Michaelangelo's Thumbs Up!

We met our cousins at Michaelangelo's in Conway before we went to see James Carville last week at the Reynolds Center at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway.

It is located in Downtown Conway. You can get to it by taking the I-40, Oak Street Exit.


We split the Chicken Parmigiana and each had a House Salad with the House Dressing on the side.  We always have the dressing on the side.  Usually, the waiter makes the salad and drowns the lettuce with the dressing.  I like to taste the salad with a hint of the dressing... usually a vinaigrette.  We had more than enough to eat and it was delicious!   It was Monday, raining, and not crowded.  Sometimes I find that if there isn't a lot to keep the waiter on his toes, the service lags.  Not so, this time!!!  The service was good even though our waiter had a "shadow" in training with him. 

Definitely going back...soon! 

Oak Street Bistro Thumbs Up!

Our table on right
thru the passage on left

A night out of dining with our cousins and entertainment. I think it is called a "date night" these days.


We have been reading about the Oak Street Bistro in some of our free publications:  Soiree, and the Arkansas Times. We were ready to give it a try.


We had tickets to see Tommy Emmanel at UCA, Conway.  This was the perfect time to give "Oak Street" a try and visit with our cousins at the same time.

Bar area

The service was great.  We arrived before our cousins and sat at the bar until they arrived. We ordered a
Blue Moon beer for Chuck 
and a
Ecco Domini Pinot Grigio for me!

Menu cover

We loved it.  I had the Wild Chicken Breast and Chuck had the Mahi Fish Tacos, which were great.  The only down side: the scallops appetizer...it was cold and bland when we were thinking warm and tangy. Our cousins eat there enough so they have their favorites: Shrimp Fettuccine and Oak Streets Shrimp and Grits...although this time the Special of the Day : a red fish baked in foil was selected by one of the two! 
Go Figure?  I always stick with the "Tried and True" at any restaurant...that is "Tried by me and judged "True"!


Bottom line:  go for it!

Magnolia Grill, Natchez, Mississippi Thumbs Up!

We took an overnight trip to Natchez to decide if we wanted to commit to their annual Balloon Race Event*.  Natchez is about 5 hours from Little Rock.  We left early Sunday morning and arrived in time to find a hotel room and a quick tour of the town.

Let me tell you...there is not much going on in Natchez on Sunday afternoon.  However, we did luck out when we found the Magnolia Grill for dinner.  


It is located "Under the Hill" and around the corner from the Riverboat Casino.  We did a quick run through the casino and I do mean quick.  It was dinner time or in the South we call it supper. 

We were so early that we were the only ones in the restaurant.  We really enjoyed the view of the Mississippi.  Actually, it was like we had our own private restaurant until others started arriving...locals, I suspect.  I think we were the only tourists.  Obviously, everyone else knows nothing is going on in Natchez on Sunday.


The wait staff was great.  Chuck had Grilled Shrimp with Baked Potato and a Side Salad and I had the Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Fries and Grilled Asparagus.  All of it delicious.  


If you are ever in Natchez, don't miss the Magnolia Grill.  I am sure, however, it will be packed on any other day than Sunday. Time it so you can eat early and beat the crowd for supper.


*BTW, we decided not to go back for the Balloon Race...maybe in the Spring when all of the azaleas are in bloom.

Out and About from California

We took their picture;
they took ours!

While on vacation in San Francisco we took a couple of days and went south to see San Simeon.  Our first stop was a the Niner Winery in Paso Robles.  We met a couple of school teachers who recommended we eat at Robin's on Burton Street in Cambria. They thought our trip would not be complete without trying it...and we did.  

Salmon Bisque
Our Favorite

The food is international in flavor and presentation seemed to be important to their chef.  However, we find that sometimes "presentation" is not everything.  In fact, it overpowers the food.  This was the case for us.  Chuck, had the special, Grilled Bluenose Bass on a bed of forbidden rice.  The rice was the problem-forbidden rice is a black rice and very rubbery in texture.  The Bass was a little dry.  He did have the Salmon Bisque, which was excellent.  In fact, we could have had it as an entrée.  

I had the Spinach/Artichoke Lasagna.  It was also excellent, but a little to rich for my pallet.  I could only eat half of it.  Since we were traveling, we did not have the option of a "take home" box.  

The service was good as was the atmosphere in a historic adobe house.  We ate early so we had time to look around the gift shops and art galleries.  After all, this is a tourist/artist-type town.  

We are glad we tried it and if you pallet runs to the eclectic then this is the place for you.  

Capers! Always A Favorite

Our friends were here from Hot Springs.  We decided to visit over a nice dinner.  Neither of us had been to Capers in a while.  She and I like to have lunch there as it was the favorite place to lunch for her and her Mom.  It is also a great place to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.  Capers has discovered a secret that keeps people coming back for more: friendly wait staff, great service and best of all great food.  We tried to think if we had ever been disappointed.  We could not.


We took advantage of a bottle of wine for 1/2 price offered Monday through Thursday.  Our selection of an Italian Wine, Sartori Pinot Grigio, was enough for all of us to share a couple of glasses each. Two of us ordered Chicken Picatta; one, a Shrimp Cocktail and House Salad with the House Dressing, a Champagne Vinaigrette and lastly one, Scallops on the Savor the City menu.  All reported their choices were excellent.  We shared the Lemonade Pie that came with the Savor the City menu order.  We remembered it as the Icebox Lemon Pie made with Eagle Brand Milk. It was a good ending to a nice evening.


