Sky City Restaurant - A meal with a view

It is hard to compete with a restaurant that offers a 360 degree view of a major American city.  The Sky City Restaurant offers just that.  The restaurant rotates 360 degrees in about an hour.  It is definitely an experience...and the food okay too.

Sky City is in the Space Needle a floor below the observation deck.  Your meal includes an elevator ride to the restaurant and access to the observation deck after you eat.  An adult ticket to ride to the observation deck is $19, so it is a nice bonus to your meal.  The minimum food and beverage charge per guest is $35, so don't plan on just going for appetizers and skimping.

I had gotten a cheap pair of tickets to Seattle a few weeks ago, before Christmas.  I wanted to make the trip special, and thought of getting us some reservations at the Sky City.  It was a spur of the moment trip, and we were lucky to get some reservations for a late Sunday brunch.

The brunch is Prix Fix, and includes a starter, a main course, and a dessert.  I have been trying to watch my figure, so I started with a Caesar Saland and then opted for the Seasonal Vegetable Benedict:  Poached eggs over Heirloom tomato, wilted spinach, Chanterelle mushrooms.  I have had better Hollandaise, but I have also had worse.  I would just give the main course an "OK", and the salad was about the same.

The dessert was a bit better.  I had the Seasonal Cobbler (apple), which was served with Snoqualmie Gourmet Vanilla Bean ice cream.  It was difficult to stick to just a couple of bites.  In all it was a nice dessert.

By far, the star of the meal was the view.  Even though it was a bit cloudy and rainy, it was stunning to see the skyline of Seattle sweep leisurely by.  It was an excellent experience, which I recommend.


Sky City Restaurant:

Address - Space Needle, 400 Broad St, Seattle WA 98109

Phone - 206.905.2100 or toll free 800.937.9582

Website - www.spaceneedle.com/restaurant/

Reservations - A must.  Online or over the phone.  Plan well ahead of time.  I barely got a seating with 2 weeks advance notice.


Overall Recommendation - When you eat at Sky City, you are paying for decent food and an exceptional view.  I was not blown away by the meal, but it wasn't too bad.  We really enjoyed eating in a rotating restaurant.

Southside Bistro - Great Date Night Dining

I lived in Anchorage for nearly 10 years before I every ate a the Southside Bistro.  People would always tell me I should go, and I would forget to go.  I would always think of the fine dining restaurants in downtown Anchorage.  Somehow I could not get my mind to remember that there is very nice dining available south of Anchorage's Mid-town.

I have 10 years of catching up to do, because Southside Bistro is very good.  They serve lunch and dinner Tuesday - Saturday.  They are closed on Sundays and Mondays.  I have only been there for dinner.  I have been twice now, for Friday night/Date night.  I have been happy both times.  Most recently I was treated to dinner when I was given a gift card for Christmas.  Those folks are now on my "Nice" list! 

I started with the Butterleaf salad.  A wonderful salad with tender butterleaf arranged on the plate with a champaigne vinaigrette, candied pecans, grated blue cheese, and chopped grapes.  The candied pecans are the star of this salad!  They bring out the subtle flavor of the leaves, and pair perfectly with the vinaigrette.  It also went well with the Pinot Grigiot that I let the waiter pick out for me.

For my entree' I had a special of elk medallions.  They were served with asparagus spears and delicious mashed potatoes.  The elk had a savory brown sauce over it and was served medium rare.  The richness of the sauce matched the lean elk just right.  It was wonderful.

For dessert, my wife and I shared the peach and raspberry cobbler.  Served warm with brown pecan crust and vanilla ice cream, this dessert was the perfect ending to a memorable dinner.

Southside Bistro:

Address -

Phone - 907.348.0088

Website - southsidebistro.com

Reservations - Highly recommended.  I use my Open Table app on my iPhone.

Overall Recommendation - This is great place with a very good waitstaff, nice wine list, and very good food.  It isn't super intimate, but it is a nice place to go for date night.  Make a reservation, as I have never seen this place when it is not packed.

Pagoda - The Best Restaurant in North Pole and maybe all of Alaska

The Pagoda Restaurant is the "must eat at" place to go when in North Pole.  It has been featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and it is a perennial winner of the local "People's Choice" awards for the best Asian food in the Fairbanks area.

The building started out as an Arby's back in the 80's.  In the late 80's the Arby's went out of business and the Pagoda was born.  Since then it has always been a the first place I want to go to when I go home.

My wife and I went to visit my family over the holidays.  When I called my mom to let her know when we were going to arrive, she immediately offered to take us directly to Pagoda.  If she had not offered, I would have asked anyway.  We literally drove straight from the Fairbanks International Airport to Pagoda in North Pole.

My parents go to Pagoda regularly, and the waitstaff knows their orders when they walk in the door.  My father likes his Mongolian Beef with a little extra kick, and my mother has the Mongolian Chicken.  I ordered the Beef with Fresh Broccoli and my wife had Ginger Chicken.

I ordered my Beef and Broccoli spicy, and then started in on the Hot and Sour soup.  It really hit the spot, and it definitely has a kick.  I love this soup.  The meal comes with your choice of soup (hot and sour, egg drop, or won ton), pork fried rice, and an egg roll.

I can tell you that the egg rolls are very good and so is the rice, but the portion of Beef and Broccoli is so large, and delicious, that I did not have any room for the sides.  The savory sauce and extra spice balanced perfectly and the broccoli and carrots had the perfect tenderness.  I highly recommend this dish, but I like everything on the menu.

I think you would be hard pressed to find something on this menu that you will not like.  I can't wait to visit my family again, just so that I can go to Pagoda for dinner or lunch!


Pagoda Restaurant:

Address - 431 Santa Claus Lane, North Pole, AK 99705

Phone - 907.488.3338

Website - pagodanorthpole.com

Reservations - None. First come, first serve.

Overall Recommendation - Go!  Right now!  This is good stuff.  The waitstaff is super friendly.  The portions are generous.  The food is great.

Ivory Jacks - The Goldstream Hangout

I am in the Fairbanks area visiting my family for the holidays.  I also had some time to visit with some close friends.  One of our friends that we wanted to see works at Ivory Jacks, so we went their so that we could see her and her family.  The food and libations have always been good, so nobody had to twist my arm to go.

Ivory Jacks is the Cheers of the Goldstream Valley, just outside of Fairbanks.  The weather is cold, but Ivory Jacks is warm, comfortable, and the kind of place where there is no pretense.  In other words, this is my kind of place.

There is Yankees baseball memorabilia all over the bar/restaurant.  There  is darts, shuffle board, and even a pac-man game.  There are even photographs of the greatest Ivory Jacks drinkers.  This place is great!

The menu is a great blend of fine dining and pub style food.  I was in the mood for martinis and pub grub, so I opted away from the fine dining part of the menu.  We started with some nice crab stuffed mushrooms.  They were delectable and really whet my appetite.  Next was pizza loaded with meat and pepperoncinis.  It was great, and a perfect pairing for my dirty martinis.

