Selected restaurants
Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. Restaurant reviewers’ visits are anonymous and all expenses are paid by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Asian
CHANG9830 ArkansasTHAI & ASIAN107, Sherwood,CUISINE (501) 835-4488 This mom-and-pop operation occupying three storefronts in a north-of-North Hills strip center is worth the drive if you’re interested in genuine, decently priced Thai food (the menu also has a few Pan-Asian options) made with fresh ingredients. They’ll make it mild or as hot as you want it with, as a bonus, nice plate presentation. Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat, lunch Sun. No alcohol. Bargain-Moderate. KBIRD
600 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, (501) 352-3549
The conversion from food truck to a little yellow Hillcrest house hasn’t changed the quality or authenticity of the food of this twoman operation. With limited seating and a limited menu (scrawled
on a whiteboard in front of the counter) of top-flight Thai dishes, including hand-ground curries and hand-blended sauces. Dinner hours have recently expanded. Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Thu. No alcohol. Bargain.
KEMURI SUSHI SEAFOOD ROBATA
2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 660-4100 Jerry Barakat’s Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of Little Rock’s Hillcrest neighborhood offers an elaborate sushi list, a predominantly Japanese and Thai-fusion menu of tasty hot- and cold-plate appetizers and entrees, and robata, a Japanese style that involves grilling simple dishes. Lunch, dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat, brunch and dinner Sun. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
THAI TASTE
1516 W. Main St., Jacksonville, (501) 985-1854 Bypass the low-common-denominator buffet in this authentic, homey Thai restaurant and stick to the menu, including top-notch versions of Pad Thai and curry, deftly seasoned to the customer’s taste. Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Reservations. Bargain-Moderate.
TOKYO HOUSE
11 Shackleford Drive, Little Rock, (501) 219-4286 There’s a menu, but there’s no reason to use it when the abundant, continually replenished buffet offers everything from impressive sushi and Chinese and Japanese dishes like saucy teriyaki beef, garlicky pork gyoza and tempura shrimp, to upscale indulgences (including lamb chops at dinner and Friday-Sunday crab legs). Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Moderate.
VANLANG
3600 S. University Ave., Little Rock, (501) 570-7700 The menu at what used to be a Vietnamese eatery is now about half Vietnamese and half Korean, and it draws a good many Asian customers, a possible testament to the authentic nature of its other fare. Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Reservations. Bargain-Moderate.
ZANGNA THAI
Shackleford Crossings Shopping Center, 2604 S. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-7785 California transplants prepare authentic, Thai food, prettily plated, in a hip, modern decor. Lunch, dinner Tue-Sun. Beer/wine permit pending. Moderate.