Ottenheimer Market Hall welcomes two new vendors with international fare this month.

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (November 13, 2008) – Downtown Little Rock’s River Market District welcomes two new restaurants this month. Mason’s Deli & Grill and Bangkok Thai Cuisine will open for business this month in the River Market’s Ottenheimer Market Hall.

Mason’s Deli & Grill is a German/Bavarian style deli owned and operated by brothers Sam and Omar Kassees. Their booth is located in the Market Hall next to Cocoa Belle. Mason’s will specialize in bratwursts, German-style burgers and subs, pretzels, and specialty cheeses. Their Grand Opening is set for Saturday, November 22nd.

Bangkok Thai Cuisine is the endeavor of Srimala Vang, a vendor at the River Market Farmers’ Market who grew up working in the restaurant business in Chiangmai, Thailand. Srimala has long dreamed of opening her own Thai restaurant. Along with her husband Vinnie, they will officially open for business in the space next to Casa Mañana on Saturday, November 29th.

“One of my favorite things about the River Market is the cultural diversity in our offerings,” noted Shannon Light, River Market Manger. “You can enjoy Mediterranean, Japanese, Mexican, and now German & Thai cuisine. A walk around the River Market is almost like a walk around the world. I’m very happy that we can offer such a variety of foods & gourmet take-out items to our guests.”

In addition to the Bavarian specialties offered at Mason’s Deli & Grill, you can expect to find seafood specials on Tuesdays and Fridays, a few breakfast items, desserts, and fresh salads.

Bangkok’s menu will include such traditional Thai fare as Khao Pad (Thai fried rice), Pad Thai (Thai fried noodles), Tom Yum Goong (a soup with chili paste, lemongrass, mushroom, herbs & spices, and shrimp), and much more. Thai cuisine is designed to stimulate all 5 taste buds: sweet, sour, hot, salty, and neutral. But the charm of Thai cuisine lies not only in its harmonious flavors, but with its nutritional qualities. The fresh herbs and spices used by Srimala such as turmeric, galangal, coriander, lemongrass, and fresh chilies - have immune-boosting and disease-fighting power.

The Ottenheimer Market Hall is open Monday through Saturday from 7am until 6pm. For more information about the River Market, visit www.rivermarket.info.


Little Rock Parks and Recreation (LRPR) manages 50 parks, seven community centers, the Adult Leisure Center, Jim Dailey Fitness & Aquatic Center, four swimming pools, two tennis centers, the River Market, the Riverfest Amphitheatre, three golf courses, plus a catering service. That includes more than 5,000 acres of designated parks and open space. In addition, the organization offers a wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor activities, therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors. LRPR, which employs more than 400 dedicated and experienced people, is one of only 31 organizations in the entire United States to be accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies through the National Recreation and Park Association.

-30-