The Heights has a new kid on the block. Just in time for another Razorback season, Prospect Sports Bar & Grill officially opened its doors at 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, and they couldn’t have had better timing.
Prospect takes the place of Oishi Hibachi & Thai Cuisine, though owner Lulu Chi put in a pretty penny to turn the place into an upscale bar and eatery. The family friendly sports bar-slash-neighborhood hangout will offer a limited menu, mostly burgers and sandwiches, but with specials throughout the week.
Shaun Halloran, Bar Manager & Consultant, says they had to remove the rear wall to take out the giant Buddha statue, which had decorated Oishi and its two predecessors, RJ Tao Restaurant & Ultra Lounge and Cafe 5501. Don’t worry, the Buddha statue is still intact and sitting pretty on Lulu’s farm.
The two ringleaders, Maricel Suniega, General Manager, and Halloran, both come from high-end restaurant backgrounds. Suniega previously worked at the Little Rock Country Club and Halloran has worked at the Capitol Hotel, Cajun’s Wharf and Trio’s.
Together, the two reworked the menu with chef Jeremiah Hudson to bring the menu up-to-par with a competitive foodie neighborhood.
“You’ve got to create a family to make things like this work,” Halloran says.
Suniega and Halloran already have a few favorite menu items. Suniega recommends the pulled pork sandwich and the banana cranberry pudding. Halloran and Suniega both recommend The Babe, a drink concoction including freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, Tito’s vodka and a secret mix.
The bar also offers fresh, no-mix margaritas ranging in flavors from the standard marg to a pomegranate option. There are 32 beers offered at Prospect, with local brew favorites Lost Forty and Diamond Bear represented. Unlike many sports bars, Prospect also has a wine cellar for diners to choose from in a glass case up front.
Prospect underwent some heavy renovations to replace the previous hibachi and Thai style with more of a sports bar feel. Pool tables have been added, along with 25 TVs, perfect for a night of Razorback football. There’s now a stage where the Buddha statue sat that will be used for karaoke on certain nights.
Prospect is open from 11 a.m. to close, which will be determined based on how late customers tend to stay.
