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.

Asian

CHANG THAI & ASIAN CUISINE

9830 Arkansas 107, Sherwood, (501) 835-4488

This mom-and-pop operation occupying three storefronts in a north-of-North Hills strip center is worth the drive if you're interested in genuine, decently priced Thai food (the menu also has a few pan-Asian options) made with fresh ingredients. They'll make it mild or as hot as you want it with, as a bonus, nice plate presentation.

Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat, lunch Sun. No alcohol. Bargain-Moderate.

UPDATE! kBIRD

600 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, (501) 352-3549

The conversion from food truck to brick and mortar hasn't changed the quality or authenticity of the food that this two-man operation serves, now in a little yellow Hillcrest house with limited seating, a limited menu (scrawled on a whiteboard in front of the counter) of top-flight Thai dishes with hand-ground curries and hand-blended sauces. Dinner hours have recently expanded.

Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Thu. No alcohol. Bargain.

KEMURI SUSHI SEAFOOD ROBATA

2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 660-4100

Jerry Barakat's Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of Little Rock's Hillcrest neighborhood offers an elaborate sushi list, a predominantly Japanese and Thai-fusion menu of tasty hot- and cold-plate appetizers and entrees, and robata, a Japanese style that involves grilling, simple dishes.

Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat, brunch and dinner Sun. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.

UPDATE! LILLY'S DIM SUM THEN SOME

11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock,

(501) 716-2700

The return of chef Jeffrey Moore has given a new boost to owner Nancy Tesmer's menu of commendable Pan-Asian food ranging from Pad Thai and Korean Bibim Bop to sukiyaki-style Japanese noodles. Tesmer has incorporated B-Side, the former next-door breakfast-brunch establishment, into the main restaurant on weekends.

Lunch, dinner daily; B-Side breakfast/brunch Sat-Sun. Beer, wine. Reservations (six or more people). Moderate.

THAI TASTE

1516 W. Main St., Jacksonville, (501) 985-1854

Pass up the low-common-denominator buffet in this authentic, homey Thai restaurant and stick to the menu, including top-notch versions of Pad Thai and curry selections, deftly seasoned to the customer's taste.

Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Reservations. Bargain-Moderate.

TOKYO HOUSE

11 Shackleford Drive, Little Rock, (501) 219-4286

There's a menu, but there's no reason to use it when the abundant, continually replenished buffet offers everything from impressive sushi to Chinese and Japanese dishes like saucy teriyaki beef, garlicky pork gyoza and tempura shrimp, to upscale indulgences (including lamb chops at dinner and Friday-Sunday crab legs).

Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Moderate.

VANLANG

3600 S. University Ave., Little Rock, (501) 570-7700

The menu at what used to be a Vietnamese eatery is now about half Vietnamese and half Korean, and it draws a good many Asian customers, a possible testament to the authentic nature of its other fare.

Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Reservations. Bargain-Moderate.

ZANGNA THAI

Shackleford Crossings Shopping Center, 2604 S. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-7785

California transplants prepare authentic, Thai food, prettily plated, in a hip, modern decor.

Lunch, dinner Tue-Sun. Beer/wine permit pending. Moderate.

Weekend on 06/23/2016

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