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