AquaFire is transformation of 1936 Club

FAYETTEVILLE — Some 60 people attended a soft, or pre-opening, of the new Dickson Street restaurant AquaFire, owned by Sherri Simpkins and managed by mate Randy McGuffin.

McGuffin has a a long history of cooking good eats in the area, first at the now-closed Blackboards Cafe in Bella Vista and then at Basil’s, which he sold when he moved from the area seven years ago. Most of his time since then has been crafting culinary delights for the rich and famous in a golf resort city in Florida.

To give locals a sense of what they can expect from AquaFire, he prepared a six course meal that included Caribbean Caesar salad with romaine and sweet pepper and a creamy Parmesan dressing with mango bread croutons, followed by three appetizers: an alligator quesadilla; a corn meal-fried oyster with fire roasted green chili sauce and chipolte cream; and a local trout cake with shrimp tarter sauce and gaufrette potatoes.

The main course was a coconut-macadamia chicken breast with thai peanut sauce and sweet potato hash. Two desserts were served: Bananas Foster and white chocolate creme brule.

The restaurant opens with dinner today and will be serving lunch and dinner every day except Sunday and Monday.