Visitors and Newcomers Guide To Central Arkansas 2023

Visitors Newcomers

GUIDE TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS 2023

DISCOVER WHERE THE LOCALS EAT, SHOP AND PLAY

WHERE NIGHTLIFE & CITY LIFE MEET PARK LIFE

PHYLLIS A. BRITTON Publisher

LESLIE PEACOCK Editor

MIKE SPAIN Art Director

BROOKE WALLACE TERRELL JACOB LEE MAJOR

KAITLYN LOONEY Account Executives

WELDON WILSON Production Manager/Controller

ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager

SARAH HOLDERFIELD MANDY KEENER Advertising Designers

RICK TILLEY Director of Marketing and Events

ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director

CHARLOTTE KEY Accounting

JACKSON GLADDEN Circulation Director

THREE FOLD NOODLES • IDEAL IMAGE • SCARLET

FORSYTHES & KRISTIN TODD • ENGLE & VOLKERS

POWDER & SMOKE • FLEET FEET • AT&T

CORE CHIROPRACTOR • SALON L • VESTA’S

CRUMBL COOKIE • PIGTAILS & CREWCUTS

PUREBARRE • WARREN’S • ROSE SPA • BELK

MR. HUI’S • THE TOGGERY • THE GRIND

HUNTINGTON LEARNING • RESTORE CRYOTHERAPY

GIANT SPOKES BICYCLE • PINSPIRATION • HALLMARK

MERLE NORMAN • ROBERSON FINE JEWELRY

COBBLESTONE & VINE • THE FRESH MARKET

BONEFISH GRILL • POUT • BEYOND COTTON

LITTLE GREEK • UNIQUE THREADING • SALON NITY

THE ART GROUP • THE MUDDY PIG • UBREAKIFIX

SKY • THE GOOD FEET STORE • BLAZE PIZZA

BAR LOUIE • CHIPOTLE • BASSETT • CHICK-FIL A

Welcome to Little Rock!

From the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

On behalf of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, I welcome you to Little Rock!  As Arkansas’s capital city, Little Rock is a dynamic and diverse place teeming with world-class dining, arts, hotels, shopping and attractions. It’s a city where intrepid explorers, civil rights pioneers and even world leaders have left their mark.

A lot has happened in Little Rock since the first European set foot here in 1722, and that history is on display at museums across the city. Visits to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum and the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site shine a light on the city’s more recent role in the ongoing fight for civil rights.

While you’re here, take the time to experience the city’s booming foodie scene, where fine dining rubs elbows with award-winning Southern staples. Cut loose in the River Market District, our nightlife hub; explore the murals, sculptures and other public art sprinkled

across town; or make memories that will last a lifetime at the numerous annual festivals and events that dot the calendar.

If you feel the call of nature, it’s easy to answer it here. Little Rock has more than 1,200 miles of cycling trails to explore. You can also hike to the top of Pinnacle Mountain or explore the Arkansas River from a rented kayak.

Little Rock is known for its charm and hospitality, sincere service, genuine people and engaging experiences. Welcoming folks is just what we do. I feel confident that after you experience the pleasant surprise of our city, you too will find yourself Big on Little Rock!

Enjoy your stay,

Gina Gemberling, CDME President & CEO Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

Welcome!

From the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

In the city of North Little Rock, we like to say, “we’re always up to something,” and you’ll find that to be true. Nightlife, art and outdoors collide here. We make it easy to find what you need: visit our website, www. northlittlerock.org, download our free travel app (Explore North Little Rock!) and follow us on social (@exploreNLR) for upcoming events, nearby dining, insiders’ tips and recommendations.

In the Argenta Arts District — our downtown Main Street area — you’ll find 10 local restaurants and breweries, theaters, shops and galleries. Hop on a vintage-style yellow streetcar, enjoy libations and live music, and experience Argenta Plaza’s water features, swings and cool lights. Throughout downtown, you’ll see new murals by local artists popping up, including one with dogs proclaiming “Dogtown Proud” (it’s a long story, but we’re happy to tell it). North Little Rock is much bigger than our downtown, including the up-and-coming neighborhood of Park Hill; authentic Mexican and South American taquerias in our Levy neighborhood and breathtaking views of the Arkansas River from the Emerald Park cliffs.

Other must-sees in our beautiful city include:

• Activities for all. During the summer, enjoy the favorite American pastime of baseball with Minor League Baseball team the Arkansas Travelers at DickeyStephens Park. Take family photos at the gorgeous Old Mill (free and open daily!) or visit the St. Joseph Farm Stand on Saturdays to shop, meet the animals and learn about sustainable farming.

• Unlimited ways to explore. Go by bike, by kayak, on foot. Throw a disc, swing a racquet, kick a soccer ball, play with your dog. Voted “Best Park” and runner-up “Best Place to Mountain Bike” in Arkansas by Arkansas Times readers, Burns Park is an impressive 1,700-acre park with golf and disc golf courses, dog park, pedestrian trails, tennis courts and numerous playgrounds. The Arkansas River Trail is a scenic 17-mile loop crossing pedestrian and cyclist-friendly bridges. Even take a guided sunset kayak tour or stand-up paddleboard yoga on the Arkansas River.

• Face-to-face with history. At the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, see the National Historic Landmark USS Hoga, a tugboat that fought fires after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Also tour the longest-serving submarine in the world, USS Razorback. Everything you want to know about North Little Rock’s colorful past can be found at the North Little Rock Heritage Center.

We hope you enjoy your visit to the city of North Little Rock! Stop by the North Little Rock Welcome Center at 600 Main St. in North Little Rock, let us know if you have any questions during your visit, and shop souvenirs and local products.

Karen Trevino, CTIS, CCTP President & CEO

BRIAN CHILSON

ArkAnsAs MuseuM

OnApril 22, 2023, the doors will open to the $155 million Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, an expansion of the former Arkansas Arts Center that adds gallery space and “cultural living room” for socializing and special events, and updates the theaters, museum school and restaurant.

The building, under construction since 2019, was designed by the internationally known Chicago architectural firm Studio Gang. Its remit was to welcome the community with a new Ninth Street-facing entrance and enhanced landscaping of the site in MacArthur Park. The Silver LEED-certified, 133,000-square-foot building improves the flow of the old, segmented Arts Center by creating a sinuous central passageway lit by high clerestory windows. The main design attractions include the chevron entryway roof over the original 1937 art nouveau façade and a folded roofline — the “flower” — over the central passageway. The south entrance includes an open-air terrace and gardens. Studio Gang’s design for AMFA was hailed by ICON architecture magazine in 2021.

AMFA has set a diverse lineup, both in medium and artist, for its inaugural exhibitions: The lead show “Together” will celebrate “connectedness to each other and the natural world,” AMFA says, with collages by Elias Sime, photographs by

Ryan Redcorn, new works by Arkansas native LaToya Hobbs and more. Pieces from the permanent collection, including impressionist paintings, will be on view in the Harriett and Warren Stephens galleries. Works on paper by Anne Lindberg and an installation by Natasha Bowden were commissioned for the inaugural, and animated video by Beijing-based artist Sun Xun in the new Media Gallery and a special show of sculptural drawings by Chakaia Booker will celebrate the opening.

AMFA Director Victoria Ramirez, who took the helm of the museum shortly after work began on the art centers’ renovation, told the Arkansas Times’ Stephanie Smittle that AMFA will complement the acclaimed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville with a collection that includes more than American art. “Our collection is global, and we look to tell multicultural and global stories with our collections. I also think we have areas of strength in craft and in works on paper, and that includes

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts new Park Entrance

Aerial view of the newly renovated Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

of fine Arts

not only national and international artists, but it includes regional artists, too. To be able to show art to people that was made in your region, in your country and in the world, side by side, creates an interesting and unique experience.”

AMFA’s Windgate Art School will offer classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, woodworking, glass and metalwork; new performance space will include a “glass box” along with its Children’s Theater. “We really want the new museum to sort

of take everything that we’ve done before and amplify it,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said AMFA will remain free to the public (as is Crystal Bridges) for its first years of operation.

In another interview with the Arkansas Times , Ramirez said it was her “sincere hope” that “the community sees our values reflected in the programming we offer,” and that the museum is a place that is “welcoming, engaging, inspiring and enlightening.”

The 11 acres surrounding AMFA are also

undergoing a transformation, thanks to Kate Orff and SCAPE, which is overseeing the planting of native trees, flowers and grasses and designing gardens and new trails and paths.

The city of Little Rock contributed $31.2 million to AMFA’s construction with dollars generated from hotel taxes. Lead nonprofit donors include the Windgate Foundation and the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust. Lead private donors are Harriet and Warren Stephens and Terri and Chuck Erwin. n

IMAGES LEFT AND ABOVE BY TIM HURSLEY, COURTESY OF ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. CONSTRUCTION PHOTO TAKEN IN SEPTEMBER 2022

With properties around the state, you’re never too far from a comfortable night’s stay. At Beechwood Pinnacle Hotels, our welcoming rooms and suites are the perfect place to rest after experiencing everything the area has to offer.

With properties around the state, you’re never too far from a comfortable night’s stay. At Beechwood Pinnacle Hotels, our welcoming rooms and suites are the perfect place to rest after experiencing everything the area has to offer.

HOT SPRINGS BATHHOUSE ROW/HOT SPRINGS HISTORY/GAMBLING

Hot Springs is many things to many people. It’s defined by some for its history of illegal gambling (not dispatched until Winthrop Rockefeller was elected governor), which drew such characters as Owen Vincent “Owney” Madden, Bugs Moran, Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Al Capone to town.

Capone, taking a cue from bottled Mountain Valley Spring Water Co. (which has been distributing mineral water since 1871), bottled moonshine made by bootleggers in the Ouachita Mountains and smuggled the bootleg liquor, labeled Mountain Valley Water, to Chicago in tanker railroad cars. Hot Springs is also the home of the Ohio Club, the state’s oldest bar and an erstwhile casino, a favorite underworld hangout in the late ’20s.

Hot Springs is a place of legal gambling today at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

The Buckstaff Bathhouse

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Live racing runs from early December to May, and features the Arkansas Derby, where American Pharoah, Afleet Alex and Smarty Jones raced on their way to Triple Crown race wins.

Hot Springs’ bathhouses, making use of the thermal waters, have given the town its “Spa City” nickname. Galleries, like the bathhouses also along Central Avenue, are yet another defining element of Hot Springs. Featuring local, regional and national artists, they open their doors for the once-a-month Friday Gallery Walks.

A portion of downtown Hot Springs is part of Hot Springs National Park, and several park trails through the hills behind the bathhouses can be accessed from there, Hot Springs Drive and the Gulpha Gorge campground.

SEE & DO

In the 19th century, healing baths were all the rage, and visitors flocked to the eight bathhouses on Central Avenue for therapy. Today, only two — the Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Baths and Spa — still offer bathing in the town’s naturally hot mineral water and other spa services. The Ozark Bathhouse is a gallery and event center, the Fordyce is a museum and the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center, the Hale has been transformed into a hotel and restaurant, the Superior brewery offers American cuisine (and to-go growlers) and the Lamar houses the National Park Service’s offices and archive. The Maurice is still undeveloped.

If you prefer to get off the beaten path a little bit, head outside town to the Ouachita National Forest. There you’ll find more than 1.8 million acres to explore by foot, horseback, mountain bike or ATV. Backpackers have many trails to choose from, including the Eagle Rock Loop, the short Little Missouri and the moderately difficult Winding Stairs trails. Paddlers enjoy the

Ouachita River as it makes its way through mountain bluffs and cypress swamps.

Lake Catherine State Park in the Ouachitas offers year-round boat rentals, a launch ramp, pavilion, picnic areas, playgrounds and 20 cabins complete with kitchens and fireplaces. Falls Branch Trail, a two-mile

loop from the campground, features a seasonal waterfall.

Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas, is the setting for weddings, concerts and public events celebrating its spring tulips and azaleas and winter holiday lights. Fifteen connected sites blend wild, natural beauty with man-made landscapes and sculpture.

The Anthony Chapel at the Garden gives the feeling of the outdoors, with its open-beam structure, great pine columns and floor-to-ceiling glass.

To learn more about the shady past of Hot Springs, visit the Gangster Museum of America. It features exhibits on the bootlegging, illegal gambling and other notorious criminal activities that once went on here, and profiles the lives and times of famous underworld visitors.

Shift gears from the past to the modern day at the Mid-America Science Museum, which features interactive exhibits that help kids and adults alike learn about physics, anatomy, natural history and more.

EAT & DRINK

Start a Hot Springs morning at The Pancake Shop across from the historic Arlington Hotel. For an afternoon beer and burger, head to the Superior Bathhouse. The brewery turns out 18 original brews, which it makes with the town’s famous 144-degree spring water and serves in a tasting room; the suds go perfectly with the beer cheese dip, Fiesta Burger and other American items. Deluca’s Pizzeria has won prizes for its pies; the Best Café, a tiny spot next to the Best Court motel with black-and-white tile flooring and other retro details, is famed both for its food (Crème Brulee French Toast, for example) and the fact that not everyone knows about it. Alexa’s Creperie, owned and operated by a couple from Ukraine, is a European-style bistro. For shrimp and grits served with pork belly and other delicious treats, a best bet is the Bugler at Oaklawn. n

Lake Catherine State Park

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

Superior Bathhouse Brewery

kid stuff

Whenkids are happy, parents are happy. Here’s a list of fun places to take the crumb-snatchers when visiting Central Arkansas:

LITTLE ROCK

ARKANSAS SKATIUM

Roller and ice rinks

1311 S. Bowman Road

501-227-4333

BIG ROCK MINI GOLF AND FUN PARK

11411 Baseline Road

501-455-3750

BIG ROCK QUARRY BIKE PARK & PUMP TRACK (FREE)

Asphalt track with flow trails and features that accommodate anything with wheels.

