You will recall that a few weeks ago we reported that two large and somewhat intimidating metal sculptures/statues flanked the entrance to the former Romano Macaroni Grill, 11100 W. Markham St., Little Rock; that they appear to be connected to the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead; and that they very much resemble one before Diablo’s Tacos & Mezcaleria, 300 President Clinton Ave., on the edge of Little Rock’s River Market District. (There is also a Diablos in Hot Springs.) At the time, workers at the River Market restaurant said they hadn’t heard of a West Little Rock branch. Now an employee there tells us, yes, it appears to be from the same owners, and it will likely be a Mexican restaurant, but it won’t actually be a West Little Rock branch of Diablos — it’ll be a different concept have and have another name. We will keep watching.
Speaking of Mexican restaurants, mad king burrito, a mini-chain with two locations in Mexico and three in the United States – in Beavercreek, Ohio; Stevensville, Michigan; and Fort Collins, Colo. – is apparently poised to open a fourth in Little Rock, in the former Whimsy Cookie area, 401 S. Bowman Road. The menu, which we found at crazykingburrito.org/online, includes a dozen authentic burrito concoctions (in wraps or bowls), queso dip, guacamole, and a few desserts. No schedule yet.
Unless there is major damage to the building from last Friday’s tornado, look for it Infusion Resto Bar & Hookah Lounge Opening soon at the former Handi Fine Indo-Pak Cuisine/Mehfil Indo-Mughlai Pak Cuisine/Dixie Cafe in the Village at Pleasant Valley Shopping Center at 10700 N. Rodney Parham Road, off Interstate 430, Little Rock. Details on things like the menu are still sketchy, but the website infusionloungelr.com offers pleasant photos of potential cocktails and this dress code with a warning and a slash: “Security has the right to refuse entry. A smart casual dress code applies. Slippers & flip flops are not allowed.” A March 30 post on the Facebook page (facebook.com/infusionloungelr) called for server requirements: “Positive attitude, reliable, willing to give and serve” and ” competitive pay plus tips, a fun and friendly atmosphere, and flexibility in scheduling.” Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, Friday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. We were unable to get a response on the phone number provided (501) 313-4652.
star of india, A nearby Indian restaurant at 301 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, has restored its lunch buffet, a temporary victim of the pandemic, and is offering vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian (“chicken, lamb, etc.,” according to Facebook) from 11 a.m -Post) kitchen at -14:45 daily. Full service dinner continues from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (501) 227-9900; lrstarofindia.com; facebook.com/lrstarofindia.
Kaluas snack bar remains in North Little Rock but is accessible from 3425 Pike Ave. in Levy to the Vali-Hi Shopping Center, 4550 John F. Kennedy Blvd. The current opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The new space allows for the expansion of seating and Mexican dessert options beyond “Mangonadas, Chicharrones.” [and] Fresas con crema.” A recent Facebook post (facebook.com/kaluaspaleteria) alerts diners to expect a new lunch menu “coming soon” (501) 541-7680.
Little Rock’s East Village is ready to have a dog-friendly brewery Southern Tail Brewing, opening soon at 900 E. Ninth St., the site of a former car wash. Brent Cryder, President of Southern Dog Holdings LLC, and his wife, Tracy Cryder, are accomplished and competitive brewers, and Tracy Cryder tells Arkansas Business, “We love Arkansas and we love dogs—and when the opportunity arises, combine that with our passion.” for brewing, it was the perfect recipe.” The new 11,000-square-foot brewery will provide “an inviting place to eat, drink and play that serves exceptional craft beverages for all,” and a portion of the proceeds will benefit animal welfare organizations in Arkansas Groundbreaking is scheduled for later this month and the Cryders expect to be operational sometime next year facebook.com/southerntailbrewing.
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Venue Vapors Live at Spa City, 315 Park Ave., Hot Springs is about to open a grill restaurant called Smoked. “First kitchen is allowed and we’re serving takeout on Saturdays and Sundays while the dining room opens,” the venue’s website, vaporslive.com/smoked, reads. “We also cater, take orders and serve at some of our main theater events,” including the not-so-regular Sunday BBQ and Blues Brunch. (The next, we’re told, will be May 7.) “We will be opening a pet-friendly beer garden with an acoustic stage and a smaller space for stand-up comedy and other events.” Visit facebook.com/smokedhotsprings You menus and information about progress and upcoming events.
