LITTLE ROCK — Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central
Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit www2.arkansasonline.com/restaurants/.
American
BUFFALO GRILL
400 N. Bowman Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-0012; 1611 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock, (501) 296-9535 The bottom line at these sibling locations is as noteworthy as the reliably good burgers and other family-friendly fare, with only six of the 45 menu items costing more than $9.
Lunch-dinner daily. Full bar. Bargain-moderate.
CAPITAL BAR AND GRILL
Capital Hotel, 111 W.
Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 374-7474 The Capital Hotel’s “second” restaurant has its own kitchen and haute cuisine with an Arkansas accent, including rice-fried catfish, sugar cane-brined pork loin and made-in-kitchen moon pies for dessert.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Moderate-expensive.
CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS, CHEERS IN MAUMELLE
2010 Van Buren St., Little Rock, (501) 663-5937 ;
Cheers in Maumelle, 1901 Club Manor Drive, Maumelle, (501) 851-6200 The enduring Heights neighborhood eatery, with a bigger sibling in Maumelle, pays as much attention to the appetizers and side dishes as it does the excellent entrees, many with a New Orleans flair.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat.
Reservations (Maumelle location). Full bar. Corkage fee. Moderate.
GADWALL’S GRILL
7311 North Hills Blvd., North Little Rock, (501) 834-1840 Heavenly home-cut fries, including sweet-potato fries, are a magnet for faithful patrons of this extremely casual eatery where the white chili (made with chicken breast, Great Northern beans and green chilies) is another wonder.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Bargain.
IZZY’S PLACE
5601 Ranch Drive, Little Rock, (501) 868-4311 Jaunty tabletop art by co-owner Heather Isbell spices dining on top-flight tamales, soups, salads, burgers, pastas, pizzas and milkshakes served at aim-to-please prices by a cheerful staff.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat.
Beer, wine. Reservations.
Moderate.
SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL
2703 Lakewood Village, North Little Rock, (501) 812-0883 A broad menu of chicken, ribs, seafood, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and salads awaits diners at this Montana-fashioned restaurant where the charm falls somewhere between elegant lodge and hunter chic.
Lunch Sun, dinner daily.
Full bar. Reservations (10 or more), call-ahead seating. Moderate-expensive.
SHORTY SMALL’S
11100 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-3344; 4317 Warden Road, North Little Rock, (501) 753-8111There’s nothing short about the menu or small about the portions at lively shack-styled Shorty Small’s, where substantial dinner platters, sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, ribs and steaks can be preceded by fried appetizers and followed by deepfried Twinkies.
Lunch, dinner daily (Little Rock location: brunch Sun). Full bar. Reservations, call-ahead seating.
Bargain-moderate.
Weekend, Pages 38 on 10/08/2009