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Anchorage's dining scene has, to the relief of repeat visitors and, even more so, locals, been on the rise for the past several years. Established (and still highly recommended) restaurants like Jens’ and Marx Bros. Café have been joined by the likes of the small-plate and wine-focused Crush Wine Bistro and Cellar and the Pacific Rim cuisine–focused Ginger. No matter the restaurant, the local catch is a frequent star. Beware: eating salmon or halibut in-state may ruin you for fish served in the Lower 48. Anchorage also offers up plenty of worldly flavors thanks to the city's ethnic diversity. And nobody should leave Anchorage without trying the local fast-food specialty: a reindeer sausage from the cart in front of the courthouse on 4th Avenue.
The dining room here offers a range of meat and seafood entrées, while the lounge's separate menu feels suitable for a romantic date or a girls' night out. Kinley's also has a special knack for finding wines that taste luxe, but don't break the bank. Pair with an appetizer or one of their exquisite desserts, such as the mocha pecan torte.
Beautifully crafted Pacific Rim dishes like Panang curry and poke bowls are a mainstay at Ginger, where the menu offers food that will please both adventurous and more traditional diners. Decorated in beautiful woods and warm tones, the interior perfectly complements the menu.
The scent of hops permeates the cavernous, wood-beam BrewHouse, where at least a dozen beers are brewed on the premises. Locals mingle with visitors in this noisy, always-busy heart-of-town restaurant, and dinner selections range from chili-lime shrimp to fettuccine jambalaya. Summer reservations are recommended, even for lunch.
Every winter city needs a ramen shop, but the menu and the mood at this upscale eatery make it a must-visit. The restaurant's basic name belies the creativity at work, with Japanese small plates, a long roster of ramen dishes, and eye-catching cocktails in the cozy back-room bar.
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