Argenta Arts District

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Argenta Downtown Council & Arkansas Arts Foundation 301 Main Street • Suite 203 • North Little Rock, AR 72114 ADC 501-786-2324 • AAF 501-993-1234

Argenta Arts District special supplement

Publisher Vicki Vowell EDITOR Angela E. Thomas athomas@aymag.com

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Associate Editor Amy Bowers abowers@aymag.com

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Erin Homeyer ehomeyer@aymag.com

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Jessica Franklin jfranklin@aymag.com Linda Burlingame lindaaymag@aol.com Gwen Wiley gwiley@aymag.com INTERN Megan Lindsey

REgular Contributors Nate Allen, Faith Anaya, Eliza Borné, Steve Bowman, Roby Brock, Jill Conner Browne, Cindy Conger, Tracy Courage, Vic Fleming, Janie Jones, Beth Phelps, Sonny Rhodes, Joe David Rice, P. Allen Smith, Susan Wallace, Rebecca Ward

Greg Thompson Fine Art gallery is open for the Argenta Art Walk every third Friday.

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Table of Contents • Living in Argenta

• Arts and Entertainment

Urban Lifestyle At Its Finest

• Dining Downtown

Pull Up A Chair, Stay Awhile

• Argenta Resource Guide

• A Bird's-eye View of the District On the cover: rooftop patio at Argenta Place, photography by Janet Warlick; inset photo: "Big River Bluffs," by Matt McLeod.

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Mission-style cabinets, wood shutters and granite counters add to the warmth of this kitchen. Gaudin's painting "Wine Tasting" can be seen just above the breakfast counter.

Three Spaces, Three Styles...One Sweet Life

By Angela E. Thomas, photography by Janet Warlick

A pair of red leather chairs adds a pop of color in this casual space.

Downtown North Little Rock is bustling with activity — day and night —thanks to the collective efforts of Mayor Patrick Hays, the Argenta Community Development Corporation and others. One way they’ve accomplished this is through residential occupancy. Townhomes and condominiums have brought nightlife to the forefront, and these homes are right in the heart of it all.

Urban living is at its best in the condominium homes of Harold Tenenbaum; Greg Nabholz; and John Gaudin and Dr. C.E. "Corky" Patton. The entrance to this four-story building, which once housed a tire store, sets the stage with a graphic panel featuring multihued backlights creating a modern piece of artwork, hinting to a theme of the offices and residences above.

John Gaudin and "Corky" Patton's, condo exudes warmth. His home was an open space at purchase, as were all three condos, with a structural beam near the entrance. Rather than build a wall to hide the beam, Gaudin installed three others, creating a grand entrance and defining his formal living and dining spaces. To add warmth, he painstakingly handpainted the walls and ceilings in a warm peachy color, which is echoed in the gold travertine floor in the entry.

“I wanted the walls to have an antique, old world Italian feel,” Gaudin said. “This color is inviting and elegant, but homey.”

The dining room, just right of the entry, features a table designed by Master Jiang. The dining table seats eight and is a gallery for his collection of Versace plates and chargers.

This hall, opposite the formal living room, is an ideal space to display paintings.

Gaudin said he loved their color and symmetry. A large buffet and large china cabinet finish out the space.

“I found that cabinet many years ago. I love its warmth and size, and it’s perfect to display all our glassware,” Gaudin said, laughing. “It took five of us to disassemble it, move it and then it took five of us to reassemble. When we were done, there were five or six large screws leftover. I worry everyday that it’ll come apart.”

Adjacent to the formal dining is the formal living room. A pair of coordinating sofas covered in matching fabric provides seating.

Principal in the room is a candelabra by artist Robert Best titled “Burning Bush.” The piece

is only one of many pieces of original artwork in Gaudin’s home, which is a gallery for his collection. It is one of three Best pieces that he owns; one is a crucifix that sits in front of a fireplace. It and the other pieces feature amethyst and Arkansas quartz.

Gaudin is himself an artist and many of his pieces, including a number of iconic pieces as well as pop art of prominent leaders, are displayed.

The kitchen and casual living areas are open spaces with wide-plank wood floors. The kitchen is cozy and has stainless steel appliances, tumbled porcelain backsplashes and custom-made, mission-style cabinets.

