Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

How do you tell visitors where to eat in a town with so many great restaurants?

It's no easy task. So instead of telling you where to eat, I'm telling you where I ate during the past 12 months or so. Some people go out two, three or more times a week. That isn't the way my wife and I dine. If we go out a couple of times a month, it's a big deal.

So this list certainly isn't comprehensive, but it is an excellent starting point if you want a good meal in town. In addition to my observations, I've asked some of the restaurant owners or managers to comment on what makes their establishment special.

• Sacks Cafe & Restaurant, 328 G St., 274-4022, www.sackscafe.com, $$$$.

This is the downtown restaurant my wife and I frequent the most. The food is always well-prepared and the atmosphere is enjoyable and comfortable -- not too loud, not too quiet. The walls are covered in original art by local artists, and it is switched out regularly.

A midwinter stop at Sacks was the perfect tonic for the dark and cold days. We settled in with a Mediterranean salad ($7), a wonderful mix of greens, cucumber, feta cheese and kalamata olives.

We selected two main courses that we had previously enjoyed -- salmon and pasta. The grilled king salmon ($27) was served with sashimi marinade, soy maple glaze, jasmine rice, deconstructed spring roll, wasabi ginger aioli, fresh herb and chili oil. At first, the penne pasta ($18) may sound like a fancy version of macaroni and cheese, but it's much more. The pasta comes with three cheeses -- fontina, parmesan and gorgonzola -- spinach, roasted red peppers, fresh basil and sun-dried tomatoes.

Our menu options include: capellini primavera, grilled pork chop, New Zealand rack of lamb and fresh Alaska fish.

JoAnn Asher, general manager: "We shoot for a quality experience. We're a smaller restaurant, a bistro-style restaurant. ... I like to think we're a little unique, with unique dishes. We always use the best ingredients. Everything is house made -- even mayonnaise and ketchup."

• Peter's Sushi Spot, 4140 B St., 562-5187, $$$. The open floor plan, colorful carved salmon and large sushi bar dominating the center of the restaurant are highlights and immediately catch your attention. And the food will hold your attention as well.

The friendly service was quick, except we had to wait and wait to pay our bill. The attentive service included edamame at the table as soon as we sat down. We feasted on an Alaska roll ($9.95), a vegetarian roll ($9.95) and yakisoba noodles ($11.95). They were filling, especially the Alaska roll, which, appropriately, included loads of salmon.

Other menu items: Like most sushi restaurants, there are dozens of options including sushi, sashimi and rolls.

• Kincaid Grill, 6700 Jewel Lake Road, 243-0507, www.kincaidgrill.com. $$$$. We had our anniversary dinner here, and the bill was about $100. It was worth every penny.

We started with the crab cakes, which featured sweet corn puree, pepper brunoise, cilantro and a lime aioli ($12). We had one of the evening specials -- fresh Copper River salmon ($40) -- which might have been the best salmon we've ever eaten. We also ordered the Kodiak scallops Nicoise ($28), which included whipped potatoes, green beans, olives and heirloom tomatoes. I'm not always a scallop fan, but this was fantastic.

Oddly -- and as is often the case in Anchorage -- this is one of the city's top restaurants located in a strip mall.

Other menu items: Alaskan corn chowder, pan-roasted halibut, wok-fried king crab, double rack of lamb, filet mignon and a grilled pork loin.

Chef Al Levinsohn: "A true neighborhood feel to the restaurant. Clean, crisp flavors; warm atmosphere; personal service beyond compare. Keep it simple and let the true flavors of the food come through. ... We always promote Alaskan seafood. It is the core of our menu."

• Bear Tooth Grill, 1230 W. 27th Ave., 276-4200, www.beartooththeatre. net. $$.

You might think pub food when you walk in the door at the Bear Tooth Grill. And, yes, there are burgers and pizza and Mexican. But everything is done with a cool twist.

Our stop here was one of those spur-of-the-moment things. We pulled out of the bookstore across the street and asked ourselves, "Why go home when the Bear Tooth is so close?" The Saturday night wait was just 20 minutes for the two of us and we grabbed a table. Less than an hour later, we were all wrapped up and headed home.

We kept our tab under $25 without any alcohol. We started with our favorite appetizer, the beer-battered portobello and crimini mushrooms ($8.95), and split a spinach and mushroom enchilada plate ($11.95).

Other menu items: blackened fish tacos, grilled ahi tuna sandwich, carne asada burrito, rellenos Cubanos, crab enchilada plate and garlic chicken fettuccine.

• Aladdin's restaurant, 4240 Old Seward Highway, 561-2373, www. aladdinsak.com. $$$.

Owner Rabah Chettfour greets his guests with a big smile when they walk in the door. It's easy to see why, he knows you will walk out of the restaurant with an equally large smile. The comfortable family-run restaurant specializes in Mediterranean dishes -- not the usual Greek and Italian fare -- and does it splendidly.

