Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar
343 W 6th Ave,Ste 100, Anchorage, AK, 99501
Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar Menu
-
Desserts
-
Sides
Healthy Meal suggestions for Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar
-
Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Anchorage for healthy meals suggestion.
Healthy Meal suggestions for Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar
-
Sides
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
343 W 6th Ave,Ste 100
Anchorage, AK, 99501 - Phone (907) 865-9198
- Website https://www.crushak.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Al P.
I still love this place, which I think only gets better with time (like their wine). I've now been there for several lunches as well, and their sandwiches are fantastic. Recently, had the meatball sandwich--a new fave, with flavorful meatballs with just the right spicing. These are the same meatballs they serve on the dinner menu, except the dinner ones come in a bowl with a perfectly balancing red sauce and are by far the best meatballs in town. I am so picky about meatballs that I would usually rather make my own than eat them from a restaurant. Considering how much I dislike cooking, that says a lot about my meatball demands (I am the same about marinaras). The meatball replaced my previous favorite sandwich, the steak and blue cheese. MMMM--so good. But I like a place that keeps things a bit fresh, and as long as they create new items that I like as much as the old, I can accept the forced change. It's good for me because I get in food ruts. Keep doing what you're doing, Crush, and I'll keep going, drinking too much wine, and spending too much money (both because Crush gets expensive when I'm very hungry and also because it's next to the mall and I have a bad habit of tipsy-shopping).
(5)Brianna T.
I'm seriously in love with this place. When I first moved to Anchorage, I was nearly in tears over the lack of good fine dining options here. (I actually believe my meltdown sounded something like, "I just want to find a place that garnishes with pea shoots!") Enter Crush. Their menu is pretty tiny, as far as food goes, but everything on there is so.damn.good. Life-changing salad? They have one. Maybe two or three, depending on my mood. (The goat cheese salad and the persimmon are super good, but they had a lunch special salad with warm pancetta that really did me in.) All their charcuterie is cured in-house, and they do a duck proscuitto that's out of this world. The soups here are consistently stellar, and having a dinner without soup here is doing yourself a disservice. All their specials are always on point, and the staff goes out of their way to be awesome. For lunch not long ago, I brought in a girlfriend with a super crazy gluten allergy. She ordered a food modification and a soup that they usually top with goat cheese. When she was served, the server told us the kitchen couldn't promise the cheese was gluten free because of something about the way it's processed, so they didn't top hers. Super appreciated! The three owners are super involved. Many nights you'll see Rob behind the bar or Chad up in the shop. Scott will teach you more about port than you ever thought you'd know. They're all super down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and passionate about what they do! The Cellar: Best wine selection in Anchorage. The sparkling wines are well-curated and the Italian section is pretty well fleshed-out for a small shop. Their one-off whites are amazing! Ch Musar white bottlings for sub-$30 (at least as of spring 2015). A surprising number of older vintages (2000 Pomerol, 2001 Rioja come to mind). And you can buy anything in the shop to take downstairs for a $15 corkage fee! They also have DRC, though it's unofficially restaurant-only. As a food enthusiast, I take all my out-of-town guests to Crush. It's my absolute favorite restaurant in town. Come in with your special someone, or have some prosciutto-wrapped dates and make friends at the bar; you won't be disappointed.
(5)Carrie P.
Wow. Went on a Monday night and it was pleasantly busy, not the crush of bodies as when I'd previously tried to go on a weekend. 3 of my pals had wine flights and the waiter described the location and attributes of each pour. We shared: Charcuterie& cheese plate: the charcuterie is house made and got us to eat beef tongue! It melted in our mouths. We delighted in sampling the meats, cheeses, homemade pickles (fennel, cucumber and more) and sauces (mustard, chutney, and preserved mustard seeds). Baked Mac & Cheese: just about the only Mac-n-cheese I've had in a restaurant that was worth paying for. Not greasy but thick and deeply flavored. Crimini mushrooms and spinach over polenta: a gluten free option that please everyone, with feta and tahini sauce. Intense complex flavored and lots of textural variety. I will be back.
(5)Lily P.
My salad was very good. My only complaint is I feel there was too much dressing that really overpowered the vegetables. Great atmosphere here.
(3)Amy K.
We needed a quick lunch place, and most of the places in the area were sandwich shop. Crush sounded more creative than many of the other places we checked out. This review is a bit delayed, but when we were there the weather was still warm enough to sit outside and the sun was very strong that day. Perfect for a nice lunch in the sun. The staff was very attentive, even though there weren't many people sitting outside. We had the arugula salad with skewers and the BLT with potato salad. We had read great reviews about the purple potato salad,many they were right. It was awesome. Both dishes were flavorful and portioned correctly. Wish we were there for happy hour. :-)
(5)Shay L.
2 nights in a row and this place is officially one of me and my Husband's favorite restaurants. Steak topped with verde sauce and fried onions, genius! Mascarpone Cheesecake with fruit and mint, amazing! Not to mention a large selection of wines, we will definitely be back.
(5)Maeve M.
Well i was pretty harsh back in 2013. I've made several return visits and I'm not sure what I was so upset about. Yes, they have small portions but frankly I appreciate that - you can clean your plate without needing a nap. It also seems like they've improved their flight selection; tonight I had an amazing flight of different vinho verdes, along with a cheese plate and the toasted goat cheese salad. The wines was great and I appreciated the rundown on the different blends from our waitress--I also think they're very generous with their pours. The salad was amazing, very full of different types of chopped produce (fennel, tomato, apple) with a warmed goat cheese round. The only thing that was slightly off for me was the cheese plate--they only have three types of cheese so there's no options to pick from, you get what they have available. The portions of the cheese were quite small and then they give you a lot of different mustards and fruit to eat with your small cheese servings, which seemed kind of strange. However, I enjoyed what I had and the overall experience was definitely a nice evening! Summer tip - If you're okay sitting in front of Nordstrom, they now have sidewalk tables available.
(4)Samantha G.
This is a cute little spot. It's deceptively small. Upstairs is a wine shop. Downstairs is a little restaurant. There's a bar with seating, a handful of tables, and a small outdoor patio. It's got a nice vibe and ambiance. Lots of wood. Lots of wine bottles. Cozy and casual. The end of lunch time is a great time to stop by as it's completely uncrowded. The restaurant is open all day, but the menus change. There's a lunch menu, then just a small plates menu, then a dinner menu. I started to panic at the end of my lunch thinking they closed at 2:30pm. But nope, they just stop the lunch menu at 2:30pm. The wine list, of course, is great. I like the various wine flight options. At they are pretty good-sized pours for the price. The lunch menu has a small variety of salads and sandwiches. I opted for the BLT with potato salad. You can also opt for soup or a regular salad. They bring out your side option first and then your sandwich. The potato salad was delicious and topped with bacon crumbles. The BLT was unique in that it had different and fabulous condiments - I don't even know exactly what they were - as opposed to standard mayo. And instead of lettuce, they used arugula. The portions were just right and everything was tasty. The service was very friendly and attentive. All in all, I'll be back again.
(4)Jackie H.
Walked into the place was amazed by the decor and set up but then sat down and sad to say my waitress looks and gives the feel/vibe she hates to work here. So I'm just gonna try the Alaska Hefeweizen and be on my way. Thanks
(3)Ryan J.
Wish they stayed open later, been here for a week (so I'm partially to blame) and been trying to get here before they close, made by 30 min tonight. Biggest hit I have on the place is the early hours for a wine bar which kills the atmosphere. But I can't speak for the weekends, I'll admit it is a Monday (but busy/tourist season) but some food for thought.
(3)Kent H.
I was there for a special nouveau wine tasting, so perhaps I didn't get the full effect of this place. I had two flights of reds, and ended up getting a full glass of one when I was done. Good variety! The service was good, and although I didn't have any food, it seemed that all were happy with what they got. One down side I observed was that there is only one restroom. In a packed environment, a line soon formed. No big deal, but just a little annoying. I'll have to come back and try the food on another day.
(3)Christine D.
I love Crush. The place is adorable, service is good, and the wine and food... *drool* My particular favorites are their olive appetizer and the poached egg ham salad that is to die for. I also discovered my new favorite wine - vinho verde. Their reasonable prices also mean you can try several menu items in one trip. And their wine store The Cellar is open late upstairs so you can go buy a bottle to take home. Plus the bottles can be super reasonably priced. My vinho verde was close to $10. My only complaint is that sometimes it's hard to find a table and the tables on their east wall are so wide that when it was just me and my friend it felt like we were way far apart. But this is one of my favorite places and my #1 spot for casual nights out with my friends.
(5)Samantha C.
So many things have changed for the better since my last review. The menu has changed so there are small plates, salads, larger plates and then there is a dinner special menu. They change up the wine flights occasionally and I really love finding wines I would have never thought of like a complex French Malbec. The staff are knowledgable on the different wines and if you tell them what you like they can make excellent recommendations. They occasionally have a new server that pours you a glass of wine like it's one of three in the wind flight. They should probably watch their new people a bit more. The dinner specials can be a bit pricey also their cheese and meat plate but the quality is there which evens it out for me. Lunch is a great option here and I love a cup of chamomile in the afternoon to go with it. The ham and Brie sandwich is great and usually a good soup. This place shows thought, pride and creativity.
(5)Maria A.
Pretentious and overpriced, I would not set my foot in here again into this wine snob wanna be "bistro". Per Wikipedia a bistro /bistro/, is, in its original Parisian incarnation, a small restaurant, serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. French home-style cooking, and slow-cooked foods like cassoulet, a bean stew, are typical. I grew up in Europe. The incarnation of Parisian is approximately 4676.5 miles away ( that is the distance from Anchorage to Paris). The food tends to be more of American contemporary wanna-be type than the fresh home style cooking. That I know of, there is no ELK ( trying to attract the tourists with Alaskan "wild wanna be meat")in France. I love my wine, wine, and I tell you aficionados like myself are given a bad rep, exactly because of places just like this one. Every time I have come, pulled in by a friend, the service has been non existent. Like I do not even exists. This place is up an running thanks to the fact that there is no other place to go in Anchorage for wine. Please go to a wine store get a decent bottle and drink at home instead of this hipster wanna be French wanna be bistro.Thanks but no Thanks. If you want original food direct yourself to Red Chair instead,
(1)Ann B.
As Valentine's approaches, I would like to reveal whom I secretly admire. That's right folks, Crush. I admire Crush from afar, in conversation, in catered events and in many a night planted right at the bar, enamored with wine goggles and giggles. The ambiance here is incredibly cozy, it's neither pretentious nor sloppy, it's simply welcoming. When I first saw this space being moved into, with the wine crates and boxes stacked high through the windows, it was love at first sight. I even stopped in and asked for a job (you see, I really, really, I mean really, like my wine). The feelings must have been mutual because they did offer me that job, but I had since paired with a less suitable & desirable position in architecture. I digress. The wine here is fantastic and varied. Knowledgeable staff and owners will go out of their way to listen to your needs and pair you with a wine you're sure to enjoy a glass or three of. The flights are totally worth it and a most perfect evening consists of a flight followed by a glass of your favorite pick. This is not a restaurant for me based on specific needs so much as it happens to satisfy all my needs (and that's a tall order my friends). Crush is perfect for after work, lunchtime, "work meetings", dinner, late night adventuring and even, as I have recently found, New Years Eve. THE FOOD, Chapter 2. All kinds of things are streaming through my head and in this head of mine, I sound like a school girl on crack....whose on a bus full of adolescent boys....wind blowing through my hair. I can't figure out how to justifiably talk about THE FOOD. I have easily tried (yet not tired of) half the menu and can never leave the place without some truffle white bean pate. A go-to meal is any small bite followed by the nicoise salad, obviously washed down with a flight of wine. An a-typical nicoise is what you can expect here. Mediterranean olives, string beans, mixed green, roasted potatoes, and whole anchovies surround a small jar of canned salmon. Say what? oh yes, this salmon has been freshly canned in a small ball glass in delicate olive oil and brought to a warm temperature for serving and it is DELICIOUS. You know what else is delicious? the beef carpaccio, the elk and pork meatloaf, the crimini & spinach over polenta. Don't even get me started on the specials. If a newcomer, you may find the portions on the small side, but the exceptional quality beats quantity here any day.
