The Mighty Rib’s Cornucopia: December Version

Cornucopia (noun): an ample provide of fine issues of a specified form.

Every month, I will probably be writing a few cornucopia of meals matters, which embrace a recap of my consuming adventures, food and drinks information, and my normal ideas on the Central Arkansas culinary scene. So, with that in thoughts, let’s get to it.

Large Menu, Large Parts

Mar y Tierra Cantina and Grill has at all times been a bit perplexing to me, from the “Opening Quickly” signal that hung for almost seven years (slight exaggeration) to its novel-sized menu (one other slight exaggeration), however truthfully, the meals on the Mexican meals restaurant situated a stone’s throw from the Capitol is fairly darn good. It’s only a matter of discovering the fitting plate of meals, which could take just a few visits, or you may simply learn the remainder of this paragraph. Carnitas. Order the carnitas. Then put together your self for a mountain of pork shoulder cubes, that are completed on the grill to present the meat that completely crispy exterior. The pork resides subsequent to piles of rice and refried beans, the latter of that are silky clean due to a heavy hand of lard. General, Mar y Tierra shouldn’t be excellent, however there’s lots to love about this restaurant. That features the service, which has been heat and attentive throughout my two visits.

Kevin Shalin

Java at Pink Olive in SoMa

You will have seen that espresso is booming in Little Rock, with regional and nationwide chains, together with small native companies, persevering with to determine a presence all through the world. Nicely, add Pink Olive to the rising listing of decisions for java lovers. The SoMa reward store not too long ago added a restaurant. They’re utilizing Onyx Espresso, which is at all times a smart transfer. The cafe is small however a beautiful addition to the complete Pink Olive expertise. Sipping on a cup of espresso whereas candle searching for my spouse was enjoyable. That’s a lie. The candles have been for me. I like candles. Nearly as a lot as espresso. Nearly.

Kevin Shalin

Talking of SoMa

No offense to the theater crowd, however I one way or the other managed to wiggle my manner out of “Fiddler on the Roof” with the household, and as a substitute popped over to Rock Town Distillery for a cocktail. Sure, I do know this makes me sound like a horrible father and husband, however the women wanted their particular time, proper? Anyhow, whereas at Rock City, I nursed The Neuralizer, a brand new concoction with rye, peach liqueur, honey and lemon. The cocktail proved to be so easy, so refreshing and so robust. One more wonderful addition from the masterful minds of the workers. As a facet observe, the bartenders are poetry in movement behind the bar, weaving out and in whereas one way or the other not bumping into one another and ensuring every patron will get a drink inside a pair minutes.

Kevin Shalin

And Talking of Cocktails

My mind is simply too small to understand the science behind creating an “aroma bubble,” however kudos to The Fold for making my cocktail goals come true with the futuristic garnish. Or possibly it has been round for some time, and I’m late to the sport. Both manner, the pink bubble sits atop the Sagein’ and Ragein’ (mezcal, blueberry liqueur, sage syrup, and lemon juice) cocktail simply begging to be popped. Then puff! Three seconds of pure pleasure.

Kevin Shalin

They Have the Meats

Benton’s eating scene, as soon as only a wasteland of chain eating places, has added a number of native spots over the previous couple years. The change is because of the effort of oldsters like Heather Baber-Roe and Craig Roe, amongst others. This husband-and-wife possession duo introduced in Baja Grill, then took over Valhalla Kitchen Bar, and has now opened RŌBER :: Cocktails + Culinary. Every place is inside steps of the others, forming a compound of eating places that’s positive to make downtown Benton a vacation spot spot. RŌBER’s setting is gorgeous and stylish, but unpretentious, due to the adorning abilities of Baber-Roe. And as I discovered, the food and drinks, with a bourbon and meat-centric menu, is each bit as spectacular because the decor. Your dinner ought to most likely begin with the funsie bacon flight appetizer, as a result of who doesn’t fancy clothespin-hanging pork?

Kevin Shalin

The appetizer is sizable, so think about ordering with 4 or extra folks. Make certain to avoid wasting room for the Burger Thirty 9, a half-pound beef handheld that already ranks up there with a few of the finest burgers in Central Arkansas. It comes with a facet of shoestring French fries, which dare I say are harking back to McDonald’s throughout the good ol’ days? Simply know this, reservations are really helpful, until you need to hand around in the lounge space the place walk-ins can get pleasure from cocktails and charcuterie. And bear in mind, RŌBER is model new, so give them somewhat time to iron out any potential service kinks.

And Talking of Meat

Do you know Brood & Barley’s menu now has a pastrami sandwich? And I’m speaking a few full-time addition, not only a particular. It’s house-smoked and obtainable throughout each lunch and dinner providers. Typically talking, Brood is buzzing alongside about nearly as good as any restaurant within the space. A powerful cocktail and beer menu, together with a Completely satisfied Hour that rivals another, has vaulted this restaurant into our prime tier of space choices. All the meals menu, apart from these dreadful fried olives, is a winner. Full disclosure, I hate all olives. Actually, about the one fault I can discover with the restaurant is the sound points. When it will get crowded, which is usually, Brood is sort of loud. And sure, I’m outdated, which does issue into my opinion.

Kevin Shalin

All Aboard!

I’m again on the Crazee’s Cafe practice. After a pair off experiences, a grilled hen membership sandwich with a facet of fries introduced me again into the fold. When Crazee’s is on, you’ll not discover higher fried catfish in Little Rock, and it’s a reasonably underrated spot to look at a sport.

Kevin Shalin

Tidbits, Openings, and Closings

Right here’s a random thought to kick off this part: when will extra locations go into that huge swath of land off College and I-630 referred to as “The District?” I imply, Elevating Cane’s is getting fairly lonely over there. I get that COVID-19 slowed issues down, but it surely’s been crickets for a very long time. Oh properly, solely time will inform, I suppose. Congrats to the brand new Blackberry Market in Argenta. I popped in for fast espresso and muffin however really feel assured that this spot will probably be an enormous success. Sounds loopy, I do know, however generally you simply get a sense a few spot and Blackberry provides off the profitable vibes. Barbecue fans, rejoice, because the Ridgewood Brothers’ BBQ opened a brick-and-mortar. These guys make a few of the best barbecue in Arkansas. Count Porkula closed up a location at The Rail Yard in November, solely to show round just a few days later and open a brand new area at 201 Keightley Drive.  The Library Kitchen + Lounge has closed. I by no means went, and admittedly, didn’t hear a lot word-of-mouth or information from that area throughout its existence. Nonetheless, a enterprise shuttering, particularly within the coronary heart of downtown, isn’t a superb factor for our metropolis. Ciao Baci has a brand new cocktail menu. I like to recommend the Paper Aircraft, however they’ll all nice. New-to-the-restaurant bartender, Merrick Fagin, is a grasp at his craft. Le Pops has some new popsicles obtainable to have a good time the vacation season. The egg nog sounds good to me.

That’s it from me. See you in January!

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