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.
Indian
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 continues to offer 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.
UPDATE! 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 in the area, and even the buffet offers some pleasant surprises.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Reservations. Moderate.
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
LAYLA'S GYROS & PIZZERIA
9501 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-7272; 8201 Ranch Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 868-8226; 713 Oak St., Conway,
(501) 205-8224
Expect excellent gyros at this Halal Middle Eastern eatery, where in the past you might see the owner-chef cooking, serving and even occasionally butchering the meat.
Lunch, dinner daily (Rodney Parham), Mon-Sat (Cantrell); lunch, dinner Mon-Sat, lunch Sun (Conway). No alcohol. Bargain-moderate.
LEO'S GREEK CASTLE
2925 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 666-7414
A tweak in the interior decor is still pending but there have been a few additions to the menu at this idiosyncratic Hillcrest haunt, which, though it looks more like a gas station that Bonnie and Clyde robbed than a castle, serves a good breakfast and also offers Greek/Mediterranean staples like spanakopita, hummus, gyros and moussaka.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Wine and beer. Bargain.
LITTLE GREEK RESTAURANT
Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 223-5300
This first Arkansas franchise of a Florida-based fast-casual chain is a little Greek and a lot of American, and you get a lot of food on the plate. Try the Greek salad, the dolmades and the baklava.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Moderate.
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; 724 Oak St., Conway, (501) 327-1829
Grilled Lamb Gyro stars on the menu at this good-natured fast-casual "Greek Lite" 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 three-decade-old Mediterranean hot spot recently got a major facelift, but the menu still features a collection of flavorful appetizers, soups, veal and fish dishes with Mediterranean lineage.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
Weekend on 07/17/2014