(5)Joey K.
The food is excellent, the best I have had in Anchorage. Try the macaroni & cheese, so amazingly good. Set up very much like a tapas gastro pub. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Irene D.
Try the Mac & Cheese with a salad. Oh em gee!! It's so so good. Service is friendly and there is a superb wine list and the service is very knowledgeable. I always have a salad too. I wish the Mac & cheese was bigger but nothing really to complain about because I should not eat more. The salads are delish too. Very fresh and the atmosphere is swanky...small but very friendly as I travel alone and I don't feel alone. Room at the bar is always open. Definitely a must while in Anchorage!!
(5)Erica C.
I have mixed feelings about this place. The concept is great and I love how it feels super cozy inside. However, my first experience here was horrible. We might have stumbled in here a little bit intoxicated after a few drinks at Bernie's, but our server literally treated us like crap. Gave us attitude and wasn't very attentive. Left us hanging at the table for so long that we actually contemplated walking out on the bill. I'm still a paying customer so I still deserve the same service anyone else in there is getting. Also, the crowd in here was a bit older than us so i'm not sure if that's another reason why they frowned upon us. My second visit here was much better with a different server, but someone at the table actually knew our server. They have a huge selection of wines and offer wine flights if you want to sample a few different ones. Food is decent, but pretty expensive for the portions they serve. The mac and cheese is probably the biggest rip off. It probably only really contains 6 bites and you're done.
(3)Alexis D.
Crush gets a two because I can't put half a star. My compliments to the chef. However the wait staff is mediocre at best. They don't listen when you tell them you don't want something boxed and they apparently talk about you to the back staff. Bad idea when the chef is a personal friend. Two starts for delicious food (however very limited and not enough rotation). And an immature unprofessional waitstaff. Great wine selection of course.
(2)Tessa D.
This is a great place. Granted, We were in for an early lunch on a Tuesday so it was a quieter and smaller crowd. It's a winery so there are people sampling wines- it's trendy but casual. The options fit on one small menu but the choices vary and can accommodate most tastes. I ordered the cheddar beer soup and it was lovely. Also ordered at our table was the potato salad which was also very good! The food came quickly and the waitress, however aloof, was polite and nice. I ordered the Brie and ham sandwich and it was delicious! Also ordered was the BLT which I hear was great. Portions are small but enough for a lunch. It was perfect for me. It was a trendy spot for a quiet week day lunch. Wonderful option for travelers looking for a delicious lunch option!!
(4)Kathleen S.
Fabulous way to celebrate a birthday! Wine and finger foods were amazing!! What a great night! Happy Birthday Kim!!!
(5)Sarah K.
I was ecstatic to find a wine bar in Anchorage. After only being recommended beer places that seemed to be equivalent to a Buffalo Wild Wings, this was a really lucky find. I started there for lunch, but ended up staying for a few hours (You can get the small dishes at 2:30). The lady sitting next to me kept raving about her dish so I also tried the chef's special salad, which was really amazing. They used ripe berries (Even the blueberries were up to standards. There is nothing I hate more than squishy blueberries. Ick!), local shrimp (I don't usually eat seafood, but this was amazing), and a refreshing dressing that tied everything together. Per recommendation from the same girl as well as the bartender, I also tried the mascarpone cheesecake. It is served in a smaller portion with berries and mint. Definitely worth trying and its not a giant portion to encourage overeating. For wine I tried the Semillon, which was delicious. While waiting specifically to try the truffled white bean pate, I also got the Italian wine flight. It was definitely worth getting. Onto the small dishes! The truffled white bean pate ($5) was really good. Its served in ramekin with a hummus like consistency. Warm Olives in Arbequina oil ($5) The green olives were really good. They give you extra oil for dipping the bread. House prosciutto wrapped & feta stuffed dates ($5) These are addictive. I would order those all night if I could. Delicious! To die for. I would come back just for these. (In response to another person's review, yes you do only get two. What were you expecting for five dollars? Dates are expensive by themselves and then you add on the price of the cheese, the stuffing of the cheese, and the prosciutto. Four or more? For five dollars? You have got to be kidding. They are called 'bites' for a reason. They are completely worth the price!) Last, but not least, the arugula, pickled beets, orange, olives, pistachio, and red wine feta salad is also worth getting. The beets taste like Christmas! The olives do have pits in them, so be careful. Overall, I was really impressed. I am definitely glad that I found this place. Orion, the bartender/supervisor/whateverpositionhesaidhewasin knows his stuff! The regulars that I met at the bar were all really awesome. It is definitely a fun place to hang out!
(5)Rachel S.
I came here for my birthday and was not disappointed. The outside doesn't look that great, being attached to the mall, but the inside is warm with a dash of modern decor. The bar is central with about a dozen tables around. We had a wine flight with the largest cheese/meat platter... I actually would not get this again, maybe just the cheese. 2 out of the 3 meats were kind of mysteries and not too tastey... Maybe I'm not sophisticated enough, but the cheeses were all bomb! Entrees and desserts were perfect and our waiter was friendly and knowledgable. I'll definitely comeback, maybe even just at the bar!
(4)Jonathan A.
Lovely Service and amazing food. I tried the Lasagna Bolognese and it was amazing, great taste and good portion. The waitress was really nice and very helpful. Had a great time dinning with my family.
(5)Amy H.
Tourist in town for 24 hours. Scoured yelp for something not too expensive but still good. They did not disappoint. I would give it more like 4.5 stars if possible. When we first arrived I thought this was going to be a little dicey for my not as adventurous in-laws. When they handed us the wine list of bottles that were WAY out of our price range I thought my father in law was going to have a heart attack. But the owner sensed our hesitance and brought us a couple if wines that were more budget friendly. Phew. Then it came down to food. Out of the 10 items the 6 of us ordered, only 1 was disappointing (baked ziti, a bit over cooked and crunchy.) We had the cheese and charcuterie (8 out of 10), figs wrapped in prosciutto (6), baked goat cheese salad (10!!), poached egg on arugula (7), pork empanada (7), Cremini and spinach polenta (6.5), Mediterranean chicken skewers (10 for the accompanying turmeric couscous with feta and MINT PESTO alone, but the chicken was nothing to sneeze at either), Niçoise salad (9+), and the meatloaf (9). In short (or not that short), if I were in Anchorage again, I would go back for sure.
(4)Erick N.
My wife and I were really impressed by our post Mayor's Marathon dinner tonight at Crush Wine Bistro. We walked in on a Saturday night just after 7:00pm and while all the tables were full, bar seating was available and we availed ourselves of is option. The bar is really attractive, the wooden counter is made for planks of wine barrels and attractive chandeliers hang overhead made from wine bottles. The rest of the dining room is nicely appointed as well with one of the tables consisting of a wine barrel. Perhaps the only negative is Crush can be on the loud side, though certainly not overbearingly. Crush features wine flights (as well as a nice selection of wines by the glass and craft beers) but IMHO the flights are the way to go; very reasonably priced at $12 for three pours (decent sized and no food or beverage tax in Alaska) - I imbibed in two flights and greatly enjoyed four of the six vinos I sampled. The food is served tapas style and also was quite enjoyable. I highly recommend the composed cheese plates ($19 for three or $25 for five; also came with assorted nuts, blueberries, toast points and a fig compote - charcuterie also available for additional cost). The Crab gratin was likewise outstanding as was the pork empanada. Plating was attractive and portions sizes more than adequate. The food is not as good a bargain a the wine, but certainly not unreasonable for the quality. Our server was one of the bartenders and she was warm, friendly and attentive despite a full house. As an interesting side note when I asked how long Crush had been around she I formed me they had just had their fifth anniversary the previous night; coincidentally my wife and I had celebrated our fifth that same evening! We had a really fun evening at Crush and might very well make it back for a repeat dinner before the midnight sun sets on our Alaskan vacation.
(5)Raul O.
Nice place to chill and enjoy some wine and try some tasty appetizers. Stuffed dates are a must try!
(4)L P.
I'm writing this review on just the food since I'm not much of a drinker. My girlfriend and I dined in here last week for brunch and I was so excited because it was my first time there. I was very hungry and decided to order the pork empanada with salad. I ate all of it within a few minutes! The portions were so small and I was no where satisfied so I also ordered the pork belly salad. That was small too but at least I was feeling satisfied! The food and service were good but don't expect to get a full tummy! I spent $24 + tip. It's weird that there's only one restroom stall for the whole restaurant - thankfully there was no line when I needed to use it. I would not want to be there if the restaurant was busy. My girlfriend wanted to buy some wine upstairs. I'm not a wine connoisseur but it was charming and had a nice selection. Overall my experience was OK, it wouldn't be my first pick to go eat somewhere but at least I'm no longer wondering what it was all about.
(3)Matthew B.
I'd give this place infinity stars if I could. First time visit and we were stunned. Great food. No, not great. Amazing food! Wonderful service with knowledgable servers about the food and wine pairings. We had a truly amazing evening. $12 Flights, 5.00 apps and reasonable entrees. We will be back.
(5)Donna H.
Looking for a small meal and glass of wine. This place fit the bill on all ends. The Salmon confit nicoise salad excellent. The duck dish was okay. Warm olives and bread a diffident. Carpaccio was nice. We all had the flight dark foreign and good looking. 2 of the malbec were close in taste but the 3rd was very dark and good tasting! Staff was excellent.
(4)Joshua A.
Came in for tapas on the recommendation of friends and based on positive yelp reviews. Unimpressed. Cheese and charcuterie were uninspired as was our server who seemed to want to be somewhere else. In Anchorage this place will probably be around forever, cornering a sort of metropolitan niche. In San Francisco or Seattle would be pushed aside by stronger competition.
(2)Jessica A.
Great food! I had the polenta with mushrooms and spinach.... it was very small but had great flavor, don't get it if your super hungry. its the kind of place u want to go on a date.. you can Gage a mans intentions by the price of the bottle ;) oh, and get the plum torte w/ birch ice cream it comes with these squiggles of lemon n plum sauce that u dip it in it was pretty fanshy.
(5)Eric L.
Great food and great booze! Best service I have received in Anchorage. Feels like a legitimate 4 star experience. In addition, the wine and spirits store upstairs is outstanding with a really knowledgeable owner (Chad) and hard to find options. Style is also very cool urban.
(5)Don J.
