Every year I get to go and do a "man camp" weekend with a few friends in Sitka. We spend the weekend fishing, drinking cocktails and beer, and eating lots of camping types of food. At the end of these trips we usually have some down time in Sitka before heading home. We usually cap off the trip with a meal at one of Sitka's premier restaurants...The Channel Club.
The Channel Club is a has has modern feel with a beautiful view of Sitka Sound. The restaurant has a reputation for being a fine dining establishment, and I have known people who have flown from as far as Juneau for a dinner at the Channel Club. While it is an above average restaurant, I must say I would go mostly for the view.
With a modest wine list, and a small but more than adequate menu, the Channel Club does satisfy. The steaks are what are always recommended, but after a weekend of eating nothing but red meat, I usually need something a little lighter. On this trip I had the Ceasar Salad with the asian inspired Black Cod dish. The salad really hit the spot, especially since the only vegetables I had had for the last few days were pickled beans and olives. The Black Cod was served with bokchoy and rice, with a savory soy/teriyaki and sesame sauce. The cod was cooked perfectly and was just what I needed.
For dessert I had the Strawberry New York cheesecake. I have had better, in fact, I wonder how many days old this particular cheesecake was. Don't despair on the dessert front though, as I did try the peach cobbler and it was very good.
All in all our group enjoyed the food, wine, and dessert and I look forward to another man camp trip capped off with a visit to the Channel Club.
The Channel Club:
Address - 2906 Halibut Point Road, Sitka, AK
Phone - 907-747-7440
Website - www.sitkachannelclub.com
Reservations: I recommend calling ahead and making reservations. I have been to the Channel Club twice, and the first time it was very full. If you are visiting Sitka, and would like to be picked up, the Channel Club has it's own shuttle...give them a call.
Overall Recommendation: The food and service are good. I don't think you will be disappointed with anything on the menu. With that said, it seems that the view, in combination with the food, is what really sells this place. The views of Sitka Sound are great...and the food is pretty good too.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Peanut Farm - Drives me nuts
The Peanut Farm is immensely popular among Anchorage sports fans. With at least 2 screens within view from every seat in the restaurant, it is not hard to figure out why. In fact, in the newest part of this large sports bar, each of the tables has it's own small television.
Saturday and Sunday mornings, during football season, you can find clusters of fans throughout the place. The fans of each college/university or pro team will stake out real estate and claim the screen for their game. You can get there pretty early since the Peanut Farm opens at 6a for breakfast. I have personally had the biscuits and gravy as well as the Huevos Farmcheros and enjoyed watching the Sunday morning game. Did it feel a little weird having a beer at ten in the morning...with my breakfast? sure, but that is all part of the charm of the Farm.
Things can get pretty hectic during lunch and dinner with staff running around. During my most recent visit, my friend and I sat for over 20 minutes before we finally anyone's attention. Once we did get our order we were happy, but it was a bit frustrating during the wait.
I enjoy a good order of hot wings and the Peanut Farm has a wide variety of wings to choose from. The 4 alarm chicken wings seem to be just the right combination of heat and flavor for me, but to each his own. There are 12 different flavors available for your wings, and you can even get the Farm's Pork Wild Wings. The pork wings are actually tender pork shanks flavored to order. I have had them, and they are not bad.
During my last visit, my buddy and I shared the Pastrami Dip and the Hot Farm Sub. The Pastrami Dip is a french dip sandwich with pastrami instead of roast beef. I love pastrami, and the sandwich was okay, but I think I prefer a good roast beef instead. The Hot Farm Sub has ham, roast beef, tomato, American cheese, and with 1000 Island dressing on the side. The sub was also, okay, but both sandwiches just had too much bread. In fact, my friend made his sandwiches open face by removing the top bun. My philosophy on sandwiches is: more fillings/meat...less bread.
The highlight of any meal at the Peanut Farm, besides the televisions everywhere, are the 25oz "Pounder" beers you can get. They always have one of my favorites on tap, and I usually go to there when I have a good thirst going on. One or two pounders will help wash away your bar food tears.
If you are looking for great pub food, this is not really the place to go. There are at least a couple of other places in Anchorage that will blow your socks off when it comes to pub food. Having said that, if you are looking for decent okay to good bar food, the Peanut Farm will suffice. After all, you can always ignore the food (and sometimes bad service) and glue yourself to whatever sporting event is on the nearest television.
