TAE opened Monday on schedule in the Hotel Frederica (formerly the Legacy and, of course, the Hotel Sam Peck), 625 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock.
Justin Patterson, formerly of Southern Gourmasian, is now cooking more Southern and less Asian -- the restaurant and lounge, initially open for lunch only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., but eventually for dinner 5-9 or 10 p.m. daily, is serving up "Southern comfort-type food with a contemporary twist," including the gluten-free, vegan Power Ninety Two salad, "named after a local radio station" (field greens, Brussels sprouts, carrot, apple, edamame and avocado); a Calling the Hog barbecue pork sandwich on a brioche bun; the Arkansas Hot Tamale in a bowl; "Arkansas Toothpicks" (smoked country-fried spare ribs); and meatloaf.
The restaurant now has three entrances -- from the hotel parking lot, directly from the lobby and from the first-floor hallway. The phone number is (501) 301-0892.