This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Arkansas Times’ Readers Choice restaurant contest. The issue went to press at a time when restaurants have, for just shy of one year, been faced with a pandemic and the necessary safety rules that have limited their customers. So, this year, we have a new category to join our traditional bests: Best Pandemic Dining. Our readers have praised Trio’s Restaurant and The Hive in Bentonville for keeping diners safely spaced. They’ve toasted Flyway Brewing and Superior Bathhouse Brewery in Hot Springs for their beer-to-go service. (A feature on Flyway, which also won Most Innovative, illustrates how it kept aloft.) They’ve recognized Star of India for its to-go packaging (and we give Sami Lal his due for his enduring success). Our readers found much to praise in restaurants from Fayetteville (Atlas and The Farmer’s Table Cafe) to Marianna (Jones Bar-B-Que Diner), from Dumas (Taylor’s Steakhouse) to Jonesboro (The Parsonage), from Rogers (Local Lime) to Cabot (Pea Farm Bistro), creating a road map to good eating in Arkansas. Enjoy.
BEST OF THE BUNCH
Overall in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Petit & Keet
Finalists: Allsopp & Chapple, Brave New Restaurant, Trio’s Restaurant
Overall around the state
The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Local Lime (Rogers), Postmaster’s Grill (Camden), Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
New in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Cypress Social (Maumelle)
Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), The Library Kitchen & Lounge, Rock n Roll Sushi
New around the state
Winner: Atlas (Fayetteville)
Finalists: AOI Sushi on the Square (Bentonville), Arsaga’s Mill District (Fayetteville), YGFBFKitchen (Conway)
Chef in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Steve Binotti (Petit & Keet)
Finalists: Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant), Capi Peck (Trio’s Restaurant), Scott Rains (Table 28)
Chef around Arkansas
Winner: Matthew McClure (The Hive, Bentonville)
Finalists: Dianna Bratton (Taco Mama, Hot Springs), Joseph Coleman (Saracen Casino and Resort, Pine Bluff), Jacqueline Smith (WunderHaus, Conway)
Server in Little Rock
Winner: Brooke Faler Elliot (Cypress Social)
Finalists: Amanda Watson (Soul Fish Cafe), Joann Sims (Cache), Shannon Lewis (Dugan’s Pub)
BEST PANDEMIC DINING
Best restaurant keeping diners safely spaced in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Trio’s Restaurant
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Flyway Brewing, The Rail Yard
Best restaurant keeping diners safely spaced around Arkansas
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Atlas (Fayetteville), The Parsonage (Jonesboro), SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs)
Beer to-go from a restaurant in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Flyway Brewing
Finalists: Cypress Social (Maumelle), Flying Fish, Lost Forty Brewing
Beer to-go from a restaurant around Arkansas
Winner: Superior Bathhouse Brewery (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Point Remove Brewing Co. (Morrilton), Steinhaus Keller (Hot Springs), Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville)
Wine to-go from a restaurant
Winner: Ciao Baci
Finalists: Crush Wine Bar, Petit & Keet, Trio’s Restaurant
Curbside in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Trio’s Restaurant
Finalists: @ the Corner, Petit & Keet, Star of India
Curbside around Arkansas
Winner: The Farmer’s Table Cafe (Fayetteville)
Finalists: The Hive (Bentonville), Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot), SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs)
Most innovative restaurant during the pandemic in Little Rock
Winner: Flyway Brewing
Finalist: Ciao Baci, Petit & Keet, Trio’s Restaurant
Most innovative restaurant during the pandemic around Arkansas
Winner: Yeyo’s (Bentonville and Rogers)
Finalists: Mule Kick (Magnolia), The Parsonage (Jonesboro), SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs)
Delivery service
Winner: Bite Squad
Finalist: Door dash
Delivery (by an individual restaurant)
Winner: Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Finalists: Fantastic China, Petit & Keet, SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs)
Restaurant to-go packaging
Winner: Star of India
Finalists: Baja Grill, Brood & Barley, The Root Cafe
To-go cocktail mix from a restaurant
Winner: Local Lime
Finalists: The Fold, Heights Taco & Tamale, La Terraza Rum & Lounge
BEST EARLY EATS
Bakery in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.
