Fine Dining Passport

HAUTE ON THE TRAIL

A GUIDE TO FINE DINING IN THE NATURAL STATE.

SPONSORED

BY

BEN E. KEITH CO. & OAKLAWN

“Take a good look/Have anything you want/ This is the good life/Dining with your friends/ At the fancy restaurants.”

—Miley Cyrus, “The Good Life”

Don’t tell us Arkansas isn’t fancy AF. From the dry-aged prime strip at Taylor’s Steakhouse in Dumas, to the osetra caviar at Atlas The Restaurant in Fayetteville, to the coconut red curry oxtail at Little Rock’s Table 28, white-tablecloth service is abundant across the state, and we’re here to help you parse the amaro from the aperitif — and to steer you like a good sommelier toward your next three-course evening.

This passport belongs to:

WHAT TO DO:

Visit fine dining restaurants around the state to taste the best Arkansas has to offer. Get your passport stamped from the participating restaurants. Win prizes from Oaklawn. See page 30. Passport is valid from February 1, 2023 until February 1, 2024.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE:

Name:

Street address:

City, State, Zip:

Email address:

Telephone number:

OUT THIS FORM: Mail completed passport, along with your name, address, email address and telephone number to: Arkansas Times Attn: Lee Major 201 E. Markham, Suite 150 Little Rock, AR 72201

BENTONVILLE

CONIFER

SE 2nd St., Bentonville, 479-203-5999, 5-10 p.m. Tue.-Sat.

Opened in 2022 by The Preacher’s Son founder Matthew Cooper, Conifer features a 100% gluten-free menu consisting of a variety of seasonally dependent small and main plates. Farm-to-table is a growing trend in Northwest Arkansas and Cooper is at the forefront. Conifer features a year-round farmstand highlighting local farms and area artisans, and Cooper plans on growing it further. “I’m going to build a farm here for this restaurant and to meet the needs of the community,” he told the Arkansas Times. “Even if it’s only 2 acres where we grow carrots, onions and celery.”

THE HIVE

200 NE A St., Bentonville, 479-286-6575, Breakfast: 7-10 a.m. daily; Brunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; Dinner: 5:30-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 5:30-9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Ever since opening its doors in the 21c Museum Hotel 10 years ago, The Hive has been one of Bentonville’s destination dining experiences. Executive chef Matthew McClure departed the restaurant last year after being a semifinalist in the James Beard “Best Chef: South” category seven times. McClure’s chef de cuisine, Micah Klasky, took over after McClure’s departure.

THE PREACHER’S SON

201 NW A St., Bentonville, 479-445-6065, 5-9 p.m. Mon-Thu., 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Located in a renovated former church built in 1904, The Preacher’s Son was co-founded by chef Matthew Cooper and won Best New Restaurant in the Arkansas Times’ 2017 Readers Choice poll. It has since been nominated for a James Beard Award in design in 2018 and a James Beard Hospitality Award in 2022. Cooper left the restaurant in 2020 and was replaced by Arkansas native Neal Gray, who previously worked at Michelin Guide three-star rated Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia, and The French Laundry, a highly rated eatery located in California’s Napa County.

CAMDEN

POSTMASTERS GRILL

133 W. Washington St., Camden, 870-836-5579, 5-9 p.m. Tue.-Sat.

A classic steakhouse in a historic setting, an effort to get the old Camden Post Office listed on the National Register of Historic Places saved the Richardson Romanesque-style building from being demolished in the 1970s. After an 18th-month renovation in 2009-2010, the building became Postmasters Grill. The Camden restaurant has been an Arkansas Times Readers Choice finalist in several categories multiple times, including this year in the outdoor dining category.

CONWAY

MIKE’S PLACE

808 Front St., Conway, 501-269-6453, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Opened in 2004 by private-club pioneers Mike Coats and Mike Kraft, Mike’s Place was the first restaurant in Conway to get an alcohol permit. A New Orleans-inspired bistro widely known as one of the best restaurants in Conway, Mike’s Place was the winner of “Best Lunch Around Arkansas” and “Best Conway Restaurant” in this year’s Arkansas Times Readers Choice poll.

