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Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 06:45:49
Divinity for a Dollar.
I'm all about a bargain, and maybe that's why I am keen on Dave's Place on Center Street. The long restaurant a block and a half from the Statehouse Convention Center is your usual soup-and-sandwich sort of place that dot downtown for diners with little time to spare and no desire to move parked cars.
Of course, it could be too easy to shortchange the place based on that assessment. So don't. Instead, go if you can (there's metered parking out front) and grab yourself a good sandwich or one of the specials (listed each day on the eatery's website). And don't miss out on having dessert. Each day, there's something different. I rather enjoyed this memory-evoking slice of Key Lime Pie. No, it wasn't some fruit-bit laden entity of out-of-state procurement, nor was it some creation that came packaged in a box from the freezer case. This was one of those Southern granny specials where Key Lime Juice meets sweetened condensed milk, and it made me very, very happy. Can't beat the price either -- just a buck.
Dave's Place is only open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the week (and for a few more hours Friday nights) but they also do catering and the sort. (501) 372-DAVE.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 12:19:30
Speaking Of River Market Eats...
The folks behind Gravel Ridge favorite Meat Shoppe will be opening Kent's Downtown in the River Market. Kent's is going into the Oppenheimer Hall where the beloved Shaka Smoke Lodge perished a few months ago. The men working loudly to get the store ready were quick with a flyer that announced "Breakfast, Big and Bold" and "Catering w/Executive Chef Heinz Klein." We can best hope that the new venture will retain what's great about the Meat Shoppe -- good ready-to-go smoked chicken and ribs, and some of the finest "take it home and cook it yourself" steaks you can find in Pulaski County.
Gah-rohn-teed Openin'.
Well Baked.
I usually end up sucked into the pastry side of Community Bakery when I go... something about chocolate croissants and almond poppyseed muffins derails most attempts at eating healthy. Maybe it's the proximity to available parking, but by the time I enter that side door and make it to the register, I'm usually packed in with purchases.
However, ignoring the restaurant's other charms would be a giant omission. The downtown location also does a fine job of playing coffeehouse and sandwich shop, with freshly brewed varietals and fancypant coffee drinks and with ever-changing specials and standard favorites. I for one rather enjoy the Caprese Sandwich ($6.25), fresh tomato and basil with fresh Mozzarella on ciabatta bread or foccacia bread (had it both ways -- still fantastic).
Of course, if I even bother perusing the pastry case (shown above), I usually end up adding lots of extra calories to my dining experience. The Grand Marnier packed Chocolate Barquettes ($1.95) are excellent, but I usually steer in the direction of the Creme Brulee ($2.95).
You can check out the daily specials here, or just head to the website for more information. They do take in call-ahead orders, and have a drive-thru window. Main Street just south of I-630 downtown. (501) 375-6418 for the bakery and (501) 375-7105 for the cafe. The West Little Rock store is just a bakery, but still has those almond poppyseed muffins and more -- (501) 224-1656.
Monday, May 25, 2009 - 16:50:20
Cheesy, But In A Good Way.
A fascinating photo essay over at Green AR By The Day, on the production of Honeysuckle Lane Cheese, a raw milk cheese made by the father and son team of Ray Daley Sr. and Jr. Definately worth a look.
Friday, May 22, 2009 - 14:22:25
Butt In.
More goodness from Riverfest... from the Chuck's BBQ stand at LaHarpe's Landing food vendor area.
Now here's a man who's happy about his product.
Also got to speak with the good folks at Yarnell's. There is, of course, their signature yearly Riverfest flavor, which this time around is Sunny Berry, a strawberry-lemon sorbet that's sure to be very popular when the festival is at its hottest.
But the drink that's sure to please is the Coke Float... all manners of goodness.
Riverfest is of course going on all weekend. What's your fest favorite?
Early Morning at Riverfest.
This afternoon, Arkansas' largest food and music festival opens along both banks of the Arkansas River. But the cooking has already started. I wandered about this morning and caught the whiff of savory cooking at the Arkansas Philipine Association booth behind LaHarpe's Landing... where Chicken BBQ Kebabs are already on the grill.
The folks at Fat Sam's are stirring up crawfish ettoufee, and I passed by folks working on getting kettle corn going. Post Familie Vineyards is busy getting the Specialty Beverage Garden up and going by the foot of the Junction Bridge, and the Yarnell's folks are making sure there's plenty of ice cream on hand. Next update: a new flavor, and what could be both an old fashioned flavor and this year's cool winner among sweet drinks. More in a bit from Riverfest. More narration of my walk-through at Tie Dye Travels.
Music and Mudbugs.
Sushi Lunch.
Sneak Peek.
Opah!
Forget Something?
This can't be yogurt
Deal With It.
Local Foods: How Far Do You Go?
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