Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. Restaurant reviewers' visits are anonymous and all expenses are paid by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Bargain means a meal (without beverage or dessert) typically less than $12. Moderate: $12-$25. Expensive: $25 and up.
Japanese
CRAZY HIBACHI CO.
Lakewood Village Shopping Center, 2907 Lakewood Village Drive, North Little Rock,
(501) 812-9888
The spacious establishment offers fine Japanese fare and three different dining experiences -- at teppanyaki tables, Mongolian grill or sushi bar.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations (six or more). Moderate.
HANAROO SUSHI BAR & JAPANESE RESTAURANT
205 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock, (501) 301-7900
The sushi rolls and nigiri are excellent, and seafood entrees are among the best catches on the lengthy menu.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat. Beer, wine. Moderate.
UPDATE! IGIBON JAPANESE FOOD HOUSE
11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock,
(501) 217-8888
This longtime favorite just got a recent extension on its lease, continuing to operate with a friendly staff and a user-friendly menu that's welcoming to Japanese food beginners as well as experts -- traditional entrees, sushi and sashimi and more exotic fare than is typically served in showy teppanyaki steakhouses.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Reservations. Moderate.
KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
11401 Financial Centre Parkway, Little Rock,
(501) 225-5999
The excellent expanded sushi bar no longer takes second place to the teppanyaki grills, where the Feast (featuring filet mignon, shrimp, scallops and chicken) is the priciest extravaganza.
Dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
MT. FUJI
10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock,
(501) 227-6498
After more than a quarter century and the arrival of newer, bigger, flashier Japanese competitors, this restaurant, like the volcano it's named for, continues to stand tall, with an excellent and varied Japanese menu and first-rate sushi.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations (five or more people). Moderate.
OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
5501 Ranch Drive, Little Rock, (501) 868-3688
In addition to a good variety of traditional tempura and teriyaki dishes, this subdued, pleasant restaurant anchors a tucked-in (meaning it's hard to see from the main street, Cantrell Road) shopping center, with a "wizard" behind the sushi bar, plus a popular Mongolian Grill.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine, cocktails. Reservations. Moderate.
SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
2815 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 666-7070
Evidence that Shogun has been around a long time: its consistent sushi and hibachi dinners and its cozy-to-cavelike atmosphere.
Dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
UPDATE! SUSHI CAFE
5823 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-9888
The loss of acclaimed sushi chef Alex Guzman to Oceans at Arthur's doesn't seem to have affected the volume of business, given the cafe's equally excellent eclectic Asian-fusion menu, including pad thai, miso sea bass and even a Kobe beef hot dog. Expect a second location to open soon on Cantrell Road just west of Interstate 430.
Dinner daily Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations (large parties). Moderate-expensive.
WASABI
101 Main St., Little Rock,
(501) 374-0777
Michael Choi's Asian-fusion menu offers excellent and inventive sushi rolls (the bill of fare is still labeled "Proud Sushi List") and American, Japanese and Chinese entrees in a distinctly non-Asian downtown setting.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
Weekend on 01/15/2015