Finalists: Community Bakery, Dempsey Bakery, Hillcrest Little Bakery
Bakery around Arkansas
Winner: Wild Sweet William’s Baking House (Searcy)
Finalists: The Humble Crumb (Sherwood), Ozark Mountain Bagel Co. (Bentonville), Serenity Farm Bread (Leslie)
Breakfast in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: @ the Corner
Finalists: Mugs Argenta, Red Door, The Root Cafe
Breakfast around Arkansas
Winner: The Farmer’s Table Cafe (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Ozark Cafe (Jasper), The Parsonage (Jonesboro), Prelude Breakfast Bar (Fayetteville)
Brunch in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: @ the Corner
Finalists: Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom, Red Door, The Root Cafe
Brunch around Arkansas
Winner: The Farmer’s Table Cafe (Fayetteville)
Finalists: The Parsonage (Jonesboro), Taco Mama (Hot Springs), Tusk and Trotter (Bentonville)
Coffee in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.
Finalists: Dark Side Coffee Co. (North Little Rock), Fidel & Co., Nexus Coffee and Creative
Coffee around Arkansas
Winner: Onyx Coffee Lab (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Arsaga’s (Fayetteville), Doomsday Coffee & Roasterie (Fayetteville), Red Light Roastery Coffee House (Hot Springs)
BEST SINGLE DISHES
Barbecue in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Sims Bar-B-Que
Finalists: Count Porkula BBQ, Whole Hog Cafe, Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Barbecue around Arkansas
Winner: Jones Bar-B-Q Diner (Marianna)
Finalists: Wright’s Barbecue (Johnson), McClard’s Bar-B-Q (Hot Springs), Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Que (Russellville)
Burger in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Big Orange
Finalists: Cypress Social, The Faded Rose, Petit & Keet
Burger around Arkansas
Winner: Big Orange (Rogers)
Finalists: Hugo’s (Fayetteville), David’s Burger’s, The Ohio Club (Hot Springs)
Catfish in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Cypress Social
Finalists: Lassis Inn, Eat My Catfish, Soul Fish Cafe
Catfish around Arkansas
Winner: Brown’s Catfish (Russellville)
Finalists: Dondie’s White River Princess (Des Arc), Catfish Hole (Fayetteville), Mama Vee’s Southern Homestyle Cuisine (Hot Springs)
Cheese dip in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Heights Taco & Tamale
Finalists: Lost Forty Brewing, Baja Grill, Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro
Cheese dip around Arkansas
Winner: Baja Grill (Benton)
Finalists: Stoby’s Restaurant, Taco Mama (Hot Springs), Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant (Rogers)
Desserts in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Cypress Social
Finalists: Trio’s Restaurant, Table 28, Petit & Keet
Desserts around Arkansas
Winner: Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets (Keo)
Finalists: Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot), The Hive (Bentonville), Holly’s Country Cookin’ (Conway)
French fries in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Esters SOMA
Finalists: Doe’s Eat Place, Brood & Barley, Big Orange
French fries around Arkansas
Winner: Hugo’s (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Tamale Factory (Augusta), Big Orange (Rogers), Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer (Rogers)
Fried chicken in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Finalists: Ceci’s Chicken N Waffles, Cotham’s in the City, Flyway Brewing
Fried chicken around Arkansas
Winner: Holly’s Country Cookin’ (Conway)
Finalists: Monte Ne Inn Chicken (Rogers), Campground Grill (Austin), Chicken Express (Benton)
Ice cream/cool treats in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Loblolly Creamery
Finalists: The Original ScoopDog, Kilwins, Le Pops
Ice cream/cool treats around Arkansas
Winner: Andy’s Frozen Custard (Conway)
Finalists: Mamoo’s Paradice Cream (Hot Springs), Just Ice Cream (Benton), Scoops Ice Cream (Hot Springs)
Pie in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Blue Cake
Finalists: Soul Fish Cafe, Trio’s Restaurant, Community Bakery
Pie around Arkansas
Winner: Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets (Keo)
Finalists: Holly’s Country Cookin’ (Conway), Cross Creek Sandwich Shop (Conway), Three Sams BBQ & Catering (Mabelvale)
Pizza in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Zaza Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza
Finalists: Damgoode Pies, The Pizzeria, Vino’s Brewpub
Pizza around Arkansas
Winner: DeLuca’s Pizzeria (Hot Springs)
Finalists: SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs), Shotgun Dan’s Pizza, Rod’s Pizza Cellar (Hot Springs)
Salad in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: ZaZa Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza
Finalists: U.S. Pizza, Doe’s Eat Place, The Faded Rose
Salad around Arkansas
Winner: Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot)
Finalists: Cross Creek Sandwich Shop (Conway), Local Lime (Rogers), Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe (Conway)