I was visiting Anchorage from out of town and looking for a lunch spot near the Anchorage Museum. I couldn't get a signal on my cell phone to look up reviews on Yelp, so we just popped into the first place that caught our eye. I walked into Crush Wine Bistro fully expecting to get, duh, a glass of wine - but on sitting down, my attention was riveted by the excellent beer list! I had one I couldn't pronounce, Weihenstephaner, which I fully recommend if you're looking for something different. The Sockeye IPA is not bad, although don't choose this one if canned beer turns you off. I had a difficult time choosing a lunch plate after watching all the delicious-looking plates my neighbors were being served. A BLT doesn't sound very sexy, but Crush makes it look gourmet with thick slices of toast. The crab sliders also looked fantastic. I finally settled on the smoked pork and black bean empanada. I wasn't disappointed - it was cooked just right and full of flavor. It came with the soup du jour, which was some kind of blue cheese soup. It sounded too strong-tasting for my liking and I was doubtful, but the server cheerfully brought me a sample so I could order with confidence. I was pleasantly surprised - the soup has a blue cheese edge that was assertive but not totally dominant. Overall, a very pleasant afternoon lunch spot with good natural light coming through the front windows.
(5)Loren R.
Great place to take a date My wife and I like going here when we spontaneously want a date night. Great wine flights It's a great way to taste a variety of upscale food nibbles, feel classy About it, enjoy people watching And conversation. It feels very comfortable in here. From blue jeans to slacks. Love it. Didn't give five stars due to pricy food that delivers 85 percent of the time. A few of the nibblets are fancied to death. We couldn't eat the Mac n cheese. Too spiced up.
(4)Casey S.
This is more of a review of Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar wine club. I have experienced several wine clubs around Anchorage and Crush is the best, hands down. They do a great job of bringing in delicious affordable wine from around the world. The staff is very knowledgeable about the wines that they include and do a good job of explaining them. Plus, for every dollar that you spend on non-club purchases, you get 10% back to use in the restaurant!
(5)Jeremy R.
Met a friend with my wife for dinner before a show. Great atmosphere, a really good place to chat over wine. Both gals had the beef tips, I had the tomato bisque and lasagna. All the food was excellent, but the portions were really small. Definitely need an appetizer with your entree if you want to get anywhere near full. Wine selection is great, something for everyone. Have been there before, and the wife loves it, so we'll definitely be going back. Just not for dinner.
(4)Lard Belly E.
I really like this place for the nice varied wine list (though small), decor, and ambience. But the main reason I don't frequent this joint, except a couple times a year, is the smell. This place lacks ventilation out of the area, and the small kitchen that opens up to the bar area wafts all the cooking smells in the dining area so I end up smelling like a fry cook when I leave. My friend ordered a goat cheese salad which came with a laughable quarter-sized piece. Don't call it a goat cheese salad ($9) and make it the most minimal ingredient. I ordered the sherried crimini and spinach over polenta salad and I think my goat cheese garnish had a bigger portion ($9). We also ordered the bread pudding for desert, which was divine. For wine I really enjoyed the Alexander Valley CabFran ($12), and the Redwood Zin ($10) was a good second glass. My friend ordered a flight, which one was out so they subsituted with this mouthy refreshing white that my friend loved so much we walked up to the cellar (giggle) and she bought herself a bottle for $24. Great people own and work here, and I like the food and ambience, but again the overbearing cook smells make me less inclined to come here depending on how I'm dressed. FYI, they will do a half pour if you don't want the full glass.
(4)Cristobal C.
Lunch after an hour of spending my hard earned money at Nordstom and enduring the painful experience of shopping for the tweens. The wine list s top notch and Crush is a great addition to the Anchorage food scene. Too bad I only remember this place after shopping at Nordys. The food is awesome.
(5)Anthony R.
Was visiting friom Brooklyn, NY with a crew of friends, one of which was a local. She recommended having lunch her and it did not disappoint; the salmon nicoise (did I spell that right?) was delcious and the service was great.
(4)Diana V.
Good food but horrible service! The server was nice but my salad arrived 30 minutes after my two friends dinner arrived, then toward the end of our dinner we were laughing and joking and a man approached us and said "hey, I'm gonna need you to take it down 4 notches" appalled by what he said, I replied "we wear just laughing at a joke" then he replied again "yeah take it down 4 notches" and walked off. We told our server how we were mistreated and she kindly apologized with embarrassment and said "sorry, he's the owner" I cannot believe he would treat any customer that way. He should've asked us in a more professional manner to quiet down. I will never eat here again. If we weren't minorities he would've treated us completely different.
(1)Teresa S.
First time i had ever been here. Cute little place with really cool heavy wood tables. The art work is wonderful and all for sale. The menu is lunch and dinner. They have wonderful wines and since i am not a beer drinker , but, i am told great beer as well. Food was wonderful and they had the best Manhattan clam chowder that i have ever tasted. I would certainly go back. Wish i could buy one the paintings as well. It was a little loud at times, with the kitchen all open. It sounded as if they were breaking dishes quite a few times. But, that was the only thing.
(4)Tammy G.
Went with a group of gals for Girls Night Out. Loved the interior, cute cozy, modern and fun. However, they are not really set up to accommodate groups bigger then 4. The noise level was very high and it was difficult to have a conversation. The wait staff was wonderful and answered all our questions. I ordered the dates for appetizer and was admittedly disappointed there were only 2 on the plate. The other restaurants serve 4 or more. However they were delicious. My dinner was the crab gratin. Presentation was delightful but there was very little flavor. Again portion size was disappointing but I knew this restaurant was known for its tiny portions. Dessert was lovely, a flour less chocolate cake, dollop of ice creme and fresh fruits. Their wine selection was nice. They also had some fun and local beers to try! Upstairs you will find the wine cellar with respectable prices on bottles of the wines we enjoyed downstairs. Overall, we had fun and enjoyed ourselves. Next time, I'll go late and come only for drinks and dessert.
(3)Mary C.
I've been wanting to try this place for quite a while and all I can say is... Why did I wait so long?? Excellent food, excellent service. The day was beautiful so I sat out on their patio, sometimes patio service can be lacking... but not here! Wine & beer selection was extensive, I was able to order an organic apple cider, what a treat! They make a simple house salad seem fit for a king, they dressed up my 'ham & cheese' sandwich with brie and apples, just delish. The prices were even reasonable, My new favorite spot!
(5)Curtis H.
A trendy and delightful place to enjoy a glass of wine. Friendly and knowledgeable staff make this place a safe bet. I didn't try the food, but it looks pretty decent based on what I saw. Their wine selection was refined and delightful.
(4)Christopher B.
Very nice wine selection!! Came in here after some shopping in downtown. When we walked in there was an amazing smell of garlic coming for the kitchen. I will deff havta come back for some snacks!!
(4)Devon F.
Visiting Anchorage from Seattle and found this via yelp. The food was good, the waitresses were sexy, and the wine was excellent. A clasy little place. I sat at the bar and was helped by Eli. He suggested many good wines and provided a number of tasters. He was very good at his job. The owner was also behind the bar and made a point of saying hello. Reasonable prices, good laid back classy crowd.... I had great time. Especially if your sitting at the bar.
(5)Amy S.
This place is exactly what you hope it will be. Great wine, wonderful food, small plates, upscale but casual. I travel solo for business a lot and it's very easy to eat at the bar alone. Great veg options but perfectly OK for the meat and potatoes crowd too. Interesting, diverse, and affordable wine list. Love it!
(5)Ron F.
So happy we went here after the horror show at "Sea Gulley" (yep I said it). We had the goat cheese salad, penne with vegtables, sage, fennel, sausage, in a very light garlic, olive oil, and cheese (idr the type of cheese). My son had the Pan seared Halibut, forbidden and Jasmine Rice with vegetables. Cranberry bread pudding for desert. Tables were full but the friendly staff encouraged us to sit at the bar. Our bartender and server Jessica was knowledgable about wine, quick to suggest quality pairings, very easy on the eyes, and willing to engage us in conversation. The salad was dressed just right with the goat cheese warmed slightly crispy on the outside warm and creamy through its center. Hazelnut nuts were chopped and roasted fine enough that you could taste every bit of their woodiness without being overwhelmed by a big mouthful of nuts. (Yep I said that too). Pasta was to die for (even if it wasn't fresh pasta), very delicate mix of the sausage, and vegetables carefully cut to small and similar sizes so you could taste the ingredients working together. The reward was at the end when all of the ingredients, cheese, sauce, met at the bottom of the bowl for the most intense bites. Halibut was fresh, cooked perfectly, seasoned so you could taste both the fish and it's plate pairings which complimented each other. Cranberry bread pudding was rich and decadent. Not a big obnoxious slice like we like to do it in SF but dense and moist bursting with tart cranberries capped off a great meal we didn't think we'd find up here. A great experience with great staff and friendly chatty locals. Will be going back, will definitely be recommending to friends traveling here.
(5)James V.
Excellent small plate meals, and wine. Usually crowded, can be a bit noisy, seating at bar is available if all the tables are filled. One of our favorite places in Anchorage. I almost feel guilty giving Crush five stars .... because of being selfish. I'd really rather that YOU did not go there, in order that I would not have to wait longer to get a table! :-) Enjoy!
(5)Andrew G.
My wife and I visited Crush while in Anchorage and were more than pleased with this restaurant. Great food, wine, and service. The waiter made us feel like regulars. Atmosphere was bright and lively Recommend the Beauregard wine. We had the granacha and faux burgundy flights and both were well worth it
(5)Jason Y.
Waited for 15 minutes by the door & was ignored. Then sat down at the bar & waited another 15 minutes and we did not even get water or menus. 30 minutes of my night wasted.
(1)Dave R.
Went in for a revisit, and the place is still solid. Thanks Staff
(4)Ruthanne R.
Not at all familiar with food trends here so when I read about Crush I decided to bookmark it for an upcoming trip. Boy was I glad I did. From start to finish the meal was a delight. We shared all plates. Server was asked to split the items ordered and did this without any extra charge. This is a plus as it allows for proper presentation of the food. Some restaurants will split but charge a fee not Crush. Our meal started with a salad of arugula, watermelon, tomato, red wine feta and balsamic reduction Next we shared a salmon dish served over black rice with jullianne veggies. We also ordered the house bread that was served with white bean humus, olive tampanade, and extra virgin olive oil, in addition to sweet cream butter. Oh I must say the wine selections were plentiful and well priced. The restaurant offered wine flights, by the glass (very generous pour) and by the bottle. We finished off our meal with a lovely bread pudding. Moist and not overly sweet. I would suggest one change on the dessert. Instead of the ice cream that came with the bread pudding (it was a bit icy) I would suggest lightly sweetened whipped cream. Other than this minor suggestion I thought the meal was terrific and the service excellent. We definitely will be back.
(4)Karla L.
I love this place. Every time I have ever been here has been wonderful. The service is great, they are always so friendly and helpful with paring wine with food... they love to tell you about their wines. They are always so enthused and passionate about a new or delicious wine; they do a wonderful job with it. The owners have always gone way above anything that is ever expected, and we love coming here every chance we can. The location itself if great, being in downtown makes it very convenient. Its technically a part of the mall, but you cannot access from in the mall, only from their own entrance so I don't really consider it mall-esque. Inside is very warm, and subdued colors, with chill music, and comfortable seating. They don't take reservations, so if its a busy night you might have to wait in the foyer for a bit, but they serve you wine there on the couches so it's never been a problem. The food is always interesting and unique compared to everywhere else in Anchorage. I feel inspired by their creativity and unpretentious approach to their preparation and presentation. I have eaten here many many times now, and they have never had anything less than delicious. I really love getting the evening special along with a recommended glass of wine; and a great dessert followed up with another perfectly paired drink. The wine is easily my favorite part of Crush. They always give solid recommendations for pairings or if you're just there to a glass or two, they take the time to find out what exactly you would like the most, and if they don't have it on the menu they don't hesitate to run upstairs and pull it off the shelf just for you. They really care and it shows in every aspect of the restaurant, from the friendly knowledgeable servers, to the inspired dishes, to the tasty wines... they're doing it right. And I couldn't be happier about having a place of this caliber so close at hand.
