Downtown Bentonville is filled with a bunch of great dining options. When we were researching our upcoming visit, one name piqued our interest. Being a minister’s son, the premise behind The Preacher’s Son sounded intriguing. Working with Visit Bentonville, we were able to make our visit a reality. When the day arrived, we found ourselves in familiar territory, as we made our way to the restaurant. Having read a little about this upscale eatery and its head chef, Neal Gray, we were anxious to sample their menu.
We want to thank Visit Bentonville and The Preacher’s Son for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.
Familiar Territory
Just a block off the square, we discovered this restored historic church. The glass and brick building looks pristine, in comparison to its age. Stepping through the door, we found an interior filled with light streaming through the oversized stained glass windows. The hostess greeted us and showed us to our table. Seated along the perimeter, we had a great view of the whole space. While the structure still held the aura of a church, the redesign brought a modern vibe into play.
First Bites
Our server arrived to discuss the evening menu. Having no preconceived meal direction, we let him guide us toward our choices. We decided to begin with a couple of light plates to whet our appetites. A light salad included berries, cucumber, almonds, and Fromage. A light oil and honey coating added a sweet punch. From the appetizer menu, we selected a plate of Steak Carpaccio. Their thinly sliced beef tenderloin paired well with the herb and bulgur salad and radishes. These dishes were enough to entice our desire for even more flavors.
Layers of Flavor
For my main course, our server directed my attention toward the Sea Trout. It’s nice that modern shipping allows for restaurants in the middle of the nation to serve fresh-caught dishes. Seared to a perfect level, the filet was served up on a bed of peas. Kettle chips added a kick of fun to this artistic dish. It was a departure from the beefy meals that I tend to choose. The flavors were amazing and I enjoyed this rare excursion into seafood. I had been looking for something that would rival the flavors we discovered in a Quebec City smokehouse, and this place has them.
Italian Clucker
Crystal tends to be a little less adventurous when it comes to meal selection. When faced with too many unknown choices, she often gravitates toward her fail-safe protein, chicken. When she spotted the Parisian Gnocchi, she realized that she had found something a little familiar. The bird was roasted and seasoned with truffled Gouda. It was served with a helping of handmade gnocchi. These light dumplings are a slight diversion from the standard potato-based dish. It uses a double-cooked dough called pâté à choux. It’s the same dough often used for eclairs or churros.
Down Under
While the restaurant is on the main floor, the building offered additional spaces. With our pangs of hunger satisfied, it was time to do a little exploring. Downstairs we discovered a basement door marked “coatroom”. Behind this door is a hidden cocktail bar named Under Croft. This upscale space offers a calm, comfortable place to enjoy an after-dinner drink and conversation. Guests can also order some select dishes from the restaurant menu. Heading out the opposite side of this space, we found an archway on the outside of the building that was simply marked “bar”.
The Sky’s the Limit
Our server had clued us in on another spot for socializing at The Preacher’s Son. For those wanting to take in some fresh air, and maybe a sunset, there is the Rooftop Bar. We popped up to see what it has and found a stylish space filled with comfortable seating. Since we had more exploring to do, we passed on their long list of delectable drinks. This spot will be on our list for our next Bentonville visit. After all, everyone needs a little downtime to rest from a busy day of adventures.
