Eat Arkansas: February 2009 Archives

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Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 22:22:55

End of the road.

Backwoods BBQ Eat Arkansas.jpg

This map was a tribute to good barbecue, a map documenting the travels of hundreds of hungry diners who at one point or another made their way to Backwoods BBQ in Greenbrier. Alas, with the passing of Doug Chrestman, the restaurant is no more. Earlier today I noticed the sign out front as I passed, the sign announcing the restaurant is closed and searching for a new owner. A fund has been set up for Doug's wife Sharon and their children to handle expenses. I sure hate to see it go... it was one of the first restaurants I ever blogged about, and even mentioned in USA Today.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Friday, February 27, 2009 - 16:31:23

Not Constantinople.

Istanbul Eat Arkansas.jpg

Sandwiched in-between other businesses bookended by the highly enjoyable Capi's and the kid-friendly Cheeburger Cheeburger is a new eatery, scheduled to open March 9th. Istanbul Mediterranean Cuisine will feature a wide variety of kababs, gyros, and Turkish delights (maybe even Turkish Delight -- we didn't ask). No website yet, but staff is being hired and the space outfitted for a casual yet hip dining experience.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Hot Dogs, Cold Cream.

Jerzys Creamery Eat Arkansas.jpg

Out West on Cantrell (in the IO Metro complex) you'll find Jerzy's Creamery. I've passed by many a time and never seen it open. Finally got by when the doors were open today -- only to find that the hot dogs were still in process. The folks on duty let me know that starting next week the restaurant will be open from noon to 8 p.m. for "summer hours." The eatery serves 1/4 pound gourmet hot dogs and a wide selection of ice creams. Maybe next week I'll finally get a chance to dine there. It's at 12911 Cantrell... phone number is (501) 312-7472.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 04:22 PM | Permalink | Comments [1]

Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 14:08:39

Iron Chef, Arkansas Style.

CrossedKnives Eat Arkansas.jpg

Last year, food lover fantasies have become reality in a form often seen before (on the hit TV shows Iron Chef and Iron Chef America), in our very own Kitchen Stadium (the foyer of the Little Rock Peabody Hotel). The motivation for this contest by the Culinary School is to encounter new and original cuisines, and to raise funds for Pulaski Technical College Arkansas Culinary School, which currently serves 130 students who are pursuing associate degrees in culinary arts or technical certificates in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts.

To realize this dream, four chefs have been chosen -- Michael Powell, executive chef at Chenal Country Club; Ted Roman, executive chef at the Arlington Hotel; Jason Knapp, executive chef at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion; and Cynthia East, lead instructor at the Pulaski Technical College Arkansas Culinary School. These potentially invincible chefs will have 40 minutes to tackle the theme item of the day. Using all their senses, skill, creativity, they are to prepare artistic dishes never tasted before.

And if ever a challenger wins in next Tuesday's bouts, they will have a chance to compete against chef Donnie Ferneau for the title of "Diamond Chef" in June. And if he or she wins, the chef will gain the people's ovation and fame forever (or something like that). Every battle, reputations are on the line as master chefs pit their artistic creations against each other. What inspiration does each challenger bring? And how will each chef fight back? The heat will be on!

Check out the Diamond Chef preliminaries -- the event starts at 2 p.m. next Tuesday. Admission to the preliminary competition is free, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, call Jamie Higgins at (501) 812-2271 or by e-mail.

Posted by Kat Robinson at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments [2]

Coming soon

Interior decorator Larry West is preparing to open Star Bar, a restaurant and lounge, in the space on West Third St. that previously housed the Italian Couple. Donnie Ferneau is serving as the restaurant’s executive chef, which means he’ll train the staff and set the menu, which West says will be primarily tapas and light entrees. There’ll be a full bar, too.

West plans to open at 2 p.m. on March 9 and celebrate his grand opening on March 14. The bar’s hours will be 2 p.m. until midnight Wed.-Mon.

Posted by Lindsey Millar at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments [1]

The Station opens

The Station Grocery and Deli has opened in the wedge formed by the intersection of Kavanaugh and Markham streets at Stifft Station. The store specializes in organic, gourmet, specialty, health and, especially, locally produced foods and goods. It also offer made to order juices and smoothies and to-go deli items. The phone number is 664-3200. The website is thestationlr.com. Hours are 7 a.m. -6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and Sat. 9 a.m. -5 p.m (there's live music on Saturdays). Once summer hits, co-owner Holly Ingebo says the store might extend it's hours and open on Sunday.

Ingebo also told me that the deli won't be full service until the week beginning March 2.

After the jump, check out a long list of some of the groceries featured products.

Posted by Lindsey Millar at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 18:07:48

Open air dining

A patron reports a bit of a problem with a roof collapse last night at Pizza D'Action, the popular Stifft Station tavern. Anybody have any update on that?

Posted by Max Brantley at 06:07 PM | Permalink | Comments [3]