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.