Sitting above an over-sized buffett is a painting by John Deering.

“The Argenta neighborhood has lots of homes that are mission style. I wanted to have some elements that relate back to the neighborhood,” Gaudin said. The vent above the stove has been covered and painted. I like that fluted look … it’s more of an old world style. I didn’t want it to be too modern.”

He chose granite for the counters. “I like the beauty and durability, but I chose this pattern for its subtlety. I didn’t want the counters to standout — they’re not art. I wanted the art to be the art. I didn’t want anything to battle with the art we’ve collected over the years,” he said, referring to pieces such as figurines by Jane Hankins; his paintings, including “Wine Tastings”; as well as paintings by other artists including a few pigs — “We’re huge Razorback fans" — and several that are food-centered by Carol Katchen.

The casual living area is a comfortable space, furnished in muted colors — again to allow the artwork to take center stage — with a bold splash of crimson in a pair of chairs.

A gas fireplace is flanked by bookshelves and a desk that display more artwork and found objects; the wall opposite the entry features wood-shuttered windows and doors that open to a balcony overlooking a busy Argenta street.

“I love this area,” Gaudin said. He moved from Little Rock to find this type of atmosphere. “I love the people, this neighborhood.

I’m able to walk out my door and have access to everything … restaurants, a grocery, muse-

um, galleries … living here is more about the culture than anything else.”

Clean lines and a minimalist feel dominate the 2,850 square feet that Harold Tenenbaum calls home. He worked with designer John Rogers, who created the delightful lighting feature for Little Rock’s Big Dam Bridge, for nearly a year to perfect the concept. “Everything was designed around my art collection. I’ve been collecting for 30 or 40 years, so displaying the art prominently was key,” Tenenbaum said.

Thus art is featured in each room including the entry where a painting by LeRoy Neiman and its watercolor test reside. Bamboo flooring is featured in the open living space, which includes a generous kitchen, a small area Tenenbaum refers to as the lounge and the living and dining areas.

The kitchen has limestone floors, concrete countertops — both in dark grey tones — and African ebony cabinets. Stainless steel appliances provide convenience and a cuttingedge look. One element, which is unique to the room, is a baby blue French stove, which Tenenbaum likes because “it’s so different.” A crescent-shaped breakfast bar has seating for four and features a Rogers creation: a glass shelf with intermittent light that illuminates in six different hues including cyan. An island centers the room and houses a deep sink and a stainless faucet with a pull-down sprayer that adds an architectural detail.

"The Lounge" is home to two of Tenenbaum's favorite pieces by LeRoy Neiman.

The living room has newly-purchased furniture as well as pieces that are decades old — striking a perfect chord in modern decor.

Tenenbaum's kitchen is an open space with generous counters.

“Let’s face it … when you have guests, everybody ends up in the kitchen, so we designed the space to allow conversation while prep work and cooking are going on. People can nibble and talk at the same time,” Tenenbaum said. The ample counter space certainly allows for this. Storage space built into the counter facing the dining area provides a display for glassware that belonged to Tenenbaum’s great grandmother. In fact, several of her keepsakes are part of the décor including a beautifully preserved dining table. The table seats eight comfortably, though Tenenbaum replaced the original chairs, they are well matched to the

Bar with a uniquely-lit glass shelf.

The dining room is home to treasured artwork and family heirlooms.

table and the space. Three large works dominate the space here: a painting by Neiman, “Polo Lounge”; a mixed-media abstract by Lichtenstein; and a wood train set with a story: “This was built by a former railroad engineer who lived in Hope, Ark.; in fact, Bill Clinton would go over and watch him build. I first saw it in a small scrape metal yard in Hope when I was 14. I chased this thing for 30 years. When I was in my 40s, it went up for auction and I got it. Of course, by then it was falling apart.

I found an old watch maker who restored it,” Tenenbaum said. He proudly displays it beneath “Polo Lounge.”

A bright-colored abstract painting and an antique cedar storage bench with copper strips sit along the transition space between the living and dining spaces. Here guests luxuriate

in shades of grey, dark brown and moss green.

Centered in the space is a wood table Tenenbaum has had since his children were toddlers.

