LITTLE ROCK — Familiar names are involved in the opening of
Mama’s Gyros, which is replacing the now-defunct
Athenian
Grill, 3309 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood: Georgia and son Phil Giourousis , who founded the Athenian Grill (and that’s also the original Georgia of the original Georgia’s Gyros). They bought the business back from the family that had taken it over, but decided that the Athenian Grill name had fallen into sufficient disrepute that they’re starting afresh. Phil Giourousis says he’s doing some major renovations and hopes to open Aug. 2. Hours will continue to be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays for the time being. The phone number is (501) 833-0306 .
Turns out
Union Restaurant, 3421 Old Cantrell Road, Little Rock, has closed, but only for the summer, or at least for a couple of months until a new patio is completed. The phone number is (501) 661-8311.
The sign on the side of a motel at 65th Street and Interstate 30 says
“Carlos Mexican Restaurant
coming soon.” The new restaurant will open in the southeast corner of the lobby of the Presidential Inn, which is undergoing major renovations. We’ll keep you posted.
Turns out a new California family vineyard has Arkansas roots. Two generations of the Murphy family of El Dorado - yes, that Murphy family - are involved in
Presqu’ile Winery
in northern Santa Barbara County on California’s central coast. Matt Murphy is the president of the winery, which is showcasing its products at two Little Rock events this weekend - the sold-out “Presqu’ile Wine Dinner” Friday at Chenal Country Club and a private wine dinner Saturday at P. Allen Smith’s west Pulaski County Garden Home Retreat and Moss Mountain Farm. The name, pronounced press-KEEL , is Creole for “almost an island,” reflecting a Murphy family Gulf Coast gathering place that Hurricane Katrina destroyed in 2005. Moon Distributors will start putting Presqu’ile wines onto Arkansas shelves next week. The winery phone number is (805) 937-8110, or you can e-mail info@presquilewine.com.
Has a restaurant opened - or closed - near you in the last week or so? Does your favorite eatery have a new menu? Is there a new chef in charge? Drop us a line. Call (501) 399-3667 or (501) 378-3513 , or send a note to Restaurants, Weekend Section, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Send e-mail to:
Weekend, Pages 39 on 07/22/2010