Hot In Little Rock » Capital Hotel

Our Ace of Cakes

hotinlittlerock — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:56:00 +0000

Our Ace of Cakes

February 4, 2010

There are always little gems hidden here and there in this great place we live. We love discovering them and sharing them. It just makes living here so special.

One of those hidden gems is Tandra Watkins, the pastry chef at Ashley’s at the Capital Hotel. So often you might not think about the pastry chef separate from the restaurant for which he or she bakes, but it’s time to think again!

You may know Tandra for her delicious breakfast pastries – the scones and croissants that taste as if they were flown in from Paris just for us. Or you may know Tandra for her exquisite desserts during lunch and dinner. Her banana beignets have always been our favorite, and right now the pear creme brulee is back to tickle your palate. But you may not have known her name. And you may not have known that she has a real gift for making cakes.

Yes, Tandra really is our own Ace of Cakes. She received her diploma in pastry arts from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and what a better place to learn about pastry arts than in Paris! An artist in her own right, Tandra’s materials are flour, sugar, and butter. And when she makes a cake, you can really see that artistic flair come out!

Tandra’s passionate about cakes. And we’re passionate about eating them. She created a gorgeous cake for our ministaffer’s birthday last year. We still have the very real looking sugar flours on display. She makes them for anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events – you name it.

We asked Tandra what her favorite cake story was, and it just melted our hearts. She was asked to create a 50th Anniversary cake for a couple who had never had a wedding cake. She poured her heart into creating a special cake for the bride that waited 50 years for her cake – and the bride was so thrilled – it was definitely worth the wait.

Tandra’s cakes are as unique as the individual for whom she creates them. The ingredients are always fresh and always the best she can get. The flowers are always edible, and whatever the occasion – one of Tandra’s cakes will make it extra special.

Cakes by Tandra Watkins
Pastry Chef, Capital Hotel
Prices start at $7 per slice.
Contact Tandra by email at
twatkins@capitalhotel.com

A Weekend to Remember

hotinlittlerock — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:27:25 +0000

A Weekend To Remember

November 5, 2009

Some weekends are so spectacular and special that they beg to be remembered. The Capital Hotel is planning such a weekend in a few weeks – and we just had to tell you about it. Yes, it’s going to be that good.

Blackberry Farms is coming to the Capital! Have you ever been to Blackberry Farms? It’s on our short list of places to go. Located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Blackberry Farms is a luxury retreat that pairs exquisite food and exquisite service and surroundings. Sounds similar to the Capital Hotel, doesn’t it?

So the pairing of the chefs from Blackberry Farms and Executive Chef Lee Richardson is a natural combination. And on this special weekend, you will be treated to some amazing experiences.

On Friday, November 20, arrive at the Capital for a wonderful wine tasting dinner. The wines you will taste will be from the Reynolds Family Winery and Steve Reynolds will be there himself to present the wines to you. And the chefs from Blackberry and the Capital will delight you with their delectable food pairings.

After dinner, retire to your room for a wonderful night of rest. When you awake, breakfast will be waiting for you at Ashley’s – or brought straight to your room. Then enjoy a cooking demonstration at The River Market with Chef Matthew McClure before returning to the Capital for lunch at the Bar & Grill and a private tour of their amazing kitchens.

Now…get ready for the piece de resistance: Saturday night you will climb on board the private coach that will take you to P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home Retreat at Moss Mountain Farm. Once you arrive, P. Allen will be there to greet you. Enjoy cocktails and a beautiful view of the Arkansas River. Tour his wonderful home and gardens.

Then, enjoy a sumptuous family style dinner prepared jointly by the chefs of the Capital and Blackberry Farms. The food will come straight from the surrounding gardens. After dinner, enjoy a bonfire, hayride, and some good ole southern bluegrass music before returning to the Capital for another night of luxurious rest.

Doesn’t this sound like the best weekend ever? Two farms – Blackberry and Moss Mountain – come together to showcase all the best of locally grown food and living. And who better than to put the entire experience together than the Capital Hotel? We can’t wait.

Tale of Two Farms Weekend
The Capital Hotel
Markham and Louisiana

November 20 – 22, 2009

Click here for more information and to make reservations.

Not Just for Special Occassions

hotinlittlerock — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:16:58 +0000

Not Just for Special Occasions

March 23, 2009

This is our last stop on our tour of some of our favorite hotels around town. We’ve shown you a great bed and breakfast in North Little Rock, a hidden treat in West Little Rock, and now we want to take you to our favorite hotel in downtown Little Rock: the Capital Hotel. Yes, if you’ve been a reader for any amount of time, this should come as no surprise to you. We’ve been patronizing the Capital Hotel since they reopened, and we keep going back.

The question that we’re asked most frequently about the Capital Hotel is, “what was the special occasion?” And our answer is always, “we don’t need one!” And that’s really true. Before the renovation, the Capital Hotel and it’s restaurant, Ashley’s, were really seen as a special occasion destination. But that’s not who they are now. No, the Capital Hotel is affordable. And the staff will make you feel like every day is a special occasion.

The last time we stayed there (yes, sometimes an in-town getaway is in order!) we pulled up to the front and were immediately greeted by a conceirge. We didn’t stop at the front desk. Instead, he offered us water and took us to our room. Everything is done so that when you walk through those front doors, you feel at home.

The rooms are gorgeous, and you can get a dinner or breakfast package most any day. So not only will you get that great night’s sleep, but you never have to leave the hotel. Have dinner at either the Capital Bar & Grill or at Ashley’s. Go to sleep with a full and happy belly, and wake up in an elegantly appointed room. Then make your way down to Ashley’s for their delicious breakfast. Great care is taken to make sure you feel welcome and at home. So indulge yourself and relax. It doesn’t take a second mortgage to be treated like royalty here.

And lucky you! You have an opportunity to see for yourself how welcoming the Capital Hotel can be. On April 14, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Hot in Little Rock will be at the Capital Bar & Grill! Join us! There will be drawings for door prizes and goodie bags for the first 50 through the door. We hope to see you there.

Capital Hotel

Markham & Louisiana

(501) 374-7474

http://www.capitalhotel.com/