Mountain View Diner - Revitalizing Cuisine

I had just finished up practice and I was famished!  I needed a breakfast...emphasis on the FAST!  I opened up my Yelp! app on my iPhone and up came the Mt View Diner.  What the heck, it looks like it is worth a try.  I am really glad I went.

Now Mt. View is a neighborhood that has a bit of a bad reputation.  That said, the local businesses and community council are working hard to turn that reputation around.  I think the Mountain View Diner is helping out...in a big way.

The diner fresh, clean, and bright with tons of natural light.   There is a lot of seating and a very friendly staff.  I went for breakfast and went with an order of grits, biscuits and gravy, and an omelete (hey, I said I was famished).  Everything needed just a bit more salt, but I would rather have it a little under salted than over salted.

The grits were prepared just like my dad does them.  Add a pad of butter and


Mountain View Diner:

Address - 4133 Mountain View Dr, Anchorage

Phone - 907.277.0553

Website - www.mountainviewdineralaska.com


Overall Recommendation:  This diner is a bright spot in a neighborhood that is working hard to change it's reputation.  Clean, comfortable, bright, and inviting.  Worth a visit.

China Lights - Oriental Cuisine

My review of China Lights Restaurant is my 3rd of three reviews for Mongolian BBQ/Chinese buffets.  While China Lights does not offer a Mongolian BBQ, I am including it in the series because of it's vast buffet.

There is a menu at China Lights, but I have never looked at it.  There is no need to look at a menu when there is such a large buffet with such a huge selection.  There is sushi, kimchi, soup, seafood, and all of the Chinese dishes you would expect in this buffet.  It is vast, and all encompassing.  If you don't see something that appeals to you, just wait!  The staff is constantly bringing out new dishes and refreshing the selection.  They even have a decent selection of desserts...including soft serve ice cream!

I am not suggesting that China Lights offers the best versions of the dishes offered in their buffet, but I have not been disappointed by any of their offerings.  Sometimes quantity and selection is important.  When you are in this situation, go to China Lights!

China Lights:

Address - 9220 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage and 12110 Business Blvd, Eagle River

Phone - 907.522.5888 (Anchorage) and 907.694.8060 (Eagle River)

Website - www.chinalightsak.com

Overall Recommendation:  I have only ever been to the Anchorage location, but I have to say that it is the best buffet featuring Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes.  You can't find a larger selection and variety than China Lights.

Ding How Mongolian BBQ

The Ding How Mongolian BBQ review is the 2nd of my three part series of Mongolian BBQ and Chinese buffets.  The Ding How is a very clean, bright restaurant with a kind of upscale feel.  There is a buffet and a Mongolian BBQ.

I think that restaurants that feature a Mongolian BBQ offer Chinese buffets for people that don't like vegetables (LOL).  There are some good things in the buffet, like broccoli beef, but your best bet is the Mongolian BBQ.  

The Mongolian BBQ offers all of the fresh vegetables, pork, beef, chicken that you come to expect from a good Mongolian BBQ.  The service is friendly, but I have sometimes run into a language barrier.  That said, when you are on the east side of Anchorage, and feeling like some asian cuisine, there isn't too much better.  I say give it a try.

Ding How Mongolian BBQ:

Address - 1241 Muldoon Road, Anchorage 99504

Phone - 907.345.0033

Overall Recommendation:  Very good Mongolian BBQ.  Fairly typical, so-so Chinese buffet.

Twin Dragon Mongolian BBQ

This is my first entry in a series of Chinese food reviews.  The chinese buffet is a ubiquitous thing in Anchorage, and there are a few Mongolian BBQ's in town as well.  I thought I would go ahead and review them in a quick series for comparison.

One of my favorite places to go for a quick, healthy, and tasty meal is Twin Dragon.  They are located near downtown, but they don't seem to be too long of  drive from most of Anchorage.  The inside is a bit drab and aged, but it is clean and casual, and with a friendly staff.

Twin Dragon features not only a Mongolian BBQ, but a Chinese buffet with a limited number of offerings.  In my opinion, it is not worth filling up on the average buffet.  On the other hand, the Mongolian BBQ is quite good.

The BBQ offers the usual beef, pork, and chicken, as well as all of the fresh veggies that you normally  associate with a Mongolian BBQ.  There is no secret formula that I am aware of, just fresh food that is cooked fast and healthy.

Twin Dragon Mongolian BBQ:

Address - 615 E 15th Ave, Anchorage 99501

Phone - 907.276.7535

Overall Recommendation:  Go for the BBQ, leave the buffet.

VIP Restaurant - Korean

As a swim coach I have families with kinds of different ethnic backgrounds.  I have had a Korean family on my team who eats at the VIP once a week, and they rave about it.  Recently I took my wife and we gave it a try.

banchan

The ambience is pretty generic, but the service was fast and friendly.  We had not really had Korean before, so my wife tried the bibimbap while I tried a spicy squid and vegetable dish.  We were both very pleased with the meal.  To be honest, I was sweating through mine, but it was a pleasant heat that I got from the food.

The dinner came with an array of banchan, which is a variety of small dishes with vegetables, pickles, etc.  I would pick from the banchan and augment a bite of my squid dish.  With so many choices, it was like getting a different palate sensation with each bite.

Bibimbap

The bibimbap (mixed meal) came in a bowl with vegetables, an egg, and beef.  You literally mix it together yourself and go to town!  My wife loved it!  There are a variety of bibimbap to choose from, and I can't imagine any of them are bad.

