alaskafoodbound-blog

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Well I’m at it again folks! And there’s no better way to start up Alaska Foodie Reviews with breakfast at Monk’s Rock here in Kodiak, Alaska. I had the Breakfast B.E.S.T. (breakfast sandwich) accompanied with home fries. Scrambled eggs are served on the roll with tomato, pesto mayo, gouda, a thin slice of potato, and spinach. Simple and delicious.

There are a few other choices for breakfast, but they also serve lunch, coffee/espresso, and loose leaf tea.

To my delightful surprise, I learned that during this time of year customers can request to hear carols from the entire staff at the restaurant. I was able to get a video of one of their carols, and although the recording is not up to par with the live performance, I promise it is quite fantastic. I hope to have the video up soon, so stay tuned for it!

Although most of us have probably celebrated our holiday’s, the Russian Christmas has yet to take place this Saturday, and in light of the holiday Monk’s will be closed for a couple of weeks starting this Friday. So I got there just in time before I left on my next boat to enjoy some healthy and homey food.

Can’t wait until until they reopen! Stay tuned for winter eats from Alaska.

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My final review in Alaska (for the time being) is with much glee Northern Delights in Cordova. When I first stumbled across this hole in the wall, I wasn't sure what to expect given Cordova is shut down after September with the end of the tourist season, but I was pleasantly surprised! The gyro was fantastic! One of the best I've had. The meat is a combination of lamb and beef, the spread of tzaziki is generous and there are several different veggies for the rest of the filling. I anticipate returning beginning of January, so tune in then for more foodie reviews! Thanks for reading everyone!

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What a homey little pizza place at Harborside Pizza here in Cordova! (I’m sure making my rounds this deployment!). All of their pizzas are wood fired, and you can order by the slice for almost all pizzas on the menu. I had one slice of the Greek pizza. This pizza had a tomato base sauce and is topped with mozzarella cheese, feta, kalmata olives, roasted red peppers, artichokes, onions and pine nuts. This was a yummy pizza!

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In Homer, my favorite Thai restaurant has to be Vida’s Thai Food. For several reasons… one-the food is awesome, two-the food is awesome, and three-the food is awesome (sorry to pull a Donald Trump, but I must emphasize!). I’ve already ate a variety of dishes here, but my dinner tonight was the “traditional” American-style shrimp pad Thai. At most Thai restaurants, I am often disappointed with how they overcook their meat, a common issue with a lot of American-Asian cuisine. However, the shrimp is cooked just right at Vida’s. It’s easy to tell they don’t just reheat precooked shrimp. Each crustacean is sweet and tender. Another reason why I love this spot is the servers are so friendly and they remember you! I ate here quite a bit last February and several months later the main server still remembers me and that I work on boats. How sweet!

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Lucky for me, the oncoming of winter has not yet put away dinner time at the Two Sisters Bakery. A well-loved and well-known spot, Two Sisters is a guaranteed yummy retreat.

I got a little adventurous and selected one of the special's being offered that evening-the salmon poke rice bowl. Sockeye salmon (didn’t even have to ask this time, the menu stated it!) was served as soy cured cubes over coconut rice with baby bok choy, lime slaw, house made kimchi, pea shoots, wasabi arugula and a spicy poached egg yolk. I asked to have no egg so I could avoid eating too much spice.

What a beautiful dish! And yummy too of course! Unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of the kimchi (spiciness really isn't my strong suit), but the rest was a really splendid combination.

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Because I want to be able to find the best fish taco in Alaska, my reviews on fish tacos continue! I hadn’t heard of Le Truck until I saw it parked outside of my hotel room yesterday. Before I build these up I want to mention that these rockfish tacos are great, but I think the Bayview Pub tacos in Sitka are still better. However, this may have been the the most beautiful fish taco I have ever seen. A+ for presentation! They also get a little more creative with what they top their rockfish tacos with... pink lady apples, bean salsa, pickled fennel cabbage, and your usual cilantro. A great combination of sweet and spicy. This taco was loaded! I also tried the pesto salad to help mellow out the spiciness of the taco-the chipotle cream was on the verge of being too spicy for me, but don't rely on my taste buds to indicate spiciness because I am a big baby when it comes to capsaicin.  

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Homer! It is a dream come true that I have winded up here on this deployment. Homer has to be my favorite place in Alaska to dine. Although I didn't reach it until after their touristy season, Homer's fall and winter time cuisine is just as good.

