Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

Leverett Lounge- Corey McCain & Reese Roberts

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we hear from Corey McCain and Reese Roberts of Leverett Lounge and the soon-to-be Sidecar in Fayetteville... But first?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
In this week’s food news, Muselet moves into the former Bentonville Provisions space, we have a new cut-to-order cheese shop coming to Fayetteville, Maxine’s Taproom is having a birthday throwdown, Onyx will be opening another location, and so will Confident Coffee, there’s a new coffee/beer/food joint in the works in Bell Vista, Bonchon Chicken is coming to Rogers, more news on the Fat Chef, Thai Spice will open their new location this weekend, Rein Sushi & Hibachi is officially in their not-so-terrible two’s, The Cave Barber Shop in Springdale is opening a bar next-door, and a local taco shop closes.
Leverett Lounge is owned and run by local restaurant veterans-slash-husband and wife team Corey McCain and Reese Roberts. You’ll want to hear how Corey won over Reese after she rebuffed him... but it’s not as epic as their wedding, which they’ll talk about.
Maxine’s owners Hannah Withers and Ben Gitchel started and owned the place for a good while, but then sold to Corey and Reese... Hear the story behind that.
And the recipes... the KFC, The Mel’s Diner, the Hello My Name is Inigo Montoya, You Killed My Father, Prepare to die- that’s a menu item, and there’s more...
Also, they’re starting a bar underneath Café Rue Orleans called Sidecar, they’ll give us the low-down.
A few quick notes on this one: I was sitting by a wall, so I’m a little echo-ey (I should have known better).. Also, the kitchen gets loud towards the end of the interview, as they should, so be prepared.
Finally, just a little explicit language in this one, but nothing my wife hasn’t heard.
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Calle Latin Cuisine- Fernando Castillo

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Fayetteville at Calle Latin Cuisine interviewing chef Fernando Castillo. But before we hear from him?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Onyx will open a shared space in the Fayetteville Square, and they’ll be serving much more than drinks.
Brightwater officially opens its artisanal butchery program and butcher shop. We’ll hear from Butchery Instructor Travis McConnell.
Mermaids has locked in a new spot in Rogers. We’ll tell you where that is.
Roll and Fold in Rogers has closed, but is open under a new concept.
Ryn in Bentonville will do a documentary, and you can get involved.
The Fat Chef MAY not be closing after all, but several things have to go right.
They’re popping bottles at Tusker’s Tavern in Fayetteville
Calle Latin Cuisine in Fayetteville will be a year old in April. Owner and Executive Chef Fernando Castillo is originally from Puebla, Mexico, and at the age of 20, decided to move with a friend to New York- he’ll tell you why.
Also, why did he end up coming to Fayetteville from New York? It wasn’t as popular a destination in the early 2000’s.    
On the food side of things, he’ll talk about his influences, including stealing a recipe from his Ecuadorian wife. Kind of.
That’s in this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

The Hive at 21C- Micah Klasky

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we celebrate one year! 52 weeks of podcasts down, thousands to go!
We’re at The Hive in the 21C Hotel talking with the super-energetic Executive Chef, Micah Klasky. What a great interview... but first? Food News!!
It’s an unusually busy week of food news, both good news and bad...
Casa Magnolia opened last Friday in downtown Springdale. We’ll hear from Chef Rafael Rios
Speaking of Chef Rios, Yeyo’s at the 8th Street Market is closed temporarily, we’ll tell you why.
Former Fayetteville Food Truck, Dot’s Nashville Hot Chicken is now in a brick and mortar
Now for the not-so-great news. Con Pilas Coffee House in Springdale officially shut their doors this past weekend, as did Doomsday Coffee in Siloam, and The Fat Chef at Prairie Creek.
Micah Klasky is from the Dallas-area, but spent his formative years growing up in Jonesboro... From a very young age, one of the tv shows he grew up watching was the greatness of Justin Wilson. If you’ve never heard of Justin Wilson, just look him up on YouTube. He was an exceptional Cajun cook and could absolutely spin a yarn. You’ll see what I mean... he was the best.
So, Micah was destined to cook, obviously.
He started making his way through the business because of a mentor that he connected with. It included a seasonal work-trip to the east coast. Micah will tell you that story. He’ll also talk about some of the best advice he’s gotten, and it’s the same advice that I’ve given before when talking to college kids.
What got him from Little Rock to Bentonville in 2014? He’ll tell us.
Also, he’s super-passionate about No Kid Hungry. He talks about 2 fundraisers he’s doing for them, including a chef’s dinner with some insanely talented chefs, and there will be some Michelin Stars represented at that dinner.
Please listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts.