(5)Chris B.
Very knowledgable wine staff...excellent selection. Plus they have the good to go with it!
(5)Jan S.
It is a nice place for Anchorage. Looks like a wine bar you would find in any major US city. The atmosphere is nice, but it was REALLY loud the evening we came in. It was not the noise level I expected. My friend had to sit right next to me instead of across the table from me to hear each other. The wine flights were a nice way to try something new. The appetizers were interesting, but way too small for the prize. The looked fancy, but the ingredients were nothing special...a smear of hummus with white bread, half an avocado with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a bowl of nuts. All things I could make at home for half the price. But the experience is nice and the wine is good. Not a place I would come again for food, just a nice glass of wine with a friend while in downtown Anchorage. Something fun!
(3)Tasha B.
If you are the type to take note of "check-ins" you might have thought to yourself, "A wine bar for lunch, Tasha? You lush!" But I will have you know that although I did go to a wine bar for lunch, I did not partake in the wine, however tempting it may have been. I heard the food was good, and that's what I was there for. I was not disappointed. It is a cozy little spot, and there were quite a few tables, even at lunch time. As I was dining alone and all of the 2 tops were taken, I sat at the bar. I was alone, but not for long as an older gentleman who was apparently a regular came in and started talking to the staff about some amazing oxtail he had there the other night. It wasn't on the menu, but the chef came out and said he had some leftover and would make it for him for dinner that night. Wow, that is really cool! I almost asked if he would make some for me, too! For lunch they have a few delicious sounding salads and quite a few entrees that come with a side of potato salad, house salad, or soup. Although the salads looked really good, being from Texas, the 30 degree weather had me wanting something warm. I chose the Sherried Portabella with Spinach over Polenta with a cup of clam chowder. Both were wonderfully warming and tasty. I'd like to go back to try their other dishes, and of course the wine, but I don't think I'll have time during my stay. Too bad, because Crush is an adorable place with a very friendly vibe. Note: Another reviewer mentioned lack of ventilation and smelling like food afterwards. I have to say I noticed this, too but overall didn't bother me too much.
(4)Joshua H.
Good wine selections, busy/upbeat atmosphere, but at the same time relaxing. Was here from about 7-9pm on a Friday night, and met a girlfriend there. As I sat down at the table and did a quick scan of the whole room, definitely a chick bar, with about 80% of the clientele being women. Eh, oh well it is a wine bar after all. I'd go back next time I'm in anchorage
(4)Stacie Y.
I love Crush! Although they do not have a large selection of wine (which I've heard they are getting more), the ones they do have are awesome! I love the fact that it's a "drink and app" place, Anchorage doesn't really have many of those. It would be nice to have a selection of a bigger meal, but maybe a special or something that changes weekly or every few days. The atmosphere is great and service is good. The location is a little inconvenient but still a nice night spot. I recommend Crush to anybody who just wants a nice place to hang out after work or even Friday/Saturday night in a relaxed atmosphere.
(4)Brian H.
First, I gotta say this isn't my scene. As I profiled the room upon entry, I noticed at least five turtleneck sweaters, a handful of people holding their wine glass up to the light, and the stench of arrogance from the suits in the room. That being said, I'm open to new things and can enjoy myself anywhere. We were greeted immediately and sat promptly; impressive considering the crowded room. This place is small, and tables are closely spaced around a nice bar, so don't expect a romantic setting. The wine list is extensive, but will be overwhelming if you don't know much about wines. My GF and I just chose a couple whites, but there are knowledgable staff on hand to offer detailed explanations of the selections. The food menu is a little more refined, offering a few selections of cheeses, crackers, and hummus, as well as a little something for everyone. As an app, we got a white bean pate, which was slightly bland; we've made better at home. My girl got the Mediterranean skewers, and again nothing special. They did have a seafood chowder offered as a chef special, and it was amazing. Similar to a bisque, I highly recommend. All in all, food was alright, but if you aren't into wine, go elsewhere.
(3)Ana N.
I have had great times here. Awesome spot for foodies - excellent wine selection, helpful staff, EPIC food! Some of my favorites are the Toasted Goat Cheese salad and the Prosciutto Wrapped Sheep's Feta Stuffed Dates. The owners are also fantastic people (they're working sometimes when I've been there) and it feel good to support a business that's run well by quality people. It's my refuge for feeling like I've had a city night out when I've spent too many cold nights in a yurt;) Great for girls' night or date night, and I love going here after the museum on First Friday.
(5)Brooke O.
In Anchorage for business travel, and this place really hit the spot for a casual lunch. Warm, inviting atmosphere, wonderful wine selection, and helpful, knowledgable server who answered questions about wines (which was much appreciated as I'm not much of a connoisseur). I had the curry cauliflower soup (a daily special) and the baked mac and cheese. Perfect amount of food for a lunch, and both dishes were phenomenal. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for an exceptional meal in a casual, non "fine-dining" atmosphere.
(4)Phil S.
Really sweet spot in Anchorage. First place we landed in. Intelligent wine list. Great bites. Nice atmosphere. A jewel of a bottle shop upstairs. Worth a stop. And if your a fan of the pinks they have an impressive array
(4)Brent A.
this is a nice little wine bar in downtown Anchorage. There is seating inside and 4 small tables outside. It was a beautiful sunny day so we enjoyed sitting on the patio. They offer flights and wine by the glass, and something we thought was unique is that on the second floor is a small retail store that sells bottles of wines they serve downstairs in the wine room. We had 2 different red flights and found several wines that were very good - and added a tasty cheese and charcuterie plate. Crush is a great place to stop and visit for an afternoon break from sightseeing and shopping
(4)T C.
My opinion of Crush has deflated considerably. The accumulated experiences over the years has left me missing the friendlier, more welcoming atmosphere of the early days of the bistro, which have now been replaced by a colder and indifferent attitude that more aligns with the conceit of a big-city, metropolitan wine bar. Big disappointment for what used to be an inviting and fun place to meet strangers or have a flight and dinner with some close girlfriends. The service can be good, if you get a friendly server that isn't flippant or cheeky. The wine selections are always delicious, but sometimes with a short pour. The food is roulette, as you'll sometimes get your money's worth or other times you'll get a surprisingly minuscule or underwhelming portion (as other reviewers have noted). This used to be a favorite place, but not anymore. My last two visits left me disappointed. The earlier visit was to meet another couple; friends of mine I've known awhile, and who always smartly-dressed and sophisticated. I rode my bike there and tried to look somewhat presentable, albeit with helmet-hair. The waitress was atrociously sassy toward me. I don't know if it was because I looked younger and frumpier (I just rode in on what had been an abnormally sunny day) but she was completely dismissive toward me, gave me a very short-handed pour of wine (noticeably less than my female friend's glass), and was cold to me the entire time, no matter how many "pleases" and "thank yous" I gave. I worked in the food industry for ten years. I know how to be polite to waitstaff; I also know how to quickly detect undeserving catty attitudes toward customers. My most recent visit has left an even more sour taste in my mouth -- not from the wine (which was great), but from the attitude of one of the owners. I went one crowded night to meet my work friend, and found him sitting with another friend of his and her two companions, who he had just happened to run into. The place was packed to the gills and I thought how coincidental that he met an old friend and could say hello to her. They invited me to squeeze in and join them, and spent a great 45 minutes talking and laughing and sharing. That's what I always thought was great about this place -- perfect (or near) strangers could meet and end up having a nice time. But apparently, before I had arrived there, one of the owners was sitting at the table, apparently knowing one of the same women my friend knew. He had gotten up from the table and my buddy, assuming the owner was off doing owner-things and working, sat down to talk with his friend. No one said anything, the owner had never come by again, and nothing seemed to be wrong, until right as we were getting ready to pay and leave, the owner approaches my friend and takes him aside. He got really mad at my friend, telling him that he took "his" seat at "his" table and chewed him out before saying he was not allowed back. Maybe I missed something prior to my arrival that night. I don't know. But that to me was really strange and really rude. My family has owned businesses before and I have worked for plenty of mom-and-pop joints. So I understand anyone as an owner has "your" stuff and "your" things you do in your establishment, but I've never accosted a customer or got mad at them in front of other people because of something as trivial as a seat. Maybe it was his night off from work, but it looked like he was working hard with his staff, and besides.. customers are customers, and I would gladly jump up from my spot to give a seat to a customer in an otherwise packed bar or cafe I was working in. I felt so terrible for my friend, because he didn't know why the owner was so mad at him, and my friend used to go to Crush all the time. It was a very confusing and bizarre experience. I don't know if there was already some underlying issue between the owner and my friend (small town, right? Who knows?), but the way it was handled was immature and embarrassing, and it could have been solved in a better manner. I will not be going to Crush again after these last two experiences.
(2)Stacy B.
Crush has been around for a few years now and I have finally managed to eat a meal there. And I am excited enough about it to write a review. Located in a little two-story building that abuts the 5th Avenue Mall (if you know a little of Anchorage history, then you might remember it being a hair salon and Reeve Aviation in the past), the bottom is the small but nicely appointed bar and dining area and if you follow the stairs to the second floor, you'll walk into a magical land of wine and liquor that most of the other alchohol retailers don't carry. My husband suggested Crush (he had eaten here before) one evening last week when I dragged him out of the house to complete some much needed holiday shopping. Sure, why not? We've tried to go for dinner before, but Crush was always packed with an hour and a half long waiting list, so I would strongly suggest reservations. But that night we were lucky. We were seated right away near the window where we could see people hustling and bustling with their last minute shopping. I didn't have any wine as I was driving that evening, but my husband is pretty well-versed in beer and wine (it's his profession) and so I'm going to take his word that their selection is quite respectable. Now for the food! We ordered the white bean pate for an appetizer and it was a small, simple dish of pate and something between toast points and bruschetta. The pate was a little thicker than I expected, but spread on the bread, it was a delicious, not overpowering starter. For dinner I first ordered the Pear & Stilton Salad. It was a light salad with thin pear slices, toasted and lightly candied pecans, a sprinkling of stilton cheese tossed with tender, baby spinach. Drizzled on top was a delicate vinaigrette. I think this was the best salad I've ever had in my life. I am normally ambivalent about spinach, but this was heavenly. My husband, a lover of caprese, eagerly ordered Crush's Caprese. He believes it was the best caprese he has eaten, as well. My next course was the Baked Mac & Cheese. Wow! They take this comfort food classic to a new level. Creamy, cheesy and wonderful, there is also a little kick of spice to let you know this ain't your momma's mac and cheese. My husband graciously allowed me to taste his Lasagna Bolognese and to tell the truth, it didn't look like much. This was a perfect lesson in 'don't judge a book by its cover". The Lasagna Bolognese was also delicious. The service was a touch slow, but always friendly. We did not mind a bit as we having good conversation. Our bill was a bargain for the good service and excellent food. In all seriousness, their prices are very good for a restaurant of their caliber. After our meal, we hauled ourselves upstairs to take a look around at their retail store. I will just say that if I hadn't already spent most of money on Christmas presents, that a few of those bottles would have been going home with me. I would recommend Crush to anyone and everyone. I am eagerly looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Kalani C.