My first stop was Fat Olives. I was a famished female when I strolled into this restaurant and treated myself to a whole three course meal. Since I was fighting a cold I chose to start with a cup of the tomato bisque, followed by a main course of seared scallops and shrimps with a side of forbidden rice and a carrot ginger puree. The scallops are local, but I am unsure where the shrimp came from (probably Mexico...). I had never tried forbidden rice before. Very tender and sweet! The combination with the seafood and bottom puree was lovely.

To end my meal I had the macadamia, chocolate and caramel turtle pie. This ended up being a take home dessert since there was no way I was going to be able to eat it after such a rich meal. The picture speaks for itself! Soooo delicious.

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It's time to try tacos once again... the Bayview Pub is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. There is a nice selection on the menu, and I was really happy to find fish tacos among the items! You have the choice of having your rockfish grilled, blackened or fried. I went with fried. Three corn tortillas are filled with rockfish, red onion, cabbage, cilantro and salsa. I love the more traditional take on these tacos. Three tacos were plenty for my stomach! I had barely managed to munch on the chips provided on the side. Besides the food (which is good enough to make me want to try more!), there is some fun entertainment that frequents this bar. Upon approaching the building I could hear the beat and melody of a Scottish pipe band. I was able to hear a few songs before they departed for the night. The next act was Aurora and the Fungi's. A trio of folk singers and guitar players from Skagway, a very pleasant way to end my evening. My time here in Sitka may be coming to a close. I have thoroughly enjoyed eating in this port. Next stop? Well, your guess is as good as mine... let's hope the food is good!

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Although I have been highlighting cocktails at the Mean Queen in Sitka, they are also known for their pizza. I grabbed a couple slices of their portabella mushroom pizza (by the slice is only at lunch time). The toppings were simple, but I love mushrooms so this was good enough for me! Hopefully I can bring friends next time so I have a reason to buy a whole pizza.  

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Queens Bubbly Cocktail at Mean Queen in Sitka. Prosecco, pomegranate liquor, brandy, snap of bitters with an orange, and branded cherry.

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Yummy cocktail at Mean Queen in Sitka. "LA Preppy Martini". Made with Lille's Blanc, gin, grapefruit, basil and Prosecco.

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The breakfast crepe and other available crepes at the Homeport Eatery is a must try! Also home to the Backdoor Cafe and a panini bar, this little nook is guaranteed to start your day off right. There is surely a homey feel as you enter the Eatery. An eclectic influence of dining chairs and tables you might find at rummage and garage sales, but still elegant and by no means tacky. The crepe bar offers a variety of several different crepes but also has serves freshly made vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies.

I had to do everything in my power to not go with a dessert crepe, but opted for the breakfast crepe. Stuffed with spinach, cherry tomatoes, ham and CHEESE! The crepe itself was a little thicker than I expected, but delicious nonetheless- light and savory.

I coupled my breakfast with a cappuccino from across the room. The frothy beverage and crepe was the perfect way to start out my cold and rainy day. A good way to mark this authentic Autumn day in October.

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From the archives, I have another special review about my favorite salad in Dutch Harbor. I have tried many salads in Dutch and I by far the Hangar Steak Salad is THE BEST salad you can order throughout the Unalaska. The steak is cooked to order. First layered with salad greens, then shaved with red cabbage, red onion, cherry tomatoes, then two over-easy eggs. On the top there is buttered toast and then accompanied with a side of blue cheese dressing and crumbles. When I have had this salad, I prefer to ask for the dressing on the side otherwise it is very easy for them to overdo the dressing. I order my steak medium rare, and it is cooked as such. I can't help but want to devour the steak right off the bat. I think the two over easy eggs I can do without, but they are a fancy addition to the dinner salad. This salad will take awhile to consume, and will often take me more than 20 minutes to fully take in (if I have the appetite to eat all of this food!). I should mention though, that although I love Cape Cheerful to death, the service can be slow when they are very busy, but be patient! Because when they take care of you, they take care of you WELL!

