The Vieux Carre Story

Vieux Carre – a Southern Bistro in Historic Hillcrest – is a family-owned and operated restaurant established in January, 2006.

Executive Chef and General Manager David Bennett worked at a number of respected Little Rock restaurants before attending the Cordon Bleu-affiliated Scottsdale Culinary Institute and opening his own place.

Sarah Bennett, David’s wife, also has extensive restaurant experience and oversees the daily operation of the front of the house.     Mom and Dad, Linda and Anthony Bennett, are often on-site as well, working behind the scenes or greeting diners.

The name “Vieux Carre,” which is used interchangeably with “French Quarter” in New Orleans, was chosen for the restaurant because it brings to mind the delicious and eclectic cuisine of that city – from Cajun and Creole to French, Italian, Southwest and just plain Southern.

“My culinary training was classical French,” Chef David says, “and my daily goal is to use those timeless techniques to make hearty, delectable dishes out of the freshest available ingredients, just as the Creole settlers did when they traveled from Nova Scotia to the American South.”

Located in the historic Morgan Smith Building in the charming Hillcrest neighborhood of central Little Rock, Vieux Carre and its adjacent lounge, the Afterthought, are part of a thriving local dining and entertainment district.

The restaurant was recently remodeled, preserving as much as possible the building’s original character while updating mechanical systems and warming up the color scheme. Built in 1915 from a design by famed Little Rock architect Charles L. Thompson, this structure once housed the Pulaski Heights Town Hall. The corner of Kavanaugh and Beechwood (originally Prospect and Beech) where the building stands was once a streetcar stop for Little Rock’s first “suburb.” The original second-story section of the building was destroyed by fire in the 1970s and the building remains a one-level structure today.

Vieux Carre serves lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday and a festive jazz brunch with live music on Sunday. The Afterthought lounge next door offers live music Monday through Saturday and features a full drink menu and dance floor.

Both the restaurant and bar are smoke-free establishments.

Two private rooms may be rented and the entire restaurant and/or bar may be reserved for special occasions. Call 501-663-1196 for details.