Both of use were both stuffed afterward, but without much guilt.  Most of the meal is vegetables, and pretty healthy.  Not to bad for someone who is watching what they eat.



VIP Restaurant:

Address - 555 W Northern Lights Blvd, #105, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone - 907.279.7549

Overall Recommendation:  When Korean families I know rave about the authenticity of the food, I know it must be good.  I think it is a stand out for ethnic food in Anchorage.  Be adventurous and give it a try.

Granny B's Cafe - Hole in the wall that fills hole in stomach

I drove past this hole in the wall, old time strip mall, full parking lot, and made a mental note..."Gotta give Granny B's a try".  Today I did, and I am really glad I finally did.  Granny B's is a little gem on the south edge of Spenard, on Tudor.

Granny B's offers up a small menu with breakfast and lunch.  They serve it up fresh, fast, and friendly...with generous portions.  I am a breakfast lover, and I was famished, so I ordered up Nat's Omelet: grilled turkey, crispy bacon, and swiss cheese.  For an extra $1 I traded up my toast for a biscuit, and then ordered a side of gravy.

The omelet was above average, but filled with a hearty blend of turkey, bacon, and swiss, and then topped with more swiss and more bacon.  With the side of crispy hash browns (just the way I like them) it would have been more than enough.  But wait!  Don't forget that biscuit and gravy!

In my opinion there is only one place in Anchorage with a better biscuit and gravy (my beloved Spenard Roadhouse).  These are fresh and piping hot, and the gravy has a nice sausage/gravy ratio.

Granny's is not going to blow you away with fancy culinary offerings like the Spenard Roadhouse, but it is perfect for what it has to offer.  This is a cozy little place with great historical photos and blue collar dishes.  I doubt you will be disappointed, and hey, any place that actually has a condiment table with a variety of hot sauces from which to choose is pretty great in my book.

Granny B's Cafe:

Address - 1201 W Tudor Road, Suite 2, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone - 907.563.0476

Overall Recommendation:  This cozy little place is worth a try.  Cash Only!  They don't accept credit or debit cards!

Turkey Red - Sophistication with a Mission...in the Mat-Su

I was in the Mat-Su with my in laws and used my Yelp iPhone app to discover my current Mat-Su favorite...Turkey Red.  Until Turkey Red, I had no idea that Palmer had an upscale restaurant, let alone one with such a great mission:

Turkey Red is dedicated to serving fresh, high quality, local and organic ingredients prepared in traditional ways with care and creativity. We purchase and employ locally to: 

• Retain money in the community

• Promote Local Agriculture

• Increase flavor and nutrition of food

• Lower energy use

 The well-trained staff will provide the most thorough and caring service. Our top priority is happy customers. Turkey Red is the inspiration of local cook, caterer and gardener, Alex Papasavas.

Let me say up front...Mission Accomplished!

That said, let me write about my dinner at Turkey Red.  We started with the Hummus and Crostini ai Funghi appetizers.  The Hummus could have used a bit more salt, but it was unrivaled in rich creaminess.  The Crostini ai funghi was simple and delicious, with sautéed Portobello served over the bread.  We combined the appetizers with a biodynamic Maryhill, Sangiovese from Washington state...perfect!

For an entree, I went with the light and fresh Chicken brushetta.  The thin slices of grilled chicken breast were incredibly tender, and topped with fresh tomato and basil.  I could tasted the garden freshness of the topping, as well as the fresh sautéed side of vegetables.  This dish was a wonderful light option to what could be an overfilling meal.

The four of us shared a couple of desserts.  We tried the yogurt cheesecake with raspberries, and the chocolate flourless cake...also with raspberries.  Besides going perfectly with our choice of wine, these two desserts each satisfied palate in different ways.  The cheesecake was both light and fruity on the palate, while the chocolate cake satisfied the need for richness and sweetness.  Alternating bites of each, along with sips of the Sangiovese, was an amazing way to finish the meal.  Our group was all smiles!

The food was great, but the best part of the meal may have been the friendly waitstaff!  So friendly and pleasant, it was an absolute pleasure to be waited on by our server and the support staff.  It has been a while since I was so happy with a restaurant's service.  A huge thumbs up from the diners in my group.

Turkey Red:

Address - 550 S Alaska St, Suite 100, Palmer, AK 99645

Phone - 907.746.5544

Website - www.turkeyredak.com

Overall Recommendation:  Turkey Red is a wonderful little restaurant with the freshest variety of locally inspired dishes.  I would recommend this restaurant on it's commitment to keep money local alone.  The tasty food is just a bonus.

El Tango - Hearty Latin American Fare

Several years ago I had some friends, who had lived in South America, take me to the El Tango Restaurant, and I thought it was high time I took my wife so she could experience some authentic Latin American fare.  Like I really need an excuse to have good food!

It is important to remember that Latin American does not necessarily mean Mexican.  In fact, if you go to El Tango expecting to get a taco, you will be disappointed.  El Tango serves up authentic Argentinian, Columbian, and Puerto Rican dishes, and they are generous...and delicious.

We started off with Argentinean empanadas and calamari.  The calamari was good, but the empanadas may have been the stars of the meal.  These handmade flour shells were filled with tasty ground beef, eggs, and olives.  My wife and I loved them.  These little pastries definitely got the old juices flowing for dinner, but I was half tempted to just keep ordering more of these little delights.  Given the size of my entree', I am glad I controlled myself.

