anytime I mention that I’m going to be downtown is “you gotta go get lunch at EJ’s.”

Not that I’m a stranger to the sandwich-soup-salad shop in the old Lions Club building.  Not at all.  Friends have taken me many times, and I try to drop by when I have business in the Metropolitan Tower building.  Problem has been that I tend to leave the camera packed away.

That’s because EJ’s Eats and Drinks is one of those local joints that’s way past being casual.  It’s just “one of those places,” like a good bar (think “Cheers” for the sandwich set).  The eclectic mix of dead comedian pics on the walls, the strange pinkness of the exposed second story, the laid back wait staff and the plethora of familiar faces just holler “don’t get so comfortable you take off your shoes in here.”  It’s nice.

Continue reading "Thoughtful Choice." »

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Festival season is in full swing, and among this weekend's offerings:  the 67th Annual Johnson County Peach Festival.  Though the festivities include such Arkansas-centric activities as greased pig racing and frog jumping contests, peaches are the true center and glory of the weekend, with peach eating contests and pit spitting competitions.  For foodies, there are also contests for best peach cobbler, best peach jam and peach jelly.  Oh, and something tells me there will be peaches around.  Go figure.  I'll let you know what I find on my trip westward.  Want some more info?  Check out the event website.

Posted by Kat Robinson | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever long for dining companions to share your food experiences?  That was the whole idea behind the first gathering this week... a planned small gathering of Facebook friends that turned into around 50 people invading Capi's this past Monday night.  Sure, it was a gathering of friends -- friends interested in promoting local restaurants, friends looking for someone to share dinner with and help out the local economy, too.

It's growing.  Now the group is planning more outings, not just dining out but going to the movies, too.  It's a lovely organic sort of thing and worth checking out.  The next gathering is next Monday, the 22nd, at Lilly's DimSum Then Some.  From six to eight, people are invited to meet at the Market Street eatery. 

The "Let's Go Out Little Rock:" group has a Facebook page where you can follow upcoming events.  It will be very interesting to see how this develops -- especially in this age of web-based social networking.

Speaking of which, did you know about Eat Arkansas' Twitter-pation?  Or the Facebook weekdaily lunch suggestion?  Have other food-related social webstreams to share?

Posted by Kat Robinson | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thank goodness for The Purple Cow.  Not just for the incredible shakes and delectable ice cream treats, but because it serves "grown up" food, too.

I have to admit, I have happily dived into a Herbed Butter Burger ($5.45), a decadence that not only satisfies but soaks you in guilt later.  But I have been just as pleased with the Grilled Tuna Salad Sandwich ($5.55, shown above), which while tastily grilled with a bit of butter on the wheat bread also gives one the idea that one is eating healthily.

And it's little nods to respectable eating, such as the half-a-dozen big salads on the menu, that are just enough to give adults without kids enough reason to keep coming back... the "shame" of diving into a Caramel Cashew Coffee Sundae or Fudgy Nut Brownie Sundae mitigated by the idea that yes, Virginia, you can have your ice cream and eat lunch, too.  I tend to go for the motherload, passing by the (oh too tempting) shakes for the traditional, three scoop Banana Split ($5.25), a taste and a look just as iconical and clean as the lines of a '57 Chevy.  Sometimes I do go a bit easy on myself, and sink merrily into that childhood favorite of mine, the Chocolate Soda ($3.15) instead.

It can be a toss-up.  But don't feel too guilty if there's no child seat in your sedan, no fingerprints on your window, no crayons in your purse.  The Purple Cow has food for you, too.  Check out their website for locations.

Posted by Kat Robinson | Permalink | Comments (1)

That might not look very exciting, but it's actually one of the more refreshing options I've recently enjoyed at Za Za's, the pizza and salad joint up in the old Height's Theater building on Kavanaugh.  It's the Tandoori Chicken Salad ($8.95), way too much salad for one person, which is okay because hey, who couldn't eat that twice in a day?

I rather admire the variety and span of salad items/pizza toppings at the place, which you can of course utilize to make your own combination ($4.95 for the greens, $.50 for most other ingredients and then $1-3 for meats).  But I can be lazy, and it's good to know that instead of putting thought into creating a good salad with my own trademark ideas on a worn-out Monday lunchtime I can actually just go in and grunt and point.

Salads, of course, are still made while you are standing in line, which means you can really just eat and go.  Pizzas, on the other hand, take a bit longer and we are happy for that.  The 700 degree hardwood fueled circular oven imparts a taste to thrown dough that can't be duplicated on a conveyor belt oven, and the options are fantastic.  I rather enjoy the Perella ($11) -- the Pepperoni ($10) is shown here.

Of course, there's a better reason to go, on the jump.

Continue reading "Salad Days." »

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