| Fine Dining Alaska Style
New to South Anchorage, and a product of the
collective visions of co-proprietors
Chef Jens Nannestad
and wife
Megan, the Southside Bistro has literally turned the far-north
dining experience upside down.
Whether is it the tasteful, understated decor,
the highly professional service, the open kitchen with a full view of the
meticulous chefs in action, or the FOOD, this outstanding and friendly
restaurant has it ALL.
With a full range of appetizers, as well as
separate lunch, dinner, bistro and dessert menus, a full bar, and
exceptional range of non-alcoholic beverage options, plus domestic and
imported beers, an extensive wine list, and a range of fine ports, the
diner could return again and again and simply never tire. Freshly
made soups, inventive salads, sandwiches pasta and entrees abound, and
many make good use of the local and regional abundance, not the least of
which would be the fine native seafood.
For starters, the Cream of Sun-dried Tomato &
Garlic was a very balanced, moderately creamy, nicely seasoned soup,
with tomato & garlic as equal players. The Cream of Mushroom
with Rice was also very good.
Fresh Kachemak Bay Oysters,
served on the half shell, on crushed ice, with a finely chopped tomato,
arugula and caper salsa, were easily the best oysters I've ever eaten -
and I've eaten plenty - all different kinds! From now on, NO trip to
Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula will EVER be complete without them!
The salsa was understated and complemented the rich, subtle sweetness of
the oysters perfectly.
The Fresh Alaska King
Salmon was nicely seared, not overcooked, and served with delicious
home style mashed potatoes and julienne vegetables perfectly steamed al
dente.
Angel Hair Pasta with
Grilled Prawns
was tossed with chopped tomatoes,
shallots, garlic, olive oil and parmesan and was light and flavorful, yet
rich and extremely satisfying. Though the tomato chunks were
sized somewhat large, and somewhat out of proportion to the delicate Pasta
(stealing thunder from the prawns!), this was only a minor flaw, and
easily forgiven in light of the excellent overall composition.
Oh, and for dessert? ANOTHER Crème
Brulee? No
problem, it was excellent, this time with Pacific
Northwest raspberries, strongly vanilla-toned, with the crust slightly
dense but not glassy or difficult to spoon through. Artfully plated
with a range of sauces including green
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kiwi, raspberry and sweetened cream, it
was nothing short of outstanding! And the Southside
Peach and Raspberry Cobbler had a unique pecan crust and the peaches
were fresh, not overripe, not over sweetened, and not overcooked - still with a bit of
crunch.
Service was professional and attentive, and
Restaurant Manager Philippe Janicka visited tables personally,
eager to hear first impressions and get to know the various guests.
Impressive also was the kitchen line, with Chef
Jens Nannestad in the lead - turning out finely prepared,
beautifully plated dishes like clockwork, everyone buzzing with a
purposeful rhythm and grace that when viewed from above was almost like a
symphony.
Having done my time, at various points in my
career, at fine dining, casual dining and chain restaurants, it was
refreshing to see such harmony, without the overbearing presence of
dysfunction so common in the foodservice industry. And it shows in
the end result, harmony of purpose = harmony of service and most of all,
harmony of cuisine.
The Southside Bistro is unpretentious,
accommodating, inventive, and enjoyable, an unexpected yet completely
welcome - and virtually flawless - jewel in Alaska's crown.
Well worth repeated visits!
Tuesday - Thursday: 11:30am
- 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11:30am - 11pm
CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY
Non-smoking dining room and bar.
Reservations recommended particularly on
weekends, though walk-ins often receive excellent seating
- Entrees range from $7.50 - $25.95, a
wide range of variation is due to extensive lunch and dinner menus
- Entree salads from $8.00 - $11.95,
though the salads, pastas and virtually every other menu item are
all fully customizable, with extras at varying charges
- Appetizers from $3.50 - $10.00
- Soups, Sides, Desserts and Extras Vary
- Special Bistro Menu has a wide
variety of inventive selections which are easy on the budget, and many
are kid friendly, but...
- No official kids menu
- Beer, Wine, Port, House Drinks, and a
wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic specialties
- Accepts All Major Credit Cards
- Seating is open and spacing is
generous
- Acoustics are very good for
conversation
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