Good Restaurants in Midtown (Anchorage)

Stuart Anderson's Cattle Company

This is a consistently pleasing midtown steakhouse. Lunch offerings include Fish and Chips, Grilled Chicken Teriyaki, a variety of burgers and deli sandwiches. Dinners include Grilled Prawns, Crab Stuffed Halibut, Baby Back Ribs & Top Sirloin, Cajun T-Bone, London Broil and a Full Rack Baby Back Pork Ribs. This restaurant covers all of a meat lover's needs. Beer, both domestic and microbrews are available, as well as wine from several vineyards and reasonably priced.

Roscoe's

Casual and popular with the local crowd for its tasty large portions of food, newcomers to this restaurant (now located within the midtown Sears Mall), will enjoy the photos of the owner taken with celebrity guests such as Quincy Jones and B.B. King. Whether you choose the Alaskan crab- and prawn-filled Gumbo, the pork rib dinner, or the unbelievably great catfish each is served with a side of dirty rice, Southern-style greens, fried okra or candied yams and more. Still have room for dessert? Try the hot peach cobbler with Alaskan-made ice cream. Beer and wine available.

Sweet Basil Cafe

Near the Anchorage Weekend Market & Festival, pop in for a coffee or picnic lunch to enjoy on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (this is the URL you can cut and paste into cityguides and other documents). Local artists' work is displayed in this colorful, up-beat cafe with metallic decor. Breakfasts have terrific options of coffee drinks and scones, Oatmeal with Fresh Berries and Raisins, large waffles or muffins and bagels. Lunches include homemade soups and sandwiches and several daily special entrees, typically a fish with pasta dish. Beverages include wine and beer.

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon

Evenings bring out locals who enjoy the hardy portions and casual atmosphere of roping stations, lariats and the sometimes Stetson-wearing staff. Check out the eight-ounce Del Monico Steak Sandwich for lunch or the Center Cut Pork Chop both joined with a choice of potato. A Caesar Chicken Salad and El Paso Salad are large enough for a meal, so watch yourself if you are planning to have one of its juicy 20-ounce New York Steaks.

Thai House

This terrific, if unglamorous, restaurant is located in the heart of Midtown. Appetizer options include spring rolls and stuffed chicken wings. The Tom Khar Gai Soup has piping hot spices that lift your scalp for a moment or two; you can help it down with Thai Ice Tea. The pan-fried Garlic Chicken, or several options of duck are sizeable, well prepared and authentic. Several vegetarian options are available too. No alcohol is served here.

Little Italy

Chianti bottles strung from the ceiling and garlic ropes scattered around make the atmosphere casual, romantic and charming at this local favorite that has been serving fine food since the 80s. Try the appetizers of Tzakiki, a garlic, sour cream dip with pita chips, or Dolmadeths. Entrees such as the Moussaka and Eggplant Parmesan are all preceded by soup or salad. Desserts such as cheesecake, baklava, spumoni ice cream and creme caramel are offered, as well as an extensive and varied wine list.

Alaska Bagel Restaurant

Welcome to an airy, one room restaurant catering to the bagel lover in everyone. Breakfast is served until noon on weekdays and 3pm on weekends. The menu includes Belgian Waffles, a Bagel Cheese Canadian-Bacon Scramble, a Veggie Omelet and Eggs Benedict. For lunch, order from a wide range of pizzettes, bagel sandwiches, soups, pastas, salads and quiche. With over 30 flavors of bagels, you are sure to find one that appeals. Wine and beer is served.

Golden Pond

Located in the tiny Plaza Mall, it is an unobtrusive corner restaurant, easily missed if you do not know where to look. Inside, large red booths, dim lighting and soft music await. Locally popular, its real value lies in the all-you-can-eat buffet. Choose from a full menu or opt for the extensive buffet that includes soup, salad and ice cream bar. The buffet, with labeled selections, is economically priced. A limited offering of beer and wine is available.

Los Arcos

Established in 1990, lunch patrons rush in and out with the wait staff running to keep up. Featuring a Mexican Shrimp Cocktail of large prawns and horseradish salsa sauce and complimentary baskets of warm tortilla chips with two types of salsa. Make sure you save room for the generous lunch and dinner entrees. The chocolate mole is delightful over pork and chicken and the steak fajitas are a local favorite. Wine and beer is available.

Chris's Mixed Grill

Recognized for the unusual three main course entrees, locals know the treat that awaits them at this restaurant. Breakfasts feature all the classics. Dinner's entree platters have different focuses. The Bayou includes Blackened Prime Rib, Chicken and Shrimp Creole and Sauteed Butterfly Shrimp. The Roma is served with Rib-Eye Steak, Grilled Chicken Breast and Shrimp Scampi. There are many combinations not mentioned. Do not forget the brunch every Sunday. The place also offers espresso, beer and wine.

Sweet Pink Pepper

This local hot spot is sparsely furnished but everyone that tries its food, returns. Specials of the day are large and tasty. Soups like the Won Ton or Hot and Sour will warm and fill you up on a cool day, while entrees of Chow Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork or Mongolian Beef are perfect anytime. No alcohol is served, but hot tea and soft drinks are available.

Yamato Ya

With a variety of entrees to please everyone, you don't have to be a sushi fan to enjoy eating here. Chicken Teriyaki and Beef Udon Noodles are two of the bland selections if you are not up for the Toro Sushi, belly tuna, Tobiku Sushi, flying fish roe or Shake Sushi, salmon. Seafood Tempura and other dinner entrees are served with a side of salad, as are lunch specials of entree, rice, soup and tea. Alcohol is served.