TRANSITIONS

— What used to be Union Tapas & Cocktails, 3421 Old Cantrell Road, Little Rock, which had closed during the summer for renovations, was set to reopen Wednesday as Union Bistro. “Same chef, new owners and staff,” says new co-owner Scott Marks, “serving [a] full menu, including small plates, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, full bar and wine list. A new patio adorns the front as well,” which will give the now-nonsmoking establishment a place for patrons to smoke. The restaurant will open at 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday; as of deadline, the owners had not yet figured out just what closing time will be. Marks says Sunday brunch is on the horizon. The telephone number is (501) 353-0289.

Sisters Kristi and April Williams will be moving their Brown Sugar Bakeshop on or about Nov. 1 from the River Market’s Ottenheimer Market Hall to the Tuf-Nut Shops, East Third Street and River Market Avenue (formerly Commerce Street). The new space will allow for longer hours, room to sit, an expanded menu (to include Caribbean coffees and country-style pies in addition to gourmet cupcakes) and more parking space. Hours will be 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The phone number is (501) 372-4009; the website is brownsugarbakeshop.com.

Also expected to open on or about Nov. 1 in the Tuf-Nut Shops: Zin Urban Wine & Beer Bar, which co-owner Troy Deal describes as “a modern interpretation on the traditional wine bar.” He and his partner, graphic designer Michael Puckett, will offer wine (the name is a play on zinfandel), beer, appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, 4-10 p.m. daily (maybe until midnight Friday-Saturday). The place doesn’t yet have a telephone number, but you can reach Deal at (501) 940-7850 in the meanwhile.

And in the same block, 403 E. Third St., Don Dugan is now lasering in on Oct. 1 as the target date to open his Dugan’s Pub.

Canon Grill, 2811 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, is now open Sundays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., remaining open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. the rest of the week. They’ve also started offering an all-day Saturday “happy hour” for draft beer and margaritas. The telephone number is (501) 664-2068.

One of our sharp-eyed readers traversing Camp Robinson Road in North Little Rock noticed that the Burger King in the 4200 block is closed for renovations and the Rally’s in the 4500 block has closed and is “all boarded up.”

The Ozark Folk Center and the Herb Society of America-Ozark Unit will host the annual Sumptuous Herb Harvest Supper at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Skillet Restaurant at the Mountain View state park. The supper kicks off the 21st annual Herb Harvest Fall Festival, which this year focuses on the herbs, spices, food, music and folklore of Greece and Turkey. A 5:30 p.m. reception in the park’s Administration Building will feature a dance performance and array of Greek and Turkish meze (appetizers) and libations. Cost is $27.50 (tax and tip included); advance reservations are required. Call (870) 269-3851 or visit ozarkfolkcenter.com.

Chili’s Grill & Bar outlets around the country are once again supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and its fight against childhood cancer through its “Create-a-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer” campaign. Guests at participating restaurants can design their own custom paper pepper and help the cause through individual donations; on Monday, those restaurants will donate 100 percent of the day’s profits to the hospital. Visit createapepper.com.

Meanwhile, the Apple Gold Group, which holds franchises for Applebee’s restaurants in Oklahoma, Arkansas and North Carolina, is holding its third annual fundraising campaign to benefit central Oklahoma, Tulsa and Arkansas affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure by selling $1 (minimum) donation pink Komen Running Ribbons that will hang in all of the 21 Oklahoma and Arkansas restaurants. The fundraiser, in conjunction with October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, runs through Oct. 17; the group hopes to raise $80,000, topping the just over $70,000 it raised last year. The website: AGGrestaurants.com.

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 Main St., Pine Bluff, is offering cooking classes, 6-8 p.m. Mondays at the center:

Monday: Game Day Delights — three sets of chefs will share their tailgating tips.

Oct. 18: Apples and baking — Lala Trevino, former owner of Trevino Catering; lawyer Mike Dennis; and Jamie McAfee, chef at the Pine Bluff Country Club, will “cover” French apple pies and other apple and pastry treats.

Oct. 25: Wine importer, writer and teacher Bruce Cochran will discuss red and white wines.

An Oct. 11 “Soups and Spices” class is sold out. Cost per class is $60 ($75 for two), which includes center membership; $25/$40 for members.

Call (870) 536-3375 or visit the website, artssciencecen ter.org.

And in our clarification department, the La Hacienda at 12315 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, does, in fact, have a new phone number: (501) 219-4689.

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:

eharrison@arkansasonline.com

Weekend, Pages 38 on 09/23/2010

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