Here a pop of color is provided by blown glass fashioned by Chihuly. A pair of swivel chairs turns to face the fireplace, which burns denatured alcohol. Above it sits a large, flat-screen television flanked by a quartet of backlit florals fashioned of glass. Opposite is the “lounge” with a sectional sofa. A metal marble-topped table features a unique piece of glass artwork and two Neiman works: a painting “Kilimanjaro Bulls” and a tapestry titled “Elephant Stampede.”

Tenenbaum’s home is defined by open spaces that are perfect for entertaining. Dark masculine pieces, antiques mixed with modern and light make a perfect backdrop for his art

and, more importantly, his life.

Modern is the word for Greg Nabholz’ condominium. Blues, greys and black provide the color palette in this residence.

White canvases featuring fruit and artfully-placed black splatters hang on the space outside his home, indicative of the style within. His walls have been dressed in grey as well, providing a neutral setting for the entry, which is home to several pieces by artists like Jason Gammel, V.L. Cox, Sarah Nabholz Mitchell and neighbor John Gaudin.

The master suite, just inside, features an energetic splash of turquoise on the wall that acts as the backdrop for the bed. It's the first room in which you encounter one of the condo’s treats: electronic blinds. Valances that match the wall colors hide the blinds’ housing.

Nabholz worked with Nabholz Construction and subcontractors to finish out his space.

“I knew what I wanted the space to look like,” he said. “I bounced ideas off of a group of friends I refer to as ‘my council.’ I used black as a backdrop and added other colors to it.”

The master bath is a shaded, intimate space with dimmers that change the mood. The rectangular shower, fashioned of tiled walls and a stone floor is large enough to feel spacious and deep enough that a shower door is not re-

quired. Its wall separates the water closet.

Nabholz used pocket and sliding doors on the closets in the master suite and guest bedrooms to minimize the area needed to access the space. Their charcoal color is also used on the bath and kitchen cabinetry, built-in shelves and office areas unifying the spaces.

The condo’s public space is also open. The kitchen features glass tile in shades of blue, and Nabholz has used splashes of this color in his dishware and many kitchen utensils. As space is at a premium in this 1,400-squarefoot condo, Nabholz has maximized storage space, by using cabinets that reach the ceiling.

“My plan was to maximize the public space, to use the space as efficiently as possible,” he said.

The bar features glass shelves, encased in black, on either end, with wire racks below providing storage for glasses and mugs. The ends of the bar are also used for storage, one end for wine bottles.

The living space is adjacent to a tiled fireplace that Nabholz designed himself. Here is another of the home’s wow factors: a waterfall that provides an aesthetic and audible feature.

Turquoise vases add shimmer and color to the focal point. A faux pebble rug grounds the space and a cream-colored leather sectional

The largest room acts as kitchen, dining, entertainment and office space.

Blue tiles and accessories add to the ambiance of Nabholz's home.

and matching ottoman furnish it. Here, a teal throw and funky pillows lend color and interest to the room. The dining table seats eight, and the homeowner has used parson’s chairs in ebony and ecru to surround it. A very modern chandelier illuminates the dining area. Shelves prominently display keepsakes, family photos,

The fireplace features a waterfall Nabholz designed himself.

The dining area features a pair of black shelves that flank doors leading to a balcony.

books and souvenirs from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville — Nabholz’s alma mater — and Razorback mementos. Two pairs of doors open to the home’s two balconies; one features a Razorback side table and a stamp of a Hawg.

A doorless closet houses Nabholz’s electronics and has built-in shelves that house books, office supplies and the like. A black desk centered in front of it gives him workspace and a view out onto the busy street below.

Prior to December 2007, Nabholz lived in Conway, but moved to Argenta, for many of the reasons cited by Gaudin and Tenenbaum. “I’ve always wanted to live in a walkable, livable neighborhood. I can go three days without getting in my car and still have all I need and want,” he said. “Argenta has a big city feel.”

This is truly urban living at its finest. The building’s pièce de résistance is the rooftop patio, which Nabholz calls “our window to the city,” with seating for about 25. The outdoor space grants spectacular views of Little Rock and North Little Rock. Amenities include an outdoor kitchen, a retractable roof, a TV — though, whose watching when you have such as great view? — a hot tub and a fire pit for fall and mild winter nights. 

