Alaska Eats & Shopping

Prices in Alaska are higher compared to the Lower 48, but quite often the portions are much larger. It is no disgrace to split entrees or just order a couple courses rather than a full meal. Desserts are usually wonderful, featuring fresh berries and other fruits. Coffee is served strong. Beware of 'Russian Tea' which is a vile mixture of sugar, instant tea, Tang and spices. Good for nothing! If I recommend a restaurant, I've eaten there more than once and have had friends check it out recently to make sure it is still up to par.

I will do everything I can to keep you away from tourist traps. If I recommend a store, I've shopped there more than a couple of times.

Quick Tips:

During tourist season, it is essential to make reservations where possible. When shopping it is usually possible to arrange to ship items home so that you won't have to deal with them for the rest of your trip. I will try to help you find locally made items including works of art and hand made sweaters, etc.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you are staying downtown, you can get to most places by walking. There is public transportation. Most people are surprised that parking is very limited in downtown Anchorage and can be very expensive. I wouldn't advise renting a car if you are just staying downtown.

I have other journals up about activities outside of Anchorage. This one is for folks who will be downtown for a couple days before or after cruises and when getting ready to go out into the country.

Anchorage is wedged into the limited flat land between the Chugach Mountains and to waters of Cook Inlet. It is difficult to get lost with such landmarks. The major hotels are within handholding distance of each other, well almost.

Owned by Tony Knowles, this restaurant is a hub of Anchorage civil life. You want to know what's going on, you come here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. Beer and wine available. Breakfast foods (including low fat items), bagels and sandwiches. A very good variety of large salads. This is dessert warning terrirory. Home made and high cal, these babies will keep you out of your favorate jeans. Sometimes crowded, but it's worth waiting for your food and a table. Although most hotels have very nice cafe type restaurants, if you can get away to the Downtown Deli, you will have a quality but less expensive meal.

I love the pancakes and cinnamon bread--but I gave up on wearing jeans a long time ago!

On the starting line for the Iditarod, obviously the place to be during the race.

This is the best of what Anchorage has in dining. Europeon cuisine in a lovely atmosphere. Dinner only. Telephone ahead.

All the dishes that are the best: lamb, venison, fresh fish, and top grade beef. Wonderful vegetables. Of course, desserts that will cause you to buy new clothes in a larger size. Fair warning!

Although the waiters wear tuxedos, the customers wear everything from the top of elegant, business attire and Alaskan nice casual. (lots of wool clothes in winter). I worn a long sweater over wool slacks as I had no skirt packed for that winter trip. I find it very hard to dress up in Alaska especially in winter when the snow is deep.

We had 9 at our table; so we had a lot of fancy table-side preparation. The lighting is dim so a pocket flashlight is handy for menu reading. I have no idea what the total tab was but certainly it was a great deal. Prices are equal to Manhattan or London. 20% tip added for parties of 6 or more.

I'm allergic to shellfish which makes me very nervous in a restaurant; but a word to the waiter was sufficient to keep my meal safe for me. It is not unusual for salad dressings to have shellfish as a flavor! I avoided the ceasar salad which was prepared table-side as the waiter warned me about the dressing and also the use of raw eggs. Another member of our party who was also allergic to shellfish was grateful for this information also.

I had steak Diane which was finihsed table-side. Almost everyone else had something fishy. A vegetarian in our group had a supurb meal that met all of her requirements. All were very happy with the results.

The waiter didn't hover over us!

The banquette seating was a little crowded for those of us on that side of the table. The table would have been comfortable for 8 rather than our 9.

The wine list is large although there were jokes about the wine being shaken in the frequent earthquake tremmors!

Full service of silverware on the table including fish knives when appropriate. The waiters added silverware where needed but (thank heaven) didn't do the dance of removing unneeded silverware.

I was the designated driver and drank a lot of tonic and lime. I can remember the old days in Alaska when a lime was harder to find than a gold nugget.

Fresh flowers on the tables. Another luxury item during an Alaskan winter.

