Welcome to Rumbles, your weekly source for food news, events, and specials going on in Little Rock. This week is overflowing with news and events, many of which include specials. Reminder that the LRCVB’s Restaurant Month specials end on the 31st, check them out to take advantage while you can.
News
Trio’s Restaurant will be closed for dining room remodeling August 30 – September 2. The restaurant will be updating lighting, adding a new sound system, replacing their 29 year old ceiling, painting, and more. Also from Trio’s, this is the last week for their fan favorite strawberry shortcake until April 2016. Owner Capi Peck tells us that they have purchased over 3000 pounds of Arkansas strawberries this year during their shortcake season.
Food Network is coming to town this Sunday for a new show called BBQ Blitz. We were contacted a couple of weeks ago by the network and we were told the show will consist of three competitors competing through three rounds of BBQ. The show will be hosted by former Razorback and NFL player Eddie Jackson. They are looking for extras to be audience members for the 8 a.m. taping on Sunday morning, email here if interested. The series is scheduled to premier on Friday, Oct. 9, no word on exactly when the Little Rock episode will be.
Word is Riviera Maya is looking to add a new location near Bass Pro Shops. Sources tell us the Fair Park blvd based restaurant is looking to put the second location next to the Super 8 hotel directly across the freeway at 11701 I-30.
Speaking of the Bass Pro area, the Outlets of Little Rock has been dropping information all week on official tenants for their space. Nothing terribly exciting in terms of restaurants, so far the lineup looks a bit like an airport food court with China Max, TCBY, and Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon. The location does have a couple of larger restaurant areas as a part of their location that are unannounced at the time. Here is to hoping. We do know that at least three local food trucks have been booked for the opening weekend, it would be great to see a solid rotation of trucks as a permanent fixture.
Del Frisco’s Grille has officially named Maeve Grey (previously with Yellow Rocket Concepts, Bar Louie, and Carino’s) as executive chef, and Mark Smith as general manager. Del Frisco’s Grille is scheduled to open in September at the Promenade at Chenal.
Events
Patio on Park Hill food truck event is tonight from 5-8 pm at the Lakehill Shopping Center (which sits just off JFK Boulevard and is home to Ira’s Park Hill Grill, La Salsa Mexican Restaurants, and former home of E’s Bistro). Trucks participating include The Beast, Southern Gourmasian, The Pie Hole, and Waffle Wagon. The event will also craft beer from local brewers Vinos, Diamond Bear and Lost 40.
Capital Hotel/One Eleven is hosting a Gandona Wine Dinner on Friday August 28th. Cost is $139/person (plus tax and gratuity) for the wine pairing dinner. More info
Super Soul Sunday at Raduno (aka, the pizza joint formerly known as Piro). Their special Sunday brunch will feature Seth Baldy spinning some great records, a special brunch pizza, and great deals on drinks including $3.50 Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas, plus $1 off their excellent craft beer selection.
New brews and more from Stones Throw. I am not sure there is a more active brewery with events in Little Rock. Here is a bit of what is on tap for the next week:
- August 28th:Macbeth Beer Release, a partnership with the Rep Theater
- August 29th: Beer release infused with Izard Chocolate
- August 31: Amer Belge Belgian IPA release at Samantha’s
- September 4th: Mosaic Pale Ale release.
If you hit all of those let us know, you may deserve a gold plate on a bar somewhere.
Lost Forty Fresh Cuts: Lost Forty brewing does pilot and test batches every Monday, and often is some of their most innovative beer and new concepts. Up next Monday is another part of their IPA experimental Pilot Series with their Centennial IPA. Pro tip: they release the beer at 4 pm, the best beers are sometimes gone by 5:30. Get here early, drink often.
South on Main concerts. Is there any better pairing of food and music in Little Rock than South on Main? The answer is clearly no. Here is what they have on tap coming up:
- August 27th: Pokey Lafarge
- August 28th: Bijoux featuring Love Theory
- September 2nd: Local Live series featuring Heather Smith Band
As always, if you have news, events, or specials over the next week let us know.