CityGrove Townhomes

A Natural Destination City

By Amy Bowers, photography by Janet Warlick , Vanessa Wurtz and courtesy of Arkansas.com

Argenta’s livability grows exponentially each year with centrally-located dwellings, easily-accessible public transportation, shopping, dining, entertainment and the recent addition of a grocery store. What more could a resident of this riverside city ask for?

Beautiful cottage-style and renovated single-family homes line the streets of the residential portion of the district, and now there are many convenient new-construction options as well. CityGrove Townhomes offer the convenience of condo-style living without the loss of the neighborhood atmosphere.

These three-story townhomes line Maple Street and are within walking distance to all of the amenities of Argenta. In addition to ample open space in the form of grassy courtyards, residents enjoy maximum comfort with granite countertops, Energy Star stainless steel appliances, beautiful brick exterior facades, balconies overlooking the neighborhood and a covered garage for security and privacy.

The Enclave at the Riverfront offers luxury apartment living right on the Arkansas River. This 260-unit apartment building on the river’s edge touts units ranging from 695 to 1,484 square feet with gourmet kitchens, granite countertops and private balconies. The Enclave is located near Verizon Arena and the Junction Bridge. In addition to all this, residents enjoy access to two pools, a fitness center and private parking.

For temporary arrangements in Argenta, look to the Wyndham Hotel and the Baker House Bed and Breakfast for quiet, comfortable accommodations. The Wyndham grants guests spacious rooms with two-line phones, voice mail and high-speed Internet access as well as a fitness center and outdoor pool. Dine at either of the hotel’s two fine restaurants, Benihana for hibachi-style Japanese fare and sushi or the Riverfront Steak House.

Baker House Bed and Breakfast is a quaint Victorian bed and breakfast built in 1898, and decorated with Victorian antiques true to its time period. Its ornate design and intricate woodwork, both inside and out, make a stay at this historic landmark building a memorable experience. Each suite has a private bath

"Mother Nature" by Kevin Kresse

— some with claw foot soaking tubs — and breakfast is served every morning on period china in the Baker House’s formal dining room.

If you travel with your accommodations, the Downtown Riverside RV Park is a beautiful place to park your RV and enjoy a great view of the river. This recent addition to the city can be found in the North Shore River District, just east of the Interstate 30 Bridge.

“When people see our RV Park, they are definitely going to come back and visit it again,” said Bob Major of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. “It is perfect, because the site is in walking distance to so many major attractions in central Arkansas.”

The RV Park holds up to 70 motor homes

Argenta Place is home to businesses, residences and Cregeen's Irish Pub.

Galaxy Furniture

The Enclave at the Riverfront.

and all of the 20-by-50 foot sites have 50 amp power and water. A full-time, onsite manager is available to address any needs at the gated, secured park.

Residents of Argenta celebrated the opening of the district’s first grocery store and farmers market earlier this summer. The Certified Arkansas Farmers Market at the corner of Main and Sixth Streets offers fresh produce and more, guaranteed to be grown in Arkansas. Shop their goods every Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon. Venture across the street to Jody Hardin’s new Argenta Market, which answers the neighborhood’s desperate need for a grocery store. Find items including deli meat, milk, produce, paper products, detergent, snacks and much more — many locally-produced or organic — at this convenient shopping mart. The market pulls double duty as a bistro as well, serving a wide variety

of sandwiches and breakfast items, coffee and more.

Argenta is fully-outfitted to take care of your home decorating needs with three furniture stores on Main Street. Shoppers will find more than 10,000 square feet of name-brand furniture and appliances at Thomason Furniture and Appliance. Venture over to Blake’s Furniture for a wide variety of living, dining and bedroom furniture as well as accessories.

If you prefer a vintage flair for your home or office, Galaxy Furniture has you covered with re-sale antiques in coffee tables, dining tables, couches and more at bargain prices. This retailer offers retro clothing, shoes and accessories as well as gifts, art and more.

Find handmade jewelry, beads and beading accessories at Argenta Bead Company. This unique boutique specializes in promoting creative jewelry making; come in and make your

Argenta Bead Company

own or buy something from any of the inhouse jewelry designers. Argenta Bead offers a variety of pendants, stones, glass beads and more to create just what you are looking for. 

advertorial

EGP, PLLC 30 Years and Counting ...

