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featured dining guide story Advertorial Feature By karen rice | northwest arkansas Democrat-Gazette 42 What's up! august 7-13, 2022 Haven 55: a cure for the dog days of summer I f the heat and summer have worn you out, there's a place just over the border in Pineville, Mo. that will re-energize you. Think of it as a dining getaway, a place to enjoy an exceptional meal in a magical setting. It's just a short jaunt from Northwest Arkansas, or right in the neighborhood if you're on a float trip in Southwest Missouri. It's Haven 55, and you'll find the charming spot nestled among the trees and overlooking the dam on Little Sugar Creek. The eatery, which is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, is a delight to the senses in every way. There's a view from every table in the dining room, where you can scan for wildlife like Mortimer, a great blue heron who's a regular here. Meanwhile in the kitchen, a different kind of magic happens. The creations are the art of executive Chef Alan Bone. A Pineville native, Alan started cooking as a teenager. He graduated with top honors from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Orlando, working and studying under several chefs before coming back home to open his own restaurant about nine years ago. It's a close-knit family effort, with Alan's fiancée Micah working the front, listening to customers and fine-tuning the experience. This is slow food at its best, Micah points out. "Everything that comes out of this kitchen is prepared to order. Sauces are sautéed while your chicken is cooking, and everything is timed perfectly. It might take a little longer, but all Alan's dishes are prepared fresh." There are creative chicken and pork dishes with complementary rubs and sauces, a wide variety of fresh seafood offerings, unique and delicious sandwich creations and certified Angus burgers and steaks. "The New York Strip with blue cheese sauce is our best seller, and we have a big following for Prime Rib night," says Micah, "But my personal favorite is the 8-ounce sirloin prepared the way Alan does it." Get your reservations in early to partake in Haven 55's Wednesday Prime Rib night—a mid-week tradition worth planning ahead for. Haven 55 is open for lunch and dinner, and either one is a great chance to try their fantastic fried green bean appetizer served with a creamy horseradish dip. You'll want to come early and grab a drink from the Tavern while you wait for your reservation on Friday or Saturday. The Tavern is open on Friday and Saturday nights and serves house crafted pizzas and other tavern fare. It stays open later than the restaurant to extend your night out, and they have regular live performances by local artists, as well as karaoke every Saturday night. Visit haven55.com and keep an eye on the Haven 55 Facebook page for changing specials, a more detailed schedule of upcoming events, or to view their menu. A meal at this hidden gem is more than just lunch or dinner; it's fine dining in its natural state. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.