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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.)

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

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