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Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 12:54:57
The Buns Shall Rise Again.
The fire that damaged Fordyce's popular Klappenbach Bakery won't keep a good place down. Though the bakery is temporarily closed, folks over at City Hall say they're excited about it reopening soon. The fire May 30th forced the closure of the eatery, which has operated in that location for more than 30 years.
Personally, I am relieved to hear this, especially because I've missed that cheesy pull-apart bread I discovered there a few years ago.
Japanese Style, Arkansas Flavor.
Little Rock has been blessed with so many new Japanese eateries in the past few years -- it’s hard to keep up with them all. Finding a standout among the crowd is hard.
However, Gina’s Chinese Kitchen and Sushi Bar manages to do just that, by making a break with tradition and aiming right at the taste buds of Central Arkansas patrons.
The restaurant’s menu is dotted with what appear to be traditional names, even among the sushi. Indeed, there’s still a miso soup starter (which, while savory and pleasant, we’d be willing to pass up for the mushroom soup again in a heartbeat). There’s crab Rangoon -- here, a delicious and savory version served very hot with very cold duck sauce.
But it’s in the sushi itself that flavors of the South peek through.
(more on the jump)
Monday, June 29, 2009 - 16:29:51
Sister's got the tacos
Challis Muniz of the Times and El Latino sends word to a fellow taco lover (me) of a place worth visiting in Hot Springs.
The Taco Shop is in Hot Springs on Central Avenue, near Kroger.
This is the sister of the La Hacienda guys, now doing her own thing. I had tacos there for lunch. They are great, just like the tiendas in Mexico. I only had $3.50 on me, and they were incredibly nice, set me up with 2 tacos al pastor with cheese, and a drink also.
Which reminds to say, for the umpteenth time, that Samantha's Taqueria No. 2, a trailer on Geyer Springs just north of Sims BBQ, has the most righteous tacos and burritos in town. And, last Saturday, they were offering pollo al carbon -- gorgeous-looking chicken halves being roasted on a big pit outside.
Shufflin' Around.
Buffalo Grill has been a staple around these parts for ages (since 1981 for the original Riverdale location and since 1988 over on Bowman Road). But there seems to be a particular issue with the restaurant, something that any 21 year old would be pressed to answer… “what do you really want to be when you grow up?”
At 21 (and 28), is Buffalo Grill a burger joint, a soup-salad-sandwich place, TexMex, what?
This might be calling it too early. After all, there’s no chance of either restaurant going under. Those mounds of generous French fries alone should ensure that. The dinner salads (with their inexplicably complete dousing of bacon) are ample, and there’s enough variety on the menu for almost everyone to be happy.
But, take for instance, the most recent order of Tortilla Flats ($8.19) I picked up. Used to be, this mound of ever-increasing nacholand joy was topped with a sharp layer of Cheddar cheese melted lovingly under a broiler. No more. Now its chili, black olives, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos and chips are covered in cheese dip. Mind you, it’s not a bad cheese dip, but it’s disappointing.
(more on the jump)
Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 20:43:49
Peas and Cornbread (and Cobbler, Too).
That there would be Linda Miller, the winner of the pea cooking competition (and the condiment contest, and the original pea dish contest) and Billie Samples, the winner of the cornbread cookoff, at the PurpleHull Pea Festival today in Emerson.
Competition was tough. How do I know? Because after the morning competitions, the entrants and those who had gathered to witness the proceedings were allowed to sample the entries. There were some mean good eatin' there -- cornbread of all shades of white to dark yellow (dry to sweet), unusual items like a Pea Zucchini Bread and Pea-Mole Dip (think guacamole, but with peas), and of course the peach cobblers (because what goes better with a pea dinner than peach cobbler?).
After the competitions, I wandered the block and a half from the Baptist Church where the cookoffs had been up to the school cafeteria, where folks of all ages were going after this year's title of World Cup Pea Shelling Winner. No surprise for many, Doeleta Weaver of Emerson managed to shell 7 5/8 ounces of peas in five minutes (that's nearly half a pound!) to claim that title again.
While shelling was taking place on stage, folks wandered over to the kitchen, plunked down their $6, and went in to be served up good food by the cafeteria ladies. Sure, there were peas, their sweetness better than any bean you might pull from a field, accompanied by slivers of onion and chunks of ripe tomato, a hunk of cornbread, and a slathering of peach cobbler on the side. There was margarine for the cornbread (really not necessary, you could taste the butter straight through) and peppers and salsa for folks who wanted to augment their dinner. And of course sweet and unsweet iced tea.
Boy, I tell you what... there's a lot more to tell, and I might get around to telling it. But I got whupped by the 100+ degree heat once I stepped out for the tiller parade and race. I will tell you there was a wipeout that ended better than could be expected, lots of interesting tractors and whatnots, and even a wedding. No joke. But I ache in all the wrong places and am about to go to bed. A great time... but quite exhausting, too.
Friday, June 26, 2009 - 08:36:41
Aw, Shucks.
Lots of food-related festivals going on this weekend. My choice -- the 20th Annual PurpleHull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Races down in Emerson. Yeah, it's a long drive from Central Arkansas. But that's nothing compared to the fervor in the fields, the kickup of dust and mud from competitors with their highly tuned machines, the slide of thumbnails along cylindrical hulls filled with those fabulous peas...
besides, the entertainment is indoors in the air conditioning.
And there's gonna be a wedding. Really -- no joke!
But the part you're going to want to check out happens to be, well, the peas. At ten tomorrow morning, the best cooks in the land will vy over who has the best PurpleHull Pea and Cornbread dish. That should be worth savoring.
But heck, why wait until tomorrow? Festival begins today -- and there's a cakewalk (mmmm, cake) and lots of other things going on. Go check out the festival website for more information. I'll be headed that way tomorrow morning.
Richly Appointed.
Too hot for pasta? The heck you say. Within the air conditioned comfort of Pia's Italian Restaurant in Conway, warm and delightful pastas accompanied by cold refreshing beverages are a diner's delight -- especially when they come with a sauce this good. I found myself spooning up the incredibly rich and deep Cardinal sauce that accompanied my Tortellini ($11.99) with favor and gusto on a recent visit. It's a very good balance between the rich marinara and the creamy Alfredo with a healthy wine reduction included. I am all about that.
Fortunately, there was also a handy sponge to take in a lot of what I couldn't pick up with a spoon. The eatery steps away from the rustic coarse bread/olive oil and pepper routine that all the "trendy" Italian restaurants tend to use these days. Instead, the bread is sweet, it's served with a peppered butter, and it's very soft. It might throw you for a loop at first, but stick with it at least until you get your pasta. Then you'll appreciate the morsels that can discreetly soak up sauce without making you look too famished or greedy.
Pia's is located at 915 Front Street. They do lunch and dinner, pasta and salad and sandwiches. Oh, get dessert while you're at it. (501) 513-9944.
Get Yer Butt Out.
Peach Shortage.
Thoughtful Choice.
Just Peachy.
Out and About.
Not Just Kids Food.
Salad Days.
Paintbox of the (sushi-craving) soul.
A Festival For Us.
Berry Season.
Praise for a Po'Boy.
Last Chef Standing.
Loud and Proud.
Hurry Up and Slow Down.
The Things We Do For Love...
Catfish Comfort.
The Big Face-Off.
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