Weekend Happenings

Weekend Happenings for February 20 February 20, 2009 Friday is always one of our favorite days of the week.  There is always anticipation of what the weekend may bring.  It's a bit like the anticipation you feel right before a vacation.  And this weekend feels just that way - especially with all that's going on.  It's a fun-filled weekend, whatever your fancy.  Be sure to check out the online calendar at www.hotinlittlerock.com/calendarto make sure you don't miss out on a thing.  Here are our Top Three:   Throw Some Beads.  Can't make it to New Orleans this weekend?  Don't be blue.  There's a Mardi Gras celebration right here on Main Street!  Join the fun at the 3rd Annual Mardi Gras parade.  They'll start at 3:00 p.m. at 24th Street and go all the way to 12th and Main.  There will be a block party between 13th and 14th Streets immediately following the parade - complete with music, of course.  And for the little ones?  Join Kinder Songs at 3:45 p.m. in the Juanita's Party Room for Kiddie Gras!  Don't miss out on this fun afternoon for the whole family.   Listen to Some Music.  Love opera?  Then don't miss out on UALR's Viva Verdi this Saturday night.  Join them to celebrate the great Italian opera composer Verdi and hear selections from popular operas such as Rigoletto and La Traviata.  Edward Crafts, who has performed with the Metropolian Opera and the London Royal Opera, and Susan Brummell Belcher, who has performed with the Chicago Lyric Opera, will thrill you with their voices.  There will be a champagne reception following where you can meet the performers.  Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, UALR. $75 per person.  Call (501) 569-8993 for tickets.   Eat Some Soup.  It's time once again for Soup Sunday.  This is always a wonderful family event supporting Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.  Bring your muffin tins and enjoy soup from as many different restaurants as your belly can stand.  You definitely won't leave hungry.  Sunday, 4 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Embassy Suites.  $20 for adults; $5 for children.  Tickets available at the door or by calling (501) 371-9678.

An Eruption of Flavor

An Eruption of Flavor February 19, 2009 Sometimes, the best places to eat are hidden away.  That's what we discovered when we ate at Vesuvio Bistro.  There are no big flashy signs pointing the way.  In fact, if you didn't know where you were going, you might just miss it.  But tucked inside the Best Western Governor's Suites on Merrill Drive is a restaurant worth finding.   When we go to try out a restaurant, we don't like to make reservations.  Instead, we like to see what happens when we just show up.  So on a recent Friday evening we did just that.  But since we were attending the symphony afterwards, we got there early.  That was a smart move (or a lucky one) on our part.  They were completely booked, but because we arrived early enough, we were seated.  We started the evening off with prosecco, a delicious Italian sparkling wine, and perused the expansive menu.   What we decided on was just perfect for a meal before the symphony.  We started off with wild mushrooms over polenta and calamari.  Both starters were of substantial proportions - really enough for a meal in themselves.  The calamari was tender and perfect.  There wasn't a chewy bite on the plate.  And the wild mushrooms over polenta?  Absolutely mouthwatering.  Polenta is somewhat like Italian cornmeal grits.  But it is thicker and has more substance than your traditional southern grits.  Piled high over the polenta was a mixture of wild mushrooms in a delicious and light sauce.  The mushrooms were fresh.  We could taste the earthiness of them and were very pleased by this discovery.  We can't wait to try this dish again next time.   For dinner, we decided on one of the specials, even though the regular menu was hard to pass up.  Angolotti, a pasta similar to ravioli, stuffed with ricotta cheese and covered in a sinfully delicious pesto cream sauce.  It was truly a lick-the-plate-clean entree.  And we couldn't pass up dessert.  We had a cannoli and it was divine.  It brought back fond memories of our time spent in the North End of Boston.  The cannoli, a Sicilian pastry, was filled with a sweet ricotta cheese filling and dusted with powdered sugar.  It was a great ending to a great meal.   We highly recommend Vesuvio Bistro.  They're not open on Mondays, unfortunately, but whether you stop by for an early dinner with the family or a romantic retreat, you won't be disappointed with the selection or the quality.  Just be sure to make reservations - word is getting out.   Vesuvio Bistro 1501 Merrill Drive (inside BW Governor's Suites) (501) 225-0500

