LITTLE ROCK — Weekly theme listings re◊ect 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 arkansa
sonline.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 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 thebest catches on the lengthy menu at this downtown restaurant.
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 userfriendly menu with pictures thathaven’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 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.
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.
Moderate-expensive.
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 far-west, 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.
SAKURA 4011 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood, (501) 834-3546; 7307 Alcoa Road, Bryant, (501) 778-9585 An upscale dining experience is available at the original and Bryant locations of this multitasking Japanese restaurant, offering sushiand hibachi specialties.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine at Sherwood location. Moderate.
SAMURAI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR Shackleford Crossing, Shackleford Road and Interstate 430, Little Rock.
(501) 224-5533 The staff and tony decor are welcoming at this eatery, specializing in sushi and hibachi dinners complete with all the trimmings, as well as Japanese steakhouse shenanigans.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar.
Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
SASHIMI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 1900 Club Manor Drive, Suite 108, Maumelle, (501) 851-4700 A cut above the ordinary for hibachi dining - each entree item actually has its own flavor and a large portion of excellent hibachi-fried rice is part of the price. The sushi bar has tasty nigiri and inventive rolls.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat, lunch Sun. Full bar. Reservations (six or more). Moderate.
SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 2815 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 666-7070 That Shogun has been around a longtime is evident in its consistent sushi and hibachi dinners as well as in its cozy-to-cavelike 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 so much more than sushi on Sushi Cafe’s equally excellent eclectic Asian-fusion menu, including pad thai, miso sea bass and even a Kobe hot dog. Expanding the dining area hasn’t completely relieved long waits for tables, though.
Dinner daily Mon-Sat. Full bar.
Reservations (large parties).
Moderate-expensive.
WASABI 101 Main St., Little Rock, (501) 374-0777 Michael Choi’s Asian-fusion menu offers excellent and inventive sushi rolls (the bill of fare is still labeled “Proud Sushi List”) and American, Japanese and Chinese entrees in a distinctly non-Asian downtown setting.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
Weekend, Pages 34 on 01/03/2013