Trixie Navarre

My friends and I had road tripped through Alaska, with me at the wheel. It was not until I created this food journal, that I realized how much we ate. Journaling your food certainly puts into perspective what you ate, and how much you ate. We had many amazing meals while in Alaska, and made some wonderful memories, in-between those meals.

From Alaskan Wild Blueberries to dining in swanky restaurants- My list of “What I ate in Alaska – A Food Journal”.

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King Crab legs

I mean how can you not eat King Crab Legs if you are visiting Alaska? I know there are people who are allergic to it or do not eat seafood/ shellfish, but for those who can- Let’s eat!

Although you can find King Crab Legs throughout Alaska, we did not start eating them until we were in Seward. The legs were very fresh, and when dipped into that clarified butter, my goodness, it just melted in your mouth.

King Crab Legs were enjoyed at Gold Rush in Seward, Alaska– Read Trixie N.‘s review of Gold Rush on Yelp

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Alaska Blueberry Pie

If in Alaska, try to eat something with Alaskan blueberries is what I was told many times over. I found just that, a delicious Alaskan wild blueberry pie while in Denali, and it was something truly special. The berries were fresh tasting and naturally sweet, it was a very delectable piece of pie.

I had this luscious blueberry number along with an Alaskan Blueberry Cosmo from Salmon Bake in Denali.

For restaurant information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Denali Park Salmon Bake on Yelp

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Aurora Chocolate in Anchorage

I had read about Aurora Chocolate and their Northern Lights/ Aurora Borealis inspired sweets. I had to have them. They looked beautiful, and I had read that they tasted divine. It was true, the chocolates tasted as good as they looked. I bought an assortment for my daughter and for myself, along with chocolate covered gummy bears, and other pieces of fine candy. This little sweet shoppe is a must do for those who love chocolate.

What used to be Sweet Chalet is now Aurora Chocolate, and it is still located inside the Captain Hook Hotel.

For store information and my YELP review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Aurora Chocolate in Hotel Captain Cook on Yelp

For ordering information, please visit their official website – Aurora Chocolate

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Fresh Steamer Clams

If steamed clams are on the menu, more than likely I will order them. I truly enjoy steamed clams, and the wine broth they sit in. Alaska was one place that I loved eating them due to their freshness.

I can recommend steamer clams in both Anchorage and Seward. Both restaurants I tried were very freshm and the broth was excellent.

Simon & Seafort’s Saloon in Anchorage – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Simon & Seafort’s Saloon & Grill on Yelp

Ray’s Waterfront in Seward – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Ray’s Waterfront on Yelp

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Ray’s Waterfront

While in Seward, we decided to eat at Ray’s Waterfront, and we were lucky enough to get a waterfront seating. This was a very nice restaurant, and we were happy with everything except for the scallops, they were a little tough. Do not let that stop you from eating here because all of the other dishes were quite delicious.

From seafood to chicken to dessert, Ray’s Waterfront had a lot of delicious dishes to try.

Ray’s Waterfront in Seward – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Ray’s Waterfront on Yelp

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Salmon Bacon

I was not sure what I was expecting when I ordered salmon bacon from The Red Chair Café in Anchorage, but this was what was handed to me. I liked it a lot so much that I tried to order it the following week, but they ran out. I am grateful that I got to try it once.

Salmon bacon has a tougher consistency than regular cooked salmon, but softer than fish jerky. It also had a nice smoky flavor to it, and was slightly crisp along the edges.

For restaurant information and my Five Star YELP review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of The Red Chair Cafe on Yelp

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Moose-AKa’s Restaurant

One restaurant that we were recommended by locals in the small town of Denali was Moose-AKa’s. It was definitely something different than what we were expecting to dine on that night, as it was Eastern European food. We all enjoyed our dishes, and I know I loved the moussaka that I ordered. For dessert I chose the PB&J Flash Fried Crepe, and my friend said “Bro, that’s got a ton of sugar!” He was right.

