Alaska Bistro's seafood among best in Arizona

By ADRIENNE FRANK
Get Out

Wait: We arrived at 5:30 p.m. on a Thursday and waited 10 minutes for the next available booth.

Service: Our friendly server did a fine job of keeping our water glasses filled and our table free of used dishes.

What we liked: The seafood was among the best Ive had in Arizona. We started with the coconut fried shrimp appetizer, served with a delightful mango, pineapple and chili dipping sauce mmm, sweet perfection! The owners secret-recipe clam chowder which we shelled out an extra $1 for in lieu of a dinner salad was equally heavenly, despite the bacon bits, which this non-pork eater had to pick out. For dinner we went with the roasted halibut topped with king crab and brie served with creamed spinach and a medley of grilled zucchini and squash. Tender and bursting with flavor, the crab and halibut made a great pair, though the chef was a tad too generous with the brie, which nearly overpowered the fish. The seafood kebabs halibut, salmon, shrimp and scallops with grilled peppers, onions and tomatoes over a bed of rice were both inventive and delicious, and the fresh flowers that were placed on both the entrees were a cute touch. My only complaint? All of the food soup aside was served lukewarm.

Scene: This newly opened eatery has as much personality as a health clinic. While its impeccably clean, it also feels sterile. The walls are mostly bare and the color scheme various shades of green and blue is forgettable. If only the dining room reflected the pizzazz of the cuisine (seriously, the fuchsia mum on my fish was such a colorful and creative touch), Alaska Bistro would be the total package.

Bathroom break: Much like the dining room, the restaurant was spotless but lackluster.

Tab for two: $57 with tip for coconut shrimp ($6.95), roasted halibut ($18.95), seafood kebabs ($16.95) and two bowls of clam chowder ($2).

If work werent buying: Its rare that I find myself in that corner of east Mesa. Alaska Bistro just might be worth the drive, though.

Reviewer #2

Mesa eatery's decor leaves you wanting more

By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

Wait: We arrived at 5:30 p.m. on a Sunday and were greeted by none other than Alaska Bistro do-it-all owner, Judy. The kind, older woman offered us our choice of a booth or table and seated us promptly.

Service: Clad in a green polo shirt and black slacks, our server was calm and polite, but a bit slow on the drink refills. He was very apologetic to his tables about the food taking its sweet time out of the kitchen and, upon its arrival, often being barely warm. At one point, Judy swarmed in for damage control, sending one patron's cold seafood kebabs back while leaning in closely to express how sorry she was.

What we liked: Judy's Alaskan Clam Chowder was hot, creamy and had plenty of tender clam pieces. The memorable, moist Killer Carrot Cake was just that. Chilled and layered with rich vanilla frosting, it was plenty for two to share. Unfortunately, our main dishes majestic broiled halibut fillet and Alaskan black cod fillet were either lacking in heat or flavor or both. The quality of the fish, caught by Judy's husband in Alaska and flown in daily, was superb, but the cooks were not.

Scene: Alaska's ambience doesn't fit its menu. If you have 10 dishes that are $16.95 or more and one listed at market price, I would think the table and bread basket napkins would be linen rather than a thick paper variety and that I wouldn't feel like I was eating in a diner. The few wall hangings scattered about were dull where are the beautiful, poster-size scenic photos of Alaska?

Bathroom break: Spotless and almost more interesting than the dining room, thanks to the gray- brown slate flooring, walls and countertops. Black stencils of boat captains, eagle heads and anchors were a nice touch to the flooring.

Tab for two: $65 with tip for fried calamari ($7.95), Alaskan black cod fillet ($17.95), majestic broiled halibut fillet ($17.95), a bowl of clam chowder ($1), Killer Carrot Cake ($4.95) and a soda ($1.75).

If work werent buying: Alaska Bistro couldn't be owned by a sweeter person, but someone needs to whip the kitchen into shape before too many more diners leave disappointed.

Alaska Bistro
1925 S. Sossaman Road, Suite 101, Mesa


Major cross streets: Northeast corner of Sossaman and Baseline roads
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Reservations accepted: Yes
Health report: Alaska Bistro has not yet been inspected
Prices: $10.95-$18.95
Most interesting item: Piroshki (salmon pie), $11.95