Mr. Texano Mexican Restaurant has replaced Tamalittle at 102 Markham Park Drive, Little Rock, which closed Feb. 14, according to the restaurant's Facebook page, because the owners need to deal with "pressing family matters that require our full attention." Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The phone number is (501) 217-9085.
And speaking of possibly defunct Mexican restaurants, one of our sharp-eyed readers has reported a complete lack of activity and light -- "completely dark and empty around 6 o'clock the last few evenings when I have been driving home. I don't remember seeing activity there at all this month" -- at Ray's More Than Mex Family Dining, 10815 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock. The phone number, (501) 228-4089, has not been disconnected but we were unable to get anybody to answer it by deadline. The website, raysmorethanmex.com, has "expired" -- that's what it said when we tried to call it up.
In the latest episode of the long-running culinary soap opera that has been Lulav Modern Eatery, 220 W. Sixth St., Little Rock, we're told that the current owners have temporarily closed the restaurant for renovations and are hosting only private parties. No, we don't yet know how temporarily; nor could we reach an actual human being via the number, (501) 374-5100.
Target date is now somewhere in the first two weeks of May for the opening of the North Little Rock outlet of Dallas-based Dickey's Barbecue Pit, in a new retail building at 13501 Crystal Hill Road, North Little Rock (in front of Wal-Mart, just off Maumelle Boulevard). Hours, once it opens, will probably be 11 a.m-9 p.m. daily, similar to most of the the franchise/chain operation's restaurants. Dickey's has two other central Arkansas locations, 3213 Main St., Bryant, and 407 S. Main St., Searcy; a Springdale outlet just opened Feb. 19 at 2576 W. Sunset Ave., joining Northwest Arkansas outlets in Fayetteville, Lowell, Rogers and Siloam Springs. We'll keep you posted; in the meanwhile, check out the menu and other particulars at dickeys.com.
Just down the boulevard, the end of April is now the new target for the opening the Nashville Rockin Grill, a bar, grill and music venue in a former art studio at 10840 Maumelle Blvd., North Little Rock, next door to Morningside Bagels. Hours will be 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, possibly staying open until 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday. And the establishment now has a listed phone number: (501) 812-0095.
Our colleagues at Sync report that the folks who run Mugs Cafe, 515 Main St. in North Little Rock's Argenta District, have announced via Facebook that they're going to open Speakeasy Coffee Bar at 3411 Main St., Bryant, later this year. The menu options will be similar to the North Little Rock location, and, now that Saline County has gone "wet," a selection of craft beers. There's not much information yet, but the website is www.spkeasy.coffee.
During "Greek Week," March 23-27, Little Greek, in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, will offer a "mini-Greek salad with char-grilled chicken breast meal," regularly $7.48, for $5. But ... if you if you walk into the restaurant on National Greek Independence Day, March 25, wearing a toga, you can get the meal for free, no purchase required. (Never mind that the toga is actually a Roman robe with complicated folds; we strongly suspect that what they really mean is what the frat kids wore for the toga party in Animal House.) The Florida-based franchise operation's website is littlegreekrestaurant.com.
And speaking of national celebrations, don't forget Diamond Bear Brewing Co.'s Irish Beer Fest, 2-6 p.m. Saturday in advance of St. Patrick's Day at the brewery and Arkansas Ale House, 600 N. Broadway, North Little Rock. It'll feature craft beers from breweries and brewpubs from around the state, including Diamond Bear's Irish Red; food distributor Ben E. Keith will supply its monster smoker and serve up brats and potato salad. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door; a portion of the proceeds goes to the Canvas Community Church's Dinner & a Movie Night ministry, which helps the homeless, and to support Arkansas Brewers Guild. And, of course, you must be at least 21. Call (501) 708-2739 (BREW). An "Irish shuttle" will pick up people who have parked at nearby Dickey-Stephens Park and also carry them across the river to post-parade festivities at Third and Rock streets, outside Dugan's Pub.
And speaking of St. Paddy's Day, The Hive, 200 N.E. A St., Bentonville, will be offering a special Fork & Bottle dinner, 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, an Irish-inspired, five-course dinner with beverage pairings from Ozark Beer Co. -- for example, corned beef short rib with creamed cabbage paired with Ozark's Cream Stout -- and music by Irish-lilty folk band the Squarshers. Cost is $59 per person plus tax and gratuity; make reservations at (479) 286-6582 or visit thehivebentonville.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 03/12/2015