A banner in the Colonnade shopping center, 315 N. Bowman Road, next to the Little Caesar’s storefront announces that Anatolia Mediterranean Restaurant is coming soon. The sign above the door features a smiling gentleman about to carve a slice of gyros off a saddle. There’s no listed telephone number yet so we’re still short on details, but we’ll keep you posted.
Don’t be confused by the Facebook page, facebook.com/BigOrangeMidtown, that as of Tuesday suggested that Big Orange Midtown, in the Midtowne Little Rock shopping center, West Markham Street and University Avenue, was already up and running. “Mid- to late July” is now the target. Operating hours, when the place does open, will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, with closing hours on Friday and Saturday still subject to change. The phone number is (501) 379-8712; the website, bigorangeburger.com, still only lists the original Chenal Parkway location.
Observations by a number of sharp-eyed folks that Utopia Restaurant and Lounge, 521 Center St., Little Rock, has closed appear to have been confirmed by the disconnect notice we got when we called the phone number, (501) 907-6688.
Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 314 Main St., North Little Rock, is, as of Tuesday, a nonsmoking establishment, meaning those under 21 may now enter. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday. The phone number is (501) 374-1782; the website: cstonepub.com.
On Wednesday, Sandra Woods will mark the 35th anniversary of her restaurant, Sandy’s Homeplace Cafe, 1710 E. 15th St., Little Rock. According to Cassandra DeCoursey, her proud daughter, “She has been the cook ever since it opened, missing only one day to illness in all 35 years.” Though she has taken off a few days for vacation over those 35 years, she has only closed the place for one sick day, about three years ago. “She had a stomach bug which made it impossible for her to work,” DeCoursey explains. “She went to the restaurant and put up a sign, ‘Closed - cook sick.’ This is the only day she has closed without giving at least a two week notice.” Woods has two part-time employees who live in the neighborhood.
DeCoursey, who now lives in New Orleans with her husband, who is in Louisiana State University’s dental school, and an older brother who lives in Lonoke and is a lawyer with the Arkansas National Guard, helped in the restaurant when they were growing up. “My brother preferred washing dishes while I preferred cashiering,” DeCoursey says. “From the age of 8 I was able to make change while in a chair at the register. Granted, my mom has made cashiering simple as she has always made the prices change by quarter amounts, using no other change.
“I think she deserves recognition for her dedication to her job. All the men in the east side of Little Rock will be sad if and when she retires.” The restaurant is open for lunch, 10 a.m.-1:45 p.m. weekdays. The telephone number is (501) 375-3216.
Krispy Kreme is celebrating its 76th birthday Saturday by offering a dozen glazed doughnuts for 76 cents with the purchase of a dozen glazed at regular price at “participating Krispy Kreme U.S. and Canadian locations. (Excludes Connecticut and Puerto Rico.)” And no, you won’t need a coupon. Small print: “Offer good on July 13, 2013, only …. While supplies last.May not be combined with other offers. Not redeemable at grocery or convenience stores.” Visit KrispyKreme.com/76th.
Panera Bread restaurants in central and Northwest Arkansas will donate a portion of their sales Friday to help provide meals for hungry children in Arkansas as part of the 2nd Friday program, a monthly fundraiser for local snack pack and backpack programs across the state. Two dollars for each Whole Strawberry Poppy seed Salad (with or without chicken) and Shrimp Salad Roll Combo and 50 cents for each frozen cherry limeade (any size) will go to Community Clearinghouse’s Meals for Kids in Fort Smith; in Bentonville and Fayetteville, to the Samaritan Community Center’s Snack Pack program; in Conway and Little Rock, to Arkansas Rice Depot’s Food for Kids program; and in North Little Rock, to Central Baptist Food Pantry’s Back Pack for NLR Public Schools.
Want a free meal Friday? Walk into a Chick-fil-A dressed as a cow. For the ninth annual Cow Appreciation Day, the Atlanta-based chain is promising a free combo meal (entree, side item and beverage) to anyone dressed “head to hoof ” in cow attire and a free entree to those wearing at least a few spots on an accessory, such as a hat, scarf, tie or purse. Visit chick-fil-a.com/Cows/Appreciation-Day for details.
And Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom outlets (including the one in North Little Rock and Conway, which can serve beer with a private club license) are touting their American craft beer selection by hosting America’s Mini Tour through July 24. Customers can sample craft beers and, if they drink all the featured beers during the tour time period, snag an America’s Tour T-shirt. Anyone of legal drinking age may sign up; visit oldchicago.com.
Has a restaurant opened - or closed - near you in the last week or so? Does your favorite eatery have a new menu? Is there a new chef in charge? Drop us a line. Call (501) 399-3667 or (501) 378-3513, or send a note to Restaurants, Weekend Section, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 121 E. Capitol Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72201. Send email to: eharrison@arkansasonline.com
Weekend, Pages 34 on 07/11/2013