Thirty years in business is a milestone that represents the type of strength and stability on which this firm was established in 1981.

We were proud “Argentians” from the time the doors opened at 611 Main Street in North Little Rock and always strived to go beyond the typical accounting firm. Our founding partner Bruce Engstrom stated “Equal commitment to our staff and to our clients is this

firm’s top priority, we work with people not just numbers.” Although much has changed since the firm was founded, this core belief still remains as does our commitment to this community.

None of EGP‘s past, current, or future achievements could have occurred without you – our staff, our clients, business partners and friends. “Value can be expressed in mon-

etary terms but also in the pride you take in ownership, the creation of jobs and economic benefits for your community. Ownership is an opportunity and coupled with success can be among the most rewarding accomplishments in your life.” - John Green, Managing Partner.

Thank you for all your support and your role in our firm’s 30th anniversary as we look forward to the next 30 years! 

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS 611 Main Street • North Little Rock AR 72114 | 421 South 7th Street • Heber Springs AR 72543 | www.egpcpas.com

C D

A B EAST FOURTH STREET

EAST FIFTH STREET

EAST SIXTH STREET

BISHOP LINDSAY AVENUE

EAST EIGHTH STREET

EAST NINTH STREET

NORTH CYPRESS STREET

Argenta Map

SOUTH CYPRESS STREET

SOUTH OLIVE STREET

LEGEND RIVERFRONT DRIVE

EAST BROADWAY STREET

Verizon Arena

A Proposed Market Square B Proposed Library

NORTH MAGNOLIA STREET

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C Proposed Public/Private Parking Deck

SOUTH POPLAR STREET

Ri verfr ont Pa

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NORTH POPLAR STREET

D Proposed Police Station NORTH MAIN STREET

E Proposed Fire Station/Public Health Facility/Medical Emergency Ambulance Station

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F Proposed Hotel NORTH ORANGE STREET

WEST SECOND STREET

River

Current Trolley Path

NORTH WILLOW STREET

Arkansas

WEST BROADWAY STREET

NORTH MAPLE STREET

Proposed Trolley Extension

Dickey-Stephens Park

Multi-Use Trail/Bike Lanes

U.S. 708

"My Louisiana Family Tree" by George Rodrigue.

THEA Foundation

Argenta Community Theater courtesy of Taggart Foster Currence Gray Architects

Arts and entertainment are taking center stage in Argenta with galleries, theaters and more filling up buildings along Main Street.

The THEA Foundation was established in 2001; it is a non-profit, public foundation created to honor the memory and legacy of Thea Kay Leopoulos, the daughter of founder Paul Leopoulos. The organization’s mission is “to advocate the importance of art in the development of students through education and promotional activities, and to encourage individual participation in art through scholarship, partnership and other programs.” THEA encourages participation in the arts through several programs including Arts Across Arkansas, which sponsors the installation of donated art in public schools across the state, and THEA Paves the Way, which will be held Oct. 9 at the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum and includes a sidewalk chalk art show, music, food, artists' exhibits, entertainment and giveaways. Tour the 2,200 square-foot Judy Kohn Tenenbaum Gallery in the THEA Center for the Arts, which houses art created by many talented Arkansas students.

“The foundation and the work we do have been a true labor of love for my wife Linda and I. We have a magnificent board of directors, who are visionary and understand that the only way to truly ‘leave no child behind’ is to improve our education system, and one key way to do that is to infuse arts into the curriculum,” Leopoulos said.

The organization is gearing up for a big fundraiser Nov. 5 at the Clinton Center with “Blue Dog” artist George Rodrigue, who learned of THEA in Pres. Bill Clinton’s au-

Artwork by Matt McLeod at Greg Thompson Fine Art

tobiography. Rodrigue found inspiration in the work Leopoulos does, and created his own non-profit organization by following the THEA model.

The Argenta Community Theater will celebrate its grand opening this winter as a 175-seat black box theater that doubles as a multipurpose community building, the first of its kind in central Arkansas. Founders Judy Kohn Tenenbaum and Vincent Insalaco created the theater to promote and advance performing arts in the region, particularly among

young people. Their mission statement is: “we believe strongly that the performing arts are a critical part of a student’s education and development. Further, we believe that a performing arts program enhances the community it serves.” The theater will produce and present up to four local productions per year; hold a children’s theater summer camp; and be accessible to the community as an events facility.