If you plan on dining at Moose-AKa’s, it is recommended that you make dinner reservations as this is a popular place.

For restaurant information and my YELP review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Moose-AKa’s on Yelp

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Great Harvest Bread in Anchorage

Great Harvest Bread in Anchorage has been covered by Social Media and TV shows for several years. Since I was in Anchorage, you know darn right that I was going to check out Great Harvest.

Besides the samples that were given to us, I ordered a ham, egg, and cheese roll, plus a breakfast sandwich to go. Everything was very freshly baked, and a nice way to begin the drive to Denali.

For bakery information and my Five Star YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Great Harvest Bread – Anchorage on Yelp

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Day Cruise Lunch

In Seward we took an incredible day cruise along the Kenai Fjords, and everything was stunning. I recommend that you take this day cruse as part of you trip to Seward, information and photos are in my Yelp review below.

On board we were served a tray lunch with a chicken wrap, which was fairly average. There was more lettuce than chicken, and thank goodness there were packages of dressing on the table. After awhile though, I felt as if I were eating a wrapped salad. We were also given a granola bar, and chips with our lunch tray. It was like a school lunch.

For Day Cruise information and my Five Star Yelp review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Kenai Fjords Tours on Yelp

Cruise blog – Kenai Fjords National Park | Exploring Alaska

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Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon is a popular used ingredient in Alaskan dishes, and it can be served in various ways. When I was there I tried it in a bisque, as well as a salad. Although both were very different from each other, there were delicious. If I were to choose one, I enjoyed the smoked salmon bisque the best.

Smoked Salmon Bisque from Simon & Seaford in Anchorage. For information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Simon & Seafort’s Saloon & Grill on Yelp

Smoked Salmon Salad from Glacier Brew House. For information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Glacier BrewHouse on Yelp

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Seafood Chowder

I seemed to have been on a seafood chowder pilgrimage in Alaska, I loved it so much. It was filling, and warm especially on those chilly August days. These two were my favorites, one from Orso, and the other from Glacier Brew House, both in Anchorage. If I were to choose my favorite of these two, it would be the seafood chowder on the left from Orso. Both were excellent by the way, it was a tough choice.

For restaurant information and my YELP Review on Orso – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Orso on Yelp

For information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Glacier BrewHouse on Yelp

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The Perfect Shortbread Cookie

Excerpt from my YELP Review: “It did not take long for the server to convince me to try one of their cookies, actually there was no convincing. I hear cookie and I say “Yes” before the question is finished. I tried their shortbread cookie that is dipped in chocolate, and Holy Mary it was phenomenal. This cookie was a perfect delicious shortbread.”

You can find one of these perfectly chocolate dipped shortbread cookies inside The Red Chair Café in Anchorage.

For restaurant information and my Five Star YELP review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of The Red Chair Cafe on Yelp

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Cocktails, Darling, Cocktails!

If you enjoy have a cocktail or two, then you know how important it is to any meal or social hour. I absolutely love them, and find them just as important as any part of a good meal. While in Alaska, we found some impressive cocktails.

 

From Happy Hour Champagne Cocktails to a tilted Alaskan Blueberry Cosmopolitan, it was always 5:00 somewhere.

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Rockfish

I love trying new types of fish to add to my tasting palate. While in Anchorage, I tried rockfish for the first time. It was delicious. Rockfish is quite a heavy fish, and worked well when it was stuffed with crab. It was an impressive dish due to the texture, and flavor combination- rockfish and crab. It was well paired with the simple root vegetates that were served.

I enjoyed this delicious Crab Stuffed Rockfish with root vegetables from Orso Restaurant in Anchorage.

For restaurant information and my YELP Review –Read Trixie N.‘s review of Orso on Yelp

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Halibut Anything!

Halibut is in season from March through November in Alaska, which is outstanding because that is travel season. Halibut in Alaska was always fresh and delicious. It is a very firm fish, and it can be used in a variety of dishes.

