Restaurants and breweries that are recently opened, making moves, and coming soon
Vinnie’s Pies
Fort Smith
After operating Vinnie’s Pies as a food truck for 14 months, Ursula and Vinnie Hansen have a brick-and-mortar in Fort Smith for their pizza business to call home. The couple partnered with Joe Caldarera, owner of well-known, nearby Italian establishment Taliano’s, to open in the space previously occupied by Emmy’s German Restaurant, a former sister company to Taliano’s. In the spirit of further small business cooperation, the team also brought in Bentonville-based Bike Rack Brewing to be the in-house craft beer of Vinnie’s. Vinnie’s Pies & Bike Rack Brewing are located in the historic Knights of Columbus Building at 200 North 13th Street, affectionately known as “13th & B” to locals. Call 479.242.7437 for hours and menu offerings, and visit Facebook (@vinniespies) for more information
A pie fresh from the oven at Vinnie’s Pies in Fort Smith shown above. Vinnie and Ursula Hansen. Photos by Brooke Cagle and courtesy of Vinnie’s Pies.
Moody Brews
Little Rock
Long-awaited craft brewery Moody Brews celebrated its grand opening in late March in downtown Little Rock’s Pettaway Square. Located at 414 E. 21st St., the spot is owned by and named after brewer Josiah Moody, who earned his chops at Vino’s BrewPub in Little Rock and Bike Rack Brewery in Bentonville before turning his attention toward opening his own concept. He intends to keep operations small, focusing on quality and locally sourced ingredients when possible for each of his beers—but don’t worry, when your favorite Moody Brew temporarily sells out, there will always be guest beers on tap. Also keep an eye out for soft drinks, such as root beer, ginger ale, and cream soda, all inspired by Josiah’s daughter. Visit moodybrews.co for hours and more information.
Matty’s
Arkadelphia
Proprietors Trish and Darren Ayres brought a new restaurant, Matty’s, to the Arkadelphia scene in February. With classic breakfast plates, soups, salads, sandwiches, spuds, and a daily hot plate—think hearty favorites like meatloaf and chicken pot pie—Matty’s has quickly become a favorite for a home-cooked meal away from home. The renovated house-turned-eatery is located at 313 S. 10th St. Call 870.464.1099 for hours and more information, and search “Matty’s Arkadelphia” to find them on Facebook.
Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
Little Rock
After long admiring the hand-churned ice cream at Scoops Homemade Ice Cream in Hot Springs, Greg Hatcher, owner of Little Rock-based insurance firm The Hatcher Agency, took ownership of the venture in 2022. Now, the brand has announced its first expansion with a new location at 212 Broadway St. in downtown Little Rock, set to open this spring. Here, you’ll find 25 homemade flavors plus a rotating seasonal menu and other frozen treats. Find out more at scoopshomemadeicecream.com and watch on Facebook (@scoopsicecreamhotsprings) for a firm opening date.
Bleu Monkey Grill
Little Rock
Earlier this year, Hot Springs restaurant Bleu Monkey Grill expanded its footprint by opening a second location, this time in Little Rock. The addition comes 14 years after owner and chef Ozzie Oseguera first opened Bleu Monkey in his hometown of Hot Springs. With a menu spanning tacos, pasta, seafood, cajun favorites, steak, and burgers, there’s truly something for everyone at this multifaceted eatery. Bleu Monkey Grill in Little Rock is located at 10700 N. Rodney Parham Road, Suite A1. Visit bleumonkeygrill.com for hours and more information.
Point Remove Brewing
Russellville
Coming soon: Morrilton-based Point Remove Brewing has announced a location at 203 W. Second St. in Russellville. Taking up residence in an old fire station in the Downtown Russellville Historic District, renovations are underway to redesign the space into a taproom with two private dining spaces. According to the brewery’s Facebook page, the new location will play host to live music, karaoke nights, and other special events. Visit pointremovebrewingcompany.com for hours, menu, and more information, and keep an eye on Facebook (@pointremovebrews) for updates on an opening date.
Photo courtesy of Flyway Brewing.
Flyway Brewing
Memphis
The latest in a succession of recent expansions for North Little Rock’s Flyway Brewing is an out-of-state taproom, this time teaming up with several other local brands for a collaboration in Memphis’s Edge District. Proprietors include Matt Foster, Flyway founder and co-owner; Rebekah and Scott Tashie, co-owners of fast-casual restaurant City Silo (which opened in Little Rock’s Chenal Promenade last year); Trey Dacus, City Silo partner and director of operations; and Ross Avery, head brewer at High Cotton Brewing Co. in Memphis, whose location at 598 Monroe Ave. will transition to the new Flyway space. The group will keep beloved High Cotton brews on tap while also incorporating Flyway favorites. The update also includes transforming the former restaurant next door, Edge Alley, into a brewpub and event space. In addition to Flyway Brewing’s flagship location in North Little Rock, the brand opened a Fayetteville location in 2023 and has begun construction on a space in Little Rock’s Breckenridge redevelopment. Visit flywaybrewing.com for hours and menus, and follow along on Facebook (@flywaybrewing) for official opening dates.
A trio of treats from Butter/Scotch Bakery & Bar, including (clockwise from top): a London Fog eclair, Thai tea macaron, and mango-lime choux bun. Photo courtesy of Joseph Nguyen (@hangrypedalernwa).
Butter/Scotch Bakery & Bar
Bentonville
New to Bentonville’s ever-expanding food scene is Larissa and Sam McKenzie’s Butter/Scotch Bakery & Bar, which opened at 104 E. Central Ave. earlier this year. Larissa previously operated as a cottage baker after earning her degree in pastry arts from Brightwater, the culinary division of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, in 2020. The two-story brick-and-mortar location allows Larissa to continue creating custom cakes and specialty offerings for the pastry case on the ground floor while Sam explores his love of craft cocktails in the speakeasy-inspired bar upstairs. Look for Butter/Scotch to increase its offerings and hold dessert-and-cocktail-pairing events in coming months. Visit butterscotchnwa.com for hours and more information.
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).
