Katmandu Momo is awaiting its final health inspection and could open its Conway location as soon as this weekend. Kyler Nordeck and Saroja Shrestha have worked for months on the new location on Oak Street in downtown Conway. Nordeck tells me the final inspection from the Department of Health could come Thursday or Friday. When it opens, the Conway spot will feature a massive menu expansion for Katmandu Momo’s Nepalese cuisine. So far, we’ve only seen the eponymous momo and a Nepalese chow mein from the team, but the Conway restaurant will feature Nepalese fried rice, noodle soup, samosas and some new variations on momo. When it opens, Katmandu Momo Conway will be a full-service restaurant offering lunch and dinner. Whether it opens this weekend or later, Conway diners are in for an absolute treat this month.
North Little Rock’s Hawgz Blues Café will be getting some national attention later this year. On Mother’s Day, the restaurant will host film crews for the new TV show American Road Trip by filmmaker Brad Leo Lyon. The show is still in production and will reportedly air on Netflix, as well as Travel Channel and Food Network. If you want to take part in the video shoot, there are 100 tickets available to the public. It’s from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. American Road Trip follows Lyon on a journey around the country to find the best bars, nightlife and restaurants. The show was inspired by a two-month road trip Lyon took with his father before he passed away.
After stormy weather forced it to reschedule, Zaza is set to hold its 10th birthday celebration on Sunday. The restaurant’s 10th Birthday Backyard Bash will be held from noon until 4 p.m. on Mother’s Day in the restaurant’s parking lot. There will be a lot going on at the party, including live music from SeanFresh, miniature local farmers market, outdoor pizza oven cookout, kids’ play area, and a beer and “F’rosé” garden. It’s free to get in, though Zaza does encourage you to bring kitchen supply donations for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (items like measuring spoons, cutting boards and mixing bowls are needed). Those who bring three donations will receive a free gelato. Zaza was the first Yellow Rocket Concepts restaurant; there are now eight in total with Local Lime Rogers set to become the ninth later this year.
The International Greek Food Festival is back in a week and a half, and as always there are new menu items that will be featured. This year, the biggest new item is the “It’s All Greek to Me” combo, featuring a gyro and fries topped with feta, Mediterranean herbs and lemon juice. Also new this year is a Loblolly flavor called Greek Coffee Chip, which is the fourth Greek Fest-inspired flavor that Loblolly has crafted. And drive-thru patrons will get an upgrade as well, as the festival will be selling a small amount if its pastitsio (Greek lasagna) for easy to-go pick-up. The International Greek Food Festival is in its 34th year. Admission to the festival is $3 or three canned-food items to donate to the Arkansas Foodbank.
I was fortunate to get to drive to Clark County this past weekend and check out the new Slate Rock Brewing Company. Take a look at how the town of Amity has embraced it, and why craft soda fans should especially put Slate Rock on their list.
At Rock City Eats, we love spotlighting the service professionals that make the food industry possible. Here’s a look at one of the best: Blake Huber at Samantha’s Tap Room and Wood Grill.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
