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.
Steak
ARTHUR’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE Village at Rahling Road, 27 Rahling Circle, Little Rock, (501) 821-1848
Proprietor Jerry Barakat continues his commitment to top quality and the freshest possible prime beef and seafood here and at the nextdoor Oceans at Arthur’s.
Arthur’s: Dinner Mon-Sat, brunch Sun; Oceans: lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Expensive. THE BUTCHER SHOP
10825 Hermitage Road, Little Rock, (501) 312-2748 Reasonable prices add flavor to the red-meat dining at this Little Rock institution, with an informal tone and a simple, almost failproof business model: plenty of thick and pleasantly served steaks. Dinner daily. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations (seven or more). Moderate-expensive. DOE’S EAT PLACE
1023 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 376-1195
This down-scale steak joint, an offshoot of a Greenville, Miss., landmark, continues to deliver on its basic premise of flavorful
beef cuts big enough to feed a family, plus top-notch tamales and worthwhile seafood options. Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations (eight or more). Moderate-expensive. THE FADED ROSE
1619 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock, (501) 663-9734
The good times roll for fans of Creole and Cajun dishes as well as fine steaks at this amiable Louisiana-oriented operation, a local favorite since the 1980s. Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Moderate. RIVERFRONT STEAKHOUSE
Riverfront Wyndham Hotel, 2 Riverfront Drive, North Little Rock, (501) 375-7825
The restaurant serves succulent and tender steaks in a tastefully appointed atmosphere, with a salad bar and a menu that extends more variety and larger portions at lower prices than many of its estimable competitors.
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Expensive. SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM 500 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, (501) 324-2999 Founder Andy Agar has returned to the fold, initiating some renovations to the dining room but not altering Sonny’s minimum-three-week aging process or Sonny’s-style seasoning that provides steaks with a welcome variety of flavor, and still worth every penny of the expense-account prices.
Dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Corkage fee. Reservations (five or more). Expensive.