Groovy to the Max February 18, 2009 Whenever someone says, "You live where?  Don't you get bored? There's nothing to do there."  We just smile and shake our heads.  This is one of the greatest places to live (and we've lived a lot of different places around the country).   One of the best things to happen around here was the Clinton Presidential Center.  Regardless of your political persuasion or what you personally thought about our 42nd President, the Presidential Center, Clinton Foundation, and the Clinton School of Public Service all work to bring in some pretty amazing speakers and exhibits.  And one of those is Peter Max.   On Presidents Day, the Clinton Presidential Center welcomed Peter Max himself at a special lecture to open the exhibit, "Peter Max Paints America."  It was a well attended lecture, and Max himself gave a very interesting talk.  We had no idea he had done so many things.   The exhibit itself is well worth a visit.  More than 250 pieces of Max's work are on display throughout the library, including 100 images of Clinton.  You'll also get to see a rare look at the painter's earilest works - portraits painted in the realism style in which he was trained.  The iconic psychedelic posters that made him famous are there, of course, along with more recent work.    One of the most interesting aspects of the exhibit is that it shows Max from the beginning as a young artist to now, a man who has developed his own style and lived through many others.  It was fascinating to watch the changes in style, but never in color.  Max uses color like it's going out of style.  But that's what we like about his work.  The canvas is never still, always moving, and always bursting with bright color.  It's a happy exhibit, and one that makes us proud to live where we do.   Peter Max Paints America The Clinton Presidential Center Through May 25 http://www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org/

Raise a Glass:

Wine Picks for February 17

February 17, 2009

 

We don't eat a lot of steak.  It isn't that we don't like a good, juicy rib eye once in a while, but rather more about our physician's admonition to go "real slow" on red meat.  But no one said anything about abstaining altogether.  So the other night in a fit of "meat hunger" we got a couple of rib eyes, brushed them with garlic infused olive oil and sprinkled them with salt and pepper, and put them on the grill.  A few minutes on each side and they were perfect.  Earlier we had sliced potatoes into wedges, tossed them in olive oil and kosher salt, and put them in the oven to bake and brown.  A green salad and we were ready to go.

We have always liked Louis M. Martini cabs, and we had one on hand.  It was a 2006 Sonoma County that Robert Parker had given a rating of 90 points.  Parker wrote, "Fabulously sweet aromas of black currants, licorice, and cedar soar from the glass of this medium to full-bodied wine." 

This is a nicely layered wine.  We found cherry, blackberry and dusky herbs.  On the palate these were joined by  mild chocolate .  There isn't a lot of oak here and the tannins are fairly mild.  This isn't a big, in-your-face wine.  Rather it is refined and delicious. 

Vegetarians can enjoy this with marinated, grilled portabella mushrooms seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper, and grilled onions.  We have another bottle of the Martini cab waiting, so maybe we'll substitute the mushrooms next time.  Either way, this cabernet is a delight.

Available locally for around $18.

 

Smiles Are Free

February 16, 2009

In continuing our features of businesses around town that have been giving us the best quality and service for over twenty years, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the Heights Toy Center.  It's been around forever, but the current owners, The Bonner Family, have owned it since 1967.  We love patronizing family-owned businesses.  And it's always neat for us to see that when they've been passed from one generation to another, they continue to thrive.  That's just what the Heights Toy Center has done.

 

Their store on "R" Street in the Heights has expanded in recent years.  They've added a puppet theater in the basement and room for lots more inventory.  This is our favorite place to go to find presents for the many birthday parties our mini-staffers get invited to attend.  Why?

 

Well, for starters, they're not a big box toy store.  And you know we're all about stimulating our local economy.  And then there's the personalized service.  We can walk in and ask for something as  bland and broad as, "a toy for a boy, age 5, between $10 and $15."  And without batting an eye, they will show us a few options that not only fit the bill, but are actually cooltoys that you're not going to find in that big box toy store, either.  Then - and this is where local is by far the best - they will wrap the gifts for you for free!

 

And their puppet theater!  Be sure to ask about it when you go in.  From time to time, and especially in the summer, there are puppet workshops and other fun events going on at the store.  The kids love creating and watching these puppets come to life in the basement theater.  And  what a great way to let your imagination soar!