The Venesian Inn- Jeff and Melissa Bowen

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we head to the legendary Venesian Inn in Tontitown. Before we get into that, wanted to make sure that you all know that we have cameras now and our podcasts are also on YouTube. Just search for the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas once there, and you’ll see me and my giant head talking to lovely folks.  Please be sure to live and subscribe, we’d VERY much appreciate it!
Well, we’re knee-deep into the winter storm... As of now, it doesn’t look like we’ll get above freezing until Friday, meaning that folks who depend on us to eat and drink at their establishments will be shut down for a few days. Please remember that when you’re able to go back out to eat and drink... they’ll need our support.
In Food News this Week:
Casa Magnolia opens in downtown Springdale
Slim Chickens celebrated their 22nd birthday, and there’s news on what they’re doing with their original location
The Alamo Drafthouse won’t be coming to the Highway 112 Drive-In in Fayetteville afterall
The Guisinger has one of the top 30 bartenders in the US. You’ll hear from him.
A beloved Bentonville food truck is closing
The Venesian Inn was opened in 1947 by Germano Gasparotto in Tontitown, and a few years later, he sold it to John and Mary Granata. Several generations down the line, one of their great-grandson’s now runs it with his wife. You’ll meet Jeff and Melissa Bowen. They took it over right before covid with very little restaurant experience. They’ll tell you how they survived that.
Also, how hard is it to change the menu of a 78-year-old restaurant? The Bowen’s shuddered at that question...
Oh, and the Venesian Inn used to be just that, an Inn, and much more. Jeff used to run around in play in it.
We’ll talk about what’s still original to the restaurant AND we’ll talk menu, as well some new menu additions.
We’re at the Venesian Inn in Tontitown, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Butter/Scotch Bakery & Bar- Sam Gibson

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Butterscotch in the Bentonville Square- you know the place- part bakery, part bar. We get into that, but first! FOOD NEWS!
Applications are open for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame...
The original location of Slim Chickens is closed until summer, we think. We took video yesterday and, well, the original building is gone.
Cobblestone Farms in Fayetteville is now reserving 2025 Spring/Summer CSA shares....
The 2nd annual NWA’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade has been announced. We have the particulars.
Fayetteville’s Spoon Fusion Korea Oh-K Dog on Dickson Street will temporarily close starting today and will re-open the 24th, according to their social media post. (*)
Some sad news to report. Popular Fayetteville Food Truck Swag Banh Mi announced yesterday that they’ll be closing down in 3 months. We’ll hear why from a co-owner.
Sam Gibson is the Director of Operations and Bar Manager of Butterscotch Bakery and Bar in the Bentonville Square. He’s been there since he helped concept it with longtime friends and owners Sam and Larissa KcKenzie. He’ll tell us why it’s a bakery and bar, of course, a unique pairing..
Also, how did they wrangle prime real estate on the Bentonville square?!?! We’ll hear that story as well.
We’ll talk about the bakery and what Sam wants to see on store shelves nation-wide from there, and he makes us some EXCEPTIONAL Butterscotch Old Fashions, I can say that it’s the best Old Fashion that I’ve ever had...
Sidenote- a bit of explicit language in this one, so plan accordingly.
Thanks for listening- listen wherever you get your podcasts, and watch now on YouTube!

Crystal Bridges & The Momentary- Tim Ordway

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we head to Crystal Bridges where we talk to Chef Tim Ordway, Associate Director of Culinary Operations at Crystal Bridges & the Momentary... But before we get to Tim, we have food news!
The Akira Ramen and Bowl food truck in Fayetteville is adding a brick and mortar location.
The quickly popular Stonebreaker Hotel restaurant has new hours
Sadly, we have 2 restaurant closures to talk about
Chef Tim Ordway started his culinary career like so many- as a teenager working in fast food (Chik-Fil-A, actually), and knew pretty early-on that he wanted to work in food. But it wasn’t just for the food aspect. Tim will explain.
He credits his college education at Johnson & Wales for giving him a head start in the culinary industry, where he moved up quickly.
He became a sous chef quickly in his early 20’s at a restaurant where he met his wife.  Chef Tim tells us why they moved from Charlotte to Northwest Arkansas.
And there are many folks out there wondering why Crystal Bridges has a chef. They have several, and Chef Tim will tell you what all they’re responsible for- it’s a BIG list. For those that don’t know, there are MANY culinary adventures are offered at Crystal Bridges, and that list is about to grow.
***Sidenote- if you haven’t seen or heard, we’ve added video to Flavors and you can now watch on YouTube (just search for Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, or find the link on our Facebook or Instagram). 