For my entree' I chose the Victoria's Grill.  This Argentinian dish features short rib, skirt steak, chicken breast, Argentinean Sausage, Morcilla, Veal Kidneys, and Sweetbreads.  The entire meal comes served in a large grill pan (with candles underneath) sizzling with the variety of meats, sausages, and organs.  I think the short rib, skirt steak and chicken was all fine, but I was especially pleased with the other, more exotic offerings.  The Argentinean Sausage was savory and had plenty of snap.  The kidney was firm and seasoned just right.  The sweetbreads (thymus) were tender and savory, with an almost creamy texture.  The Morcilla (blood sausage) was my favorite.  I have not had a blood sausage before, and I am not sure what I expected, but it was great!  It was meatier than I would expect from a "blood" sausage, and seasoned so as to be mildly savory....excellent texture.

The Victoria's Grill is easily enough to serve two people (maybe 3 or 4).  Come with an apetite.  I am looking forward to going back and trying some Columbian or Puerto Rican dishes.

El Tango:

Address - 4300 Old Seward Hwy

Phone - 907.770.2888

Website - www.eltangoak.com

Overall Recommendation:  I like El Tango for the variety it offers when considering date night options.  The portions are very generous and the meals tasty.  I have been told by friends who have lived in South America, that El Tango's food is very authentic.  Give it a try....and be prepared to bring home a doggy bag.

Summit Spice and Tea Company

I first discovered Summit Spice and Tea Company when I was looking for just the right finish on my hollandaise sauce.  I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew it was missing something...something that the recipe didn't call for...I just wasn't sure.  I googled spices and Anchorage, and there it was.  I didn't have any idea that Anchorage had any such store.  By the way, the black truffle salt was just what I was looking for.

When you first walk into either of the shops, you are greeted with hundreds of aromas.  Some come from the 150+ tea blends that they have to offer.  Still others come from the 250+ spices, spice blends, and seasonings they have in the store.  I am sure their teas are good, but since I am not much of a tea drinker, I am more fascinated by their array of seasonings.

Summit Spice and Tea has dozens of their own house blends ranging from curries, to rubs, popcorn seasonings, and more.  It is a wonderful experience just to visit the store and smell the different varieties they have to offer.  Most of their selections offer a smelling tin that you can open and "sample".  The only problem with this is when you overdo it, and send yourself into a sneezing jag.

There are a variety of dried mushrooms and chilis to choose from, as well as great selection of specialty salts.  They have cooking oils, designer sauces, vinegars, and olives.  There are chocolates, scones, mixes, and biscotti.  I think I could spend hours exploring each of their two locations.

For the food lover and/or cook, Summit Spice and Tea Company is a bit of a playground.  It has those hard to find items, and it is a place that inspires a person's culinary creativity.  Check it out today.


Summit Spice and Tea Company:

Addresses and Phone -

• South Anchorage - 1120 Huffman Rd, Suite 1, Anchorage, 99515;   907.348.2585
• Midtown Anchorage - 3030 Denali, Suite 2, Anchorage, 99503;   907.375.1975

Website - www.summitspiceandtea.com

Overall Recommendation:  Summit Spice and Tea Company is filled with wonderful scents and dynamic flavors.  Anyone looking for top notch, fresh, and unique spices, teas, and specialty food choices, should check out one, or both of these shops.  You don't know what your palate has been missing!

OEC Revolving Sushi Bar - Deliciousness gliding by

One of my friends recently told us about a new sushi bar in Anchorage.  My wife and I decided to check it out, and we enjoyed the OEC Revolving Sushi Bar a great deal.  Before you read on, please watch the video below, so that you get an idea of what a revolving sushi bar is.

You can take a seat at a table next to the conveyor belt or sit at the bar.  Either way, your choice of rolls, sushi, and other tasty offerings glide by.  If you see something that looks good, you take it off and enjoy.  The plates you pull off are color coded.  At the end of your meal, your server adds up your plates, and you have your bill.  Prices per dish range from $2-$5, and the variety of offerings are pretty good.

If you don't see something on the revolving menu that strikes your fancy, you can always order off their menu.  The menu features a pretty extensive selection including, tempura, teriyaki, yakisoba, rolls, nigiri, desserts, and more.

My wife and I ate exclusively off of the revolving bar, and had everything from raw tuna and salmon, to california rolls, and specialty rolls.  It is not the best I have had in Anchorage, but it was fun watching the food glide by and then choosing our meal.  It would have been great to have been in a big group, which would have allowed us to sample more plates.

I have to say that we spent a bit more than we probably would have at a traditional sushi restaurant, but then again, I think we got a bit more variety.  In all, I would say the trade off was worth it.  It is a fun place to dabble in sushi.

OEC Revolving Sushi Bar:

Address - 1200 W Northern Lights Blvd, Suite H, Anchorage, 99503

Phone - 907.277.7655

Website - www.oecalaska.com

Overall Recommendation:  OEC Revolving Sushi Bar is an entertaining take on sushi dining.  I imagine it being great for groups and sharing.  If you are looking for sushi that will blow your mind, there are a few better choices in Anchorage.  The sushi is okay, but the main reason for going to OEC is the presentation and selection of offerings.  Give it a try!  It is a fun place to dine.

The Sea Bean Cafe - Sunshiny Happiness in Seward

When I found out that one of my coaching colleagues owned a cafe in Seward, Alaska, I was intrigued.  When he showed up at the last swim meet with a copy of his menu, I was sold.  I let Coach Matt Hershock know I would be in for a visit to his Sea Bean Cafe...and soon.  I was looking to spend some quality time with my wife, this seemed like it would be perfect for a day trip.

