One of the most requested additions in Little Rock is finally happening after years of discussion. Forty Two at the Clinton Center is officially adding dinner service and a bar beginning in November. The updated space will undergo a slight name change and become 42 Bar and Table.
Dinner service has always been a bit of an exclusive thing with Forty Two. Their Around the World Dinners are booked out years in advance. They have added occasional wine dinners to the offering only to see demand equally as high. Part of the hurdles to adding dinner service has always been the need to maintain the security demands of the Clinton Presidential Center.
The new space will be renovated to include a full bar better seating options such as updated dining tables and chairs, bar stools, and banquette seating. Their amazing patio is getting an update as well to include three fire pits surrounded by new cushioned seating, dining tables and chairs, and rail seating along the east and west walls. The brand new large custom-designed bar area itself will feature bar seating, charging stations, and hand-bag hangers.
“We wanted to create a truly unique dining experience in Little Rock,” said Chef Michael Selig, director of Food, Beverage, and Special Events at the Clinton Center. “The location, along the banks of the Arkansas River with unparalleled views of the lighted pedestrian bridge, is just one of our many assets. Our menu will feature a delicious blend of local favorites and internationally inspired menu items and our service is, of course, presidential.”
The updated space overcomes the previous security issue by having a private, separate entrance along with free valet parking at night. Something that will be nice on busy nights and keep guest from having to walk a long distance to the restaurant.
Along with the additional hours, the space will see an all new menu developed by Selig and executive chef Gilbert Alaquinez. We will have more on the new menu later.
42 bar & table will be open for lunch Monday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for dinner Thursday – Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. The bar is open from 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday – Saturday. Free valet parking will be available for dinner guests; the valet station will be located in Celebration Circle, the circle driveway directly in front of the Clinton Center’s fountains, and guest cars will be parked in designated spaces in the Clinton Center’s parking lot. The new designated entrance is located to the north of the Clinton Center’s main doors, with newly constructed stairs that will guide guests down to the restaurant’s lobby, located on the river level of the building. 42 bar & table guests will not be required to go through security to enjoy the restaurant and bar.
The new indoor/outdoor spaces were designed by Garry Mertins. Architectural services were provided by Steve Rouseau and Polk Stanley Wilcox. The first official dinner service is set for November 2nd.