*BONUS EPISODE* Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito

*SPECIAL BONUS EDITION*
One of my favorite celebrity chefs of all time is Rocco DiSpirito, and I had the chance to interview him! I just couldn’t believe it.
He’s holding a restaurant takeover at Choctaw Casino in Pocola on February 7 & 8, and we got a preview of the menu (that he called his favorites) and for those going, prepare for a treat.
Team Flavors of Northwest Arkansas will be at Friday night’s 8pm service, because, how often are you going to get to eat a Rocco DiSpirito 5-course dinner?
We also talked to Britta Erickson, who came up with the idea of celebrity chefs coming in and hosting the restaurant takeovers and she was with Choctaw Casino’s Executive Chef Shawn Berry, who pulled back the curtain for us a bit about these takeovers.
It’s a quick episode, but it was one of my faves.
Hope you enjoy!

The River Grill- Brenda Swango

On this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re up in Bentonville at The River Grille talking to Brenda Swango, but before we get to that... we talk Food News!
Some good news:
The Feral Pig is finally open in Fayetteville. We hear what items owner Julie Sill has brought over from the legendary Common Grounds
Chef Rafael Rios has announced the grand opening date for his newest venture, Casa Magnolia in downtown Springdale
Some not-so-good news:
The Blackberry Brasserie has closed
Bentonville Provisions will be closing soon.
Brenda Swango practically ran a café at a gas station as a 14-year-old. She worked in restaurants through college, which included pounding ice at 6 in the morning. She’ll tell that story.
After college, she worked in retail and travel, but the pull of restaurant life never left her, and she wanted back in. She worked for a restaurant group in Oklahoma and wanted a project where she was a partner, and it finally came. A steakhouse in Bentonville in the year 2000? Hear what she thought at the time.
Brenda also tells us about their event called Dining in the Dark. What is it, how do folks participate, and what does it have to do with Chelsea Handler?
We hear about it all with River Grille’s Brenda Swango, on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

KYYA Chocolate- Rick Boosey

On this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking CHOCOLATE and all sorts of stories with KYYA Founder Rick Boosey, but first in Food News:
Zelli Pasta is now... a deli? Yes, hear about Zelli deli from one of the owners.
House 1830 is celebrating the Lunar New Year, and you can too.
Another longtime Fayetteville bar will be shutting its doors.
It’s Bentonville Restaurant Week!
Get your tickets now to the AACF Soup Sunday!
Rick Boosey started KYYA Chocolate after a trip to Uganda where he saw how underprivileged kids in an orphanage were living. He’s a serial entrepreneur and decided that was how he was going to help that orphanage.
Among other things, cacao (or cocoa beans) is a natural resource in Uganda, and that’s how KYYA Chocolate was born. But it wasn’t that simple- Rick had to learn to make chocolate and YouTube videos weren’t cutting it.
Speaking of KYYA Chocolate, how did they come up with that name?
After many tries, they started making good chocolate. Hear who bought Rick’s first order and for how much!
Rick has made several trips to source cacao straight from the farmers to cut out the middleman, and in doing so, has had some close calls and harrowing experiences in South America. He tells those stories.
KYYA went from making 25 chocolate bars in a week to having over 300 items and making 5,000 items in a day. Hear about that progression.
Rick talks about learning from missteps and even a funny story about buying barcodes from barcodes.com... or eBay (we think).
So much storytelling, and you’ll hear it on this episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Stonebreaker Hotel- Chef Tyler Rogers

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the soon-to-open Stonebreaker Hotel in Fayetteville where they have already opened for restaurant dinner service and we talk to Executive Chef Tyler Rogers. I had a GREAT interview with him and can’t wait for you to hear it!
In food news:
Café Rue Orleans celebrates 24 years. Co-owner Maudie Schmitt re-lives the final moments before they opened back then.
After soft opening for a week, TOCA held their grand opening in downtown Springdale yesterday.
Osaka House will soon be opening in Fayetteville, according to the Fayetteville Flyer.
Los Compas Margarita Town opens in Rogers.
A new pop-up is kicking off tonight at Arsaga’s Mill District from Rabbit Hole NWA.
Tyler Rogers is from south Arkansas, and it was a book that carved the course for his professional life... He was a fry cook in high school for gas-money and between then and now, he’s worked at a couple of 3-Michelin Star restaurants, and a single star Michelin restaurant where he became sous chef, and that helped define what he does today.
Tyler’s fried catfish, made edible balloons, had a night where each course was based on a Wes Anderson Movie and much more... He’s Big on creativity, and so is his menu.
Listen to Chef Tyler Rogers right here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!