The item on the menu that attracted me to visit the Sea Bean was the Sunshine Sandwich of Happiness.  This delight is a panini ham, Tillamook cheddar, and macaroni and cheese.  If reading that doesn't put a smile on your face, then you have no culinary soul.  The panini would be good with just the ham and cheese, but with the macaroni and cheese, you elevate it to one of the best comfort foods I have had the pleasure to eat.  My wife and I both loved it!

I also tried the BLT.  Actually I had a BBLT (a little extra bacon!).  This panini featured my double bacon (a special request), lettuce, tomato, as well as Tillamook cheddar, avocado, and red onion.  This panini was a perfect compliment to the soup of the day, which may have been the star of my lunch.  The soup de jour was a Chicken Enchilada Baja, and it was great!  Creamy, savory, spicy....just right!  Perfect for dipping.

Today we visited for lunch, but we might go for breakfast next time.  Sea Bean has a great looking selection of coffee drinks and a nice selection of breakfast and bakery items.  There is even a nice little selection of ice cream and desert options.  Unfortunately for my wife and I, we were too stuffed from our lunch to partake of anything more that the Sea Bean had to offer.  I guess we will just have to go back :)


The Sea Bean Cafe:

Address - 225 4th Ave, Seward, Alaska

Phone - 907.224.6623

Website - seabeancafe.com

email - seabeancafe@gmail.com

Overall Recommendation:  The Sea Bean has a relaxing and inviting vibe.  It's motto is "Sit. Sip. Surf.", and I think it is perfect.  If you are looking for a laid back space with all of the best that a modern day coffee house has to offer, this is the spot.  Great for the locals for sure, but it is even great for a day trip from Anchorage.  The next time you are in Seward, go in, enjoy, and relax.

Nino's Italian Eatery - The best ziti this side of New York

I was recently talking with a New York native, and she was raving about the baked ziti at Nino's.  She claimed that Nino's baked ziti was better than any she had tasted back east.  I was intrigued, and it wasn't long before I found myself seated in the Nino's dining room.

I had heard about the Garlic Knots and how great they were.  I was a bit disappointed, as I was hoping for a bit more garlic flavor from the knots, however the marinara dipping sauce was outstanding!  The sauce was bright and flavorful.  All in all good.

I also tried the sautéed spinach with garlic and oil.  The balance of garlic and spinach flavors was spot on.  I enjoyed the fresh flavor of the spinach cutting through the appetizer.  It would be easy for the garlic to overwhelm the delicate flavor of the spinach.

I love eggplant, so I went with the Baked Ziti with eggplant.  I was served a generous dish of gooey, cheesy, and delicious pasta.  The eggplant had been thinly sliced, breaded, and cooked perfectly.  The pasta was just a touch overcooked, but the cheese and marinara helped overcome that slight error.  I could have easily eaten the entire dish, but I knew if I ate all of the dish, as rich as it was, I would pay later.  I also knew I would enjoy it just as much as a leftover at home...little did I know that my wife would finish it for me :)

I have to say I really enjoyed the contrast in textures between the pasta, cheese, and eggplant.  They came together very well, and I have not had any other pasta dish like it in Anchorage.  I can imagine being served this dish in New York City's Little Italy.

Nino's Italian Eatery:

Address - 831 E 36th, Anchorage, 99503

Phone - 907.336.NINO

Website - ninositalianeatery.com

Reservations - None.  They do cater and you can call in for carry out.

Overall Recommendation:  There are some good Italian restaurants in Anchorage.  Nino's lacks a bit in ambiance, as it reminds me a bit of a cafeteria.  However, I think that Nino's is among the best when it comes to pasta dishes.  Come with an appetite!

Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ - Southern Style in Indian

It is a beautiful Easter day in Anchorage.  The sun is shining, and the weather is supposed to be sunny and warm, despite our record setting snow day (yesterday).  We decided to pack up the dogs, grab the camera, and walk the dogs on the crust at Placer River.

On our way out we see Dahl Sheep (this is why we brought the camera, just in case) and then pass by this building (see picture to the right).  I told my wife that we would have to stop on the way back home...boy am I glad we did.

The Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ is just outside Anchorage, in a place called Indian.  It has a drive thru window, and about 7 or so tables for inside dining.  That said, it looks like there will be plenty of outside seating once summer hits.  The menu offers pulled pork, brisket, baby back ribs, St. Louis ribs, and a variety of sides.  Every order comes with sides of very tasty baked beans and a vinegar based slaw.

I have actually been craving brisket, so I ordered some sliced brisket, while my wife ordered a brisket sandwich.  We ordered fried pickles and fried okra to round out our meal.

The pickles and okra came first.  The pickles are thin sliced, battered and then fried.  The okra is cut in about 1/4 inch slices, battered and fried.  They both come with a tasty dipping sauce that seems to be the perfect compliment.  I had to hold myself back a bit, so that I could enjoy my brisket.

The brisket was delivered sliced, juicy, and delicious to our table.  I can honestly say, that I have never had a better brisket.  Words can not describe how tender each slice was, or just how juicy.  I was over whelmed.  It would have been perfect without any BBQ sauce, but the Turnagain Arm Pit has three house sauces: their original house BBQ sauce (excellent), a tangy Mustard Sauce (even better), and their new spicy BBQ sauce (perfect).  I tried each sauce 2-3 times, and I was please with each, although the new spicy sauce was my favorite.

I have to say, that I was also very impressed with the beans and slaw that was served with the brisket.  The beans are a special 6 bean recipe, packed with plenty of flavor.  The slaw is a vinegar based slaw (no mayonaise), which is a perfect accent to what could be a heavy meal.  I think both compliment the BBQ very well.  The beans deepen your BBQ flavor experience, while the slaw is light, and serves to cleanse your palate.  These sides are perfect.

