Monday, November 10, 2014

Red Door...Little Rock

Had a wonderful dinner the other night at the Red Door on Old Cantrell Road in Little Rock. Lots of complaints about this place on Urbanspoon however, we thought it to be a very pleasant experience. The place was crowded with lots of happy people and many 'regulars' who were greeted by name as they strode through the door. The salmon was perfectly broiled, the creamed spinach was 2Di4, the house salads delicious, and the house made meatballs with pasta were pretty darn fantastic. The waitress was delightful and very attentive. Prices were very reasonable. 

Believe me, if I could complain, I would but, no complaints here! Wouldn't take long for me to become a regular, if only I lived a bit closer. 





Red Door on Urbanspoon

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Garden Bistro...NLR

Dropped in at the new Garden Bistro (old Victorian Gardens) in the Lakewood House of North Little Rock the other day to have a light spot of soup. The soup on the menu was a Double Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Hummm, I'm game. So, I tried it and gee, there was no lightness or soup in it anywhere. It was very tasty however, it was just a big ole bowl of chicken pot pie covered in tons of sauce and little biscuit hunks. Would have been great if I was a lumberjack. I was sort of disappointed because I was really in the mood for a tasty bowl of soup. Service was good. Decor still the same as the prior establishment. Still a super nice place for ladies to go and have a delightful lunch. If you are a soup lover like myself, you might want to ask questions before ordering. Something I might want to start doing. I've since heard the Eggs Benedict on the menu are very good. Maybe, next time.




Garden Bistro on Urbanspoon

Monday, October 20, 2014

Natchez...Downtown


I think I love this place. But, maybe it's the Black Eye Peas and Rice with a Cornmeal Breaded Pork Loin and wonderful hunk of Cornbread that I really care about...


Pass on the Eggplant Soup...a little bit too eggplanty...


Service very sketchy...couldn't handle lunch crowd...decor needs help...couldn't read the menu on the chalk board but otherwise, nice lunch if you have an hour or so. Had to run and feed the 2 hour parking meter during the meal!

Natchez on Urbanspoon

Boulevard Bread Co...Heights





Tight quarters but worth the crunch. Bring your pocketbook, quality costs! Try the Pimento Cheese Panini...has a slight kick and, it's certainly To Di For! Must sit on the urban patio...


And, park your doggie out front.


Boulevard Bread Co on Urbanspoon

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Dr. Salk

Will the next Jonas Salk please hurry up and develop an Ebola vaccine. We're starting to panic. Oh, let me rephrase that. WE'RE PANICKING!!! Like back in the early 50s as we crazily feared polio, iron lungs, crutches, wheel chairs, and possible death. Today the hysteria is toward bleeding out, isolation, organ shut down, and an agonizing death sentence not too far behind.

Dr. Salk had an impressive and magnificent research team behind him. The March of Dimes was started by President Franklin Roosevelt, a polio victim himself, to combat expenses. And, when the day was announced the vaccine was here, it was almost like a national holiday. 



It will be so joyous and humbling to see the lines forming around the world (as we did in 1955) to receive the vaccine and put an end to this cruel pandemonium. Where are our Dr. Salks of today as we need them. I suspect they went into plastic surgery...

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Where Is the Best Coney In The Whole Wide World...

As a child of the 50s, our family did not eat out that much. There were no McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger Kings, or Pizza Huts to be found in our small town. However, I recall one tiny restaurant in the Levy area of North Little Rock at the corner of 35th and Pike run by a couple of women. One was an elderly, rather robust, white haired lady who I believe was the owner and the cook. The other lady was the waitress. They made a darn good team and served some pretty delicious home cooked meals. 

When we were lucky enough to eat there, you could bet the bank on both my parents getting the plate lunch special which included a meat and two sides. That's what old people always order, right? My sisters, like most kids, would more often than not get the burger and fries. Being the odd ball of the bunch, I would always ask for the foot long chili dog. It was, as I remember, the best coney in the whole wide world. And back then, my whole wide world usually did not get past the Levy area.  

Seems silly but, I have been searching far and wide for a foot long chili dog that could measure up to the special one those two little old ladies served. This dog must fit my top three chili dog criteria:

1.  An extra beefy (no fillers allowed) hot dog.

2.  A thick and lively, perfectly seasoned coney sauce.

3.  And, an irresistible fresh, steamed bun.


Seven dogs in the running, one winner...



1.  Feltner's Whatta-Burger has a great coney with a super beefy dog, solid sauce, and a perfectly steamed bun. Chosen extras included mustard, catsup, red onions, relish, and Pepper Jack cheese. Oops, almost perfect but they forgot the ordered cheese!


2.  This fine coney came from the Gettin' Place on MacArthur Drive in North Little Rock. Results included a solid beefy dog, terrific and thick sauce, and a not so great bun. It was sort of hard. Toppings included mustard, onions, slaw, and jalapeño peppers for a nice touch. Close, but too bad about that bun. I think it was toasted, not steamed.


3.  This delightful coney came from Smokin' Buns out Hwy 107 toward Cabot. The dog was beefy, the sauce was OK, and the bun was slightly heated in some manner. Toppings included slaw, mustard, and onions. Pretty good but, needed some work on the sauce and bun.



4.  Purchased this Chicago Dog at The Scoop Dog on JFK in North Little Rock. It did have a ton of veggies and a vivid green relish sauce that was out of the ballpark!!!  The beefy dog was great, the piled on veggies and relish were a delightful sauce substitute, but the poppy seed bun, although a nice Chicago Dog touch, was a bit over heated. Check the pic above and see how seconds of over processing can make your bun a bit tough. Bummer.


