Raduno

Photo by Jasmine

Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, Brunch, Little Rock
July 30, 2016

P:
BISCUITS AND GRAVY - Housemade fennel sausage gravy over a fluffy buttermilk biscuit topped with two sunny-side up eggs
Honey rosemary iced tea

J:
TOMATO MAYO - Two pieces of Boulevard Bread Co. sourdough, a garlic aioli spread topped with heirloom tomato slices, two sunny-side eggs and goat cheese crumbles; served open face


Notes:
Our original destination, a restaurant with a reputation for some of my favorite buzzwords (local, sustainable, community, biscuits and gravy), turned out to be a nonstarter.  The line to order didn't budge in 20 minutes and most of the seating was outdoor, which normally I'd love except we're talking high noon in Arkansas, in July.  Uh-uh.  By this time, however, Patrick had his mind set on biscuits and gravy - thankfully there was a place nearby that could help with that.

Smokin' Buns

Photo by Jasmine

Smokin' Buns, Dinner, Jacksonville
July 29, 2016

P
Combo plate: pulled pork, brisket, beans, fried okra, toast
Peach fried pie

J:
Combo plate: catfish, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, toast
Coconut fried pie


Notes:
We went to Smokin' Buns at the suggestion of our loving hostess in North Little Rock.  And, catfish!  Oh my gosh, why didn't I think if this before?!  Catfish is abundant in Arkansas, so why hadn't I sought it out?  Thankfully, someone had my back.

Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant

photo - Yelp, Todd B.

Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant, Lunch, Little Rock
July 29, 2016

P:
Iskender Kebab
A savory, smooth Turkish tomato-based sauce made with plenty of sweet cream butter and special Turkish herbs ladled over delicious doner meat and served with pita squares, fresh creamy yogurt, sliced tomatoes, and pepperoncini.

J:
Mediterranean Salad (Akdeniz Salatasi)
A classic mix of fresh chopped lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese lightly dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and special Turkish spices.
Appetizer Trio (Meze Oclemesi), served with warm pita bread:
Babaganouj - Smoky roasted eggplant, fresh yogurt, and delicate Turkish spices are gently blended together to create this rich, creamy dip.
Cacik - A cool and refreshing blend of fresh yogurt, cucumbers, Turkish spices, and mint.
Roasted Pepper Hummus (Kavrulmus Kirmizi Biberli) - This tasty vegetarian dip is a healthy, creamy blend of garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and savory Turkish spices.


Notes:
Patrick is no stranger to Istanbul Mediterranean, and this was a first for me.  Here in Little Rock, we were visiting family with whom Patrick lived in Turkey some time ago, and this place did well to satisfy some of those food memories, if only a little.

Gus's Fried Chicken

photo - Yelp, Gary S.

Gus's Fried Chicken, Dinner, Little Rock
July 28, 2016

P:
2 piece: Thigh and Leg
Some unknown side (greens?  baked beans?)

J:
2 piece: Breast and Wing
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy


Notes:
We arrived in Little Rock late on a Thursday evening.  (Well, late enough that our food options were limited.)  Gus's Fried Chicken is a "hot and spicy" chicken place (that's a thing), a growing chain born out of Mason, Tennessee.  After having some of New Orleans' best, we decided it couldn't hurt to give some Tennessee chicken a try.

Cotton Blues

photo by Patrick

Cotton Blues, Lunch, Hattiesburg
July 28, 2016

P:
Beet chips, bread and butter slices (complimentary, to share)
Fried Chicken Sandwich - Buttered bun, pimento cheese, tomato jam
Buttered lima beans, French fries

J:
Buttermilk Ranch Salad - Romaine, fried sweet onion rings, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, bacon
Blackened Redfish Tacos - Cilantro jalapeño sauce, sour cream, lettuce, fried jalapeños, black-eyed pea pico de gallo, served with pico de gallo & crab grits


Notes:
Crossing Mississippi on the way to Little Rock, we made an unplanned stop in Hattiesburg for a late lunch.  Originally, we intended to stop for BBQ but we hadn't left Silverhill in time and the chosen place would have been closed by the time we arrived.  For a short while, I agonized over the disruption to my food itinerary (I like to over think our food destinations when traveling), but hunger stepped in and provided some focus.  After combing the interwebs for a worthy spot nearby, we settled on Cotton Blues.

Moe's Original Bar B Que

photo - Yelp, Ashley H.

Moe's Original Bar B Que, Dinner, Daphne
July 27, 2016

P:
Pulled Pork and Brisket, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Jalapeno Cornbread

J:
Brisket ('Bama Style), Broccoli Casserole, Potato Salad, Jalapeno Cornbread


Notes:
Silverhill, Alabama was our next stop along the way to Little Rock.  Though our time in Silverhill was short, we spent a lovely evening with family and made time for some BBQ just outside of town.  It turns out Moe's is a chain, and a big one at that (There's even one in California!  Who Knew?!), but it wasn't short on character, and the BBQ was pretty good to boot.

Hansen's Sno-Bliz

photo by Jasmine

Hansen's Sno-Bliz, Snack, New Orleans
July 27, 2016

P:
Cream of peach/Cream of coconut

J:
Cream of nectar/Satsuma


Notes:
This was our last stop during our stay in New Orleans.  Winner of a James Beard Foundation "America's Classics" award in 2014, this place was on our "must" list, and not just because it was late July in New Orleans.