Thoughts from my recent food adventures around Little Rock…

Three Fold … It’s Been Too Long
How does a self-proclaimed dumpling whore go several months between Three Fold visits? It happens, I guess. I did, however, make things right by turning a rainy wedding anniversary into a pork dumping extravaganza. Per usual, the dumplings were fantastic, as was the side of slaw I threw on top. Here’s hoping that one day Three Fold will add a second location in the WLR vicinity. A man can dream.

Maddie’s Place is Elite
“This is a top 5 restaurant in Little Rock.” I say it just about every time I walk out of Maddie’s. The restaurant seems to always fall under the radar, in large part, to the laid back approach of head chef/owner Brian Deloney. He’s all business, rarely seeks attention, and just cranks out delightful, stick-to-your-ribs New Orleans-inspired dishes. At a recent dinner, my pork loin with Andouille-sweet potato hash and bacon braised Brussel sprouts was sweet and savory perfection, and is now my new favorite dish at the restaurant, due to chef’s inclusion of a house-made Worchester sauce. My wife loved her salmon, but complained about the slightly woody stewed okra accompanying the fish. I also snagged a few bites of the seared catfish, along with the BBQ shrimp … which were both winners. The service was also top notch, which I think we all appreciated as we had a table of eight (four of which were kids).

No Longer a Peck Salad Virgin
The time just felt right to partake in my first Peck Salad, the iconic dish at Little Rock’s beloved Trio’s. It did not disappoint. Here’s the rundown … it consists of Romaine lettuce topped with pulled chicken breast meat, toasted almond slivers, bacon and vinaigrette. The key to this salad is tossing all off the ingredients together, coating everything in that insanely addictive vinaigrette. The Peck Salad is simplistic goodness, and seriously, who doesn’t love bits of crispy bacon scattered all over a salad? I gobbled up the entire thing and my cup of bean soup was none too shabby either. Speaking of soup, if the posole happens to be on the menu, it’s a must-order. This traditional Mexican stew is loaded with the most tender, braised pork shoulder, along with chiles, garlic, onion, cilantro, and hominy, giving it an authenticity that’s hard to find here in Little Rock.

I Finally Went to Blue Canoe
I couldn’t be more impressed with my first visit to Blue Canoe Brewing Brewing Co. in downtown Little Rock. The place is small, but super cozy, and the beer is some of the best in town. If you get a chance over the holiday season, please go check this place out for yourself.

Duck Wings at South on Main
This isn’t the first time I’ve bragged about the fried duck wings at South on Main. If you find yourself at the bar, and hungry, ask one of the bartenders if the wings are available.

Old Mill Bread Bakery & Café
I’m not sure how long the cheese and ham-stuffed Challah will be on the menu, but it’s truly worthy of checking out. I was able to sample a piece and thought it was absolutely delicious. The loaf-sized concoction is obviously best to split among several folks, which got me to thinking … Old Mill may want to consider making these as individual servings … much like a kolache. Just a suggestion.