Selected restaurants

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.

Chinese, etc.

A.W. LIN'S ASIAN CUISINE

Promenade at Chenal, 17717 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, (501) 821-5398

This western outrider of a Tennessee-based mini-chain, which just enhanced its menu to include more Thai and other Southeast Asian dishes, offers great plate presentation, good service and flavorful Chinese dishes.

Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.

CHI'S DIMSUM & BISTRO

6 Shackleford Drive, Little Rock, (501) 225-8878

CHI'S FINE CHINESE CUISINE

17200 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, (501) 821-8000

CHI'S ASIAN CAFE & SUSHI BAR

3421 Old Cantrell Road,

(501) 916-9973,

(501) 916-9975

Lulu Chi turned her one-time over-the-counter Chenal Parkway restaurant into a full-service, sit-down establishment (while retaining the popular to-go entrance) and opened a Riverdale outlet with sushi bar and additional pan-Asian entrees, while still serving good food (including a menu of authentic Chinese dishes and dim sum) at her original Shackleford Drive "headquarters."

Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar (wine and beer only at Chenal and Old Cantrell). Reservations (Shackleford location). Moderate-expensive.

FANTASTIC CHINA

1900 N. Grant St., Little Rock, (501) 663-8999

A consistent top choice in reader polls (and deservedly so), with food much like its contemporary decor -- interesting and bold, yet soothing and not the least bit intimidating, and with an emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients, good service and special touches.

Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.

FORBIDDEN GARDEN

14810 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 868-8149

Run by the friendly folks who operated the now defunct Forbidden City in Park Plaza, this west Little Rock restaurant emphasizes fresh, quality ingredients and presentation, including, in addition to traditional Chinese, some Thai-influenced dishes.

Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Moderate.

FU LIN RESTAURANT

200 N. Bowman Road, Little Rock, (501) 225-8989

Able, amiable and long-lived Fu Lin (in three locations over more than three decades) offers a lengthy and traditional menu of Chinese dishes, like a truly hot and sour Hot and Sour Soup, zesty Chicken With Orange Peel and a seafood-noodle soup called Champong.

Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.

MR. CHEN'S AUTHENTIC CHINESE COOKING

Village Shopping Center, 3901 S. University Ave., Little Rock. (501) 562-7900

NEW! MR. CHENG'S AUTHENTIC CHINESE COOKING

4629 E. McCain Blvd., North Little Rock, (501) 955-9988

Many of the dishes will be a little weird, or at least challenging, for Western tastes, but as the name says, it's authentic, all right, the produce and particularly the fresh seafood, which at the Little Rock restaurant comes from the Asian supermarket that encloses it. The North Little Rock location has the same menu but operates with a different chef and under a different franchise.

Lunch, dinner daily. Reservations for large parties. Moderate.

NEW! THREE FOLD NOODLES & DUMPLING CO.

215 Center St., Little Rock, (501) 372-1811

The food is good to excellent and the portions are large at the area's first Chinese noodle house, serving a very simple menu -- noodles, dumplings and buns, mild, spicy or medium and with a choice of chicken, pork or tofu.

Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Moderate.

Weekend on 03/26/2015

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