At some point during the meal, a Christmas carol started up in the bar.  I would like to think that it was the spirit of the bar and season that made me join in....but maybe it was the martinis.

Ivory Jacks:

Address - 2581 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Phone - 907.455.6665

Website - ivoryjacks.alaskansavvy.com/

Reservations - I have been to Ivory Jacks for dates, wakes, and just dropped in.  You can make a reservation, but usually a table is open.


Overall Recommendation - This is a wonderful place to go when you visit (or live in) Fairbanks.  I love the atmosphere and the people.  Give it a try!

P.F. Chang's - Good enough to look past the trendy

I am one of those guys who fights the "trendy" restaurant chains.  Give me a great local restaurant over a chain any day.  That said, P.F. Chang's ain't too shabby.  It offers fresh asian flavors...even if it is to the masses.  During our trip to Seattle, we needed some sustenance after some mall shopping.  Right there in the mall was a P.F. Chang's, so we through caution to the wind and went for it.

We started with the Spring Rolls.  They have a nice blend of hot mustard, sweet, and savory sauces that they blend for dipping that is dyn-O-mite.  For my main dish I went with the Chang's Spicy Chicken.  It was also tasty.  The chicken was tender and savory with just a hint of spice.  I actually save the dip from the spring rolls and dipped my chicken....pow!

The dining area has nice mood lighting, but it is definitely not a quiet space.  The wait staff is working hard and fast, but our server was friendly and did a great job tending to our table.  All in all, not bad for a chain.

P.F. Changs:

Website - www.pfchangs.com

Reservations - Can be made online, or you can sit and wait.  Tables seem to turn over quickly, and there is usually plenty of seating.

Overall Recommendation - I still like to frequent the "local" restaurant, but if you want decent chinese food, P.F. Chang's will do.

Cafe Campagne - French Cuisine at the Market

On my recent trip to Seattle, my wife and I got up on Saturday morning, and wandered from our hotel down toward the Pike's Place Market.  We were a bit peckish, and stopped in, less than a block from the market, at Cafe Campagne for some breakfast.

Outside of my visit to Tahiti, last December, I don't have much experience ordering food in French, so I was a little appréhensive.  I decide to go with the Oefs en Meurette: poached eggs served on garlic routons with pearl onions, bacon and champignons in a red wine/foi gras sauce, and served with fries.  The eggs were poached perfectly, and the savory flavor of the croutons and bacon was good.  Unfortunately, there was a lingering vinegar-like flavor from the red wine sauce.

I wouldn't say that it was a bad dish, and I think I would go again and give the menu another try.  Maybe my palet is just not sophisticated for French breakfast...we will have to see.

Cafe Campagne:

Address - 1600 Post Alley, Seattle, Washington 98101

Phone - 206.728.2233

Website - www.campagnerestaurant.com

Reservations - We didn't need any, but reservations are accepted.

Overall Recommendation - I would not remove this restaurant because of my disappointment in the red wine sauce in my breakfast.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Lahn Pad Thai - A Neighborhood Star

In Anchorage, we are lucky to have several very good Thai restaurants.  I am lucky, because the best Thai restaurant in Anchorage is a 2 minute drive from my front door.

Lahn Pad Thai is a small, strip mall, restaurant with powerful flavors in every dish.  My wife and I recently went for an evening out...when we did not want to drive too far.  We were treated to a great meal and friendly service.

In typical Thai restaurant style, dishes have designated spice levels based on little stars next to the name of the dish.  No stars, flavorful, but not too spicy.  Three stars, and find some water!  What is great about Thai food, is that you can ask that a no star dish get the three star treatment.  I love spice and I love curry flavors, so I ordered the Kang Karie.  It is a muslim style chicken yellow curry with coconut milk, potatos, and onions.  It is a one star dish, but I asked for the 3 star upgrade.  My server gave me the amused (silly man) look, but it was exactly what I wanted.

I love asian food that has hot spice.  It is not hot for the sake of hot.  It is a rich and flavorful heat.  The Kang Karie did not disappoint, in fact I loved it.  It is the best curry I have had in Anchorage.  Served over a mound of steams rice, and bam!  Top notch.

My wife had the beef Pad Broccoli.  This is your typical asian style broccoli beef, but it was also very good.

As I said earlier, Anchorage has a lot to choose from in Thai restaurants.  I recommend taking the extra time to go to Lahn Pad Thai.

Lahn Pad Thai:

Address - 2101 Abbott Road

Phone - 907.272.8424

Website - lahnpadthai.com

Reservations - None.  Lahn Pad Thai has a small dining area and limited seating.  It is a popular place and can get full in a hurry.  Call your order in to go, or call in for delivery, if the dining area is full.  You will be glad you did.

Overall Recommendation - Anchorage is blessed with many good Thai restaurants.  Lahn Pad Thai is the crown jewel of Anchorage Thai cuisine.

Harley's Old Thyme Cafe - Southern Comfort Food in Anchorage

Harley's is close to my Chiropractor.  This gives me yet one more excuse to get regular adjustments!  While the dining room is small, there is a huge amount of flavor packed into the food.  I may have found Harley's by accident, but I have been there three times in as many weeks.

• I have had the Chicken 'n Dumplings.  The chicken was tender and juicy, and the dumplings brought a smile to my face.
• I have had the Brisket Dip.  A french dip style sandwich with brisket and a barbecue style jus.  This is very good.  The brisket is tender and the jus is perfect.
• I have had the Harley Bennie.  This is the Harley's "manly" benedict, with chicken fried pork loin and two eggs any style atop a toasted english muffin and smothered in country sausage gravy.  The pork loin is tender and succulent.  Try it with the eggs over easy and experience the blending of flavors as the yolk, pork, and gravy do their magic on your taste buds.
• Try the okra!  There are not too many places you can get good fried okra in Alaska.  Harley's is the place in Anchorage.
• Don't pass on the Fried Pickles.  I have often heard the lore of how tasty a fried pickle can be.  I have searched high and low at fairs, food carts, etc.  Harley's has them, and I am hooked.  You have to try them!

I can't wait for my next Chiropractic visit.

Harley's Old Thyme Cafe:

Address - 7550 Old Seward Hwy

Phone - 907.349.8878

Website - harleysotcafe.com

Reservations - None taken.  The dining area is small, and the place gets crowded on a Sunday morning.  Take the time to wait.  You will be rewarded with some good eats.

Overall Recommendation - This is southern style comfort food, and it is pretty good.  The waitstaff is friendly, the service is fast, and the prices are reasonable.  Give it a try.

The Crow's Nest - The Crown Atop the Hotel Captain Cook

The Crow's Nest Restaurant offers much more than beautiful views of Downtown Anchorage, the Chugach, and Cook Inlet.  It is Anchorage's only AAA Four Diamond fine dining restaurant, and boasts a 10,000 bottle wine cellar.  I must say, that the food matches the view and the wine list...it is stunningly good.

Setting atop Tower 3 of the Hotel Captain Cook, it is no wonder that the Crow's Nest is so popular.  The hotel is right in the heart of Downtown Anchorage, and the restaurant pulls out all the stops to make your dining experience a great one.