My hat is off to Pit Master Jack Goodsell (aka Goodsmell).  I will be back.

Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ:

Location - Milepost 103.5 Seward Hwy, Indian Alaska.  About 17 miles south of Anchorage and 12 miles north of Girdwood.

Phone - 907.653.1953

Website - www.turnagainarmpit.com

Reservations - None.  But they do cater.

Overall Recommendation:  I can't believe you are still sitting there reading this review.  Go!  Now!

Bear Tooth Grill - Tex-Mex in Spenard

The Bear Tooth Grill is the restaurant on the other end of the Bear Tooth Theatre Pub building, but don't be fooled, it offers a completely different menu than the theatre pub.  Think of Tex-Mex meets gourmet pub grub, meets tequila bar.  This is one of the hot spots in the Spenard dining scene, and it has yet to disappoint.

I recently made it in for brunch.  I didn't even now they had a brunch, but boy do they ever.  I was looking for comfort food, and I got it...with a kick.  

I am a biscuit and gravy snob.  A good biscuit and gravy has a special biscuit and a gravy with layers of complex flavors.  The Bear Tooth Grill's biscuit is house made and fluffy.  The sausage gravy has a hint of smoked paprika and, what I suspect is, a pinch of cayenne.  The flavors are subtle, and I would recommend the dish, however, it was just an appetizer for me.

For my brunch main course, I ordered the Spenard Starter.  It is a huge meal served in an oversized bowl.  The polenta is cut in about 1.5" cubes and drenched in a lightly spices shrimp and chorizo cream sauce.  On top of it all are two over easy eggs.  It is massive, and very satisfying.  The cream sauce is light and not too rich.  The shrimp and chorizo give just the right amount of kick to the bowl, and the polenta makes it filling.  Just cutting into the eggs, and letting that yolk run over the rest of the ingredients...it just gives the meal that wholesome mouth feel.

The flavors were all spot on, although the polenta was a little tough, and some of the shrimp were a little gritty.  That said, this is a dynamite dish!  There is so much, that combined with my "appetizer", I had to get a to go box.  In case you are wondering, the Spenard Starter, when reheated at home, makes a great dinner too.

Bear Tooth Grill :

Address - 1230 West 27th Avenue


Phone - 907.276.4200


Website - beartooththeatre.net

Reservations - Walk-ins only.  It can get busy on Friday and Saturday nights.  If you show up for brunch, around 10a, you should get seated pretty quickly (if not immediately).


Overall Recommendation:  The Bear Tooth Grill fills a special niche in Anchorage.  It's menu is unique, and it is one of the nicest casual dining restaurants in town.  It is a great compliment to their theatre pub.  The Bear Tooth Grill is part of the Spenard Renaissance, check it out!

Villa Nova Restaurant - Italian cuisine with a special atmosphere

Villa Nova Restaurant is another one of those strip mall gems that Anchorage is known for.  Located on Arctic Blvd, and not too far from the Ted Stevens International Airport, Villa Nova is a very nice "date night" option.

Our Friday night meal featured a classical guitarist who played beautiful acoustic pieces throughout the evening.  We enjoyed the music and began our meal with the Escargot.  The appetizer featured six mushroom caps, each stuffed with snails, fresh garlic, Italian herbs, and olive oil.  The dish is baked and served in the same dish, and brought to the table piping hot.  I love Villa Nova's escargot, and I could have eaten this dish all night.  The oil and herb mixture made a great dipping option for the bread at the table, and the escargot stuffed mushrooms are a wonderful combination of textures and flavor.  The almost sweet flavor of the snail blend with the earthy flavors of the mushrooms and the bold, rich flavors of the oil and herbs.

I also enjoyed my house salad.  I chose the garlic dill dressing, which was new to me.  It is a creamy dressing with highlights of garlic and dill, but subtle and balanced.  The romain lettuce, carrots, legumes, and tomatoes were all fresh and bright.

For my main course I chose the Tournedos Fra Diavolo.  These two, very tender, filet mignon medallions are each served with a delicious sautéed prawn and a mushroom, crushed red pepper sauce.  The filets were so tender I could cut them with my fork.  The prawns were succulent and flavorful enough to stand up to the spicy sauce.  The sauce really brought the dish together, but without overpowering any of the components.  I still got the great flavor of the filets, prawns, and mushrooms, all the while feeling the warmth of the crushed red peppers.

My wife chose the Pate a Choux for dessert.  It is a homemade puff pastry filled with homemade chocolate mousse, all topped with a dark chocolate sauce.  I only meant to have one bite, but ended up having 3 or 4.  Ooops.  The puff pastry was flaky with a little crisp, and the mousse was light and airy.  A decadent dessert for the likes of me.  Quite good.

To my way of thinking, Villa Nova is on par with the best of Anchorage's Italian restaurants.  Definitely a good choice for a night out.

Villa Nova Restaurant:

Address - 5121 Arctic Blvd, Suite 1, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone - 907.561.1660

Website - www.villanovaalaska.com

Reservations - Highly Recommended.

Overal Recommendation -  Villa Nova is a very good option for Italian dining in Anchorage.  They are the place to go if you are on the west side of town, or coming back from a trip to the airport.

Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop - So good, it brings tears of joy to your eyes

I am literally licking my lips as I write this.  The rich, bright, flavors of my whole wheat focaccia still linger on my lips and palate.  I can't believe I waited this long to make it to the Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop.  To date, it is the highlight of my culinary year.

