Eat Arkansas

It depends on the guest. When I have a Japanese person over, I take them to Sim's. In Japan, B-B-Q means buffalo wings, and that's a shame. I have converted several Japanese to start eating B-B-Q.

Vino's for beer lovers, Za Za's for gelato, Cotham's for burgers, Doe's to see some action, and Midtown for late nights. And if I'm treating Aso, Bush, or Limbaugh, I'll take them to the Kroger dumpsters.

I had guests in town a couple of weeks ago. I took them to Cheers in the Heights Friday night. I made breakfast for them Saturday. They were on their own Saturday afternoon in the River Market and Saturday night we went to Ferneau's which was outstanding. Sunday, we had crepes at Lemon.

They were impressed at the fact that there was so much to do and so many good places to eat literally within walking distance of my house.

I also like Brave New Restaurant, Acadia and Sonny Williams for guests.

I'll answer with a firm "It depends". Really depends on whether you are giving them what they want, or want to show them the LR dining scene. If they ask for:

Overall best--Brave New
Burger--either Purple Cow or K. Hall and Sons
Steak--Doe's
Asian--Koto

I would have a very difficult time if they said to just take them somewhere "Little Rock". Probably Doe's, but I would have to think about it a lot more than I have in writing this post.

We frequently have vendors come in from California, and usually number one on their lunch list is Whole Hog Cafe. It's completely different from anything you can get in CA!

...lamb at Brave New, hands down...and I've had mighty fine BBQ on San Bruno Ave in SanFran AND it wasn't Whole Hog-like, true.

It's easy...Cotham's (original or on West Markham), Community Bakery and Cafe 42. Best visitor spots. No doubt.

I love to take out of town guests to:
Cothams, Whole Hog, Cajuns Wharf, Purple Cow, Izzy's, Trio's, and Bruno's. But my quinessential place in Little Rock for a lunch time experience is Homer's!

Trios!

I thoroughly agree with most of what's been posted, except that I'm so over Cotham's downtown. The quality has never compared to the one out in Scott. I prefer Arkansas Burger Company for the rare times when I'm in the mood for a burger.

While I haven't been in a while, I used to love the mixed grill at Brave: fresh, local game cooked in really innovative ways. Y'all know what a sucker I am for local food.

Does anyone know what happened with Starlite Diner in Levy? They had the best corn fritters and curly fries. When I was in high school they were open well into the wee hours, so we'd go there after shows to get a snack and hang out. The hours started scaling back and I went there less and less, and then it was for sale on e-bay, according to one rumor, and then the next time I showed up it was closed due to fire. What a shame. We don't have enough good, greasy diner type breakfast places that are open on weekends. The only one I can think of, in fact, is the Ozark Family Restaurant or whatever it's called these days on Cantrell and Mississippi, and I've found it to be mostly unimpressive with the exception of sweet potato pancakes.

Any suggestions?

I ate at Cotham's in Scott a couple of weekends ago. We ordered the fried green tomatos and onion rings. I was pretty amazed at how much grease was on the plate and anything that was on the bottom layer was just soaked in grease. Is there someplace that serves FGT's that aren't so greasy?

Whole Hog and Sims are both good for out-of-towners. My nod goes to Sims for character points. Having said that....I've been making my own bbq at home and so happy with the results I've about sworn off bbq anywhere else.

I am envious of the sauces at Whole Hog....wish I had the #6 recipe!

This is actually a discussion I have been having with another friend lately, so there are more than a few running through my head.
Burger: Arkansas Burger Company. The best in the daylight and evening hours.

Pizza: Damgoode Pies

Leo's, especially for breakfast

Ferneau and/or Baci

Sushi: Hanaroo

Barbecue: HBs if you can make it, Whole Hog otherwise

Steak: Does Eat Place

Mexican: Up in the air on this one. Much debate over the best answer.

I think these places are great examples of local restaurants and really do put LR in a good light.
As for what happened to Starlight, I honestly stopped going when it stopped being 24/7. I agree that there are not good continental breakfast joints that are local for the weekends. OMS has been consistent and good, but not quite amazing from my experiences.

mcbsmith, didn't know you ate burgers. I'm inviting you over next time we do kimchee hot pot. It's got pork in it (from Petit Jean Farm), but it's good.

FoodDude, I'm with you on homemade bbq. My ex-partner went to the BBQ school taught by what used to be JR's owner. It was the best $200 ever spent. Fortunately, I got his recipes before we broke up. One of the few good things that came out of the relationship.

Has anyone been to the Capitol Hotel for breakfast? I've had several conferences there, and the meal is great. I didn't have the breakfast, though. I hear it's buckwheat pancakes with AR black apples are great. They also have chocolate French toasts. Yum....

Out of Town or out of state?

If they're out of state, then I introduce them to Whole Hog because well BBQ is something different.

Also, Star of India.

Leo's gets a nod.

Mexican. Hrmm. tough one.

La Hacienda was tasty and their raspberry margaritas were the backdrop of a good time had by all. Also, if it's someone's birthday, they sing a song, put a sombrero and a blanket on you, take a picture, and give you a shot of tequila. (well if you're over 21 of course). CLICK THE BLUE LINK! The cake was provided by us, not La Hacienda. Sorry no food pics. I was too happy with the margarita love.

Every year for my birthday, I take a day off and have breakfast/brunch at a place I ordinarily coudln't frequent. A couple of years ago, that place was Ozark Mountain Smokehouse. I decided that I could handle the treat of biscuits and gravy and surely they'd be good here. Imagine my surprise to get packaged frozen biscuits and gravy from a packet.

Is there any breakfast place that makes their OWN biscuits and actual not-from-a-packet-or-other-premade-container gravy?

Zaoy - as it turns out, I'll be having brunch at Ashley's on Sunday. I'll report back, but I'm afraid the only camera I have at my disposal right now is the one in my cell phone. I'll still try to take some pictures, but they won't be good quality.

Mr. Mordy and I frequently bemoan the lack of a good breakfast place in LR. Leo's is OK, but small. Satellite is always a fave, but rather expensive to do on a regular basis. Before I get to the bad, I'll stay on the good...Vieux Carre has an excellent Sunday brunch! We've been extremely pleased both times we've been, and the jazz music is great.

And Ozark Mountain?? Sub par food with TERRIBLE service the past couple of times we've been. They've raised their prices too. The last time I went, I got the veggie omelet, and the veggies inside were raw! Is it really that hard to give them a quick saute before putting them in the omelet? A little heat?? It was manageable until I got to the raw onion (according to the menu, there wasn't supposed to even be onion in the omelet, which I thought was odd). I do not care for raw onion in my omelet. Adding to it all, we never saw our server again after they dropped off our food. No coffee refills, no checking to make sure the food was OK, nothing! I must be in the minority, because the place it always packed. But maybe that speaks more to a lack of alternative options than the quality of the restaurant.

I hope it's not too late to join the party!

I was wondering if anyone might have any thoughts on playing tour guide to vegetarian and vegan guests. Judging from the Best Single Dish listing, there might be a contender with Saigon Cuisine. Might there be any other potential options?