When you dress for a night out, you want a fine dining experience with cloth napkins and a meal you can brag about the next day. That's a given with these restaurants. These well-established eateries win multiple awards each year for their cooking and ambiance. In most cases, the chefs are the owners, so you can be doubly assured of a memorable meal. The honey-glazed orange breast of duck and the red snapper in puff pastry served with fresh herb beurre blanc illustrate the menu's originality.
Diners can select from a six-page wine list.
Remember to leave room for the creme brulee. Long a name synonymous with elegance, this boutique restaurant specializes in continental cuisine with an American flair. Besides the regular menu of salmon, lobster, steaks, pork ribs and pasta, look for lobster enchiladas and herb pork tenderloins in a honey-mustard glaze. Known for the weekend brunches, creme brulee and chocolate truffle cake. The Chef Association of Arkansas voted Matthews best chef in the state.