Barefoot Yoga Studio: A Dynamic Experience

August 19, 2015August 19, 2015 / HintOfLocal.com / Leave a comment

It’s Guest Blogger Time for Hint Of Local. My better half has recently gotten back into yoga and literally begged to share her experiences with the yoga studio of Little Rock. Without any further ado…

I was introduced to yoga several years ago as a freshman in college when forced to take an exercise class. I instantly fell in love with an ancient form of exercise that allowed me to work out my muscles and focus my mind. As my course was over, I sometimes found myself longing for those days of happy baby and sun salutations.

Fast forward to a year after graduation, I was finally able to begin yoga again. The only problem is that there aren’t any yoga studios in Benton. I tried a couple of different gyms that offered what they called yoga, but anyone that had ever practiced would have known better. Finally I happened across Barefoot Yoga Studio!

Barefoot Yoga Studio is the oldest yoga studio in Little Rock, celebrating their 20^th year in business this year. They have been awarded as best yoga studio for many years by many different publications. One class at this studio and you will know why!

I walked in for my first class (Hot Power Yoga @ 5:30 on Mondays) and was instantly welcomed by a calming mixture of local flair and eastern influence. I took off my sandals and headed into the larger [packed] studio to begin an all levels power yoga heated to about 95 degrees. After only an hour of asanas I was sure my search for a quality class was over. I was surrounded by fellow yogis and yoginis that truly respected the art and weren’t just looking to drop pounds. The class was a fantastic mixture of stretching, strength training, and of course, focus. If you have are experienced with Yoga, but have never tried Bikram Yoga, this is a great class to expand your practice!

Over the next week of free classes – Yes, that’s right, FREE! New students get to enjoy a week of free classes to try out the studio – I tried the Intermediate class as well as the All Levels Flow. The intermediate class with Breezy really allowed me to focus on my practice and push myself in each pose to my individual limit. The All Levels Flow class was good, but probably my least favorite of the 3 classes I tried that week (mainly because it was hard to beat the hot power yoga and intermediate classes).

I am happy to say I have found my Yoga home in Little Rock and will continue to sweat it out weekly in the Hot Power Yoga class. It makes me ecstatic to find a place close to home that focuses on not only the physical aspects of the practice, but also the mind. When I leave wake from Savasana I am at peace with myself and the world awaits me. If you are looking for a great place to work out, and find your harmony, get the studio and try out a class, you will be happy you did!

Jack Stack BBQ-Kansas City, Missouri

July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 / HintOfLocal.com / Leave a comment

I traveled recently to Kansas City, Missouri for a work-related trip. I know what you’re thinking, work trips are always filled with long hours and very little time for play. Well, I did not allow that to happen as Kansas City is a place that I had been wanting to visit for a while now. What better way to visit then on the company’s dime?

I only had one night to decide where I wanted to eat dinner, and being with a large group (some that actively support the local movement, and others that have poor tastes and love the big chain restaurants), we landed on Jack Stack BBQ for our compromised choice. Jack Stack BBQ has five locations in the Kansas City area, and while it is not as “local” as I would like, there were several nice features that I found refreshing. The menu was diverse and offered new takes on common items, a tactic that I have come to respect.

With lots of choices that were appealing on the menu, the recommendation that the bulk of the locals I was working with all day suggested the “Burnt Ends” and “Cheesy Corn Bake”. Now, picking an item off the menu called “burnt” anything sounded risky, even for me–someone who loves a well-done steak–but I thought, “hey, the locals love it, why not?” I ordered the Pork Spare Ribs and Sausage Burnt Ends with the side of Cheesy Corn Bake and fries. The plate came to the table sizzling hot and it looked amazing. The ribs were cooked to perfection and were some of the most tender ribs I have had. While the sausage was done well, I did not think it was something overly special. The meat was good, but it was far from have “burnt ends”, which I later discovered is something that is hit or miss. The Cheesy Corn Bake was very unique in taste and was a bit cheesy for me, but I understand the appeal and think it is a good concept. I thought that the presentation could have been done a little more thoughtfully. The kitchen was busy due to a large crowd and the way the food was put on the plate indicated the kitchen team was in a hurry.

Since I was in Kansas City, I felt obligated to drink Boulevard Brewing Co. beer and that was the only local option on draft at Jack Stack BBQ. Boulevard is readily available where I live, so I was familiar with the beer and Boulevard’s style, therefore this was not a new experience for me. With that said, the Boulevard Pale Ale and the Single-Wide IPA were nice and cold and tasted just as great as they have every other time I have had them.

Overall, Jack Stack BBQ is great at what it does and seems to represent Kansas City and its heritage of quality bar-b-que. I recommend it if you have very little time to research other options or if you are with a group that isn’t a local junkie like you.

Diamond Bear Pale Ale: It’s My ‘Go-To’

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 / HintOfLocal.com / Leave a comment

Everyone has their “go-to” beer of choice. Most people I know prefer something low in calories–my “figure” is long gone and probably will never return, so I have chosen something with actual flavor.

Diamond Bear Brewing Company is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, near where I live, so the brewery’s beer is readily available at nearly every store and most of the locally owned restaurants. While I do not want to get into reviewing the brewery too much at this point (that will come another day), I will say that Diamond Bear pioneered the long-awaited craft beer scene in Arkansas.

Diamond Bear’s Pale Ale is the best Pale Ale in The Natural State. Yes, many might disagree as other local breweries have set up shop in Arkansas and offer Pale Ale options, but those people can create their own blog and discuss their favorite Pale Ale! It is apparent that DB’s Pale Ale serves as the flagship beer for the company, and they picked a great one. Through much research, I have decided that I enjoy DB Pale Ale best on draft; drinking it from the bottle is good as well, but the beer has a small amount of head that when poured from the tap adds significantly to the flavor of the beer. This beer is one of the more balanced pale ales I have tried, combining the proper mix of malt and hops flavorings. With the unique combination of hops and malts, the brew is suited for any season, making it perfect for summer cookouts on the lake or those cool fall nights around a bonfire.

