Since I did a Shopping Local blog, it would be unfair to not do a blog about Eating Local. Alaskans are passionate about food. Most wear it on the outside *sorry*, but there are a lot of places to rave about locally. Since I have a partner in crime, we try as many new places as possible. Some places I don't get excited about like others do. 95% of the time, I've been there. So here's a shout to my fav's:
Sorrento's - This is the best Anchorage has to offer for Italian. Most people say Romano's just down the street, but I completely disagree. I love their Spaghetti Puttanesca, and they make great pizza's. I've never had a disappointing meal there! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sorrentos-Restaurant/119733714727336
Fireweed, West of Northern Lights - Anchorage, AK
Yamato Ya - Since one of my favorite places on Huffman closed, I will say that Yamato Ya is one of the best for sushi. I love the Y-2 roll. They do great bento boxes too for lunch. http://yamatoyasushi.com/ 36th & Old Seward Highway - Anchorage, AK
Simon & Seaforts - TWO WORDS - Halibut Cheeks. As a former fatty, I try not to let food take me to this heavenly place...but I fail when the cheeks touch my tongue. It may be the best meal to eat in all of Anchorage. Bonus that it overlooks the Cook Inlet, and has a great bar. http://www.simonandseaforts.com/ L St & 4th Ave - Anchorage, AK
Fletcher's (in the Captain Cook Hotel) - Most people go to Captain Cook for the Crow's Nest (which is absolutely lovely, great food, and overlooks the entire city), but my favorite is Fletcher's. It boasts an awesome bar and I find it rather cozy. My favorite is the Halibut Picatta, and they make solid burgers too. http://captaincook.com/dining 5th Ave & K St. - Anchorage, AK
Bombay Deluxe - I used to detest Indian food (blame it on a lot of poor choices made on a trip to England), but I was introduced to this place last month, and the food is amazing! A great place for Vegetarians too. Portions are huge, but it was nice since I had about 2 meals to take away. They know how to make lamb very well, which is hard to find in any state. http://www.bombaydeluxe.com/ Northern Lights & Dawson - Anchorage, AK
Snow City Cafe - Although it is usually full of tourists, this has to be one of the best places to eat breakfast or lunch. They also serve amazing lattes. My favorite item to order is the Nuevo Huevos. Staff is always friendly, but be prepared to wait (although they are now taking call-ahead reservations). They also own Spenard Roadhouse (love their Sunday night TV Dinners) and Sacks Cafe (not a fan at all, sorry). http://www.snowcitycafe.com/index.html 4th Ave & L St - Anchorage, AK
Pancho's Villa - I am from Arizona, therefore exposed to a lot of Mexican food. Surprisingly, Alaska is not lacking in Mexican food. There will always be a huge amount of opinions (more so than Italian up at the top) on authentic Mexican. Panchos reminds me of home. I was told places like Mexico in Alaska were more authentic...and while that may be, they completely lack in flavor. At Panchos you can never fail with chicken poblano, flautas, enchiladas, you name it. Plus it has some of the best seating, very cozy small booth's. So this is my final call on Mexican food (and yes, I've tried it all, locally). http://www.panchosvillainak.com/ Spenard & 31st Ave.
Out of town:
Seven Glaciers - Girdwood, AK - the nicest restaurant I've been to in AK. It actually sits between 7 different glaciers. The Hotel Alyeska owns it (gorgeous) and you have to take the tram up to the top of the mountain to get there. http://www.alyeskaresort.com/dining/seven-glaciers-restaurant.aspx
Turnagain Arm-Pit - Indian, AK - the best BBQ I've had in AK. Ask to buy the BBQ sauce, the jar alone is worth the price (although what's inside is amazing). Brisket and Fried Pickles? Yes please. http://www.turnagainarmpit.com/
Double Musky - Girdwood, AK - This has been featured on television more than a few times, and ranks as some of the finest Cajun food in the country. It truely lives up to its hype. The Pepper Crusted Steak is its signature dish, and I personally, would not order anything else...because its that good. http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/
Gwin's Roadhouse - Cooper Landing, AK - If you are road tripping South, this is THE place to stop. The staff is the friendliest. Smoked Salmon Chowder Soup is a must. http://www.gwinslodge.com/restaurant.html
Although I've been North and South of Anchorage, these are just a few of the places you should check out when visiting Alaska. Thanks for reading!
Showing posts with label Alaska. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alaska. Show all posts
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Halloween!
Today, we are 2 weeks closer to my favorite day of the year. Halloween is magical. You know the Bruce Springsteen line "Wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face?" It might be the best line ever, to sum me up as a woman. I love to change, and I love that Halloween let's me live in this magical place for one night a year. It also hits me that my other favorite holidays are fastly approaching - Thanksgiving and most importantly Christmas. The days get much shorter here (as little as 5 hours of sunlight/day) and there is snow on the ground. Its just... magical!