On Halloween, my wife and I like to avoid the rush of trick-or-treaters by treating ourselves to dinner out. This year I pulled out my iPhone and activated my handy Open Table app.  There it was, the Crow's Nest, calling me.  On a nearly annual basis, I take my coaching staff for cocktails at the bar, but it has been quite a while since I have had a meal there, and it was about time my wife shared the experience.  By using the Open Table app, I was able to request a table with a view.  During the winter I prefer a view of Downtown, so I requested a table with a South/East view.  In the dark of night, and during this evening's snow storm, it is always beautiful.

Upon being seated, we were treated to an amuse consisting of a butternut squash soup, and a kalamata olive dinner roll.  The soup was rich and full of flavor.  The two or three spoonfuls were perfect and wett the appetite.  The olive roll was the perfect compliment to the soup; fresh, and with just the right amount of olives.

We chose to start with the Sweet and Spicy Sausage Stuffed Quail and the Tabby's Crabby Patties.  The quail was succulent in and of itself, but it was also stuffed with sautéd grapes and wild mushrooms, and served on a bed of fresh greens that had a delightful porcini vinaigrette and saffron pear reduction.  The crab cakes were a combination of King and Dungeness and were served over a citrus and horseradish vinaigrette.  The crab cake was delicious, but the stuffed quail was superb.

It was tough to choose, but my wife chose the Duck Two Ways A'Lorange and I chose the Ras el Hanout Rubbed Lamb Loin.  My wife loved the duck, her first ever duck as it turns out.  I tried a bite, and it was very tender and moist.  It was served with a croissant bread pudding over a berry gastrique and Grand Marnier jus.  The gastrique is what brought the dish from the merely good to great.

Before tonight, I did not know what Ras el Hanout meant, but Wikipedia has a great explanation, and now I know that it is a Moroccan blend of spices that means "top of the shop", or the best the shop has to offer.  My lamb loin was perfectly seasons, and I supplemented the flavor by ordering it with foie gras.  The flavors blended just as I had hoped.  The savory flavors of the Ras el Hanout and the richness of the foie gras made my taste buds dance and swoon.  The lamb was served over a lemon verbena jus, and accompanied by port poached cherries, root vegetables, crispy sweet potatoes.  A truly satisfying dish.

For desert, I went with the crème brûlée and a glass of Blandy's Alvada Medeira.  It may have been a decadent choice, but I was already having a decadent meal, it needed the right finish.  The crème brûlée was served with some fresh berries and white chocolate.  It paired perfectly with the Blandy's.  My wife chose the carmel apple tart.  I tried it, and it too was delicious.  The apples were fresh and tangy.

The Crow's Nest is a place to treat yourself.  Don't be tricked into going somewhere else.


Crow's Nest:

Address - 939 W. 5th Avenue, Anchorage, 20th Floor of Tower 3

Phone - 907.276.6000 or 800.843.1950

Website - captaincook.com/dining/crows-nest

Reservations - Make them.  I like using my Open Table app on my iPhone.  I recommend the Southeast corner of the dining room.  Dress is casual smart.  Don't go looking like a rugby hooligan.

Overall Recommendation - The food is very good, and the waitstaff is courteous and professional.  You will not find a finer wine cellar in all of Alaska.

Judy's Cafe - Cash Only, Rude Servers

When you listen to people from the Hillside area of Anchorage they rave about Judy's Cafe.  Judy's serves breakfast and lunch and is only open until 3p on weekdays and Saturdays.  It is open until 2p on Sundays.

Judy's is different than most restaurant, or most places of business for that matter, in that it only accepts cash.  While there is an ATM on the premises, it is very inconvenient not to be able to pay by debit or credit card...or even check.

The food is fairly good homestyle cooking, and it is one of the better diner style restaurants in Anchorage.  Having said that there is a big drawback...which I will get to later.

On my most recent, and final visit, I had a bacon and mushroom omelette and a 1/2 order of biscuits and  gravy.  The omelette was good, but the biscuits and gravy were sub par.  The gravy did not stand out.  It was drab and needed plenty of Tabasco to make it tasty.  The biscuit itself was just plain.

My biggest gripe with Judy's is the service.  I am used to being greeted warmly and serve in a courteous and pleasant manner when in any restaurant.  I would like to say that I have only ever experienced bad service once, but I have been to Judy's three times, and have never felt like my business was appreciated. Judy's Cafe needs to work on their staffing in a big way.

I am amazed that so many people rave about Judy's Cafe given that the service is so poor.  Have we all just gotten used to bad service and rude waitstaff.  I hope not.  Judy's stands out, but for the wrong reasons.


Judy's Cafe:

Address - 11620 Old Seward Hwy

Phone - 907.349.5500

Website - on facebook

Reservations - None.  It can get very busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Get there early, or be prepared to wait, or go somewhere else.

Overall Recommendation - The food is good, but the inflexibility of payment and the often rude waitstaff make it easy to pass this hot spot by.

La Mex - Home of the Grande

La Mex is one of the better known Mexican restaurants in the Anchorage area.  They are famous for their  margaritas, which are good, but I am more into food, hence the blog.  With that said, La Mex has a full bar and is not too bad.


We started simple enough with the spinach quesadilla appetizer.  It was pretty good, but when combined with the hot salsa that came with the complementary chips, it was excellent.  The spinach quesadilla is a spinach tortilla with cheese and spinach filling.  Simple, but tasty.


For dinner my wife had the Seafood Chimi.  A chimi filled with shrimp, crab, lobster and white fish sautéed with tomatoes and onions and spices. Finished with fresh sliced avocado.  She was please, and it looked and smelled good.


I had the La Mex Burrito Deluxe.  It is served topped with a cheese sauce, shredded lettuce and house dressing.  The cheese sauce and dressing did not do much for me, so I asked for more hot salsa and topped it with that.  I guess I would say the burrito was fine, but the salsa was very good.


I don't mind sauces and salsas on dishes, but when I have to do it to rescue the dish, that does not say much for the dish in the first place.  The cheese sauce that came on the burrito was drab, though the rest of the burrito was fine.  The obligatory rice and refried beans completed the dish, and they were also fine.


A mixed meal to say the least.  I think I will stick with other Mexican restaurants from now on.




La Mex:


Address & Phone - 2550 Spenard Road, 907.274.7511
                              8330 King Street, 907.344.6399


Website - homeofthegrande.com


Reservations - Very large dining rooms in both locations.  You are probably safe not making reservations, but on Friday and Saturday night...it might be a good idea.


Overall Recommendation - La Mex is a good Mexican restaurant, not the best Anchorage has to offer, but good.  If it is nearby, and you have a hankering, stop in.

Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant

I have been eating at Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant since I was a teenager.  My high school team used to go to Gwennie's for breakfast every year whenever our team was in Anchorage.  When I began coaching I would bring my swimmers back for the same breakfasts, but since I moved to Anchorage, over 12 years ago, I have only been to Gwennie's a couple of times.  I went back recently for an evening breakfast.

