News
Some big post-Christmas changes for a couple of downtown spots, starting with Bruno’s Deli, which will move its lunchtime-only operation into the Bruno’s Little Italy dining room, essentially turning Bruno’s into a restaurant with both lunch and dinner services. Bruno’s Deli will be closed while the transition is completed, a process that will be ongoing into the new year. For years, diners have clamored for a lunch service at Bruno’s Little Italy, and the move will allow Bruno’s to sell wine and beer in addition to its sandwiches and salads that have proven popular. Bruno’s has not yet said what will become of the deli space.
The team at Lost Forty is running a surprise collaboration with Deluca’s Pizzeria in Hot Springs this Friday (12/30). Chef Scott McGehee is bringing some of his (slightly smuggled) Tuscan black truffles to create a pie with owner Anthony Valinoti. The event will be first come first serve, so get in quick if you want a very exclusive, one of a kind pizza.
Blue Canoe Brewing Company has several changes ahead, some of which are already underway. Patrick Cowan and Laura Berryhill have decided to close Taco Beer Burrito, the Tex-Mex-themed restaurant in the space where Brown Sugar Bakeshop once lived. Instead, the TBB space will now be used as an extended taproom with extra amenities like arcade games, shuffleboard and a foosball table. The brewery is also open on Tuesdays now, though it will remain closed on Monday. I am hearing that Blue Canoe will also be extending its taproom hours on the weekends, though the actual hours have not been finalized. And speaking of the brewery, keep your eyes open for a possible expansion of Blue Canoe’s brewing capabilities very soon. Blue Canoe opened as one of the smallest breweries in the state, but has since expanded its capacity and is looking to grow once again. We will keep you posted on the brewery’s plans.
Every year, kBird owner Richard Glasgow shuts down his beloved Thai eatery for a short time so he can travel Thailand and learn new skills and techniques. In 2017, kBird will close for one month, starting on Thursday, Jan. 12, and going until mid-February. Glasgow says his objective this trip is to revisit some of his favorite places and learn more about how dishes vary from region to region. Given his passion for Thai cuisine and fierce protectiveness of its culture and cooking methods, it’s safe to say you’ll want to get to kBird in February, if not sooner.
The final days of Hillcrest Artisan Meats are here, and even though we at Rock City Eats are still in mourning (or denial), Brandon and Tara at HAM are looking for some help clearing the shelves. Today and tomorrow, all grocery items are 40 percent off. There is very little (if any) meat left, so you’ll be buying items like vinegar, hot sauce, pasta, beans and other foodstuffs. HAM will be closed on Friday and reopen Saturday afternoon for the last time with a party to celebrate the restaurant and charcuterie’s five years of business. The Pantry’s Tomas Bohm is buying the space for a new deli that will open sometime in 2017.
If you couldn’t tell, we like to eat (and drink) here at Rock City Eats. So we went through the thousands of dishes and beverages that we consumed in 2016 to come up with our best of the year. Here are the lists for Best Dishes, Best Desserts and Best Drinks.
Downtown diner At the Corner seems to get better with every new menu it puts out. Here’s our look at the newest lineup, featuring beef bacon (yes, beef bacon).
Events
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Specials
Yellow Rocket Concepts has released its specials for the month of December:
- Big Orange: Ribeye Sandwich with onion strings and Eggnog Cheesecake by Honey Pies
- Local Lime: Chicken, Spinach and Poblano Tamales
- Zaza: The Libby pizza with prosciutto and basil, and the Arkansas Waldorf Salad
Ristorante Capeo’s special of the week is an Herbed Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Cream. The risotto of the week is chicken and mushrooms.
