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. Bargain means a meal (without beverage or dessert) is typically less than $12. Moderate is $12 to $25. Expensive is $25 and up. To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit arkansasonline.
com/restaurants.
Italian
UPDATE! CAFE PREGO 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-5355
The new ownership of this popular funky Italian-focused spot in the Heights plans to increase the size of the menu and the wine list but is keeping the staff intact. Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate.
CIAO 405 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, (501) 372-0238 Hearty Italian specialties, European flair and a charming, seedy elegance await diners at this downtown triple storefront, well suited for a business lunch or a pre-show dinner. Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Thu-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations. Moderate.
D’CARLO 12325 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, (501) 407-0400
An excellent sweet basil marinara sauce continues to be the foundation of fine Southern Italian/ Sicilian pasta dishes and tasty pizza in this quaint, exuberantly decorated eatery, right on the Pulaski-Saline county line. Dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Moderate.
THE PASTA HOUSE RESTAURANT
1900 Club Manor Drive, Maumelle, (501) 803-3225 From the nondescript exterior of the Conway original, you’d certainly never guess what wonderful things go on inside — a tiny kitchen cooking up plentiful portions of pasta and fine Italian food. Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine in Maumelle. Reservations in Conway. Moderate.
RISTORANTE CAPEO
425 Main St., North Little Rock, (501) 376-3463 This coy, cozy Northern Italian restaurant serves some of Argenta’s best cuisine — sumptuous pasta dishes, hearty grilled meats and rich desserts. Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations. Expensive.
ZAFFINO’S
2001 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood, (501) 834-7530 There is a decidedly casual feel about this ambitious Sherwood eatery that specializes in unpretentious and substantial Italian dishes, including pasta with rich sauces. Dinner Tue-Sat. Beer, wine. Corkage fee. Reservations. Moderate.