Category Archives: Food

1st ever winners of 12th Ever Nog-Off

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thnogoff_tstHistoric Arkansas Museum’s 12th Ever Nog Off was Friday, December 9.
The winners have been announced.
The Judges were: Alexia Elichiryof Vive la Vieradio and De Nux Distributors, LLC, Becky Falkowski of Downtown Little Rock Partnership and Amy Kelley Bell of South on Main. Their favorite nog was the Capital Hotel Eggnog by Matthew Dunn and Ben Edwards, The Capital Hotel
The nog that got the most votes from the public was also Capital Hotel Eggnog by Matthew Dunn and Ben Edwards, The Capital Hotel.

The Not Your Great, Great, Great Grandfather’s Eggnog Award (a nod to Nicholas Peay’s place in the family of longtime museum director Bill Worthen, who makes Peay’s recipe each year) is given to the best unconventional nog.  The public voted for St. Elizabeth’s Spiked Nog by Elizabeth Strandberg of Loblolly Creamery and Seth Barlow of O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor

12th EVER Nog Off at Historic Arkansas Museum Tonight

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thnogoff_tstHistoric Arkansas Museum is home to the first ever, original Nog-off, a culinary celebration of a favorite holiday drink, and friendly competition for the best eggnog in town. The 12th Ever Nog-off welcomes old friends and new friends to this tasty and unique contest.

Among the new challengers are Luiggi Uzcategui of Big Orange Midtown, Merrick Fagan of Trio’s Restaurant and Dillon Garcia of Arkansas Mixology Associates. Will they take down last year’s returning champs, Rock City Eats and Stone’s Throw/Marriott Hotel? Or the Capital Hotel who holds 3 wins? Or Bill Worthen, whose family has been making Egg Nog with the same recipe for eight generations? Taste for yourself and make sure your vote gets counted!

Rex Deloney’s Eclectic Color: Diverse Colors for a Diverse World is inspired by the many different thoughts, emotions and people that he has portrayed over the years as a figurative artist.The emotionally driven portraits juxtaposed on colorful abstract backgrounds work together to convey messages of hope, faith and the everyday joys and struggles of life.

This exhibit is curated by the Arkansas Arts Council and continues in the SECOND FLOOR GALLERY through March 5, 2017.

…plus, holiday shopping in the Museum Store

  • Show your love of all things Nog with this t-shirt designed to commemorate our Nog Off, available exclusively online or in our Museum Store.
  • Get a signed book, for yourself or a gift: Rex Nelson, author of Southern Fried: Going Whole Hog in a State of Wonder will be in the store from 5 to 6:30, and Frances Mitchell Ross, will be on hand to sign copies of United States District Courts and Judges of Arkansas, 1836-1960.
  • Shop #ArkansasMade with Little Rock artist Jann Greenland, who will be showcasing her newest jewelry and fused glass work.

Little Rock Look Back: Prohibition Repealed on December 5, 1933

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prohibition-repealOn December 5, 1933, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah provided the necessary support to officially repeal “the great experiment.”

Because this was such a foregone conclusion, the Arkansas Gazette and Arkansas Democrat carried only small, single column stories on their front pages.  Perhaps because this was Arkansas, it did not appear that any Little Rock businesses immediately set about to capitalize on this.  At least there were not any large scale advertisements in the days following that would indicate any specials or activities planned for the December 15 official end.

In fact, the only mention in the newspapers on December 15 was that President Roosevelt was trying to decide what the alcohol taxing structure should be.

One amusing story that ran in the Arkansas Democrat on December 6 was that Mrs. Roosevelt was keeping the wine glasses in storage at the White House for the time being.  She was awaiting action by Congress once it convened in January 1934 as to how it would deal with properly ending Prohibition in the District of Columbia.  Over 3,000 wine glasses had been in storage since Prohibition had been enacted.

Holiday Fun at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center this afternoon from 2 until 5

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MTCCSayJoin the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center for a festive and fun day full of holiday cheer! The fun runs from 2pm util 5pm.

This year’s event will feature the 5th annual “Say It Ain’t Say’s” sweet potato pie contest, in honor of Little Rock’s black Santa, Robert “Say” McIntosh.  They will live entertainment, fun activities for kids and the opportunity to browse our current exhibits.