I went on a Friday evening, around 7p, and there was plenty of seating available.  I was in the mood for dinner, but as soon as I saw the eggs Benedict, with crab meat instead of ham, I knew I was going for the breakfast.  I had a big appetite brewing, so I added the 1/2 order fo biscuits and gravy.

The flavors of the crab eggs benedict were good, but the textures were a bit off.  The english muffins had no crisp to them at all.  In fact, they had the texture of having been soaked in water before being put in the dish.  Combined with the natural texture of the crab and egg....it was a bad combination.  Texture matters.

The biscuits and gravy, however, were quite good.  There was just the right amount sausage and pepper in the gravy.  The biscuits had good texture, and although I could taste that they were a little heavy on the baking powder, they were better than most....and they went great with the Hefeweizen that I was drinking :)

All told, the food is not great, but there are bits of memorabilia and Alaskana all around the restaurant.  I must confess, I think the place is pretty cool.  It might be worth your try.


Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant:

Address - 4333 Spenard Road, Anchorage

Phone - 907.243.2090

Website - www.gwenniesrestaurant.com

Reservations - If you are going with a large group, you will want to call ahead.

Overall Recommendation - Going to Gwennie's is more of an overall experience than a dining experience.  If you are looking for great food, there are better choices in Anchorage.  If you are looking for a filling meal with plenty of Alaskana and history surrounding you, this is your place.

Sunrise Grill & Pancake House

I am not much of a pancake person, but maybe I should have given them a try.  I am not saying that I disliked my breakfast at the Sunrise Grill and Pancake House, but it was not up to my breakfast loving standards.

The Sunrise Grill is a bright and clean restaurant with a friendly waitstaff and fast service.  That being said, I was not blown away by their breakfast.  I chose the Sunrise Omelet, with ham, bacon, and sausage.    It came with my choice of toast, pancakes, or biscuit...I love biscuits.  I ordered a side of gravy to go with my biscuit.  It turns out the biscuit was the highlight of the meal.

The biscuit was clearly handmade, and was fluffy and tasty, which is a lot more than I can say for many places in town.  However, the gravy was drab...with a dash of salt.  I poured on some Tabasco and that made it better.

The omelet was thick and heavy.  I prefer an omelet where the egg is light and airy.  The filling was generous, but underwhelming.  Maybe there was just too much in the omelet.  Wow, I can't believe I said that!


Sunrise Grill and Pancake House:

Address - 8201 Old Seward Hwy

Phone - 907.677.6011

Overall Recommendation:  I will probably try it again, but there are far superior breakfast restaurants in Anchorage.

Open Table - The must have foodie app

Ever say to yourself, your spouse, or your group of friends, "Where are we going for dinner?"  Well I have a foolproof way to not only narrow your search, but to also make your reservations.  Get on your smart phone and use your OpenTable app or go online to opentable.com.

OpenTable can bring up a list of restaurants in your area with available seating for your party.  You can read reviews, view menus, and get directions.  You can make your reservation, along with any special notes/requests you have for the restaurant, and then later on leave a review for others to read.  You can do all of this from your phone.

The great thing about OpenTable is the selection of restaurants.  The OpenTable affiliates are all great restaurants.  These restaurants are fit for foodies.  Each one is a standout with outstanding food, service, etc.  You can't go wrong!  Give it a try the next time you go out for a night on the town.

Sack's Cafe & Restaurant

Sack's is a shining star on the Anchorage fine dining scene.  With fresh local produce and seafood Sack's is a standout with a necessarily changing menu and creative choices.

This weekend my wife and I enjoyed date night by starting with the olive sampler and the Alaska Crab & Scallop cakes.  We also treated ourselves to the Joseph Drouhin Cote De Beaune 2008 Pinot Noir.  What a stunning way to start a meal.  The olives played off the sweet and savory crab/scallop cakes and the bright Pinot Noir.  The olives are served warm which brings out the flavor in each savory bight.  The crab/scallop cakes are served with an incredibly light honey chipotle aioli.  I made sure to alternate between the Pinot, olives, and cakes.  My palate was positively dancing.

I chose the Chicken and Alaska Sea Scallop for my main course.  The chicken medallions are lightly breaded, and the scallops gently seared.  They are served on a bed of udon noodles along with snow peas, mushrooms and black bean salsa.  The star of the meal, however, is the ginger cream sauce.  It continued the symphony that the appetizers began.  So light, tangy, and creamy it actually made me want to slow down and savor the experience.  I think I paired the wine perfectly for this main course.

My wife loved her Mariscada.  I tried a bite, and the flavor was amazing.  Fresh sockeye, tiger prawns, and clams in a coconut tomato broth.  Sweet yellow corn, butternut squash, rice, basil and lime round out the dish.  The broth is outstanding.  The Sack's saucier is a genius.

After the main course we both decided to have some desert.  I had a decadent spiced apple cake and my wife had the beautiful Russian creme with pineapple and strawberries.  Both were wonderful and balanced out our meals perfectly.

I honestly don't know if you can go wrong at Sack's.


Sack's Cafe & Restaurant:

Address - 328 G Street

Phone - 907.276.3546 or 907.274.4022

Website - www.sackscafe.com

Reservations - I use my OpenTable app on my iPhone.  I would recommend making reservations, so call ahead or use your smartphone.

Overall Recommendation - The freshest ingredients and a creative flair make Sack's one of the top restaurants in Anchorage.  Don't pass up the opportunity to have a great meal!

Bear Tooth Theatre Pub - more than movies

The Bear Tooth is made up of three separate parts.  The Bear Tooth Grill, the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, and the Bear Tooth restaurant.  The menu for the Theatre Pub and Restaurant are the same.  The menue for the grill is separate, and I will write about it in some future posting.

The theatrepub is a great place to see late run movies, shows, and concerts all while enjoying a great pizza, burrito, taco, wrap, etc.  There are many vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, which is great, but I love the more traditional offerings.  You can enjoy all of this and wash it down with a great beer!

What some people forget, is that there is a small restaurant/seating area outside of the theatre.  You can sit and order off the menu just like you would at the Moose's Tooth (the Bear Tooth's cousin).  It is not usually as crowded as the Moose's Tooth, so when I need a pizza fix, the Bear Tooth is a great choice.

I have had some great burritos at the Bear Tooth, including the Chicken Colorado, the Steak & guacamole, and the Steak Chipotle.  But on Saturday night, I needed a pizza, and I was looking for something on the lighter side.

The Wild Mushroom pizza was the perfect choice.  Chock full of portabella and crimini, and sun-dried tomatoes...this pizza rocks!  It has goat, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses on top of a denali sauce (a special non-tomato based house sauce).

The key to Bear/Moose's Tooth pizza is the crust.  It has a great savory flavor with just a hint of sweetness.  On the Wild Mushroom pizza, the crust combines with the denali sauce to bring out the flavors of the cheese and mushrooms.  With those sun-dried tomatoes, every bite has a bright tangy finish.

I enjoy the the Moose's Tooth Hard Apple Ale with almost all of the pizzas at the Tooth restaurants.  It is light and fruity, and it balances with the crust and toppings.