The focaccia is made with whole wheat flower and seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and salt.  It is this already delicious base, upon which the delectable ingredients wait...to pounce on my taste buds.  My selection had pesto, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese.  This offering is full of powerful flavors, yet somehow delicate.  The bread itself is incredibly fresh, moist, and fluffy.  The pesto, when combined with the tomato, sings.  The mushrooms give the meal an almost meaty quality.  I am in love.

So good was the focaccia, that I did not hesitate to dive into the Kalamata olive, artichoke heart, and feta croissant.  It was so light and flaky on the outside, and yet, hidden within are the slightly melted and married flavors of the olives, chokes, and feta.  Amazing!  I feel like I am in the mediterranean...the only thing I am missing is a bottle of chianti.

I also picked up a whole wheat baguette to go with my dinner.  If it is just 1/10th as good as the focaccia and croissant, I will be completely satisfied.  Before today, I had never even heard of a whole wheat baguette.

The only thing that will keep me from going back to Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop is the fact that I want to try to keep my waistline in check.  This bakery is amazing!

Fire Island Rustic Bakery:

Address - 1343 G Street, Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone - 907.569.0001

Email - fireislandbread@gmail.com

Website - www.fireislandbread.com

Reservations - NA

Overall Recommendation - This is absolutely the best bakery in Anchorage.  Fresh, rich, and wholesome. What are you doing still reading this?  Go to Fire Island Rustic Bakery...now!

CampoBello Bistro - Mediterranean in Midtown

I have said it before, but it bears repeating :  It is amazing the number of great restaurants in Anchorage that are in strip malls!  CampoBello Bistro is one of those strip mall gems, and it is in the heart of midtown Anchorage.  My wife enjoy the service, wine list, and food at this small restaurant.  We just recently made it back and were not disappointed.

We started with the Bruschetta Pomodora.  Savory grilled seasoned bread with fresh Roma marinara, basil, mozzarella, and parmesan.  Warm, savory, tangy, this appetizer sings on your palate.  This is a great way to start your meal...give it a shot.

Next we had the house caesar.  This is not a bad caesar salad, but it is no stand out, especially when compared to the rest of the meal.  I recommend going with the soup.

For my main course, I chose the Calamari Scallopini.  I have to respect the chef who can cook a fillet of calamari just right.  The calamari are so tender and mild.  They pair perfectly with the lemony caper picatta sauce.  It would be easy to overcook the calamari, or to have the picatta overpower the delicate calamari.  This presentation is just right.  Served with CampoBello's layered scalloped potatoes.  What a combination.

To cleanse our palate we chose a dessert of lemon ice cream.  Scratch made in the restaurant, this is a perfect little bite to share with someone special, and not feel over stuffed.

All in all, another nice meal in one of the best kept secrets in Anchorage.

CampoBello Bistro:

Address - 601 W. 36th, Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone - 907.563.2040

Website - www.campobellobistro.com

Reservations - Walk-ins are welcome, but I recommend calling ahead.

Overall Recommendation - This is a nice little restaurant with a tasty menu, nice wine list, and reasonable prices.  I recommend giving CampoBello's a try.

Snow City Cafe - Community Minded with a Dash of Politics

Snow City Cafe has quite a following among a certain cross section of my friends.  These friends are heavy on things like organic food, vegan recipes, locally grown ingredient, etc.  If this sounds like your kind of place, then you need to go...now!

Regardless of your socio-political leanings, Snow City is the downtown spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.  Hmmm, I guess I could have just said brunch.  The food is fresh and very good.  I have been twice in the last couple of weeks, once for breakfast, and once for lunch.

For breakfast I had the B.O.B. (aka The Best of Both Benedicts).  It features a blend of their traditional Eggs Benedict and their Eggs Florentine.  Two poached eggs, fresh spinach, Roma tomato slices, English muffin, and Hollandaise comprise the B.O.B.  While I found the Hollandaise to be a little watery and flabby, the rest of the B.O.B. to be perfect.  The spinach and Roma slices bring a freshness to the plate and are quite tasty.

Snow City's Cowboy Meatloaf Sandwich

For lunch I had the very hearty Cowboy Meatloaf sandwich.  Made with hormone and antibiotic free beef, this sandwich is great!  Served on marble rye with bacon, cheddar, Roma tomatos, and crispy onion straws, you just know this sandwich will be delicious, and then bam!  You get the homemade BBQ dipping sauce.  I get a nice zing in the layers of flavor in that sauce...perhaps something fruity?  I have to say, it is a very good sandwich.

The only drawback to Snow City Cafe is that they may alienate some potential clientele, with the open display of politics in the restaurant, and even at your table.  Table cards and posters abound, and there is no question which side of the aisle the owners are on.

Politics aside, this is a good restaurant with an above average menu.

Snow City Cafe:

Address - The corner of W 4th Ave and L Street in downtown Anchorage

Phone - 907.727.2489

Website - www.snowcitycafe.com

Reservations - First come, first serve.

Overall Recommendation - If you are the kind of person who would be unable to enjoy some great food because of the kind of politics espoused in Snow City, then I would not go.  If, on the other hand, you aren't bothered by such things...then don't miss it.

Olive Garden - The Italian Sensation Arrives in the Last Frontier

For years rumors of Anchorage getting it's very own Olive Garden have circulated.  When the latest rumors started, I was dubious.  However, with the announcement for the opening of Olive Garden at Tikahtnu Commons, in north Anchorage, my doubts were erased.  Anchorage has finally arrived!

