Hot In Little Rock

Grab Some Art

hotinlittlerock — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:02:13 +0000

Grab Some Art

March 10, 2010

Do you love art? Well, because you’re reading this column, we hope that answer is yes! We love art, too. And we also love our kids – and we want them to have the best possible experiences as they learn about this crazy world in which we live. Art is always the first to go when there are budget cuts for the schools. So even though our kids don’t attend Pulaski Heights Elementary, we are always glad to support their fundraiser, “Pulaski Heights Picassos.”

This is the 11th year for Picassos. That’s pretty impressive by itself. And each year, the artists that they secure are well known and provide the auction with some great pieces of art for bidding.

This year is no different. You’ll find John Deering, Stephano, Jane Hankins, Matt McLeod, and many more. There’s also jewelry and pottery and glass. And all the proceeds go towards helping the PTA at Pulaski Heights Elementary continue to provide quality art programs for the students.

If you didn’t know it already, exposing kids to art has been shown to increase their scores in math and science and other important academic areas. So even if you’re kids don’t attend Pulaski Heights, we hope you’ll make plans to attend. Because the next generation is coming. And isn’t it better when they’re all prepared?

Pulaski Heights Picassos
March 13, 2010
Rick’s Armory
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets available at the door or by calling 661-1931.

Adults: $10 in advance/$15 at the door
Kids: $5 in advance/$8 at the door

Raise a Glass: Wine Picks of the Week

hotinlittlerock — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:32:01 +0000

Raise a Glass:

Wine Picks of the Week

March 9, 2010

Good friends were coming for dinner last Saturday, but we had just returned from a long road trip and wanted to keep things simple. We’ve always been a sucker for Chicken Marsala and often order it at one of our favorite Italian restaurants. But, we like to make it at home, too, so that was the choice. It is not a difficult dish to make and practically fool proof.

Pound four skinless, boneless chicken breasts until they are no more than ½ inch thick. Salt and pepper, and dredge them in flour. Saute them in olive oil and butter, about 5 minutes per side. When they are golden (they will not be cooked all the way through), remove them from the skillet to a plate and cover to keep the breasts warm. Add a bit more butter and olive oil to the pan and sauté 4 to 5 cups of sliced mushrooms (any kind will do) until they are caramelized. Add a diced, medium shallot and sauté that until transparent. Sprinkle the mushrooms and shallots with 1 -2 tbs of flour and stir until the flour is cooked. Add 1 cup (at least!) of Marsala wine. (Marsala is a fortified wine originating in Southern Italy and is similar to Port.) As the mixture begins to thicken you may want to add some heavy cream (or half and half). Finally, return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the mushroom sauce over them, and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes. Serve over buttered pasta tossed with chopped Italian parsley. Add a green salad and crusty bread and you have a fairly quick, simply meal that will please any guests.

We opened a bottle of 2008 La Loggia Barbera D’Alba. The Barbera grape is a classic from the Piedmont region of Italy (that is to say NOT the south). Though it was tasty when we removed the cork, we allowed it to breathe for an hour or so, and the result was a nose of rich strawberry (not sweet, but lovely). On the palate there was also blackberry, a good mouthfeel, nice tannins and a long finish. We finished it and wished for another.

The evening was filled with stories (we never have to hunt for topics with these friends) and laughter. The chicken Marsala was easy and enjoyed by all, and the wine fit the dish perfectly. What more can one ask?

Weekend Happenings

hotinlittlerock — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:53:12 +0000

Weekend Happenings

March 5, 2010

Oh yes, the sun in shining and the temperatures are rising. We are beginning to thaw out and get excited for spring! The weekend is busy – with lots of fun things to do – so be sure to check out our calendar so you don’t miss a thing – and if we’ve missed your event – post it! We want to know all about what’s happening around here.

