Firefall Grill and Bar Opens in North Little Rock, Arkansas

Having lived in Central Arkansas for more than 30 years, my husband and I are familiar with most of the restaurants in the Little Rock (LR) and North Little Rock (NLR) cities. We're back in town on business this week, and decided to drive around a bit and see what was new. What we found may quite frankly be our new favorite place to eat. Fire fall Grill and Bar is located in what can only be described as a strip mall. It's in the middle of a parking lot of the local Kroger Grocery store on at 2513 McCain Boulevard in North Little Rock.

We even hesitated before stopping, but remembering that one of our favorite Italian places is in the same situation in another town, we pulled into a parking place right near the door that was being vacated by exiting diners. It was one of the best decisions we've made all week!

The first thing that stood out in my mind, was the hostess who saw us get out of our car, and was standing with a co-worker, holding both the inner and outer glass doors open for us. We were ushered into a warm, earth-toned seating area, with stone tiled floors and homey atmosphere. The wall above our comfortable leather booth was adorned with wood and stone modernistic artwork. The wall across from us contained a back lit water fall, drops cascading over waves in the dark wood of the inset decoration.

Our waitress appeared almost instantly, though the dining room was three quarters of the way full-on a Tuesday evening. She offered us a selection of Coca-Cola products, iced teas, or something from the full bar. She took our drink orders and was back in a few moments with not only our soft drinks, but a wicker basket with hot, crispy rolls and a dish of herbed butter. The bread must have come straight from the oven, because I burned my fingers trying to slice it open to add the butter; which melted into a drizzled delight on contact.

Tearing myself away from what is undoubtedly one of my favorite parts of any meal; the way to win my heart quickly is to have great bread; we ordered an appetizer. Bacon Quesadillas ($7.50) were soon brought to the table, grilled to perfection with lots of yummy cheese and bacon and delicious black bean salsa. It was a mixture that I'd have never thought to put together, but was a unique flavor that I could quickly grow accustomed to!

They also offer the Quesadillas with chicken or just cheese, (also made with the salsa) Chili Cheese Dip served with lots of thin, crispy tortilla chips and Nachos for those in the mood for Mexican. Seafood Lovers can feast on Shrimp Cocktails, Crab Cakes, Catfish Strips or Crab Stuffed Mushrooms. The other offerings are your pretty standard Appetizers. They do have their Fire Fall Sampler ($8.95) which includes Chicken Tenders, Fried Zucchini Sticks, Batter Dipped Mushrooms and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with various dipping sauces.

The decision on a Dinner Entree took a bit longer, mainly because it all looked wonderful. A collection of Pastas, Seafood, Steaks and Sandwiches swam before my eyes, many of them unique to Fire Fall. For example the Tilapia Alfredo: two grilled tilapia fillets, topped with Alfredo Sauce and served with Spinach Alfredo Pasta ($12.95).

I finally decided on the Pecan Encrusted Salmon. (14.95) An 8-oz Salmon fillet that's covered with a pecan and butter crumb topping and then pan seared to perfection. I chose their Fire Fall Rice as a side dish but decided against adding a salad to my meal ($2.95 extra) I wasn't disappointed with either choice. The salmon was moist and flaky with just a hint of some spice that I loved but couldn't quite identify. The rice was tender and doctored up with spices, black beans and slivers of red pepper and onion.

Hubby chose the Fried Shrimp and Catfish Combo ($13.95) and a baked potato. When his dinner was served, he looked down at this platter and grinned at me. "This is going to be fun" he proclaimed. The entree comes with 6 catfish fillets and 6 jumbo shrimp: The shrimp were as big around as my fist, and the fillets were each about 6 inches long and plump with tender white meat. At first bite, I knew Mike was in fishy heaven. My husband is 6'6" and can put away some food, but as he loaded butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits onto this huge baked potato...I knew even he couldn't finish this plate of food. He gave it the old college try though, and then leaned back, looked at the two pieces of fish on his plate and sighed. No dessert for him!

The waitress also recommended the Chili Pasta: ($8.95) bow-tie pasta with a thick black bean and beef chili sauce complimented with a Fire Fall House or Caesar Salad ; The Bayou Grilled Chicken Sandwich: a tender chicken breast seasoned with Fire Fall's signature seasoning ($7.95) served with wedge fries; The Andouille Sausage Open Faced Sandwich: Spicy sausage, grilled with peppers and onions and then toasted onto french bread with lots of gooey cheese-served with your choice of a side ($8.50), she suggested Red Beans and Rice.

They also offer a variety of steaks, chops and chicken. The table next to us ordered the Peppercorn Pork Chop ($14.95) and a 14 oz. Ribeye ($23.95) The chop is 12 oz. so it's not for those that have bird-like appetites.

Fire Fall Chefs choose a sandwich and a pasta dish to whip up as a special selection each day for lunch and dinner. On the night we visited, it was a smother chicken fried steak sandwich, a tender chuck steak, battered and deepfried and served on a toasted french roll with brown peppercorn gravy. ($8.95 on the regular menu...$7.95 special) The Pasta of the day was Chicken and Spinach Alfredo. ($10.95)

There's also Dinner for 2: your choice of an appetizer to share, two entrees with your choice of sides, and a dessert to share for $24.95. We decided against this, simply because I wanted seafood and few of the seafood items are on the Dinner for 2 list. The list has plenty to choose from including Chicken Parmesan and a Mushroom and Swiss Charbroiled Hamburger Steak.

A children's menu touts several tasty meals, all for under $5 which includes their drink. An adult can order off the children's menu, but they are charged an extra $2.

Bet you thought I wasn't going to get to desserts didn't you? Ha! Fooled you. I simply saved the best for last! I recommend the Turtle Ice Cream Cake ($5.95) Ribbons of caramel, crunchy pecans, decadent chocolate cake and cold vanilla ice cream. Does it get any better than this? Well, yes if I'd had more time, and hadn't eaten the salmon, I'd probably be having the warm cobbler of the day ($3.95) in this case: cherry served ala mode. They also offer a Fire Fall Brownie Volcano ($5.95), Cheesecake with chocolate raspberry or strawberry topping ($4.50) and a Peanut Butter Pie Supreme ($5.95) which all sound detrimental to my waist line.

Fire Fall is open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. They have a private executive dining room for parties, and patio dining if the weather permits. I also discovered that the restaurant is owned by the same folks that brought Dixie Cafe Restaurants to the southern United States! Should have guessed from the wonderful service, and delicious home cooking!

They have a website: www.firefallgrill.com but the site is still under construction, so there isn't much to see there yet. But you can give them a call at 501-753-2455. or if you're in the neighborhood, drop on by....you'll be glad you did!