Another update on the Nashville Rockin Grill: William Moore, who's building the establishment into a former art studio at 10832 Maumelle Blvd., North Little Rock, next door to Morningside Bagels, says he has a target date of just before, or at worst just after, the first of the year. Moore says the format reflects Nashville's status as the center, not necessarily of country music, but of the recording industry (he notes that it's the No. 1 recording city for every genre of music except hard rock and rap).
And it's not going to be a bar per se (although of course it will have one), any more than, say, the House of Blues is a bar; the onstage focus will be on finding local and prospective artists; in the meanwhile, you'll see streaming videos from all the major record labels. The menu focus will differ slightly from the "corporate" one you'll see on the website, nashvillerockingrill.com -- it'll be on catfish and gourmet burgers, with a range of soups, salads, appetizers and steaks. Moore is anticipating that the place will do particularly good business at lunch. And the place will run shuttle buses to North Little Rock and Maumelle area hotels.
The business will occupy about 4,500 square feet (not counting the covered patio under construction) and will be a model and a corporate training store for the smaller footprint for the franchise operation, which currently has outlets in Nashville, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla., and Amarillo, Texas. (The other two footprints: 6,500 and 12,000 square feet.)
Moore says he expects to have a listed phone number within a month. Hours will be 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, possibly staying open until 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
The menu at Oishi Hibachi & Thai Cuisine, 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, is now finally at full strength, with an increased number of hibachi options and in the range of a dozen Thai entrees. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. daily. The phone number is (501) 603-0080.
Mr. Dunderbak's in North Little Rock's McCain Mall has apparently closed once more; the phone number, (501) 753-4109, hasn't yet been disconnected but nobody answers. According to this Facebook post late Monday from Laura Stanley, daughter of the owner: "Today at about 4 p.m. my brother told me the mall sent my dad an eviction order last Wednesday, to be honored by day 5, and today is the day. So I'm sad to say once again Mr. Dunderbak's is a thing of the past. I hope someday it will be resurrected again, and I wish there would have been time to have everybody come by one last time. Thank you for bringing it back. It is nobody's fault that it closed; nobody knew my dad would get sick. If you are tempted to try to blame this or that please don't. And, especially please don't blame the mall. Everybody tried their best. Mr. Dunderbak's wouldn't have reopened without each of you, and now please show respect for my dad by letting it go gracefully."
The Arkansas Symphony would normally host its fourth annual Beer & Brats Street Party immediately prior to its Beethoven & Blue Jeans concert, Nov. 8-9, and outside Robinson Center Music Hall, where the concert would ordinarily be held. However, since Robinson is under reconstruction for at least the next two years, and the concerts are taking place at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center, the orchestra has come up with a creative way of holding the party without "linking" it directly to the performance. The party will take place instead 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Little Rock's Main Street, outside the orchestra's still-abuilding new executive offices. The party, featuring brats, $2 Diamond Bear beer and the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Drum Band, is open only to ticket holders for either concert; if you don't happen to have a ticket, they run $19-$58. Call (501) 666-1761 or visit ArkansasSymphony.org.
Show up at Krispy Kreme in costume on Halloween and get one free doughnut, any available variety. And yes, that includes the Krispy Skremes! Halloween-theme Jack-o'-lantern, Spider Web and Ghostbusters doughnuts. (Small print: Offer valid on Friday only. No purchase necessary. While supplies last. Products vary by market. One free doughnut per customer.) Visit KrispyKreme.com.
Outlets of the Applebee's chain thank current and former members of the armed services with free meals on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, from the restaurant's Free Thank You Meal menu, which includes a 7-ounce House Sirloin, the American Standard All-In Burger, Double Crunch Shrimp, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Chicken Tenders Platter and Oriental Chicken Salad. Small print: You'll need to provide proof of service -- U.S. Uniformed Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniformed Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, form DD214, citation or commendation. Offer is valid for dine-in only. Traditional sides are included with free entrees; the offer does not include two for $20 appetizers, upgraded side items or extras, beverages, desserts or gratuity. Visit applebees.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, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Send email to:
eharrison@arkansasonline.com
Weekend on 10/30/2014