5.  Got this short chili dog at the always crowded Gadwall's Grill in Sherwood. The dog was a big, plump not so beefy hot dog. It came with the house chili which was loaded with beans, chunks of hamburger, and tomatoes which unfortunately made the bun very soggy. The overloaded slaw was a bit tart and the cheese needed to be melted. Darn.



6.  Wouldn't be fair if I didn't check out the local Sonic in Jacksonville. Surprisingly, I found a  premium beef hot dog, a sparse but flavorful sauce, and the bun was nicely steamed. I did have to request onions and mustard. Go figure, but a heavyweight contender, none-the-less, for the best coney in the whole wide world.


7.  Finally, I tried this dog at Corky's BBQ on Pershing Blvd in North Little Rock. Normally comes with cheese dip all over but, requested an 86 on the dip. The hotdog was another plump but not so beefy, dog. The sauce was an OK chili and the bun was a bit dry. Hummm. Probably should have permitted the cheese dip to stay.

After much thought, consideration, and the gobbling down of many coney dogs, the winning dog would have to be from Feltner's Whatta-Burger. Their coney had the three coney dog criteria down pat. Also walking into this place, there is a nostalgic theme of the 50s and 60s going on strong which was sorta fun. But you know what, I think I'm gonna keep looking. I don't think I've found the one to compare to the one I loved in the 50s. Got any suggestions...would love to hear your comments!!

Feltner's Whatta-Burger on Urbanspoon

Monday, September 22, 2014

Thai Taste in Jacksonville, Arkansas

We have been going to Thai Taste for about a year now. We ate from the buffet the first time and were not that impressed. What can you say about a Chinese/Thai buffet. Nothing really good, nothing really bad. Then we got the bright idea of returning and ordering from the menu. WOW! Of course we always seem to get the same things...Thai Taste Appetizer Plate, Tom Yom Soup with rice, and an order of Fried Tofu with peanut sauce. All these things are simply wonderful. The appetizers are perfectly fried and never greasy. The soup is a delightful, light and tasty veggie type broth with seafood if you like. Watch out for the bay leaves and lemongrass seasonings which make this soup perfectly spiced. Service is excellent and the homey, family atmosphere makes this place a comfortable night out. You must try Thai Taste if you have not, and please order from the menu. You will not be disappointed!



Thai Taste Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Monday, September 15, 2014

Fun at the River Valley Log-A-Load For Kids Arkansas 2014


If you are living in the fine state of Arkansas and have not been involved with the Log-A-Load for Kids Arkansas benefiting Arkansas Children's Hospital, then shame on you. You and your family are certainly missing out on loads of logging fun and a wonderful way to support Arkansas' finest children's hospital. 

Log-A-Load for Kids started years ago when the logging community and the forestry people came together to sponsor various events all over the beautiful Natural State. Thank you Arkansas Forestry Association and Arkansas Timber Producers Association for helping raise over $6.85 million dollars since 1993! 

These pics were taken last Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the River Valley Log-A-Load for Kids event in Russellville, Arkansas. The event sold tickets and tables to lots of happy campers. Fried catfish dinner, silent and live auctions, kiddie fun zones, chances for fabulous prizes and a photo opp with Smokey the Bear...could not get any better.

Still time to catch another Log-A-Load event before years end. Check this link for dates and contact information 2014 Event Calendar  BTW, the Italian Cream Cake (pic below) donated by Dee's Designs (479)747-6349 deeisme1956@Yahoo.com was my purchase at the Silent Auction. Absolutely the best I've ever eaten. Promise. 








Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Local Luna Brunch...

Always fun at the Loca Luna (just off Old Cantrell Road in the Rebsamen Park Road area of Little Rock) Sunday brunch. Especially if you start your meal with a Bottle of Champagne $22 and a Carafe of Oange Juice $2.50. Much better deal instead of Mimosas by the Glass $6.75

Brunch Migas $9.95 was tasty with a generous portion of scrambled eggs, crispy tortilla strips, warmed tomato flour tortilla, grilled veggies, fruit, black beans, and herbed potatoes. As usual, the potatoes were dry and a bit tough. Had to scoop the potato out of the skin, just a slight annoyance. Our second dish was pretty good, as well. The Grilled Salmon & Scrambled Eggs with Pepper Dill Sour Cream $12.95. But, I LOVE the Migas! 

Check out the laughing lady at the front entrance, she use to live at Rebsamen Park/Little Rock Zoo area in the 50s and 60s. Scary, but you know, she's certainly aged well. 





Loca Luna on Urbanspoon

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Cashe in Little Rock...

Such an impressive atmosphere at Cashe in the downtown River Market area of greater Little Rock the other night.  Especially for entertaining the delightful customers and successful sales team of TriState Truck Center. All food and staff, once again, impeccable. Our server was asked to bring the finest of the appetizers and presto, two large trays of delicacies, Charcuterie and Cheese $21,were presented on each end of our table loaded with candied nuts, cheeses, breads, crackers, and pickled veggies. The Fried Shrimp $13 was also a huge hit. Drinks before dinner were cold and refreshing and certainly set the mood for fine conversation (Will Hillary run???) and scrumptious entrees that followed. The Lamb Rack $34, Scallops $39, Herb Roasted Half Chicken $21, House Filet $34, and Molten Lava Cake were all spectacular.

If you have not been so fortunate to have experienced this fine dining experience on the Presidential Boulevard, you must work a bit harder on getting there. I recommend a very dry Grey Goose Martini, the Scallops, and whatever the dessert is for the evening...2Di4. 







Cache Restaurant & Lounge on Urbanspoon