A nice stop for a nightcap after the opera. Had a glass of wine and some snacks: assorted nuts & Sheep's Feta Stuffed Medjool Dates, drizzled in balsamic; very tasty, but only two pieces for literally $2.50 a pop, oh well: 2.5 stars. Wines were nice and staff pleasant (more attentive during our first visit). We returned several days later for a light dinner and had a very tasty bisque (can't remember; 3.5 stars) and their Beef & Hominy Empanada (3 stars). Word of caution: Portion sizes are ridiculously tiny. A decent place to pop in before an event or afterward. But I wouldn't come here for the star attraction. Tally: Medjool Dates: 2.5 stars Bisque: 3.5 stars Beef & Hominy Empanada: 3 stars 2.5+3.5+3= 9/3= 3 stars.
(3)Julie S.
I've been curious about this place since my arrival back to town and walked by the restaurant a bunch of times that I finally had to come here for lunch! I did the right thing it smelled pretty good in there. Nice decor and feels like you're in a winery some where. I'm not so sure about the music, middle eastern? Indian? Didn't go with the restaurant. I can hear jazz, cafe del mar, or buddha bar mixes here. The waitress was bleh, I would have liked a more sociable, friendly waiter/tress. I didn't see any riesling on the menu, maybe I over looked it. But I ordered a pretty tasty pinot gris wine by elk grove. I had the smoked turkey sandwich with gouda cheese and it comes with soup, bottled water without cork, and the price $10, reasonable. I have to come back and try the mac n cheese with a glass of chardonnay. =)
(4)Caroline G.
Went here after dinner to relax and drink some wine. The wine flights are pretty good, I would say they are pretty generous with their 3, 2-oz pours. We ordered the mac & Cheese bite and the sheep cheese prosciutto dates --- AMAZING delicious, super tasty. Both of them. The wine was decent, I wish we were able to pick which 3 wines we wanted in our flight, because the last wine in my Pink Wine flight was super sour and difficult to swallow. The place itself is pretty nice, laidback, a good place to have a conversation, drink some wine, and eat some food. I would recommend this place, as the other places around it are probably more beer-oriented establishments.
(3)Melissa K.
I have a not-so secret, secret. I am totally crushing on Crush's selection of wine ... and the mac and cheese. Service is good even when the place is packed. What a fun place to hang out with friends ... and the wine!! So good. Great location and the food and wine are fabulous.
(4)Adam W.
I have been a frequent Crush customer for a couple of years now and I think it is the best restaurant in the Anchorage area. I have been decidedly lazy in not writing a glowing review until now... but here goes: First and foremost, they make fantastic food that is reasonably priced. Sure, you might end up with a large bill at the end of the night, but you don't have to. I went there the other day and had a few of my favorites: the empanadas ($8) and the nicoise ($15) all washed down with a tasty Stella ($4!) and that's a delicious, filling meal for 27 dollars. Try getting dinner at one of the other best restaurant in the Anchorage area contenders for that price (Sacks, Double Musky). Ain't gonna happen. Further, Crush is constantly pushing the envelope by frequently changing their specials - offering new dishes that are almost always both adventurous and delicious. I appreciate having one restaurant in town that makes food that even I (someone who cooks frequently and enjoys it) find new and exciting. Finally, the service is always spot on. The servers know what they are talking about - instead of regurgitating lines about bouquets and aromas. No, they are into the food too, and that shows and is appreciated. Well done. Keep it up, guys.
(5)Ange B.
Love the atmosphere. It is small, but that's more my style. Honestly, I wouldn't go there for the meals. The food is, ok. They jazz it up to go with the ambiance of the place, but nothing spectacular. Like I said I love the quaint like atmosphere, so that's the reason why I enjoy it. It can get loud and crowded during the weekend/evening times and that doesn't mix well with the size of the place. I guess it goes to show the likeness of the place. My ideal visit there is to get a spot in the corner drink a glass of wine and just kick back with a good friend. If you're feeling really adventurous they have an in house sommelier that you can chalk up with if you're not too familiar with wine and try out some new varieties. I give it 3 stars because honestly, Anchorage is very limited on these types of things, but if I were to rate it to some of the few I've been to in Seattle & New York it would probably get a 2 since their food menu is kinda... Meh.
(3)Rick N.
Quesdilla. Soup. Wine - what more do you need on a rainy Anchorage day ? Owners were very friendly and helpful - talked food with gusto and knowledge - only wish I was in town for dinner to come back and try that
(4)A S.
Trendy. Overpriced. Too loud. Crowded. Been there twice and the last time I ordered a meat dish with wild mushrooms. The entrée was tiny but expensive. The wild mushrooms were burnt to a crisp. Some of them were actually burnt to nothing but bitter charcoal! I was surprised a chef would let that out of his or her kitchen! It seems to be popular with the 20-somethings, but I won't bother to spend my money on nothing but style and noise again. I'm old enough to know better.
(1)Mulberry S.
Bacon mixed into ground elk? Butter poured over halibut and then buried in a lentil soup? The food has all the hallmarks of lazy, uninspired cooks who think salty or fatty are the only choices. If I eat lean game meat the last thing I want is some cheap industrial pig fat crushing the flavor. And if I eat a fresh fish the last thing I want is to drench it in salty gruel crushed by milk fats. Yuck. Then I couldn't help but notice there were many disheveled lesbian couples coming into the restaurant to slowly sip beer from the bottle. Odd. It was about the same time I noticed that the wine list on the menu is tiny, tiny, tiny. I felt like we barely ate or drank and left unsatisfied, despite having spent into the 100s over just three visits. But I wasn't done yet. Curious about how this place could be such a shallow uninspired version of what it thinks of itself I finally went upstairs to their store. Based on their menu selection I expected to see a couple bottles on an empty shelf. Instead they were well stocked. I started to read the little paper lables they print for every wine. They made no sense and often looked incorrect to me. For example a label would suggest a wine be paired with elk and then say "call up your friends that hunt". This is Alaska, so you might as well say call up your friends that wear shoes. I'm no sommelier but I smelled something rotten in the writing. I asked the woman at the counter for clarification to help me make a selection but she just wanted to talk about dropping out of college. So I asked her if I could talk instead with the person who wrote the labels. She then said 1) it was her and a few other staff who search the Internet for the wine names and then write whatever they find interesting 2) she is only 22 and hasn't had a chance to drink any wine yet. WTF? My reaction must have been obvious because she then called the owner and he came and asked me to leave the store. He literally said to me "you've spent a lot of time here and haven't bought anything so can you leave now?" I felt awful for them. Here I was trying to actually find something to buy and instead I had uncovered their dirty secret -- they don't really know anything about what they are selling or cooking. It's all just a cruel joke on people in Anchorage who haven't traveled much or don't know better. But I wasn't about to give up so easily. I asked the owner if he could just point me to something local/unique to buy and then I would leave. He waved me towards the spirits section and said "about a third of that is only carried by us". Uh, ok, that's not what I meant. I don't want the only bottle in Anchorage of something from Washington state. I want something from Anchorage. Long story short this guy can't actually point to anything local, tasty or unique but he can tell me that his finest tequila (from Mexico) is good in mixed drinks (fail) and a $225 bottle of single-malt should be bought because he had a sip once and it stayed in his mouth for 15 minutes. He walked away from me furiously tapping on his iPhone saying over and over "15 minutes, 15 minutes! 15 minutes!" Asking him how it compared to two other whiskeys from the same part of Scotland resulted in him saying again "15 minutes, it lasts in your mouth". Yeah, so does bad breath. Basically this place lacks integrity to an extreme level of deficiency. It is attempting to recreate the snobbery and exclusivity of a big city restaurant so they play up their imports. They constantly say they have some special friend or a lucky connection but in reality we were unable to find a single reason for anyone to bother coming here. You can find a much bigger wine selection a few blocks away from nicer people and much better food for less money within two blocks. Their service is pathetic and the owner is rude and obnoxious. So you can come here to be treated poorly and try to become one of his "insiders" but I don't see why anyone would bother unless they are so lonely and inexperienced in the world that they just want to join for joining sake.
(1)Rob C.
Certainly a concept that Anchorage doesn't really offer, but the execution leaves a bit to be desired. Beautiful interior, even if the quasi-mall location is a bit weird. We had some wine flights which were great for $12. Our server was happy to answer questions and explained the flight as she was serving it. Food was less exciting; Mediterranean platter (chicken skewers on the menu) was a bit straight forward and unimaginative, mac and cheese was meh, and stuffed dates were better sounding than they tasted. I never complain about portion size (quality is more important than quantity), but small plates here are indeed small. Ultimately the experience wasn't bad by any means, but I can't say that it was great either. Maybe I need another shot at it to be won over.
(3)Alandsue G.
Great place! Wine list is moderately priced and with a good variety. Had the crab cakes, sirloin steak special, goat cheese salad and blueberry ice cream. All were excellent, as was the service. Will definitely return next time I'm in Anchorage.
(5)Garrett P.
Maybe its just that I've been spoiled with wine bars in Napa, Seattle and New York, but I just don't think Crush cuts it. If memory serves me correctly, there were only about 12 wines on the menu available by the glass and a handful of flights. We had one flight and a couple single glasses and nothing was really impressive. The food is also just "ok." The menu is a somewhat limited, a small, somewhat disconnected offering of small plates, a few salads and a couple nightly specials. I would go back only for the Mac and Cheese or the special artichoke. The rest I can live without. Decent beer selection as well. It's also pretty expensive ($180) for a group of four, with tip. I'd rather have more food, drink and options somewhere else.
(2)Natural N.
La Cana Albariño and Vegetable Nori Roll w/ Maple Ponzu. Next up, Molly Dooker "The Violinist", Chappellet Mountain View Napa Cab '08, Sobon Fiddletown Zinfandel, Plymouth, CA '08
(5)April Q.
I showed up solo and sat at the wine bar - I first notice how cozy and relaxed it was - the atmosphere was great. The wait staff (the girl at the bar) was superb - she was genuinely friendly, and was very informative on the wine selection and food selection. Their special that day was hare and salmon. Now I've never had hare, so I went with that. Let me tell you something - that was the best tasting dish I've had in a VERY long time. It was cooked so perfectly and seasoned so well - it had a great sauce with it that was to die for. She also had recommended a Spanish Red wine flight to accompany, which I did and was loving it, too. They also had a home-made coconut ice cream which was the creamiest, most tasty real coconut ice cream - very gourmet. My bill was around $35 - for all the enjoyment - it was worth it.
(5)Candyce R.
I love this place, GREAT food, great ideas, and great execution. The only reason I gave crush four stars was for the slow service. I would go back any day of the week unless I was in hurry!
(4)Kalin P.
I am not a winee. I tend to drink wine with cute labels or what is on sale. My night at Crush changed my whole perspective! I love that they have samplers there with a theme. It introduced me to my new favorite wine. The appetizers were AMAZING. The atmosphere is totally laid back, but upscale (an oxymoron perhaps but somehow they were able to accomplish it). You will see you me there again. The only draw back was our waiter did not do the turn of the bottle at the end of the pour like in the movies. I think I can forgive him.
