Eat Arkansas

The last time I went for lunch I ordered a soup and sandwich combo for $12. I had to wait 20 minutes for a to-go order though it appeared that I was the only customer in the place.

When I finally got back to the office I found that the soup was lukewarm and the tiny half-sandwich was made with some bacon left over from the day before.

I've had drinks there several times before. They have an okay wine selection, but its priced higher than it should be.

For my money, I like Crush and Lulav.

I've always found So to be overrated and not nearly worth the price.

Basil, I agree that Lulav is a great lunch ... especially when it is only a block or two away. The Bistro Burgers are way too much fun.

The hamburger they serve at lunch at Ferneau's ain't bad. Costs too much but it ain't bad.

Yes yes yes and yes to all of the above.

Overrated, not worth the price and mediocre (short!) wine list. It tries too hard to be posh, which shouldn't even be attempted this side of the Atlantic. They should change their name to: So (what)?

Lulav is great for lunch, except sometimes that waitress/hostess person forgets things. Like drinks and checks.

Crush has a FABULOUS wine list and Joe is always willing to talk to his customers about wine, it seems. I'm always down for free education.

Basil- you keep naming all of my favorite places (for various purposes) in town. Joel, too, although I'm 95% certain I know exactly who Joel is.

Crush now is doing half-price wine by the glass from 4 to 6 Tues-Fri. Fabulous deal and a way to try REALLY good wines at a reasonable price. Plus all the food is from Blvd Bread and therefore is world-class. Perfect choices and quantities to complement wine.

Yep, JenJens, it is who you think and I still have not found the right excuse to make it by Velo Rouge to give it a try.
FYI - Ferneau has applied for a Sunday Liquor license ... looks like brunch is in the works, though SUndays are pretty well taken for me already.

"They should change their name to: So (what)?"

Seems that great minds think alike Jens.

What I really need is a "How to eat really well, really cheaply"

Favorite spots (and selections) for eating on a budget... what to order where when your poor.

Joel:

I'll gladly give you a reason not to go to Velo Rouge.

I sometimes find myself sitting at their bar on my lunch break because I find the quiet environment and passing traffic to be very relaxing. I like to read and order a cup of coffee/tea. The other day I ordered a cup of tea.

Just a lousy cup of Bigelow's (or whatever) Earl Grey tea. Guess how much it was??? $3.85! For a single bag of tea!!!!!!

Next time, I will ask them for a cup of hot water and bring my OWN damn tea, because gosh dernit, that's highway robbery!!! Now get off my lawn.

I don't know what kind of future that place has. It sort of seems like the restaurant of misguided attemps to offer Little Rock a pretentious slice of... Paris???

Basil: Eating well and eating cheaply is simple. Don't eat out. Buy lots of veggies, loads of fresh herbs, basics like pasta and beans and obsessively watch the Food Network like I do. I'm not the one for advice, though-

There seem to be only a few healthy, affordable lunch options in LR. I personally need to start making more of an effort to bring lunch from home- it really starts to add up in ways that I can't afford, so I hear ya', bro... or lady.

JenJens - Lunch is for fun without any doubt. There are few places to really go for lunch, especially when you factor in travel from downtown -- I bring lunch a lot or run home to eat since I am close enough. I want to try VR simply because I have not gotten to eat there yet. I learned some time ago that I should not order hot tea in most restaurants. I may be a coffee boy at heart, but I have a large stash of hot tea to drink.

Basil - JJ is right about the best way to eat well and cheaply. I seem to always keep some onions, peppers, garlic, and a half finished bottle of red wine around. However, my table for one gets quite boring at times and I cannot be a homebody. Leos is one of my favorites for great food at a great price point, though it tends to the richness of it Greek origins (that reminds me, I need to send Max some pictures); Cafe Prego is a go-to spot for me with amazingly affordable food that is wonderful with an ambiance that is unique. I love the posters in there. I will ponder more recommendations for the future.

Joel:

Hello, first of all. Here's what's up: If you decide to give VR a try, may I recommend apps and a drink? The mussels are actually fabulous and they make a mean Mac and cheese, as well. Their wine list is like everything else around here- boring, predictable, too short- but you can snuff out a few glasses worth drinking if you look hard enough.

The atmosphere is what really gets me. It reminds me of a snowy lodge that belongs at the bottom of a mountain in Crested Butte or Telluride, CO. Very, very cozy- the kind of place you could easily get lost in over a bottle of wine.

And on Ferneau brunch... Hm. I'm sure it would be great- I just like cooking breakfast at home on the wknds so much, it's hard to justify going out and paying for it when you can enjoy your first meal of the day in the comfort of your own kitchen AND in your PJ's- which is the best.

Have you been to Ciao Bacci lately? I can't get enough of their Tapas menu.

JenJens - The braserie concept the current big thing nationwide on new restaurants, so it fits the big trends. The description of the atmosphere sounds fantastic ... the sort of thing I should really like. My wine tastes may have been spoiled by Lee back in the day, so their Bartenders may get a workout with cocktail pairings if I go.

I really don't have the time for brunch on Sundays anymore ... too much to do and an utter disdain for going alone to restaurants. I've got to get over that or I will never check all the places off my list this year.

Greg at Baci does some amazing work! He has some great profiles he works with and it really does capture that Baci-esque experience --nobody else in the city quite keeps you there in that balance of pleasant slow eating, good drinks, with the atmosphere.

Word.

And,

Lee Edwards is my hero.