Sandwich in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Cypress Social
Finalists: Hillcrest Artisan Meats, Brood & Barley, Esters SOMA
Sandwich around Arkansas
Winner: Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot)
Finalists: Cross Creek Sandwich Shop (Conway), SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs), The Ohio Club (Hot Springs)
Soup in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Mike’s Cafe
Finalists: Baja Grill, Boulevard Bread Co., Cafe Bossa Nova
Soup around Arkansas
Winner: Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot)
Finalists: Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Baja Grill (Benton), Cross Creek Sandwich Shop (Conway)
Steak in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Doe’s Eat Place
Finalists: Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse, Petit & Keet, Cypress Social
Steak around Arkansas
Winner: Taylor’s Steakhouse (Dumas)
Finalists: Tamale Factory (Augusta), Mike’s Place (Conway), The Hive (Bentonville)
Sushi in Little Rock
Winner: Kemuri
Finalists: Rock n Roll Sushi, Benihana, Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant
Sushi around Arkansas
Winner: Ai Sushi (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Sushi House (Bentonville), Benihana, w (Fayetteville)
Tacos in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Heights Taco & Tamale
Finalists: El Sur, Tacos Godoy, The Fold Botanas & Bar
Tacos around Arkansas
Winner: Baja Grill (Benton)
Finalists: Local Lime (Rogers), Torchy’s Tacos (Fayetteville), Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
Yogurt/smoothies in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Argenta Nutrition
Finalists: Tropical Smoothie Cafe, The Nutrition Place
Yogurt/smoothies around Arkansas
Winner: Grinds Coffee Co. (Cabot)
Finalists: The Healthy Spot (Greenbrier), Panther Nutrition of Cabot (Cabot), Natural State Smoothies (Fayetteville)
BEST SPECIALTY DINING
Business lunch in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Brood & Barley
Finalists: The Faded Rose, Doe’s Eat Place, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Business lunch around Arkansas
Winner: Cross Creek Sandwich Shop (Conway)
Finalists: The Parsonage (Jonesboro), Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot), Cafe 1217 (Hot Springs)
Dog friendly in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Bark Bar
Finalists: The Rail Yard, Dugan’s Pub, Flyway Brewing
Dog friendly around Arkansas
Winner: Good Dog Cafe (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Beer Garden (Hot Springs), Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), Nomad’s Southtown Kitchen + Bar (Fayetteville)
Fine dining in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Petit & Keet
Finalists: Allsopp & Chapple, Table 28, Brood & Barley
Fine dining around Arkansas
Winner: Red Apple Inn (Heber Springs)
Finalists: Bombadil’s Cafe (Eureka Springs), The Hive (Bentonville), Vetro 1925 (Fayetteville)
Fun in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Cypress Social
Finalists: Hill Station, Petit & Keet, Rock n Roll Sushi
Fun around Arkansas
Winner: JJ’s Grill (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Mule Kick (Magnolia), SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs), The Ohio Club (Hot Springs)
Gluten free in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Dempsey Bakery
Finalists: La Terraza Rum & Lounge, Cypress Social, North Bar
Gluten free around Arkansas
Winner: Baja Grill (Benton)
Finalists: American Pie Pizza, SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs), Cafe 1217 (Hot Springs)
Healthy in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Taziki’s
Finalists: Esters SOMA, Brood & Barley, ZaZa Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza
Healthy around Arkansas
Winner: Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot)
Finalists: ZaZa Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza (Conway), Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Bombadil’s Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Home cookin’ in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Maddie’s Place
Finalists: House of Mental, David Family Kitchen, Soul Fish Cafe
Home cookin’ around Arkansas
Winner: Holly’s Country Cookin’ (Conway)
Finalists: YGFBFKitchen Restaurant & Catering (Conway), Peggy Sue’s Place (Heber Springs), The Parsonage (Jonesboro)
Outdoor dining in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Baja Grill
Finalists: Cypress Social, Flyway Brewing, Brave New Restaurant
Outdoor dining around Arkansas
Winner: Mule Kick (Magnolia)
Finalists: WunderHaus (Conway), Postmaster’s Grill (Camden), Rolando’s Restaurante (Hot Springs)
Place for kids in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Big Orange
Finalists: The Rail Yard, The Root Cafe, All Aboard Restaurant & Grill
Place for kids around Arkansas
Winner: Purple Cow
Finalists: Mule Kick (Magnolia), Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer (Rogers), Stoby’s Restaurant (Conway)
Seafood in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Kemuri