4000 River Road

DAVE & BUSTER’S ARCADE (AND SPORTS BAR)

10900 Bass Pro Parkway 501-777-3800

DEFY LITTLE ROCK

Trampoline park, slack lines, obstacle course and more 4711 Talley Road

501-313-0100

JULIUS BRECKLING RIVERFRONT PARK (FREE)

Arkansas River downtown

The Peabody Splash Park has tunnels to crawl through, rocks to climb (above a rubber surface), a splash pad and large slide. There’s a little culture here, too: The Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden.

LITTLE ROCK ZOO

1 Zoo Drive War Memorial Park

501-661-7200

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY

Interactive science museum for all ages, with new two-story, three-tower for climber.

500 President Clinton Ave. 501-396-7050

THE PAINTED PIG STUDIO

Ceramics painting, mosaics, glass fusing 5611 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-280-0553

URBAN AIR TRAMPOLINE AND ADVENTURE PARK

801 S. Bowman Road 501-404-7422

THE WONDER PLACE

Play space and toy store for children under 8. 10301 N. Rodney Parham 501-225-4050

NORTH LITTLE ROCK FUNLAND AMUSEMENT PARK 25 Funland Drive Burns Park 501-753-7307

RIVERVIEW SKATEBOARD PARK (FREE)

All concrete course with bowl, boxes and rails. 2801 River Road 501-791-8538

SHERWOOD

VORTEX ARCADE

4027 E. Kiehl Ave. 501-425-9863

CONWAY ACTION JACKS PAINTBALL, LASER TAG AND ARCADE 655 Equity Ave. 501-205-9440

HOT SPRINGS

MAGIC SPRINGS THEME AND WATER PARK 1701 E. Grand Ave. 501-624-0100

MID-AMERICA SCIENCE MUSEUM 500 Mid America Blvd. 501-767-3461

T-REX FUN SPOT

Go-Karts, zipline, laster tag, blacklight mini-golf, rides.

1115 Central Ave. 501-520-1242

Big Rock Mini Golf and Fun Park

BRIAN CHILSON

Magic Springs Theme and Water Park ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

A FAR-FLUNG SUGGESTION: CAVES AND CAVERNS

BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS

Blanchard Springs Caverns, near Mountain View in Stone County, is one of Arkansas’s most beautiful and highly developed caves. It is a "living" cave with features that are still evolving.

Take a walk through gorgeous well-lit rooms equipeded with handrails for safe and easy walking. Have fun climbing over rocks and sliding down red clay in a natural area of the caverns. Don't miss visiting the “Water Works” exhibit hall and catch “The Amazing World Below,” a movie that explores underground worlds.

Two of its three levels are open for guided tours. Go to www.blanchardsprings.org for more information and to schedule a tour.

ONYX CAVE PARK

There’s no onyx in this small show cave in Eureka Springs, but the flowstone (calcite or other minerals also known as frozen waterfalls) you’ll see is called “cave onyx.” This small show cave has been open to tourists since 1893. The cave’s radio-guided 30-minute tour explains the formations

in this easily traversed cave. There’s a gift shop; for cave-averse folk, there’s also axe throwing. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for kids ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and under. No strollers allowed. Hours change depending on season. For more information go to onyxcaveeurekasprings.com or call 479-253-9321.

WAR EAGLE CAVERN ON BEAVER LAKE

War Eagle Cavern’s three types of tours appeal to all levels of curiosity. Traditional guided tours, which leave every 20 minutes, follow an easy, open path along the edges of a stream and cross through huge rooms with domes and other formations. It is stroller accessible and pet friendly. Tickets are $21 for ages 13 and up, $12 for ages 4-12 and free to ages 3 and under. Braver cavers may want to take the Lantern Tour: Guests explore the cave with hand-held oil lamps that hearken to the early days of cave exploration as guides give the history of the cave. Tickets, available for $35 for ages 16 and up only, must be purchased online at least 24 hours in advance.

TheArkansas Ozarks are up the road a piece, but if you are a spelunker (or just like the dark) and looking for something to do up north, why not visit its limestone caves? Get a deeper look inside Arkansas! Unlike many other Arkansas caves that serve as bat habitat, these have not been closed to prevent white-nose syndrome.

For the more adventurous spelunker, the Wild Cavern Tour begins at the point where the traditional tours end. This 2-mile, 3-hour tour, which will require crawling and climbing, passes through a 100-foot-tall underground canyon. Tickets, which must be reserved 48 hours in advance, are $70 per person; only those aged 12 and older may take the tour. For more information visit wareaglecavern.com or call 479-789-2909. Open March 5-Thanksgiving.

BULL SHOALS CAVERNS

Trilobites and echinoderms were swimming about when these limestone caverns in Bull Shoals formed 350 million years ago, give or take a millennia. Pipistrelle bats and salamanders make their home in this cool cave, with stalactites, stalagmites, flowing streams, a waterfall and other cave formations to explore. You can also pan for gemstones here. Tours are about 45 minutes. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 5-11 and free to ages 4 and under. For more information visit bullshoalscaverns.com or call 870-445-7177. Open mid-March through Thanksgiving. n

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

Walking paths in Blanchard Springs Caverns.

CARE CLOSER TO HOME

For more than 100 years, Arkansas Children’s has been a trusted name in pediatric care for the children of Arkansas. Health care can be complicated, so Arkansas Children’s makes it easy to access primary and specialty care across the state. With hospitals in Little Rock and Springdale and clinics in Jonesboro, Southwest Little Rock, West Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Rogers, we bring care close to home, wherever home may be.

HOTTEST NEIGHBORHOODS!

DOWNTOWN HOT SPOTS

Little Rock’s downtown neighborhoods, defying the national trend toward dormancy, are alive with things to see and do. Where once there were only office buildings and the occasional surviving eatery, downtown Little Rock has welcomed an influx of new restaurants, bars and cultural venues. The Arkansas Repertory Theatre showed the way when it moved to Main Street in 1988. In anticipation of the 2004 opening of the Clinton Presidential Center east of Interstate 30, the River Market District

east of Cumberland and the old commercial district defined by Main Street and streets running east and west began to blossom. Culture bookends the heart of downtown, with The Rep and Ballet Arkansas studios on Main and the 2,222-seat Robinson Center at Markham and Broadway. In between, new restaurants, condos and apartments have awakened its once sleepy streets. The East Village is the latest area to be revitalized, with investment in new places to eat, drink and meet. n

THE EAST VILLAGE SEE & DO

If the name is good enough for New York, it’s good enough for Little Rock, right? The East Village is a relatively new moniker for the old commercial district east of Interstate 30, first enlivened by the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. The architecture of the long, sleek Clinton Center was designed to hearken to Clinton’s call for a “Bridge to the 21st Century”; inside, its permanent exhibits elaborate on Clinton’s eight years in office, with displays based on policy initiatives and a replica of the Oval Office. Firstrate changing exhibitions are varied; the past has featured such shows as Chihuly glass, dinosaurs, sculptures made from detritus polluting the oceans, and the art of Africa. The multimedia “Women’s Voices, Women’s Rights, Women’s Votes” will be on display through mid-2023.

BRIAN CHILSON

Robinson Center

Clinton Presidential Center and Park

The park’s grassy slopes and the William E. Clark Wetlands draw picnickers and pedestrians; a former railroad bridge connects cyclists and walkers to North Little Rock. The Clinton School of Public Service, in a former railway station, offers a top-notch schedule of speakers.

Sixth Street, south of the Clinton Center, is where you’ll find brew, barbecue, coffee and event spaces. Cruise by construction on the Artspace Windgate Campus, a $36 million mixed-use project for artists with studios, living space and galleries that will open in 2024.

The Southeast Bike and Pedestrian Trail runs through the area, which means you’ll see cyclists stopping for refreshment — or you can get there yourself on a bike.

EAT & DRINK

The Clinton Center offers fine dining at 42 Bar & Table, a farm-to-table restaurant with riverfront views. For some down-to-earth eating and beering, head to Sixth Street to find the state’s largest beer crafter, Lost Forty Brewing. A long and creative beer list, from Punchy Bing Bing Black Cherry to Rooster IPA, joins jazzed up burgers, pizzas and more. Keep traveling to The Rail Yard beer garden, which features food trucks and music; Count Porkula has the barbecue. Next door, sober up or start the day at Fidel & Co. coffee shop. The Fidel & Co. team is working across the street to open Sterling Market, which will feature a bakery, butcher shop, pizzeria and a “greens/sandwich” shop.

Folks in the know will head to the hole-in-the-wall Rosie’s Pot and Kettle Café on Bond Street for home cooking and desserts. n

THE RIVER MARKET SEE & DO

If you’ve been to Beale Street in Memphis, you’ll get a feeling of déjà vu as you stroll the River Market District, Little Rock’s entertainment district. President Clinton Avenue’s late-night music venues — Willy D’s Dueling Piano Bar, the Rev Room, Stickyz Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack, The Library Kitchen and Lounge, Cannibal and Craft, the Bayou VIP Lounge — make for a couple of blocks of good times.

It’s not all drinking and dancing: The Ron Robinson Theater, part of the Central Arkansas Library System’s Main Library complex, screens independent films and hosts concerts and author readings. CALS also hosts the yearly Six Bridges Book Festival in venues on its campus and in the neighborhood.

The First Security Amphitheater brings big acts and free movies to the open-air venue. Quieter times can be had along Riverfront Park behind the businesses along Clinton, where the remains of La Petite Roche (the little rock that gives the city its name) can be found. Children will enjoy the Witt Stephens Nature Center, operated by Arkansas Game & Fish Commission along the river, and the Museum of Discovery on Clinton, with its interactive science exhibits and new climbing tower.

EAT & DRINK

Restaurants from west to east: Diablos Tacos and Mezcaleria, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken; various eateries in the River Market’s Ottenheimer Hall; the Arkansas-based and butcher-shop-inspired David’s Burgers; the upscale Sonny Williams Steak Room; and Buenos Aires Argentinian on the north side. On the south, Nexus Coffee & Creative offers a meeting place and shop as well as eats, and past the aforementioned bar/restaurant/music venues find The Flying Fish, excellent seafood fare in rooms surrounded by Big Mouth Billy Bass mounts. n

BRIAN CHILSON BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON BRIAN CHILSON

Fidel & Co.

The Library Kitchen and Lounge

Lost Forty Brewing Diablos Tacos and Mezcaleria

DOE’S KNOWS LUNCH & DINNER.

Lunch: Tues - Fri 11am-2pm

Dinner’s Cooking: Tues - Sat starting at 5pm

Closed Monday & Sunday

1023 West Markham • Downtown Little Rock 501-376-1195 • www.doeseatplacelr.com

DOWNTOWN

SEE & DO

With so many places to socialize, foot traffic in the heart of the city’s civic and business district has flourished. The Robinson Center, renovated in recent years to the tune of $70 million, stages touring Broadway musicals, performances by Ballet Arkansas, special events and more. East on Markham, the Old State House Museum, a grand structure dating to 1833 as the first state capitol, features exhibitions of Arkansas history and art. The world was treated to a view of the State House on Election Night 1992, when Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton greeted a throng of thousands from its entrance.

CHILSON

Arkansas’s first ladies' gown exhibit at the Old State House Museum

EAT & DRINK

It’s not possible to list all the dining options downtown, but a good start is on the edge of the River Market District where Clinton becomes Markham. The long line outside @ The Corner Diner on Saturdays attests to the popularity of its breakfast with visitors to town, but weekday diners come for the big burgers and BLTs as well. Truly at the corner, the opposite corner, is Big Whiskey’s Bar & Grill. In between, Iriana’s Pizza deserves its awards for the best pie in town.

Farther down on Markham are The Capitol Hotel’s two restaurants: the white-tablecloth dinner dining at One Eleven and lunch, dinner and cocktailing at the Capital Bar & Grill. Politicians like to huddle at Doe’s Eat Place, a much-loved joint for steaks and tamales farther west on Markham.

For suds east of Main, hit Fassler Hall, a Munich-style beer hall that also offers great pretzels and sausages (lederhosen optional); get your “Big Lebowski” on with a few frames at Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge next door. Go west to find Vino’s Brewpub on Seventh Street for pizza, calzones and indie bands. n

SOUTH MAIN

Like North Little Rock’s Argenta neighborhood, the SoMa (South Main) district along Little Rock’s Main Street south of Interstate 630 has a funky beat of its own. Historic storefronts blend with new, modern structures for an eclectic look. Once neglected, the neighborhood was revitalized largely thanks to property owner Anita Davis, who starting nearly 20 years ago to acquire properties along Main. She created and opened to the public the Bernice Garden at 14th and Main streets, renovated a 1946 building to hold the Esse Purse Museum at 15th and Main, and made it her mission to attract new life to the area. Since her first acquisitions, one block alone has seen the opening of the Green Corner Store, Boulevard Bread Co., Moxy Modern Mercantile and Loblolly Creamery. The Root Cafe took hold at the site of the old Sweden Crème dairy bar, and other restaurants followed, like Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom, Mockingbird Bar and Tacos, Rock n Roll Sushi and Press Waffles.