DUMAS

TAYLOR’S STEAKHOUSE

14201 AR-54, Dumas, 870-382-5349, 5:30-9 p.m. Thu., 5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Located in the Dumas farming community — in essence, the middle of nowhere — Taylor’s Steakhouse’s wet and dry-aged steaks are widely considered to be among the state’s best. The Arkansas Times “Best Steak around Arkansas” Readers Choice award winner from 2021, Chuck and Pam Taylor turned the family grocery store into a destination steakhouse in 2012.

It’s more than a tagline. Whether it’s your family’s favorite place to celebrate or a special spot for just the two of you, eating local is a fine way to support your community.

The Arkansas Municipal League serves the cities and towns of Arkansas.

EL DORADO FAYRAYS

110 E. Elm St., El Dorado, 870-863-4000, Lunch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri. New Orleans-inspired Fayrays, located in downtown El Dorado, has “become a staple for community members and visitors alike,” according to the El Dorado News-Times. Featuring New Orleans-style decor, the community-driven restaurant features local art adorned to the walls available for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds going to the artists.

EUREKA SPRINGS

ERMILIO’S ITALIAN HOME COOKING

26 White St., Eureka Springs, 479-253-8806, 4-8 p.m. daily.

A frequent contender in the Arkansas Times Readers Choice polls, Ermilio’s is located on Eureka Springs’ upper Historic Loop and is just a few blocks from The Crescent Hotel. The menu features authentic Italian dishes from owner Paul Wilson’s family and a variety of build-your-own pasta and sauce varieties.

GROTTO WOOD-FIRED GRILL AND WINE CAVE

10 Center St, Eureka Springs, 479-363-643, 5-9 p.m. Wed.-Mon. Winner of the 2017 People’s Choice award from the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, a visit to Grotto’s is a “full-on sensory experience,” according to its website. In addition to a wood-fired grill, the restaurant features a continuous running natural spring in the dining room and its wine is stored in a natural cave.

LOCAL FLAVOR CAFE

71 S. Main St., Eureka Springs, 479-253-9522, Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tue.-Sat. Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu.; 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

10 a.m-2 p.m. Sun.

Chef-owned and operated by sixth-generation Eureka Springs native Britt Evans, Local Flavor Cafe has been a destination for locals and tourists alike since 1991. The restaurant has a solid historic downtown vibe and is flanked on both sides by a Main Street-facing patio. Local food author Kat Robinson called Local Flavor’s creme brulee the best in the state in a 2010 article on her Tie Dye Travels blog.

FAYETTEVILLE

ATLAS THE RESTAURANT

208 N. Block Ave. Fayetteville, 479-332-4601, 5-9:30 p.m. Wed.-Sun.

Located in the historic Ellis Building in downtown Fayetteville, Atlas is inspired by owner/executive chef Elliot Hunt’s culinary travels. He left Northwest Arkansas, the restaurant’s website states, to study under a Michelin-starred chef in Paris before honing his skills in kitchens in Australia, India, Colorado and Chicago.

VETRO 1925

17 E. Center St., Fayetteville, 479-966-4649, 5-8:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu. 5-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

“Haute Italian done right in Fayetteville” is the subheading the Arkansas Times used in a 2016 review of Vetro 1925, which called the eatery a reason in and of itself to make the trip from Little Rock to Fayetteville.

FORT SMITH

THE RIALTO RESTAURANT

720 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith, 479-769-2406, 5-8 p.m. Wed.-Thu., 5-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

After their former employer Fianna Hills Country Club closed in 2018, friends Keith Jeremiah and James (JT) Thomas opened The Rialto Restaurant in the first floor of the First Security Building in the former Town Club. Thomas completed his training at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park after starting out on the grill at Cajun’s Wharf at age 17. According to the restaurant’s website, Thomas said he and Jeremiah took the staff they worked with for 15 years and brought them to The Rialto. “We’re bringing the country club experience to the public,” he said.