While in Alaska, I tried Halibut Fish & Chips in Denali, and Halibut Tacos in Seward. Both styles of halibut were terrific, and I enjoyed them both the same.

Fish & Chips from Salmon Bake in Denali. For restaurant information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.’s review of Denali Park Salmon Bake on Yelp

Fish Tacos from Golden Rush in Seward. For restaurant information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Gold Rush on Yelp

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Red Chair Café

This café was as solid of a breakfast place as you can get. I came here twice because I liked it so much. I loved the fresh local asparagus that was served as a lower carb side option, it was great when topped with slivered almonds. If I were to go back to Anchorage, this would be my definite breakfast place.

For restaurant information and my Five Star YELP review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of The Red Chair Cafe on Yelp

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Sweets Things in Seward

While strolling through Seward, my friends and I walked into a charming old store with checkered floors. It reminded me of the 100 year old house we owned in the Mid-West, it was adorable. This sweet shoppe sold both homemade candies and gelato, it was mind buzzing.

Why choose chocolate or gelato? I definitely did not. I chose one chocolate piece, and a scoop of the local Sitka Rose Gelato. Both were divine, especially the rose gelato. It was a great finisher to the large meal that we had at Gold Rush restaurant.

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A lot of Caffeine- Alaska Edition

I know that I drink more caffeine on my trips than I do normally, which does make sense. I love a cup of hot black coffee, or something frilly like a Lavender Chai Latte, it is all wonderful. Alaska has several great coffee places such the AK Alchemist, or the Espresso Café inside of Nordstrom’s. The best part of having a nice cup of coffee in Alaska is the ‘warming up’ feeling from the chilly weather.

If you like Chai anything, I recommend having the Great Tiger Spiced Chai from AK Alchemist in Anchorage –Read Trixie N.‘s review of AK Alchemist on Yelp

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A Swanky Happy Hour at Ginger

Don’t you just LOVE a good happy hour? I know we do! We located an excellent happy hour at Ginger, an Asian fusion restaurant in Anchorage. It was lovely- the ambiance, the cocktails, the service, and the food – it was all outstanding.

We started off with a couple of champagne cocktails, and went through the happy hour menu ordering the Mushu Tacos, Chicken Soba Noodles, Wings, and of course their crispy fries. I enjoyed this place so much that I gave it a Five Star Yelp Review.

For restaurant information and my Five Star YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Ginger on Yelp

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Cabin Fever Food and Grocery Shopping

We decided to stay at a cabin in Denali, which was a perfect idea because it had a large kitchen that allowed for us to cook breakfasts. Although there was one morning that we woke up, and we had no electricity (lightening hit tree – hit power line). We ended up preparing our breakfast, and eating by hanging our headlamps. Always come prepared!

If you are planning to stay at a cabin in Denali, and driving from Anchorage like we did, I suggest to stop off at the Fred Meyer in Wasilla. This town is outside of Anchorage, and the grocery store is conveniently off the freeway. The prices are more reasonable than what you will find in Anchorage, and the selection is a lot better than what you will find in Denali.

For store information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Fred Meyer One Stop Shopping on Yelp

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American Diner Food in Anchorage

As our last meal together before heading home, we decided to eat at a popular casual diner close to the airport in Anchorage, Southside Grill. The food was pretty good, and so were the Yelp reviews. It was a nice casual way to unwind before everyone started flying back to California.

I enjoyed the tuna melt that I ordered, because it reminded me of the sandwiches that I grew up on. I added a cup of creamy clam chowder with my lunch, and it rounded off the whole meal.

For restaurant information and my YELP Review –Read Trixie N.‘s review of Southside Grill on Yelp

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Airport Turkey Stacker Sandwich

Fairbanks Airport is very small, and it does not have a business lounge. Sitting down and eating at ‘The Local’ was my choice, I am serious this was my only choice. I was grateful though because the turkey stacker with a side salad, was decent for airport food.