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

ESSE Purse Museum

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON BRIAN CHILSON

Big Whiskey’s Bar & Grill

Bernice Garden

SEE & DO

The neighborhood really comes alive on weekends: The Bernice Garden hosts regular acoustic music jams on Saturday morning, the Sunday Farmers Market (April through November), SoMa After Dark the first Friday of every month, yoga on Sunday afternoons and once-a-year cultural festivals. The aforementioned Esse, one of only three purse museums in the world (travel to Amsterdam or Seoul to visit the others), showcases hundreds of 20th century handbags from Anita Davis’ own collections. Its gift shop features one-of-a-kind purses, jewelry, scarves and more.

Looking for an escape? That’s the idea at The Escape Little Rock, where your group can try to puzzle your way out of a locked room or save the world by figuring out how to ward off a dire threat.

New Deal Gallery hosts readings, concerts and exhibitions, and plays in a renovated brick commercial building on Louisiana and 20th streets.

SHOP

South Main Creative says it offers an “urban twist” on the traditional antique mall, selling not just antiques but art and goods made by local artists. Also on Main, Sweet Home Furnishings offers both fun vintage and finer antiques. Moxy Modern Mercantile is the place to go for funky, fun gifts or souvenirs. The Green Corner Store provides guilt-free shopping for the environmentally conscious; there you’ll find locally made honey, tea lattes, tea tonics, tea kettles and kombucha on tap at the tea bar.

For adorable succulents (or to order custom T-shirts), stop in at Electric Ghost.

Art galleries M2 and Boswell Mourot carry contemporary works by top Arkansas and regional artists; hit an opening night to meet featured artists and enjoy liquid fellowship with fellow art lovers.

(See also New Deal Gallery above.)

EAT & DRINK

Open since 1947, Community Bakery is both the grandfather of and entry to SoMa. In its bright corner-facing brick building at 12th and Main, with creaky wood floors and vintage glass cases the bakery sells coffee, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and milkshakes.

Midtown Billiards, another oldtimer, has been the local dive bar for decades. Its late hours make it a favorite among restaurant and bar workers; its live music, cold brews and tasty sobering burgers bring in everyone.

The Root Cafe’s dedication to locally sourced ingredients and its fine fare has gotten it featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” When The Root opened in a former dairy bar in 2011, seating was scarce

and lines were long; it later fashioned shipping containers into a dining room and opened an outdoor area to accommodate the masses. A second location in West Little Rock is in the works.

Boulevard Bread Co. is renowned for its coffee drinks, fresh-baked breads, pastries, soups and salads.

Also supporting local farmers, South on Main offers Southern comfort food with a sophisticated twist (e.g. quail and waffles). Be sure to check out the new patio.

Mockingbird Bar and Tacos lives up to its name with its menu of tacos, but the burgers, fries, and wings are something to chirp about. On the next block, Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom draws a crowd with beers on tap, creative cocktails and perfectly charred pizza. Like music, fish and fried cheesecake? Rock n Roll Sushi bar and restaurant fits the bill.

SoMa boasts two more local enterprises: Loblolly Creamery, serving some of the best locally crafted ice cream in town (see also LePops in the Heights), and Rock Town Distillery, makers of vodkas, bourbons, single-malt whiskeys and more using locally grown grain. The distillery has a full bar; you can also take a guided tour noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or learn the craft at cocktail class.

Just off Main Street at 12th and Spring is a watering hole for you and your best friend: While you enjoy your Corgi Tails pretzel bites, Fido can frolic and work off his Spaniel Sundae. Humans get in free; but there’s a membership charge (day, month or yearly) for the dog. n

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

Boswell Mourot Fine Art

The Root Cafe

Rock Town Distillery

Moxy Modern Mercantile

MAIN STREET CREATIVE CORRIDOR

Little Rock's Main Street has been revitalized over the last decade as the creative center of the capital city. The corridor, including surrounding side streets, is the home of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Ballet Arkansas, the Little Rock Technology Park, Bella Vita Jewelry, several design firms and a host of Little Rock's most popular restaurants, including Samantha's Tap Room and Wood Grill, Bruno's Little Italy and Three Fold. The first six blocks of Main Street feature distinctive streetscapes — with rain gardens, porous pavers and more — thanks to state and federal grants. n

BRIAN CHILSON

Bella Vita Jewelry

MIDTOWN

HILLCREST

Hillcrest, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Little Rock, is loved for its leafy, laid back, walkable community feel. Parents assemble to walk their children to Pulaski Heights Elementary and Middle schools and later to socialize at block parties and on porches. The vibe is liberal; the architecture is eclectic; almost everyone has a dog or two.

The two-lane Kavanaugh Boulevard is the neighborhood’s shopping district, with a grocery store, restaurants, bars, beauty parlors, clothing and antique shops, a pharmacy, an art gallery and even a dog grooming business. Allsopp Park, which encompasses two wooded ravines, a creek and a playground and softball field in 150 acres, stretches from Kavanaugh in the south to Cantrell Road in the north.

Among Hillcrest’s oldest establishments is Mount St. Mary Academy, a Catholic girls’ school founded in 1851 and located in Hillcrest since 1908. Thanks to the neighborhood’s preserved housing stock — many of its homes are a century old — Hillcrest is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

FUN STUFF TO DO

For Shop and Sip, on the first Thursday of every month, Kavanaugh is packed with people as business offers refreshment and musicians play. October’s HarvestFest fills Kavanaugh street with vendors selling arts and crafts, food trucks, craft beer and live music. A dog show rewards lookalike pets and owners and competitive folk can enter the cornhole tournament. For Christmas, the neighborhood gathers on

the Allsopp Park Promenade to enjoy hot chocolate, choral singing and the lighting of the Christmas tree.

SHOP

It’s all on Kavanaugh: People shop The Box Turtle for jewelry by local artisans, unique clothing and gift items not sold anywhere else. Plus, a sweet shop dog greets its customers. Next door is Control Records, where vinyl lovers line up all the way down the street for new releases. Across the street is Gallery 26, showcasing the work of a number of Arkansas’s fine artists and artist-made jewelry. A few blocks down is E. Leigh’s, a trendy clothing store popular with young women. Dandelion Home and Garden features flowers and unique vintage planters filled with succulents as well as pillows, candles and prints. Further west on Kavanaugh is The Full Moon, an upscale gift shop with a bridal and baby registry.

EAT & DRINK

Mylo Coffee is the place for fresh-roasted coffee and housemade pastries — so good, you’ll need to go early before the hordes scarf up all the delectable kouign-amanns, palmiers, croissants, donuts and more. You don’t have to take your laptop in, but everyone else does. The Little Hillcrest Bakery on Van Buren Street offers a big breakfast menu with eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy, acai bowls and Bananas Foster pancakes. Leo’s Greek Castle on Kavanaugh serves delicious gyros, burgers and milkshakes along with wine and beer in its tiny indoor space and at tables outdoors. East on Kavanaugh is U.S. Pizza, which has patio dining and a full bar. Its Sunday brunch menu has the best-priced mimosa buckets in town. For a quick sandwich, H.A.M. (Hillcrest Artisan Meats)

The Box Turtle

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

The Full Moon

Market butcher shop and deli sells organic fare. Newcomer Hill Station restaurant and bar serves dishes from an eclectic menu both indoors and out; its patio along the boulevard features a large-screen TV for sports fans.

Nestled inside an old home off Kavanaugh with a big wraparound porch is Ciao Baci, a great choice for tapas, main courses like duck confit and muffaletta salad, and cocktails.

Leafy and quaint Hillcrest also offers international cuisine. Find Czech and German food, flatbreads and house-made ricotta at The Pantry Crest, also in an old house off Kavanaugh. (Order a Negroni; the restaurant bottles its cocktail for a two-drink serving.) La Terraza Rum & Lounge offers Venezuelan cuisine and fancy cocktails; go for the paella.

So Restaurant is a contemporary bistro with French and Italian influences in a rustic, quiet, romantic setting. For Brazilian fare, check out Café Bossa Nova; for Japanese cuisine, Kemuri Sushi and Japanese Grill is a huge hit; for Mexican food, try El Mezcal.

On Markham Street, in the Stifft Station neighborhood on the eastern edge of Hillcrest, find Pizza D’Action (aka Pizza D) for pies and pool. The Oyster Bar offers upscale seafood and oysters in every configuration. Stone’s Throw Brewing Stifft Station Taproom has 20 beers and ciders on tap, live entertainment and trivia nights. The venerable White Water Tavern, a few blocks down the hill from Hillcrest on Seventh and Thayer streets, is a favorite watering hole with some of the best burgers in town and live music every day. n

THE HEIGHTS

This area’s housing and shopping district mimic its elevated topography, with old money, big houses and upscale boutiques. The Country Club of Little Rock (built in 1902) spurred the first development in the area, when it was still the country, and the settled Heights was nicknamed the “Silk Stocking” neighborhood.

As tree-lined Kavanaugh Boulevard ascends the hill to the Heights, it maintains its role as Midtown’s main shopping artery; like Hillcrest, the Heights is a walkable neighborhood with busy restaurants, a first-class bakery and deli, an independent bookstore, and gift and fine clothing stores.

SEE & DO

Hit the links indoors at Heights Golf, which offers two virtual TrackMan courses. Folks can drive, chip and putt with real clubs against 10-foot-tall, 12-foot-wide screens accurately simulating such courses as Pebble Beach and Royal St. Andrews, all while enjoying a beer. You never lose your balls or get hit by lightning.

RIGHT AND LEFT PHOTOS: BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

The Oyster Bar

Kemuri

Eggshells Kitchen Co.

When October’s cool weather comes around, it’s time for Chili Fights in the Heights, a heated competition that brings chefs and chili lovers in droves to the neighborhood. The event benefits the Arkansas Food Bank. Book lovers should look for author appearances and Wine & Words events at WordsWorth Books. Drive around to tour the neighborhood’s homes, from post-war bungalows and new mansions to the older, stately homes along Edgehill’s pink-paved road.

SHOP

Children’s, men’s and women’s clothes stores; kitchenware; furniture; camping gear; pet supplies; bird feeders; grocery stores: With stores on and just off Kavanaugh, the Heights offers a veritable shoppalooza.

If it’s clothing you’re after, the neighborhood has too many to list, but here are a few established venues: The Toggery has dressed the children of the Heights since 1948 and has expanded into toys and books. Mr. Wicks (“The Gentleman’s Shop”) opened just two years later, a mainstay for both the buttoned down and sportier shoppers. Kristin Chase stands out for its upscale but dressed-down look for women. Women’s high-end classic styles by J.McLaughlin are found at the eponymously-named store; more modern looks are found at Beige. Tulips describes its offerings, which include contemporary clothes for all occasions, as “feminine, ladylike”; Steamroller Blues has a sexier side.

Domestic Domestic sells more than casual men’s coats: Games, books, chairs, knives and more items with masculine appeal are sold. Men and women who love the outdoors can get fitted at Ozark Outdoor Supply, which carries hiking, climbing and camping gear, including shoes. Next door, Doggy Daddy has what your pup wants.

Find pots and pans, jams and salsas, Himalayan salt and French dishcloths at Eggshells Kitchen Co.; find Arkansas’s PK Grill and the other things you need to keep your home running at Fuller’s Hardware Store.

ON THE BORDER

Sports fans know their way around the southern border of the Heights/Hillcrest neighborhood, because that’s where War Memorial Stadium is, home to high school and college football games and Little Rock

Rangers soccer contests. War Memorial Stadium is in War Memorial Park, a 117-acre expanse of green that also

includes hiking trails, a children’s playground and fishing lake, and the Little Rock Zoo.

For recreational shopping (the sport of dropping into numerous restaurants and clothing stores), score at the MidTown Shopping Center at the corner of Markham and University and the Park Plaza Mall shopping center west of University. n

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza

Razorback Stadium in War Memorial Park

Domestic Domestic

EAT & DRINK

Little Rock natives John and Mary Olive Stephens are bringing classic Italian dining to the Heights with their new restaurant George’s. That’s a first, though Italian fare in the form of pizza is to be found at U.S. Pizza, ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza and the Pizzeria.

Enjoy a latte and a scone on the deck of Boulevard Bread Co., but that’s just a start: fresh baguettes, focaccia, sourdough bread and pan breads; cheeses, sandwiches, salads and soups; cakes, cookies, quiches, coffee and cooking supplies; locally grown vegetables and haute dinners to go — enough?

Find more of the neighborhood’s nod to international nosh at Heights Taco and Tamale Co., Fantastic China, Lulu’s Seafood Kitchen and Sushi Café. Burge’s claim to fame is based on its fried catfish and smoked turkey salad; at Cheers, with its cozy outdoor fireplace and indoor bistro, diners find a good selection of wine to go with American fare, from burgers to grilled salmon.

The line out the door at LePops is a testament to the delicious, homemade ice and cream popsicles here. n

BRIAN CHILSON

Fantastic China

RIVERDALE and the ARKANSAS RIVER TRAIL

If it weren’t for a big damn bridge, the biking boom may never have come to Central Arkansas.