 

Yes, smiles are always included when we shop here.  From their unfailing ability to help us find the right gift within any budget, to their free gift wrap, to their programs for kids, we've never left disappointed.  And in an ever growing world of electronics and technology, it's so nice to be reminded that imagination and toy play is still alive and well.

 

The Heights Toy Center

5918 R Street

(501) 663-8383

http://www.heightstoycenter.com/

 

Weekend Happenings

Weekend Happenings for February 13 February 13, 2009 Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!  This weekend should be filled with lots of hugs and kisses for everyone you love.  After all, it's what makes the world go round.  One of the things we're looking forward to doing is throwing a party for our mini-staffers and their class at school.  We're ordering the heart-shaped pizzas from Papa Johns and bringing them to school today.  Doesn't that sound fun?  We think that's a fun way to celebrate, and it doesn't involve getting 25 third graders all hyped up on sugar, either.  What are you doing this weekend?  Hopefully you'll check out our online calendar atwww.hotinlittlerock.com/calendar and find some great ideas.  Here are our Top Three:   Fall in Love.  Remember what it felt like to fall in love for the first time?  Well, feel it again with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra as they present "Mancini and Moonlight."  Take your loved one's hand and enjoy the best romantic songs from Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini.  Songs like "The Days of Wine and Roses" and "Moon River" will put you in the mood for love.  Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall.  Call (501) 666-1761 or visithttp://www.arkansassymphony.org/ for tickets and information.   Snuggle Up.  We love hayrides.  But they're not just for fall anymore.  The idea of a Valentine hayride just makes us so excited.  Grab the whole family and snuggle up  as you ride through fields and forests and then warm up by a roaring campfire.  We can't think of a better thing to do on a Valentine afternoon.  Sweetheart Hayride & Campfire.  Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitors Center. 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  $10/adults; $5/kids 6-12.  Visitwww.arkansasstateparks.com/pinnaclemountain for more information and reservations.   Endulge in Decadence.  There couldn't be a better day for the Chocolate Fantasy Ball to be held than on Valentine's Day itself.  And it's one heck of a deal.  Grab your best girl or guy and head over to the Embassy Suites for a celebration you won't soon forget.  Begin your evening with a chocolate martini during their chocolate themed cocktail reception (which includes a chocolate fountain and all the fun stuff to dip in it!).  Then enjoy an exquisite dinner and dancing, and maybe even bid on the chocolate diamonds from Sissy's Log Cabin.  Whatever your heart's desire, you'll find it here, and your heart will be warm knowing that you're helping raise money for the Ronald McDonald Charities of Arkansas.  Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Embassy Suites. $150 per person.  Call (501) 374-3318 for tickets.

Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels

February 12, 2009

 There's a new restaurant in town.  And each time one arrives, we are anxious to try it out.  Some we wait to review until the timing is right.  And some are so good we can't just can't wait to tell you about them.

 

That's how we feel about YaYa's Euro Bistro.  Our experience there last week was superb.  We were immediately seated and greeted by one of our favorite waiters from Gypsy's. (We're still grieving their closure.)  He introduced us to the menu and to the owner.  Both were delightful.  And while they have other restaurants across the country, the owner maintains they are not a chain.  He hand picks great chefs to create great menus that make each restaurant sparkle and stand on its own.  He sure hit a home run in Little Rock.

 

For starters, each table is served fresh bread and baba ganoush instead of butter.  This heavenly eggplant creation is a perfect starter.  We also enjoyed the goat cheese fondue and the roasted beet salad.  Wow.  The colors on the beet salad plate made it almost too pretty to eat, but the flavors made it so worth it.  We would have ordered another if our stomachs would have allowed.

 

And for our main course?  We enjoyed scallops - big, juicy diver scallops - over a light pasta and vegetable concoction.  We also delighted in the tiger shrimp risotto.  Chock full of leeks and peas, we were in love immediately.  Now, by this time you've probably figured out that we like to cook, and we're pretty good at it.  So when we say, "This is just like we would make it at home," it's a huge compliment.  Our formula for a great meal?  A perfect trifecta of meat, starch, and vegetables.  And YaYa's does it perfectly.

 

Now, their ramekins had yet to arrive for their chocolate souffle, but the creme brulee trio and chocolate brownie (all made in house) were outstanding.  We can't wait to return for the souffle.

 

YaYa's Euro Bistro

Promenade at Chenal

(501) 821-1144