For restaurant information and my YELP Review –Read Trixie N.‘s review of The Local on Yelp

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“One of the Best Dozen Donuts in America”

That was according to the Huffington Post, and what led me to purchase three donuts. I did not want to decide which ONE to try, so I bought one of each Old Fashioned donut: Regular Glazed, Fire Weed, and Cinnamon. If you do not know what Fire Weed is, it is a purple wild flower that grows all over Alaska. Adding fireweed to foods would be similar to infusing rose or lavender.

The donuts were very good. I am not sure if it was the “One of Best Dozen Donuts in America”, but they were what an Old Fashioned donut should taste like. They were soft. and a bit crunchy on the outside. They were definitely not oily, which can spoil the texture and flavors an Old Fashioned.

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Croissant Breakfast Sandwich with a Bad Review

It happens and I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. In cases like this, where my Eggs and Lox Croissant Breakfast Sandwich had to go two rounds before I could take it back to my hotel was ridiculous. I wish I would have liked this sandwich better, it had so much potential. The realities of food and travel.

For my ONE Star Yelp review and restaurant information –Read Trixie N.‘s review of Paris Bakery & Cafe on Yelp

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Ice Straight From the Source

While sailing across the Kenai Fjords the crew members pulled in a chunk of ice from Holgate Glacier. They broke it down, and started to pass out the glacier in cups for all of us to share and taste. I know, it is just ice but the taste was so clean and light. Plus it was part of the glacier that we had just viewed, which was very cool.

For Day Cruise information and my Five Star Yelp review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Kenai Fjords Tours on Yelp

For my cruise blog – Kenai Fjords National Park | Exploring Alaska

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Fox Island Buffet

While on our incredible day cruise of the Kenai Fjords in Seward Alaska, we were served dinner on Fox Island, which was done buffet style.  The food was so-so, but the time cruising on the water was well spent.

My thoughts on the food served: It was a prime rib and Alaskan salmon buffet, both were a bit overdone and dry, but it is understandable especially when you are feeding the masses. The King Crab was pretty good, and I could have eaten just that but we were limited on how much crab. What can I say? I like King Crab.

For Day Cruise information and my Five Star Yelp review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Kenai Fjords Tours on Yelp

For my cruise blog – Kenai Fjords National Park | Exploring Alaska

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Homemade Ice Cream in Talkeetna

The Ice Cream! Even on a cold dreary day, ice cream here at Shirley’s Burger Barn is a definite treat. We spoke with the gentleman who was working at Shirley’s, and he mentioned the care and attention that is put into every flavor of ice cream. There are local favorites, which were made from Alaskan blueberries or the Fireweed that grows wild. This is a very special ice cream place in Alaska, down to the very last scoop.

I ordered the Alaskan blueberries because I fell in love with their berries while on my trip. It was one delightful scoop.

For location information and my Five Star YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Shirley’s Burger Barn on Yelp

For town information – Talkeetna Historic District | Exploring Small Town Life in Alaska

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A Cheesy Stromboli in Talkeetna

We figured that we would all share a pie when we walked into Mountain High Pizza Pie in small town Talkeetna. I do not know what happened, but we all ended up with some great individual Italian food dishes. I ordered the Stromboli that had a lot of melted cheese inside, which I really enjoyed. The Chicken and Rice Soup was very good too, especially on that rainy day.

For restaurant information and my YELP Review – Read Trixie N.‘s review of Mountain High Pizza Pie on Yelp

For town information – Talkeetna Historic District | Exploring Small Town Life in Alaska

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Retro Doritos on a Retro Couch

“Hey Guys, look at my selfie”- Doritos crumbs all over.

The cottage we were staying in at Seward had a very retro sofa, which matched the retro Nacho Cheese Doritos bag that one of my friend’s had bought. I have not seen this bag design since my youth, nor the sofa pattern. It was a good match.

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Let’s be grand adventurers…

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