What started out as a Saturday afternoon heading to Mass, turned out to be a serendipitous adventure in Downtown Little Rock.
Going to Mass at the historic Greek Revival Saint Edward’s Catholic Church is a treat by itself … the Architecture, the altar carved by German craftsmen, the leaded glass, the choir, the ritual and the fact that for over 100 years it has continuously operated in the original settlement of Little Rock. Our already pleasant downtown adventure did not end with a church service.
After Mass we drove the few blocks to the River Market District, found a parking spot, walked around for a bit on an unseasonable cool July evening and had dinner at Dizzy’s … another treat in itself. Owner, Darla, has managed to create her own eclectic flavor of art, atmosphere, food and hospitality.
A great dinner behind us we were about to head West when Patti suggested we drive by the Bernice Garden on South Main … this time, a treat far beyond our expectations. There was music, street vendors and more activity than I have seen on Main Street in the past 50 years. These pictures with my Iphone (I was wishing I had my Canon camera) provide a sample of the full of life and commerce in this SoMa neighborhood.
With the River Market District, Argenta in NLR, Heights/Hillcrest and now SoMa, the heart of our Capitol City is beating like a teenager once again !!!
Biopics often gloss over the shortcomings of their subjects in favor of hitting the inspirational highlights of their lives, but the Mother Teresa story The Letters takes that one step further, functioning literally as an argument for her sainthood. It’s framed by a Vatican official’s investigation into canonization for the renowned Catholic nun and missionary, and then further framed by the correspondence between Teresa (Juliet Stevenson, sporting a vaguely Eastern European accent) and her longtime spiritual advisor (Max von Sydow).
He describes (and describes, and describes) Teresa’s efforts to minister to the poor and dying in Calcutta, India, which writer-director William Riead depicts with as much liveliness and dramatic tension as a Bible study class. Riead doesn’t have to include the various criticisms of Teresa’s work, but he could at least make her (or anyone else in the movie) an interesting character. In the end, the Vatican official concludes that Teresa absolutely deserves to be a saint. Anyone who sits through this movie probably deserves the same.
ANDIRON STEAK & SEA Andiron’s excellence comes as no surprise, as Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla have clearly mastered the neighborhood restaurant in various iterations. But how do they keep exceeding our expectations? This time, it was with sharp design and an undeniably warm approach to surf and turf. Downtown Summerlin, 702-685-8002. –BR
BARDOT BRASSERIE It’s hard to believe Las Vegas will see a better new restaurant this year, I wrote in February. I was right. Michael Mina’s take on the beloved classics of French cuisine is memorable, even thrilling, especially if you have a bit too much rosé with brunch. From king crab crepes to mussels mariniéres to foie gras parfaits, this is delicious precision. Aria, 877-230-2742. –BR
CARBONE Another new Aria eatery serving favorite Euro-dishes in swanky, glam, old-school environs? We struck the motherlode this year. Carbone’s ability to hit the New York-style Italian-American sweet spot knows no limitations; the experience feels as big as the plate-sized veal parm. Aria, 877-230-2742. –BR
CHADA STREET The sequel to Chada Thai & Wine is closer to the Strip, more spacious and maybe a bit spicier. The great wine to go with the great food is still the core, but this cuisine digs deeper into its inspiration, paying tribute to Thailand’s infamous street-food scene. Prepare for excitement. 3839 Spring Mountain Road, 702-579-0207. –BR
INYO ASIAN VARIETY Normally, a schizophrenic menu is a precursor to a disappointing dining experience, but Inyo chef Gregg Fortunato succeeds at melding many parts of the Far East into a single menu, a culinary journey from China to Thailand to Japan and places in between. 6000 W. Spring Mountain Road #1B, 702-248-0588. –JB
JABURRITOS Sometimes fusion can baffle, muddling all flavors involved. But other times, it’s simply magic, like peanut butter and chocolate—or, now, sushi and burritos. Soho Japanese Restaurant chef John Chien Lee has brought them together in holy matrimony at Jaburritos. It’s fusion at its finest. 2600 W. Sahara Ave. #115, 702-778-2525. –JB
JAPAÑEIRO There were plenty of Strip chefs moving out to the ’burbs this year, and Nobu Caesars alum Kevin Chong was a prime example. Pristine platings and high-end sourcing combine for a refined Japanese experience in an unassuming location. If this is the new normal for local dining, it’s a very good thing. 7315 W. Warm Springs Road #170, 702-260-8668. –JB
LAGO What if our very own master of Spanish tapas (Julian Serrano) created a small-plate Italian concept, with a multitude of memorable bites you could consume in a sparkling space while also taking in Bellagio’s iconic water show? Would it be perfect? Seems like yes. Bellagio, 702-693-71111. –BR
OTHER MAMA There were big, famous restaurant openings this year that fulfilled on their promise, but was there a hotter, more buzzed-about new restaurant than the humble, no-nonsense, impeccably fresh Other Mama? Chef Dan Krohmer creates some of the Valley’s most craveable cuisine in a truly comfy spot, and that combo’s tough to beat. 3655 S. Durango Drive #6, 702-463-8382. –BR
YUI EDOMAE SUSHI If you love Kabuto, you’ll also be enamored with Yui. Owned by former Kabuto frontman Genichi “Gen-san” Mizoguchi, the brand-new restaurant is a virtual doppelganger of the esteemed edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi joint just down Spring Mountain. Our cup runneth over. 3640 Arville St., 702-202-2408. –JB
ZYDECO PO-BOYS This little gumbo shack from southwest Lousiana’s Brandon Trahan was probably the most overlooked Downtown opening of the year, but not by those who appreciate soul-satisfying Cajun cuisine—tough to find in the desert. If you haven’t destroyed Zydeco’s debris po-boy, you’re missing out on one of the city’s best sandwiches. 616 E. Carson Ave. #140, 702-982-1889. –BR