Monday Munchies: Bentonville's Sestina
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The radiatori. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios
With the December opening of Sestina inside the Compton hotel, downtown Bentonville scored yet another fine-dining option for Northwest Arkansans.
The vibe: Anyone who appreciates a modern spin on midcentury modern architecture (at least that's what my layman's mind thinks to call it) will dig walking through the hotel lobby. It's airy and bright, but simultaneously warm and homey.
- It's no wonder the Compton was recently worthy of a mention on a short list of elegant hotels to see by the New York Times.
Billed as a Tuscan steakhouse, Sestina's street-level location is anything but pedestrian, but it can be a tad confusing to find by the uninitiated.
The food: The bluefin tuna tartare ($22) was a no-brainer start for the table. Served with crunchy, waffle-style potato chips for dipping, this reminded me of sushi nachos at the now shuttered Aoi Sushi, though far better.
- Steaks always lure me, but the wagyu beef Bolognese with a handmade radiatori ($28) drew me in on this night.
- I've learned far too slowly over my life that subtle flavors are more satisfying than the hard punch — of salt or spice or sweetness — most of us expect when eating. This dish delivered a lot of complex flavors layered together, but kept the punch to a gentle, satisfying back pat.
Check it out: 200 E. Central Ave., Bentonville. Serving dinner Sunday-Thursday, 5pm-10pm, and Friday-Saturday, 5pm-11pm; serving brunch Saturday-Sunday, 10am-2:30pm.