But the Big Dam Bridge, on the westernmost edge of the Riverdale business and residential area along the Arkansas River, threw interest in cycling into high gear and paved the way for the 21-mile Arkansas River Trail.

Cyclists — and walkers, joggers and skaters — can loop around the cities on the trail, from the Big Dam Bridge to the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge on the east and through downtown Little Rock. West of the BDB The River trail extends to the 1,000-acre Two Rivers Park, crossing over the Little Maumelle River on yet another bridge.

An 88.5-mile “Grand Loop” starts at Two Rivers and heads west on state roads to the towns of Natural Steps, Roland, Wye and Bigelow south of the Arkansas River, over the Toad Suck Ferry Lock and Dam bridge to Conway and then heads back south to Mayflower, connecting to the River Trail at Cook’s Landing in North Little Rock.

Walkers and bikers pass through all manner of topography on the River Trail, from sandy, riparian grasslands and willows on the north to marsh and meadow at Two Rivers (the downtown Little Rock portion is chopped up, unfortunately.) The Grand Loop heads to the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains before returning along the ridgeline between Conway and Mayflower.

Walkers and bikers fuel up on Rebsamen Park Road, at Cajun and Ceole influenced eateries The Faded Rose and Maddie’s Place, the Buffalo Grill, and The Pizza Cafe. The Riverdale Shopping Center attracts fans of barbecue at Whole Hog Café as well as the Riverdale 10 Cinema. Ace Hardware is another anchor to the shopping center, which is scheduled for a $2.5 million upgrade and new landscaping.

Rebsamen Park Road, which leads from the Riverdale shopping Center to the Big Dam Bridge, has something for people who like to stay grounded: the public Rebsamen Park Golf Course, which has both nine- and 18-hole courses and a driving range. Murray Park along Rebsamen has a playground for humans and Paws Park for well-behaved dogs. n

The Big Dam Bridge

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

The Faded Rose, Maddie's Place and The Buffalo Grill on Rebsamen Park Road

BRIAN CHILSON

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1959!

There are many brands of beef, but only one Angus brand exceeds expectations. The Certified Angus Beef brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select. Ten quality standards set the brand apart. It's abundantly flavorful, incredibly tender, naturally juicy.

WEST LITTLE ROCK

West Little Rock, roughly defined as the area west of Interstate 430, not long ago was home to acres and acres of tall pines and wildlife. Today, this newest part of town is both a mecca for shopping, dining and luxurious family living (mostly south of Highway 10) and a draw for incomparable hiking, biking, birding and boating (north of Highway 10). Major attractions for folks who love the outdoors are Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Rattlesnake Ridge, Lake Maumelle and Two Rivers Park.

SEE & DO

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is where hikers get on the Ouachita Trail and features the volcano-resembling Pinnacle Mountain. Canoists can launch on the Little Maumelle River here. Hikers and mountain bikers head to Rattlesnake Ridge.

Walkers, runners, canoists, cyclists and paddle-boarders all take to Two Rivers Park, the peninsula bordered by the Little Maumelle and the Arkansas River. Two Rivers is the western end of the Little Rock side of the Arkansas River Trail, which earned Little Rock and North Little Rock’s identity as a cycling destination. Boosting that reputation is the new River Mountain Park, an east-west ridge south of the Little Maumelle, the city’s only park dedicated to mountain biking. For indoor sporting, head south of Highway 10 (also known as Cantrell Road) for the Professor Bowl on Reservoir Road or the Arkansas Skatium, the roller and ice skating rinks on

Bowman Road. Also on Bowman: The Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park for anti-gravity fun. Big kids can practice their outdoor climbing indoors at The Little Rock Climbing Center on Colonel Glenn Road. Little kids can party and make art at The Wonder Place on Rodney Parham Roads. Adults can unwind with a relaxing massage at Rejuvenation Clinic and Day Spa off Rodney Parham, Ava Bella Day Spa on Shackleford Road or Copper Well on Cantrell (Highway 10). Catch the latest films at Regal UA Breckenridge, Cinemark Colonel Glenn, Movie Tavern (which features a bar and food service) out by Bass Pro Shops, and the AMC Chenal 9 movie theater, which includes an IMAX screen, in The Promenade at Chenal.

Pinnacle Mountain

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

The Promenade at Chenal Bass Pro Shop

SHOP

Highway 10, Rodney Parham Road and the Chenal Parkway are West Little Rock’s major shopping arteries.

The Pleasant Ridge Town Center on Highway 10 features a number of locally owned shops such as Vesta’s, for clothing and gifts; the boutique women’s store Beyond Cotton; the Toggery children’s clothing and toy store; and many other shops, including shoe stores.

The Promenade at Chenal, an outdoor shopping district featuring small streets, sculpture and a fountain, is home to high-end retailers like Urban Outfitters, lululemon and Anthropologie, as well as Little Rock’s Apple store.

For outlet and sports shopping, head south on Interstate 430 to The Outlets of Little Rock and the Bass Pro Shop.

EAT & DRINK

Ask any longtime Little Rock native where to go to find a great hot donut and they’ll tell you to head to Shipley’s Do-Nuts on Cantrell (and other locations around town). Farther out Cantrell in the Pinnacle Creek area is DJ Donuts. For firstclass French delights, hit the Croissanterie on Highway 10. Big breakfast in mind? Get a good one at Big Bad Breakfast at West Markham Bowman Road. Delicious Temptations on Rodney Parham, like the Croissenterie and Big Bad Breakfast, offers lunch as well. Wake up at Guillermo’s Coffee, Tea & Roastery; satisfy your sweet tooth at Blue Cake/Honey Pies on Bowman, Mickey’s Cakes and Sweets on Rodney Parham, Cinnamon Creme Bakery on Chenal and Community Bakery’s West Little Rock outpost on Shackleford Road.

Standout West Little Rock burger places include David’s on Bowman and Big Orange, Five Guys and the purveyor also of purple milkshakes The Purple Cow, all on Chenal. For more variety, find home cooking at Homer’s; pizza at the Pizza Cafe West on Highway 10 and Sauce(d) Bar and Oven on Rodney Parham; and Mediterranean fare at The Little Greek

and Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe on Highway 10, the Terrace on Rodney Parham and the locally owned Aji Ramen Bar on Shackleford. There’s Vietnamese cuisine (Pho Thanh on Shackleford) and Indian (Taj Mahal off Rodney Parham, Star of India on Shackleford and Saffron on Highway 10). Kemuri, a locally owned and wildly popular Japanese restaurant in Hillcrest, has opened a second location on Chenal.

Local Lime in The Promenade offers south-of-the-border favorites. Watch your favorite sports at the Red Moon Tavern on Chenonceau Boulevard and feel sophisticated at ZIN Wine Bar.

If you’re in the mood for fancier fare, check out Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse, Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Oceans on Chenal, Table 28 on Merrill Drive, and Petit and Keet in the Market Street Plaza. Comfortable Capers on Highway 10 features New American cuisine.

Visitors planning to picnic with healthy food will find Natural Grocers on Rodney Parham, Whole Foods Market on Bowman and Fresh Market on Cantrell.

West Little Rock is also buzzing with news of a redo of Breckenridge Village shopping center on Rodney Parham: New owners plan to open a Waldo’s Chicken & Beer there; outposts of North Little Rock’s Flyway Brewing Co., Hot Springs’ Deluca’s Pizza and downtown’s Root Cafe are expected. The changes, which will include new retail, should come in 2023 and 2024. n

AMC Chenal 9 movie theater

Petit and Keet

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The Purple Cow

BRIAN CHILSON

HOTTEST NEIGHBORHOODS!

ARGENTA

Downtown North Little Rock’s Argenta neighborhood is where it all happens north of the Arkansas River. Here, the action is concentrated in an intimate area on Main Street and environs. The vibrant arts district is defined by galleries and its theaters; restaurants and craft breweries; and street fairs and special events, including festivals on Main and Argenta Plaza. With its hip new townhomes and restored historic residences, Argenta is a blend of small town and urban chic. Murals, maker spaces and a maritime museum make the areas distinct; the Simmons Bank Arena draws from all points of the compass to its big musical acts and sporting events. The two-lane Main Street’s corners are adorned with lush plantings of flowers and greenery, a welcoming touch.

Here’s a way for the whole family to first experience Argenta: Head out on a public art and landmark scavenger hunt. The guiding map, downloadable from northlittlerock. org or available at the North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau at 600 Main St., marks 75 sites, among them 30 art installations — including the large murals adorning historic brick buildings, painted electrical boxes, small metal sculptures and large concrete pieces. There’s a prize for folks who find 30 of the 75 sites.

SEE & DO

The swings on Argenta Plaza’s “front porch’’ are a cool space to rest while the kids play in the jetted water features. The new gathering space becomes an after-hours hot spot for such events as the Argenta Vibe Music Series every fourth Friday and

the Dogtown Throwdown every second Friday, both April through October. Check out North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and Simmons Bank Arena for upcoming performances.

If “throwing down” isn’t your thing, enjoy art from Arkansas and regional artists along with a glass of wine and snacks every third Friday at the Thea Foundation, Barry Thomas Fine Art Studio, Acansa Art Gallery and other galleries on Main Street.

The Arkansas Innovation Hub on Broadway off Main, home of the Skills to Launch jobs program for 18 and older, offers seminars and fun workshops in this well-outfitted maker space.

The House of Art and The Joint Theater and Coffeehouse are cozy spaces to sit back and belly-laugh at a comedy act or be inspired by poetry readings. If you’re here in September, be sure and check out the ACANSA Arts Festival, a visual and performing arts festival hosted by the North Little Rock-based The Roots Art Connection. If you’re here for the Fourth of July, enjoy the Arkansas Symphony’s Pops on the River set to fireworks. For a unique Independence Day experience, rent a houseboat or large floating cruiser at the Rockwater Marina and watch the fireworks from the river.

COURTESY SIMMONS BANK ARENA

ARKANSAS DEPT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM

Simmons Bank Arena

Argenta Plaza

EAT & DRINK

Pub crawlers won’t be disappointed by the local beers on tap at Diamond Bear’s Ale House, Flyway Brewing, Skinny J’s, Reno’s Argenta Cafe and the Four Quarter Bar.

For Italian fare in a romantic space, Ristorante Capeo can’t be beat; order the osso buco. Gastropub fans will enjoy Brood & Barley, which has Argenta’s Flyway beer on tap, an impressive bar and mind-blowing burgers. For Japanese cuisine, head to locally owened Kiyen’s Kamikaito. There’s a Benihana at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, which also features the fine Riverfront Steakhouse. n

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

Thea Foundation

Four Quarter Bar

up AgAinst the WAll

A GUIDE TO MURAL ART IN LITTLE ROCK AND NORTH LITTLE ROCK

Muralists

use walls (and sometimes doors, air vents and electrical boxes!) as their palettes, adding visual excitement — and sometimes important messages — to urban areas. Here’s a list of murals commissioned by the Little Rock Downtown Partnership, the Argenta Downtown Council, private businesses and other entities. Artists, many of them prominent Little Rock artists or with ties to Arkansas, are identified after mural names.

LITTLE ROCK

“SEVENTH STREET MURAL PROJECT”

This work in progress has drawn national attention for its expressions of desires for social justice, women’s rights and racial harmony. Artists from all over Arkansas participate in the project, covering the retaining walls of the Seventh Street Viaduct.

Between Dennison and Thayer streets

“ARKANSAS MUSICIANS”

Niz

West Seventh and South Louisiana streets

“THE BEAU WALL”

5801 Kavanaugh

Beau Jones

“BENEATH THE SURFACE”

Matt McLeod

Sixth and Main streets

BUTTERFLY MURAL

Youri Cansell

400 President Clinton Ave.

“CHANEL”

Kristin McCaslin

Fashion Exchange

7001 Cantrell Road

“CITY DREAMERS”

Joel Boyd

West Sixth and Spring streets

“COVID-19”

Guy Bell

103 W. Capitol Ave.

DOOR MURALS

Tyler Arnold, Levi Agee, Jaquita Bell, Matthew Castellano, Heather

Crockett, Steven Otis, Lisa Krannichfeld, Bryan

Frazier, Angela Davis

Various addresses downtown, including alleys

“EAT LOCAL, EAT OFTEN”

Katy Raines, Marcus Vasquez, Jennifer Perren, Lacey Olsen, Katie Wilson, Rachel Stuckey, Allison Tucker, Prinn Vandegrift, Carol Dabney, Casey Siegel 711 Main St.

“EVERYONE’S NEIGHBORHOOD”

Josh Coker and Matt McLeod

321 Scott St.

“GOLDEN HARVEST”

Matt McLeod

East 10th and Main streets

Emily Moll Wood's "Music Mural"

Matt McLeod's "Welcome to Stifft's Station"

BRIAN CHILSON BRIAN CHILSON

“MEN OF IRON”

Jose Hernandez

1300 E. Sixth St.

“MIGRATION”

Guy Bell

East Sixth and Main streets

“PLAYTIME”

Jason Jones

Fifth and Main streets

“ROBOT”

Jason Jones

East Third and Main streets

“SOMA”

Shannon Wallace Norman

Rock Town Distillery

1201 S. Main St.

“STREET GALLERY”

Jason Jones

302 Main St.

“SMILE YOU’RE IN DOWNTOWN”

By Katy Rains

Sixth and Center Streets

“WONDERS AND SIGNS”

Perrion Hurd

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

501 W. Ninth St.

“WOMAN WITH DOG”

Steven Otis

1510 Main St.

“YES WE CAN”

Steven Otis

1500 S. Main St.

ARGENTA

(Map available from North Little Rock

Convention and Visitors Bureau)

“DOGTOWN PROUD”

North Little Rock has co-opted what was once a perjorative description of the town based on a legend as the town as a dumping place for dogs. Now the nickname is used with pride.