HEBER SPRINGS

RED APPLE INN & COUNTRY CLUB

305 Club Road, Heber Springs, 501-362-3111, Breakfast: 7-10 a.m. daily, Lunch: noon-2 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Dinner 6-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat. “European fare with a Southern accent” is the way the website describes the food at the Red Apple Inn & Country Club’s resort restaurant, which offers views of Greers Ferry Lake from the dining room and landscaped patio. Resort wear is recommended, the website says. “Shorts should be of the dress type and men should wear collared shirts. Tank tops, swimsuits or ball caps are not allowed in the dining rooms.”

HOT SPRINGS

501 PRIME

215 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, 501-623-0202, 4-9 p.m. Tue.-Sun. Opened by chef Matt Fuller in 2018, 501 Prime has a full oyster bar, USDA prime beef and an upstairs bourbon bar that features one of the most comprehensive whiskey menus in Arkansas. Fuller told the Heaping Spoonful podcast that the restaurant butchers its own meat and grinds its burgers in house using trimmings from the prime steak cuts, a true steakburger that’s available while it lasts.

OAK ROOM & BAR AT OAKLAWN

2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs, 501-363-4781, 5-10 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 5-9 p.m. Sun.

The newest restaurant in the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, The OAK Room & Bar is located just off the casino floor and features Almond Crusted Trout, Beef Bourgeois, Prime Beef cuts and Whole Maine Lobster. The OAK Room is the second fine dining restaurant opened after the casino’s $100 million expansion.

THE BUGLER AT OAKLAWN

2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs, 501-363-4790, 5-9:30 p.m. Wed.-Sun.

Located just outside of the casino, The Bugler announces itself with a bugle player statue in the hallway blowing imaginary notes right into the restaurant entrance, which beckons with a row of tables running parallel to the race track inside and on an adjacent patio. Pro tip: Try to make your reservation at sunset.

VAULT AT 723

723 Central Ave., Hot Springs, (501) 596-8800, 4:30-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 4:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Located on the ground floor of the former Citizens National Bank Building constructed in the 1890s, Vault’s American fusion restaurant has a modern, chic vibe with shiny floors, brick pillars and electric blue lighting. The bank’s original vault serves as a private dining room. The Heist late-night lounge takes up residence on the second floor where you’ll find several ambient private rooms.

J&S ITALIAN VILLA

4332 Central Ave., (501) 525-1121, 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

In April of 2022, husband and wife Saddiq and Jeannie Mir announced their purchase of the J&S. Saddiq Mir previously served as Oaklawn’s vice president of hospitality, overseeing the recent expansion, including the hotel spa, as well as food and beverage operations. According to the restaurant’s OpenTable profile, the fare is inspired by the coastal cuisine of Cinque Terre and the seasonal menus are crafted by Michelin 2-Star Chef Sascia Marchesi.

JONESBORO

501 STEAKHOUSE

2628 Phillips Drive, Jonesboro, 870-972-6501, 5-9 p.m. Tue.-Sat. For more than 30 years, 501 Steakhouse has been Jonesboro’s premier high-end steakhouse. Reliable prime filets, seafood and pasta dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere make 501 Steakhouse one of many reasons to make the trip to Craighead County.

OMAR’S UPTOWN

301 S. Main St., Jonesboro, 870-336-3001, 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Located in the heart of Jonesboro’s downtown district, Omar’s Uptown opened in the fall of 2011. In a 2014 review, Arkansas Times called the restaurant’s Baja Ahi Tuna dish “one of the best tuna dishes we’ve tried in the state.”

“PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO EAT ARE ALWAYS THE BEST PEOPLE.”

—JULIA CHILD

LAKEVIEW

GASTON’S RESTAURANT

1777 River Road, Lakeview, 870-431-5203, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.Thu., 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday brunch

Gaston’s White River Resort offers some of the best trout fishing in the country and one of the most unique dining rooms in the state, with antique bicycles hanging from its ceiling and a collected assembly of outboard boat motors displayed above windows that overlook the White River. Try chef Rick Gollinger’s local favorite, Boneless Rainbow Trout Amandine. If you don’t feel like driving, there’s a Bermuda grass airstrip so you can fly in for dinner.

