All the latest restaurant news in the city can be dizzying, especially in downtown. Here’s your handy guide to what’s coming and progress reports on the ones you’re dying to try.
Core SoMa Pub
Have beer, will travel. That seems to be the theme with Springdale-based Core Brewing Company. With SoMa marking Core’s second neighborhood pub in the metro in two years, it’s safe to say it’s a crowd favorite. The new space opened in late April at 1214 S. Main St.
TAE
When The Southern Gourmasian closed up shop in February, fans were distraught — that is, until they learned the team was returning for a new Southern-fried restaurant inside The Hotel Frederica at 625 Capitol Ave. TAE — which stands for True Arkansas Eatery — doesn’t have a set opening date just yet. They still have to tackle the 103-year-old kitchen first.
Cathead’s Diner
The brainchild of Chef Donnie Ferneau and Kelli Marks (previously of Sweet Love Bakes), this restaurant at 515 Shall Ave. will dish out a doughnut- and barbecue-filled, all-things-Southern menu. The space has since passed its projected opening date of May 1, but that won’t stop us from lining up for the scratch-made goods when the time comes.
Your Menu Sneak Peek for Cathead’s Diner
Rock Town Distillery
The state’s first legal distillery since Prohibition is headed to SoMa. Rock Town is slated to move into the warehouse space at 1201 Main St., across the street from the aforementioned Core Pub, and will include expanded tasting areas for customers. Opening date is TBD.
The Shack
After three years on the rumor mill, The Shack is back. This barbecue joint had a serious cult following when its doors closed more than two decades ago. Now, Tim Chappell, owner of Gusano’s Pizzeria and the man behind The Shack, is planning to transition the pizzeria into the barbecue joint, leaving a small space for Gusano’s takeout and delivery. The original plan was to open in March, but a new date is TBD.
Flint’s
So long, Sufficient Grounds. Hello, mama’s home cookin’. Moving into the ground floor of the Union Plaza Building at the corner of West Capitol and Louisiana, Flint’s Just Like Mom’s Home Cooking may be a mouthful of a name, but so is the menu. Expect plate specials, burgers, sandwiches and the like. Flint’s will be open for breakfast and lunch, with a projected opening in early June.
Ira’s
It seems like forever since the Park Hill staple announced it was making the move to Main Street across from Soul Fish Cafe, but setting up shop in the century-old Rose Building has proved more difficult than expected. Nevertheless, owners are now looking at an early June opening.
Dos Rocas Beer & Tacos
And now for something with a little kick to it. This Latin American restaurant comes from the folks at The Root Cafe and is set to move into the former Piano Craft space in SoMa. The menu includes empanadas, street tacos and Tex-Mex dishes, along with a hefty offering of local beers on tap. Dos Rocas is set to open this summer.
A.W. Lin’s
Joining the Main Street crew is the downtown branch of this Asian cuisine restaurant in Chenal. Like Ira’s, this one has been a long time coming and an opening date is still TBD.
The Rail Yard
Ok, so it’s not technically a restaurant, but we have a feeling the new outdoor food truck venue in East Village will be a future favorite for deliciousness. Setting up in the former Recycle Bikes for Kids shop at at 1212 E. Sixth St., The Rail Yard will also feature a beer garden and share a space with Count Porkula — all inside the warehouse space now called The Bike Shop. The space is expected to open sometime this summer.
Revolution
Goodbye, old friend. Revolution Restaurant (also known as Revolution Taco & Tequila Lounge) closed down at the end of the April, leaving The Rev Room concert venue up and running and a yet-to-be-filled space in the heart of the River Market. Is anticipation drool a thing?
And if you still haven’t tried them yet …
Get your poke on at Ohia Poke or Poke Hula — no relation.
Start your day with EJ’s new breakfast menus …
… and end it with drinks at the new Cantina Cinco de Mayo next door.