“The theater will not only be an asset to Argenta, but to the entire state of Arkansas,” Tenenbaum said. “Besides putting on performances, we hope to rent the facility out as a multipurpose center and use the revenue from that to create scholarships for the state’s underprivileged youth. Education is our primary, future vision, and we hope to grow programs in the performing arts based on the community’s needs. As many of these programs are being cut in public schools, we hope that providing an outlet for these children, we can help give them the confidence and self-esteem they need to continue with their educations.”

The Greg Thompson Fine Art gallery has collected, in its 15 years, some of the top works in 20th Century Modern Art from private collections around the world and many

Bikers on Riverfront Trail

Junction Bridge

from some of the South’s most celebrated artists, including Carroll Cloar, Theora Hamblett, Donald Roller Wilson and more. View these works in the gallery’s 3,000 square feet of public and private gallery space. They specialize in dealing works that have been “meticulously researched to ensure authenticity, provenance, condition and fair market value.”

They also host the works of a featured artist, which hangs on their walls for two months.

The art of Roger Carlisle is on display through mid-September, followed by Little Rock artist Barry Thomas who will have an opening at the

USS Razorback

gallery Sept. 17.

Get a dose of history at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. The star of the museum is the submarine USS Razorback, which launched Jan. 27, 1944. The USS Razorback served our country in World War II, the Vietnam War and the Cold War, before making its way to dock in the Arkansas River as a museum and educational center.

Verizon Arena seats 18,000 and houses 28,000 square feet for meeting and conference space. See large-scale sporting events, concerts, conventions, banquets and more.

Most sports fans could spend an entire afternoon at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame located in the ground level of Verizon Arena.

The Hall of Fame has acknowledged the achievements of the state’s greatest athletes,

Memorabilia at the ASHOF

coaches and teams for decades. More than 300 of the state’s finest have been inducted. Tour the museum, which features photographs, memorabilia, videos and more.

If you haven’t caught a Travs game this season, you better hurry to Dickey-Stephens Ballpark; the last home game of the year is in September. This grand, riverfront ballpark is home to the Arkansas Travelers as well as

the Arkansas Travelers Museum and a kids’ playground just beyond center field. Grab a hot dog and a beer from the Beer Garden, and enjoy America’s favorite pastime and a beautiful view of the Arkansas River and downtown Little Rock.

Argenta is one of the state’s greatest urban areas … one visit, and you’ll appreciate it all. 

Experience Argenta

Artist Ludwik "Koz" Kozlowski paints regularly at the Starving Artist Cafe.

Fine Italian Cuisine

Open Kitchen•Wine Cellar•Full Bar

Dinner Mon-Sat 5 p.m.

Reservations Recommended

376.3463 | 425 Main Street North Little Rock | www.capeo.us

Dining Guide

Authentically Irish … Genuinely Delightful Good For the Palette and the Palate The café, which is known not only for its fantastic fare, but also for its beautiful artwork, live music and art demonstrations, has been in business since 2005.

“Starving Artist is not just a restaurant, but a restaurant that sells art,” Paula Morell, coowner said. Some of the tabletops are painted, and are for sale along with everything on the walls. The move from Little Rock to Argenta afforded the restaurant an increase in space and seating, a full bar and outdoor seating on a New Orleans–style patio in the back.

“We have much of the same menu as before including lunch items, such as panini, crepes, gourmet salads and soups. We still have our popular daily specials with everything made entirely in-house, including bread, mayo and dressings,” Morell said.

The fabulous dishes are created by chef Jason Morell, Morell’s husband and Starving Artist co-owner. The dinner menu includes many of the lunch items, plus fish, pasta, filet mignon and more … all with a southern French influence.

“We love Argenta; it has grown so much over the last few years. We are located on trolley stop No. 1 and couldn’t have asked for a better location.”

Starving Artist Café

411 Main Street • (501) 372-7976 Tue. through Sat., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Mon. and Sun.

starvingartistcafe.net

Cregeen’s is a truly Irish pub. The furniture, bric-a-brac, wood, bars … virtually everything used to build the establishment — including the carpenters — came from Ireland. The atmosphere is similar to those found in Irish pubs with designs for large parties and live music.