Lively Art. Have you ever wanted to experience “Night at the Museum” for yourself? Tonight, you can. Join other fans of the Arkansas Arts Center for CARNAVAL 2010 – where the museum will come to life! See artifacts from the World of the Pharaohs exhibit and other famous works of art from the museum come to life right before your eyes. This is a party unlike any other – and one you surely don’t want to miss. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Arts Center. Tickets $125. Call (501) 372-4000.

Lively Music. In the mood for a great concert? Then plan to attend Two Plus One! on Saturday night. Three colleagues from the School of Music at Arizona State University – Soprano Carole FitzPatrick, Baritone Robert Barefield, and Pianist Eckart Sellheim – will perform a wide range of art songs and duets for your listening pleasure. Hear pieces from Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Stephen Foster, and more and get a sneak peak at what’s on these talented musicians’ upcoming CD by the same name. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall – UALR. FREE.

Lively Show. Have you ever wanted to attend the Oscars? Now you can. Sunday night is Oscar Night America – and it’s sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures. So that means that those who attend this black-tie event will walk the red carpet and receive the same official program that the stars get at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Yes, this will be a night to remember. Sunday, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Call (501) 372-5662 for more information.

New Choices

hotinlittlerock — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:37:37 +0000

New Choices

March 4, 2010

We have some favorite restaurants around town, as we’re sure you do. These are the places we return time and time again. They are consistent in quality, friendly in service, and we’re never disappointed. Starving Artist Cafe is one of those restaurants.

We love their friendly, bistro atmosphere, and the food is always delicious. But did you know that they’ve recently added some new items to the menu for 2010?

At lunch, we’ve always enjoyed the shrimp crepes. They are some of the few who know how to make crepes – besides us – and the fillings are always divine. The newest addition to their crepe offering is a spinach crepe with a creamy mornay sauce with feta cheese. Oh my. A mornay sauce is a white cream sauce, very similar to a bechamel sauce. It’s interaction with the spinach and the bite of the feta makes our taste buds pop with flavor.

We’ve also discovered their salad nicoise. This salad could easily feed two – but is chock full of healthy vegetables like green beans and potatoes, olives, onions and egg. We love the tuna salad at Starving Artist. It includes a mixture of red onions and capers that we love. Drizzle on a bit of their creamy homemade vinaigrette, and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal.

Next time you’re in Starving Artist, look for the new menu items, and try them out. We promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Starving Artist Cafe
411 Main Street
North Little Rock
(501) 372-7976

Hilarious Fun

hotinlittlerock — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:23:38 +0000

Hilarious Fun

March 3, 2010

Do you like to laugh? Who doesn’t! It relieves stress and tension and makes for a much happier life. We really try to laugh as often as possible.

Well, next week the Arkansas Repertory Theatre will give you lots of chances to laugh, as their newest production, “Glorious!” opens on March 12. You’ll need to watch in the coming weeks for our review, as we can’t wait to see this show.

But before opening night – you can get a sneak peak at what promises to be the funniest play you’ll see all year. On Wednesday night (that’s a week from tonight) put on your date night attire and enjoy a sneak peak of this glorious production during Brew Two!

Brew Two! is the second installment of Brew Ha Ha – brought to you by Friends of the Rep. This fun, casual party gives you some great beer and appetizers and a chance to mix and mingle with all the coolest cats in town. (Yourself, included, of course.)

Then, let the show begin! Based on a true story, follow Florence Foster Jenkins on her journey to make it to Carnegie Hall. We promise, you’ll be rolling on the floor as you hear Florence attempt to sing her way to glory.

Don’t miss this fun opportunity to get out on a Wednesday night and laugh it up.

Brew Two!
March 10, 2010
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
601 Main Street
6:00 p.m. – Brews in the Lobby
7:00 p.m. – Glorious on the Main Stage
Tickets only $25!
Call (501) 378-0405 to get yours now!

Raise a Glass: Wine Picks of the Week

hotinlittlerock — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:09:26 +0000

Raise a Glass:

Wine Picks of the Week

March 2, 2010

The snow in New York City forced a change in plans over the weekend. So, instead of the Metropolitan Opera and the Grand Tier Restaurant, we headed south…all the way to Hot Springs. On two occasions we had dinner at Central Station, a fusion restaurant that could easily become a destination dining favorite.

