It’s hard to believe, but Central Arkansas is finally getting an authentic African restaurant. Kontiki African Restaurant is set to hold its grand opening on Sunday, Jan. 21, in Alexander on Highway 111. Kontiki is owned by Christian Domingo, an immigrant from Sierra Leone who has lived in Arkansas for nearly two decades. Domingo is passionate about African food and culture, and needless to say I’m thrilled to try what he has to offer. Kontiki will specialize in West African cuisine, so expect plenty dishes based on tomato and chili peppers. Peanuts and meats are also very common, so make sure to let your waiter know if you have any dietary restrictions. The food scene Central Arkansas has sorely lacked any African influence. Here’s hoping Kontiki can successfully fill that void.
Speaking of new influences in Little Rock, the first of two Hawaiian poke restaurants is now open. Poke Hula is holding its soft opening week right now at its location on 3rd Street. It’s in the same spot that used to be the home to Brown Sugar Bakeshop and, more recently, Taco Beer Burrito with Blue Canoe Brewing Company. Check out Poke Hula all this week between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., and make sure to check back here tomorrow for our first look at the restaurant. And coming soon to 6th Street is Ohia Poké, in the location that used to be home to Lulav and The Veg, LLC. Ohia Poké has held a couple of soft opening events, but so far has not announced when it will hold its grand opening. Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish featuring marinated raw fish, rice and a host of other fresh ingredients, like soybeans and avocado.
It’s no secret that we at Rock City Eats are huge fans of La Terraza Rum & Lounge, particularly the Venezuelan restaurant’s stellar mojito menu. If you haven’t had the chance yet to enjoy La Terraza’s mojitos, this coming Tuesday is your day. From 5:45 until 11 p.m., La Terraza is holding what it’s calling “Mojito Mania.” For $10, you’ll get to sample several of the restaurant’s mojitos, and you’ll even get to try a flavor La Terraza hasn’t put on the menu before. For $10, this is pretty much a no-brainer. La Terraza is in Hillcrest on Kavanaugh Boulevard in the former Acadia location.
After spending much of 2017 working on getting a coffee trailer ready, Adventure Coffee Co. has announced it is shelving plans of opening its business. The company did several events this past spring and summer, including a pop-up at Domestic Domestic in the Heights. However, owner Mike Winslow said in a Facebook post that this is not the right time for him to open up. Winslow is now resuming work on Diamond State Coffee, a pet project detailing independent coffee shops and coffee history in Arkansas.
And it’s not something we usually report on here, but we know this news will matter to many of you: Yuengling is just one week away from making its Arkansas debut. The country’s oldest brewery will be on tap in Arkansas restaurants and bars later this month, and in bottles and cans some time in February. Yuengling’s flagship lager has gained somewhat of a cult following in Arkansas; its malty flavor profile and very generous price point have had many driving across the river into Tennessee to bring back trunks full of beer. Yuengling is distributed in Central Arkansas by Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansas.
Events
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RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