The authenticity of the pub also extends to the menu. Brunch includes Guinness beef stew and Guinness onion soup; it’s caramelized onions, shallots and garlic, simmered in beef consommé and Guinness. The lunch menu includes an appetizer called Irish Boxty Farthing. It’s a traditional Irish potato pancake served with sour cream and chives … tasty. You’ll also find a Rueben; Corn Beef and Cabbage; Bangers and Mash; Shepherd’s Pie; and Fish and Chips.

What is a pub without beer? The Irish are known for fine Guinness, and as an Irish pub, Cregeen’s must live up to this reputation. “We are the only bar in Arkansas that pours a proper pint,” J.B. Williams, co-owner said. “Most beer has CO2. Stouts use nitrogen. We use a two-part pour. It takes 1 minute and 23 seconds to pour a proper pint. We advise customers to order earlier; don’t wait until their glass is empty. We may not offer the most beers, but Cregeen’s has the freshest and best selection of beer around.”

A Great Little Place

Cregeen’s Irish Pub

Crush Wine Bar is all about fine wine, of course, but it’s also about great beers, a fun atmosphere and quality customer service, which includes educational wine tastings. On any given night, one might attend a tasting of red wine blends, sake and sushi, white wines or even champagne. Crush’s owner is a sommelier who loves to share his knowledge of “all things wine” in an informative manner. They feature more than 100 wines, a good number are available by the glass; however, the majority are sold by-the-bottle. Patrons will also find a simple, yet enticing tapas menu — featuring various ingredients, such as olives, a variety of meats or cheeses — priced at $8 for your choice of three. For those who choose not to imbibe, try an orange or lemon San Pellegrino.

If you’d like to unwind after a long work-day, stop in Tuesday through Saturday for happy hour and $5-glasses of house wine and $2 domestic and import beers, from 4 to 7 p.m.

You’ll also find a few desserts, like chocolate chambord cheesecake, courtesy of Hunka Pie.

cregeens.com

318 Main Street • (501) 374-9463, Tue. through Thu., 4 to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 4 to 11 p.m.

301 Main Street • (501) 376-7468 Lunch: Mon. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Dinner: Mon. through Wed. and Sat. 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thu. and Fri. 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Crush Wine Bar

Incredible (Italian) Edibles

Delicious from Start to Finish Reno’s is one of those places … a laid back atmosphere, great food and a varied clientele.

You’ll find a great appetizer menu, consisting of traditional fare — chips and salsa, wings, artichoke dip — all prepared well. One of our favorites is the savory hummus dip served with cucumbers, pita wedges and kalamata olives.

If you’re watching your figure or just craving veggies, try one of their five freshly-prepared salads. Other menu selections include gyros, wraps, fish tacos and more. Be sure to stop in; they recently hired a new chef, thus the menu has been revamped.

Reno’s also offers a full bar and features themed drinks, such as the John Daly, a hard mint tea.

Another reason to visit this café: live music. Each Friday and Saturday night, beginning at 10 p.m., local musicians entertain the lively crowd, and with a cover charge of only $5, you can afford to go every weekend.

Reno’s Argenta Café

312 Main St. • (501) 376-2900 Mon. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

This eatery is regarded by some as the best Italian restaurant in the state. Ristorante Capeo is family-owned and operated by the Isaac brothers. Chef Eric studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Italy and interned at a restaurant on the Italian Riviera.

Located in a once-condemned building in the heart of Argenta, the restaurant opened in 2003 to rave reviews. Capeo is an elegant restaurant with a casual atmosphere that easily lends itself to business and romantic dinners alike.

The dinner menu includes classics like tagiatelle al ragu Bolognese and chicken picatta and dishes that have become commonplace in many restaurants, like chicken marsala; however, chain restaurants cannot top the classic Italian training, expertise and years of experience that make the cuisine at Capeo so outstanding. The one challenge of dining here may be selecting wine … there are literally hundreds of wines in Capeo’s cellar … sparklings, chiantis, whites, reds, dessert wines. You’ll do well to make it one of your frequent stops. You’ll also want to save room for dessert; the traditional tiramisu and panna cotta are bellissimo!

