An email from the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts today announced its new restaurant, Park Grill, will be opening May 4. The grand opening of the museum, located at 501 E. 9th St., is April 22.
Park Grill will be headed up by executive chef Patrick Herron, a Culinary Institute of America alum and former executive chef of the Governor’s Mansion, where he curated large banquets and state dinners for the last ten years. Herron served as the executive chef for all eight years of former Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s administration and the last two years of former Gov. Mike Beebe’s administration.
Brian Chilson
Arkansas Times photographer Brian Chilson toured the space Tuesday and judging from the photos it looks like it’s now one of the city’s most luxurious restaurants.
Brian Chilson
The spacious restaurant features high ceilings with beautiful slatted wooden roofing, huge floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the museum’s outdoor sculptures and its landscaped event lawn. It also features a nice outdoor dining area.
Brian Chilson
It looks expensive, but the menu is moderate and inclusive. It features starters such as spring asparagus soup, sea salted sweet potato fries, blackened tuna, pimento cheese and artichoke hummus.
There are five salads on the menu including a seared salmon salad, a chicken Waldorf, a roasted beet salad and a Carolina tomato pie salad I’m excited to learn more about.
Brian Chilson
A variety of sandwiches include the Park Grill burger, a shiitake panini and crispy chicken schnitzel.
Seared salmon is the highest priced entree at $24 dollars. Other entrees include Creole shrimp and Ralston Farms rice grits, savory meatloaf, pan roasted bone-in chicken breast and sautéed spring vegetable pasta.
For dessert guests can try an orange almond cake, a brownie bar or peach melba fried pie.
The menu and reservations are available here.
Brian Chilson
