Around the Rock: A Trip to Searcy and Mylo Coffee Co. Settles In

My weekly views…
This week’s two trips and two iced coffees at Mylo Coffee Co. have solidified the Hillcrest coffee/pastry shop as my go-to-get-work-done spot. The service is consistent, the coffee is great and there’s always a nice flow of people coming and going, making for a calm atmosphere with just enough bustle to keep you focused.
Have you made the short drive to Searcy for some pel’meni at Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co.? If you’re a fan of all things dumplings, like me, it’s worth the trek. Slader, the owner, serves up dumplings and coffee to an adoring fan base of predominately Harding University students. The pel’meni, which are smaller than a typical Chinese-style dumpling, come in potato, chicken and beef, and are served in a tasty butter/Sriracha/rice vinegar/cilantro/curry powder sauce. A batch costs $8 ($7 for students) and includes a soda.
Gus’s in downtown is the best fried chicken in Little Rock, so I was more than excited to check out the new location in West Little Rock. Disabled credit card machine aside, it did not disappoint. The crispy, spicy crust that separates Gus’s from the competition showed itself, as did those guilty pleasure side items like baked beans and creamy cole slaw that I inexplicably enjoy.
And the news…
The 2nd Annual Latino Food and Music Festival takes place on Saturday, September 13th from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at the Argenta Market (521 Main Street, NLR). General admission ticket are $15 (in advance), $20 at the door, and kids 12 and under are free. Food and drink vendors will be available. To purchase tickets, click here.
The Arkansas Chef’s Culinary Classic, an absolutely fantastic event, is also on September 16th (6:30 p.m.) at the Statehouse Convention Center, Hall IV. From event organizers: “The Arkansas Hospitality Association hosts an annual culinary competition to showcase Arkansas’s Chefs. Chefs may compete in four categories: Soup/Salad, Dessert, Entrée, or Appetizer. Each chef provides tastings for each entry guests to try. Tickets are $45/person. Tables can be purchased. Awards ceremony, wine and beer tasting, silent auction, and after party, are included in that price. For questions, contact Holly Heer at holly@arhospitality.org or 501-376-2323. To register and for more information, click here.
Eggshells Kitchen Co. is hosting another cooking class on September 16th, featuring the wonderfully talented chef Ken Dempsey of E’s Bistro. Class starts at 6 p.m. To purchase ticket(s), click here.
Ristorante Capeo’s monthly 3-course wine dinner is scheduled for September 8th at 6:30 p.m. The menu includes: porcini mushroom soup with frico (Valley of the Moon Chardonnay, Sonoma, California), seafood risotto (Valley of the Moon Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California) and pork loin in vinegar and milk (Valley of the Moon Zinfandel, Sonoma, California). Cost is $55 (tax included). For reservations, call 501.376.3463.
Finally … Butcher & Public’s meat share page is now live. Go check it out for full details on the program.