Kevin Kresse

Fourth and Main streets

ARKANSAS HISTORY MURALS

13 murals on the river seawall by various artists

100 Riverfront Drive

“THE BIG RACE”

Kevin Kresse

Seventh and Main streets

“BIRDS OF THE AMERICAN FLYWAY”

Robin Tucker

314 Maple St.

“BALSTOVITCH”

By Roland Burnham

3124 Pike Ave.

“SHOUT SISTER SHOUT”

Tribute to singer Loretta Tharpe

Jessica Jones

Sixth and Louisiana streets

“TALK WITH YOUR HANDS”

Arkansas School for the Deaf students

600 block Center Street

“WELCOME TO STIFFT’S STATION”

Matt McLeod

3015 W. Markham St.

“BEES”

Robin Tucker

201 E. Broadway

“CULTURE CIGAR SHOP”

Teresa Cates

409 Main St.

Kevin Kresse's "Dogtown Proud"

Kevin Kresse's "The Big Race"

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

DIAMOND BEAR MURAL

Nancy Jordan

600 N. Broadway

“FOXES”

By Jessica Jones

313 E. Broadway

“THE GATHERING”

Angela Davis Johnson

108 E. Fourth St.

“LIZARDS”

“THE GIFT”

Meikel Church

151 W. Fourth St.

“HARD WORK”

By Robin Tucker

250 E. Fourth St.

“HOT AND COLD JAZZ”

Perrion Hurd

Fourth and Maple streets

“HOW WE FALL”

Meikel Church and Robin Tucker

413 Main St.

“LINDSEY’S BBQ AND HOSPITALITY HOUSE”

Teresa Cates

207 Curtis Sikes St.

Robin Tucker

413 Main St.

“MARKET SCENE”

Mark Blaney

108 Fourth St.

“THE MUD AND THE LOTUS”

Jessica Jones

Sixth and Main streets

“MUSIC MURAL”

Emily Moll Wood North Little Rock

“PORCUPINE”

Jessica Jones

500 N. Magnolia St.

“WOMEN IN SUITS”

Lisa Krannichfeld 15th and Main streets

Wall murals by the following artists are untitled, but don’t miss them:

MARK BLANEY

5312 MacArthur Drive

SCOTT DIFFEE

4604 E. Broadway

JOSE HERNANDEZ

314 Main St. 600 N. Palm St.

NANCY GRIFFIN JORDAN

600 N. Broadway

PERRION HURD

Fifth and Main streets

Fourth and Maple streets

Broadway and Poplar

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

Jessica Jones' "Shout Sister Shout"

Meikel Church and Robin Tucker's "How We Fall"

Robin Tucker's "Birds of America"

BRIAN CHILSON

Fine Local Shops

BANG-UP BETTY was voted Arkansas’s best gift shop, best artisan, and best jeweler by Arkansas Times readers in 2022. This creative shop began as unique and unusual handmade jewelry that gained national attention and grew into a boutique also filled with locally made art and pottery as well as clever, hilarious and affordable gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Bring your sense of humor to this delightful, must-see, rainbow-covered shop in the historic Argenta Arts District of downtown North Little Rock. Wednesday - Friday 11-5:30, Saturday 11-5.

501-291-0071

429 Main Street (above Ristorante Capeo) North Little Rock, AR 72114 www.bangupbetty.com

THE JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY explores local and regional military history, both on the battlefield and the home front. The museum gift shop enhances the visitor’s experience by specializing in military related models, toys, posters and books. The shop also offers an extensive line of armed forces related merchandise representing all of branches of service. Shop here for special occasions like military retirements, birthdays and Christmas!

Monday–Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 10am-5pm

Closed Sunday and most major holidays 100 Veteran’s Circle • Jacksonville 501-241-1943 • www.jaxmilitarymuseum.org

BOSWELL MOUROT FINE ART features fine art from local, regional and international artists for the emerging and established collector.

501-454-6969 or 501-664-0030 1501 South Main St, Suite H Little Rock, AR 72202 www.boswellmourot.com

Dennis McCann,“Rooftops,” pastel on paper

fAMous ArkAnsAns Some

say Bill and Hillary Clinton put Arkansas on the map (though Congressman Wilbur Mills’ fling with Fanne Fox did their bit to draw attention to an Arkansas politician). But politicians aside, several famous folks, from coaches to writers to musicians, were produced in Arkansas. Here are a few:

PAUL WILLIAM BRYANT

(Sept. 11, 1913-Jan. 26, 1983)

Born in Kingsland, this legendary football coach got his nickname after wrestling a bear during a carnival promotion when he was just 13 years old. Paul “Bear” Bryant would go on to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide for 25 years and amass six national championships and 13 conference championships. Upon his retirement in 1982, he held the record for the most wins (323) as a head coach in collegiate football history. The Paul W. Bryant Museum, Paul W. Bryant Hall, Paul W. Bryant Drive, and Bryant–Denny Stadium are all named in his honor at the University of Alabama. He was also known for his trademark black and white houndstooth hat.

GLEN CAMPBELL

(April 22, 1936-Aug. 8, 2017)

Born in Delight, Campbell grew up poor and helped his family make ends meet by picking cotton. He started playing guitar at age 4 and by age 6 he was performing on local radio stations. In the ’60’s he moved to Los Angeles and became a session musician playing with the likes of the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Elvis Presley. Some of Campbell’s most popular songs were “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” He released 64 albums in a career that spanned five decades, selling over 45 million records worldwide, including 12 gold albums, four platinum albums and one double-platinum album.

JOHNNY CASH

(Feb. 26, 1932–Sept. 12, 2003)

The Man in Black, famous for his baritone

and for rocking penitentiaries, was born in the small community of Kingsland. At 3, he and his family moved to Dyess, where he worked cotton fields with his family, singing as they worked. His family’s struggles to make ends meet during the Depression gave him a strong appreciation for the poor working class, a history that is evident in many of his songs. He sold more than 90 million records across the globe and won 18 Grammy awards for songs like “Ring of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” and “Hurt.”

Johnny Cash

Glen Campbell

PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON

(Aug. 19, 1946)

The 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe III

in Hope three months after his father died in a traffic accident. When he was 4 years old, his mother married Roger Clinton and the family moved to Hot Springs. He later took his stepfather’s last name. Clinton was elected Arkansas Attorney General in 1976 and governor in 1978. He lost his first bid for a second term in 1980, but regained the office in 1982. He remained governor until 1993 and served as president 1994-2001.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

(Oct. 26, 1947)

Although Hillary Clinton wasn’t born and raised in Arkansas, she did leave a mark in the state’s history with her work on educational and other issues as the state’s first lady. After her husband’s term in office as president ended, she would go on to serve as a U.S. senator from New York 2001-2009, as the Secretary of State 2009-2013, and as the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in the 2016 presidential election, becoming the first woman to win a nomination for the country’s highest office. Clinton won the popular

vote, but lost in the Electoral College, which elected Donald Trump.

EVANESCENCE

This American rock band was formed in Little Rock in 1995 by singer and pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody . The band made it big in 2003 with its first full-length album, “Fallen,” which included hit singles “My Immortal” and “Bring Me to Life.”

AL GREEN

(April 13, 1946)

Albert Leornes Greene, better known as Al Green, was born in Forrest City. He became a singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer and is known for his soul hit singles “Take Me to the River,” “Love and Happiness” and “Let’s Stay Together.” Green, the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was ranked No. 65 on the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and 14th on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers.

JOHN GRISHAM

(Feb. 8, 1955)

Born in Jonesboro, this American novelist, lawyer and former member of the 7th District of the Mississippi House of Representatives, is known for his popular legal thrillers. Grisham has written 28 consecutive No. 1 fiction bestsellers, and his books have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Along with Tom Clancy and J.K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three authors to have sold 2 million copies on a first printing. Grisham’s first bestseller, “The Firm,” sold more than 7 million copies and later was adapted into a feature film of the same name starring Tom Cruise, and later into a 2012 TV series. Other novels that have also been adapted into films: “The Chamber,” “The Client,” “A Painted House,” “The Pelican Brief,” “The Rainmaker,” “The Runaway Jury” and “Skipping Christmas.”

Continued on page 48

U.S. President Bill Clinton, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter Chelsea on Inauguration day, Jan. 20, 1997.

PUBLIC DOMAIN, CREATIVE COMMONS

Al Green

DWIGHTMCCANN, CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-SHARE ALIKE 2.5 GENERIC LICENSE.

Local Culture

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS’ BROADWAY SERIES AT ROBINSON CENTER

For over twenty years, Celebrity Attractions has presented its Broadway Series in Little Rock and is thrilled to call Robinson Center its home!  Located in downtown Little Rock, this state-of-the art facility on the banks of the Arkansas River makes it easy for locals and travelers alike to enjoy dinner out and a show, making it a great night on the town. Taking the stage this season are the Broadway classics of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and MY FAIR LADY, fan favorites of CHICAGO and RIVERDANCE, new works like  TOOTSIE and  LEGALLY BLONDE and the spectacular production of Disney’s ALADDIN.

Dedicated to bringing Broadway and more to you since 1983, Celebrity Attractions is a presenter and producer of national tours and handles marketing and group sales across the Southwest and Midwest.  In association with local partnerships, Celebrity Attractions presents nationally touring Broadway seasons in four different regional markets including Little Rock, Tulsa, Springfield and Amarillo.  In past seasons in Little Rock, Celebrity Attractions has brought in such Broadway blockbusters as HAMILTON, WICKED, Disney’s THE LION KING and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

For more information on individual shows or on season ticket packages, call Robinson Center Box Office at 501-244-8800 or visit celebrityattractions.com.

2022-2023 BROADWAY SCHEDULE

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – November 25-27, 2022

TOOTSIE – January 13-15, 2023

Disney’s ALADDIN – February 1-5, 2023

CHICAGO – March 17-18, 2023

RIVERDANCE – April 4, 2023

LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical – April 21-23, 2023

MY FAIR LADY – May 19-21, 2023

LITTLE ROCK ZOO

1 Zoo Drive (I-630 and Fair Park), Little Rock • 501-661-7200

Visit LittleRockZoo.com for trip tips, group rates, and more information. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: Children under 3 years old - Free Children (3-12 years) - $9.95; Adults (13 and up) - $12.95

Seniors (60 and up) and Active Military with I.D. - $2 off Regular admission

TheLittle Rock Zoo’s mission is to inspire people to value and conserve our natural world.

Every visit to the Little Rock Zoo is a different adventure in memories, learning, and fun! Parade over to the popular Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe exhibit to watch South African penguins and the new baby, Betty White, play above and below the water. Swing by the Orangutan exhibit to get a peek at the toddler orangutan, Kasih. Treat yourself to a thrilling ride back into Arkansas history on the historic Over-the-Jumps-Carousel or take a ride on the Animal Tracks Train! Check the website to see what’s planned with new animals, special events, celebrations, and educational programs. The Zoo is an ever-changing experience for visitors of all ages.

Connect with living creatures and learn how to create a better future for all living things all while you enjoy a day with your family. Since 1926, the Zoo has been one of Arkansas’s greatest treasures and one of Arkansas’s most visited attractions, with just over 300,000 per year. Today, an expert staff cares for 400+ animals giving love and attention and focusing on conservation of animals in the wild. Come meet our animals and fall in love with them.

Visit our hands-on environment where learning is interactive and fun. We encourage curiosity and activity through nature play, like at our new Blue & You Sensory Garden and Blue & You Nature Playground. The Zoo’s educational experiences connect people with the natural world and conservation, which we believe will help in our goal to protect species and ensure long-term survival of them in the wild.

The only Zoo in Arkansas accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

MACARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY

503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock • 501-376-4602 • littlerock.gov/macarthur

Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Closed Mondays and major holidays

Admission: Free

TheMacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History interprets our state’s military heritage and honors the contributions of Arkansans who served in conflicts from the territorial period to the present.  It is located in the historic Arsenal Building, a National Historic Landmark and one of Little Rock’s oldest surviving structures. Built in 1840 to protect a frontier state from attack by Native Americans, it witnessed pivotal exchanges between Federal and Confederate forces during the Civil War, and later became the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur.  Through exhibits and programming, the museum ensures that “old soldiers never die.”  Instead, their sacrifice and service are preserved for future generations.

OAKLAND & FRATERNAL HISTORIC CEMETERY PARK

2101 Barber St., Little Rock • 501-372-6429

Oakland & Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park Est. 1863 Little Rock Arkansas www.facebook.com/OaklandandFraternalHistoricCemeteryLittleRockAR Open daily from daylight to dusk • Admission: Free

WhereHistory Lives Forever ...

