SO Restaurant-Bar is a contemporary bistro in Little Rock’s historic Hillcrest neighborhood serving refined, rustic seafood and meat. Chef, Casey Copeland, is making his mark with a menu featuring delectable dishes like pine nut-crusted lamb lollipops with pomegranate-lemon moustardo and pappardelle pasta and African saltwater prawns in a creamy pancetta vermouth sauce. The restaurant is also introducing a new Sunday brunch service offering classic dishes, including French toast, fruit salad and house-made biscuits and gravy.

This charming and intimate restaurant will have you wanting to enjoy a long evening with friends or family, all while savoring an elegant menu from Executive Chef Nicholas Copeland. The menu is French-inspired with a Southern Flair, with dishes such as roasted beef marrow or Duck De Violette paired with a crème de violette & cognac reduction. The real treats are the crafted weekly specials, which feature one-of-a-kind dishes that sometimes sell out in only one night.

SO’s private lounge in the downstairs portion of the building holds a private bar, outdoor patio and all the audio/visual hookups you need. The space can accommodate groups of 35 for sit-down dining and 45 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. This intimate space is perfect for a small Christmas party or special dinner with friends during the holiday season.

So Restaurant offers an extensive wine list to go with its polished dinner menu. The wine list options include red, white, rose, sparkling, dessert, port, and more. If you’re interested in starting your meal with an appetizer, go with the blackened seafood fondue that comes with seared shrimp, crab, ciabatta, blackened bechamel, and Monterey Jack cheese.

The Hillcrest stalwart “definitely has the best wine list in town,” bartender Justin Butler boasts. It’s also got Butler’s colleague Veo Tyson, perennial winner or finalist as the best bartender in Little Rock in the Arkansas Times’ annual Toast of the Town. Killer bar menu, too: BBQ chicharrones; a bacon, egg and cheese; Alaskan King Crab?

SO Restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, is the perfect spot for couples to relax and unwind, or enjoy a romantic evening out. SO’s inviting atmosphere is a testament to its rustic chic style, and their friendly wait staff. SO Restaurant prides itself on using the freshest quality ingredients, sourcing produce from local farmers.

The restaurant boasts of one of the best selections in town, and the food is on point. The interior is cozy and romantic, and is an ode to New York’s Manhattan style-wise. The Steamed Mussels are always a hit, as are the Oysters from the Raw Bar, but you really can’t go wrong with any choice from the menu.

When I’m at SO, I tend to eat in the regular dining areas, but there is absolutely no denying the awesomeness of the bar. It’s a chill setting, with somewhat dim lighting, a beautiful backdrop of spirits, and an overall vibe that practically begs you to split a bottle of wine with a friend or partner.

- Rating: 3.5/5 (91 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, Arkansas - Categories: new american, wine bars, seafood- Read more on Yelp. You may also like: Cities with the fastest growing home prices in Little Rock metro area

Then, there’s Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill, an unpretentious wine lover’s dream, and SO Restaurant-Bar, where every dish feels like a warm hug from your French grandma. Ready for more tasty tidbits about these fine eateries?

Its eclectic and elegant menu includes steaks, chops, salmon, surf & turf, and a raw bar. Leave room for one of its luscious desserts that include tres leches and peaches and cream.