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/.
Indian
AMRUTH AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE
11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-4567 Picking up where predecessor Kebab & Curry left off, Amruth offers a large menu of authentic and top-notch Indian chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
Lunch, dinner daily. No alcohol. Bargain-moderate.
STAR OF INDIA
301 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-9900 In addition to incorporating every customer into his circle of friends and relations, proprietor Sami Lal has practically doubled the number of menu offerings - superlative curries, tandoori dishes and a wide range of vegetarian entrees, plus a super-value lunch buffet.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Reservations (large parties). Moderate.
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
LAYLA’S RESTAURANT, GROCERY & HALAL MEAT
9501 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-7272 Believe the poster offering better gyros at this Middle Eastern eatery, an essentially one-man operation (the owner-chef cooks, serves and even butchers his own meat).
Lunch daily, dinner Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Bargain moderate.
LEO’S GREEK CASTLE
2925 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 666-7414 This idiosyncratic Hillcrest haunt looks more like a gas station that could have been robbed by Bonnie and Clyde than a castle, but it serves a good breakfast and later offers Greek/Mediterranean staples like spanakopita, hummus, gyros and especially fine moussaka.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. No alcohol.
Bargain.
LULAV
220A W. Sixth St., Little Rock, (501) 374-5100 After some rocky passages, Lulav has settled down and hit its stride with Executive Chef Brian Cochrane shifting the Mediterranean-California fusion concept in a Mediterranean direction.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Tue-Sat. Full bar. Reservations.
Moderate.
MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE
River Market, 400 E.
President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, (501) 372-1662 Proprietor-chef Wael Abdin’s flavor-drenched daily selection of six to eight Middle Eastern entrees - always gyros and at least one vegetarian offering - is drawn from his repertoire of more than 100 recipes.
Lunch daily. No alcohol.
Bargain.
TAZIKI’S GREEK FARE
8200 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-8291 Superlative Grilled Lamb Gyro stars on the “Greek Lite” menu at this goodnatured “fast-casual” spot where notably fresh ingredients and excellent wine values aim to win over diners.
Lunch daily, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Bargain.
TERRACE ON THE GREEN
2200 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 217-9393 Around since 1981 and now managed by a Jerry Barakat nephew, this reliable spot presents flavorful appetizers, soups, veal and fish dishes - mostly with Mediterranean lineage.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar.
Reservations. Moderate.
Weekend, Pages 38 on 08/26/2010