Rumbles: South on Main Sets James Beard Dinner Menu, Watermelon Crawl, and Classes Galore

News to know…
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is hosting the 5th annual Watermelon Crawl (presented by Bank of the Ozarks) on Saturday, August 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. out in Scott. “Come with us into the field to glean the remains of this year’s melon crop. Last year’s crawl gathered more than 42,000 pounds of watermelon, which went to Arkansas’s food banks, pantries, shelters and soup kitchens. Enjoy live music, a watermelon eating contest for kids of all ages, watermelon relays, and a watermelon crawl contest. Bring a tent and plenty of team spirit. Prizes are given to contest winners. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Performance Food Group provides breakfast and lunch for volunteers, and there’s plenty cold water supplied by Sam’s Club.”
August is Restaurant Month here in Little Rock. Greg Henderson has your recap of some of the best deals in the area, including ZAZA, Ciao Baci, Trio’s, Cajun’s Wharf, and more!
Go check out The Water Buffalo Facebook page to read about all the different classes being offered at the store, including: Intro to Wine Making, Advanced Beer Making, and Fermented Vegetables … just to name a few.
We now have a new Thai restaurant in WLR. Daniel Walker has your First Look.
And Becca Bona features what has to be the cutest coffee cart on the planet.
Guess who’s teaching a brunch class on August 8 at Eggshells Kitchen Co.?
By now, you may have heard that Chef Matt Bell and his crew over at South on Main will be serving up a fine meal at the James Beard Foundation dinner on August 17 in New York City. Here’s the full menu. Want to go to the watch party at South on Main and see everything live from New York? Get your tickets here.
Don’t forget that Wednesday is Happy Hour all night at Ciao Baci. $4.50 well drinks, $5.50 well martinis, and $5 red sangria.
News you probably knew…
One Eleven will be celebrating its one year anniversary the week of August 10-14 with some fabulous specials. All specialty coffees will be $1.11 and the Express Lunch will be $11.10 all week (regularly $17). At dinner service, One Eleven will be offering its version of a two-for-one deal. If one diner orders an appetizer, entree and dessert, the other diner will get an appetizer, entree and dessert for free. Diners must order a 3-course meal to take advantage of this special. Reservations recommended for both lunch and dinner. Go online or call 501.370.7068.
The LRCVB is running a sweepstakes to give away four summer vacation packages designed to appeal to both out-of-town visitors and residents of the Little Rock area. Themed prize packages include: “Family Fun” Package: June 1 – June 19; “Presidential Pathways” Package: June 22 – July 10; “Little Rock Libations” Foodie Package: July 13 – July 31; “Dinner and a Show/Downtown Date Night” Package: Aug. 3 – Aug. 21. For more details, click here.
It’s never too early to start dreaming about the Little Rock Bacon Fest.
The next 3-course wine dinner at Ristorante Capeo is set for Monday, August 10 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $55 per person. Menu includes: Beef Carpaccio (Decoy by Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc), Red Snapper Ravioli (Decoy by Duckhorn Pinot Noir), Duck Breast (Decoy by Duckhorn Merlot). Price includes all taxes, but not gratuity. Call 501.376.3463 for reservations.
It’s still quite a ways off, but mark your calendars for the Arkansas Cornbread Festival on November 7. The weather is usually fantastic this time of year in Little Rock, and from all accounts, this continues to be a well-run event.
The 2015 Festival of Wines will be held on Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park. “The American Heart Association’s Festival of Wines is the largest wine festival in the state, featuring hundreds of wines from around the world and hors d’oeuvres from area restaurants. The October 1, 2015 “patio party” encompasses the entire Dickey-Stephens concourse and features silent and premier auctions, live entertainment and local artist painting live.”
The Good Earth Food Truck Meet-Up is set for next Thursday, August 6 from 5-8 p.m. at 15601 Cantrell Road.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The 3rd Annual Urban Raw Festival will be a the Dunbar Community Garden (1801 S. Chester Street). “The Urban Raw Festival is a unique day-long festival that seeks to nurture our creative and spiritual potential by bringing people together who want to celebrate sustainable and cruelty-free living. Come and enjoy everything from music and live musical performances, delicious food offerings, food demos (vegan and living), local artisans, dynamic workshop presentation and an awesome yoga party: all of which inspire us to live consciously and intentionally.”