Firehouse Subs Franchisees Robert Stevens, Robert Burnett and Chris Delre have opened a restaurant at 8100 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith. The opening times are daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (479) 452-4468; firehousesubs.com/locations/ar/ft-smith.
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Here are a few more options for Easter brunch:
◼️ Bunny brunch, 8:30-10:30 a.m. in Cafe Africa at the Little Rock Zoo, 1 Zoo Drive (off Fair Park Boulevard), Little Rock, there will be a “fantastic breakfast buffet”; Guests can have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny, have “animal encounters with our Ambassador Rabbit, and enjoy other crafts and activities!” Tickets are $46, $40 for zoo members. Visit tinyurl.com/57j2ye2m.
◼️ Petit & Keet, 1620 Market St., Little Rock, serves its Easter Sunday brunch buffet from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The buffet includes scrambled eggs with or without peppers and onions; Wright’s bacon; Petit Jean breakfast sausage; cookies and gravy; brioche french toast; rib with fastenings; shrimp and grits with Capicola; Cajun cooked shrimp; miso-glazed salmon; Quiche; and a selection of side dishes and desserts. Cost: $60 (plus tax and tip). Call (501) 319-7675 for (“highly recommended”) reservations.
◼️ Cypress Social, 7103 Cock of the Walk Lane, North Little Rock offers a buffet of scrambled eggs (plain or with cheese, with peppers and onions on the side), bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, french toast, fried chicken, salmon in a dill -Beurre blanc, smoked ham carved to order, sides and desserts, 10am-2pm Cost: $45, $15 for children 12 and under. To reserve, call (501) 916-2670.
◼️ The Empress of Little Rock Bed and Breakfast, at the Hornibrook Mansion, 2120 Louisiana St., Little Rock Rosie’s Pot & Kettle at an Easter brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with orange zest, French toast, bacon or sausages, spinach and tomato frittata and fresh fruit. $50 per person; Seating is limited. Make mandatory reservations before 5 p.m. Friday by calling (501) 374-7966. They will be hosting a similar brunch on May 14 for Mother’s Day.
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Food-related fundraisers:
◼️ BAGGO, Brats N’ Blues, Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas and the Most Exciting Fundraiser is scheduled for April 30 at 3:00 p.m marshalling yard, 1212 E. Sixth St. in the East Village of Little Rock. A $40 ticket gets you blues music by the Shannon Boshears Band, grilled sausages, two beers or soft drinks, and a souvenir. There will be happy hour drink specials and food trucks will be on hand to provide other edibles if brats aren’t your thing. There will be a two-man team BAGGO tournament and a ceremonial “note burning” for several Habitat homeowners who paid off their homes this year. tinyurl.com/y538vcd2.
◼️ Following last Friday’s tornadoes, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Association has postponed theirs Taste of Little Rock Benefit originally scheduled for Tuesday at the Jack Stephens Center at UALR, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, April 25, 6-8 p.m., same location. “With many of our community members, volunteers and [participating] restaurants [affected] We believe it’s in everyone’s best interests to pause and give our community time to focus on other needs,” explains a newsletter. Those who have already purchased tickets can check in at the door. t already purchased tickets , $75, $35 if you graduated from UALR within the last five years, are a lifetime alumni member, or are a member of UALR faculty and/or staff Ticket sales support student scholarships through the UA Little Rock Alumni Association Visit ualr.edu/giving/event/taste-of-little-rock-2023 Call (501) 916-3208.
Speaking of brunch, bet you didn’t know it was April National Brunch Month. To mark the occasion, LawnStarter.com, which focuses primarily on lawn and tree care, landscaping, and pest control, but also throws announcements into our inbox from time to time on topics like Most Irish Cities in America and Best Cities for Crafting, features 2023’s Best Cities for brunch lovers. Little Rock ranks 60th out of 200; We won’t bore you with the methodology or the eight metrics that you can follow at lawinenstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-brunch-lovers. No other Arkansas cities were on the list; Memphis was 104. The top 10 cities are, unsurprisingly, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Miami, New Orleans, Las Vegas, San Diego, Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, SC Austin, Texas 23rd
Has a restaurant in your area opened or closed in the last week or so? Does your favorite restaurant have a new menu? Is there a new chef? Get in touch. Send an email to: [email protected]
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