Writer: Virginia Brown Photographer: Lawrence Elizabeth Knox & Jamie Lee
Arkansas makes waves with two James Beard Award nominations and an ever-growing list of additions to the restaurant scene
Benny’s Bagels
Fayetteville
Originally launched in Dallas in the 1990s, Benny’s Bagels is now open in Fayetteville at 826 North Leverett Avenue, in the former Eureka Pizza space. The location is a venture of friends Ryan Nickel and Pierce Mixon, who met as freshmen at the University of Arkansas. Benny’s specializes in daily, scratch-made New York-style bagels, cold fermented for 36 hours before baking. Guests can top them with one of eight cream cheese flavors. Also on the menu are a variety of bagel sandwiches, plus varying limited-time treats, like cheesecake. Benny’s is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Find more information at bennysbagelsfayetteville.toast.site.
Bentoville Food Theater
Bentonville
On the Bentonville square, in the former Pressroom location, a new dining experience that intersects art and food opens May 26. Featuring two chefs, Shinichiro Takagi, whose Japan-based restaurant Zeniya has earned two Michelin stars, and Billy Kong, who earned a Michelin star with Kinjo and owns Saru Sushi Bar in San Francisco, Bentoville Food Theater will offer exciting, artistically presented meals including sushi omakase, bento boxes, elevated dim sum, and more. Guests will be able to experience ticketed plated food “concerts,” curated by the culinary team, at three stages in the performance area. Concepts will change often, first focused on Japanese cuisine, but eventually expanding to others. Sharing space with Onyx Coffee Lab, the location will offer coffee, bento boxes, and other fast options when no performance is scheduled. Visit bentoville.com for more information.
Arkansas James Beard Award Nominees
Rogers
Rogers-based chef Jason Paul of Heirloom at The 1907 is making a mark on the national scene as a 2026 James Beard Award finalist. He is nominated this year in the Best Chef category for the South region. Heirloom is a reservation-only, tasting-menu restaurant that serves a set nightly menu of four to five courses along with snacks. Wine pairings are also part of the immersive experience. Always one to acknowledge his team, Chef Paul noted on social media that without them, “I’m just a guy who can cook good food.” Not just in Rogers, but located in the same building as Heirloom, a second James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Bar went to Onyx Coffee Lab. This is especially meaningful, as the bar category finalists typically serve cocktails rather than coffee. Winners will be announced on June 15 in Chicago. Visit heirloomar.com and onyxcoffeelab.com to learn more about each restaurant.
Double B Ranch
Bigelow
Double B Ranch initially opened in 2017 as a way for owners Tyler and Laura Beaudreau to raise grass-fed beef and forested pork sustainably and reconnect with the land. In March, they opened a community market to sell these goods along with a limited menu of breakfast and lunch items. Double B Ranch farm market is located at 22211 Highway 113 in Bigelow. In addition to fresh milk, pasture-raised eggs, and produce, visitors can stop by the cafe for coffee or enjoy a meal. Chef Chera Morris serves up weekly specials like smoked roast beef sandwiches or spaghetti and meatballs using the farm’s freshest ingredients and items from other local businesses. Thursday through Sunday they offer take-away dinner meals. Homemade seasonal desserts, like strawberry cake, are also available. Find a complete list of products, business hours, and more at doublebfarmandranch.com. See their weekly menu at facebook.com/DoubleBRanch2017.
Roost & Tap Kitchen
Conway
One of the latest additions to Conway’s dining scene, Roost & Tap Kitchen, opened in March in The Village at Hendrix College. The new spot focuses on American cuisine and Southern-inspired comfort foods like apple-butter biscuits, fried chicken and catfish, wings, tater tots, and gumbo. Entrées include burgers, pork chops, salmon, and rotisserie chicken. Cobblers, skillet cookies, and other seasonal sweets round out the menu. Current hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Roost & Tap is located at 1050 Ellis Avenue, Suite 100. Learn more at roosttapconway.com.
Fidel & Co.
Riverdale, Little Rock
One of Little Rock’s go-to coffee shops has opened its third location. In early May, Fidel & Co. Coffee Roasters, with other locations in East Village and downtown, opened in its new space in Riverdale at 3515 Old Cantrell Road, Suite A, next to the soon-to-be revamped Loca Luna. The cafe specializes in single-origin coffee and specialty blends and will maintain its favorites on the Riverdale menu. Visit fidel.coffee to learn more.
Luce Italian Kitchen
Little Rock
A new Italian concept hit Little Rock in March. Luce Italian Kitchen, located in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center, serves handmade elevated pastas, plus seafood and steaks. Pastas include a wagyu, pork, and pancetta ragu bolognese over mafaldine pasta and spinach-and-mushroom ravioli. Placing as much intentionality behind the interior aesthetic as the menu, Luce’s owners sought to create an airy, inviting gathering space that lends well to its name’s translation: light. Visit them at 11610 Pleasant Ridge Road, Suite 100 Monday through Thursday, from 3 to 10 p.m, and Friday and Saturday, from 3 to 11 p.m. Learn more at lucelr.com.
West Little Rock Farmer’s Market
Little Rock
The West Little Rock Farmer’s Market is a new initiative aimed at increasing access to fresh, local foods. Held every Saturday, now through October, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Breckenridge Village, the market offers farm-fresh meats, cheeses, produce, baked goods, and other locally made items, like honey and jam. You’ll also find cooking demonstrations, live music, and other activities. The project is a collaboration between local businesses, farms, and community partners, and it strives to be a connection point and family-friendly gathering space. Visit the market at 10301 North Rodney Parham Road, and find more details at westlittlerockfarmersmarket.org.
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).
