Brave New Restaurant

I'm going to give this 5 stars as the food was phenomenal. It costs as much as it should for the quality of meal and the service was excellent. I never had a low cup, no major pauses in service, food timing was perfect, wine selection very good. I will say that I shouldn't have gone alone. The atmosphere was a little stuffy and I was definitely the youngest one in there for a while and I'm not that young. All of the meat in the picture was cooked as ordered and delicious.

A wonderful place to eat! Peter Brave is super nice and visits your table to make sure everything is wonderful! And it IS!! The veal lime is to DIE FOR!! You won't be disappointed!! Visited again for my daughter's 18th birthday. Food was wonderful!! We had lunch here for the 1st time and it did NOT disappoint! I had the special which was grouper in a peach reduction sauce, my husband had the spicy Cajun pasta with shrimp and my daughter had the salmon with saffron risotto. We all left very full and happy. The river view is an added bonus although at 102 degrees we admired it from the window. Definitely a wonderful place for lunch or dinner!!

Brave New Restaurant is located on the 1st floor inside the Armor Bank building. Once you enter the lobby on the ground floor, take the elevator to the 1st floor. Make a left when you exit the elevator followed by another immediate left to enter. The atmosphere was very nice. We were given the option of inside or patio dining. Both areas have a beautiful view of the river. For our entrees we ordered the Steak and Veal. The steak was seasoned and cooked to absolute perfection. It was so juicy and delicious. I would absolutely order it again! The veal was tender with a very nice flavor profile. Both entrees included house salads and fresh bread. For dessert we decided to try the homemade ice cream. My wife had the white russian ice cream, which she loved! I decide to á la carte an affogato (espresso + vanilla ice cream) and it was delicious 😋. Overall, I would say give this place a try if you are looking to have a nice evening or date night out.

The price is worth the experience! Travel for work so I have had the pleasure of eating in some of the finest cities and restaurants. From Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, LA, all the way to Maine, Connecticut and NYC. Let me tell you this is a gem! Any place is as good as you want to make it and if you take your time and explore all their dishes and paring combinations you will enjoy every second here! I would suggest the Laphroaig 10 with the Lobster or a Zinfandel wine with the Duck on Duck!! Such a great time!!

Went here for my birthday, 7pm July 7th, I don't remember the server's name but she was extremely sweet and described everything very well. Managed to sell me and my roommate on their white Russian ice cream and it was absolutely my favorite thing. Lovely experience, with some friends outside for company.

I absolutely loved it! It was my first time going out for dinner since I moved to Little Rock. I absolutely loved it the workers were amazing! Truly felt the southern hospitality here. Keep doing what you’re doing! You guys are amazing.

Only restaurant in Little Rock on the river near downtown…farm fresh food served farm to table from a local farm outside LR…service was 10 out of 10 and a MUST go to if you live local or coming from out of town! Myles and David went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and welcomed! Thank you!

This was the best meal for Mother’s Day. Their special this evening was an Australian Wagyu, but everything else was wonderful. Sea Scallops, Walleye, and Salmon was as equally as amazing. I can’t recommend this place enough for any special dinner.

A hidden gem in Little Rock! Our group of seven enjoyed a wonderful meal here on September 25th. The food was delicious and the service and hospitality were top notch. We were running late for our reservation with a few members of our group arriving even later but the staff could not have been nicer. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The walleye was exceptional and the chocolate crème brûlée was the perfect ending to my meal. What a great way to celebrate Little Rock Nine Day! Will definitely be back soon.

This fantastic find is hidden away in an office building setting on the 1st floor.... above G floor. As we got close, the signs and smells directed us the rest of the way. A quaint, clean, and inviting setting overlooks the Arkansas River and pleases from the start. The shrimp, avocado, and grapefruit appetizer was unique and very well presented and fantastic. I had the walleye and it was superb, and another had the Reuben sandwich that was huge and unbelievably tasty. I’ll be back sometime when I can set outside and overlook the river, eat endless appetizers at random, and have wine glass after wine glass.

