Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, 1318 S. Main St., Little Rock, posted a Facebook explanation for its temporary closure this week: "Hey Little Rock, due to some unforeseen issues, we are going to take the rest of the week off to give our staff a small break as well as some general house cleaning. Raduno will reopen its doors Friday night or Saturday morning at the latest! We hope to see you at the 2016 SoMa Mardi Gras Parade. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Raduno & Crew."
Co-owner Bart Barlogie confirmed to our Scott Morris that the restaurant is "absolutely" not closing permanently, adding, "We had a couple of staffing issues and we're re-grouping."
The restaurant's phone number is (501) 374-7476.
Dixie Cafe is applying for wine and beer permits at six of its central Arkansas outlets -- 1301 Rebsamen Park Road, 10700 Rodney Parham Road, 10011 Interstate 30 at Baseline Road in Little Rock; 2724 Lakewood Village Place, North Little Rock; 17306 Interstate 30, Benton; and 3623 Central Ave., Hot Springs. They're not installing bars; they'll only be selling beer and wine and that only by the glass. "All beer and wine in these locations will be provided only in single-serving formats," says Danny Troillett, director of marketing and guest relations for Dixie Restaurants Inc. "We will also include some local craft beers." It's not companywide, he says, nor does it signal a shift in the chain's policy "to be a premiere family restaurant."
"We're never going to be a destination where people go seeking just alcohol, but we have made this decision due to continuing guest request," he explains. "Over time, we found that people who wanted to just relax and have a glass of wine with dinner, that has prevented them from seeing us as a viable opportunity. We are trying to be a more inclusive atmosphere, including adding televisions in our dining rooms, with only family friendly programming, also due to ongoing guest requests." Assuming the state Alcoholic Beverage Control process proceeds without hitches, they're expecting to start serving in mid-March.
A member of our sharp-eyed observer corps spotted a "coming soon" sign in front of the recently closed Mooyah Burgers Fries Shakes outlet in the Pinnacle Creek Shopping Center, 14810 Cantrell Road at Taylor Loop, Little Rock. What's coming soon? According to the sign, it's a Pasta Jack's.
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And with Valentine's Day looming, since it falls on a Sunday this year, many area restaurants that aren't normally open on Sunday will be open that Sunday. Many others are offering special meals and/or deals over the weekend. Here's a partial round-up based on submissions and some trolling on the Web, with prices and hours where we have them. (If your restaurant isn't on this list and you want it to be, email eharrison@arkansasonline.com and we'll try to get it into the Feb. 11 column.) As with all other major eating-out occasions, it's always best to call ahead to a) make sure the restaurant of your choice is open, and b) if possible, to make a reservation -- otherwise, expect long waits, if you can get a table at all, or be prepared to use the uber-romantic McDonald's drive-through.
• The Afterthought Bistro & Bar will offer a pre fixe ($55) four-course dinner Friday-Sunday that includes a shrimp cocktail appetizer; choice of lobster bisque or one of two salads; choice of "Surf and Turf," duck breast or braised short rib entrees; and one of three desserts. (501) 663-1196
• Arthur's Prime Steakhouse offers a special Valentine's Day menu Friday-Sunday. (501) 821-1838.
• Bruno's Little Italy won't be open Valentine's Day, but they're doing a Friday-Saturday seafood ravioli special. They don't take reservations. (501) 372-7866.
• Cache will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday for brunch on Valentine's Day, but not for dinner. However, according to its Facebook page, they'll offer a special prix fixe menu for two that Friday and Saturday; menu and price still to be announced. (501) 850-0265.
• Ciao Baci, 605 N. Beechwood St., in Little Rock's Hillcrest neighborhood, is doing a Sunday brunch, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Valentine's Day. The restaurant won't be open for dinner that night, but it is doing a four-course, prix fixe meal ($55) in addition to its regular menu on Saturday. The phone number is (501) 603-0238.
• Heritage Grille, Steak and Fin at the Little Rock Marriott will offer a four-course Saturday-Sunday meal for two ($150) that includes a bottle of house wine. The restaurant will also set up a Valentine's Day brunch buffet ($35). (501) 906-4000.
• One Eleven at the Capital in the Capital Hotel, not open for Sunday dinner, will serve a six-course Valentine's dinner on Friday and Saturday and a Valentine's Day brunch. (501) 370-7011.
• Ristorante Capeo will be open on Valentine's Day, 5-10 p.m. (501) 376-3463.
• Samantha's Tap Room and Wood Oven will crack its doors at 4 p.m. on Valentine's Day, adding a special entree and dessert item, to be announced, to its regular menu. (501) 379-8019.
• Another downtown restaurant, Sonny Williams Steak Room, will offer a Saturday-Sunday three-course meal (Pan Fried Champagne Saffron Oysters with Asiago, Braised Guinness Pork Shank over Risotto and Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Sauce and Fresh Strawberries) in addition to the regular menu. (501) 324-2999.
• Table 28 in the Burgundy Hotel in west Little Rock will serve a four-course, prix fixe dinner ($150 per couple plus tax and tip; check out the menu at theburgundyhotel.com/restaurant/table-28.htm) complete with champagne toast, Friday-Sunday; the hotel is also offering special overnight sup-and-stay packages. (501) 224-2828.
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Green Leaf Grill, in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield headquarters building, 601 S. Gaines St., Little Rock, is sponsoring a competition for local chefs "to recraft a menu favorite at their restaurant, making it a healthy alternative for diners to enjoy." Chefs must follow the restaurant's "Simply 600" nutritional criteria -- 600 or fewer calories, 600 or fewer milligrams of sodium, 20 grams or less of fat, 5 grams or less of saturated fat. The chef who wins the $5,000 grand prize will be expected to add that winning entree to his or her restaurant's static menu for one year; second and third prizes are $1,000 and $500, respectively. Rob Herndon, business development consultant for Arkansas Blue Cross, says the Reengineered Entree contest "is one way to promote healthy options at local restaurants." Folks from the Arkansas Dietetics Department will select five finalists, who will compete in a cooking competition presided over by specially appointed local judges. They've stretched the entry deadline to Feb. 15; for more information or to request an application, email chefcompetition@arkbluecross.com.
Meanwhile, Green Leaf Grill is still on track -- after some substantial delays -- to open a secondary location, Green Leaf Grill Express, in the former Quizno's space at Fourth and Center streets in downtown Little Rock. Herndon says the entire USAble Corporate Center building, owned by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, has been undergoing construction to get it up to code; the restaurant space will be one of the last to get a remake. He says the restaurant will be primarily a salad-deli grab-and-go operation, based on the "Simply 600" concept, with minimal seating available on a deck. There's a late fall target to open.
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 02/04/2016