(4)Vive l.
I always enjoy the wine flights here which are interesting, well-priced. Additional bonus: going upstairs to pick up a favorite bottle for friends!
(4)Eric V.
Very good food for what you pay. Good service as well. Would recommend.
(4)Thomas C.
Tried it for the first time as my birthday dinner. I was xtremely impressed. The downsides first, though: As other reviewers have shared I didn't like the noise - don't expect to get in any indepth or romantic conversations with your hunny. The prices - just a bit steep for what you get, but then again, if that's what you have to charge for long-term success making good food, I'm willing to pay for it, from time to time. The Good: the Food . We started with a toasted goat cheese salad and the ciabatta with plugra and tapenade. The salad alone is something to behold in Anchorage and AK. Having spent a lot of time on a very successful organic farm in Ca, I happen to have some knowledge here. The lettuce was as good as I've had anywhere, fresh, succulent, tender, nicely mixed (not too much bitters or sharps). It would have been nice to have a bit more goat cheese. Next the mac & cheese, and empanada. The mac and cheese was great as many have said, rich, creamy deep cheese flavor. The empanda the best I've had. The dough was light and buttery but still had some body, the filling was rich, stewed shredded beef, real hominy, nicely spiced. We also had the Med. chicken skewers, and here for me is the sign of a truly consciencious chef. If a simple chicken skewer can make your taste buds marvel. We had no idea what the spices were, the meat tender and moist. The wine was good, and in the claret flight had one in particular, Valley of the Moon cuvee de la luna, that had me going up stairs to the wine shop for more. Their wines to tend to be heavy on the foreign, which is great really for me, because I don't get too many Portugese, or South American (S. African even) wines while touring Napa, Paso Robles, or Santa Ynez. The Service. Awesome. Right there when she needed to be, willing to anwers questions, and when I asked for another glass, there was no hesitation (like you'll get your glass after I finish busing this table dude). And every table occupied. Our server was the gold standard of servers upon I wish all could learn from.
(4)Laura L.
Come here for the carefully selected wine (also --the store upstairs), the warm and inviting atmosphere, the lovely loose leaf teas and hand crafted espresso, and the unique selection of bottled beers you may not find elsewhere. The food was nice in concept, but left something to be desired in portion size. Salad pieces were huge and had to be cut; pizza crust was almost burnt and could not be cut with a knife and fork, but was too messy to pick up with hands. I ate it all though, but left still hungry. Beautiful decorated, and beautiful selection of art.
(4)Andy T.
Finally had the opportunity to take the entire family here to try this out. I had heard so much about the baked mac and cheese and the Ruben sandwich. Well the Mac and cheese was alright but was VERY disappointed in the portion size. Very small. I guess it was supposed to be an appetizer not an entree. My son really enjoyed the Ruben sandwich. My other son had the quesadilla and thought it was of the best he had had but also small portion. The wine selection was OK but if you really want to have the good stuff go upstairs to the cellar. I know it's backwards but the stock they have is not bad. If you are a Cab fan and have $45.00 to drop on a bottle of really good wine then try the Chateau Montelena. You won't be disappointed. Also check out their German wine section probably the best in Anchorage.
(3)Shopping B.
I have been to Crush now three times, and each visit has been wonderful. The top three factors in that statement are as follows: [01] The wine selection. In a word, awesome. The wines are updated about every week or so, so chances are you will never have the same thing more than once. [02] The service. I cannot say enough how great the service has been every single time I have been in there. That goes a long way in my book. [03] The atmosphere. The owners did a really great job of turning the former cafe into a hip, urban room with eclectic music, an amazing bar, and very comfortable seating no matter where you are in the room. I don't have a lot to say about the food at this point because we have primarily gone there to sample the wines. The few items I have tried, however, have been delicious. I recommend the mac and cheese.
(4)Melissa W.
Closer to 2.5-3. Went here on a Thursday night with a friend. Place was packed but we snagged a table. I found the service a bit abrupt and a little snotty. We ordered 3 items from the menu plus wine. They were out of the entree. The "goat cheese" salad came with about a tablespoon of goat cheese. I ordered dessert which took well over 30 minutes to arrive and it was just bread pudding. Atmosphere is nothing special. They are another restaurant following the trend to bring water to the table with no ice. I came back on Saturday night at about 8:30pm to find plenty of seating. Again, when my friend ordered an appetizer-they were out. We each got flights of red. Waiter didn't pour the middle glass, said he'd be back. After about 20 minutes I flagged him down and asked if he'd forgotten, to which he responded "forgotten what?" in an irritated tone until he realized he still needed to pour the French wine. On the second visit there was an overwhelming meat smell. I felt like I was marinating in it. I like the idea of trying new and interesting wines and the food that was available was good. The value and service are turnoffs for me. Not in a hurry to go back.
(2)Deena E.
Crush is a great little foodie nook catering to yuppies with an appreciation for good wines. You'll enjoy a diverse array of varietals and unique food options. The white bean pate is a tasty amuse-bouche; especially paired with the Chateau de la Roche Sauvignon Blanc. The bartender and wait staff were extremely friendly (as seems to be the case with everyone in Alaska), but still a nice surprise from the lower 48-east coast attitudes most visitors might be accustomed to. Would definitely return.
(4)Celeste C.
I had a great experience at Crush. My friend and I shared several of the small plates. The Mac and Cheese and crab cake sliders are great! I was prepared to share a few things rather than get one large entree based on other reviews. It is a bit loud so you have to be in the mood for that kind of atmosphere. However, it is still very easy to have clear conversations.
(4)Sarah B.
There is a reason Crush is going up as my first review - I can't believe no one has yelped it yet! The food was absolutely phenomenal. I went for the wine, I went back for the food (and more wine, of course). The place is only about a month or two old, but it's weekend evenings are already a full house. I was in Anchorage for work and sad that I couldn't take this place back to SF with me.
(5)Sara F.
Recently visited Anchorage & tried out this place for a light dinner & was happily satisfied. Good selection of wines, not too pricey & good appetizers. I got a delicious caprese salad & paired it with a yummy Shiraz. Husband got empenadas & beer, (wasn't in the mood for vino oddly at a wine bar lol). Everything was delivered pretty promptly & the waitress was great at helping me pick a couple yummy wines. I tried another tempranillo which I loved & the bill was really reasonable. We'll be going back as this place is really conveniently located near all the shopping but still has a great atmosphere at night once all the businesses shut down. Good spot for date night!
(4)Chris C.
Great food and service , excellent pricing as well.
(5)Virginia A.
Great food great wine great service. The restaurant has small plates on the menu, great for ordering several plates and sharing. Perfect for a date. The cheese plate was to die for.
(5)Margaret N.
Great spot for a bite to eat for lunch while enjoying downtown. I had the garlic carrot soup and goat cheese apple salad and it was just right for lunch. Very tasty, even though this is really not the type of soup I normally have. I especially recommend as a place for girl friends to meet while shopping!
(4)Adam L.
Good, but not great. This is definitely not a place for everyone. They have wonderful food, but for the amount you actually get it takes way too long to get out. It can also get very noisy in there and they don't take 100% care of the place. They have had a big broken window right in the front for as long as I've seen the place! HOWEVER, I will give them props on the wine selection and the incredibly knowledgeable staff. Our waitress knew every little detail about the wines we were served down to exactly what foods it goes good with. The flights are also a pretty good deal, giving you 3 different wines (with slightly less amount) for the price of a glass by itself. Having the cellar upstairs is also good, especially when you liked a particular wine a lot from downstairs, just ask what it was and grab it upstairs! The place is ok for what it is, they could do with bettering their food selection, but even if they did I probably won't be going back because it is not my style of place to go.
(3)Elisabeth M.
Good food, faIr wine prices by the glass. Decor, OK but not inspiring. My only issue was the $15 corkage fee for wine that you buy from them! In San Diego it's usually $6 for wine bought on the premises. Not much competition in Anchorage.
(3)Tammy B.
Had another lovely evening at Crush last week. Tried a scallop special with a cauliflower sidedish that was to-die-for (and i normally wouldn't eat califlower, but this was amazing). The place was hopping, and loud, but that added to the energy. Even crowded, I got a spot at the bar and had a really fun night with a friend. Tried a few flights (Islands in the stream was a great summer flight). Left happy. They are still top of my list.
(5)Yo U.
Good selection of wine by the glass and reasonable grub. Prices are a bit high for both food and drink. I cannot explain why the woman serving me topped up bad wine with good when the first bottle she had me taste was off. Instead of taking away the bad wine in my glass, and getting me a full glass of the good stuff, she simply poured good stuff on top of the bad. A manager/owner sampled the off wine himself and agreed that it had to be poured down the sink, so my judgment was not off. The last third or so of that glass was not very pleasant to drink. Perhaps she wasn't thinking too clearly. She was reasonably pleasant otherwise and it was busy. May have been a bit frazzled, I guess. Also, my food was given in error to another patron and it took a few minutes for the mistake to be realized. Thank heavens that he didn't tuck into it and that I'm neither a fussy nor a difficult patron. Those two service hiccups aside, Crush is a decent place.
(4)Andrea T.
As a wine bar, this place is okay. I wish they had a larger selection. But hey, I just spent two years living by Napa, so take that with a grain of salt. I like to come here with my husband for a nice relaxing evening out. The lunch at Crush is great. You can come here and order off of their ten dollar lunch menu and have an entree and a side dish that will certainly satisfy your hunger and your tastebuds.Their gumbo is pretty darn good. If only you could get okra in Anchorage! I wish they would get rid of their neon signs outside though. Kind of tacky. Does not do the atmosphere inside any justice.
(4)Liz T.
Ate here twice while visiting Anchoarge for the first time and would go back if here again. A nice casual food and drinking ambience with a relatively upscale food and wine alternative to the endless tourist oriented seafood and steak establishments in the area. Interesting wine by the glass selection, tasty "small" plates that are not so small and are filling, e.g., the mac and cheese and the white bean dip. Weather allowing, can sit at the outside sidewalk area. Friendly servers. Bread pudding paired with madera for a dessert selection was heavenly. Across the street from Nordstroms downtown, ten minute walk from the Sheraton Anchorage. Closed Sundays. Looks like solo diners would feel comfortable here too.
(4)Molly B.
I finally paid a visit to Crush this past Friday night before seeing a concert at the PAC. A guy I know said it best when he described what the food is like here -- with your first bite you raise your hands in the air, look at the ceiling and say, "Mmm!" Everything we tried was perfectly seasoned and tasty and flavorful. I had the beef and hominy empanada, my friend had the mushroom and polenta, then we shared the ravioli, which was filled with salmon that day. I tried two wine samplers. The people watching was lively and entertaining because Nordstrom was having their Anniversary Sale and tons of people were out and about. It was nice & sunny so lots of people were dining out on the sidewalk. It's pretty loud inside the restaurant what with being located on a busy street and all those people inside talking. Maybe they need better acoustics or maybe it was just because the doors were open to let the good weather in. If you order a special, be sure to ask the price -- everything else we ordered was eight bucks but the squid ink pasta special we ordered was $23! Can't wait to go back for lunch one of these days.
(4)e J.