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Petit & Keet, Brood & Barley
Seafood around Arkansas
Winner: Dondie’s White River Princess
Finalists: Flying Fish (Bentonville), Powerhouse Seafood & Grill (Fayetteville), BLU Fish House (Bentonville)
Vegetarian/vegan in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Esters SOMA
Finalists: The Root Cafe, Star of India, Brood & Barley
Vegetarian/vegan around
Arkansas
Winner: Baja Grill (Benton)
Finalists: SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs), Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), Kollective Coffee + Tea (Hot Springs)
Wine list in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Petit & Keet
Finalists: Table 28, Allsopp & Chapple, Crush Wine Bar
Wine list around Arkansas
Winner: 501 Prime (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Bordinos (Fayetteville), The Preacher’s Son (Bentonville), Omar’s Uptown (Jonesboro)
INTERNATIONAL
Chinese in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Three Fold
Finalists: Fantastic China, Fu Lin, Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking
Chinese around the state
Winner: The Wok (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Jade China Restaurant (Conway), Mong Dynasty (Fayetteville), Lin’s Garden (Bentonville)
Indian in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Star of India
Finalists: Saffron, Taj Mahal, The Indian Feast
Indian around Arkansas
Winner: Flavors Indian Cuisine (Bentonville)
Finalists: Khana Indian Grill (Fayetteville), Pandiya’s South Indian Cuisine (Bentonville)
Italian in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Bruno’s Little Italy
Finalists: Graffiti’s Italian Restaurant, Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom, Ristorante Capeo
Italian around Arkansas
Winner: Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking (Eureka Springs)
Finalists: DeLuca’s Pizzeria (Hot Springs), Pasta Grill (Conway), Vetro 1925 (Fayetteville)
Japanese in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Kemuri
Finalists: Aji Ramen Bar, Benihana (North Little Rock), Rock n Roll Sushi
Japanese around Arkansas
Winner: Sushi House (Bentonville)
Finalists: Meiji Japanese Cuisine (Fayetteville), Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Bar (Hot Springs), Umami Sushi Lounge & Grill Fusion (Conway)
Mexican in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: La Hacienda
Finalists: Baja Grill, Heights Taco & Tamale, Local Lime
Mexican around Arkansas
Winner: Local Lime (Rogers)
Finalists: Baja Grill (Benton), Table Mesa (Bentonville), Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
Other international in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: KBird
Finalists: Buenos Aires Grill and Cafe, Cafe Bossa Nova, Layla’s Gyro
Other international around Arkansas
Winner: Rolando’s Restaurante (Hot Springs)
Finalists: A Taste of Thai (Fayetteville), Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), WunderHaus (Conway)
BEST TAKEAWAY/MOBILE DINING
Butcher in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Edward’s Food Giant (Cantrell)
Finalists: Hillcrest Artisan Meats, Hogg’s Meat Market, Heights Corner Market
Butcher around Arkansas
Winner: Weldon’s Meat Market (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Richard’s Country Meat Market (Fayetteville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville), Butcher Boys Meat Market & Deli (Van Buren)
Caterer in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Low Ivy Catering
Finalists: On the Go Food Truck and Catering, Trio’s Restaurant, Catering to You
Caterer around Arkansas
Winner: The Magic Food Bus (Conway)
Finalists: YGFBFKitchen Restaurant and Catering (Conway), Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot), Taziki’s Mediterranean
Deli/gourmet to-go in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.
Finalists: Burge’s Hickory Smoked Turkeys and Hams, Hillcrest Artisan Meats, Hogg’s Meat Market
Deli/gourmet to-go around Arkansas
Winner: The Magic Food Bus (Conway)
Finalists: Taco Mama Side Town (Hot Springs), Weldon’s Meat Market (Hot Springs), Pea Farm Bistro (Cabot)
Food truck in Little Rock/North Little Rock
Winner: On the Go Food Truck and Catering
Finalists: Delta Biscuit Co., Tacos Godoy, Low Ivy Catering
Food truck around Arkansas
Winner: The Magic Food Bus (Conway)
Finalists: King Fry’s (Morrilton), Mama Vee’s Southern Homestyle Cuisine (Hot Springs), Taco Mama Side Town (Hot Springs)
BEST IN DRINKING
Best bar
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Allsopp & Chapple, Petit & Keet, Rock Town Distillery
New bar
Winner: Brood & Barley
Finalists: Cypress Social, Diablo’s Tacos and Mezcaleria, Hill Station
Bar for food
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Brood and Barley, The Capital Hotel, Petit & Keet
Bar for karaoke
Winner: Town Pump
Finalists: Brewski’s Pub & Grub, Khalil’s Pub & Grill, Maxine’s Live (Hot Springs)
Bar for live music
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Sticky Fingerz, Town Pump, The White Water Tavern
Bar for pool, darts, shuffleboard, etc.