You and our panel of celebrity judges will determine who has the best sweet potato pie in Central Arkansas.

Tthe Holiday Open House will feature performances by comedian Nate Williams, Tania and Tamia Kelley, Mablevale Elementary Drumline, Gloryland Pastor’s Choir, Mablevale Magnet Middle School Dance Team, Horace Mann Magnet Middle School Dance Ensemble, Latavia Franklin and Shereece Manuel aka Shades of Diamondz.

This year, a trolley will be available to take guests to two other Department of Arkansas Heritage Museums located in downtown Little Rock: Old State House Museum and Historic Arkansas Museum. The trolley route will also include the Governor’s Mansion Open House.

For more information call 501-683-3620.

AMERICAN PRINCES at Lost Forty on DECEMBER 22

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american-princes-lost-fortyThis December Lost Forty Brewing will celebrate 2 years of creating craft beer for Arkansas with one helluva party. There is no better way to celebrate this milestone than rocking out with one of Little Rocks most beloved bands – American Princes. Join us for an incredibly special AMERICAN PRINCES REUNION concert in the brewhouse to benefit The Lost Forty Project foundation and to celebrate all things local.

CONCERT in the BREWHOUSE:
• Doors to the brewhouse open at 6:00pm.
• Welcome from Lost Forty & Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission at 6:30pm
• Show starts at 7:00pm-ish
• Beer and Snacks served in the brewhouse from 6:00pm – 9:30pm
• Show ends at 9:00pm-ish
(yeah… we said “ish” a few times … don’t be lame and get all wrapped up in the details, just come party with us.)
• All ages welcome (not recommended for anyone under 14)

NO COVER:
There will not be a charge for the show, however a $5 donation for the Lost Forty Project Foundation in partnership with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is suggested.

Canvas unveiled as new Arkansas Arts Center restaurant

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aac-canvas-dinner-01Canvas, at the Arkansas Arts Center, officially launched Thursday, September 29 with a special dinner seating during Art After Hours. Formerly Best Impressions, Canvas features an updated space, along with several new menu items, including shrimp and grits, a grilled salmon salad and pimento cheese. New dishes incorporate a selection of locally-sourced ingredients; a Boursin cheeseburger with Grass Roots CoOp ground beef, a blackened chicken salad with Crystal Lake Farms chicken, shrimp and grits with Kent Walker cheddar.

Canvas owner Brian Kearns has been in the restaurant business for 15 years. Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Kearns moved to Little Rock in 2008 to open Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro in Chenal. Throughout his career, he has made a mark on several local restaurants, including Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse, Oceans at Arthur’s, Kemuri and the Country Club of Little Rock. Along with Canvas, he is also the owner of Simply the Best Catering.

“We want Canvas to be a fun, relaxed environment where you can enjoy food prepared with the best ingredients we can procure,” Kearns said.

Canvas Restaurant Hours
Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For reservations or more information, please call 501-907-5946.

The HAM Nog-Off a finalist for Bootstrap Award

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thnogoff_tstHistoric Arkansas Museum’s popular annual Nog-off event was a finalist for the Bootstrap Award at this year’s Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism!

This free annual event has become a success on a bootstrap budget thanks to the hard work, passion and dedication of the museum staff, amazing volunteers, incredible competitors and expert judges both past and present!

HAM will host the 12th Ever Nog-off on December 9, 2016, and they hope to see you there!

Have you ever wondered why they include “Ever” in the title of this annual event? It’s because they began as the First Ever Nog-off almost 12 years ago! Staff thinks it’s been fun to see several knock-off nog-offs appear across the country (after all, imitation is the highest form of flattery); they are proud that Arkansas was the first and it all started at Historic Arkansas Museum!

This event is an ideal example of how HAM pairs Arkansas history and heritage with fun and engaging experiences. They are proud each year to showcase historic eggnog recipes with connections to our historic grounds and early Arkansas as well as innovative recipes from our contemporary culinary masterminds in Arkansas. ‪#‎ArkansasMade‬ ‪#‎AuthenticArkansas‬ ‪#‎HeritageFood‬