OK, maybe that is a bit dramatic, and I'll be honest, I am not much of a chain restaurant diner.  I lean toward the local eateries, as opposed to the national institutions.  What do you expect, I am just a boy from North Pole with a love of food.  We never had much in the way of national franchise restaurants when I was growing up.

I have been to Olive Garden before, in the Seattle area, on trips with swimmers (I am a swim coach too).  As a result, I have never really been able to relax and enjoy myself while dining at an Olive Garden.  That changed tonight, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

My wife and I started with the Stuffed Mushroom appetizer.  These tender mushrooms were stuffed with clams, herb breadcrumbs, and a blend of parmesan, romano, and mozzarella cheeses.  What can I say?  They were delicious!  I am lucky there were only 6 of them, or I could have gone on eating those decadent starters.

We moved on to soup and salad...I had both.  The Garden-Fresh Salad is popular for very good reasons: it is very tasty, and it is bottomless.  The house Italian dressing is bright with flavor, and quite rich.  The tomatoes, lettuce, etc are all fresh and flavorful.  It is not the lightest salad around, but it hits the spot.

For soup, I chose the Pasta e Fagioli.  Now, I love soup.  In fact, I am a bit of a soup snob.  Again, I have to say, that Olive Garden has a nice zuppe.  The fagioli has white and red beans, a bit of ground beef, and tomatoes, all served up with some tender pasta in a nicely seasoned broth.  It is full of savory goodness, and very wholesome.  I had to hold back on getting a refill.

Olive Garden's Venetian Apricot Chicken

With such a rich and delicious start to the meal, I new I had better watch myself on the entree'.  I chose the Venetian Apricot Chicken.  The plate comes with grilled chicken breast in an apricot citrus sauce.  It also comes with asparagus, broccoli, and diced tomatoes.  If you are looking to watch your calories, this is an excellent choice.

The entree' was probably the weakest part of the meal, but it was still pretty good.  The grilled chicken breasts weren't the most tender I have had, but they were cooked properly and were not dried out.  The broccoli and tomatoes were a bit limp and mushy, but the asparagus was just right.  The apricot citrus sauce is a bit on the sweet side, but not cloyingly sweet.  If the sauce were just a bit more savory than sweet, I would say it was perfect.

Speaking of sweet, we decided to share a dessert.  We were both pretty full, so it is nice that Olive Garden has Dolcini.  These little desserts offer up 2-3 bites, but are great way to finish a meal.  We had the Strawberry & White Chocolate Cream Cake.  It was a nice little cake with strawberry syrup, whipped cream, and white chocolate chips.  A pretty nice ending to a very nice meal.


Olive Garden:

Address - 1186 N Muldoon Road, Anchorage, AK 99504 & locations across the country.

Phone - 907.333.1300

Website - www.olivegarden.com

Reservations - None taken.  It is first come, first serve.  The Anchorage Olive Garden is the hottest place in town right now, so expect a wait.  I have heard that, on a Friday night, you could expect up to two and a half hour wait.  If you go earlier in the week, and go after 8p, you will have a much shorter wait.  They also have a Take Out menu, so that is an option as well.

Overall Recommendation - I enjoyed my dinner.  The appetizers, soup, salad (and breadsticks) are very good!  My server was friendly and very attentive.  If you don't like to wait more than an hour for a table, consider a less popular dining time....or their Take Out menu.

Stark Street Pizza - Best Crispy Crust in the Northwest

I am in the Portland area for a few days for a swim meet.  Challenge - find a place to feed a group of 20+ swimmers, parents, and coach.  Solution - Stark Street Pizza!

For great and fast pizza, Stark Street is the place to go.  They have great pizza and a huge salad bar.  I am currently in a state of bliss from the creation I just had; a thin crust pizza with pepperoni (I love those little Stark Street pepperonis), pepperoncini peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.  The crust is the key.  It is light, crunchy, and savory, but it stands up to the toppings.  It is outstanding, and it is probably the best thin crust pizza I have ever had.

Go!


Stark Street Pizza:

Address - 9234 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97216

Phone - 503.255.2364

Website - starkstreetpizzaco.com

Reservations - If you are bringing in a large group, call ahead.  They do have large banquet room that can seat 65 people.  Otherwise walk in, order, and have a seat.

Overall Recommendation - I love the crust of this pizza!  If you are in Portland it is worth the trip.

Kincaid Grill - "Fine Dining Without Attitude"

Nestled at the end of the mall on the northwest corner of the "Four Corners" neighborhood of Anchorage is the Kincaid Grill.  My wife and I recently made our first visit to the acclaimed restaurant, and we were excited to try Chef Al's restaurant.  The dining area is well lit with a medium noise level and plenty of seating.  There is a well stocked bar and a nice wine list.

I did a little online research before going to the Kincaid Grill, so I had a good idea of what I was going to order, however, the specials for the night were tempting, and we both tried some of those offerings.

We started with the Roasted Oysters Casino.  With applewood bacon, parmesan, and herbs, these appetizers were excellent.  They were savory and satisfying.  I loved them because they were not overly salty.  I paired the appetizer with a light Pino Gris, and it was nice.  A well done appetizer will whet the appetite and not overwhelm the palet.  The Oysters Casino hit the mark.

For our salad we each has the special.  Mixed greens with roasted almonds, feta, and fig confit.  It was one of the better salads that I have had in Anchorage restaurants.  Each of the components worked together, and the feta and confit tasted great.  It went great with solid Chardonnay.