Visited Little Rock, Arkansas recently and my sister's friend took us to one of her favorite restaurants which just happens to be Brave New Restaurant. The staff was friendly and our server was helpful and gracious. The restaurant has wonderful views of the Arkansas River. You can be seated outside on their patio but on this particular day it was tad too chilly for that. I ordered the entree of Grilled Shrimp served over a bed of orzo pasta & fruit compote, topped with straight Beurre blanc. It was Absolutely DELICIOUS 😋. I Ieft nothing on the plate. The other three people in my party ordered the Spinach & Shrimp Salad, Chicken Salad with Grapes and the Mega Sliders. Everyone loved the food they ordered. This restaurant has Delicious food, great location and wonderful ambiance. I hope to return in the future to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on their patio. This establishment is a WINNER in my book . 👍

What do you say about a restaurant with a history of excellent food and service, besides "they're still on top"! All with beautiful views of the Arkansas River. The espresso martinis won't disappoint and be sure to try the creme brulee!

Spectacular is the first word that comes to mind. Mouth watering bites of wonderfully prepared morsels, that temp the pallette with fantastic flavors, are delivered with superb timing by people you just want to get to know. Friendly, courteous, people that get great satisfaction seeing the customers they serve filled with great food, enjoying great views, and having a great time! We were staying overnight in Little Rock on our way to visit family and picked the Brave New Restaurant when we saw the goat cheese mousse. We both said "Oh wow, bet that's good" and called to reserve a table. Let me tell you, "OMG, that's really good!", and that's just the beginning. Everything we had that night was just as wonderful. Cindy loved the scallops and I thought the ahi tuna in a light yet buttery beurre blanc sauce was just perfect. The dishes were paired with a delightful vegetable medley that we both enjoyed. For desert, Cindy raved over the mango sorbet and I was instantly won over by the delicious home made chocolate ice cream that was velvety and rich with an almond cookie and coffee. What a fitting end to the evening. I only wish we lived closer so we could come again and again and again! Thank you, Peter Brave, for a memorable night and for coming out to great us during our visit. You and your team have something special going on at Brave! Our advice: Go there!

Was on vacation last week and ate here while in the area. Wow, I have nothing bad to say! The Mushroom Tart appetizer, to start off, was amazing! It was like a savory mushroom pie! I got the Duck with Duck as my entree. That, fellas, is some awesome duck! And finally, dessert: Please, please, PLEASE try the Chocolate Creme Brulee!

Phenomenal. From the service and views, to the food and drinks, everything is carefully thought out and executed. I got the oyster mushroom short ribs, and ohh my.... some of the best short ribs I've ever had. Tender, juicy, and super flavorful. Peter Brave is so talented, and I enjoy coming here! Thanks for the fabulous night!

This is my favorite restaurant for celebrating. Their food is super fresh. Great veggies. Great grilled fish.

The food and atmosphere are top notch every time I go, and their Creme Brûlée.....YUM! Love it. Highly recommend. There is a fantastic view of the river too.

We had a wonderful experience for dinner. The food was delicious and staff was very welcoming. Perfect for our special occasion birthday dinner. Would love to come back for a nice lunch soon. So good! (Parking not as great)

I quite enjoyed myself and the river view is everything it's cracked up to be and more. Maybe someday a wing of the river trail will come over this way, that'd elevate it even more for a place in the city. Back to the experience: The waitress was incredibly informed and it was lovely to learn about the menu and it's sourcing. Not to mention how good all the food was!! Since I'm rating the restaurant and food and location I'm going to keep it at five stars but: I have one negative point, that the bartender tried to convince me a martini was supposed to have ice in it. It'd be fine if they served me a daiquiri in a martini glass, or if slivered ice was correct and intended. Or if they had taken my neutral point of contention about the discrepancy in stride. I wasn't mad, I was making a small talk joke. But they did not take it in stride. The bar person came over and fully tried to gaslight my knowledge of cocktails because they didn't double strain the drink. It's not even any more steps to double strain a martini served up, you just stack the strainers and do a single pour. please don't try and tell me that you MEANT to serve an ice slushie in a martini glass. Or change the description/concept/name? Anything other than trying to tell me ice chips belonged in the concept and drink as described.

