We’re singing the praises of One Eleven at the Capital today (more so than most days), because it was recently announced as a 2015 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist in the best new restaurant category.
The JBF is a national nonprofit based in New York City that continues the work of cookbook author and foodie forefather James Beard with educational and inspirational food culture programs. In short, this is a huge deal.
One Eleven at the Capital opened its doors in August 2014 after the Capital Hotel shut down the previous restaurant, Ashley’s, with bigger goals in mind. The three-month-long overhaul was worth the wait, bringing in a 16-seat zinc bar, a fully redone kitchen, art donated from Warren Stephens’s personal collection and a new crowd favorite, the WineEmotion dispenser system.
The finalists will be announced on Tuesday, March 24, and the winners will be named at the annual awards gala on Monday, May 4, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
A big congratulations to Chef Joël Antunes and his team at One Eleven! You’re definitely doing Little Rock proud.