Selected restaurants

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) is typically less than $12. Moderate is $12 to $25. Expensive is $25 and up. To read recent restaurant reviews

in their entirety, visit arkansasonline.com/restaurants.

Italian

CAFE PREGO

5510 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-5355 Still a popular Heights fixture, this funky Italianfocused spot boasts a menu of manageable scope, reasonable prices, consistently satisfactory food and attentive service.

Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar.

Reservations. Moderate.

CIAO

405 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, (501) 372-0238 Hearty Italian specialties, European flair and a charming, seedy elegance await diners at this downtown triple storefront, well suited for a business lunch or a pre-show dinner.Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Thu-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations.

Moderate.

D’CARLO

12325 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, (501) 407-0400 An excellent sweet basil marinara sauce continues to be the foundation of fine southern Italian/Sicilian pasta dishes and tasty pizza in this quaint, exuberantly decorated eatery, right on the Pulaski-Saline county line.

Dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Moderate.

THE PASTA HOUSE RESTAURANT

1900 Club Manor Drive, Maumelle, (501) 803-3225 From the nondescript exterior of the Conway original, you’d certainly never guess what wonderful things go on inside - a tiny kitchen cooking up plentiful portions of pasta and fine Italian fare.

Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat.

Beer, wine in Maumelle.

Reservations in Conway.

Moderate.

RISTORANTE CAPEO

425 Main St., North Little Rock, (501) 376-3463 This coy, cozy Northern Italian restaurant is still serving some of the best cuisine (sumptuous pasta dishes, hearty grilled meats and rich desserts) Argenta has to offer.

Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar.

Corkage fee. Reservations. Expensive.

ZAFFINO’S

2001 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood, (501) 834-7530 There is a decidedly casual feel about this ambitious Sherwood eatery that specializes in unpretentiousand substantial Italian dishes, including pasta with rich sauces.

Dinner Tue-Sat. Beer, wine. Corkage fee.

Reservations. Moderate.