I usually put a lot of thought into my costume...placed 4th out of 1000 in a competition in Falls Church, VA, 2010 Halloween, for Lady Gaga, and invested a good amount of money into my costume that I'd never wear again. This is the first year, I am down to the wire, and going to have to settle on something that I did not create myself. Nevertheless, it looks amazing, and I'm excited to wear it. My other favorite person in my life bought their costume today, because I insisted I wasn't doing it alone this year.
So is it weird that a 31 y/o is obsessed with dressing up on Halloween? I don't think so. While you'll be passing out candy at home and dreading the late Trick-O-Treaters, I'll be having one of the best nights of my life. You only live once! BTW...my costume is a secret!
I usually put a lot of thought into my costume...placed 4th out of 1000 in a competition in Falls Church, VA, 2010 Halloween, for Lady Gaga, and invested a good amount of money into my costume that I'd never wear again. This is the first year, I am down to the wire, and going to have to settle on something that I did not create myself. Nevertheless, it looks amazing, and I'm excited to wear it. My other favorite person in my life bought their costume today, because I insisted I wasn't doing it alone this year.
So is it weird that a 31 y/o is obsessed with dressing up on Halloween? I don't think so. While you'll be passing out candy at home and dreading the late Trick-O-Treaters, I'll be having one of the best nights of my life. You only live once! BTW...my costume is a secret!
The infamous Bjork swan dress - 2011, Anchorage, AK
Lady Gaga - 2010, Falls Church, VA
The Watchmen! - 2009, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Rebel, Rebel...(Pt 1)
31 years ago, I was born in Mesa General Hospital in Mesa, Arizona. Very healthy, 7 pds 7 oz, and from what I was told, had the darkest hair and eyes, that they confused this white girl with the Hispanic babies born that day.
My parents had decided to have their first born, because they wanted to give a grandchild to my grandfather dying of cancer (mom's side). He lived another 20 years, and thank goodness he did, because I was the apple of his eye. My mom always said "You were planned", and not until the last year does that statement mean a lot to me. Why? I really don't know. I get sidetracked easy...so don't be surprised when things go all over the place in this blog.
A little background on my parents - my father is from Ohio and my mother is from Germany. He was rough around the edges for a girl like her. She spotted him in her high school parking lot in Ohio. She was still in school and he had graduated. I'm assuming she was drawn to the bad boy image my dad had around town. He was wild, tall, way too skinny and had long blonde hair. She was beautiful with her long brown hair, reserved and well-behaved. They dated for 4 months, broke up and fate reunited them a little over 4 years later. More on that in another post on another day.
The first few years of my life, we lived in Chandler, Arizona, but soon relocated to a home in Mesa around the time my brother was born, 2 years later. When he was born, I noticed a major shift...I was obviously not the center of attention anymore. I do believe I developed a rebellious streak and a NEED TO BE SEEN attitude shortly, thereafter. My mom enrolled me in dance around 3 or 4, and it was my first outlet to be the center of attention again. I really shined. That was a distraction from my brother...who I often bullied at that age. I was a hardcore biter!
My parents bought their first home in Gilbert, Arizona. If my timeline is correct, it was right around the time I was starting kindergarten. I remember my grandparents (mom's parents) around all the time since both of my parents worked full time. I loved having them around...to say they spoiled my brother and I is an understatement. My grandmother acted like the house maid - cooked whatever you wanted, cleaned the house, and always had things in perfect order when my parents came home. My grandfather took us to the public pool at the end of our street often, out for ice cream, or any other place we wanted or needed to go. At a very early age, I noticed how much my grandparents loved each other. They always wanted to be together. It was icing on the cake that their ultimate element was being around my brother and I. They also had a toy poodle that they brought over, named Peaches. They doted on the dog just as much as they did on us. Probably the main reason I am such an animal lover today.
When they went home for the evening, it was back to business. My parents had worked a long day, and here you have two kids who just spent the last 3-4 hours being given anything they want. I can't speak for them, but I'll speak on it now - we were brats! A typical night would involve my brother and I sitting at the dinner table, spitting our vegetables into a napkin, or hiding them in our pockets. I was a big complainer about what my mom would prepare, since it was junk food city after school. After that we'd make a mess (my mom has always kept a house so clean, you can eat off the floor) or brawl with each other. I was still bullying my brother since he remained much smaller and powerless over me. In one incident I had thrown a blanket over my brothers head and shoved him head first into the corner of the wall. A trip to the hospital was made since he had to be stitched up. If my mom had to take us anywhere, like the grocery store or the mall, I'd either get mouthy or my brother would misbehave by hiding in the racks. If we reached her limit, we got the belt from dad when we got home. Obviously my brother and I had no idea how hard our parents had worked all day to provide for us, and why they weren't as easy-going as my grandparents. But, in our defense at that age, it's not something you can comprehend.
I'm just getting started on my childhood. It's spotty in places, but I hope you're ready for a long read... :)
My parents had decided to have their first born, because they wanted to give a grandchild to my grandfather dying of cancer (mom's side). He lived another 20 years, and thank goodness he did, because I was the apple of his eye. My mom always said "You were planned", and not until the last year does that statement mean a lot to me. Why? I really don't know. I get sidetracked easy...so don't be surprised when things go all over the place in this blog.
