Eat Arkansas: January 2009 Archives

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Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 19:57:42

Food Lovers' Open Line.

Chris Dimino Keyboard Eat Arkansas.jpg

Frequent commenter Mordy came up with a good suggestion -- let's try it out. Here's an Open Line for all you food lovers out there.

The image, by the way, is a favorite of mine from Chris Dimino.

Have at it.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments [42]

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 13:30:13

A good night for soup

Joel DiPippa reports:

After an extended absence from Eat Arkansas, it is time to return. This weekend hatched impromptu plans for a dinner party last night (Tuesday, when ice was expected)(. Thankfully, the handful of guests were able to make it and there were no weather injuries or scares. More importantly, though, the weather with its chill and rain gave a great backdrop to the meal.

First course? French onion soup. I love French onion soup. Besides the fact that it is easy and tasty, it really gets back to French cuisine for me. Taking a few simple ingredients, and coaxing something completely unexpected out of it. As for a recipe? Slice an onion or two. Soften and carmelize with butter and olive oil. Add beef broth, some dry wine (I use vermouth), a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce and some black pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer at least 20 minutes. Yes, the bread was put under the broiler with some Gruyere cheese. It really is that good.

Wine? A Chilean Carmenere for the soup and the main. Something different when we got to dessert! More after the jump.

Posted by Max Brantley at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments [8]

Dining Deals in Dogtown.

Creegans Bangers Mash Eat Arkansas.jpg

It's a little late of a mention, but this week (January 26-31) is Argenta Restaurant Week. Several Argenta District restaurants are offering eight dollar two-course lunches and $25 three-course dinners this week. It's a great chance to try something new at a decent price. Among the restaurants involved: Bill Valentine's Ballpark Restaurant, Ristorante Capeo, Riverfront Steakhouse, Starving Artist Cafe, and Cregeen's Irish Pub. For more information, check out the Argenta Downtown Council's website.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 04:11 AM | Permalink | Comments [1]

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 16:10:27

Warming The Cockles.

Faded Rose Etouffee Eat Arkansas.jpg

A cold wind is blowing, and ice is rattling in the trees. Time to warm up. And just as it's important to warm up on the outside with sweaters, gloves, and fuzzy hats -- it's just as important to heat up the insides, too.

A great way to enliven the digestive tract and send some heat down below is found within a steaming bowl of The Faded Rose's Crawfish Étouffée. The heat's not just a matter of temperature. That initial sip full of comfort, crawfish, and creaminess gives way moments later to a sudden burst of pleasant spice that sweeps you out of a wooden booth in Little Rock and plops you down in a wire-back chair on Decatur Street on a late May day. Not the painful kind of spicy that has you reaching for the antacid, but the sort that makes your nose run just a little bit. The sort of heat that makes you feel armed and confident against the approaching cold outside the door. The perfect sort of dish to sop up with the (thankfully provided) crusty French bread... yum.

Of course, the wide array of po'boys, tilapia and redfish dishes, shrimp items and delicious steaks, along with that fabulous Rose's Grilled Louisiana Crab Cakes, make the hardest part of eating there deciding what to eat. Locations on Rebsamen Park Road and Bowman Road... check out the website for more on where to go and what to eat when you get there.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments [7]

New eats in Riverdale

Maddie's Place is now open on Rebsamen Park Road next door to Faded Rose in what was the Rose's original building.

Check out the menu here. Chef Brian Deloney will serve up comforting mac-and-cheese, New Orleans-flavored specialties (po boys and shrimp Creole) and some newer-age dishes, like a blackened yellow fin tuna salad. Casual. Kids menu.

Posted by Max Brantley at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments [17]

Monday, January 26, 2009 - 17:03:00

Ya Ya, It's Open.

The new Ya Ya's EuroBistro officially opens today. I went down this morning, hoping for an early lunch... unfortunately that wasn't in the cards. While the restaurant opens tonight at 5 p.m., lunch service begins Wednesday. Barring any unforseen craziness, the restaurant should be open tonight and Tuesday night... I was told during my brief visit that many members of the staff are being put up in a nearby hotel to make sure the opening goes off smoothly.

I beg pardon for not giving you a review tonight... we're erring on the side of caution with the slick roads. Would love your impressions, if you do decide to venture out.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments [3]

Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 13:26:03

Happy New Year!

Asian New Year Starter Eat Arkansas.jpg

Another interesting evening with the folks from the Asian Pacific Resource and Cultural Center and guests over at Chinese Pavilion in Sherwood, where diners enjoyed the Asian New Year Celebration Dinner Saturday. The annual event features a master chef's interpretation of traditional Asian dishes. Above, pictured, are slices of Korean beef and pork barbeque, seaweed, sweet and salted cashews, and Thousand Year Eggs. Nearly eighty people came out to savor nine courses -- including "Heaven and Earth," a dish of soft-boiled quail eggs and pork over fried noodles; savory fried beef and stewed sweet-tart lychee in an orange sauce; bok choy and mushrooms in oyster sauce; and of course the traditional whole fried fish (for good luck), this year being the ever lucky and delicious red snapper.

More food opportunities coming up in April with the Asian Pacific Resource and Cultural Center with the annual festival... for now, food porn on the jump.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments [5]