I agree with the other reviewers about Crush; good wine selection, service, decent food, etc. What I don't like is the lack of ventilation in this place. After even a short visit you'll smell like you've been working as a fry cook all day. To some folks this may not matter, but I hate to put on my jacket two days later and it still stinks of fried food. Please get some air flow in here!
(3)Maurice C.
I have a crush on Crush, but it would turn to true love if they would serve some bread with their small plates!
(4)solomon l.
i love crush! the wine list needs to be and is being expanded. i would also like to see a few large ticket items on the menu like filet mignon, even though i know that maybe a large plate like that doesnt fit into the "tapas bar" theme. the music is fun and not the as per usual middle age hot tub sex anthems that are all too often played in this towns restaurants. its great that you can actually get some high quality POLISHED glasses! the bread pudding is perfect, and i had a hard time resisting the urge to ask where crush got some of its cold cuts and cheeses. all the best to crush!
(5)Brianna T.
I'm seriously in love with this place. When I first moved to Anchorage, I was nearly in tears over the lack of good fine dining options here. (I actually believe my meltdown sounded something like, "I just want to find a place that garnishes with pea shoots!") Enter Crush. Their menu is pretty tiny, as far as food goes, but everything on there is so.damn.good. Life-changing salad? They have one. Maybe two or three, depending on my mood. (The goat cheese salad and the persimmon are super good, but they had a lunch special salad with warm pancetta that really did me in.) All their charcuterie is cured in-house, and they do a duck proscuitto that's out of this world. The soups here are consistently stellar, and having a dinner without soup here is doing yourself a disservice. All their specials are always on point, and the staff goes out of their way to be awesome. For lunch not long ago, I brought in a girlfriend with a super crazy gluten allergy. She ordered a food modification and a soup that they usually top with goat cheese. When she was served, the server told us the kitchen couldn't promise the cheese was gluten free because of something about the way it's processed, so they didn't top hers. Super appreciated! The three owners are super involved. Many nights you'll see Rob behind the bar or Chad up in the shop. Scott will teach you more about port than you ever thought you'd know. They're all super down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and passionate about what they do! The Cellar: Best wine selection in Anchorage. The sparkling wines are well-curated and the Italian section is pretty well fleshed-out for a small shop. Their one-off whites are amazing! Ch Musar white bottlings for sub-$30 (at least as of spring 2015). A surprising number of older vintages (2000 Pomerol, 2001 Rioja come to mind). And you can buy anything in the shop to take downstairs for a $15 corkage fee! They also have DRC, though it's unofficially restaurant-only. As a food enthusiast, I take all my out-of-town guests to Crush. It's my absolute favorite restaurant in town. Come in with your special someone, or have some prosciutto-wrapped dates and make friends at the bar; you won't be disappointed.
(5)Carrie P.
Wow. Went on a Monday night and it was pleasantly busy, not the crush of bodies as when I'd previously tried to go on a weekend. 3 of my pals had wine flights and the waiter described the location and attributes of each pour. We shared: Charcuterie& cheese plate: the charcuterie is house made and got us to eat beef tongue! It melted in our mouths. We delighted in sampling the meats, cheeses, homemade pickles (fennel, cucumber and more) and sauces (mustard, chutney, and preserved mustard seeds). Baked Mac & Cheese: just about the only Mac-n-cheese I've had in a restaurant that was worth paying for. Not greasy but thick and deeply flavored. Crimini mushrooms and spinach over polenta: a gluten free option that please everyone, with feta and tahini sauce. Intense complex flavored and lots of textural variety. I will be back.
(5)Lily P.
My salad was very good. My only complaint is I feel there was too much dressing that really overpowered the vegetables. Great atmosphere here.
(3)Al P.
I still love this place, which I think only gets better with time (like their wine). I've now been there for several lunches as well, and their sandwiches are fantastic. Recently, had the meatball sandwich--a new fave, with flavorful meatballs with just the right spicing. These are the same meatballs they serve on the dinner menu, except the dinner ones come in a bowl with a perfectly balancing red sauce and are by far the best meatballs in town. I am so picky about meatballs that I would usually rather make my own than eat them from a restaurant. Considering how much I dislike cooking, that says a lot about my meatball demands (I am the same about marinaras). The meatball replaced my previous favorite sandwich, the steak and blue cheese. MMMM--so good. But I like a place that keeps things a bit fresh, and as long as they create new items that I like as much as the old, I can accept the forced change. It's good for me because I get in food ruts. Keep doing what you're doing, Crush, and I'll keep going, drinking too much wine, and spending too much money (both because Crush gets expensive when I'm very hungry and also because it's next to the mall and I have a bad habit of tipsy-shopping).
(5)Amy K.
We needed a quick lunch place, and most of the places in the area were sandwich shop. Crush sounded more creative than many of the other places we checked out. This review is a bit delayed, but when we were there the weather was still warm enough to sit outside and the sun was very strong that day. Perfect for a nice lunch in the sun. The staff was very attentive, even though there weren't many people sitting outside. We had the arugula salad with skewers and the BLT with potato salad. We had read great reviews about the purple potato salad,many they were right. It was awesome. Both dishes were flavorful and portioned correctly. Wish we were there for happy hour. :-)
(5)Shay L.
2 nights in a row and this place is officially one of me and my Husband's favorite restaurants. Steak topped with verde sauce and fried onions, genius! Mascarpone Cheesecake with fruit and mint, amazing! Not to mention a large selection of wines, we will definitely be back.
(5)Maeve M.
Well i was pretty harsh back in 2013. I've made several return visits and I'm not sure what I was so upset about. Yes, they have small portions but frankly I appreciate that - you can clean your plate without needing a nap. It also seems like they've improved their flight selection; tonight I had an amazing flight of different vinho verdes, along with a cheese plate and the toasted goat cheese salad. The wines was great and I appreciated the rundown on the different blends from our waitress--I also think they're very generous with their pours. The salad was amazing, very full of different types of chopped produce (fennel, tomato, apple) with a warmed goat cheese round. The only thing that was slightly off for me was the cheese plate--they only have three types of cheese so there's no options to pick from, you get what they have available. The portions of the cheese were quite small and then they give you a lot of different mustards and fruit to eat with your small cheese servings, which seemed kind of strange. However, I enjoyed what I had and the overall experience was definitely a nice evening! Summer tip - If you're okay sitting in front of Nordstrom, they now have sidewalk tables available.
(4)Samantha G.
This is a cute little spot. It's deceptively small. Upstairs is a wine shop. Downstairs is a little restaurant. There's a bar with seating, a handful of tables, and a small outdoor patio. It's got a nice vibe and ambiance. Lots of wood. Lots of wine bottles. Cozy and casual. The end of lunch time is a great time to stop by as it's completely uncrowded. The restaurant is open all day, but the menus change. There's a lunch menu, then just a small plates menu, then a dinner menu. I started to panic at the end of my lunch thinking they closed at 2:30pm. But nope, they just stop the lunch menu at 2:30pm. The wine list, of course, is great. I like the various wine flight options. At they are pretty good-sized pours for the price. The lunch menu has a small variety of salads and sandwiches. I opted for the BLT with potato salad. You can also opt for soup or a regular salad. They bring out your side option first and then your sandwich. The potato salad was delicious and topped with bacon crumbles. The BLT was unique in that it had different and fabulous condiments - I don't even know exactly what they were - as opposed to standard mayo. And instead of lettuce, they used arugula. The portions were just right and everything was tasty. The service was very friendly and attentive. All in all, I'll be back again.
(4)Jackie H.
Walked into the place was amazed by the decor and set up but then sat down and sad to say my waitress looks and gives the feel/vibe she hates to work here. So I'm just gonna try the Alaska Hefeweizen and be on my way. Thanks
(3)Ryan J.
Wish they stayed open later, been here for a week (so I'm partially to blame) and been trying to get here before they close, made by 30 min tonight. Biggest hit I have on the place is the early hours for a wine bar which kills the atmosphere. But I can't speak for the weekends, I'll admit it is a Monday (but busy/tourist season) but some food for thought.
(3)Kent H.
I was there for a special nouveau wine tasting, so perhaps I didn't get the full effect of this place. I had two flights of reds, and ended up getting a full glass of one when I was done. Good variety! The service was good, and although I didn't have any food, it seemed that all were happy with what they got. One down side I observed was that there is only one restroom. In a packed environment, a line soon formed. No big deal, but just a little annoying. I'll have to come back and try the food on another day.
(3)Christine D.
I love Crush. The place is adorable, service is good, and the wine and food... *drool* My particular favorites are their olive appetizer and the poached egg ham salad that is to die for. I also discovered my new favorite wine - vinho verde. Their reasonable prices also mean you can try several menu items in one trip. And their wine store The Cellar is open late upstairs so you can go buy a bottle to take home. Plus the bottles can be super reasonably priced. My vinho verde was close to $10. My only complaint is that sometimes it's hard to find a table and the tables on their east wall are so wide that when it was just me and my friend it felt like we were way far apart. But this is one of my favorite places and my #1 spot for casual nights out with my friends.
(5)Samantha C.
So many things have changed for the better since my last review. The menu has changed so there are small plates, salads, larger plates and then there is a dinner special menu. They change up the wine flights occasionally and I really love finding wines I would have never thought of like a complex French Malbec. The staff are knowledgable on the different wines and if you tell them what you like they can make excellent recommendations. They occasionally have a new server that pours you a glass of wine like it's one of three in the wind flight. They should probably watch their new people a bit more. The dinner specials can be a bit pricey also their cheese and meat plate but the quality is there which evens it out for me. Lunch is a great option here and I love a cup of chamomile in the afternoon to go with it. The ham and Brie sandwich is great and usually a good soup. This place shows thought, pride and creativity.
(5)Maria A.
Pretentious and overpriced, I would not set my foot in here again into this wine snob wanna be "bistro". Per Wikipedia a bistro /bistro/, is, in its original Parisian incarnation, a small restaurant, serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. French home-style cooking, and slow-cooked foods like cassoulet, a bean stew, are typical. I grew up in Europe. The incarnation of Parisian is approximately 4676.5 miles away ( that is the distance from Anchorage to Paris). The food tends to be more of American contemporary wanna-be type than the fresh home style cooking. That I know of, there is no ELK ( trying to attract the tourists with Alaskan "wild wanna be meat")in France. I love my wine, wine, and I tell you aficionados like myself are given a bad rep, exactly because of places just like this one. Every time I have come, pulled in by a friend, the service has been non existent. Like I do not even exists. This place is up an running thanks to the fact that there is no other place to go in Anchorage for wine. Please go to a wine store get a decent bottle and drink at home instead of this hipster wanna be French wanna be bistro.Thanks but no Thanks. If you want original food direct yourself to Red Chair instead,
(1)Rachel S.
I came here for my birthday and was not disappointed. The outside doesn't look that great, being attached to the mall, but the inside is warm with a dash of modern decor. The bar is central with about a dozen tables around. We had a wine flight with the largest cheese/meat platter... I actually would not get this again, maybe just the cheese. 2 out of the 3 meats were kind of mysteries and not too tastey... Maybe I'm not sophisticated enough, but the cheeses were all bomb! Entrees and desserts were perfect and our waiter was friendly and knowledgable. I'll definitely comeback, maybe even just at the bar!
(4)Jonathan A.
Lovely Service and amazing food. I tried the Lasagna Bolognese and it was amazing, great taste and good portion. The waitress was really nice and very helpful. Had a great time dinning with my family.
