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!

Bota Box Wine

Just found a new wine that is great for travel, cooking and just drinking.  When we take a car trip, I don't want to lug along a bottle of wine.  I am the only Oenophilia in our family.  I can never finish a bottle before it is time to come home.  Bota Box is perfect!  It was was recommended by Terry's Fine Wines before our last trip.  It holds three 5.6oz glasses of wine and is very reasonable in price. I have only tried the Pinot Grigio, but I am giving it a "thumbs up".  


Today I bought a Cabernet and a Merlot Bota Box " night.  I can use it to add to my spaghetti sauce and some left over to go with it.  I am hoping the "red" is as good as the "white".  I have not tried the Chardonnay either.  I'll keep you posted.


I recommend it.  It is not only "eco-friendly" with its recyclable box, but it tastes good!

Browning's OUT OF BUSINESS

After more that 50 years in business Browning's sadly closed in the early 2000's. My husband remembers going there as a child with his parents and sister. I remember going there in the 60's and 70's. The new Browning's didn't make it either. Sad. Time moves on!


Wow!  Chuck and I decided to eat out after his guitar lesson.  I read until he finished then we headed to Cantrell Road.   We have been curious about Chipolte that just opened in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center. Well, imagine our surprise...they were lined out the door to get in to eat.  We are not patient "waiting in line" customers.    After circling the parking lot we headed to the Heights for Chinese until we remembered that Browning's had reopened under new management.  Since our taste buds were still set for Mexican so we settled for Browning's.  

Yes, we are talking about the Browning's Mexican Food Restaurant that has been a Little Rock fixture for over 60 years.  I say 60 years because that is how long Chuck remembers eating at Browning's. In the 1940's his family would travel from Benton to Little Rock for a night out.  There were very few places to eat out in Little Rock:  Hank's Dog House, Bruno's, The Embers, Tijuana and Browning's...can you think of more?

We are back to the "Wow"!  What a transformation!  It is very open, updated and very trendy.  

This is what should have been done the last time Browning's opened under new management...but no they had to give in to public pressure and go for the "same ol'; same ol'" stuff.  We love the new ambiance.  The acoustics aren't great, but bearable. It keeps your conversation private even if you can't hear yourself think.  There are TVs for sports, booths, tables, and a great bar area...something for everyone!  ...and the best part, scrumptious Margaritas!

Saltillo Plate

Chuck had the Saltillo Plate and I had the Summer Plate. They are both menu items from the original Browning's.  Chuck had a punch for nostalgic reasons. The helpings are bigger and the guacamole side is definitely a step-up.


When we go back and we will, we are going to sit at the bar and try some new menu items: Salmon Vera Cruz and Grilled Shrimp Tacos and White Cheese dip when they figure it out. It wasn't available because they had not perfected it...so said the waitress.  Speaking of waitresses, none of the original crew was to be seen.  I think they finally retired. There is a youngish wait staff full of energy and ready to serve.  Just when I said, "I think our food should have been here by now", it arrived.  It was delicious!


Highly recommend you give Browning's a try!