We finally agreed on dates in early October and plans were made. We each jumped on planes from our respective cities (Atlanta for me and Iowa City for her). We were greeted at the airport by the incredibly friendly drivers from the Capital Hotel where we would be staying. Upon arriving we were quickly checked in and escorted to our spacious and beautiful room.
After a quick lunch at the Capital Bar & Grill to get the lowdown on the specifics of our itinerary (and to sample their superb pimento cheese and spiced pecans), Kelly and I hit the ground ready to explore. Although there is a streetcar that runs directly in front of our hotel, we opted to walk as the weather was clear and some exercise was welcome after our flights. We headed to the River Market where the food court vendors were setting up for the evening. We rambled down the street window shopping in the cute shops along River Market Avenue street and soon found seats in the Damngoode Pies & Brews where we sipped on some locally crafted beers.
We ambled back along the outskirts of the Historic Arkansas Museum where a pre-civil war neighborhood in enclosed in a white picket fence, including the oldest home still standing in Little Rock. This also the site where William Woodruff once printed the Arkansas Gazette. The extraordinary sculpture of a hoedown made of brushed steel is definitely worth a look.
After a good night sleep in our super-comfy beds, we were ready to explore more of Little Rock. We walked through Riverfront Park along the Arkansas River in the cool morning air to the William J. Clinton Library and Presidential Center where we walked through the timeline of President Bill Clinton’s term of office. We sat in the exact replica of his oval office and giggled as we at behind the reproduction “Resolute” desk that each president sits behind in the White House.
As we were early for the next item on our itinerary, we ducked into the interactive exhibit at Heifer International with many activities for school-age children to learn about sustainable farming efforts and food systems. We then sauntered over to Rocktown Distillery where we toured the facility learning how bourbon is made from ground corn and grains, distilled and aged in white oak barrels and bottled for distribution nationwide and abroad.
Back at the hotel, we glammed up a bit to head to dinner at One Eleven restaurant. We were quickly seated and the royal treatment began. Before we ordered, Chef Joël Antunes came to our table to introduce himself reminding me that he had once owned the acclaimed “Joël” Brasserie in Atlanta before landing in Little Rock. With so many fabulous dishes on the menu, it was very difficult to choose. We decided on stuffed mushrooms and a foie gras terrine as appetizers which the incredibly knowledgeable sommelier paired perfectly with Sauvignon Blanc and a Moscato respectively. Our main courses of Scallops and Seafood Risotto were masterfully prepared and matched with a dazzling rose. As if we had any room left for dessert, plates of crepe cake with Grand Marnier sauce and ice cream, and chocolate espresso semifreddo were devoured before we waddled up to the hotel’s mezzanine to enjoy some night air overlooking Markham Street. We were asleep before our heads hit the pillow…
With morning flights leaving Little Rock, we got up early for one last stop at The Root Café for a quick homey breakfast. Good biscuits are hard to come by anywhere but especially in Iowa where my little sister would soon be heading. She opted for a biscuit with butter and jam while I had an egg and cheese added to my biscuit. A little crumbly, but not too dry; these biscuits were worth the trip.
All good things must come to an end, and we said our misty-eyed goodbyes before proceeding to the airport and back to reality with some souvenirs and fantastic memories. Many thanks to the Little Rock Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for an amazing experience and to the Capital Hotel for their exceptional hospitality.