As a prolific art collector and a lover of all things creative — especially concerning food — Mimi San Pedro walks us through her favorite parts of Little Rock.
Festival: I love all the festivals in town and try to hit the majority of them when I can. My personal favorites are the Main Street Food Truck Festival, HarvestFest, Chili Fights in The Heights and, of course, the Arkansas Philippine Association Pistang Pilipino, an annual spring get-together to celebrate our diversity and culture.
Museum: Arkansas Art Center, of course! This is one of my must-go-to places when we have visitors from around the country and around the world visiting us. I also love the Clinton Presidential Library. I learn something every time I go there.
Wardrobe staple: DKNY lightweight black overcoat I bought years ago from Barbara/Jean (it’s made an appearance every spring and fall for the past 15 years) and a pair of Donald Pliner boots from B. Barnett that has seen a cobbler or two in its life
Restaurant: Kemuri is a true salute to Japanese cuisine, and Fantastic China is the best Chinese food in town. I’ve celebrated my birthday there with my family for the last 30 years! My favorite Sunday brunch spot right now is At The Corner.
Cocktail: Every Friday, I meet up with my friends at By the Glass to recap the week and kick off the weekend. I’m Norm from “Cheers” there. I also love the innovative cocktails at The Fold. Anything with jalapeño is for me!
Recent LR discovery: Taqueria El Palenque, Mike’s Café and Kebab House (best falafel sandwich ever)
In the kitchen: Mary Ann does all the cooking at our house. Our go-to cookbook is “Plenty” by Yotam Ottolenghi, filled with farm-to-table dishes that focus on and celebrate vegetables. Complicated recipes with complicated spices for our complicated palates.
Decor shop: Our style is “modern comfy.” We love to shop the various galleries in town and find unique, fun and whimsical pieces from our local artists. We enjoy The Art Center, Gallery 26, Cantrell Gallery, Butler Center, etc.
