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

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, especially among the Chef's Specials, along with sushi and Japanese fare.

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

UPDATE! 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, Little Rock, (501) 916-9973, (501) 916-9975

Lulu Chi has expanded her Chinese food mini-empire to three restaurants, most recently converting the one-time over-the-counter Chenal Parkway restaurant into a full-service, sit-down establishment (while retaining the popular to-go entrance); the Riverdale outlet has a sushi bar and additional pan-Asian entrees; and the original Shackleford Drive "headquarters" still serves up some of the area's top Asian food (including a menu of authentic Chinese dishes and particularly-popular-on-weekends dim sum).

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

FANTASTIC CHINA

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

A consistent, and deservedly so, top choice in area reader polls, 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 (e.g., the tableside Moo Shu preparation show and a seafood combination chef's special served in a great big shell).

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

FORBIDDEN GARDEN

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

Run by the friendly folks who once 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 like cumin shredded beef and basil chicken.

Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Moderate.

UPDATE! FU LIN RESTAURANT

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

A recent change in ownership has led to a facelift for the interior (now a tripartite dining room with sturdy booths and a clubby decor) of this long-lived restaurant. The still-dependable menu features traditional Chinese-American fare, including soul-soothing egg drop and perfectly balanced hot and sour soups.

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, particularly the fresh seafood coming from the Asian supermarket that encloses it.

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

Weekend on 04/28/2016

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