Dining In Dining Out Amiamo il Ritorante de Amalfi's

Photography by Nancy Nolan Renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and Italian cuisine, the Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy. For centuries, the wealthiest and most stylish travelers have flocked to this sun-kissed haven to enjoy the "finer things? in life. Fortunately, tastes of such lavish amenities are available in Little Rock. No need to travel across the country or spend exorbitant amounts of money to experience refined extravagances. Playing on this concept, Jerry Barakat has added another fine establishment to his restaurant miniempire- this one an Italian themed eatery appropriately named Amalfi's. Located off Rahling Road in West Little Rock, the restaurant serves a mix of what Barakat calls "very traditional Italian dishes with contemporary presentation and Italian décor.? Prior to Amalfi's, Barakat opened Arthur's steakhouse. Yet he always had the concept of an Italian gourmet restaurant in the back of his mind. "It was amazing,? he laughed. "When I opened the steakhouse, suddenly everyone I know starting saying they wanted a great Italian restaurant. I wanted to say to them 'Why didn't you tell me that earlier?'? he proclaimed. Barakat followed his instinct and the suggestions of his peers and began work on an Italian din- ing establishment. The restaurant, which was designed by Barakat and his daughter Sandy, holds almost 100 people inside and accommodates 32 in al fresco seating. Decorated in "granite everywhere you turn,? marbled columns, and a hand-blown Italian glass chandelier in the foyer, Amalfi's echoes attention to detail. The welcoming blues and browns in the seat's and booth's upholstery, the Italian-tiled floor and the hand-pieced mosaic kitchen walls all add to the warm reflective ambience of Tuscan décor. Another visual treat of the restaurant is the wine wall, which holds 156 bottles of vino (most hand-selected by Barakat). "The wine will be mainly Italian,? he announced, "and will feature pinot grigios, dessert wines, champagne, Brunellos and Barolos,? he continued in perfectly accented and executed Italian inflection. Barakat promises the simplicity of Italian food at his new restaurant, not complicated and overwhelming dishes, and the composition of many traditional Italian dishes at Amalfi's proves his notion. His thin crust pizza is served with olive oil and sauce on the side. The Northern Italian cuisine is prepared with seasonal ingredients, and boasts a variety of menu items, including eight veal dishes and "four or five poultry dishes,? anti- Jerry Barakat, Owner pasto selections, soups, salad and seafood. Along with the head chefs, Barakat professed that he will also be cooking in the kitchen. "It's my bad habit,? he confessed. "When I first open a place, I cook in it until everything is how I, and the customer, want it.? While the restaurant is now open for dinner, Barakat hopes to include a lighter lunch menu in the near future. When asked if the time would ever come when he grew tired opening restaurants across the metro area, Barakat smiled and replied that it's "probably now. Amalfi's may be my last venture,? he concluded, then quickly quipped with a sly shrug "Unless...? 3 Rahling Circle The Village at Rahling Road 501.821.1814 43 Inviting Arkansas

september 2008thank you, thank you, muchas gracias, thank you!stackable, flippable....adorable!editor's page5healthy teeth what makes the foundation of our new building so strong? faith.the allen school celebrates 50 years9now open! ???on the cover13historic hillcresttouching americascene&beseenscene&beseenscene&beseenscene&beseensohoscene&beseen200scene&beseenscene&beseenscene&beseencheck27for 2930313233343536gregg??????why not?????amazing journeysyou deserve a second chance ? beautiful skin dining in dining out amiamo il ritorante de amalfi'sbe a hot mama!what's hospice supporters and foodies delight!floral artistrytux 'n treeslots of margaritas for lovely senoritas????????? ????????? ????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????traveling grand opening and new location celebration??????????????????????

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