Excellent food and service, with a nice view of the river. Herons and pelicans were on the water during dinner. The weather was excellent for outside dining, too. I had the chicken and risotto with a dinner salad and a tomato and burrata with corn relish appetizer. All were delicious.

Party of 4 took a friend out for their birthday. Restraining was very nice food was good. We ordered the charcuterie board but party of the prosciutto was hard. Like it was left out in the air too long and it dried out. Dinner was good everyone seems very happy with their meals. View over the water was great. Server came over a lot and reached infront of people's faces as they were eating. Sorry of made a few people upset

My husband and I ate here once and it was a great experience! The owner comes and talks to you like he has known you forever and that really stuck out to me! His story is inspiring and you can sense his love for cooking and serving others; You can tell that he cares about the service and atmosphere that is produced in the restaurant. As a vegetarian who also doesn't eat eggs it was hard for me to find something on the menu that I liked, but I tried some type of pasta that was not bad at all. The bread and the water is top-tier lol! Overall lovely experience. If you are looking for a formal date- I highly recommend. I love how private and tucked away it feels. Oh- And might I mention: THE VIEW! Amazing

In a world full of negativity and uncertainty BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT is a BRIGHT SHINING STAR of kindness, warmth and impeccable service topped off with delicious food and drinks! A special shout out to our server who brought me a warm mug of water to warm my hands while I waited for my soup, he also warmed my heart with his kindness. We will definitely be back.

Always have a good experience, whether brunch or dinner. Super accommodating staff and quality cocktails. Many dishes center around a special burre blanc for the season. Scallops and duck entrees are always a good choice. And the mushroom soup is beyond compare with any other place in the area.

I've had dinner here several times. When you arrive you'll feel like it's a speakeasy. A little difficult to find but so worth it. Not flashy or gaudy on the outside but really nice on the inside or the balcony. Each visit has been a culinary delight. The last time I ordered the scallops. They were cooked to perfection! Wonderful flavor and so tender. The sides were paired perfectly. You should go there you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to return.

Amazing hideaway nestled perfectly right on the river! Window or outdoor dining makes for a stunning sunset view at dusk, wait staff are all mature age adults no teenagers or even young 20s staff dealing with guests. Food is cooked served and played to perfection. Wine selection is wonderful, in-house roasted coffee which phenomenal, also made in house ice cream to end the perfect evening with a sweet treat. The menu rotates every 2 weeks but the staples remain the same, GIANT fluffy, buttery scallops are a must try as they have them flew in weekly. Steaks are beautifully cooked and served again with a rotating schedule of a new sauce every 2 weeks or so. Pete is our server and will always be, even if I had to wait for his section to come open. Prices reflect quality , don’t go on a budget. Expect to honestly spend $75-$100 per person to get the full experience. You could eat for $40-$50 a plate but would truly miss out on some of the best things they offer. I would add a note that the manager, short dark complected woman, though she doesn’t deal directly with guest, I approached and asked to speak to the manager (her) simply to compliment Pete and the amazing experience we had both times being there and having him, and she was not very enthusiastic or enjoyable. She could be amazing, idk it was a short interaction, however she, imo was the worst part of the evening. I do expect when I drop $250-$300 on a dinner to be treated with great kindness and care, we are in central Arkansas, not La, NYC or Paris. Know your customers, southerners care as much about hospitality as though do quality.

This upscale restaurant served delectable foods, accompanied by fresh vegetables and soups. They were all delicious. We went for a family dinner, and our kids enjoyed their food, spilling some water here and there. The staff took good care of them.

The pork tenderloin with mustard sauce was beyond delicious, and my friend said the same about her risotto. The service was impeccable, Gordie was fun and knowledgeable. We told him we were going to Eureka Springs and he wrote down places for us to try. It was just fabulous all around.