Homemade ice cream and desserts. Sorbet between courses. A little chilling when it's minus plenty outside!

Enjoy this place for major celebrations. Ask price range when you book a reservation so that you don't faint. Our coats were kept turned inside out in a well heated cloak room and were returned to us toasty warm.

This is the place for a hoped-for view of Denali (Mt. McKinley) and Northern Lights during dark hours of the night. It is a popular place during the summer. Dinner only Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch (outstanding).

All tables have views, perhaps too much so if you have a problem with heights. Chugach Mountains or Cook Inlet. Some tables also have a view of the other towers of the hotel. Sometimes this can be very entertaining! Some folks don't close the drapes!

The usual run of fancy, expensive foods with local specialties of fresh fish, crab legs, venison and other game.

You can tell the locals from visitors when there's an earthquake tremor. Locals sit calmly and finish their meals! Visitors head for the elevators! Yes the tower does sway.

Enormous wine list (shaken slightly) and vast selection of ports and spirits. Binoculars available upon request. White table cloth service. Hotel guests get preference for reservations, but don't delay as the place fills up fast on Sunday if Denali is 'out'. I am uncertain what "dress code enforced" means. I recommend asking when you make your reservation. I have never worn anything fancy to this restaurant. The most 'up' I have dressed is a nice sweater and slacks.

The Captain Cook is a 5 star hotel in the "Preferred Hotel Group" affiliated with the Clift Hotel in San Francisco. This is often a surprise for first time visitors to Alaska who don't expect such luxury and service in the land of the last frontier. 20% tip added for parties of 6 or more. Bar only seating is available.

The Tony Knowles Trail (named for former mayor and governor of Alaska also owner of the Downtown Deli). Accessible from several downtown points. Relatively easy walking, but absolutely stay on the trail. Watch out for bear and moose. This is Alaska.

Do not leave the trail and walk down to the 'beach' or 'strand'. Tides rise rapidly and quicksand/quickmud is everywhere along the water. This is no place for water side activities such as wading or swimming.

The stories of people being killed after venturing out onto the muddy tideline are true, including the story of the honeymooners who were walking (keeping an eye out for gold nuggets) and became separated when the wife's foot stuck in the mud. Although the husband ran for help and professional rescue people arrived, the new wife drowned in front of her husband, only yards from dry land.

Yes, I have seen people swimming in this area, but it is a very stupid idea. This is literally a 'no rescue' zone.

There is good walking around downtown Anchorage, but you have to be wise. Even if you see other visitors trekking the trails under the Midnight Sun, it doesn't mean that its a good idea. Stick to normal 'daylight' walking hours when other people are about.

Stay off the beach and tidal areas even if you see gold nuggets. Avoid following other tourists into dangerous areas. Talk and shake your keys as you walk. If you see a bear or moose on the trails, back up and turn around and go back where you came from. Do not approach wild animals. Moose can be very dangerous, especially a mother with calf.

Maps of the trail are available all over downtown, but it's really very easy. Note the lack of boat and ship traffic. The tides here are very dangerous.

This is the most reputable place to buy artworks by Alaskan artists. Fred Machetanz, Byron Birdsall and many works in glass and pottery. Sometimes jewelry including lovely things made of Alaskan gold and jade.

If you see something that you like and want, don't hesitate. I have and I missed the chance to buy a 'Birdsall' print that I loved and have never again seen for sale.

Prices range from inexpensive to extremely expensive. The usual selection of credit cards accepted. I have had this shop ship items and have always been entirely satisfied with the results.

This is one of my favorate stops in Anchorage. In the shadow of the Performing Arts Center, it is handy to all the major hotels downtown. Note the big step to get into the shop. That's an old Anchorage situation. In the old days when snow wasn't cleared, but just walked on; the high step was the way in to the shop. The people who work in this shop are so nice. I have also made telephone orders to this shop from far away. (tea and coffee). One of the few remaining old (by Anchorage standards) buildings downtown, this is an interesting place to shop.