Brian
and Eric Isaac, who were raised in Batesville, Arkansas, go
way back in the kitchen. As the result of a deal made with
their mother when Eric was 13 and Brian 15, the boys were
responsible for cooking the family meals. Eric had an
affinity with cooking from the start: his first meal for the
family: southern fried chicken, steamed broccoli, and
fettuccini alfredo.
During
college Eric
worked in a succession of restaurants in the Little Rock
area. Eric was first exposed to fine dining when he was
hired to work as sous chef at now defunct Cassenelli 1700
under Jeff Medbury. After a year or so as sous chef,
Cassenelli's sponsored his training at the
Italian Culinary Institute for
Foreigners in Costigliole d' Asti, Italy. The
valedictorian of his class, Eric landed an internship at
Cảpeo, an acclaimed ristorante on the Italian Riviera in
Leivi, Italy. When his training was complete, he returned to
the United States to assume the executive chef position at
Cassinelli 1700.
Within
weeks of his return from Italy, Eric received a five star
review from the Arkansas Times and a perfect review from the
Arkansas Democrat Gazette. After the Vino e Cucina food show
in New York City, Eric received an invitation to become a
member of the highly acclaimed
James Beard House,
and to team up with three chefs from New York City to serve
a dinner labeled "Great Italian Chefs". This dinner was
reminiscent of a dinner Eric hosted at Cassinelli 1700
called "Traveling Toques" in which famed chefs Roberto
Donna, Michele Orsino and Vittorio Capparelli along with
Isaac received rave reviews for a charity dinner.
Since
Eric's departure from Cassinelli 1700, he has been employed
as Executive Chef at Maumelle Country Club and at Riverfront
Steakhouse. In 2002, Eric teamed up with his brother, Brian,
a mortgage banker with a passion for food and wine, and
together they conceived Ristorante Cảpeo, a place to bring "pranzare
italiano autentico," authentic Italian taste, from one of
the greatest culinary nations in the world, to North Little
Rock.
The
brothers decided on the (then condemned) Cook building in
the Argenta
Historic District of North Little Rock as the
location. Construction actually began with the help of their
grandfather, J.O. Isaac, in February 2002, with the creation
of wine cellar, which now holds approximately 1,000 bottles.
While the facade of the 116 year old building was being
restored, the brothers were busy inside with design and
construction.
In June
2003, Ristorante Cảpeo, named in tribute to the
establishment where Eric was trained, opened with a blast.
Chef Eric Isaac orchestrated a staff with over 75 years
combined experience. Because of their unsurpassed excellence
in preparation and service, Ristorante Cảpeo has hosted many
successful private parties including a dinner for the Chaine
des Rotisseurs, and counts many celebrities, both local and
national, among their clientele.
They
take pride in the fact that they have created a successful
business in a historic downtown area. They are optimistic
that the area will continue to progress with nearby Alltel
Arena, the addition of the
trolley
that connects Argenta to the River Market area and the
Clinton
Presidential Library, the rejuvenation of the
Baker
House Bed & Breakfast located across the street, and the
relocation of the Arkansas Travelers to North Little Rock.
The
brothers invite you to come in, relax, break the bread and
enjoy some wine.
Brian
and Eric Isaac, who were raised in Batesville, Arkansas, go
way back in the kitchen. As the result of a deal made with
their mother when Eric was 13 and Brian 15, the boys were
responsible for cooking the family meals. Eric had an
affinity with cooking from the start: his first meal for the
family: southern fried chicken, steamed broccoli, and
fettuccini alfredo.
