LITTLE ROCK — Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges.
To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit arkansasonline.com/ restaurants/.
IndianCURRY IN A HURRY 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-4567 Don’t expect, as the name suggests, that you’ll get your food any quicker, but this Indian restaurant, transplanted from a North Little Rock convenience store, offers a huge menu of authentic and top-notch Indian chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetarian dishes, plus a small selection of Indian beers.
Lunch, dinner Monday, Wednesday-Sunday. Beer, wine.
Moderate.
STAR OF INDIA 301 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-9900 In addition to incorporating every customer he’s ever had into his circle of friends and relations, proprietor Sami Lal has practically doubled the number of menu offerings - superlative curries, tandoori dishes and a wide range of vegetarian entrees, plus a super-value lunch buffet.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine.
Reservations (large parties).
Moderate.
TAJ MAHAL 1520 Market St., Little Rock, (501) 520-4900 (long-distance call from Little Rock area) The kitchen uses a bit more spice than competitors while offering dishes - including a few goat specialties - not spotted elsewhere.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine.
Reservations. Moderate.
Mediterranean/Middle EasternLAYLA’S GYROS & PIZZERIA 9501 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-7272;
8201 Ranch Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 868-8226 Expect excellent gyros at this Middle Eastern eatery (the owner-chef cooks, serves and even occasionally butchers his own meat).
Lunch, dinner daily (Rodney Parham), Mon-Sat (Cantrell).
No alcohol. Bargain-moderate.
LEO’S GREEK CASTLE 2925 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 666-7414 This idiosyncratic Hillcrest haunt looks more like a gas station Bonnie and Clyde robbed than a castle, but it serves a good breakfast and also offers Greek/ Mediterranean staples like spanakopita, hummus, gyros and especially fine moussaka.Breakfast, lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Bargain.
MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE River Market Ottenheimer Market Hall, 400 E. President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, (501) 372-1662 Proprietor-chef Wael Abdin draws his flavor-drenched daily selection of six to eight Middle Eastern entrees - always gyros and at least one vegetarian offering - from his repertoire of more than 100 recipes.
Lunch daily. No alcohol.
Bargain.
TAZIKI’S GREEK FARE 8200 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-8291;
12800 Chenal Parkway, (501) 225-1829 Grilled Lamb Gyro stars on the “Greek Lite” menu at this good-natured fast-casual spot, an offshoot franchise of an Alabama mini-chain, where notably fresh ingredients and excellent wine values aim to win over diners.
Lunch daily, dinner Mon-Sat.
Beer, wine. Bargain.
THE TERRACE MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN 2200 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 217-9393 Though now in its fourth location and with its third name, this Mediterranean hot spot recently got a major facelift, but the menu still features a collection of flavorful appetizers, soups, veal and fish dishes, most with Mediterranean lineage.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations.
Moderate.
Weekend, Pages 38 on 01/17/2013