Oakland & Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park was established in 1863 and by 2010 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas. We became the first Cemetery in the state to receive accreditation as a Level 1 Arboretum in 2014. With our rolling hills and valleys, this beautiful 63-acre park is the final resting place for many of Little Rock’s distinguished citizens. Just to name a few, one such person was J.H. Southall, who was a founder of the Medical Department at the Arkansas Industrial University. It is known today as UAMS and not only provides medical care but extensive research in the treatment of Cancer. Logan Roots, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a business man, was instrumental in the establishment of a military base that bears his name, Fort Roots. Bernie Babcock, a renowned author and considered an authority on Abe Lincoln, is buried here on Camelia and last but certainly not least, John Bush, who is buried in Fraternal Cemetery. He rose from poverty to national prominence when he co-founded the Mosaic Templars of America. We have several Potter’s Fields for those who were unidentified or otherwise could not afford a proper burial. There are certain places that are heartfelt and special in our Cemetery and those are our eight Babylands. They date back to the 1900s with some burials taking place in current time. Private tours are available by appointment only and in the Fall we have night tours. All tours fall under our Lantern Light Tours.

Local Culture

ARGENTA COMMUNITY THEATER

405 Main St., North Little Rock • 501-353-1443 • argentacommunitytheater.org

Open: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: Varies

Located in the heart of North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District, the Argenta Community Theater serves as a centerpiece of a vibrant artistic community. From crowd-pleasing musicals to vibrant new works to theatrical classics, there is truly something for everyone to love on the ACT stage. But, there is so much more to this state of the art facility than just our top-notch plays and musicals! Argenta also coordinates educational programs for all ages, hosts community and cultural events, and is available as a flexible venue for weddings, events, performances and more. Founded in 2010 by Vincent Insalaco and Judy Tenenbaum, The Argenta Community Theater strives to bring performance and participation in the arts to Central Arkansas now, and for generations to come.

ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD MUSEUM

Camp Robinson, North Little Rock • 501-212-5215 • www.arngmuseum.com

Mon - Fri 8 a.m.-3 p.m. • Open Drill Weekends (Sat-Sun) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free Admission

The Museum’s exhibits tell the story of the Arkansas National Guard that extends back to the Militia days during the territorial period.  In addition, the Museum adds the history of Camp Pike/Robinson, which was originally constructed in 1917 to train American soldiers for World War I.  Camp Robinson was federalized in 1941 to prepare soldiers for World War II.  Memorabilia covering many of the conflicts in which the Arkansas National Guard has participated are included.

Military

ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE

601 Main St., Little Rock • 501-378-0405 • TheRep.org

Box Office Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri

Afundamental anchor for the quality of life in Central Arkansas, The Rep creates vibrant and engaging theatrical experiences that are accessible for everyone in our community. With our work, The Rep seeks to make lives more full, more interesting, and more joyful. The Rep is the largest non-profit professional theatre company in Arkansas. For information on the current season, visit TheRep.org.

ARTS & SCIENCE CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

701 S. Main St., Pine Bluff • 870-536-3375

Open: Tue-Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.;  Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed holidays

Admission: Free to galleries and Second Saturday Family FunDay asc701.org; #asc701

The Arts & Science Center presents programming in the visual arts, performing arts, and the sciences through exhibitions, performances, classes, tinkering stations, and local partnerships. Opened in 2021, ASC’s sister facilities The ARTSpace and ART WORKS (623 S. Main St. and 627 S. Main St.) feature a retail gallery of works by regional artists, a workshop studio for classes, a black box theater, event space, and more.

Identification or driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance to get a day pass.

ESSE PURSE MUSEUM & STORE

1510 S. Main St., Little Rock • 501-916-9022 • essepursemuseum.com

Open: Tues-Sun 11a.m.-4p.m.; Mon-By appt. only.

Admission: Children under 6 - Free; Adults - $10; Students (6-18); Seniors (60+); Military - $8; Group rates offered.

One of only two purse museums in the world, ESSE Museum & Store explores concepts of art, history, and the feminine. “ESSE” is from Latin meaning “to be,” which embodies what visitors will find in the museum: that a purse is not just a utilitarian bag in which a woman carries her necessities, but an extension of her personal space, her essence, and of the things that make her “her.”  ESSE’s museum store offers high-quality and highly unusual handbags, as well as quirky, eclectic jewelry, scarves, books and other items — many handcrafted by local artisans. The store offers something for everyone.

MURRY’S DINNER PLAYHOUSE

6323 Colonel Glenn Rd, Little Rock • 501-562-3131 • murrysdp.com

Show Times & Schedule Online

Admission: $27-$41

Murry’s Dinner

Playhouse, one of the nation’s premier dinner theaters, has been providing Arkansas with top Broadway musicals, comedies, and celebrity attractions for more than 55 years. Enjoy an excellent meal, followed by a spectacular Broadway show, all at one low price.

WINDGATE MUSEUM OF ART

1600 Washington Ave., Conway • 501-328-2386 • windgatemuseum.org

THE STUDIO THEATRE

320 W. 7th St., Little Rock 501-374-2615 • studiotheatrelr.com

Open: Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; Sun 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

$25 (General Admission) $20 (Seniors/Military)

The Studio Theatre exists to enrich the central Arkansas community by providing quality theatre experiences that utilize local talent to challenge and grow every person that sits in our audience. The Studio believes the heartbeat of artistic expression is providing transformative experiences that challenge the emotions, intellect and worldview of our audiences. Since its inception in 2014, the Studio has brought theatrical innovation to central Arkansas audiences by producing a diverse season of ten plays and musicals each year.

Hours: Tues-Sat 12-5 p.m.

Located on the campus of Hendrix College (just off Winfield St. near the Harkrider St. roundabout), the Windgate Museum of Art presents outstanding art exhibitions, compelling educational programs, and invigorating social activities for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus. With a vision to be the premier teaching art museum in Arkansas, the WMA is free and open to all and uses hands-on experiences to train students in all facets of museum work, including curatorial research, collection management, educational and social programming, and marketing and communications, as well as exhibition research, planning, installation, and evaluation. Visit today and see www.windgatemuseum.org for more information about upcoming events and exhibitions.

The Studio Theatre's 2021 production of “Clue - On Stage.”

Left to right: Willie Johnson, Tyler Mann, Maranda Barris, B. Padilla-Dumas, Reilly Heffer. Photo: Matthew Sewell

Continued from page 43

SCOTTIE PIPPEN

(Sept. 25, 1965)

Scotty Maurice Pippen, born in Hamburg, played 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Along with Michael Jordan, he played an important role in transforming the Bulls into a championship team. Pippen is considered one of the greatest small forwards of all time.

Local Culture

100

MARY STEENBURGEN

(Feb. 8, 1953)

Born in Newport and later a resident of North Little Rock, actress Steenburgen has appeared in such movies as “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Melvin and Howard” and “Elf” and in the television series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “30 Rock,” “Joan of Arcadia” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.”

BILLY BOB THORNTON

(Aug. 4, 1955)

Actor, filmmaker, singer and songwriter Billy Bob Thornton was born in Hot Springs. He had his first break when he co-wrote and starred in the 1992 thriller “One False Move,” and earned international attention after writing, directing and starring in “Sling Blade,” an independent film that won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1996. Thornton achieved further success in starring in “Monsters Ball,” “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Bandits” and “Bad Santa.” In 2016, he starred in the Amazon original series “Goliath,” which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR

(Jan. 26, 1880-April 5,1964)

Arkansas claims Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur as a native son, though he left the state in his infancy. The war hero served as general and military adviser in WWI, WWII and the Korean War. MacArthur Park and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History are named for the general. n

Scottie Pippen STEVE LIPOFSKY BASKETBALLPHOTO.COM, CREATIVE COM

Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur

The Dining Guide

AMERICAN

@ THE CORNER Salads, burgers, and other sandwiches. Try the poutine, made with homemade french fries and tasty brown gravy. 201 E. Markham St. Alcohol is available. CC. $$-$$$. 400-8458. BL Tue.-Fri., BR Sat.-Sun.

42 BAR AND TABLE With a beautiful view of the Arkansas River, this spot, located inside the Clinton Presidential Center, features an internationally focused menu, as you might expect. 1200 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 537-0042. L Mon.-Sat., BR Sun.; D Thu.-Sat.

ALLSOPP & CHAPPLE Elegant appetizers, filets, salmon, sea bass, shrimp and trout served alongside gorgeous cocktails. 311 S. Main St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 902-4911. LD Mon.-Fri.; D Sat.

ARTHUR’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE Dry-aged prime, Australian wagyu and certified Japanese Kobe beef in an elegant setting. There’s a wide choice of seafood, too. 16100 Chenal Parkway. Full bar. CC. $$$. 821-1838. D Mon.-Sat.

BARK BAR Dine on hot dogs and nibbles with canine companionship; there’s food and drink for your furry friends as well. 1201 S. Spring St. Beer and wine. CC. $-$$. 372-1926. D Tues.-Sun. L Sat.-Sun.

BIG ORANGE-MIDTOWN Hamburgers, shakes and fries are big draws, but you can get veggie burgers, turkey burgers, chicken sandwiches and creative big salads. 207 N. University Ave. Other locations in West Little Rock, Midtown Little Rock, North Little Rock Full bar. CC. $$. 379-8715. LD daily.

BIG WHISKEY’S AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL A modern grill pub with a big menu of boneless wings, burgers, steaks, soups and salads, plus whiskey on tap. 225 E. Markham St. Full bar. CC. $$. 324-2449. LD daily.

BOULEVARD BREAD CO. Fresh bread and pastries, and a wide selection of cheeses and meats to be had. Good coffee, too. 1920 N. Grant. Full bar. CC. $$. 663-5951. BLD Mon.-Sat.

BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT Chef/owner Peter Brave was doing “farm-to-table” before most of us knew the term. His focus is on fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared elegantly but simply. Ordering the fish special is never a bad choice. 2300 Cottondale Lane. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 663-2677. LD Mon.-Fri.; D Sat.

BROOD & BARLEY GASTROPUB

Great food and service. Interesting menu, full bar. Offering a taste of the East Coast, specialties like homemade Pimento Cheese stuffed olives, Sushi Tuna Bowl, Porter Onion Bake, not your average hamburger. Just go you’ll be

very pleased, can’t go wrong with the food and drinks. Full bar. 411 Main Street, North Little Rock 501-400-8967. Monday – Saturday

BURGE’S TURKEYS AND HAMS Famous for its smoked turkeys and hams, but also a source for good fried catfish and homemade fried pies. 5620 R St. No alcohol. CC. $-$$. 666-1660. LD Mon.-Sat.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS Great wings and all the TVs you could want for watching the big game. 14800 Cantrell Road. Full bar. $$. 8685279. LD daily.

COPPER GRILL Comfort food with a twist; burgers, salads, great desserts, and more sophisticated dinner fare like filet mignon, salmon and walleye.

300 E. Third St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 375-3333. LD Mon.-Sat.

CORKY’S RIBS & BBQ The pulled pork is extremely tender and juicy, while the sauce is sweet and tangy without a hint of heat. Maybe the best dry ribs in the area. 12005 Westhaven Drive. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 954-7427. LD daily.

COUNT PORKULA

Watch out they’re expanding! Now on Maumelle Boulevard coming soon to the newest location just off Cantrell Road and Keightly. Biggest hit is the Brisket, and heck any ole thing you want! 1212 E. 6th Street – The Rail Yard in Little Rock.

CYPRESS SOCIAL Enjoy upscale Southern dishes with Cajun-Creole flair. Creative appetizers, huge salads and mouth-watering entrees are the order of the day here, featuring favorites from the Arkansas Delta to the Big Easy. 7103 Cock of the Walk Lane, North Little Rock (Maumelle). Full Bar. CC. $$-$$$ 916-2670 D Mon.-Sat.

DIAMOND BEAR BREWERY

CACHE RESTAURANT Well-presented plates of lobster, steak, chops and duck in a sleek, fine-dining atmosphere, with a slightly more casual lunch of pizza, sandwiches, fish and the like. 425 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 850-0265. LD Mon.-Fri. D Sat., BR Sun.

CAPITAL BAR AND GRILL Hearty sandwiches, daily lunch specials and fine evening dining, all at one of the swankiest bars in Arkansas. 111 Markham St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 370-7013. LD daily.

CHARLEE’S GOOD TIME DRINKERY  is your local watering hole, favorite restaurant, and live music venue in the Little Rock River Market! The owner’s love of BBQ and good music drove his desire to create a place focused on good food and entertainment.  500 President Clinton Ave, Suite 105. Full Bar, CC, $-$$.  501-747-1246 Monday-Sunday, 11 am-2 am.

CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS Good burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch, and fish specials and good steaks in the evening. 2010 N. Van Buren St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 663-5937. LD Mon.-Sat.

CIAO BACI This casually swank Hillcrest bungalow has a shady deck in the summer and heaters during the cooler months, a gorgeous bar, and daily fine dining specials. But it's also open late and has seasonal menu changes, that include bar bites for late night appetites!

