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 enhanced its menu to include more Thai and other Southeast Asian dishes, offers great plate presentation, good service and flavorful Chinese dishes, especially among the Chef's Specials, along with sushi and Japanese items.
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 (like the tableside Moo Shu preparation show).
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.
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
MR. CHENG'S AUTHENTIC CHINESE COOKING
4629 E. McCain Blvd., North Little Rock. (501) 955-9988
Two operations -- first cousins, you might say -- with the same menu but different franchises, where 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, with the produce and, at the Little Rock location, fresh seafood coming from the Asian supermarket that encloses it.
Lunch, dinner daily. Reservations for large parties. Moderate.
TASTE OF D-LIGHT
3200 N. Reynolds Road,
Bryant, (501) 847-6267
Taste of D-Light serves generous portions of Chinese and Vietnamese food during the week with a popular lunch buffet on Sunday.
Lunch, dinner daily. No alcohol. Reservations. Bargain-moderate.
WASABI
101 Main St., Little Rock,
(501) 374-0777
Michael Choi's Asian-fusion restaurant offers excellent and inventive "proud" sushi plus American, Japanese and Chinese entrees in a distinctly non-Asian setting.
Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
Weekend on 09/24/2015