Dining in Little Rock's Hillcrest and the Heights

Ciao Baci, housed in a Craftsman-style bungalow in the Hillcrest neighborhood, serves Mediterranean food and a huge selection of wine. Its patio is a great place to enjoy some tapas and house-made sangria or a great red.

Boulevard Bread, also known as Boulevard Bistro & Bar, is a fast-casual bakery and bistro where you'll find a menu chock-full of salads, paninis, deli sandwiches, burgers, soups, and all kinds of great bread and bakery treats.

If you're in the mood for something a bit offbeat, try Cafe Bossa Nova, which serves up authentic Brazilian food and cocktails in a homey atmosphere. Just reading the menu is an adventure. Get ready for an all-new dining experience.

So Restaurant-Bar serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. 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.

At By the Glass Wine Bar, you can nosh on hummus and pita, mixed Mediterranean olives, breads, and cheeses as you indulge in a wide variety of fruits of the vine at this trendy place.

Check out Cheers in the Heights if you are on the hunt for upscale bar food with a Cajun vibe. You'll find burgers, BLTs, and big salads, but also crab cakes and crawfish tails. Also on the menu: innovative vegetarian choices like cream cheese/olive and avocado/veggies/Swiss cheese sandwiches.

The Oyster Bar is all about Cajun food. Its house specialties include shrimp gumbo, shrimp etouffee, and red beans and rice. Clams, tilapia, shrimp, oysters, and catfish are also main players. You want a po-boy? You'll find a large variety. Forget driving to NOLA; get all the Cajun you are yearning for at the Oyster Bar.

For some of the very best pizza in Little Rock, check out DamGoode. You can try a specialty pie, build your own or buy by the slice. Choose from thin, hand-tossed, or DamGoode's original double-crust and a long list of sauces that includes red, white, Alfredo, and pesto cream.

Fantastic China deserves its name: It has three big menus plus a list of specialties. Every Chinese dish you can think of is offered up here, a place that has been voted one of the best Chinese restaurants in Little Rock since the turn of the 21st century.

Canon Grill serves all things Tex-Mex, from nachos and quesadillas to enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and tacos. Or check out the pasta that goes all in for Mexican flavor instead of the usual Italian.