605 N. Beechwood St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 6030238. D Mon.-Sat.

600 N. Broadway St., North Little Rock AR 72114

One of central Arkansas’s first breweries. Great then Great now – with expanded beer offerings. Restaurant has a touch of German, but anyone can find something great to eat that goes well with beer selection. Funky Dawg Patio. Great owners and staff, brewing some great beer. Can’t go wrong. 600 N. Broadway St., North Little Rock AR 72114

DIZZY’S GYPSY BISTRO Interesting bistro fare and award-winning Le Petit Roche cheese dip at this neighborhood favorite. 200 River Market Ave. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 375-3500. LD Tue.-Sat.

DOE’S EAT PLACE This funky dive sees its share of suits and ties with its huge steaks, great tamales, broiled shrimp and killer burgers. 1023 W. Markham St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 376-1195. LD Mon.-Fri.; D Sat.

DUGAN’S Located in downtown Little Rock, Dugan’s serves up Irish fare like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage, alongside classic bar food. The chicken fingers and burgers are also a stand out. 401 East 3rd Street, Little Rock, AR, 72201. duganspublr.com. 501-244-0542

THE FADED ROSE The Cajun-inspired menu seldom disappoints. Faded’s steaks, the Judge’s cheese dip and soaked salads are legendary. 1619 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 663-9734. LD daily.

FLYING FISH The fried seafood is fresh and crunchy, the gumbo hot, and the boiled shrimp

BRIAN CHILSON

Big Whiskey’s American Bar And Grill

and raw oysters cold. There are plenty of grilled offerings, too. 511 President Clinton Ave. Beer and wine. CC. $$. 375-3474. LD daily.

FLYING SAUCER A popular hangout for locals thanks to its almost 200 beers (including 75 on tap), but also its soups, salads, pizza and appetizers. 323 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC. $$. 372-8032. LD daily.

FLYWAY BREWING A popular brewery that also serves up quality pub food and snacks. 314 Maple St., NLR. Beer. $$. 350-8868. D Mon.Thu., LD Fri.-Sun.

FOUR QUARTER BAR  This Argenta favorite doesn’t serve your average bar food. The menu features locally sourced pork, handmade sauces and famous hand-pattied burgers along with weekly specials that you won’t find anywhere else. Even better, the kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m. every night. Four Quarter also offers a great selection of rotating craft beer on draft. With great live music, a hidden patio, shuffleboard and dominoes, Four Quarter Bar has it all.  415 Main Street, NLR, 501-313-4704.

GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN Today’s special? Chicken. Signature hot fried chicken, made from fresh, never-frozen, hormone-free meat. Try the pie or fried pickles, or go for chicken and waffles on Sundays. 300 President Clinton Ave. Beer. CC. $-$$. 372-2211. LD daily.

HILL STATION Come for lunch, stay for happy hour and dinner! Indoor seating, but the outdoor lawn picnic tables are the best! Bring two and four legged friends. Everything is great, favorite is the BBQ Salad. Great staff, lots of tv's, music and good ole people watching. Inside is nice too!! 2712 Kavanaugh Blvd, Opens at 4PM, weekends earlier for lunch crowds and watching the game on TV. Opens at 4, earlier on weekends. 501.747.2230

HOMER’S WEST Great Food and good ole fashion service, friendly and on top of everything. Just like Mama’s cookin’. Brunch is served. Fried Catfish, Country Fried Steak and an entire menu full of home cooking. Full Bar. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Rd. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Rd.

KITCHEN EXPRESS Little Rock’s best fried chicken? You decide. Delicious “meat and three” restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol. CC. $-$$. 666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat.; LD Sun.

THE LIBRARY KITCHEN & LOUNGE Opens at 4. Live shows and entertainment. Not your typical bar food. Great starters, salads, Entrees & Handhelds, twelve side options and Desserts. Full Bar. Happy Hour from 4-7pm, Brunch Saturday & Sunday 1 an- 2pm. Great people watching inside and out! 313 President Clinton Ave. (River Market area) 501.916.9826

LASSIS INN One of the state’s oldest restaurants still in the same location — and one of the best for catfish and buffalo fish ribs. There’s a jukebox, but no dancing. Also a “James Beard Award” winner. 518 E. 27th St. Beer and wine. CC. $-$$. 372-8714. LD Tue.-Sat.

LOCA LUNA Grilled meats, seafood and pasta dishes that never stray far from country roots, whether Italian, Spanish or Arkie; plus “The First White Cheese Dip in America.” 3519 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 663-4666. L Mon.-Fri.; D daily; BR Sat.-Sun.

LOST FORTY BREWING Craft brewery restaurant with a Delta influence on its food. 501 Byrd St. Beer and wine. CC. $$. 319-7335. LD Wed.-Sun. BR Sun.

MADDIE’S PLACE Lunch specials, serious desserts, and a menu with a New Orleans flavor — all in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 660-4040. LD Tue-Sat.

MIDTOWN BILLIARDS Grilling amazing burgers, Spam sandwiches, grilled cheeses and even Boca burgers late into the night. 1316 S. Main St. Full bar. CC. $$$. 372-9990. D daily.

PETIT & KEET Finer dining offering fresh, creative dishes and a great wine list for discriminating palates. Steaks, veal and seafood are all on the menu in this stylish sit-down enclave. Also home to some of the city’s most creative mixologists. 1620 Market St. Full bar. CC. $$$ 319-7675 D Mon.-Sat.

THE RAIL YARD Dog-friendly Hangar Hill-area food truck court that also serves as permanent home to Count Porkula BBQ. 1212 E. Sixth St. Beer and wine. CC. $-$$$. 372-9273. LD Tues.-Sun.

RED DOOR Fresh seafood, steaks, chops, pastas, burgers and sandwiches served with deliciously detailed cocktails. 3701 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 666-8482. L Mon.-Sat.; D daily; BR Sat.-Sun.

RENO’S ARGENTA CAFE A tasty variety of appetizers, sandwiches, wraps and specialty pizzas. Daily drink and food specials. 312 Main St., NLR. Full bar. $$. 376-2900. LD Mon.-Sat.

RIVERFRONT STEAKHOUSE Located inside the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock, this restaurant serves several cuts of steak, an assortment of sides and other items such as crab cakes, shrimp, chicken and lobster. 2 Riverfront Place, NLR. Full bar. $$$. 375-7825. D Mon.-Sat.

THE ROOT CAFE Homey, local food-focused cafe. With tasty burgers, homemade bratwurst, banh mi and a number of vegan and veggie options. Breakfast and Sunday brunch, too. 1500 S. Main St. No alcohol. CC. $$$. 414-0423. BL Tue.Sat.; BR Sun.

SAMANTHA’S TAP ROOM AND WOOD GRILL

MUGS CAFE This Argenta neighborhood hangout and coffee bar is open for breakfast and lunch: Delicious sandwiches, specials, all-day breakfast foods and $5 all-you-can-eat pancakes are common on Saturday mornings. 515 Main St., NLR. Beer and wine. $$. 379-9101. BLD Mon.-Sat. BL Sun.

MURRY’S Since 1967, Murry’s Dinner Playhouse has been serving up food, fun and fabulous live entertainment. The Playhouse takes pride in offering a complete evening with dinner and a show all for one low price. For less than the price of dinner and a movie, you can experience the wonderful world of live theater! The buffet menu changes every show, to go along with the shows’ theme. 6323 Col Glenn Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204. murrysdp.com. 501-562-3131

NORTH BAR Park Hill’s neighborhood bar delivers an exciting menu of creative burgers, salads, sandwiches and more, along with a full bar serving up an eclectic collection of local and regional beer, wine and cocktails. 3812 JFK Blvd., NLR. Full bar. $$. 420-1117. LD Tue.-Sat.

THE OYSTER BAR Long standing, family-friendly joint serving shrimp gumbo, fried catfish and other Cajun-styled favorites. TV's always on and live music plays in the background. Don't miss the fresh oysters and the other seafood heavy items. A complete renovation makes it feel comfortable, to go along with the great food. Full Bar, Opens 11 am to10pm. 3003 W. Markham Street, Little Rock 501.666.7100

Creative appetizers, big salads, tacos; entrées include chops, filets, quail breast and shrimp. Lots of beer and wine on tap. 322 S. Main St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 379-8019. LD Mon.-Sat.

SIMS BAR-B-QUE A Little Rock classic with great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and a unique vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer. CC. $-$$. 224-2057. LD Mon.-Sat.

SKINNY J’S There is something for everyone on the mind-blowingly large menu — 17 appetizers and 15 burger choices. 314 Main St., NLR. Full bar. $$. 916-2645. LD Mon.-Fri., BLD Sat.-Sun.

SO RESTAURANT BAR Call it a French brasserie with a sleek, not fussy, American finish. The wine selection is broad and choice. Free valet parking. 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 663-1464. LD Mon.-Sat.; D Sun.

SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM Top-of-theline steaks, chops, and seafood, plus decadent desserts, and a fish of the day at this fine-dining spot. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC. $$$-$$$$. 324-2999. D Mon.-Sat.

STICKYZ ROCK ’N’ ROLL CHICKEN SHACK Fingers any way you can imagine, plus cheese dip, sandwiches and burgers. Also a fun setting for music or happy hour. 107 River Market Ave. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 372-7707. LD daily.

Continued on page 56

BRIAN CHILSON

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Good Eats

WOOD FIRE OVEN AMAZING COCKTAILS AND THE BEST VIEWS IN LITTLE ROCK

Monday—Thursday

Owner Peter brave was doing farm to table before most of us knew the term. Consistently voted one of the best restaurants in town by local customer choice polls, brave new restaurant focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared elegantly but simply. Ordering the fish special is never a bad choice. Great patio seating when the weather is nice.

Open for Lunch Mon - Fri 11-2 Sunday 11:30-2:30

Dinner Monday - Thursday 5p-9:30p

Friday - Saturday 5p-10p

Sunday 5p-9p

Benihana is famous for its atmosphere, service, food quality, outstanding chefs and overall dining experience. Located just three blocks from Simmons Bank Arena and next door to Dickey Stephen’s Ballpark. Benihana has established itself as Arkansas’ premiere Japanese Steakhouse

Located in the Wyndham Hotel #2 Riverfront Place North Little Rock 501-374-8081

Make reservations online at www.Benihana.com

The Bugler overlooks Oaklawn’s legendary racetrack and offers a fine dining experience featuring an array of American cuisine, including classics and carefully selected seafood and steak dishes. Reservations recommended –call 501-363-4790 or use the OpenTable app. Private parties can be booked at 501-363-4611.

2705 Central Ave. Hot Springs, AR

Oaklawn.com/dining/the-bugler

Offering one of the most urbane, contemporary dining experiences in Little Rock - Cache is truly unique. With no detail left unattended, the chefs and culinary team create complex, flavorful food and drink that is simply delicious. Inspired by training and empowered with fine ingredients, every meal and every moment at Cache is one to be treasured. Lunch, dinner, or drinks over a good conversation on the patio...gather at Cache and create treasured memories that last a lifetime.

Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm

Mon-Fri Lunch 11am-2pm Mon-Sat Dinner 5-10pm

Downstairs Bar Mon-Sat 4pm-last call

501-663-2677 • 2300 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock • bravenewrestaurant.com

Doe’s Eat Place is the go-to for great steaks, buxom burgers and signature homemade tamales and chili. It’s the atmosphere and history of Doe’s that lures visitors from

New Orleans At Its Best!

Award winning for over 40 years for authentic New Orleans cuisine. Steaks, seafood and Creole specialties in a casual, fun atmosphere.

Rebsamen Park 1619 Rebsamen Park Rd. 501-663-9734 www.thefadedrose.com

Enjoy Oaklawn’s newest dining experience located inside the casino. You’ll delight in menu items such as the OAK room gumbo, truffle risotto or classic steak cuts with choice of creole or OAK room steak dust seasoning.

2705 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR oaklawn.com/dining/the-oak-room-bar

With more than 30 large screen TVs throughout, Silks Bar and Grill is the perfect place to grab the best food in town while watching your favorite sports. Open for lunch and dinner every day, Silks features favorites such as hot wings, burgers, salads, and Oaklawn’s classic Reuben sandwich, as well other delicious dishes.

Silks Bar and Grill

2705 Central Ave. Hot Springs, AR

Oaklawn.com/dining/silks-bar-and-grill

Good Eats

The Riverfront Steakhouse features USDA Prime steaks and seafood including whole lobster tail. Most customers agree our steaks are the best they’ve ever tasted. The atmosphere is elegant and relaxed and the service is second to none.

Open for Dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5p-9:30p Online reservations at www.Riverfront-steakhouse.com

Located in the Wyndham Hotel #2 Riverfront Place North Little Rock 501-375-7825

Continued from page 52

Where Tradition and Innovation Come To Dine

Year after year Trio’s has welcomed our guests as part of our extended family. No wonder guests annually vote Trio’s best in Central Arkansas overall; and for catering, service, wine list, desserts and patio dining. Call on us to make your next party memorable in our Pavilion Room.

TABLE 28 Excellent fine dining with lots of creative flourishes. Branch out and try the crispy squid filet and quail bird lollipops. 1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 224-2828. D Mon.-Sat.

TOWN PUMP A fun and deep menu with savory burgers, good wings, great fries, cheese dip and plate lunches with karaoke and shuffleboard. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 663-9802. LD daily.

TRIO'S Fresh, creative, satisfying menu for lunch and dinner. Exceptional menu with daily specials makes Trio's a restaurant to go to regularly. Full Bar and the best desserts in town, all made in house. Full Bar, lunch and dinner Monday thru Saturday 501-221-3330 8201 Cantrell Road, Suite 100 - enjoy the patio whenever the weather is nice. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 221-3330. LD Mon.-Sat..