Whether you are catching a movie, or not, the Bear Tooth has something for nearly everyone.

Bear Tooth Theatrepub:

Address - 1230 West 27th Avenue

Phone - 907.276.4200

Website - beartooththeatre.net

Overall Recommendation:  I don't think you can do better than Bear/Moose's Tooth pizza in Anchorage.  Add in the burritos, tacos, and beer, and you have an incredible combination.

Spenard Roadhouse

The Spenard Roadhouse is a big step up from the previous occupants, Hogg Brothers Cafe.  The Spenard Roadhouse has the same ownership as Sacks Cafe and Snow City Cafe.  I was unaware of the relationship between the three restaurants, but I do see some commonalities.  Happily, my recent visit to the newest iteration of the location left me satisfied.

My late Sunday breakfast foursome enjoyed a variety of items off their Weekend Breakfast menu.  One of my friends had a mimosa and a meal called the Hangover Helper, ½ lb. all natural beef patty, fried egg, cheddar, bacon, tomato, onion, kaiser roll, served with a side of tater tots...she was thrilled.  My wife and other friend enjoyed the 2 egg breakfast, with their choice of bacon, ham, or Polish reindeer sausage, potatoes and an english muffin.  


I dug into the Roadhouse's version of eggs Benedict (I promise this will not turn into an eggs Benedict blog).  The Eggs Benny Benson is a traditional eggs Benedict with their own house made, very rich, hollandaise sauce.  I liked the thinly sliced ham as opposed to the usual slab of ham that is used in so many versions of my favorite breakfast.  The highlight is definitely the house made hollandaise.  At first I was taken by surprise...I think that I have gotten used to packet versions of the sauce.  The Spenard Roadhouse sauce is far superior to your typical hollandaise.


The Spenard Roadhouse has a full lunch and dinner menu as well as a children's menu.  I am inclined to think that the Roadhouse may be one of the best restaurants in the Spenard/Midtown area.


Spenard Roadhouse:


Address - 1049 W. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage


Phone - 907.770.7623


Website - spenardroadhouse.com


Overall Recommendation:  Definitely worth your while.  It made a very good impression on me.

Kriner's Diner

I have said it before, but it should be repeated:  When visiting a restaurant for the first time, always ask the staff what the specialty of the house is.  When I went to Kriner's Diner, for the first time last week, I did just that.

I am not usually a fan of chicken fried steak, but that was what the waitress recommended, so I thought I would give it a shot.  Served with two eggs (I prefer mine over easy), hash browns, and a huge chicken fried steak, I have to say the meal was enormous.  The steak was smothered in a very good sausage gravy, and I don't give out gravy compliments easily.  The breakfast was very good, but I did have one complaint...it was too much for me to finish.

The restaurant itself is clean and new looking, and the menus are newspaper style, with a combination of meal choices, trivia, and history about the owners.  In fact, I learned the owner is the son of Sal, as in Sal's Klondike Diner in Soldotna (also pretty good in my opinion).  The owners convey a politically conservative viewpoint, which I appreciate, but it is not an awkwardly large theme in the menu or restaurant.

One of the items on the menu is the Family Burger.  This behemoth is two pound of beef, 8 slices of cheese, and all the fixings with a one pound side of fries.  If you can eat it, by yourself, in 45 minutes or less, it is free.  You also get a t-shirt and your photo up on the wall of fame.  There are several before and after photos of those who have tried and failed.  No photos on the wall of fame yet.  I recommend making it a meal for 4, but I have not tried it yet.  I doubt I could finish it if I couldn't even finish on of the "small" breakfast dishes.

Go hungry is all I have to say!

Kriner's Diner:

Address - 2409 C St, Anchorage

Phone - 907.929.8257

Website - on Facebook

Reservations - Walk ins only.  It can be very busy in the mornings on weekends.  Be prepared to wait for a table or get there early.

Overall Recommendation:  I have only been there for breakfast, and I give it a high marks.  Check it out soon.

Noisy Goose Cafe

I started going to the Noisy Goose Cafe several years ago as a breakfast as a place to conduct staff meetings.  We would meet in the mornings which meant I got to have a lot of breakfasts (maybe my favorite meal of the day).  It was not until after I began dating my wife (a Mat-Su Valley native) that I had a dinner at the "the Goose".  I have never been disappointed with any of my meals.

For breakfast I recommend the Eggs Benedict, Biscuits and Gravy, or an omelet.  I almost always have the Eggs Benedict, unless I am there more than once or twice a month....then I mix it up a bit.  For dinner I like the meatloaf or a gilled ham and cheese sandwich with tomato soup.

I would describe the menu as homestyle comfort food.  And I have to say, it is very comforting.  Be sure to stop by the next time you drive through Palmer, or the next time you head out to the Alaska State Fair.

Noisy Goose Cafe:

Address - 1890 Glenn Hwy, Palmer (across from the fairgrounds)

Phone - 907.746.4600

Website - on Facebook

Reservations - None taken, but I have seen a waiting list go up on the whiteboard.  It can be very busy around breakfast time.

Overall Recommendation:  This is my favorite Mat-Su restaurant.  Excellent breakfasts and very good lunch and dinner menu.

Don Jose's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

I am a big fan of Mexican cuisine, and there are many choices in the Anchorage area, but there is only one Mexican restaurant in Alaska that is present in three different towns.  Don Jose's Mexican Restauraunt and Cantina is established in Anchorage, Kenai, and Homer.  Furthermore, I have eaten in all three.

As Mexican goes, Don Jose's is ok.  The restaurants serve decent food and there is good variety on the menu.  On my last visit I enjoyed the Southwestern Fiesta appetizer as well as the Chili Colorado entree'.  The portions were generous and the flavors good.  Having said that, I have had better Mexican within the Anchorage area.

I am not much of a barfly, but I think that Don Jose's Anchorage restaurant is as well known for it's Cantina as much as the cuisine.  Having said that, I can only say that I enjoyed the Negra Modelo that I had with dinner.

Don Jose's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina:

Address - 2052 E. Northern Lights, Anchorage
                205 S. Willow Street, Kenai
                127 W. Pioneer Ave, Homer

Phone - 907.279.5111, Anchorage
             907.283.8181, Kenai
             907.235.7963, Homer

Website - alaskadonjoses.com

Reservations - I have never needed them, but call ahead on Friday and Saturday nights.

Recommendation:  It is not bad, but I can think of better Mexican cuisine....in Anchorage anyway.

Jackie's Place - Good for the Bodybuilders and the rest of us too

My father was Mr. Alaska 1992 for the Masters division.  He was a bodybuilder, and whenever he was in Anchorage, he looked forward to eating at Jackie's Place.  With it's pictures of well muscled, oiled, and tan bodied covering one of their walls, it seems it it is a popular hangout for more than just my dad.

Many of the options on the menu reflect it's loyal bodybuilder clientele.  With egg white omelets, steamed rice, and brown rice they offer some lighter diner style breakfasts.  Some of the non-traditional meats in the omelets include chicken and turkey.  It definitely sounds a little unorthodox, but it really does work.  I don't eat there because of the healthy options...I eat there because the food is great!

