My sweet husband's hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas mixes Southern expectations with cultural eclecticism for every type of traveler. Now capturing the character of the state’s corners and beyond, the capital city brings depth from its riverfront to the hills. Craft beer, culinary standouts and breathtaking walking trails and bridges prove that, yes, Little Rock is much more than cheese dip.
Sunday brunch immediately invokes the carefree, lighthearted mindset that is much needed before wiping the slate clean and embarking on a new week. The rare occasions during which I can stop to savor the meal are special; they're spent with Alex, and they're all about enjoying the final moments together before parting for our respective cities. So on these leisurely, undemanding Sunday mornings, we join the line at The Root Café, the Little Rock home (or "shack") of Southern comfort and all things local, and we feast.
At our tiny two-top table on the porch, we sipped frothed homemade orange juice (served in a mason jar, among all other beverages...swoon), a vanilla soy latte, and sweet tea. Approximately ten feet away from us on the porch, an old fiddler plucked Christmas tunes with comforting Southern charm. Imagine a folk version of Joy to the World. The atmosphere is fine tuned from the menu and staff to the fiddler and mismatched plaid linen napkins.
I unsurprisingly couldn't decide between the sweet or savory, so I chose a small portion of each: vanilla bean granola with soy milk, and a poached egg on a biscuit. The biscuits...Oh lord, I wish I had another. "Wine jam" accompanies the dense yet flaky dough, playing with the tastes of traditional grape jelly and fermented red wine we had enjoyed the evening before. The granola was crunchy, simple, and sweet. I could start every morning with their blend, which I believe is on sale inside the restaurant (jam, too!).
Alex enjoyed the famous, savory grit cakes alongside lightly scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. He's all about the classics; and The Root, quite frankly, masters them.
And this isn't your regular breakfast joint. Almost every ingredient is sourced locally. 100% of meats, eggs, bread, and a majority of vegetables are grown by Arkansas farmers. It's pretty unbelievable -- and you can taste the quality in each dish. I am already dreaming of my and Alex's next Sunday brunch date...
You've already heard about my latest coffeehouse discovery in Midtown Memphis, but my frequent trips to Little Rock have called for a new spot for the weekend cup of joe. While Alex was working Saturday morning, I ventured to Mylo Coffee Company in Hillcrest with laptop in tow. The rainy, somber morning kept my work mind on-point. But, of course, the latte and homemade (extra buttery) croissant were the sunshine I needed.
I will let the pictures speak for themselves. The artistic pastries and beverage pours against clean white dishware. . .it's just beautiful.
Enjoy your week, and please take a few minutes to watch this adorable video of second-grade restaurant critics. Happy Monday!
Our cocktails were equally refreshing, especially my blood orange margarita on the rocks with a salty rim and sweet sip. Alex's bloody mary scored, too, especially due to the pickled array across the jar. Speaking of jar, how cute are those mason jars? I am such a fan!
Alex's chicken burrito completely wowed me; my immediate reaction was, "I'm ordering this next time." The sweet tomatillo salsa, fresh black beans and avocado were placed throughout the perfectly folded tortilla, which welcomed the fork and knife rather than messy hands and surroundings. While only a tiny detail, I loved the chili powder rimmed lime wedge on the edge of the plate. When squeezing the time atop tacos and burritos, the chili powder infuses in the juice to coat entrées with a mindful kick.