Peanut Farm:
Address - 5227 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK
Phone - 907-563-3283
Website - www.wemustbenuts.com
Reservations: none needed. There is plenty of seating, but the Peanut Farm is very popular, especially when the Aces are playing...parking can get tight.
Overall Recommendation: Service and food can be kind of hit or miss. I have had great service with so, so food. I have had bad service with good food. I think the Peanut Farm is mostly about the ok service, ok food, but plenty of televisions with sports on them.
Saturday and Sunday mornings, during football season, you can find clusters of fans throughout the place. The fans of each college/university or pro team will stake out real estate and claim the screen for their game. You can get there pretty early since the Peanut Farm opens at 6a for breakfast. I have personally had the biscuits and gravy as well as the Huevos Farmcheros and enjoyed watching the Sunday morning game. Did it feel a little weird having a beer at ten in the morning...with my breakfast? sure, but that is all part of the charm of the Farm.
Things can get pretty hectic during lunch and dinner with staff running around. During my most recent visit, my friend and I sat for over 20 minutes before we finally anyone's attention. Once we did get our order we were happy, but it was a bit frustrating during the wait.
I enjoy a good order of hot wings and the Peanut Farm has a wide variety of wings to choose from. The 4 alarm chicken wings seem to be just the right combination of heat and flavor for me, but to each his own. There are 12 different flavors available for your wings, and you can even get the Farm's Pork Wild Wings. The pork wings are actually tender pork shanks flavored to order. I have had them, and they are not bad.
During my last visit, my buddy and I shared the Pastrami Dip and the Hot Farm Sub. The Pastrami Dip is a french dip sandwich with pastrami instead of roast beef. I love pastrami, and the sandwich was okay, but I think I prefer a good roast beef instead. The Hot Farm Sub has ham, roast beef, tomato, American cheese, and with 1000 Island dressing on the side. The sub was also, okay, but both sandwiches just had too much bread. In fact, my friend made his sandwiches open face by removing the top bun. My philosophy on sandwiches is: more fillings/meat...less bread.
The highlight of any meal at the Peanut Farm, besides the televisions everywhere, are the 25oz "Pounder" beers you can get. They always have one of my favorites on tap, and I usually go to there when I have a good thirst going on. One or two pounders will help wash away your bar food tears.
If you are looking for great pub food, this is not really the place to go. There are at least a couple of other places in Anchorage that will blow your socks off when it comes to pub food. Having said that, if you are looking for decent okay to good bar food, the Peanut Farm will suffice. After all, you can always ignore the food (and sometimes bad service) and glue yourself to whatever sporting event is on the nearest television.
Peanut Farm:
Address - 5227 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK
Phone - 907-563-3283
Website - www.wemustbenuts.com
Reservations: none needed. There is plenty of seating, but the Peanut Farm is very popular, especially when the Aces are playing...parking can get tight.
Overall Recommendation: Service and food can be kind of hit or miss. I have had great service with so, so food. I have had bad service with good food. I think the Peanut Farm is mostly about the ok service, ok food, but plenty of televisions with sports on them.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Taco Del Mar - VELOUS!
I admit I have a problem. Tortillas are like a blanket of love for food, and Taco Del Mar is one of those places that make me feel the love. It is a "quick-serve" chain restaurant with a local feel. I have visited Taco Del Mar restaurants in 3 or 4 different states, and I feel like they are all local.I would like to tell you that I have tried everything on the menu, but the fact of the matter is that they are the only burrito place I have been with fish burritos....and I love them! I always have the Mondo fish burrito with rice, black beans, the special fish sauce, sour cream, salsa verde, & cheese on the spinach tortilla. The ingredients are fresh, although they do have to go to the freezer for the Alaskan Cod filets. They are all wrapped up with care into that soft, moist, and delicious green tortilla. They really are great!
I can only assume that the rest of the menu is as good, because I always see other people ordering other items, but you have to give the fish a try. If you need some incentive, to go, Taco Del Mar is rated by Heath Magazine as among the top 10 healthiest "fast food" restaurants in the United States.
Taco Del Mar:
Locations throughout the western United States and Canada and much of upper midwest. There are two locations in Anchorage, one in Fairbanks, and one in Wasilla. Check the website for a location near you.
Website - www.tacodelmar.com
No reservations needed.
Overall Recommendation: If you like like burritos and the like, you gotta give it a try.
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