One of Rogers’ newest restaurants, Lasang Pinoy, offers diners an immersive experience in Filipino culture.
The restaurant, which celebrated its grand opening May 27, is the first brick-and-mortar Filipino eatery in Northwest Arkansas. The restaurant not only offers traditional locally-sourced Filipino dishes served family style, but also offers the warm and welcoming environment embodied by the spirit of the Philippines.
Owner Maria Smith and her brother, head chef Bill Martfeld, say they built Lasang Pinoy as a tribute to their family roots, inspired by their mother, their memories from the Philippines when they were young, and what they have learned about Filipino culture while building the business.
“This has been a journey for us as well as our customers,” Bill says. “We are enjoying learning more about our heritage and sharing it with others.”
Bill learned to cook from his mother, who once owned her own Filipino catering company. He says he has enjoyed sharing some of these traditional dishes with the residents of NWA.
Before opening their restaurant located at 8th and Walnut streets, Lasang Pinoy operated a successful pop-up restaurant at Proof in downtown Rogers, where they experimented with the menu to find the most popular dishes.
For dinner, Lasang Pinoy offers a regular menu that includes Filipino favorites like lumpia (Filipino-styled spring rolls) and a rice-noodle dish called pancit bihon. But the restaurant also offers a seasonal menu where Bill can create dishes inspired by different regions of the Philippines.
Menu items are presented in their native Tagalog, with pronunciation guides for guests. There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu items, and dishes can be prepared specially for other allergy or dietary concerns.
Like the food, the custom drinks at Lasang Pinoy include more traditional Filipino ingredients. The fun and colorful cocktails reference Filipino musical and entertainment culture.
Maria, who left the corporate world to start the restaurant, designed the dining room to reflect Filipino culture, including furniture, colors, and custom hanging decor. As both Bill and his dad served in the Navy, the restaurant also features a Missing Man Table, a symbolic memorial for fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members.
To embody the Filipino element of hospitality, Maria and Bill’s mom, known to guests as “Lola,” or “grandmother” in Tagalog, acts as hostess at the restaurant.
Maria and Bill’s dad is also actively involved in the restaurant, as is Maria’s husband and kids.
“We are not only a small business, but a true family business,” she says. “It’s beautiful to work with family who all have the same values.”
Another culture favorite celebrated at Lasang Pinoy is karaoke.
Along with offering lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays thru Saturdays, Lasang Pinoy also has two beautifully designed karaoke rooms that can be reserved by the hour.
Other special cultural experiences offered at the restaurant include Boodle Fights, a Filipino army-style of eating where guests sit at the Family Kamayan Table and enjoy food served on banana leaves instead of plates, and the meal is eaten with hands instead of utensils. Guests can also join a monthly supper club, where they explore the different influences of other countries on Filipino cuisine. Lasang Pinoy also offers catering services, bringing Filipino cuisine and other favorites to any special occasion.
Lasang Pinoy had originally been slated to open in 2024, but their building was hit by the Memorial weekend tornados. They endured and rebuilt, and now word is out in the community that they are open.
Bill says people from all over NWA, the region, and even beyond are coming to the restaurant to experience authentic Filipino food and culture.