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.
Eclectic
ACADIA
3000 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 603-9630
Monday-Tuesday three-course, prix-fixe dinners are one of the area's top restaurant values at owner-chef James Hale's homelike Hillcrest spot, with a creatively eclectic, seasonally changing menu and superlative wine list.
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Moderate.
BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT
2300 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, (501) 663-2677
Chef-owner Peter Brave consistently fulfills his advertised promise of the freshest and highest-quality ingredients with an eclectic New American tenor; the spacious deck overlooking the Arkansas River is one of Little Rock's loveliest dining venues.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations. Expensive.
CAPERS
14502 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 868-7600
With wine country flair and Southern fare (Gulf seafood, fried catfish, fried green tomatoes with homemade tomato jam, etc.), this award-winning west Little Rock eatery caters to classy couples and ladies who lunch.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat, brunch Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
CIAO BACI
605 N. Beechwood St., Little Rock, (501) 603-0238
A recent chef turnover has changed the menu emphasis from tapas to more full meal options at this stylish Hillcrest cottage, which has an award-winning wine list and is still the place for the young and well-heeled to see, be seen, drink and nibble.
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations (eight or more). Moderate-expensive.
COPPER GRILL
300 Third Tower, 300 E. Third St., Little Rock,
(501) 375-3333
Capers and Cajun's Wharf magnate Mary Beth Ringgold has struck culinary gold with an eclectic, slightly eccentric menu in a copper-dominated decor.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
LOCA LUNA
3519 Old Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 663-4666
There's been a recent remodel and menu tweak at what uber-foodie Rachael Ray once hailed as "one of America's best neighborhood restaurants." But you can still get the fabulous Blue Mesa cheese dip and brick-oven-baked pizzas and some first-rate fish dishes.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sun, brunch Sun. Full bar. Reservations (seven or more people). Moderate.
1620 SAVOY
1620 Market St., Little Rock (501) 221-1620
Semi-legendary Chef Denis Seyer, back in Little Rock as an adviser to the parent company, has revamped the menu at this chic old-new eatery, with lots of nods to 1920s Art Deco.
Dinner Mon-Sat, brunch Sun. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
SO RESTAURANT BAR
3610 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-1464
There's still an emphasis on seafood (including raw bar) at the intimate Hillcrest establishment that remains on the area's top restaurant rung.
Lunch Mon-Sat, dinner daily. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations (six or more). Moderate-expensive.
TABLE 28
Best Western Premiere Governor's Suites, 1501 Merrill Drive, Little Rock,
(501) 224-8051
Chef Scott Rains, who made his culinary bones in the Bay Area and once operated a first-rate Italian place (Horseshoe Vineyard) west of Hot Springs, returns to Arkansas with a "comfortable and casual" fine dining establishment with a real wow factor (plus a $200-a-meal chef's table that gives the place its name).
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Expensive.
Weekend on 08/14/2014