Between Editions

If you saw today’s Weekend Section of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, you probably noticed that El Dorado’s Showdown at Sunset is listed as the number one weekend “to do” item.

The problem is, the next Showdown at Sunset won’t happen until Aug. 29.

The event, which reenacts a famous 1902 gun battle that happened on the old Union County Courthouse steps between Marshal Guy Tucker and the Parnell brothers, used to be held every weekend during the summer, as the ADG’s article notes.

Showdown at Sunset, sponsored by Main Street El Dorado, was scaled back recently to just one show a month due to budgetary constraints.

I decided this weekend to stay in El Dorado for entertainment since an old friend and I both wanted to see Willy Wonka at the South Arkansas Arts Center  (more on that in a moment).

We started the evening at the new Italian restaurant downtown, La Piazza. I have had high hopes for this place since I heard they were coming to town. Italian food is one of my favorites, and I always enjoy new interpretations of it.

The decor is bright and fresh feeling. For an Italian bistro, though, the lighting was a bit too bright. The front windows bleed way too much light inside, and in the early evening, the flickering candles sitting on the tables are barely noticeable.

The food was good but not excellent. I ordered the Ziti, and my companion had a chicken dish with mushrooms and white cream sauce. The sauce in my Ziti was way too runny, and the Ziti noodles were a little chewy.

Another disappointment was the wine list, or lack there of. La Piazza advertises several wines, from whites through reds. After ordering a glass of Chianti, our waiter gave me a puzzled look. I pointed to the wine menu. “See, right here,” I told him, smiling.

He said he had never heard of it. I found this a bit strange, considering that he was working there. But I let him off the hook since he was new, as is the restaurant.

It turns out that they didn’t have Chianti anyway, so I ordered a glass of Chardonnay that tasted like it probably came out of a box.

The Cabernet, thankfully, turned out to be much better.

Each food order comes with tasty buttered bread, and a small menu of salads is available, from Caesar to Greek. We opted for the salad bar, a small, hotdog-cart-sized station that features lettuce, mushrooms, cheese, tomatoes, onions and an array of dressings.

Some of the lettuce appeared wilted and brown, though we managed to sift through and find edible chunks. It’s all iceberg, sadly. It would be nice if they’d step it up a bit and use a fresh mix of greens — romaine, spinach, etc.

Overall, I was mostly pleased with my visit to La Piazza. I’m planning to return after a few weeks, when they’re a bit more settled.

Prices seem reasonable. Lots of dishes are under $10. I understand they are open for lunch as well. Location: The old Einstein’s building across from Sports Alley in downtown El Dorado.

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