Anchorage claims to be holding its own in its variety and number of quality eating establishments. Local chefs are said to be respected “fellows” in the American Academy of Chefs, and the city has a chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. Anchorage residents and visitors to Alaska can enjoy a wide range of restaurants from urban funk to Asian inspired and fine dining with views to neighborhood bistros and pubs. New on the Anchorage dining scene this year is the Spenard Roadhouse, calling itself a lively, neighborhood eatery offering contemporary comfort food, house-made sauces and dressings, and has a well-stocked bar featuring custom, house-infused vodkas and small-batch bourbons.

Menu items include grilled kalbi ribs with mint pesto and yellow curry, roasted veggie quesadillas with sweet potato gratin, and fresh halibut ensalada, with avocado puree and pico de gallo. This month’s appetizer is a bacon-wrapped apricot with a maple-bourbon dipping sauce.

The restaurant has a “live and local” program featuring live, local acoustic music with no cover charge. If you happened to be in Anchorage, check the Website for scheduled bands. Bourbon tasting classes are $25 per person: sampling five bourbons, plus several palate cleansing appetizers and desserts. Classes are offered monthly.

Located at 1049 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Spenard Roadhouse is open 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., seven days a week.