This hidden gem in Riverdale is worth finding! Wonderful atmosphere, food, and service! I have been several times and I'm always pleasantly surprised with each dish I try. Plenty of options, and so delicious! The outdoor seating area, overlooking the rive is always a great choice on pleasant evenings.

We have heard some good things about BNR so we drove out on Friday for dinner, they had early Valentines specials so we got 3 specials. Blue cheese gnocchi appetizer, Pan cooked walleye from Chicago with a truffle butter sauce and broccolini and the short rib special with “bakers potatoes” braised in the drippings from the short rib and a few roasted or boiled pearl onions I could not tell. The potatoe pasta had lentils and crumbled blue cheese with micro greens, it really needed some acid to break up all the fat, the lentils got lost with the potatoe pasta because it was the same texture. The walleye fillet tasted great but the truffle butter sauce really over powered the delicate fish truffle not needed, we had to squeeze a whole lemon on it. The short rib was tender and flavorful but didn’t need the fat soaked potatoes to much with the rib and the onions were an after thought no color seemed boiled and not a substitute for a veggie it had a “Demi” steak sauce but was more like kicked up ketchup under the rib I didn’t taste any Demi and a short rib wouldn’t give you Demi sauce usually. I would make a red wine sauce from the drippings fresh herbs and make sure there’s enough acid on the plate with a clean veggie like asparagus or green beans hit it with some lemon at the end. Loved the dinner salads with all the textures and Flavors from the added roasted and pickled goodies. Overall great dinner! The atmosphere and the staff were great! One of the best restaurants in Central AR

I wasn’t completely blown away and it is on the pricey side, but the food was good. Our waiter was excellent — really knowledgeable about the menu and full of great recommendations. The patio is also a lovely spot for dinner on a warm day.

I liked the fact this restaurant is a bit hidden from the public. The margaritas tasted pretty good! The salad was terrific, scallops were cooked to perfection, however, can’t said much about the way potatoes and carrots were cooked. Nevertheless, highly recommended.

The food here is delicious and the portions are worth it in my opinion. The problem is when I made a reservation and asked for a specific spot weeks before, I arrived to it not being available. But everything including the river front view was amazing and very romantic.

As someone who has grown up going to fine dining establishments, I would rate Brave New at a 6.8 overall. First the restaurant is situated in a business building which makes it a little hard to find. I would prefer to go to a fine restaurant that has brick and mortar but that’s just me. Some people like the speak easy feeling of it. The service was great, very polite and professional. Ben was my server and to also tackle him with two kids he did exceptional. Now for the good stuff! Wine selection…4/10. This is solely based on the fact that this restaurant is compared to Allsop and Chappell, which has a great selection. When I go to a restaurant that is a fine dining restaurant, I look at the wine menu and should see a select few of wines that are hard to find in the area but to my disappointment it was mediocre. Food…7/10. I had venison chops with mashed potatoes and carrots. This dish disappointed me. As a venison lover I would expect to have a little dryness and gamey but this was just not the cooks night. Perfectly cooked but the taste was not to par. The bacon braise as advertised was not there at all and the venison tasted very gamey. The mashed potatoes were great. They were homemade with goat cheese in them and that threw me off in a clever way. I also tasted a few more of the dishes. The stuffed chicken was a 9/10. I’m not a chicken lover but this chicken had me swooning. It was juicy and tender paired with the Boursin cheese and was to die for. Presentation…3/10. The presentation of the plates was very careless and messy. I felt as if the plate was just thrown together and made to look. Could do better on that. The dessert…9.5/10. The desert was by far the best part. I had the homemade butterscotch ice cream and was some of the best I’ve ever had. But the homemade orange cheesecake was absolutely 10/10. It was creamy and fluffy with just the right amount of orange to not overpower the whole thing and that is a hard thing to do. Over all for this place to be compared to Allsop or Sullivans is an insult to those restaurants. I get it that this is an established restaurant in this area but definitely didn’t live up to the hype and could go through a regeneration of menu and selections. Also the food compared to price was off. They should definitely lower the prices for the food.

