Reservoir - Little Rock, AR

Reservoir belongs to the large county of Pulaski, which was named for a Polish volunteer who saved George Washington’s life in the American Revolutionary War. Since then, the county has gone on to see historic Civil War battles and more recently, a booming economy at the heart of the city. As a two-mile residential neighborhood, Reservoir doesn’t have much history of its own, so residents looking for a blast from the past head to the Little Rock Central High School Historic Site, which holds an important spot in local history. On weekends and sunny days, residents fill their time with a multitude of events outside the neighborhood, such as attending galleries or some of the area’s dozen performing arts centers. Locals also head to the city center for annual events, such as the Little Rock Film Festival and the ACANSA Arts Festival.

For the best of Reservoir’s cuisine, head south to Rodney Parham Drive. Start with the world-class Italian restaurant Vesuvio Bistro, an elegant dining room with the perfect atmosphere to savor a romantic dinner and bottle of wine. Meat mavens order the grilled ribeye topped with gorgonzola and caramelized onions, while vegetarians swear by the assortment of veggie dishes with an equal amount of flavor. Whether you choose breaded eggplant or King crab, your meal will be heavenly. Save room for dessert, as a slice of berry cheesecake turns first-time visitors into regular patrons.

Stop in for fresh sushi at Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant for an affordable lunch that packs in tons of flavor. This market-café hybrid allows residents to dine on quality sashimi while they’re out for specialty groceries or gifts. Residents call this the go-to place for a quick meal that still has excellent flavor. Regular diners recommend shrimp tempura and the Little Rock Roll.

For an exceptionally zesty meal with Texmex spices, grab super fajita nachos from Senor Tequila, a place known for generous portions at a bargain price. Prefer your meal with a top shelf margarita to help wash down the spice of your fajitas Sergio. Make sure to order sides of guacamole and white queso, since it’s some of the best in the business. A four-hour happy hour also draws in quite the crowd, making Senor Tequila an important part of the nightlife and bar scene near Reservoir.

Unlike the best restaurants, nightlife venues congregate along Interstate 430. Catch a round of jokes from the Loony Bin Comedy Club, since the venue showcases three comedians each night in addition to a full menu of strong cocktails, such as the signature lobotomy. Residents looking for a little more action choose to play a game of pool at the West End Smokehouse & Tavern. In addition to a great beer selection, patrons appreciate the lounge like atmosphere created by couches, poker games, and trivia.

Driving prevails as the most popular method of getting around the neighborhood, but a cluster of retailers around Rodney Parham Road makes the strip more friendly for walkers. Biking as a means of transportation proves difficult since Breckenridge Drive stands as the only road with cyclist-friendly shared lanes. Therefore, residents without a set of wheels call ahead to schedule taxi service or use Uber to arrange rides outside the neighborhood. Luckily, a web of local bus routes serve the area, so locals looking to head to dinner or commute to work can take one of several buses. If you opt to drive, take Interstate 430 to connect to the Wilbur D. Mills Freeway, or use Cantrell Road to head directly toward downtown.

Residents jog along the trails that wind through Reservoir Park on weekends or take to Butler Park to ride bikes on the paved paths. Boasting plenty of places for athletes to hit balls and shoot hoops, the free park also caters to families with children by providing picnic tables and playgrounds. However, people stray from the manmade amenities to walk their pets through grassy fields that intersect with a small stream. The Reservoir Park offers similar perks, though it stretches over a significantly larger chunk of land. Escaping into the tall trees makes locals feel hundreds of miles away from the city despite being quite near its center. Locals in need of even more nature explore the grassy areas and designated parks that pad the Arkansas River.

Life in Reservoir runs only two percent higher than the Little Rock average. Standard goods and services such as groceries and health care remain similar to the city’s, but scoring an apartment in Reservoir runs slightly more. Residents who rent face average monthly payments of $539 for a one-bedroom apartment. Gas prices in and around the neighborhood hover about seven percent higher than the national average, but a beer will only run you $3 to $4. Public transportation via local bus routes helps ease the cost of higher gas prices, since a one-day pass costs $3.75.

Limited retailers operate in the area, although the few that do line Rodney Parham Road. In addition to big-name chains and corporate department stores, a few local vendors help diversify the market. Trendy fashion lovers appreciate Beyond Cotton for its selection of unique jewelry from contemporary designers. The boutique carries plenty of high-end blouses and closet staples, which helps ensure you can truly create an outfit no one else will be wearing. Continue down the road to reach Walgreens, which rounds out the selection of retailers in Reservoir. A second string of shops exists along Cantrell Road, on the north side of the neighborhood. Residents come here to peruse the antique stores and a few hobby shops, such as the Community Bicyclist. Those who prefer a one-stop shopping outlet head east to the Park Plaza Mall.

Residents grab groceries along the same stretch of Rodney Parham Road. The best place to pick up the contents of your whole list is Kroger. Specialty stores are limited, but the Asian Grocery store a bit farther down the road helps add another option beyond standard supermarkets. The nearest farmers’ market, Hillcrest Farmers Market, sets up a few miles east on Kavanaugh Boulevard. The popular Little Rock Farmers' Market is held downtown at Riverfront Park.