Writer: Stephanie Maxwell Newton
Restaurant openings, award nominations, and more in the local foodie scene
Onyx Coffee Lab
Rogers
Founded in 2012 by Andrea and Jon Allen, Onyx Coffee Lab has grown from a name known throughout Northwest Arkansas to a worldwide powerhouse in coffee. As such, the brand is no stranger to accolades; if there’s a “best coffee roaster” list, they’re on it. But it was their physical shop in Rogers, the brand’s headquarters, that was recently named #2 in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. The inaugural award, which they accepted in Madrid, combines public voting with an expert panel based on eight pieces of criteria: quality of coffee, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, ambience and atmosphere, sustainability practices, food and pastry quality, and consistency. “This feels like an incredible honor,” Andrea says. “We have been working to cultivate a world-class hospitality and coffee experience in our cafes from the beginning, so to have received this award is so validating to us and our team.” Onyx Coffee Lab’s award-winning headquarters is at 101 E. Walnut Ave. in Rogers. Visit onyxcoffeelab.com for hours, additional locations, classes, and more.
Problem Child
Little Rock
After teasing their pies at Little Rock pop-ups for the better part of a year, Problem Child opened the doors to their Midtown pizzeria in early March. Owners Alicia and Adam Sweet made the move back to Adam’s home state after honing their craft in Indianapolis. The menu features oversized Neapolitan-style pizzas—the classics, plus several creative flavor combos—as well as wings, mozzarella sticks, sandwiches, and craft cocktails. Dining at home? A walk-up pick-up window makes to-go orders a cinch. Problem Child is located at 201 Keightley Drive in Little Rock. Visit problemchildlittlerock.com and follow along on Instagram (@problemchildlr) for hours and more information.
James Beard Foundation Award Finalists
Bentonville
The James Beard Foundation established its awards program in 1990 to acknowledge the best chefs, restaurants, and industry leaders in the United States. While two Arkansas restaurants have received recognition in the America’s Classics category (Jones Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna and Lassis Inn in Little Rock), The Natural State still awaits its first winner in the coveted Best Chef category. This year, two Bentonville-based chefs are one step closer: Matthew Cooper, owner of Conifer, and Rafael Rios, owner of Yeyo’s Mexican Street Food, are two of five finalists in Best Chef: South. Both Cooper and Rios have made it to the semi-finalist round in previous years, but this will be the first year they’re headed to the awards ceremony to find out how they stack up against the competition. “We are incredibly humbled and honored to even be recognized for the hard work we are trying to do in our local Arkansas community,” Cooper says. “I am proud of being the first Latino chef in Arkansas to ever be in the finalist nominations,” Rios says. Both chefs plan to attend the official ceremony in June. “I’m very grateful that Chef Rafael and I get to go together to represent Arkansas,” Cooper adds. The 2025 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards will be announced June 16 in Chicago.
Find out more about Matthew Cooper and Conifer at coniferbentonville.com. Find out more about Rafael Rios and Yeyo’s at yeyosnwa.com.
La Bocca Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Jonesboro
Cousins Toni Rama and Rinor Neziri are owners of Jonesboro’s La Bocca Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. Originally from Italy, Toni already has one restaurant under his belt with Avanzare Italian Dining in Paragould, which has been open since 2015. Rinor worked at Avanzare for six years before the two teamed up to open La Bocca at the suggestion of locals who knew Jonesboro diners would get behind the concept. The menu includes handmade pastas, pizzas, and other Italian favorites based on generations-old family recipes. La Bocca is located at 2915 Kazi St. in Jonesboro. Find hours and more details at laboccajb.com.
Lebowski’s Brewing Co.
Jonesboro
Lebowski’s Brewing Co. is the side project of J.A. Owens and Jon Frego, emergency medicine doctors who decided to take their home-brewing hobby to the next level. Thanks to their efforts, Jonesboro drinkers and diners have a new go-to spot when looking for good food in a casual yet refined atmosphere. Chef Joe Symmes helped develop the brewery’s food menu, which he describes as “English pub-style with a twist.” Think fish and chips battered in the brewery’s blonde ale, shepherd’s pie with venison, and deconstructed deviled eggs. “We wanted to have fun and give Jonesboro something different,” Symmes says. Named for the title character of The Big Lebowski, the eatery’s décor takes its cues from other cult-classic film favorites, and live music is on the schedule twice a week. Lebowski’s is at 1514 Southern Ridge Blvd. in Jonesboro. Find hours, menu, and more information at lebowskisbrewingco.com.
Community Bakery
Little Rock
Community Bakery has been a mainstay of central Arkansas since 1947. While its flagship store in downtown Little Rock has become the most iconic iteration, a second location on Shackleford Road has been open for a number of years. Owners Juli and John Brandenberger look forward to expanding their offerings by moving that west Little Rock café to a new, larger space on Rodney Parham Road offering more than 2,000 square feet. “We are super excited to finally be able to offer the full range of Community Bakery products in west Little Rock, from our cafe to espresso to cheesecakes and specialty cakes,” Juli says. The new location also offers outdoor seating. Look for Community Bakery to open at 11121 North Rodney Parham Road by the end of April. Find hours and more information at communitybakery.com, and follow along on Instagram (@communitybakerlyr) for an official opening date.
Supper Club at The Momentary
Bentonville
The Momentary continues to lead in experiential dining concepts with Supper Club, a recurring dinner series launched at the beginning of this year that invites local chefs to share an intimate meal while showcasing their talents. Sam Lott, associate director of food programs for the museum, says guest chefs are encouraged to let nostalgia guide the development of their menus. “We’re seeing really great responses from guests about Supper Club, specifically the storytelling element,” she says. “It’s really incredible to see the conversations that happen when people gather around a table together.” The next Supper Club (already sold out) is April 16 with Sammy Townsend, director of the culinary program at Onyx Coffee Lab. Supper Club is the third Wednesday of the month and tickets are $99 for non-members and include a three-course meal and mocktail, with additional beverages available for purchase. Supper Club takes place in the Fermentation Hall at The Momentary, 507 SE E St. in Bentonville. Visit themomentary.org for tickets and more information.
NEWBIES TO TRY
LOVELESS COCKTAIL CLUB
Bentonville | lovelesscocktailclub.com
POLK & PADDLE
Batesville | search on Facebook
CALLISTO
Bentonville | callisto.bar
R&M SOUTHERN EATERY
Conway | rmsoutherneatery.com
KNIGHTFIRE BBQ (new location)
Searcy | eatknightfire.com
FERAL PIG
Fayetteville | @the.feral.pig
SIR LOIN’S INN II
North Little Rock | sirloinsinn2.com
NAMASTE INDIAN CUISINE
Little Rock | namasteindiancuisinelr.com
COMING SOON
SIDECAR COCKTAIL LOUNGE
Fayetteville | sidecarfayetteville.com
SPAH GRILL
Searcy | Find on Facebook
REX’S NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT
Little Rock | @rexsneighborhoodrestaurant
THE CROISSANTERIE (new location)
Little Rock | thecroissanterielr.com
RYN
Bentonville | @rynbentonville
There is so much happening in the Arkansas food scene, and this round-up barely scratches the surface. Do you have news about a restaurant opening or update to share? Let us know! Email [email protected] or tag us on Instagram and Facebook (@plated.mag).