Bon Appetite
! 

Riverfront Steak House North Little Rock Arkansas

What a great end to the celebration of our 25th Wedding Anniversary.  Chuck's sister, Peggy, and brother-in-law, Del, treated us to a wonderful meal at the 
Riverfront Steakhouse 

at the 
Wyndham Hotel 
in North Little Rock.





We didn't get there early enough, but the lobby bar looked like a great place to have a before dinner drink and people watch.  Maybe next time.*


Always the best steak in town.  Just a few comments from us.  We would suggest that you make reservations and ask for a specific area of the restaurant for your seating.  You can do this at Opentable.com or by calling the restaurant*.  There are two or three choices: the back of the room just inside the entrance and behind the cashier, the front of the room closer to any live music and salad bar or the front side for more intimate dining.  All seating is good.  It just depends on your personal preference.
*If you call, you can find out if there is an event at the Verizon Arena and the best time to beat the crowd.


Be sure and take advantage of the free valet parking.  It's worth it. At peak times a place to park is had to find.


How can you fault the food and service?  You can't. . .both are first rate.  However, a word from the wise.  If you are ordering a fillet, find out if it is a thick or thin cut.  I ordered mine cooked "Medium".  It was well done because it was a thin cut.  It was still tender, but I would have preferred "Medium"  Where as Chuck ordered his "Medium" and it was perfect because it was a thick cut. 


The menu is "ala carte".  The baked potato was perfect. (We split it because we just can't eat a whole potato anymore.)   I ordered Sautéed Fresh Asparagus - Served with Hollandaise Sauce.  I would not order it again. . .just don't think it was worth the extra cost.  I might try the Sautéed Fresh Wild Mushrooms next time*.
*Chuck put his card in the bowl for a free dinner for two.  We are counting on being lucky.  We are ready to go again.  

August 3, 1985

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Bravo - Wow Out Two Nights In A Row!

Bella Sera! Friends called and we went.  Bravo is a part of a national chain located in the Promenade at Chenal.  This was the first time for us.  They had been before and liked it.  

We weren't so lucky.  Chuck got the 5 oz. fillet "medium" with a skewer of shrimp and mashed potatoes.  He was expecting a thick piece of meat...not!  What he got was a well-done thin fillet and cold mashed potatoes.  The waiter was most congenial and brought some hotter mashed potatoes.  Chuck didn't ask about the steak.  

I got the tilapia which was good, but a little dry.  Luckily, a substituted angel hair pasta for the potatoes and it was hot so I didn't have to contend with that issue.

For what we got it was a little pricey.  In hindsight, we should have split the tilapia and ordered house salads and maybe a cup of soup.  That would have been plenty for us, as we usually subscribe to the "everything in moderation" advice.  As we have gotten older we find we fill up much faster and metabolize our food much slower.  (heads-up to all of you that love "eat all you can buffets"...your time will come)


For such a large space our table was located by the windows so it seemed more private than the middle of the main dining room.  The service was a little slow, but that may be because it was new and really popular.  The chefs, I am sure, are kept pretty busy.  We will certainly give it another chance.

Cantina Laredo - Viva Mexicano!

Last night we were treated to dinner and conversation by two of our favorite people at one of our favorite restaurants, Cantina Laredo at Midtowne Little Rock. 


The occasion-our 25th Wedding Anniversary.  Here's how our evening went:


We would like a booth, please!  (We like booths...for conversation and privacy.)

Lynne:  What is that in the bowl? "An avocado and a lime".  It must be to entice you to order quac.  We opted out for cheese dip...delicious!

Drinks:  Pinot Grigio for me, 

virgin pomegranate margarita*, 

and 2 beers.

      *could have been better with tequila! :) 

Lynne:  I am going to have the new CILANTRO CHICKEN SALAD-Fajita chicken with black beans, red pepper, monterey jack cheese, and avocado with cilantro-lime dressing..that is, unless you want to split?


Chuck:  No, I am going to try something different...which ended up being 
TAMPICO-Grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed artichoke hearts, mushrooms, spinach, red bell peppers with sour cream-poblano sauce and monterey jack cheese


On previous visits we split the Botanos Platter and the Fiesta Grill.  These were by far better selections than what we had on this occasion.  


Lynne:  The salad was in a neat bowl that appeared to slant toward you...that's all I can say for the salad.


Chuck:  The TAMPICO was just fajita chicken with a little sauce and potatoes on the side.  It really didn't taste Mexican.


While we were somewhat disappointed in our entrée selections last evening, the atmosphere, service and DESSERT made up for it.  DO NOT, repeat DO NOT miss the Mexican Apple Pie. How can you beat apple pie sizzled at the table in Mexican Brandy Butter Sauce and topped with cinnamon ice cream?  It was delivered with four spoons and was shared by all.


Friends were heard to say:  Her: "C'mon Brooks you have to try the Sauce.  It is to die for...no apples for me, just sauce.  Brooks: "Hmmm, the ice cream is good."


We highly recommend the experience, especially with two of your favorite friends. The wait, if there is one, is reasonable as are the prices...and did I say the service was excellent.  We had the cutest waitress who was not only charming but was knowledgeable on the menu. We will return.