The best word that describes this restaurant is eccentric, as dining at Brave New requires a bit of an adventure. The first part of the journey is finding the restaurant parking area since it's located in a business park. Next you have to go in the door labeled "Brave New" and take a ride up the elevator to the right to the 1st floor. Now the real fun begins. The maitre de is found down the hallway to the right (hint: follow the framed "Best of" plaques). Don't worry, getting lost with other diners off the elevator is usually part of the experience. Once in Brave New get ready for a real clash of decor. It feels like the dining area of any large conference center that hasn't been updated since the late 80s / early 90s. Corporate carpet, wallpaper and post modern artwork on the walls. While the silverware matched, none of the other dinnerware like plates or bowls ever did. Then the real kicker, the soup was served with a lacy doily underneath. Service was amazing, and our waiter took very good care of us the entire meal. We started dinner with cocktails, a rye sazerac and bourbon old fashioned. Both were overly sweet so beware that they are a little heavy handed on the simple syrup. Since Brave New is known for seafood, we ordered the Scallops special and the crab stuffed trout. Everything was OK, but not really great. I would highly recommend not looking at the menu and just ordering from the specials. Everyday they have several specials that the waiters memorize and I believe them to be better dishes than the "standards". However, the fish soup along with mushroom soup were phenomenal and well worth ordering from menu. Overall the bill was around $120 and I would recommend Table 28 over Brave New for higher end seafood in Little Rock.

First time at this restaurant. I really had a hard time finding the location due to being in the Armor Bank building. But I managed. Get off the elevator and to the left and left again. But the environment is nice, kind of posh-upscale. The food, my wife loved everything. Me... Not so much. Now my palette is different and the available menu just wasn't what I wanted. I went here to try something new and wanted to take my wife out. Service was great, not over crowding and not too distance of service. If you like trying new or different dish, this is great. If you're looking for a traditional menu or things that you can get almost anywhere, this may not be the place you want to go.

Yikes. Everybody has a bad day. I'm sure there are some redeeming qualities here but Brave is by far no longer top dog in central Arkansas. Very disappointed. Facility was bland, restrooms filthy, server was difficult to understand and came to the table far too often, the prosciutto on the charcuterie board was not good, the asparagus bland, potatoes over whipped and dry, grizzle from ribeye in teeth ECT. Disappointed to say the least. The mushroom soup tasted out of a can and mushrooms slices were rubbery.

The food was good. The waitress just seemed flustered and not very friendly. I feel like the atmosphere inside was off. Looked like it would have been better if we were outside on the balcony.

Disappointing to be honest. Maybe my expectations were too high based on the good reviews I heard from some people. Service was very good though, attentive but not loitering around. Cool location near the river, probably great view when its warm. Went for dinner on Friday. We shared the wild mushroom tart for an appetizer; filling was great, crust was burnt and bitter. For mains we had the walleye ($37) and the duck with duck ($32). Each main came with a salad that was pretty basic, not bad but just a filler. The mains also came with identical sides of red cabbage, new potatoes, and patty-pan squash. The sides were just kinda tossed on the plate, squash was undercooked and flavorless, potatoes and cabbage just more filler. The fish was cooked well, saffron sauce was good. Duck was cooked medium and was flavorful, but the skin was not crispy. The sausage was a little sweet but alright. Wine prices were reasonable, but at $30+ for entrees I just dont think its worth the money. Update. Gave it another try. Service was great, view from the deck is great. Again, food was subpar for the price, the sides were flavorless and undercooked, and the menu is outdated and boring. I really don't understand the high praise for this place other than the service. Probably won't give it another go.

Definitely a dining disappointment on our recent trip to Little Rock. I was so excited to try the Mushroom Wellington and it was a let down. Two other tables next to us ordered it as well and each plate looked very different. My husband tried the special (walleye with blueberry sauce) which was a huge miss. The tomato salad was okay but expensive- the corn salsa was weird addition to the plate that didn’t make sense. The house salad was okay as well - was not lacking acidity, that’s for sure.