In a year's time, a lot can happen to a local city's restaurant scene, apparently. It seems like during our hiatus, many restaurants came, many went, and some just felt a rejuvenation. Excited to try some of the newer offerings, Blair and I met some friends at Table 28 to give it a whirl.
When I first heard that Vesuvio was moving across town, I immediately thought to myself "There went the best thing that ever happened to a Best Western." I stand corrected. Table 28, under the guidance of Executive Chef Scott Rains, has leapt onto the local scene, and-- if our experience was reproducible-- will remain a fixture for many years to come.
Table 28 is located in the Best Western Governor's Suites on Merrill Drive (near Rodney Parham). It bills itself as modern American, and has a special table (ala Title) whose occupants receive a prix fix dinner with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Arkansas Children's hospital. If there was another way to my heart besides delicious food, supporting the Children of Arkansas would be it.
Menu: ★★★★☆
Many options including always there specials and rotating seasonal dishes. Everything from bone-marrow on toast to the traditional salmon.
Food: ★★★★☆
Really quite excellent. It takes a lot to get that 5th star, and the only reason I'm holding it back is lack of imagination. I think that as Table 28 grows and matures, it will become more adventurous, and therefore the food will take on an excitement all it's own. I will say: I don't think there is a bad dish on the menu.
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
Despite being in a Best Western, it is able to maintain a chic and warm atmosphere, different from it's predecessor but just as inviting. Location isn't terribly great.
Service: ★★★★★
Wonderful staff and really one of the strong points for this restaurant-- make great suggestions, great cocktails, attentive without being overbearing.
Suggestion: Try it soon.
When I first heard that Vesuvio was moving across town, I immediately thought to myself "There went the best thing that ever happened to a Best Western." I stand corrected. Table 28, under the guidance of Executive Chef Scott Rains, has leapt onto the local scene, and-- if our experience was reproducible-- will remain a fixture for many years to come.
Table 28 is located in the Best Western Governor's Suites on Merrill Drive (near Rodney Parham). It bills itself as modern American, and has a special table (ala Title) whose occupants receive a prix fix dinner with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Arkansas Children's hospital. If there was another way to my heart besides delicious food, supporting the Children of Arkansas would be it.
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| One of our party ordered the sides as a meal. All of them. |
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| Veal Ossobuco over Polenta |
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| Crab Cake |
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| Scallops |
Menu: ★★★★☆
Many options including always there specials and rotating seasonal dishes. Everything from bone-marrow on toast to the traditional salmon.
Food: ★★★★☆
Really quite excellent. It takes a lot to get that 5th star, and the only reason I'm holding it back is lack of imagination. I think that as Table 28 grows and matures, it will become more adventurous, and therefore the food will take on an excitement all it's own. I will say: I don't think there is a bad dish on the menu.
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
Despite being in a Best Western, it is able to maintain a chic and warm atmosphere, different from it's predecessor but just as inviting. Location isn't terribly great.
Service: ★★★★★
Wonderful staff and really one of the strong points for this restaurant-- make great suggestions, great cocktails, attentive without being overbearing.
Suggestion: Try it soon.