How have the first few weeks gone for downtown’s newest eatery … The Southern Gourmasian? “I think it’s gone great. We’ve had a few minor hiccups, but when you go from three people working in a truck to 20 people working lunch and dinner in a restaurant, that’s bound to happen. My staff is overwhelmed by how gracious our customers have been. Most of them have not experienced customers that are so excited about a restaurant before,” says chef/owner Justin Patterson.
There’s also plenty going on over at Trio’s. “Trio’s is ushering in Spring both with our food and our surroundings. We are featuring locally raised lamb, first of the season wild caught Pacific halibut and all sort of local greens from local growers. We just painted the restaurant, opened the patio, and installed a new and efficient HVAC system. On the arts side of Trio’s, we are partnering with Stephano’s for monthly pop up art shows featuring a single Arkansas artist each month in Trio’s Pavilion Room. We begin on April 16 with John Kushmual. We will have some yummy appetizers on hand, a cash bar available and the artist will be in the house,” says chef/co-owner Capi Peck. And one more thing from Peck: “Arkansas berries are due in by the end of the week at which time we will start serving our famous Strawberry Shortcake!”
Keep an eye out for more details as the LRCVB welcomes Food Network TV star Simon Majumdar on April 24-26 as part of his Great American “Fed, White and Blue” book tour. Simon has appeared on The Food Network shows: Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, Beat Bobby Flay, Cutthroat Kitchen, Best Thing I Ever Ate, Extreme Chef.
Little Rock’s first India Fest will be held April 19 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in downtown’s River Market Pavilion. Entry is free. Come out and enjoy Indian food, entertainment and plenty of shopping.
Butcher & Public is on the move. Greg Henderson has the details.
Westover Wednesday is set for later today from 5-8 p.m at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church. The usual cast of characters will be out there, including Le Pops, Black Hound BBQ, Beast, Hot Rod Wieners, Katmandu MoMo, The Pie Hole, Fork in the Road, Southern Salt, Loblolly, and Waffle Wagon. Special note … Hot Rod Wieners will be celebrating its 1st birthday by reintroducing the Dixie Charger–an all beef hot dog topped with homemade spicy pimento cheese and pickled okra.
Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co. up in Searcy is now open on Sundays from 1-8 p.m. Definitely worth the short drive for some wonderfully unique dumplings.
This month’s 3-course wine dinner at Ristorante Capeo will be on Monday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $55 per person (includes tax but not grat). Menu includes: Yellow Squash Soup with Toasted Prosciutto D’ Parma (Force Of Nature, Santa Maria Valley, Pinot Gris), Four Cheese Risotto (Force Of Nature, Paso Robles, Red Blend), Pork Tenderloin Pan Seared with A Light White Wine & Cream Sauce Marinated Asparagus and Crispy Fried Potatoes (Force Of Nature, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon). For reservations, call 501.376.3463.
The inaugural Mac ’N’ Cheez Festival is this Saturday, April 11 at War Memorial AT&T Stadium. From the coordinators: “Mac ’N’ Cheez Mania, Little Rock’s inaugural mac and cheese festival, is a fundraiser benefiting missions that serve children, hunger, health and education. This family friendly offers play space and booths for kids (of course all kids love mac and cheese!), yummy tasting, a mascot, t-shirts and some good music at an historic venue that’s covered for all weather and accessibility. Professional teams can register for $40, home cooks can register to participate for $20 and kid cooks 18 and under can participate in the Mac N Cheez cook off for free. Admission is $10 for adults and free for kids 12 and younger.”
Finally, Oxford American Magazine presents South on Main’s first ever gospel brunch, which will include two sets of live music performed between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring Rev. G and the Gospel Allstars ($10 per person cover charge). Seating is first come, first served when the doors open at 10 a.m. No reservations.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
