LITTLE ROCK — Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. Restaurant reviewers’ visits are anonymous and all expenses are paid by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Bargain means a meal (without beverage or dessert) typically less than $12. Moderate: $12-$25. Expensive: $25 and up. To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit arkansasonline. com/restaurants.
Japanese
CRAZY HIBACHI CO.
2907 Lakewood Village Drive, North Little Rock, (501) 812-9888
Spacious Crazy Hibachi offers fine Japanese fare and three different dining experiences.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations (six or more). Moderate.
HANAROO SUSHI BAR & JAPANESE RESTAURANT
205 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock, (501) 301-7900
Sushi rolls and nigiri are excellent, and seafood entrees are among the best catches on the lengthy menu.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat. Beer, wine. Moderate.
IGIBON JAPANESE FOOD HOUSE
11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 217-8888
With a friendly staff and a user-friendly menu with pictures, subdued Igibon is welcoming to Japanese food beginners as well as experts, serving traditional entrees, sushi and sashimi and more exotic fare than is typically served in showy steakhouses.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Reservations. Moderate.
KANPAI JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI
4120 E. McCain Blvd., North Little Rock, (501) 945-9494
This North Little Rock Japanese restaurant offers sushi, traditional dinners and pleasing, if predictable, hibachi suppers and shows.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
UPDATE! KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
11401 Financial Centre Parkway, Little Rock, (501) 225-5999
The excellent and recently expanded sushi bar no longer takes second place to the teppanyaki grills, where the Feast (featuring filet mignon, shrimp, scallops and chicken) is the priciest extravaganza.
Dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderateexpensive.
UPDATE! MT. FUJI
10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-6498
After more than a quarter century and the arrival of newer, bigger, flashier Japanese competitors, this restaurant, like the volcano it’s named for, continues to stand tall, with an excellent and varied Japanese menu and first-rate sushi.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations (five or more people). Moderate.
UPDATE! OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
5501 Ranch Drive, Little Rock, (501) 868-3688
The subdued, pleasant restaurant tucked in a farwest, off-Cantrell Road shopping center has a wizard behind the sushi bar, plus a good variety of traditional tempura and teriyaki dishes and a Mongolian Grill.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine, cocktails. Reservations. Moderate.
UPDATE! SUSHI CAFE
5823 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-9888
There is so much more than sushi on Sushi Cafe’s equally excellent eclectic Asian-fusion menu. Expanding the dining area hasn’t completely relieved long waits for tables, though.
Dinner daily Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations (large parties). Moderateexpensive.
Weekend, Pages 34 on 03/29/2012