My father is no longer a bodybuilder, but I still go to Jacke's Place regularly.  My favorite breakfast is JP's Omelet.  It is an egg white omelet with turkey, portuguese sausage, extra turkey, extra portuguese sausage, jalapeño, and mozzarella...hmm!  I like to get mine with steamed rice on the side with a little soy sauce.  I know it sounds different, but it works.

For those of you who are not really into the alternative fare, there are still the regular eggs and sausage, biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, etc.  There is also a large variety of sandwiches, pies, soups and salads.  All it all, a great diner menu, but get there for breakfast or lunch, they close at 3:45p daily.


Jackie's Place:

Address - 2636 Spenard Road, Anchorage (next to Play it Again Sports and across from the Bear Tooth)

Phone - 907.274.3211

Website - www.jackiesplacerestaurant.com

Reservations - Seat yourself.  There are tables, booths, and seats around a counter.  Other than that, you have to wait for an opening.

Overall Recommendation:  Jackie's Place is an institution.  The food is very good.  Go there soon.

Sushi Ya

I got started on sushi relatively late in life, but I am fast gastro-learner, and I have come to love nearly every roll or style of sushi I have tried.  A couple of years ago some friends of mine introduced me to Sushi Ya and it is by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Anchorage.

The Nigiri sushi at Sushi Ya rivals rivals that I have had anywhere.  I have had the salmon, salmon roe, yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, eel, giant clam, shrimp, squid, octopus, and even sea urchin.  It is all great.  But what sets Sushi Ya apart is their rolls.

Their menu is chock full of the most artful and flavorful sushi rolls I have had.  From the basic rainbow and california rolls, to the more impressive boyfriend roll, the spicy dynamite roll, etc.  I have had around 10 different rolls over the years, and they are all worth trying.

In my mind, it is hard to be too disappointed with any of the sushi restaurants in Anchorage, but I would recommend getting over to Sushi Ya if you want the best.

Sushi Ya:

Address - 1111 E Dimond Blvd, Anchorage

Phone - 907.522.2244

Reservations - I have never needed any, but on a Friday or Saturday night, it might be a good idea to call ahead.

Overall Recommendation: There are many very good sushi restaurants in Anchorage, but Sushi Ya is my favorite.  It is the right size, has a friendly wait staff, and most of all, the sashimi and sushi rolls are amazing.

Guido's Pizza

My wife recently had a craving for the Guido's Greek Salad.  The Guido's Greek Salad is loaded with fresh mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, sliced Canadian bacon, salami, mozzarella, and feta cheese and topped with pepperoncinis, and it is served with a loaf of piping hot garlic bread.  When your wife has a craving for such a heroic salad...you make it happen.


As it turns out, I don't really mind helping her get her salad fix, since I enjoy quite a few of Guido's menu items as well.  I have enjoyed Guido's pizzas, calzones, strombolis, and subs.  They are all quite good.  My favorite is the stromboli; a cross between a calzone and a pocket pizza, filled with pepperoni, onions, Canadian bacon, black olives, mushrooms, green peppers, mozzarella, and our special sauce. Fresh-baked to order, inside you'll find turkey, ham, pastrami, cheese, mustard, and mayonnaise with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.  It is impossible to walk away hungry after taking on one of these creations.

As a swim coach, I have taken relatively large groups of swimmers to Guido's for lunches and dinners.  It has alway hit the spot with them.  They have enjoyed the items above as well as the lasagna and pasta dishes.  It is a nice spot for children of all ages with a very casual atmosphere.  Having said that, it is not at all my first choice for a romantic meal.


All in all Guido's is a pizza/Italian restaurant that will appeal to a broad range of people...definitely worth a try.

Guido's Pizza:

Address - 549 W International Road, Anchorage

Phone - 907.563.2222

Website - www.guidospizza.net

Reservations - Guido's has a very large dining room, but you can call ahead for a reservation.  They are able to facilitate pretty large groups as well.

Overall Recommendation:  Guido's is not the top Italian restaurant in town, nor is it the best pizza.  Having said that, it is not bad either.  If you are out for a more casual meal with pretty good pizza, calzones, and salad, then check it out.

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse is a downtown institution.  It is the brew pub that all other brew pubs want to be someday.  The combination of food and beer offerings make it one of Anchorage's top choices for a night out with your friends.

As a former downtown resident, I have to admit to that I have probably been to Humpy's at least 100 times over the years.  I can always find a beer that suits my "needs" and the hot wings are a staple...and maybe the best hot wings I have ever had (sorry Anchor Bar of Buffalo).

While I have gotten by on just the hot wings, I have to say that the rest of the menu is also quite good.  On the top of my list of menu favorite are:

• Halibut and Chips
• Smoked Salmon Caesar Salad
• Portobello Mushroom Burger
• Garden Burger
• Humpy Burger
• Halibut Tacos
• Italian Fetuccini
• Almost any of the Gourmet Pizzas (avoid the smoke salmon pizza)
• ...and for dessert, the Berry Crisp

Humpy's is a social hotspot with great food and beer on the evenings.  Check out the Bloody Mary bar on the weekends.  With televisions throughout the bar, it is not a bad place to watch the college or NFL games during football season.  All in all, a great place to go with your friends.

Humpy's:

Address - 610 W 6th Avenue, Anchorage

Phone - 907.276.BEER

Website - www.humpys.com/anc

Reservations - none taken.

Overall Recommendation:  Humpy's can be very crowded and loud, but the pub food is almost always very good, the beer selection is phenomenal, and you will almost always see a friend or two while you are there.

Barbie's Cafe - A doll of a restaurant

I have driven by Barbie's every day for the last month or so, and told myself I need to check it out.  I needed to take some of my swimmer's out for breakfast recently and decided that it was time.

The interior is clean with a classic cafe atmosphere.  We were seat in a corner and were very comfortable chatting about our upcoming events and activities.  When our server came by for our orders we were greeted warmly.

I of course asked what the best breakfast item on the menu was.  She replied "the eggs benee", so I of course ordered the Eggs Benedict.  She even asked me how I wanted the eggs to be (runny, solid, half-way).  I am not too picky, but it was nice to be asked.

I love eggs benedict when they are made up properly.  The eggs were done just right, and the hollandaise sauce was great (I just love a good hollandaise).  I even liked the hash browns, and I am usually unimpressed by most hash browns.

Barbie's Breakfast Burrito

Two of my swimmers had the breakfast burrito.  As you know, I have a weakness for such things.  Next time I will give it a shot.

I noticed that the cafe actually has an espresso machine.  If I were a coffee snob, they could whip me up a fancily named coffe drink.  I am not, but the Diet Coke was very good.  Definitely worth the drop in.  Give Barbie a try.

Barbie's Cafe

Address - 68th & Lake Otis Pkwy, Anchorage, AK

Phone - 907.344.4100

Website - on Facebook

Reservations - None needed.

Overall Recommendation:  This is a nice, newly renovated diner/cafe.  Breakfast is very good.

