We have no shortage of food news throughout Arkansas, so each week, we’ll be providing you with a snapshot of the goings-on inside the culinary world, from events to specials to restaurant openings to awards. Do you have news to share? Please email our food editor, Kevin Shalin, at kshalin@aymag.com.

 

Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill is almost back, and an official reopening date has been announced. The downtown Little Rock restaurant has been closed since February due to damage caused by the winter weather. A Facebook post declared July 7 as the date it would reopen.

 

Downtown Little Rock received some more good news this week. The City of Little Rock’s Department of Planning and Development approved a proposal for a two-lane, drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A. The location is on the corner of Broadway and 7th streets, across from Jimmy John’s.

 

If you need a recipe for your seasonal cookouts or poolside hangouts, AY always has you covered. This week, Lisa Fischer shared a recipe for grilled flank steak. Our president/publisher’s daughter, Savvy, has a delicious homemade salsa recipe. And our newest contributor, Kelli Marks, has concocted an incredible almond French toast recipe.

 

The interactive murder mystery and food show the Dinner Detective has an event in Little Rock on June 19. Tickets start at $59.99 and include an appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage.

 

Speaking of events involving food, the Argenta Arts District in North Little Rock is holding another Dogtown Throwdown this weekend. Expect plenty of food, drinks and live music. This weekend also kicks off the Argenta Plaza Summer Music Series with a concert featuring Year And A Day.

 

As always, the AY staff has been all around town sampling the one-of-a-kind local food scene. Our food editor, Kevin Shalin, wrote about his great lunch experience at A.W. Lin’s in downtown Little Rock, staff writer Emily Beirne taste-tested the Grilled Cheese’Dilla Tacos from Heights Taco and Tamale Co., and Heather Baker flapped over to Flyway Brewing during her latest stop for the Beer and Bar Food Bucket List.

 

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