TWO SISTERS RESTAURANT AND CATERING American style café. Vegetarian and Vegan options. Yep it really is run by two sisters. Who know how to cook and it’s really good – desserts are included in the really good category. 3140 E. Kiehl Ave. Sherwood, AR 501.351.4289; 201 N. Izard St. Little Rock, AR 501.351.4289 No alcohol. $$. 819-0189. BLD Tue.-Sat.

WHOLE HOG CAFE The pulled pork shoulder is a classic, the back ribs are worthy of their many blue ribbons and there’s a six-pack of sauces for every taste. A real find is the beef brisket, cooked the way Texans like it. Beer and wine. CC. $$. 12111 W. Markham St., 501-907-6124; 2516 Cantrell Road, 501-664-5025; 4333 Warden Road, NLR, 501-753-9227.

ASIAN

AJI RAMEN BAR Choose your own ramen or rice bowl adventure here, with a surprising (and surprisingly good) take on homemade crème brulee. 301 N. Shackleford Road. Wine, beer, sake. CC. $$. 414-8433. LD Mon.-Sat.

A.W. LIN’S ASIAN CUISINE Excellent pan-Asian fare with wonderful service. 17717 Chenal Parkway Ste. H101, and 309 Main St., Downtown. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 821-5398. LD daily.

FANTASTIC CHINA The food is delicious, the presentation beautiful, the menu distinctive, the service perfect, the decor bright. 1900 N. Grant St. Full bar. CC. $$. 663-8999. LD daily.

KEMURI Upscale Japanese with entrees grilled on robatas (charcoal grills), other Asian dishes, a sushi bar, plus American favorites given a Pan-Asian twist. You’ve never had baby back ribs likes these, baby. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 660-4100. L Mon.-Fri.; D daily.

MIKE’S CAFE A local favorite, Mike’s is the kind of hidden gem that doesn’t stay hidden for long. Their takes on Chinese and Vietnamese staples are classic. 5501 Asher Ave. Beer. Some CC. $-$$. 562-1515. LD daily.

MT. FUJI JAPANESE RESTAURANT The dean of Little Rock sushi bars offers a fabulous lunch special and great Monday night deals. 10301 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 227-6498. L Mon.-Sat.; D daily.

PHO THANH MY Vietnamese food, noodles and pho with great vegetarian options. 302 N. Shackleford Road. No alcohol. CC. $$. 312-7498. LD daily.

SUSHI CAFE Impressive, upscale sushi menu with other delectable house specialties like tuna tataki, fried soft-shell crab, and even grilled burgers and steak. 5823 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 663-9888. L Mon.-Sat.; D daily.

THREE FOLD NOODLES + DUMPLING CO. Traditional Chinese foods made from scratch daily. Absolutely delish!! 611 S. Main Street downtown 11 am till 9 p.m. and 11525 Cantrell Road 501.500.2005 M-F 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Beer & wine. CC. $$-$$$. 372-1739. LD

EUROPEAN/OTHER ETHNIC

ARBELA Middle Eastern grill featuring gyros, hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, and chicken dishes served up fast. 323 Center St. No alcohol. CC. $ 374-2633. L Mon.-Fri.

FASSLER HALL German-style beer hall with sausages, big pretzels, schnitzel, and the like; try the duck fat fries. 311 E. Capitol Ave. Beer and Wine. CC. $$. 246-4757. LD daily; BR Sat.-Sun.

LAYLA’S GYROS AND PIZZERIA Delicious Mediterranean fare — gyros, falafel, shawarma, kabobs, hummus and baba ganoush — that adds in pizza to the menu without missing a step. 9501 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol. CC. $-$$. 227-7272. LD daily (closes at 5 p.m. Sun.).

THE PANTRY WEST Warm, stylish eatery with a full bar, great wine list and service. Hearty Czech & German classics, plus burgers and flatbreads. Excellent fresh fish dishes, salads, deviled eggs and all with a Czech influence in other words –Just great food. Fun atmosphere – nighttime it’s happening. 11401 N. Rodney Parham. Lunch & dinner.

THE PANTRY CREST In the hip Hillcrest area, this place has a loyal following of locals in the neighborhood. Lovely patio, the restaurant is inside an old traditional Hillcrest House. Similar food to The Pantry West. 722 N. Palm St. Full bar. CC. $$. 725-4945. D Mon.-Sat.

STAR OF INDIA A unique buffet at lunch and some fabulous dishes at night (spicy curried dishes, tandoori chicken, lamb and veal, vegetarian). 301 N. Shackleford Road. Beer and wine. CC. $$. 227-9900. LD daily.

TAJ MAHAL INDIAN KITCHEN Upscale and often spicy versions of traditional Indian dishes with an extensive menu and a weekend brunch buffet. 1520 Market St. Beer. CC. $$$. 881-4796. LD daily.

TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE Fast casual chain that offers gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese. 3929 McCain Blvd. Suite G07B, North Little Rock; 12800 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock; 8299 Cantrell Rd Little Rock. Beer and wine. CC. $$. 225-1829. LD daily.

YA YA’S EURO BISTRO Translating comfort food into beautiful cuisine, it’s great for date night, or

for lunch, with soup, salads, and sandwiches. 17711 Chenal Pkwy. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 8211144. LD daily; BR Sun.

ITALIAN

BRUNO’S LITTLE ITALY Traditional Italian spaghetti, pasta, pizza, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Extensive, delicious menu from family-owned Little Rock stalwart. 310 S. Main St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 372-7866. D Tue.-Sat.

DAMGOODE PIES A different take on pizza, with three different crusts, and spicy white, pink, pesto, and Alfredo sauces offered in addition to the traditional red. Good salads and sandwiches, too. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer and wine. CC. $$-$$$. 664-2239. LD daily.

GRAFFITI’S The casually chic and ever-popular Italian-flavored Little Rock legend avoids the rut with daily specials and careful menu tinkering. 7811 Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 2249079. D Mon.-Sat.

HIDEAWAY PIZZA A lively atmosphere with thick, hearty pizzas, salads and more. 5103 Warden Road, NLR. Full bar. $$. 270-7777. LD daily.

IRIANA’S PIZZA Generous hand-tossed, New York-style pizza with unmatched zest. The grinders are great, particularly the Italian sausage; good salads, too. 201 E. Markham St. Beer and wine. CC. $-$$. 374-3656. LD Mon.-Sat.

PIZZA CAFE With unique sandwiches and salads, and thin, crunchy pizza, this venerable cafe is thick with cool atmosphere. The PC’s frosty draft beer is appealing indoors or on the deck. Or get a take ‘n’ bake pizza to cook at home and feel like you were there. 1517 Rebsamen Park Road. And in McCain Mall, off Warden Road. Beer and wine. CC. $-$$. 664-6133. LD daily.

THE PIZZERIA This onetime food truck now has a great, if somewhat ironic, home in a former gym. Specialties from the bar complement wood-fired pizza choices with fresh ingredients. Game room in back. 4910 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 551-1388. D Mon.-Sun.; Sat.-Sun. BR.

RADUNO BRICK OVEN & BARROOM Neapolitanstyle pizza joint with a thoughtful beer and cocktail menu featuring great salads, sandwiches and a pistachio cheesecake. One of the best Sunday brunch spots in town! 1318 S. Main St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 374-7476. LD Tue.-Sat.; L Sun.

RISTORANTE CAPEO Authentic Italian cooking is the draw at this cozy, brick-walled restaurant. Familiar pasta dishes will comfort most diners, but let the chef delight you with some more exotic stuff. 425 Main St., NLR. Full bar. $$$-$$$$. 376-3463. D Mon.-Sat.

SAUCE(d) BAR AND OVEN Wood-fired Neapolitanstyle pizza, salads, sandwiches and burgers. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 353-1534. LD daily.

VINO’S BREWPUB The city’s original microbrewery has pizza, salads and calzones of note. Its fabled back room hosts live music, theatre and other weirdness. 923 W. Seventh St. Beer and wine.

CC. $-$$. 375-8466. LD daily.

ZAZA FINE SALAD & WOOD OVEN PIZZA CO

There’s wood-oven pizza with gorgeous blistered crusts, but the tempting call-your-own-ingredient salads hold their own against any pie. Plus great gelato in a multitude of flavors. 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer and wine. CC. $$-$$$. 661-9292. LD daily.

MEXICAN/ LATIN AMERICAN

BAJA GRILL Taco joint serving a unique Mexicali style menu with soups, salads, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. 5923 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 722-8920. LD Mon.-Sat.; BR Sat.

MOCKINGBIRD Neighborhood taco bar featuring locally sourced meats and produce with Honduran and Paraguayan overtones — and more than a dozen taps of Arkansas beers and specialty cocktails. 1220 S. Main St. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 313-5413 LD Tue.-Sat.

full-service restaurant in the back. 7414 Baseline Road. No alcohol. CC. $. 569-9394. BLD daily.

LA TERRAZA RUM & LOUNGE Delicious Venezuelan fare. The arepas, plantains and mojitos are especially good. 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 251-8261. LD Tue.-Sat., L Sun.

TAQUERIA KARINA AND CAFE This neighborhood cantina has freshly baked pan dulce, first-rate guacamole, inexpensive tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and a broad selection of Mexicanstyle seafood. 5309 W. 65th St. Beer. No CC. $. 562-3951. BLD daily.

SPECIALTY

BLUE SAIL COFFEE With locally roasted beans, this sleek cafe located inside the Little Rock Technology Park has a full-service coffee/espresso menu. 417 S. Main St. No alcohol. CC. $$-$$$. 375-8466. BLD Mon.-Sat.; LD Sun.

COMMUNITY BAKERY This storied, often-packed downtown bakery is the place to linger over a latte and a muffin for breakfast, or to dash in at lunchtime for a sandwich and subsequent stroll on Main Street. 1200 S. Main St.; 270 S. Shackleford Rd. No alcohol. CC. $$$. 375-7105. BLD daily.

HONEY PIES Fresh-baked pies like chocolate peanut butter pie and peach pie, plus cookies, brownies, sandwiches, salads and a soup of the day. 315 N Bowman Road, #14. No alcohol. CC. $-$$. 613-7950. BLD daily.

ELIELLA RISTORANTE Delicious authentic Mexican cuisine. The skirt steak house special and tacos stand out. 7700 Baseline Road, Ste. 800. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 539-5355. LD daily.

EL MEZCAL MEXICAN BAR & GRILL Enchiladas, burritos, seafood — and especialidades like T-bone steak — all served up in a storied Hillcrest restaurant spot that’s also perfect for people-watching. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $$. 747-1414. LD daily.

TAQUERIA EL PALENQUE Excellent authentic Mexican food. Try the Al Pastor burrito. 9501 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer. CC. $-$$. 312-0045. BLD Tue.-Sun.

THE FOLD BOTANAS AND BAR Gourmet tacos and botanas, cheese dip (add bison!) and nachos. Try the cholula pescada taco. 3501 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC. $$-$$$. 916-9706. LD Tue.-Sun.

HEIGHTS TACO & TAMALE CO. Throwback Southern-style tamales, taco plates, enchiladas and more, all doused with a generous helping of cheese and chili. Hits just the right balance between nostalgia and fresh flavors. 5805 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 313-4848. LD daily.

LA HACIENDA Creative, fresh-tasting entrees and traditional favorites in a festive atmosphere. Great tacos salads, nachos, fajitas and cheese dip. 3024 Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC. $-$$. 6610600. LD daily.

LA REGIONAL A grocery store catering to Southwest Little Rock’s Latino community with a delicious,

HURTS DONUT All the excessive donut flavors you can imagine — Oreo cheesecake, blueberry struesel, Fruity Pebbles — alongside huge cinnamon rolls and maple bacon bars, served all day and all night long. 107 E. Markham St. No alcohol. CC. $$. 916-9201. BLD daily.

LE POPS GOURMET ICE LOLLIES Frozen popsicles with tasty flavors. 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol. CC. $$. 313-9558. LD Tue.-Sun.

LOBLOLLY CREAMERY Enjoy artisan ice cream, hand-crafted beverages and seasonal confections using local ingredients. 1423 S. Main St. No alcohol. CC. $$-$$$. 503-5164. LD daily.

NEXUS COFFEE & CREATIVE Cold drinks and tea, coffees, bagels and sandwiches. 301B President Clinton Ave. No alcohol. CC. $$. 295-7515. BLD daily.

ROCK N’ ROLL SUSHI Great sushi and a big variety of options, seaweed salad and other favorites. And to live up to it’s name loud rock n’ roll is playing and there are several TV’s showing MTV style bands rocking. Great solo place to dine with plenty of entertainment and a group can really have a big time eating lunch or dinner. Full Bar. Several locations – all highly recommended; 1224 Main Street downtown Little Rock. Also on Chenal, South of Main, Benton and Conway.

ZETEO COFFEE Specialty coffee place to grab a breakfast croissant sandwich, or try a Panini or salad for lunch. An array of sweets includes scones and local Loblolly ice cream. 610 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol. CC. $-$$. 386-3227. BL Mon.-Sat. n

El Mezcal Mexican Bar & Grill

BRIAN CHILSON