When we got home we decided to experiment with a dish we particularly liked and here is our version. Start with goat cheese thinned with a bit of cream. Add some mashed garlic and some fresh, finely chopped tarragon and mix. Set that aside.

We had some beautiful, hand-ground, yellow grits, which we added to boiling water, along with some salt. We wanted them to be more “runny” than usual, because they were going to pool on the plate under a lovely, small beef tenderloin fillet. We seasoned the grits with a splash of truffle oil and a bit of butter. When the fillet was just under medium, we took it off the grill, spread it with the cheese mixture, and placed it on a pool of grits.

We had a bottle of Sterling Vintner’s Collection 2005 Merlot from the Central Coast in the cellar. Oh my. The color was the deepest ruby you can imagine, and as it opened there were aromas of dark red berries as well as oak. On the palate, those berries were turned into a generous pie flavor (but not sweetish), and as a friend noted, some “cherry-cola”. The mouthfeel was round and the tannins were smooth. We loved it!

This Merlot made a great partner for the beef, which we followed by a salad of baby arugula and dried cranberries. A flourless chocolate cake finished the meal.

We missed the opera in NYC, but think we could not have enjoyed our meals in Hot Springs (or at home) any more if they had been prepared by New York’s finest chefs. OK, maybe, but that final judgment will just have to wait until the snow melts and we get up our nerve to try the New York trip again.

Snap It On

hotinlittlerock — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:53:51 +0000

Snap It On

March 1, 2010

There are times when making your own things is admirable and very cool. And there are times when there’s something available on the market that’s just as cool – and worth every penny to buy it already created.

This weekend we helped one of our mini-staffers and her friend prepare for their entrepreneurial project at school. Mission: create a product using a budget and a loan from parents. Then sell the finished product at school for a profit. It’s a great project. And the girls are learning.

But Mom had to find the pieces to make the product – and what they chose was not as easy as it looks. They chose to replicate Snap-Caps. You know, those cool bottle cap necklaces?

If you haven’t heard about Snap-Caps – it’s time you did. It’s a great story. Two girls invented them – and they still run the company. Snap-Caps are bottle caps – with the insides decorated in all kinds of cool designs. Then you can switch them around on a necklace that is magnetic.

After making some of these ourselves, we have to say – buy the original! They are precious – and ingenious. Any girl would be thrilled to receive a Snap-Cap necklace – and some extra caps to keep the look fresh.

Learning about how to budget, create and own your own business is priceless. But for Snap-Caps – we’ll leave this one to the girls who have perfected it.

Snap-Caps – “The original, interchangeable, bottle cap necklace”
Available at:
The Crown Shop
10700 Rodney Parham
(501) 227-8442

Weekend Happenings

hotinlittlerock — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:56:22 +0000

Weekend Happenings

February 26, 2010

Was that sleet we heard this morning? We’re sure glad that didn’t last long, and now we see some sun. Let’s keep those kiddos in school and our routines intact! The weekend is busy – with lots of fun things to do – so be sure to check out our calendar so you don’t miss a thing – and if we’ve missed your event – post it! We want to know all about what’s happening around here.

More Shopping. ‘Tis the season for a great deal. There are lots of consignment sales going on around town – and that’s great! We need our options. Today and tomorrow, don’t miss the Junior League of Little Rock’s Bargain Boutique. They will have new and gently used merchandise for sale – including clothing for women and children, shoes, maternity items, accessories and more! Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Junior League Building, 401 S. Scott Street. Visit www.jllr.org for more information.

