6:45pm Listening to Pavarotti

Jahna’s Restaurant, just opened in December, may have one of the best ambiances in town! Lucky for 70w dwellers, a short ride for the rest of us, Jahna’s (pronounced john-ah’s) i s located almost across the street from another one of my other favorites…KJ’s. I expect this neck-of–the-woods area will become bottled-necked. (pun intended as the very nice TriLakes Liquor Store is in the same center a Jahna’s) Tim Precop and his wife Mary Kate have done it again since having the successful Italian House and Grill located by the Village. (see December 2008 issue Life and Home)

Jahna’s décor has a unique style. I wouldn’t have thought of the animal print/art motif for an Italian restaurant, but the style, lighting and overall scheme makes this one of the nicest restaurants to hang out in Hot Springs. Adding to the décor are two astonishing floral centerpieces that were designed by Kelly at Marie’s Florist, dividing the bar from the dining room. While you certainly don’t have to wear your fineries, this is the place to show off that new Michael Kors outfit. Bring out of town guests, a Valentine’s date, or your best friends as they will all be very impressed while loving the atmosphere and they will also love the food:

For the steak lover this is utopia! Tim has a great source for his meat and is very proud to serve it. The filets are truly equal to or better than the best cuts of meat in Hot Springs. If they can keep the source, Jahna’s will be known as one of the top steak restaurants in Arkansas. Of course I like mine medium rare and they serve their steaks with your choice of four sauces on the side. My favorite is the Carbonara…sautéed bacon and onions in a creamy gorgonzola cheese sauce. I also like the Pepe Verde…sautéed green peppercorns in a brandy cream sauce.

Bread! When I reviewed Italian House and Grill, I raved about the bread. This bread is the same!!! If you just came here for the bread and a Greek or House Salad you would not be disappointed. Great bread in local restaurants doesn’t happen often…don’t loaf, come

here soon. The salads, similar to IHG, are exceptionally fresh and the lemony vinaigrette is perfect. Their Greek Salad is possibly the best in the state!

Another very nice appetizer option is the Stuffed Portobello…stuffed shrimp, crabmeat, vegetables then topped with mozzarella and bacon bits with a brandy cream sauce…a great selection. You can order the Crab Cakes as an appetizer or an entrée, and they are delicious (I tasted a hint of cumin seed that really made the flavors pop).

I have tried a couple of the pastas and was not overly impressed. The Fettuccine Alfredo’s sauce could have been thicker/cheesier. I did like the Eggplant Parmesan, however.

The Grilled Tuna is exceptional…parmesan and herb crusted yellow fin tuna topped with a fresh putanesca tapenade (an Italian olive based salsa). This was much better than I expected, definitely one to try. The Veal Marsala is good and Veal Bianca is on the menu. I had this at Tim’s sister restaurant and it is an amazing entree…medallions of veal with prosciutto and sautéed mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce then topped with mozzarella and over angel hair pasta.

Please save room for a dessert! The Cannoli is the best around with a crispy shell and a very fresh taste, and the Chocolate Creme Brulee is great. The Tiramisu is just Tiramiso-so. You will love the comfortable chairs and the background music is hip. The bar is a nice spot if you are awaiting a table, or just want to meet a friend. The wine list is solid and reasonably priced.

I hope to begin rating all Hot Springs restaurants in the future. I will rate them one to one-hundred on each category of Food, Service, Atmosphere and Value. I can give you an advance hint: Jahna’s will be very close to the top of the list!

8:50pm accolata La bohème (in Italian of course…with English subtitles)