Rumbles: Capital Bar and Grill Hires New Executive Chef, Root Celebrates 5 Years, Food Truck Stop Branches Out

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With little fanfare, the Capital Hotel has found its replacement for former Capital Bar and Grill executive chef Arturo Solis. Veteran Capital Hotel chef Marc Guizol took over the reins at CBG only weeks after Solis departed for the 21c Hotel in Oklahoma City. Guizol is a two-time winner of the Diamond Chef competition and has served as executive sous chef at One Eleven at the Capital. The hotel says Guizol’s goal is to preserve the heritage of Capital Bar and Grill while using his close ties with local farmers to make sure his menu stays fresh and local. Before coming to Little Rock, Guizol worked as a chef at a Montana restaurant for more than a decade.
Speaking of new chefs, Mike Jones of the now-closed Afterthought Bistro and Bar has found a new home. Jones is taking over executive chef duties at The Clean Eatery. Owner Ryan Merritt-McGehee says the move will free him up to focus on managing the business and advertising and promotion. Merritt-McGehee says Jones will bring a new flair to the nearly 20,000 meals The Clean Eatery produces every week as part of its meal planning service. The Clean Eatery has also started offering 12-week fitness programs to businesses and concierge service of its meal plans to Little Rock apartment complexes.
The Food Truck Stop @ Station 801 is branching out into the farmers market business. Beginning today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., the food truck venue will host vendors from the Argenta Farmers Market in North Little Rock. Just in time for Arkansas tomato season, three vendors will be on hand for this debut collaboration. Food truck park owner Scott Hamilton tells me more vendors are planned for the future. Argenta Farmers Market lost some vendors this year who split off to form the new Dogtown Farmers Market.
It’s hard to believe The Root Café has only been around for five years, but it’s true. And The Root is throwing itself a party to celebrate. This Saturday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., The Root will play host to live music, activities for kids, food trucks and a local craft beer garden. In addition, The Root is putting on a dessert potluck, so everyone who comes can bring a dessert to share with the celebration (although pastry chef Sarah Slimp will be making a few cakes of her own). The Root is currently in the middle of expanding using reclaimed shipping containers. Work is scheduled to begin on the kitchen area in the next few days.
Speaking of celebrations, don’t miss tonight’s Rock City Eats Food Truck Wednesday event tonight beginning at 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Bryant. Familiar names like Hot Rod Wieners, Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co., Honey Pies and a lot more will be on hand to feed the crowd. There is no rain in the forecast, so make plans to attend tonight.
If you missed it this week, we first told you Monday that Oishi Hibachi and Thai Cuisine in The Heights has closed. Greg Henderson wrote about the plans to make the space into a new sports bar.
Did you know there’s a Filipino restaurant a short drive from Little Rock? We stopped by Pinoy Express in Cabot for a taste of some really delicious cuisine.
Events
June 18th Midtown Food Truck Festival – This is the first-ever food truck meet-up at Midtown Park Apartments on Markham St. Katmandu Momo, Hot Rod Wieners and Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co. are among the trucks slated to appear.
June 19th Fathers Day Crawfish Boil – Kent Walker Artisan Cheese and Diamond Bear Brewing Company are partnering for this unique event. Tickets are $35 each and are available on the Kent Walker website.
June 21st Five Beers Five Bites Dinner – The monthly beer pairing dinner between The Southern Gourmasian and Stone’s Throw Brewing. Tickets are $50 or $90 for a pair and are available at the restaurant.
June 22nd Flyway Brewing Dinner at YaYa’s Euro Bistro – Beer pairings are the name of the game in this special dinner at YaYa’s in West Little Rock. Ticket pricing has not yet been announced.
June 25th 2016 Arkansas Brewers Festival – This festival at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds will feature beer from around the state. Tickets are currently on sale here.
June 25th Rock Town Distillery 6th Anniversary Celebration – Rock Town is celebrating its sixth year making premium spirits with free tours and tastings from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. There will also be two exclusive sit-down tastings of some of Rock Town’s finest products. Tickets for the sit-down tasting can be purchased here.
June 26th Arkansas Tomato Festival – Celebrating Arkansas’ outstanding heirloom tomatoes, this festival at the Bernice Garden Farmers Market will feature an heirloom tomato showcase, cooking demonstration and some giveaways.
June 26th Pop-Up Wine Dinner/Taste of Asia – First in a series of monthly pop-up dinners to be held at the former 1620 Savoy restaurant. Tickets are available here.

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