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 dining experiences at its teppanyaki tables, Mongolian grill and sushi bar.
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 that haven’t changed substantially under a still-recent change in ownership, subdued Igibon is welcoming to Japanese food beginners as well as experts, with traditional entrees, sushi and sashimi and more exotic dishes than typically served in showy steakhouses.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Reservations. Moderate.
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.
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.
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..
SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
2815 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 666-7070
That Shogun has been around a long time is evident in its consistent sushi and hibachi dinners as well as in its cozy atmosphere without the light, airy openness of newer competitors.
Dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
SUSHI CAFE
5823 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-9888
There is much more than sushi on Sushi Cafe’s equally excellent Asianfusion menu, including pad thai, miso sea bass and even a Kobe hot dog. Expanding the dining area hasn’t relieved long waits for tables, though.
Dinner daily Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations (large parties). Moderateexpensive.
Weekend, Pages 38 on 10/04/2012