City Diner - A Spenard Classic

I was out running errands this morning and needed to to some shopping at REI.  Dang!  They didn't open until 10a...but wait, I have been meaning to try out that shiny City Diner near by.  Not being one to pass up an opportunity I decided to stop by for a late breakfast.

The inside of City Diner is gleaming with that old classic diner style.  The wait staff is wearing bright white smocks and bright white smiles.  It definitely made me think about the way diners look in those old movies.  A person could walk up to a stool and eat at the counter or take a booth...I took the booth.

The menu is chock full of choices, but the meatloaf and eggs jumped out at me for some reason.  Twelve ounces of meatloaf served with a brown mushroom gravy, two eggs (I like mine over easy), and some cheddar grits...mmmmm!  Comfort breakfast food.

The meatloaf was great!  Moist and savory, it was complimented by the gravy perfectly.  The cheddar grits take me back to my youth when my dad would make up grits every morning.  Oh yeah, and the eggs were good too.

I have to say, that one of the highlights of the meal was the beverage service.  I am one of those guys who drinks Diet Coke for breakfast (I know, I am a freak).  I ordered my DC and got a half pitcher and a glass of ice.  Very classy!...at least for a DC drinker.

The place has all of the character you look for in a classically styled diner...and good food to boot.  Definitely glad I had some time to kill

City Diner:

Address - 3000 Minnesota Drive, Spenard (Anchorage), AK

Phone - 277-CITY (for orders to go)

website - www.citydiner.org

Reservations - none needed

Overall Recommendation:   Go for it.  It is a gem!

Donna's Restaurant - Oh, Donna!

It's a beautiful day in Juneau, AK and the wife and I just worked up an appetite hiking up Mt. Roberts.  We need some good food and we are in the valley...got it...let's go to Donna's.  I have never been disappointed, and today is no different.

In the past I have had breakfasts, grilled ham & cheese sandwiches, soup, etc.  Today, however, I feel like a burger and when in Donna's eat Donna's Burger.  Her signature burger is an incredibly juicy quarter pound patty with salami, ham, cheese, and all the fixings.  Pow!  What a great burger...and perfectly prepared.  I wolfed it down in no time flat.  I love the way the salami, ham, and the beef play off each other and taste perfect.

You don't need to climb a mountain to go...you will be happy either way.

Donna's Restaurant:

Address - 9131 Glacier Highway, Juneau, AK 99801

Phone - 907-789-1470

Website -  www.donnasrestaurant.com

Reservations - none needed, but you could call ahead to see if they are busy.

Overall Recommendation:  This is a very good little diner with good breakfasts and good burgers, if you are out near the airport, give it a try.

The Island Pub - the Douglas Dynamo

After a day of hiking and exploring the Juneau/Douglas area there is one place you can count on to really satisfy...The Island Pub on Douglas.  There is no better choice for pizza in the Juneau area.

My wife and I warm-up with the Pizza Skins.  The Island Pub makes it's own garlic infused oil and then coats some of their great pizza crust and tops it with grated Parmesan.  It is great on it's own, but you can also get some dipping sauce (marinara, BBQ, bleu cheese, ranch).  Try the ranch...it tastes fresh and homemade.

We then had some of the gourmet pizza they are famous for.  Each year The Island Pub holds a pizza recipe contest for it's patrons.  We had the Napolitano Alfredo, the 2005 Gourmet Pizza Contest winner, you can draw your own conclusions about the name of the pizza, but it is packed with flavor.  It starts with an Alfredo sauce base, it is then generously topped with house and Parmesan cheeses, basil, sun dried tomatoes, crimini mushrooms, pepperoni, and roasted garlic.  On top of that near perfect crust, you have a work of art.  I would add marinated artichoke hearts, but it is nearly perfect as is.

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices on the menu though.  The ingredients are fresh and put on each pizza with care.  Add a pitcher of your favorite brew and you will be in heaven.

The Island Pub:

Address - 1102 2nd Street, Douglas, AK 88824

Phone - 907-364-1595

Website - theislandpub.com

Reservations - I have been twice and not needed them, but with as good as the food is I might call for a Friday/Saturday night.

Overall Recommendation:  This is the best pizza in Juneau, and one of the best pizzas I have had.  Go for it!

Douglas Cafe - breakfast on the island

Some Juneau friends picked us up at the hotel and then took us across the bridge for breakfast at the Douglas Cafe.  It was definitely a good choice...always trust the locals.

They have a specials board, but I ordered off the menu.  The Douglas Deluxe had, in parenthesis, "the all time favorite).  By now, you probably know that this is the signal that I usually am looking for when looking at a menu.  Rule number one: Always give the house special a shot.

The Douglas Deluxe has fried potatoes, onions, & tomatoes, topped with fresh spinach, cheddar, and 2 eggs (I prefer over easy) and a delicious salsa.  It comes with a side of toast, but I added some link sausage into the mix.  I love breakfast food, and I love spinach...need I say more.  I broke open the yolks and mixed it all together...rich, savory, delicious.

If you are looking for a hole in the wall diner with good breakfast, this is the place.  They are also supposed to have good burgers...I will have to give them a try someday.

Douglas Cafe:

Address - 916 3rd Street, Juneau, AK 99824

Phone - 907-364-3307

Website - none, but they do have a Facebook page

Reservations:  none, and the dining room is small, so you may need to wait....do it, you will be happy you did.

Overall Recommendation:  Great for breakfast.  Give it a try.

The Hanger on the Wharf

The Hanger on the Wharf is a kind of institution in Juneau.  The building is literally on the water and was formerly home to Alaska Coastal Airlines in the 1940's, but the restaurant was established in 1996.  The beer selection is great, the waitstaff is very attentive, and the pub food is very good.  However, in addition to their pub food menu, the Hanger has a more ambitious dinner menu.  This evening I took a chance...only to be disappointed.

Let me preface the rest of my review by stating that I have eaten at the Hanger several times and enjoyed eating there, but those times I ate off the pub menu eating things like fish 'n chips and burgers.  In those previous visits, I have always left satisfied.

We started with scallops wrapped in bacon.  The scallops tasted fine, but they were criminally overcooked, as was the bacon.  The resulting texture resemble more of a savory miniature hockey puck. The appetizer was followed by seafood chowder.  I like my chowder to be somewhere between thin and runny and so thick your spoon could stand up in it.  This chowder had decent flavor, but was extremely thin.  If I have to add a packet of oyster crackers to thicken it up, it is too thin.

The dinner menu features steaks, seafood dishes, chicken, etc.  I decided to try the Black & Bleu New York Steak.  The steak is rolled in freshly cracked black pepper, charbroiled and then topped with bleu cheese crumbles.  It was not horrible but, perhaps because of my previous experiences, I was expecting something special.  The steak was not a prime cut....it was thin, tough, and not very juicy.  The peppercorn was actually pretty good, but the bleu cheese was far from transcendant.  In a word disappointing....definitely not worth the $42 price tag.

The saving grace for the dinner service was the very attentive wait staff.  My water glass was never empty, and I never had finished dishes sitting in front of me for more than a few seconds.

