The most exciting and beautiful thing about Central Arkansas cuisine is the variety of influences it experiences from around the surrounding areas. Just like Cajun cuisine draws from Mexican, Native American, and French influences, so too does much of the finer dining in Little Rock draw upon Cajun, Deep Southern, and Midwestern traditions. I think the perfect example of this influence is a little restaurant called Maddie's Place.
Located on Rebsamen and surrounded by other good local joints, Maddie's hangs a Fleur de Lis on its door as a testament to the Cajun/Creole influences if its menu. Just as obvious, however, are the other southern touches. Besides having shrimp and grits, jambalaya and crawfish stuffed catfish as per Louisiana fare, it also boasts Arkansas rabbit and dumplings, Buttermilk fried chicken and braised chicken thighs. The combination, is just as it sounds: delicious. With a wide variety of appetizers to start off with, your palate will expect the meal to build and build, and it will. And it culminates in a butter-rum bread pudding that is, absolutely, the best I've ever had. And I've had a lot.
Located on Rebsamen and surrounded by other good local joints, Maddie's hangs a Fleur de Lis on its door as a testament to the Cajun/Creole influences if its menu. Just as obvious, however, are the other southern touches. Besides having shrimp and grits, jambalaya and crawfish stuffed catfish as per Louisiana fare, it also boasts Arkansas rabbit and dumplings, Buttermilk fried chicken and braised chicken thighs. The combination, is just as it sounds: delicious. With a wide variety of appetizers to start off with, your palate will expect the meal to build and build, and it will. And it culminates in a butter-rum bread pudding that is, absolutely, the best I've ever had. And I've had a lot.
 |
| Crawfish Stuff Catfish and Creole Veggie Ratatouille. Note the stuffing is actually on top. |
 |
| A trio of desserts: Pecan Pie (Southern), Creme Brulee (French) and Bread Pudding (Cajun) |
Menu: ★★★★☆
Distinctly southern. A wide array of appetizers could lead to a meal of just tapas. A good selection of Po'Boys and lighter fare, but the entrees are where the money is at. Moderate prices (think $14-$15) and lots of bang for the buck due to delicious sides. Recommendations: Start with the Fried Mac&Cheese, continue with Crawdad (Sorry, I'm Arkansan) Stuffed Catfish, and finish with the bread pudding. Exercise all day tomorrow.
Food: ★★★★★
Really quite amazing. It's elevated but not snobby. It's rustic but refined. Every bite is balanced, and every dish has complements of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. There are probably things that aren't quite as good as others, I just have yet to find them. I have yet to sample the sandwiches, but I can speak honestly about the entrees.
Atmosphere: ★★☆☆☆
Really the only glaring deficiency of this restaurant. Not really a bar (only one TV), not really a diner (low lit and decorated), not romantic, casual to the point of being almost dank. In summary: the food and the atmosphere don't really jive. Mom's kitchen would be a perfect setting, or even a white linen table, but not a high seat four top or low key booth.
Service: ★★★★☆
Quick and friendly. Attentive staff that actually know the menu and can make suggestions. Receptive to requests and establish rapport with patrons.