We're still trying to unearth an opening date for Aji Ramen Bar, 301 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, which, we're told, is a brick-and-mortar enterprise from Oki Sutanto, who at one time operated a food truck called Two Brothers Hibachi, and who has applied for an on-premises beer and wine permit from the ABC. The menu, as you might expect, will focus on the increasingly popular Japanese noodle-broth dish.
Red & Blue Arkansas, going into the former American Legion building at 1415 W. Seventh St., catti-corner from the state Capitol (the old building, not the new one the legion built next door), is not a restaurant, as we were originally told, but a "special events venue," according to a recent post from Roby and Stephanie B. Brock on the Facebook page (facebook.com/redandbluearkansas): "We are now taking reservations for events and hope you'll consider us for your needs!" They've applied for an on-premises wine/retail beer permit with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division so they can serve for wedding receptions, etc. The website is redandbluearkansas.com. (You may recognize Roby Brock as the head honcho at Talk Business and Politics website.)
And the Department of Arkansas Heritage has created an Arkansas Food Hall of Fame app through which mobile users can scroll through the restaurants, cooks and entrepreneurs, festivals and events -- all the winners and finalists since the food hall was established in 2017. It also includes photos, videos and practical tools, including a tip calculator. It's available in the Apple App and Google Play stores -- search "Arkansas Food Hall of Fame." For more information, call (501) 324-9150 or email info@arkansasheritage.org.