Readers' Choice Awards | Inviting Arkansas Review

DINING OUT
Article reprinted from Inviting Arkansas magazine
January 2005

Vincent Waide had worked in the restaurant industry for over 15 years.  His wife, Gretchen, was a native Arkansan who graduated from Southside High School in Fort Smith and the University of Arkansas.  The couple who lived in Dallas visited their condo in Hot Springs at least once a month;  they enjoyed the pace of life there.  Eventually they decided it was time to move full time to Arkansas and own a business.  Of course, location, location, location is the key to the success of any business.  They contacted a broker who just happened to have a restaurant for sale, its location just yards from the Oaklawn racetrack.

Cafe Pompeii was opened in 1998 in a single storefront on Central Avenue.  With a staff that transitioned from other local Italian restaurants, the restaurant served traditional fare and pizzas.  When the Waides took over in January 2004, the menu completely changed.  Offerings became more innovative:  Entrees such as duck and yellowtail tuna were given the Italian treatment.  Their signature dish, the pan-seared, oven-roasted duck breast over truffle white bean puree with foie gras butter sauce and shaved black truffles is to die for!  Lasagne, a favorite Italian standard, took on a new twist and became lasagna rolls cut and served coin-like on the plate.  Another specialty is their beef tenderloin filet, aged in house then grilled and finished with a sage butter.  The filet is accompanied by roasted garlic and sour cream mashed potatoes, and bacon and onion spinach.

The decor remains an eclectic mix of original art, lights, antiques, and reminders of local history.  The space now occupies four storefronts and includes three distinctly styled dining areas.  The red room, complete with mantel and fireplace, offers a traditional, yet intimate dining experience.  The bar allows guests to enjoy a funkier, hip feeling while sampling from among the 150 wines of the martini special of the month.  Finally, the green room is light and airy making it more conducive to larger group dining.  There is also a private dining area that can accommodate large groups, and packages are offered to groups of 15 or more.  Monthly wine dinners are held where up to 25 guests seated at one large table are served a four-course dinner paired with wine.  The restaurant also hosts jazz dinners.

Quality of service has remained a constant for Pompeii Cafe and Wine Bar.  Many staff members have been on board since the opening of the original Cafe Pompeii.  some were around when the staff took a two-week trip to Italy where they sampled first-hand some great dishes and drinks.  All of the staff is committed to not only giving a guest a great dining experience but also making it fun.

Vincent Waide and chef Chris Hough know that while the staff of their restaurant is very young it is also very responsible.  This allows for a much more flexible work environment.  Hough describes the establishment as "casual, fine dining meets rock and roll."  While Waide plans to eventually expand to other locations, for now business is booming.  It is helpful to make reservations on the weekends, which tend to be busy and especially during racing season when things get really crazy.

Story by Joan Wilder