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Midtown Billiards, Grumpy’s Too Neighborhood Bar and Grill, The Hillcrest Fountain
Bar for trivia
Winner: Flyway Brewing
Finalists: Dugan’s Pub, Mellow Mushroom, Stone’s Throw Brewing
Bartender
Winner: Greg Castille (Allsopp & Chapple)
Finalists: David Burnette (Brood & Barley), Jacob Huddleston (Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom), Kathy Jordan (Baja Grill)
Beer selection (bar or restaurant)
Winner: Flying Saucer
Finalists: Brood and Barley, Cypress Social (Maumelle), Lost Forty Brewing
Beer selection (liquor store)
Winner: Colonial Wine & Spirits
Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor
Bloody Mary
Winner: Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom
Finalists: Brood & Barley, Midtown Billiards, Petit & Keet
Brewpub
Winner: Flyway Brewing
Finalists: Lost Forty, SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint (Hot Springs), Vino’s Brewpub
Cocktail list
Winner: Petit & Keet
Finalists: Allsopp & Chapple, Brood & Barley, Cypress Social (Maumelle)
Coldest beer
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Midtown Billiards, Pizza Cafe (Riverdale), Twin Peaks
Distillery
Winner: Rock Town Distillery
Finalists: Crystal Ridge Distillery (Hot Springs), Fox Trail Distillery (Rogers), Postmaster Spirits (Newport)
Dive bar
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Grumpy’s Too, Midtown Billiards, Town Pump
Gay bar
Winner: 610 Center
Finalists: Discovery, Lucky Lou’s, Triniti Nightclub
Happy hour
Winner: Baja Grill
Finalists: Brood & Barley, Petit & Keet, Table 28
Liquor store
Winner: Colonial Wine and Spirits
Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor
Local brewery
Winner: Lost Forty Brewing
Finalists: Flyway Brewing, Stone’s Throw Brewing, Vino’s Brewpub
Local IPA
Winner: Flyway Brewing Early Bird IPA
Finalists: Diamond Bear Two Term Presidential IPA, Lost Forty Rockhound IPA,
Local Pale Ale
Winner: Flyway Peregrine Pale Ale
Finalists: Diamond Bear Pale Ale, Lost Forty Pale Ale, Vino’s Pale Ale
Margarita
Winner: The Fold Botanas + Bar
Finalists: Baja Grill, Local Lime, Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
Martini
Winner: Cache
Finalists: The Capital Hotel, Copper Grill, Petit & Keet
National Brewery
Winner: New Belgium
Finalists: Dogfish Head, Bell’s Brewery, Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Neighborhood Bar
Winner: Four Quarter Bar
Finalists: Brood & Barley, Dugan’s Pub, Starlite Club (Hot Springs)
Patio or deck for drinking
Winner: Cypress Social
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Cache, Ciao Baci
Pickup bar
Winner: Midtown Billiards
Finalists: Maxine’s Live (Hot Springs), Petit & Keet, Starlite Club (Hot Springs)
Sommelier
Winner: Jeff Yant (Cache)
Finalists: Susie Long (Petit & Keet)
Wine bar
Winner: Petit & Keet
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Crush Wine Bar, Zin Wine Bar
Wine list
Winner: Petit & Keet
Finalists: Allsopp & Chapple, Ciao Baci, Crush Wine Bar
BEST BY REGION
Overall restaurant in Benton/Bryant
Baja Grill (Benton)
Finalists: Eat My Catfish (Benton), Valhalla Restaurant & Axe Throwing (Benton), Verona Italian Restaurant (Benton)
Overall restaurant in Rogers/Bentonville
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Local Lime (Rogers), The Preacher’s Son Cafe (Bentonville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
Overall restaurant in Conway
Winner: Mike’s Place
Finalists: Holly’s Country Cookin’, WunderHaus, YGFBFKitchen Restaurant
Overall restaurant in Eureka Springs
Winner: Local Flavor
Finalists: Bombadil’s Cafe, Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking, Grotto Wood Fired Grill and Wine Cave
Overall restaurant in Fayetteville/Springdale/Johnson
Winner: Hugo’s (Fayetteville)
Finalists: The Farmer’s Table Cafe (Fayetteville), Herman’s Ribhouse (Fayetteville), Rolando’s Restaurante (Fayetteville)
Overall Restaurant in Hot Springs
Winner: DeLuca’s Pizzeria
Finalists: Rolando’s Restaurante, SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint, Taco Mama