We started our meal with palak paneer ($7), an Indian-style curried spinach and cheese appetizer. It is served with pita bread.

For the main courses, we selected a standby from previous trips and something new. The standby is our favorite, the vegetarian plate ($13). It is packed with some of the Mediterranean's finest foods: falafel, hummus, tsatsiki, spanakopita, dolmas and a choice of soup or salad. We went with the restaurant's signature lentil soup, but we couldn't pass up the North African vegetable soup -- so we ordered that too.

Other menu options include: rack of lamb, veal scallopini, shrimp pernod, gyro, shawarma and a chicken kebab.

Owner Rabah Chettfour: "When we started the restaurant, we wanted something that is welcoming to people -- something that is a comfortable setting. There are some places that are so busy and so noisy that you cannot have a conversation. I had a regular customer tell me one time, 'When we come to your place, it's like we are coming to a friend's house, but we choose the menu and we pay for it.' That is one of the best compliments anyone could get."

• Bombay Deluxe, 555 W. Northern Lights Blvd., 277-1200, www.bombaydeluxe.com. $$$

I'm not a big fan of curry, so I've always stayed away from Indian restaurants. Finally, I decided it was time to try.

We started with vegetable pakoras ($3.95). The batter was light and flaky on the potatoes, cauliflower and zucchini.

For the main courses, we selected chana masala ($9.95) and Tandoori prawns ($16.95). While the prawns seemed to need a little more yogurt sauce, the chana masala was perfect -- an excellent blend of garbanzo beans, tomato, onions and spices.

Other menu items include: 10 Indian breads; a variety of chicken, lamb and seafood dishes; and several dishes with rice in combination with vegetables or meat.0

• Kinley's Restaurant, 3230 Old Seward Highway, 644-8953, www.kinleysrestaurant.com. $$$$

A midwinter stop at Kinley's was warm and inviting.

We started with a seafood cocktail ($9), which included huge shrimp. We also ordered a coconut salad ($7), a fun and interesting salad twist.

For dinner, we went pretty light and split an order of corn fritters ($16). This wasn't what you'd expect from the state fair, this was fine-dining corn fritters. And with the space and cash we saved, we went with a tropical fruit sorbet ($5), a great way to finish off the meal.

Other menu items include: halibut, duck, pork chops, lamb and pasta.

Restaurants we've been to too many times to count:

• Snow City Cafe, 1034 W. Fourth Ave., 272-2489, www.snowcitycafe.com. $$

At Snow City, it's all about the breakfast. That's not entirely true -- it also serves a pretty mean lunch menu, with a nice mix of meat-lovers' meals and those for vegetarians. But it is during the breakfast rush that Snow City earns its praise.

• Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, 3300 Old Seward Highway, 258-2537, www.moosestooth.net. $$. This is the only pizza we eat in Anchorage. A trip to Italy a couple of years ago spoiled us on pizza. While the Moose's Tooth isn't Italian pizza, it doesn't try to be. It does what it does perfectly. In the past, we ate at the restaurant once or twice a month. Now, we almost exclusively get take-out. The restaurant is almost always crowded, but there is a reason for its popularity.

• Lahn Pad Thai, 2101 Abbott Road, 272-8424. $$. This place has the most amazing Thai food in Anchorage. It's a little out of your way if you're staying downtown, but it's worth the effort to get there -- or to have them deliver.

OTHER DOWNTOWN OPTIONS

• Cafe 817, 817 W. Sixth Ave., 279-6836. Muffins, deli sandwiches, wraps and homemade soup. $$

• Cafe Savannah, 508 W. Sixth Ave., 646-9121. Spanish-themed tapas bar, with tasty bites from about $4.50. $$$

• Club Paris, 417 W. Fifth Ave., 277-6332, www.clubparis restaurant.com. Steak -- lots of steak. $$$$

• Corsair Restaurant, 944 W. Fifth Ave., 278-4502, www.corsairrestaurant.com. Continental and American cuisine; 10,000-bottle wine cellar. $$$$

• Crow's Nest, in the Hotel Captain Cook, Fourth Avenue and K Street, 276-6000, www.captaincook.com. Award-winning restaurant; innovative French and new American cuisine. $$$$$

• Falafel King, 930 Gambell St., 258-4328. Get a taste of the Middle East; falafel is the main attraction, but shawarma and schnitzel are also on the menu. $

• Ginger Restaurant, 425 W. Fifth Ave., 929-3680, www.gingeralaska.com. Pacific Rim cuisine, including fresh seafood. $$$$

• Glacier BrewHouse, 737 W. Fifth Ave., 274-2739, www. glacierbrewhouse.com. Beer and wood-fired pizzas; unusual takes on Alaska seafood. It's always busy. $$$

• Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse, 610 W. Sixth Ave., 276-2337, www.humpys.com. About 50 beers are on tap; menu favorites include blackened halibut or fish and chips. $$

• Lucky Wishbone, 1033 E. Fifth Ave., 272-3454. It's an Anchorage institution. The signature pan-fried chicken and burgers are popular. $$

• The Marx Bros. Cafe, 627 W. Third Ave., 278-2133, www.marxcafe.com. The restaurant has just 14 tables, so make reservations. It offers an innovative cuisine, a famous Caesar salad and excellent wine. $$$$$

• Phyllis's Cafe and Salmon Bake, 436 D St., 274-6576, www.phyllisscafe.com. Seafood is king here, but there are also wraps, burgers and sandwiches. $$$

• Ristorante Orso, 737 W. Fifth Ave., 222-3232, www. orsoalaska.com. It's a touch of Italy mixed with Alaska. The menu reflects the seasons, and the atmosphere is hard to beat. $$$$

• Simon and Seaforts, 420 L St., 274-3502, www.simonand seaforts.com. There is a great view of Cook Inlet; steaks and seafood star on the menu. $$$$$

• Snow Goose Restaurant and Brewery, 717 W. Third Ave., 277-7727, www.alaskabeers.com. The beer is excellent and the food is filling (pizza, burgers, ribs, halibut), but the Goose's draw in the summertime is its twin decks. $$

• Platinum Jaxx, 901 W. Sixth Ave., 278-5299, www.platinum jaxx.com. The bar-restaurant specializes in appetizers. $$

ELSEWHERE IN TOWN

• Arctic Roadrunner, 2477 Arctic Blvd., 279-7311; 5300 Old Seward Highway, 561-1245. Burgers, fries and shakes; get an Alaska twist with salmon or halibut burgers. $

• Cafe Croissant, 3002 Spenard Road, 677-2577. A breakfast and lunch place that will make you smile. $$

• City Diner, 3000 Minnesota Drive, 277-2489. Classic American comfort food. $$

• Doriola's, 510 Tudor Road, 375-0494, www.doriolas.com. This is a breakfast and lunch spot. Everything is homemade. $$

• Double Musky Inn, Crow Creek Road, Girdwood, 783-2822, www.doublemuskyinn.com. Fine Cajun cuisine in the heart of Alaska; no reservations accepted. $$$$$

• Flying Machine Restaurant, Millennium Hotel, 4800 Spenard Road, 266-2249. Watch a sunset over Lake Spenard or watch floatplanes take off and land while dining on Alaska seafood. At the Fancy Moose Lounge, you can get an outside table. $$$

• Gwennie's Old Alaskan Restaurant, 4333 Spenard Road, 243-2090. Gigantic "Alaska-size" portions. $$

• Jack Sprat Restaurant, Olympic Circle, Girdwood, 783-5225, www.jacksprat.net. Unexpectedly diverse menu that includes salads, burgers, yam fries and many fusion dishes. $$$

• Jens' Restaurant, 701 W. 36th Ave., 561-5367, www.jensrestaurant.com. The dinner menu changes regularly to include fresh produce and seafood; home to one of Alaska's most popular chefs. $$$$

• The Middle Way Cafe, 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd., 272-6433. Creative food with a vegetarian touch. $$

• Mixx Grill, 1200 L St., Inlet Tower Hotel, 222-8787, www.inlettower.com. This isn't your usual hotel restaurant. The menu is imaginative and the room inviting. $$$

• Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Road, 277-7882, www.organicoasis.com. Soups, salads and sandwiches that are 100 percent organic. $$

• Seven Glaciers, Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, 754-2248, www.alyeskaresort.com. The view is outstanding after arriving via the resort's tram; the food is equally fabulous. $$$$$

• Southside Bistro, 1320 Huffman Park Drive, 348-0088, www.southsidebistro.com. Rich food -- beef, seafood, venison, pasta, duck and lamb. Don't miss dessert. $$$$

• Sweet Basil Cafe, 1021 W. Northern Lights Blvd., 274-0070. The cafe always offers some creative daily soups and specials. Freshly made juices and smoothies are tops. $$

• Villa Nova, 5121 Arctic Blvd., 561-1660. Greek and Italian food done right; halibut and scallops are often on the menu too. $$$$

• Yak and Yeti, 3301 Spenard Road, 743-8078. A variety of central Asian dishes, curries and vegetarian meals. $$

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Special sections editor Steve Edwards can be reached at sedwards@ adn.com. Visit his Alaska travel blog at www.alaska.com/alaskology.

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What dinner will cost

Average dinner entree price:

$: Less than $7.50

$$: $7.51 to $15

$$$: $15.01 to $22.50

$$$$: $22.51 to $30

$$$$$: More than $30