FOOD
The title of the city’s most talked-about restaurant still goes to George’s, even though it’s been open since August. And because all that buzz has continued to make reservations before 8 p.m. scarce, the Heights eatery has since debuted The Counter at George’s, a unique to-go menu featuring pastas, salads, sweets and “driveway pizzas,” George’s exclusive Detroit/Sicilian-style pies.
In more unfortunate pizza news, longtime favorite Damgoode Pies closed both its Cantrell and Kavanaugh locations in November after nearly 23 years in business.
On the new restaurant front, Fayetteville-based The Buttered Biscuit is bringing two locations to Little Rock this year: one in The Promenade and one at 5018 Kavanaugh Blvd. in the building shared by Heights Corner Market. As its name suggests, the restaurant is known for its fresh, ever-changing breakfast menu made from scratch. The Heights location is set to open in the latter half of the year.
Also on Kavanaugh, Hillcrest Artisan Meats (better known as HAM) is getting a change of scenery. The market is moving across the street, putting it under the same roof as Hill Station, while the old location will continue to operate as a prep kitchen for Hill Station.
HOLLYWOOD COMES TO HILLCREST
A new rom-com began filming in January at various sites around the city, including taking over a stretch of Kavanaugh. The movie is currently operating under the title “The Threesome” with actors Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King and Ruby Cruz attached, and will include lots of local extras, familiar sets and the work of the local Film Gear Rentals crew.
A BETTER ZOO FOR EVERYONE
The Little Rock Zoo is now KultureCity-certified as a sensory inclusive campus. Those with sensory sensitivities now have access to extensive guides of what to expect on zoo grounds to help them prepare for their visit and kits with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards.
A CITY FOR ALL SEASONS
Some of the city’s favorite events take place within this stretch of neighborhoods. Keep an eye out and an open calendar for seasonal fun like Wild Wines at the zoo and the Little Rock Rangers’ season opener in the spring, the Hogs’ season opener on Labor Day weekend and Little Rocktoberfest, Big Dam Bridge 100, HarvestFest and Chili Fights in The Heights come fall. And don’t forget about recurring events like the monthly First Thursday Shop & Sip in Hillcrest, Third Thursdays in The Heights and the Hillcrest Farmers Market every Saturday morning at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church.
ONE YEAR LATER
On March 31, 2023, an EF3 tornado ripped through Little Rock, destroying homes, businesses and ways of life for many families. We caught up with Capi Peck, city director and owner of Trio’s Restaurant, to look back at that Friday afternoon.
As someone uniquely at the intersection of civic leadership, hunger relief advocacy and owning a business directly impacted by the storm, what stood out to you most about the community response in the days after?
CP: The outpouring of community support surrounding the March 31 tornado was overwhelming. As someone who was on the ground in the neighborhoods that experienced the most destruction, I was grateful and so very impressed at the rush to help from neighborhoods all over the city.
Many of my constituents who reside in Walnut Valley where I spend a lot of time were shocked at the help from strangers. Whether it was debris cleanup or donations of food, clothing and grocery store gift cards or monetary assistance for those who lost their homes, our community rose to the challenge along with our first responders.
Sometimes it takes something like a natural disaster for the goodness of people to really shine. I am so incredibly proud of the work the city of Little Rock did, the nonprofit agencies, especially the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, our first responders and the citizens of our great city.
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