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.
Eclectic
UPDATE! ACADIA
3000 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 603-9630
Owner-chef James Hale's homelike Hillcrest spot offers a creatively eclectic, seasonally changing menu, a pleasant fair-weather deck and superlative wine list.
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Moderate.
BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT
2300 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, (501) 663-2677
Chef-owner Peter Brave consistently fulfills his advertised promise of the freshest and highest quality ingredients with an eclectic New American tenor; the spacious deck overlooking the Arkansas River is one of Little Rock's loveliest dining venues.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations. Expensive.
CAPERS
14502 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 868-7600
With wine country flair and Southern fare (Gulf seafood, fried catfish, fried green tomatoes with homemade tomato jam, etc.), this award-winning west Little Rock eatery caters to classy couples and ladies who lunch.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat, brunch Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
CIAO BACI
605 N. Beechwood St., Little Rock, (501) 603-0238
Chef Jeff Owen has upgraded (in quality and price) the menu that once focused on tapas, adding more full meal options and maintaining an award-winning wine list at this stylish Hillcrest cottage where the young and well-heeled go to see, be seen, drink and nibble.
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations (eight or more). Moderate-expensive.
COPPER GRILL
300 Third Tower, 300 E. Third St., Little Rock, (501) 375-3333
Capers and Cajun's Wharf magnate Mary Beth Ringgold has struck culinary gold with an eclectic, slightly eccentric menu in a copper-dominated decor.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
UPDATE! 1620 SAVOY
1620 Market St., Little Rock (501) 221-1620
A recent change in ownership at this chic old-new eatery, with lots of nods to 1920s Art Deco -- Jeffrey Edwards bought out Rush Harding III -- will mean a few menu changes and a new executive chef, Joseph Salgueiro.
Dinner Mon-Sat, brunch Sun. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
UPDATE! SO RESTAURANT BAR
3610 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-1464
Though the menu has expanded in recent years to include top-notch poultry and steaks, there's still an emphasis on seafood (including a raw bar) at this intimate Hillcrest establishment, part neighborhood pub, part Parisian bistro.
Lunch Mon-Sat, dinner daily. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations (six or more). Moderate-expensive.
TABLE 28
Best Western Premiere Governor's Suites, 1501 Merrill Drive, Little Rock, (501) 224-8051
Chef Scott Rains, who made his culinary bones in the San Francisco Bay Area and once operated a first-rate Italian place (Horseshoe Vineyard) west of Hot Springs, returns to Arkansas with a "comfortable and casual" fine dining establishment with a real wow factor (plus a $200-a-meal chef's table that gives the place its name).
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Expensive.
TRIO'S
Pavilion in the Park, 8201 Cantrell Road, Suite 100, Little Rock,
(501) 221-3330
Trio's walks the tightrope between predictability and surprise with as much agility as any central Arkansas restaurant, and also offers a fine Sunday brunch.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
Weekend on 05/28/2015