COURTESY GASTON’S

ALLSOPP & CHAPPLE

311 Main St., 501-902-4911, 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Located in the historic Rose Building, Allsopp & Chap ple took its name from the bookstore Fred W. Allsopp and James Chapple opened in the building shortly after its construction in the early 1900s. In 2022 the restaurant welcomed James Hale, formerly of Acadia and The Grumpy Rabbit. He earned a James Beard Award nomination for the Best Chef: South category while owning and operating Acadia.

ARTHUR’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE

16100 Chenal Parkway, 501-821-1838, 5-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 5-10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Sun. Arthur’s beef is dry-aged on the premises, cut in house, and features cuts of prime natural, Japanese Kobe and Australian Wagyu varieties, according to its website. Additionally, an onsite private wine cellar vault houses more than 350 bottles.

BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT

2300 Cottondale Lane, 501-663-2677, Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.Fri. Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 5-10 p.m . Fri.-Sat.

In addition to winning Best New Restaurant in the 1993 Brave’s restaurant — situated in an office building overlooking the Arkansas River — has won Best Over all Restaurant 14 times. From a 2014 Arkansas Times review: “We bumped into Peter early one summer Saturday morning years ago at the farmers market, both on a quest for Arkansas tomatoes. Peter pointed us to his primary supplier before scurrying off to get other fresh stuff to cook that night at Brave New. He was doing ‘farm-to-table’ before most knew the term.”

BRUNO’S LITTLE ITALY

310 Main St., 501-372-7866, 5-9 p.m. Tue.-Sat.

An Italian culinary institution, Bruno’s was opened in the Levy neighborhood in North Little Rock by Jimmy Bruno in 1948. It was followed by ventures on Roosevelt Road, Old Forge Drive and Bowman Curve in Little Rock. Citing the economy and Little Rock’s shift further west, the restaurant closed in 2011. In 2013 executive chef Vince Bruno and brother Gio Bruno — Jimmy Bruno’s sons — reopened the restaurant in the ground floor of the Mann Lofts at 310 Main St. Known for its toasted ravioli and legendary Lasagna Imbotio, the restaurant was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2018.

CACHE RESTAURANT

425 President Clinton Ave., 501-850-0265, Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Sat., Dinner: 4-9:45 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Owned by philanthropist Rush Harding and his son Payne Harding, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Cache is located in the Arcade Building at 425 President Clinton Ave. A River Market district hub for private VIP events, Cache features three bars, several private dining rooms, lounges and chef’s tables and an exclusive speakeasy lounge located behind a secret door-size wall painting that slides to open.

CIAO BACI

605 Beechwood St., 501-603-0238, 4-10:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Located in a charming bungalow in the heart of Hillcrest, Ciao Baci was opened by Swiss-born Suzanne Boscarolo in 2001. Boscarolo moved to Little Rock with her then-husband Alain, who had taken a job at Little Rock’s storied coat-and-tie restaurant Jacques and Suzanne. Ciao Baci is known for its tapas and chef Jeffrey Owen’s five course tasting menu “of what you should be eating.” Boscarolo sold her stake in the restaurant to managing partner Blair Wallace and her wife Stephanie earlier this year.