It is possible that I just got a disappointing dinner.  I suspect that the downtown Juneau merchants and restaurants are overwhelmed with the beginning of tourist season and the cruise ships.  Having said that, it is time to pick up your game, not let it slip away...like a cruis ship in the night.

The Hanger on the Wharf:

Address - 2 Marine Way #106, Juneau, AK 99801

Phone - 907-586-5018

Website - hangar.hangaronthewharf.com

Reservations - Recommended, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, or if there is a cruise ship in town.

Overall Recommendation:  Eat from the pub menu.  It has always been good for me in the past.  The prices are more reasonable than the dinner menu...and the food is much better.

Capital Cafe - Maybe not so capital

My wife and I are in Juneau, for a wedding, for the weekend.  We are staying at the Westmark Baranof Hotel and decided to eat at the in hotel restaurant, the Capital Cafe.  I am usually a bit wary of in hotel cafe type restaurants.  They are not usually unique fine dining experience, and the Capital Cafe definitely backed up my instincts.  Let's just say, I saw the "Grand Slam Breakfast" as one of the options the menu...not really a good sign.

However, I also saw Eggs Benedict which I love...so I ordered those.  They weren't inedible, but I am pretty sure the hollandaise came from a packet and was not made from scratch.  Not much flavor or richness and it needed salt.  The eggs themselves were actually poached almost perfectly, so the breakfast was not a complete loss.  Add a side of extra greasy hash-browns, and lets just say I was underwhelmed.

The waitstaff was friendly, but the restaurant was loud with silverware and plates being bussed and dumped into bins.  Not really a relaxing environment, which I would have been able to overlook with great food, so....no joy.

Capital Cafe:

Address - 127 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801

Phone - 907-586-2660

Website - www.westmarkhotels.com/juneau-food.php

Reservations - probably not needed, but you could call ahead to see.

Overall Recommendation:  This not the worst hotel restaurant I have been to.  It serves an adequate variety of breakfast foods.  However, if you are looking for a great dining experience, look elsewhere.

Tommy's Burger Stop & Po Boy Shoppe

Friends have been recommending that I give Tommy's Burger Stop & Po Boy Shoppe a try for years now.  For some reason, I have never taken the opportunity to stop by.  It is located kitty-corner to REI on the southeast corner of Benson and Spenard.

I am a bit of a burger snob, and I think a lot of people rave about burgers that are pretty mediocre.  Tommy's Burger Stop burgers are pretty darn good!  You may want to wear a bib since the 5 ounce burgers are cooked perfectly and are very juicy.

I had the Stella Bleu Burger and my wife had the Bacon Cheeseburger.  They were brought to us at our outdoor table, and we immediately dove in.  The Stella had a generous amount of blue cheese crumbles and mozzarella.  My wife loved the crispy bacon.  Both burgers were juicy as can be.

We each had a side of fries (they were out of onion rings) and we were less than impressed.  They were cooked well, but the seasoning didn't really do much for us.  I would have like them to be a little more savory.

However, the fries won't keep me from going back.  I already have my eyes on the Sweet Charlotte, the RLE Hello Burger, and maybe a Po-Boy.


Tommy's Burger Stop & Po Boy Shoppe:

Address - 1106 West 29th Place (Benson & Spenard), Anchorage, 99503

Phone - 907-561-5696

Facebook Page

Reservations - None.  There is very limited seating inside the restaurant, which means on a busy weekday, the lunch crowd might have to dine out.  During the summer there is some outdoor seating.

Overall Recommendation:  Tasty burgers with ok fries.  STOP by and give it a try.

El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant - Muldoon Royalty

Just three blocks from the Glen Hwy, on Muldoon Road, is a nice little Mexican restaurant perfect for my trips home after a day of coaching at Bartlett Pool.  El Rodeo is not unlike many of the Mexican Restaurants in Anchorage, good food, good value, and a friendly staff.  The Muldoon area of Anchorage is lucky to have one of these gems.

I have probably driven past El Rodeo thousands of times.  Countless times I have told myself to go in, but today was my first time...it really hit the spot.  The menu has all of the greats:  enchiladas, tacos, burritos, chimichangas....huevos rancheros.  I love huevos rancheros, and when I see it on the menu, it is hard for me to resist ordering...this time I did not even try.

One of the great things about Mexican cuisine is that it does not take long to prepare.  Less than five minutes after placing my order, out came my 3 huevos.  They came with sides of refried beans and rice and several "supplemental" corn tortillas.  Now I am a bit of a ranchero sauce snob, and I was not too impressed with El Rodeo's version, but the dish was pretty good despite that one handicap.  One thing I really appreciated were the extra tortillas.  Most times I have had huevos rancheros, I have wished I had some extra to help collect the extra yolk, beans, and rice.

Needless to say, I am just moments from a food coma.  Why do I have such a weakness for tortillas?  ¡Ay, caramba! 


El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant:

Address - 385 Muldoon Rd., Anchorage, AK 99504

Phone -  907-338-5393

Website - www.elrodeoak.com

Reservations - Not sure if any are needed.  There are two dining areas with plenty of seating.

Overall Recommendation:  I nice option for those on the east side of Anchorage.  Good flavors, friendly service.

Romano's Italian & Seafood Restaurant

The first time I went to Romano's, I was with a group of swimmers, traveling from Fairbanks.  We enjoyed the escargot that night, and since then I have always had a special place in my heart for the place.

Most recently I took my wife for a Friday "date night".  We had a very friendly waiter who made us both smile and put us in a great mood.  Despite the fact that we heard a lot of noise from a birthday group in the same room, we were able to have a nice dinner for two.

I started with the minestrone which was very hearty and quite good.  We then enjoyed the stuffed mushrooms.  The fresh mushrooms were stuffed with a seafood dressing and then covered with light seafood cream sauce.  I would have preferred them to be cooked a little longer to blend the flavor of the stuffing and the mushrooms a bit, but they were still tasty.

My wife had the chicken fettuccini and she said it was one of the best in town.  I had one of the specials for the day, the Seafood Lasagna.  With shrimp, crab, and scallops that had first been sauteed with onions and red peppers, this version of Lasagna is outstanding.  The flavor and texture of the seafood shines through and blends perfectly with pasta, cheese, and sauce.  If I was not so full from my serving, I would love to have had a second serving.

While there are quieter, more intimate Italian restaurants in Anchorage, there are not any that show any more talent in blending seafood into their dishes.  The prices are primarily in the $15-$20 range and well worth the cost.  Give it a try.

Romano's Italian & Seafood Restaurant:

Address - 2415 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone - 907-276-0888

Website - www.romanosak.net

Reservations - Reservations are not accepted.  First come, first serve.  There are a lot of tables, so I can't imagine having to wait, but there is a bar if you need to wait for a table to open up.

Overall Recommendation:  This is a good restaurant with friendly waitstaff.  This is not a quiet, intimate restaurant.  There can be quite a bit of noise with voices carrying, but if you go on a slow night and are seated away from others, it can be a nice romantic dinner.  Having said that, the food is good and worth a try.