A Beast of a Show. This weekend brings the return of the musical to the stage of North Little Rock High School. These are truly some talented kids, and we enjoy every production. This year they are performing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Complete with the fantastic costumes from the Arkansas Repertory Theatre and all the special effects, this will be a show the whole family can enjoy! Friday, 7:00 p.m., Saturday, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 3:00 p.m. North Little Rock High School, East Campus Auditorium, 2400 Lakeview Road. Tickets $8 for adults and $6 for students. Call (501) 771-8127 for more information.

Plant a Garden. We are all aching for spring. Enough of this cold weather! So take a break and head inside for a breath of fresh air. The 19th Annual Flower and Garden Show happens this weekend. This year’s theme is “A World of Gardening” and promises over 100 vendors, 10 display gardens, how-to demonstrations, and the family learning center. Get some ideas for how to make your garden grow, and get ready for spring. It really is right around the corner. Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Statehouse Convention Center, Tickets $7.50 for adults, $5:00 for seniors, $1.00 for kids 6-12.
Visit www.arflowerandgardenshow.org for more information.

Monday Meals

hotinlittlerock — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:58:05 +0000

Monday Meals

February 25, 2010

For us, Monday is usually the day we eat out. Okay, we eat out more than that, but Mondays seem to be one day we can count on. Why? We’re tired. Mondays take it out of us. They start the week and we gear up for what’s ahead. But so often, this is the day that restaurants close.

So when we find a good restaurant that’s open on Mondays, we’re always excited. We had such an experience this week. Celebrating a birthday, our good friends suggested SO as the place to go. We were told they had a good fixed price menu on Monday nights, so we were happy to oblige.

We arrived fairly early for dinner, in comparison to our usual dining time, but already there were people arriving and being seated. We haven’t been to SO in a while, so it was nice to see that it’s still thriving.

We started with champagne (of course) and were pleased by the nice fixed price menu that greeted us. You can order off the regular menu, too, so don’t worry that you won’t be able to find that perfect dish. We did both.

The steak was one of the best we’ve had. In fact, everyone enjoyed the steak, even those who didn’t order it for their own meal. We also enjoyed decadent escargot, and many orders of their very European french fries.

But dinner didn’t stop there. We enjoyed their delicious seafood fondue – that’s full of shrimp, scallops and flavor. Also brought to the table were their fish tacos – which are a great lunch or dinner option. In between the laughter and the food, we enjoyed free flowing wine and great conversation.

The restaurant was near capacity as it came time for dessert. Our group favorite, by far, was the Tres Leches cake. Moist and covered in fresh whipping cream, it was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.

Yes, we’re glad our friends suggested a Monday evening at SO. It was delightful throughout, and we look forward to going back for another fixed price feast soon.

SO Restaurant
3610 Kavanaugh Blvd
(501) 663-1464

Winter Light

hotinlittlerock — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:17:53 +0000

Winter Light

February 24, 2010

This weekend brings one of those festivals that has quickly become a tradition around here. LANTERNS! at Wildwood Park for the Arts is only in its second year, but it already has a nice following.

This deep-winter outdoor festival is inspired by the first moon of the lunar year. Yes, it is outside! So bundle up, but know that you will be welcomed with all the wonderful hospitality that Wildwood is famous for providing.

The paths at Wildwood will be lit by warming fire pits and luminaries to guide you through the winter wonderland that is the beautiful woods of Wildwood. There will be eight stops along your walk, waiting to take you to another time – another place.

Enjoy Shakespearean England, a horse and carriage ride in Venice, a fiesta in Mexico (complete with a mariachi band and pinatas). If that’s not enough, continue your travels to Egypt and have your fortune told in Morocco. Gather around the campfire for tastes of old Americana and don’t forget the s’mores!

Yes, once you’ve attended this family friendly deep winter festival, it will quickly become a tradition in your family, too. So grab your coat and get ready for an international journey lit with fun and festivities.

LANTERNS!
Wildwood Park for the Arts
February 26-28, 2010
Friday & Saturday: 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Tickets: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under.
Includes cost of entertainment, food & drink available for purchase.
Horse drawn carriage rides: $2.

Discounts available online at www.wildwoodpark.org!