For anyone wanting to switch their ‘go-to’ from a flavorless light beer to a full-flavored beer, give Diamond Bear’s Pale Ale a shot–it is the beer you’ve been missing out on all along!

Loca Luna: “A Bold Arkansas Bistro”

July 26, 2015 / HintOfLocal.com / Leave a comment

Loca Luna, located at 3519 Old Cantrell Road in Little Rock, Arkansas, is “A Bold Arkansas Bistro” that has been around for many, many years. The restaurant is owned by Mr. Mark Abernathy, a nationally recognized Chef and Restauratuer that has been featured as one of America’s top Chef’s in various regional and national publications, according to the restaurant’s website. Abernathy also owns The Red Door, a modern southern cuisine restaurant next door to Loca Luna.

Loca Luna has been a long-time favorite within my family. I have been visiting this place on a regular basis for approximately ten years now. The restaurant is tucked away and those driving by might not even notice it–part of it’s appeal to me as I love finding a city’s “best kept secret”. The restaurant is in an area where several new restaurants have located, which I can only assume has helped bring traffic to the area.

Loca Luna is extremely consistent in its atmosphere, offering, and service whether you are dining at the bar, at a table, or in it’s huge patio area. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a higher-end restaurant: dim lighting, white table cloths, candles on the table, etc. without the pressure to dress in your Sunday best, catering to individuals of all walks-of-life looking for a quality meal. The restaurant features unique touches that patrons really have to look for such as desk lamps that are clipped to the rafters to provide gentle lighting to the restaurant. The menu is very comprehensive in food and drink options. At Loca Luna you are able to satisfy your taste buds with something unique such as quail and lamb or stick with something more traditional like brick-oven pizza or steak. The bar is fully stocked and features craft brews from Diamond Bear, Lost40, Core, and other local breweries consistently. The servers of the restaurant are typically very knowledgeable when it comes to the menu and are down-to-earth enough to have a conversation if that is something you are looking for.

Loca Luna is a great place for date night or to go to with a group from work when that urge for appetizers and a cold drink hits!

Tip from a “regular”: Tuesday night is $9 pizza and $2 draft beer night.

The Southern Gourmasian–Central Arkansas

July 18, 2015July 19, 2015 / HintOfLocal.com / Leave a comment

The food truck/trailer scene is picking up in Arkansas and I am ecstatic. This past week I had the opportunity to go to a food truck meet up near my house and I was impressed–for a smaller town, there were nine trucks/trailers and a decent crowd. Options ranged from waffles to bar-b-que to…gourmet asian cuisine with a southern twist? I’m intrigued.

I had heard of The Southern Gourmasian through various local publications around the state and have been trying to block off some time on a weekend to track the truck down to see what all the fuss was about. Last week, I had my chance. Reviewing the menu, I knew the choice was going to be tough. The truck features various offerings that included Almond Crusted Chicken with Sriracha Ailoli, Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sriracha Lime Butter, Chicken and Dumplings bowl, and Shrimp and Grits. While those sounded good, I am a sucker for a nice smoked brisket, so I went for the Smoked Brisket Sandwich that featured a Plum BBQ Sauced and a Boulevard Challah Bun. With the sandwich came truck made potato chips. One word: FANTASTIC!

I am not sure that I have ever had a sandwich with so few components that was as packed this full of flavor. The brisket was perfectly smoked and you can tell before you even take the first bite. It was tender and juicy, just how I love my brisket. The plum BBQ sauce is something that I had never heard of and something I was honestly a bit leery of, but it was what made the sandwich one-of-a-kind. For those wondering what a plum BBQ sauce tastes like…heaven, that’s what. The chips were also good, but similar chips can be found elsewhere.

With eight other options to choose from at last week’s food truck meet up, all of which I had never tried, I was nervous about making the right choice. It is now a favorite and one that I will definitely recommend and continue to seek out and visit.

Dry Ground Brewing Co. — Paducah, Kentucky

June 22, 2015July 18, 2015 / HintOfLocal.com / Leave a comment

I recently went on a trip to Kentucky, my home state, to visit family. Having been away from Western Kentucky for several years now, I have lost touch with most of the happenings of the area. I was refreshed to see a sleepy part of the state embracing the craft beer boom that is sweeping the nation.

Dry Ground Brewing Co. is a player at the forefront of the Western Kentucky craft beer movement, bringing quality beer in a modern atmosphere to its audience. The brewery is located within the Coca-Cola plant and features a tasting room that will make you feel cool even if you’re not. The stainless brewing equipment draws the attention of the patrons and literally begs them to ask those serving the beer questions about their operations, engaging the customers into all aspects of the business.

While there, I tried the 37 Flood, an American IPA that gets its name from the historical 1937 flood that devastated the area. This beer was fantastic, although my dad who is not a craft beer enthusiast found it “too strong” for his virgin pallet. The color, a beautiful shade of orange, looked great paired with the thick layer of head that held for the majority of time it took me to finish the glass. A strong hit of hops mixed with citrus wakes you up and keeps you intrigued throughout the entire glass, perfect for those of you that can appreciate a bitter beer.

While the beer was great, I found that the brewery limited who visits (maybe that is part of the plan…). I went with two people that do not drink beer and the only option for them was water out of a water cooler. My suggestion for the brewery would be to add other drink options for those that are not “beerisseurs” like myself. In doing so, I can stay longer without hearing about how much my girlfriend does not like beer and is ready to go.