On a recent trip to Little Rock, I discovered that the William J. Clinton Presidential Library also had a restaurant, 42 Bar and Table, named after our 42nd President.
With expansive views of the Giant Pedestrian Bridge overlooking the Arkansas River, enjoy a delicious blend of local and internationally inspired cuisine with a southern touch at this modern dining venue with full-length floor to ceiling windows, custom bar, and expanded outdoor patio.
Location: 42 Bar and Table, 1200 President Clinton Avenue, in the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock. Convenient parking available. Website here.
Menu: Sesame crusted yellowfin tuna salad or the Chili sesame noodle bowl with citrus seared salmon are just two of the internationally-inspired culinary delights available at this perfect lunch date destination. Chef Andre Poirot has reinvented local down-home southern items like the fan-favorite The Presidential Club made with pit-smoked ham, house-fried turkey breast, leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, avocado, and dijonnaise on a substantial honey wheatberry bread. Select salads, sandwiches, Forty-two favorites, entrees, sides, and desserts for lunch with G and V designations for Gluten Free or Vegetarian.
Thoughts: This is a place to come together with friends, family, or business associates to relax and enjoy the view, the new modern eats, and the friendly, attentive service. Etched with a William J. Clinton Presidential Center seal, my wine glass held a refreshing Pinot Grigio. Cloth napkins and formal table settings were nice touches, but the atmosphere still seemed casual and friendly.
I indulged in the Black and Blue Steak Salad, a blackened seasoning rubbed flat-iron steak cooked medium combined with crumbled gorgonzola blue cheese, bread and butter pickled onions, sliced grape tomatoes, chili-spiced pecans, and baby chard and arugula tossed with truffle oil and lemon juice. The steak was tender, perfectly cooked, and the tartness of the dressing separated the blend of flavors of the onions, cheese, and pecans.
Choose from ever-changing daily specials like Chicken Corn Chowder or Black Bean Soup with a Portabella Sandwich, Cajun Turkey Plate, or the Presidential Chefs Salad. My husband selected the Local Craft Beer Battered Fish and Chips with house tartar sauce. The selection was not your typical fish and chips; it was crispy, not greasy at all. The result was a clean plate.
Dessert offerings are sweet potato pie, SoCo pecan pie, or Arkansas “Moon Shine” bread pudding, to name a few.
Price Range: Salads $6-15, Sandwiches $9-11, Daily specials $10-11; Entrees $7-13, sides $2-4.
Guest Reviewer Bio: Janie Pace, loving life as a travel writer and photographer, is a native Texan based in Fort Worth covering restaurants, travel destinations, wineries, breweries, cruises and much more locally, nationally as well as internationally from Peru to Canada plus Hawaii to Bermuda. She is a member of the ITWPA, International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance and United States Press Agency USPA. Follow her on Instagram.
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