Capi's Open In Pleasant Ridge
Capi's promises to be different than Trio's. To quote the press release, "The eclectic menu centers around the idea of global tapas, or small plates, drawing influence from Spanish, Asian, Mexican, and Southern cuisine. Diners will also enjoy bistro-style soups, salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts. Capi’s well-crafted wine and cocktail list makes the perfect complement to its food."
Global tapas are popular in other markets, but I haven't seen one around here (correct me if I'm mistaken). I've been to one in Atlanta and a few on the West Coast. They're generally fun and not as formal as Trio's. The idea of tapas is to share and have fun with your food. It sounds like it will be a good fit in Pleasant Ridge.
Also from the press release, "Both Trio’s and Capi’s are part of the Arkansas Green Restaurant Alliance and strive to use in-season produce from local organic growers. Both use biodegradable carry-out packaging and utensils and discourage the waste of plastic and paper bags, paper napkins, and disposable utensils. "
Capi's is open Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-12am. Lunch reservations accepted for parties of 5 or more. Dinner reservations accepted for all sizes.
That being said, I won't be able to actually eat at Capi's for a bit. I've just had a dental surgery that requires me to only eat soft foods for 30 days. YUCK! So, you guys are going to have to tell me if it's any good. Post a comment if you've been there and I'll compile them into a review of the place, since I can't really do a review myself.
Comments
I definitely would recommend Capi’s for appetizers and drinks (although the drinks need a little “tweeking” right now). As for dinner, the small plates are just that. In order to put a dinner meal together, you have to order several “small plates.” I had the scallops, which were wonderful, but I only got three, rather small ones. The sauce was wonderful, but it should include some pasta to “utilize” the delicious sauce once the three bites of scallops are gone. I did not see anything exciting on the lunch menu and hope that they add to it soon. The atmosphere and decor is wonderful. At Trio’s the variety is endless, at Capi’s it’s all “new and different” nothing traditional and not a lot of variety. For now I recommend that you stick to happy hour for drinks and appetizers.
I didn’t know you ate scallops AKG.You have been holding out on me. Boo yAH!
I ate at Capi’s with a friend today! I thought there was a lot of variety in the small plates. If you’re just thinking “sandwich / salad / plate lunch” then, yeah, maybe not as big a variety as Trio’s. I just looked at their menu online, and there are probably 14 different “small plates” in addition to the other menu offerings for lunch. Seems like good variety. It’s just a different way to eat. I can’t wait to go back & try the Cuban Picadillo! I saw someone else eating it, and it looked fantastic! It smelled delicious, too, as the waiter walked by our table – I wanted to grab it! We had the Queso Fundido – that poblano drizzle with the honey is what makes it so good. Definitely not yo’ mamacita’s Rotel dip!
I’ll check it out for dinner & see what I think about the “After Fives.”
Thanks so much to both of you! Ann, your post makes me mad that I decided to have oral surgery! I love Queso Fundido but it’s not on the “soft foods” list
“Little” Rock is So pathetic.. We sit here and TRY to make our horrible little social and dining scene out to be something that it’s not.. FIRST, the ” restaurants” here are HORRIBLE.. The “Mexican” restaurants are a JOKE!!!
Señor tequila???? I brought my (Latino) friend here from Los Angeles and he was offended at the name and exploitation of what Mexican food is!!
He owns seven Mexican restaurants in los angeles and vegas so I think he had a leg to stand on.. Second this capi’s place is just more BS from the “West little rock”( i.e. People that are mostly scared Caucasians that think they’re “high end” who live in houses that are cheaper than the slums of other (real) metroplolitans cities..the food here was normal NOTHING SPECIAL.. Just most of the peolpe here have NEVER had or heard of tapas so they’ll cram around to dine here to prove that they’re…LOL… Chic.. Yeah, little rock with “culture” cmon…
Educated person, I have a Hispanic friend from orange county and his favorite Mexican food is Taco Bueno. Back before we had a Taco Bueno, he used to talk it constantly.
Point being, tastes are taste. Of course a restaurant owner would think his food was better than theirs. Would his restaurant stand up to our market though? I’ve noticed that people here tend towards Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican foods. What does it matter? Food is about enjoyment, not the “cultural aspects” of it.
Little Rock may not have the selection that Los Angeles, Atlanta or Houston have, but it’s not the size of those cities. It’s not trying to be those cities. As you said, cost of living is cheaper here, traffic is less, it’s a middle sized city with a few big city touches.
Why do we need to be LA? We’re LR
We have a distinct feel and, might I say, some fine restaurants, though I do agree Mexican isn’t our forte.
I ate lunch at Capi’s yesterday and was unimpressed. I was with a group of 12 and we had reservations. I’m saying this because they knew we were coming and the service was terrible. Those that ordered the small plates said they were good. It would take a couple to make a meal which makes lunch expensive. A couple of the ladies ordered sandwiches and said they were not impressed. $10 for a sandwich is ridiculous. Back to the service, when we got our meal served, we didn’t see the server again for over 15 minutes.
What a sad commentary from “educated person”. It said more about the writer than Little Rock. If this commentator can only come up with Senor Tequila as a Mexican restaurant to take his Latin restauranteur for a meal, than he really does not have a handle on Little Rock dining. If oh so Mr. Condescending had ventured into south west LR, he could have sampled authentic Mexican food at any number of small family run joints. Its not high class Mexican, but it is honest home style food. With full knowledge that there many more out there, let me recommend 2: El Dorado Cafe at University and Asher, Try the carne asada tacos or the chile verde; or Taqueria Karina at 65th and Landcaster, Try the daily special.
Now, about Capi’s; Ate there tonight and found it enjoyable. Pleasant, urban atmosphere enhanced by the natural tree sculpture rooted in the bar that spreads its branches over the dining area. Pleasant, attractive waitress and the food ranged from good to very good. Loved the picadillo, a ground beef,raisin, olive with mediteranean spices served with tortilla chips. Usually this is served with soft, warm tortilla wedges, but they were inexplicably out of them tonight. I thought they could have sent someone over to the Fresh Market. But it was good nevertheless. The picadillo reminded my dining companion and me of a Puerto Rican dish that we had enjoyed some years ago.
The best dish was the scallops which were served in a light cream sauce with vanilla bean and vanilla vodka. The vanilla complemented the creamy textured scallops in a delightful and unexpected way. Something different and a success.
A serving of spinich sauteed in olive oil with raisins and garlic and pine nuts was tasty but slightly over salted.
All in all a very nice meal and not overly pricey in today’s market. Price with 4 bar drinks was 62.00
We were talking about Taqueria at work a few days ago and I was surprised that so many people didn’t like it. I think they’re awesome. I was equally surprised when my subscribers chose El Porton as the best Mexican food here. I guess it’s no wonder we don’t have anything more “upscale” in the way of Mexican food. I did like Catina Laredo, but the food wasn’t anything special. The service was what sold me (I’ve gotten email saying their service wasn’t that great though…like all things, I guess it depends on the waiter). It’s a chain so it’s really just “watered down” Mexican Gourmet. I also really like Rumba, but it’s not really Mexican and only kinda sorta upscale.
I haven’t been to El Dorado Cafe in a while, but I used to stop in pretty frequently. It’s quite good and I don’t think many people know about it because of the neighborhood. I think you’re right, but even in California, to get the real Mexican food, you have to “slum it” and go to a place that’s not really “upscale.” I know when I was in San Diego, some of the best food I found was in the worst looking places.
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http://littlerock.about.com/od/eatingout/fr/capis.htm
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