The Bristol on Central Opens in Bentonville (Business Lunch)

The Bristol on Central
113 W. Central Ave., Bentonville

There’s a building in downtown Bentonville that seems to be home to a different business every six months or so. Its latest incarnation is The Bristol on Central.

Five minutes after arriving, we had a bad impression of the place. We played musical chairs and didn’t have a lot of luck with it.

We were offered a table near the back, but within seconds our conversation was overpowered by a boom box blaring big band music. We asked to move and were seated at another table within earshot of the horn section. A second waitperson offered us a table in another room. So we moved, but it was the smoking section. We then asked and were allowed to go back to table No. 2.

Once we got settled, we ordered from the lunch menu, which can only be described as eclectic. The Bristol offers everything from bacon cheeseburgers ($8) to a brie and fruit plate appetizer ($8). However, most of the fare has an Italian bias.

One of the he-men at our table felt like eating light, so he ordered the grilled chicken Caesar salad ($8). The other went for the spaghetti with meatball ($8). That’s right, a single meatball. Both meals were brought to the table promptly by a third waitperson.

The salad eater was miffed at the seating arrangements and the rotating personnel, but was surprised with the quality of the meal. The chicken was tender, well cooked and very lightly flavored. He said he has had better Caesar dressings, but there was nothing wrong with The Bristol’s.

The spaghetti eater liked his meal, though it’s hard to do spaghetti wrong.

There was no dessert on the menu, but the waitress offered three items. The duo each decided on the cannoli ($5), which was stuffed with a strawberry cream. It was brought to the table by a fourth waiter.

Our reviewers thought The Bristol’s food had great promise, but the service was spotty at best.