My wife had the special:  Petite Filet Mignon with lobster hollandaise and lobster medallions.  I tasted the hollandaise, and it was light and delicious.  She loved it.

I had heard that the Cioppino was the star of the menu, so naturally I had to give it a try.  I have had cioppino in other restaurants, and I feel like most restaurants are lazy with the dish.  Often it is too salty and/or spicy.  The Kincaid Grill cioppino, however, was wonderful.  The light tomato fume did not fight with, or overwhelm the lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, and fin fish.  If have any complaint about the dish, it was that the lobster and scallops were a bit overdone and rubbery.  That aside, the flavor profile of the dish balanced the flavor of the seafood and the fume.  I would order it again in a heartbeat! It went well with nice strong Shiraz.

For dessert we shared the warm Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp.  The crisp was a savory and buttery crunch, and I think it was the star of the dish.  It helped sedate the tartness of the fruit, and the sweetness of the butter pecan ice cream topping.  It would be too much to eat alone, but it is the perfect size to share.  Try it with an ice wine.

Kincaid Grill:

Address - 6700 Jewel Lake Road, Anchorage, 99502

Phone - 907.243.0507

Website - www.kincaidgrill.com

Reservations - Definitely.  I used my Open Table app.

Overall  Recommendation - I think the Kincaid Grill is one of the bright spots on the Anchorage fine dining scene, and I look forward going again.  Give the ciopinno a try.

Brewster's - Pub Grub in Fairbanks

As someone who was born and raised the the Fairbanks area, I pay attention to the recommendations of my family and friends when it comes to the restaurants.  One of the restaurants that has become popular in Fairbanks (since I left in 1998) is Brewster's.  It has two locations, and it is offers a pub food menu and a variety of brews on tap.

I recently visited the Old Steese location with my family.  I was a bit hesitant because I had heard mixed reviews.  Some said that it was too slow, and others raved about the food.  Some enjoyed the sports pub atmosphere, and others frowned on the food.  Since my parents had no worries about Brewster's I decided to go in with an open mind.

I ordered the Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich.  Ordering chicken is a risky proposition, as it is easy to over cook and serve dry.  My sandwich was tender and juicy.  It had some roasted peppers, pepper jack cheese, and lettuce.  The combination was mildly spicy, but deliciously savory.

I was quite satisfied with my lunch and would definitely go again.  There are some burgers that look like they need the Alaska Foodie to review :)


Locations and Phone -
Brewster's:  3578 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK - 907.456.2538
Brewster's Northgate: 354 Old Steese Highway, Fairbanks, AK - 907.374.9663

Website - brewstersalaska.com/

Reservations - Nope.

Overall Recommendation - I have heard mixed reviews, but I would have to say on my visit, the food was good, and service was fast and friendly.  I recommend giving it a try and making your own choice.

Marx Bros Cafe - Elegant Evening Dining

My wife and I like to go out for dinner on the eve of New Year's eve.  In doing so, we avoid the insanity of finding reservations at a nice restaurant.  This year we went to the Marx Bros. Cafe in downtown Anchorage.

The 46 seat restaurant was built by the Alaska Railroad in 1916 and is an original town site house.  It is quiet, simple, and elegant.  There is no better place to take a date in Anchorage, and maybe the world.  They have a simple and amazing menu, and a wine list to match.

My wife and I started with the King Crab and Crawfish Cake.  It is unlike the typical breaded and fried cake in that it mostly crab and crawfish with micro-greens on top and an herb hollandaise.  The crab and crawfish are forward on the palet with a bright, clean citrus finish.  I paired the appetizer with a glass of the Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand).

A "must have" at Marx Bros. is the Caesar Salad, which is prepared table side by Van Hale (General Manager and partner).  The garlic, anchovies, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and egg are expertly blended by Van, and then tossed with the cheese and croutons into the lettuce.  It is fresh and alive with flavor.  It is mouth-gasmic.  Salad is typically the part of my meal that I can do without.  At Marx Bros. I could have Van's Caesar and leave happy.  If you have nothing else, have the Caesar Salad!  It went well with the Melville Chardonay (Santa Rita Hills, CA).

For the main course, I had the Filet Mignon and my wife had the Pan Seared Duck Breast.  There is not much better eating than the pan seared duck.  I have had it before, but I was happy when my wife offered a couple of bites of her's.  It was tender, moist, and succulent.  My filet was served at a perfect medium rare, and perfectly cooked.  Marx Bros. is one of the only places I will order a steak.  I have been spoiled by my father's grilling (and I have learned well from him).  The cooks at Marx Bros. have respect for meat, and it shows.  I went with the Siduri Pinot Noir (Sonoma Valley, CA) for my main course pairing.

For dessert we shared Tiramisu.  You have not had a proper Tiramisu unless you have had it at Marx Bros.  The lady fingers are soaked in rum and coffee and layered with zabaglione and mascarpone.  It is a delicate treat that goes perfectly with a glass of port or madeira.  I paired it with the 10 Blandy's, Malmsey.

There are Caesar Salad and Food and Wine classes hosted by Van regularly.  My wife and I are looking forward to taking his Caesar Salad Class sometime this winter.  I can't wait to give it a try myself.  Hmmm, Marx Bros. Caesar Salad any time I want.  Pure bliss.


Marx Bros. Cafe:

Address - 627 W 3rd, Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone - 907.278.2133

Website - marxcafe.com

Reservations - Strongly recommended.  I used my iPhone Open Table app.

Overall Recommendation - The Marx Bros. Cafe is the gold standard for fine dining in Anchorage....and maybe all of Alaska.  I have had no better dining experience.