A little background on my parents - my father is from Ohio and my mother is from Germany. He was rough around the edges for a girl like her. She spotted him in her high school parking lot in Ohio. She was still in school and he had graduated. I'm assuming she was drawn to the bad boy image my dad had around town. He was wild, tall, way too skinny and had long blonde hair. She was beautiful with her long brown hair, reserved and well-behaved. They dated for 4 months, broke up and fate reunited them a little over 4 years later. More on that in another post on another day.
The first few years of my life, we lived in Chandler, Arizona, but soon relocated to a home in Mesa around the time my brother was born, 2 years later. When he was born, I noticed a major shift...I was obviously not the center of attention anymore. I do believe I developed a rebellious streak and a NEED TO BE SEEN attitude shortly, thereafter. My mom enrolled me in dance around 3 or 4, and it was my first outlet to be the center of attention again. I really shined. That was a distraction from my brother...who I often bullied at that age. I was a hardcore biter!
My parents bought their first home in Gilbert, Arizona. If my timeline is correct, it was right around the time I was starting kindergarten. I remember my grandparents (mom's parents) around all the time since both of my parents worked full time. I loved having them around...to say they spoiled my brother and I is an understatement. My grandmother acted like the house maid - cooked whatever you wanted, cleaned the house, and always had things in perfect order when my parents came home. My grandfather took us to the public pool at the end of our street often, out for ice cream, or any other place we wanted or needed to go. At a very early age, I noticed how much my grandparents loved each other. They always wanted to be together. It was icing on the cake that their ultimate element was being around my brother and I. They also had a toy poodle that they brought over, named Peaches. They doted on the dog just as much as they did on us. Probably the main reason I am such an animal lover today.
When they went home for the evening, it was back to business. My parents had worked a long day, and here you have two kids who just spent the last 3-4 hours being given anything they want. I can't speak for them, but I'll speak on it now - we were brats! A typical night would involve my brother and I sitting at the dinner table, spitting our vegetables into a napkin, or hiding them in our pockets. I was a big complainer about what my mom would prepare, since it was junk food city after school. After that we'd make a mess (my mom has always kept a house so clean, you can eat off the floor) or brawl with each other. I was still bullying my brother since he remained much smaller and powerless over me. In one incident I had thrown a blanket over my brothers head and shoved him head first into the corner of the wall. A trip to the hospital was made since he had to be stitched up. If my mom had to take us anywhere, like the grocery store or the mall, I'd either get mouthy or my brother would misbehave by hiding in the racks. If we reached her limit, we got the belt from dad when we got home. Obviously my brother and I had no idea how hard our parents had worked all day to provide for us, and why they weren't as easy-going as my grandparents. But, in our defense at that age, it's not something you can comprehend.
I'm just getting started on my childhood. It's spotty in places, but I hope you're ready for a long read... :)
My mother, 3 months after giving birth to me...and my dad admiring in the background. Isn't she gorgeous?
My mom and I on my first birthday - Chandler, AZ
My grandmother and I.
My dad letting the military straighten him out :)
My grandfather.
My brother and I - around 1984
My brother and I - Easter 1985
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Lets start at the very beginning...a very good place to start.
Me and the Kenai
It has taken quite a bit of courage, but here I am, writing my first blog. I've always had strong opinions and normally have a lot to say. No better time than the present to document my thoughts.
As you may have read in my introduction, I live in Alaska. I relocated to Anchorage from our nations capital on June 15, 2011. A series of events have led me here, but I'd like to call it fate. I will get around to discussing the last 31 years, but I'm just asking for your patience, please!
I admit to being a true Pisces...I live in a fantasy world and have an artist's mentality. You get me or you don't. You love me or you hate me. There is no in-between with Crystal (I'll try not to speak in third-person).
You will hear me discuss fashion and the outdoors more than anything. I have other interests, but these subjects will dominate the most...in that order. I also have a handful of truly amazing people in my life, that inspire me, so you will hear about them as well. I am a freelance artist for a major cosmetic label, and have worked on and off in the field for the past decade. I'll try not to talk about work much. :)
I admit to not being eloquent, so this should get interesting.
Just a list of things to start out with (that you may know or not know about me) :
I am a former fatty, and 115 pds smaller than I was around 5 years ago.
Erdem, Viktor & Rolf and Alexander McQueen are my favorite labels in 2012.
Halloween is by far the best day of the year.
When I was a teenager, I was in a Broadway play.
I went off to college on a Music scholarship.
I'm addicted to creating sets on Polyvore www.happycrystalb.polyvore.com
I've found the love of my life.
I've had an amazing fishing year - one of the luckiest.
I could listen to Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones all day.
I'm spiritual, but not religious.
I'll never discuss politics on my blog.
I have the most amazing parents.
I am a die hard animal lover.
I thrive in the dark and snow, the summer and sunshine depresses me.
I can sniff out the most expensive item in the room - I have good taste!
And yes, that is Betsey Johnson in my profile picture with me.
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