Planning your next Hot Springs day-trip? We recently stumbled on a hidden gem that’s great for a quick bite and more.
Located in the historic Hamp Williams Building at 510 Ouachita Ave., Surfas Culinary District is a café, coffee bar, kitchen supply warehouse and gourmet foods retailer all under one roof.
Jody Bettoney, manager at Surfas Culinary District, says some of the café’s most popular items include a cranberry-pecan chicken salad sandwich, but there are also daily soups and quiches, salads, house-made granola and another customer favorite, the three-cheese Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
For aspiring chefs, there’s kitchen equipment – everything from garlic presses to restaurant-quality bakeware – and a selection of speciality olive oils, vinegars, condiments, spices and imported chocolates and cheeses that alone make the trip worth it. Or pick up prepared food – everything from artisan breads to escargot – for an easy weeknight dinner or a weekend dinner party.
You can reserve the café for groups of up to 25, a great idea for a business meeting or bachelorette brunch. The rest of the 1920-built Italian Renaissance building is available for weddings, receptions and other events. A private patio area and a rustic warehouse area make for a charming backdrop for wedding photos (pictured above).
Flip through the photos above to see why we’re in love, and check out their listings in the brand-new Fall/Winter 2013 issue of Arkansas Bride and the 2013-14 issue of Hot Springs Wedding Planner!
Surfas Culinary District
510 Ouachita Ave., Hot Springs
(501) 624-2665, www.SurfasOnline.com
Store hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Tue–Sat, café hours: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