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Because one of the crew member's of a previous boat deeply praised this sushi joint, my curiosity was extremely piqued. Little Tokyo seems to be a well-loved Japanese establishment here in Sitka (well...owned by Koreans). With a friendly sushi chef and server, I quickly became comfortable being here by myself. I sat at the sushi bar to be able to watch the chef at work. It is truly an art. I ordered the "Oh Baby Roll". I'm not really sure of the significance of the title... but the roll is "real crab, vegetable, inside [and] tuna outside", verbatim. The roll was... good, but I'm not sure if it really topped my 10 most amazing sushi experiences. I might actually rate this roll a little lower than my "Sushi on the Fly" experience at the Anchorage airport. Without soy sauce, I actually think the roll could have been quite bland. I was disappointed, but when my second dish arrived my expectations went up several steps. The Baked Green Mussel was delicious. I was served four baked mussels on the shell covered with a sweet and tangy sauce. It was also lightly drizzled with a teriyaki glaze and topped with sesame seeds. So yummy! But tonight was also a dessert kind of night. The mochi green tea ice cream pretty much ruled my world. The green tea taste was not too powerful, and the mochi (rice cake) covering was so delicious. A simply lovely combination. I'm hoping the next time I eat here I will try a more flavorful sushi roll, but I would definitely come back for the mochi ice cream.

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Time to taste a little Mexico in Sitka! Agave sits in the downtown scene and is quite popular with locals. The perfect spot for kiddie celebrations. What kid wouldn’t be drawn to churros and a very conveniently placed arcade? Um, I am drawn to it now and I’m a little over the age of ten. Like many Americanized Mexican restaurant establishments, there’s a wide selection of Mexicano eats. I normally opt for the combination items, but I went with the Burrito Verde. I consider it being adventurous because I usually stick with my favorites of tamales and tacos.

This burrito did not disappoint. It’s filled with beans (duh), chunks of pork, and topped with cheese and green sauce. The portions are huge, especially when you tack on traditional refried beans and rice. I tried to at least just eat the burrito, but even that seemed like an endless task.

With my next large appetite (perhaps after a boat where I’m fending for myself each meal) I would visit here again, and if not for the food at least for the little green plane!

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I'm back tracking just a tad here... So before I boarded my flight to Sitka, I discovered a newer sushi joint towards the end of the terminal at the Anchorage airport. Over the years, I would like to think of myself as a rising critic in good sushi. From the texture of the rice, type of fish, toppings and presentation, I can definitely share a few quality words about my sushi experiences.

I had one of the more intricate sushi rolls on the menu (gives mental self-wrist slap for forgetting what the roll was called). Inside was surimi and asparagus. The outside was layered with tuna and avocado. I had never had asparagus in my sushi before, but it was quite a nice balance with the surimi. When I ordered this roll though, it specifically said “crab” in the description, but when I prompted the server about what kind of crab was in the roll they clarified it was surimi... Now, I don't have strong feelings against surimi, but it is imitation crab usually made with pollock or scraps of other white fish (halibut, flatfish, etc...). I was disappointed to hear the supposed crab was actually surimi. This is usually the case for most restaurants of course, BUT THE MENU SAID CRAB! Very deceiving.

Anyways... I did enjoy the roll nonetheless, but my hope is they better clarify this in their menu. The presentation was appealing and the three sauces that lined the plate included a soy, thousand island, and a more spicy aioli. The combination was surprisingly tasty! In a state that prides itself in it's local seafood, this won't be the last time I have sushi in Alaska.

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Nestled within downtown Sitka is the Sitka Hotel, where I was able to treat myself to the king salmon filet. Accompanied with a fist-sized portion of coconut rice and a healthy side of buttered broccolini, this dish was well-rounded and delicious. The salmon was grilled and topped with a teriyaki glaze. The combination was quite good. My only wish is that the filet was a little more moist (cooking salmon is a delicate task) and that the coconut rice was a little more... well "coconuty". Although I could taste a mild coconut flavor, the rice seemed a little more salty then you would think coconut rice would be. However this could just be personal preference, because if you know me well you know I LOVE COCONUTS. Put lightly, I am a coconut fiend so I am a stickler for that sweet and nutty taste. The broccolini was cooked just right-sautéed and not over done. I'm impressed that they served king salmon and not coho or sockeye, while I will happily take either of the latter they don't call king salmon the king of salmon for no reason... it is certainly the top of the list for many connoisseurs of salmon. Although they seemed to be out of several menu items (the dessert list was was a bit disappointing) I'm glad I made the stop here. A good place to eat for locals and travelers.