HILTON GARDEN INN BENTONVILLE

2204 SE Walton Blvd Bentonville, AR 72712 479-464-7300 bentonville.hgi.com

• Close to biking trails

• Bike lockers available

• Crystal Bridges & The Momentary -3.5 miles

• Walmart headquarter 2 miles

• Indoor pool and exercise room

• Meeting room

• Group and corporate rates available

• Pet friendly

• Hilton Honors points

HILTON GARDEN INN LITTLE ROCK 322 Rock Street Little Rock, AR 72202 littlerockdowntown.hgi.com

• Upscale Hilton in the heart of Downtown Little Rock

• Agasi7 Rooftop bar and restaurant

• Walking distance to Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Center & The River Market

• Simmons Bank Arena 2 miles

• Indoor pool and exercise room

• Meeting space for up to 300 people

• Pet friendly

• Hilton Honors points

HILTON GARDEN INN JONESBORO

2204 E Caraway Road Jonesboro, AR 72712 870-931-7727

jonesboro.hgi.com

• Just off Caraway Road, 3 miles from Arkansas State University

• 5 meeting rooms totaling nearly 5000 sq ft

• Meetings for up to 300 people

• Free parking

• Indoor pool and exercise room

• Group and corporate rates available

• Pet friendly

• Hilton Honors points

THE HAYWOOD HOTEL EL DORADO 210 S Washington AVe El Dorado, AR 71730

hilton.com/en/hotels/eldetup-the-haywood-el-dorado

• Connecting rooms available

• Free parking

• Free WiFi

• Non-smoking rooms

• Digital key

• Boutique

• Outdoor pool

• Pet friendly

beechwoodpinnaclesales.com | bphsales@lrar.com

COPPER GRILL

300 E. Third St., 501-375-3333, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Mary Beth Ringgold, owner of Capers and former owner of Cajun’s Wharf, opened the Copper Grill in 2007 on the ground floor of the 300 Third Tower condo building at Third and Cumberland Streets. Former manager of Cajun’s Wharf Dan Kovach purchased the restaurant with business partner Lelan Stice in 2019. A popular downtown lunch and dinner spot, Copper Grill features menu items like Oysters Bienville, Blackened Redfish and Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna.

KEMURI

2601 Kavanaugh, 501-660-4100; Lunch: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Dinner: 4:30-8:30 Sun.-Thu., 4:30-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Located in the Ice House Revival on Kavanaugh Boulevard in Hillcrest, Kemuri opened to rave reviews in 2014. In its first review of the Japanese restaurant, Arkansas Times used the two-word headline “Kemuri: Spectacular.” Known for its sushi, seafood entrees and ramen dishes, Kemuri has an impressive robata menu described as a traditional style of grilling originating in the northern islands of Japan, where fishermen would slowly cook their catch over a communal hearth.

ONE ELEVEN AT THE CAPITAL

111 W. Markham St., 501-370-7011, Breakfast and Lunch: 7-10 a.m. Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

One Eleven at the Capital reopened in October of 2022 after a two-year pandemic hiatus. New Executive Chef Brad Izzard, a native of South Africa, replaced Jöel Antunes, who was instrumental in the restaurant’s transition from Ashley’s at the Capital. The restaurant was firing on all cylinders when we visited in December.

PETIT & KEET

1620 Market St., 501- 319-7675, 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Located in the former Restaurant 1620 space, Petit & Keet was formed in a partnership by Belgian-born Louis Petit — who came to Little Rock to serve as maître d’ at Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne — and Jim Keet, who found success franchising Arkansas Wendy’s locations in the 1970s. Keet’s JTJ Restaurant Group now owns Cypress Social, two Waldo’s Kitchen & Beer locations and multiple Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafes. Bonner Cameron took over as executive chef of Petit & Keet in 2022.

SAMANTHA’S TAP ROOM & WOOD GRILL

322 Main St., 501-379-8019, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.

Opened on the ground floor of the historic Mann Building in 2015, Samantha’s Tap Room is described by its website as “upscale hop with downtown comfort.” The restaurant has a popular business lunch crowd and happy hour, and behind its expansive bar is a variety of beer and wine on tap. The restaurant made contributor Guy Coate’s list of top 10 Arkansas meals of 2022. Choate said this of the ribeye: “A good steak done right — seasoned, wood-grilled mid-rare, and finished with herbed butter — is hard to beat. But the greens were even better.”

SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM

500 President Clinton Ave., 501-324-2999, 5-9 p.m. Tue.-Sat. A traditional upscale steakhouse, Sonny Williams has been a reliable downtown River Market special occasion destination since it opened in 1999. The Arkansas Times stopped in for Valentine’s Day in 2017 and had this to say of the dining experience: “Perfection is exceedingly rare. On Valentine’s Day, with a packed house, Sonny Williams’ Steak Room delivered it in every way a dining experience can be defined.”

TABLE 28

1501 Merrill Drive, 501-224-2828, 4-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 4-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Located inside the Burgundy Hotel, Executive Chef Scott Rains has created a dining experience that you won’t find anywhere else in Little Rock. The restaurant won the “Best of Central Arkansas” award in the Arkansas Times 2020 Readers Choice awards, and this publication called the restaurant “a 10 on the dining scale” in a glowing 2013 review.

TRIO’S RESTAURANT

8201 Cantrell Road, 501-221-3330, Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Sat., Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Capi Peck opened Trio’s in Pavilion in the Park with partner Brent Peterson in 1986. Since then the restaurant has won the Arkansas Times Readers Choice Award for Best Restaurant in Central Arkansas six times. Hospitality is in Peck’s DNA. Her grandparents owned the Hotel Sam Peck in downtown Little Rock. Last year Peck and Peterson were honored with the 2022 Proprietor of the Year award from the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.

LONOKE

THE GRUMPY RABBIT

105 Front St., Lonoke, 501-438-8005, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun.

The Grumpy Rabbit opened in 2021 after owners Gina “Gigi” Cox and husband Jim Wiertelak had the historic downtown Lonoke building completely renovated. The restaurant quickly became a field-trip worthy dining spot for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. Our dinner there was one of the more memorable meals of 2021.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

RISTORANTE CAPEO

425 Main St., North Little Rock, 501-376-3463, 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat. A restaurant pioneer for the Argenta neighborhood, Ristorante Capeo has been a reason to cross the river into North Little Rock for 20 years. Its menu offers a wide selection of Italian classics, Neapolitan woodfired pizzas, and unique offerings like its fried sage leaves appetizer. The restaurant features a wine cellar and house-made desserts like vanilla panna cotta, white chocolate creme brulee and tiramisu.

WIEDERKEHR VILLAGE

WIEDERKEHR WINE CELLARS

3324 Swiss Family Dr., Wiederkehr Village, 479-468-9463, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars was founded by the Swiss Wiederkehr family in the late 19th century. The Weinkeller Restaurant was established in 1967 and is located underground in the original wine cellar hand-dug by Johann Andreas Wiederkehr in 1880. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by Swiss and European specialties and its candlelit underground environment feels like romantic time travel underground destination dining. Weinkeller Restaurant is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“FOOD IS OUR COMMON GROUND, A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE.”

—JAMES

BEARD

WILSON

WILSON CAFE

2 N. Jefferson St., Wilson, 870-655-0222, Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat-Sun. Dinner: 5-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat. The menu at Wilson’s honors the Delta land and farms with dishes that reflect the region’s diverse cultural influences and rich pastoral traditions, the website says. A Delta farm-to-table restaurant, Wilson features ingredients sourced from a garden located within 100 yards of the dining room.

DINING PASSPORT

PRIZE LIST:

One-night Stay* & Dinner for Two** at

The Bugler or The OAK room & bar (40 stamps • 10 available)

Dinner for Two** at The OAK room & bar (30 stamps • 10 available)

Dinner for Two** at The Bugler (30 stamps • 10 available)

Two Tickets for Headliner Concert at the Oaklawn Event Center (20 stamps • 10 available)

Oaklawn Inverted Umbrella (10 stamps • 20 available)

Oaklawn Hat (3 stamps • 40 available)

Prizes available while supplies last. *Blackout dates apply and include, but are not limited to: 12/9-12/11, 12/30-1/1, 2/24-2/26, 3/31-4/2, 4/14-4/16, 4/21-4/23, Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. **Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. For full list of rules and details visit arktimes.com/finediningpassport.

Pork Chop THE OAK ROOM & BAR