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!