Ristorante Capeo

425 Main St. • (501) 376-3463 Mon. through Sat., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sun.

capeo.us

Ump’s Pub and Grill Ump’s Pub and Grill is an all-American, upscale pub. However, there are several dishes, such as Caesar salads, Laven Lasagna and fresh halibut on the menu. Customers will also find delicious casual entrees. The appetizer menu, called Batter Up, includes hand-breaded, fried jumbo mushrooms. They are cooked to a nice consistency, skewed and serve with a tasty horseradish cream sauce. Of course, no pub can be called such without chicken wings, and Ump’s offers classic breaded wings and three flavors — hot, honey barbecue and sweet/spicy. Don’t miss their Carolina League Crab Cakes or the Frisco Fried Pickles served with Grand Slam Sauce for a bit of crunch, heat and sour in every bite.

You’ll also find a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, several pastas, a ribeye steak and veal chops. Dessert lovers, don’t miss the brownie sundae, which is served in a mini take-home league baseball helmet, or the Honey’s Rum Cake, a Bill Valentine favorite.

Ump’s Pub and Grill Dickey-Stephens Ballpark

400 W. Broadway St. • (501) 324-BALL Tue. through Sat., 5 to 10 p.m., Mon. when Travs play

Dining Guide

Steak, well done Great customer service and a setting perfect for a relaxed, elegant and unforgettably delicious meal — these elements make for an ideal dining experience, and are standard at the superb Riverfront Steakhouse.

Visitors are greeted at the door by a friendly face and professional attitude, a manner that continues throughout the dining experience.

The restaurant can accommodate dining parties of two and 200; the facility consist of the dining room as well as a private dining area and three banquet rooms that are available for use.

The Riverfront Steakhouse’s reputation for fine steaks is well deserved; however, it’s also known for its salad bar. The sides at the steakhouse include traditional dishes such as baked potatoes and French fries — what selfrespecting steakhouse wouldn’t — but the selection has been enhanced with sweet potato fries, freshly made creamed corn — we hear it’s owner Frank Fletcher’s favorite — fresh asparagus and sautéed spinach. The steak is seasoned perfectly, tender and mouthwatering.

The Riverfront Steakhouse in the Wyndham Riverfront is definitely one of central Arkansas’ best-kept secrets.

The Riverfront Steakhouse

2 Riverfront Place • (501) 375-7825 Mon. through Thu., 5 to 9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 to 10 p.m.

frankfletcher.com/steakhouse

Dine In or Carry Out … It’s all Good The Argenta Market, a deli/grocery is independently owned and operated. The market is located in a prime location — Sixth and Main Streets — just across from the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market. Shoppers will find locally-grown produce and goods, such as Diamond Bear beer, Chateau Aux Arc wines, and Guillermo’s Gourmet Coffee, as well as nationally-known brands and goods made and packaged here in Arkansas. Eggs and milk from local farms and dairies are also a staple. The deli case contains seafood and regional meats from companies like Petit Jean.

The beans and grains wall yields local goods, such as Arkansas organic rice from Lone Pine Farms in Carlisle and locally-roasted, fairtrade coffees.

Diners will find menu selections, such as roast beef and Reuben sandwiches, featuring local meats, and sauerkraut and dressings made in-house; more than 15 different types of pastas, such as basil-tomato and smoked

chipotle, each made in house using local eggs — Henderson said this makes a world of difference — and salads, like the spinach salad with seared tuna, red onions and black bean dressing and pine nuts.

Weekday mornings, patrons can enjoy a cup of Joe or an espresso and fresh-baked pastries thanks to a partnership with Community Bakery. Saturday mornings, Argenta serves made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and specialties, such as biscuits with sausage gravy and biscuits with chocolate gravy.

Patrons can also take advantage of the salad bar and Gourmet-To-Go meals. Chef Shane Henderson prepares dishes in-house; some are frozen, others ready to pop in the oven for final preparation. This includes items such as vegetarian and regular lasagnas, enchiladas, roasted chicken, prime rib and a sirloin dish called the baseball steak.

Argenta Market

521 N. Main St. • (501) 379-9980 Mon. through Sat., 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

argentamarket.com

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