(5)Ann B.
As Valentine's approaches, I would like to reveal whom I secretly admire. That's right folks, Crush. I admire Crush from afar, in conversation, in catered events and in many a night planted right at the bar, enamored with wine goggles and giggles. The ambiance here is incredibly cozy, it's neither pretentious nor sloppy, it's simply welcoming. When I first saw this space being moved into, with the wine crates and boxes stacked high through the windows, it was love at first sight. I even stopped in and asked for a job (you see, I really, really, I mean really, like my wine). The feelings must have been mutual because they did offer me that job, but I had since paired with a less suitable & desirable position in architecture. I digress. The wine here is fantastic and varied. Knowledgeable staff and owners will go out of their way to listen to your needs and pair you with a wine you're sure to enjoy a glass or three of. The flights are totally worth it and a most perfect evening consists of a flight followed by a glass of your favorite pick. This is not a restaurant for me based on specific needs so much as it happens to satisfy all my needs (and that's a tall order my friends). Crush is perfect for after work, lunchtime, "work meetings", dinner, late night adventuring and even, as I have recently found, New Years Eve. THE FOOD, Chapter 2. All kinds of things are streaming through my head and in this head of mine, I sound like a school girl on crack....whose on a bus full of adolescent boys....wind blowing through my hair. I can't figure out how to justifiably talk about THE FOOD. I have easily tried (yet not tired of) half the menu and can never leave the place without some truffle white bean pate. A go-to meal is any small bite followed by the nicoise salad, obviously washed down with a flight of wine. An a-typical nicoise is what you can expect here. Mediterranean olives, string beans, mixed green, roasted potatoes, and whole anchovies surround a small jar of canned salmon. Say what? oh yes, this salmon has been freshly canned in a small ball glass in delicate olive oil and brought to a warm temperature for serving and it is DELICIOUS. You know what else is delicious? the beef carpaccio, the elk and pork meatloaf, the crimini & spinach over polenta. Don't even get me started on the specials. If a newcomer, you may find the portions on the small side, but the exceptional quality beats quantity here any day.
(5)Joey K.
The food is excellent, the best I have had in Anchorage. Try the macaroni & cheese, so amazingly good. Set up very much like a tapas gastro pub. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Irene D.
Try the Mac & Cheese with a salad. Oh em gee!! It's so so good. Service is friendly and there is a superb wine list and the service is very knowledgeable. I always have a salad too. I wish the Mac & cheese was bigger but nothing really to complain about because I should not eat more. The salads are delish too. Very fresh and the atmosphere is swanky...small but very friendly as I travel alone and I don't feel alone. Room at the bar is always open. Definitely a must while in Anchorage!!
(5)Erica C.
I have mixed feelings about this place. The concept is great and I love how it feels super cozy inside. However, my first experience here was horrible. We might have stumbled in here a little bit intoxicated after a few drinks at Bernie's, but our server literally treated us like crap. Gave us attitude and wasn't very attentive. Left us hanging at the table for so long that we actually contemplated walking out on the bill. I'm still a paying customer so I still deserve the same service anyone else in there is getting. Also, the crowd in here was a bit older than us so i'm not sure if that's another reason why they frowned upon us. My second visit here was much better with a different server, but someone at the table actually knew our server. They have a huge selection of wines and offer wine flights if you want to sample a few different ones. Food is decent, but pretty expensive for the portions they serve. The mac and cheese is probably the biggest rip off. It probably only really contains 6 bites and you're done.
(3)Sarah K.
I was ecstatic to find a wine bar in Anchorage. After only being recommended beer places that seemed to be equivalent to a Buffalo Wild Wings, this was a really lucky find. I started there for lunch, but ended up staying for a few hours (You can get the small dishes at 2:30). The lady sitting next to me kept raving about her dish so I also tried the chef's special salad, which was really amazing. They used ripe berries (Even the blueberries were up to standards. There is nothing I hate more than squishy blueberries. Ick!), local shrimp (I don't usually eat seafood, but this was amazing), and a refreshing dressing that tied everything together. Per recommendation from the same girl as well as the bartender, I also tried the mascarpone cheesecake. It is served in a smaller portion with berries and mint. Definitely worth trying and its not a giant portion to encourage overeating. For wine I tried the Semillon, which was delicious. While waiting specifically to try the truffled white bean pate, I also got the Italian wine flight. It was definitely worth getting. Onto the small dishes! The truffled white bean pate ($5) was really good. Its served in ramekin with a hummus like consistency. Warm Olives in Arbequina oil ($5) The green olives were really good. They give you extra oil for dipping the bread. House prosciutto wrapped & feta stuffed dates ($5) These are addictive. I would order those all night if I could. Delicious! To die for. I would come back just for these. (In response to another person's review, yes you do only get two. What were you expecting for five dollars? Dates are expensive by themselves and then you add on the price of the cheese, the stuffing of the cheese, and the prosciutto. Four or more? For five dollars? You have got to be kidding. They are called 'bites' for a reason. They are completely worth the price!) Last, but not least, the arugula, pickled beets, orange, olives, pistachio, and red wine feta salad is also worth getting. The beets taste like Christmas! The olives do have pits in them, so be careful. Overall, I was really impressed. I am definitely glad that I found this place. Orion, the bartender/supervisor/whateverpositionhesaidhewasin knows his stuff! The regulars that I met at the bar were all really awesome. It is definitely a fun place to hang out!
(5)Amy H.
Tourist in town for 24 hours. Scoured yelp for something not too expensive but still good. They did not disappoint. I would give it more like 4.5 stars if possible. When we first arrived I thought this was going to be a little dicey for my not as adventurous in-laws. When they handed us the wine list of bottles that were WAY out of our price range I thought my father in law was going to have a heart attack. But the owner sensed our hesitance and brought us a couple if wines that were more budget friendly. Phew. Then it came down to food. Out of the 10 items the 6 of us ordered, only 1 was disappointing (baked ziti, a bit over cooked and crunchy.) We had the cheese and charcuterie (8 out of 10), figs wrapped in prosciutto (6), baked goat cheese salad (10!!), poached egg on arugula (7), pork empanada (7), Cremini and spinach polenta (6.5), Mediterranean chicken skewers (10 for the accompanying turmeric couscous with feta and MINT PESTO alone, but the chicken was nothing to sneeze at either), Niçoise salad (9+), and the meatloaf (9). In short (or not that short), if I were in Anchorage again, I would go back for sure.
(4)Erick N.
My wife and I were really impressed by our post Mayor's Marathon dinner tonight at Crush Wine Bistro. We walked in on a Saturday night just after 7:00pm and while all the tables were full, bar seating was available and we availed ourselves of is option. The bar is really attractive, the wooden counter is made for planks of wine barrels and attractive chandeliers hang overhead made from wine bottles. The rest of the dining room is nicely appointed as well with one of the tables consisting of a wine barrel. Perhaps the only negative is Crush can be on the loud side, though certainly not overbearingly. Crush features wine flights (as well as a nice selection of wines by the glass and craft beers) but IMHO the flights are the way to go; very reasonably priced at $12 for three pours (decent sized and no food or beverage tax in Alaska) - I imbibed in two flights and greatly enjoyed four of the six vinos I sampled. The food is served tapas style and also was quite enjoyable. I highly recommend the composed cheese plates ($19 for three or $25 for five; also came with assorted nuts, blueberries, toast points and a fig compote - charcuterie also available for additional cost). The Crab gratin was likewise outstanding as was the pork empanada. Plating was attractive and portions sizes more than adequate. The food is not as good a bargain a the wine, but certainly not unreasonable for the quality. Our server was one of the bartenders and she was warm, friendly and attentive despite a full house. As an interesting side note when I asked how long Crush had been around she I formed me they had just had their fifth anniversary the previous night; coincidentally my wife and I had celebrated our fifth that same evening! We had a really fun evening at Crush and might very well make it back for a repeat dinner before the midnight sun sets on our Alaskan vacation.
(5)Raul O.
Nice place to chill and enjoy some wine and try some tasty appetizers. Stuffed dates are a must try!
(4)Alexis D.
Crush gets a two because I can't put half a star. My compliments to the chef. However the wait staff is mediocre at best. They don't listen when you tell them you don't want something boxed and they apparently talk about you to the back staff. Bad idea when the chef is a personal friend. Two starts for delicious food (however very limited and not enough rotation). And an immature unprofessional waitstaff. Great wine selection of course.
(2)Tessa D.
This is a great place. Granted, We were in for an early lunch on a Tuesday so it was a quieter and smaller crowd. It's a winery so there are people sampling wines- it's trendy but casual. The options fit on one small menu but the choices vary and can accommodate most tastes. I ordered the cheddar beer soup and it was lovely. Also ordered at our table was the potato salad which was also very good! The food came quickly and the waitress, however aloof, was polite and nice. I ordered the Brie and ham sandwich and it was delicious! Also ordered was the BLT which I hear was great. Portions are small but enough for a lunch. It was perfect for me. It was a trendy spot for a quiet week day lunch. Wonderful option for travelers looking for a delicious lunch option!!
(4)Kathleen S.
Fabulous way to celebrate a birthday! Wine and finger foods were amazing!! What a great night! Happy Birthday Kim!!!
(5)L P.
I'm writing this review on just the food since I'm not much of a drinker. My girlfriend and I dined in here last week for brunch and I was so excited because it was my first time there. I was very hungry and decided to order the pork empanada with salad. I ate all of it within a few minutes! The portions were so small and I was no where satisfied so I also ordered the pork belly salad. That was small too but at least I was feeling satisfied! The food and service were good but don't expect to get a full tummy! I spent $24 + tip. It's weird that there's only one restroom stall for the whole restaurant - thankfully there was no line when I needed to use it. I would not want to be there if the restaurant was busy. My girlfriend wanted to buy some wine upstairs. I'm not a wine connoisseur but it was charming and had a nice selection. Overall my experience was OK, it wouldn't be my first pick to go eat somewhere but at least I'm no longer wondering what it was all about.
(3)Matthew B.
I'd give this place infinity stars if I could. First time visit and we were stunned. Great food. No, not great. Amazing food! Wonderful service with knowledgable servers about the food and wine pairings. We had a truly amazing evening. $12 Flights, 5.00 apps and reasonable entrees. We will be back.
(5)Donna H.
Looking for a small meal and glass of wine. This place fit the bill on all ends. The Salmon confit nicoise salad excellent. The duck dish was okay. Warm olives and bread a diffident. Carpaccio was nice. We all had the flight dark foreign and good looking. 2 of the malbec were close in taste but the 3rd was very dark and good tasting! Staff was excellent.
(4)Joshua A.
Came in for tapas on the recommendation of friends and based on positive yelp reviews. Unimpressed. Cheese and charcuterie were uninspired as was our server who seemed to want to be somewhere else. In Anchorage this place will probably be around forever, cornering a sort of metropolitan niche. In San Francisco or Seattle would be pushed aside by stronger competition.
(2)Don J.
I was visiting Anchorage from out of town and looking for a lunch spot near the Anchorage Museum. I couldn't get a signal on my cell phone to look up reviews on Yelp, so we just popped into the first place that caught our eye. I walked into Crush Wine Bistro fully expecting to get, duh, a glass of wine - but on sitting down, my attention was riveted by the excellent beer list! I had one I couldn't pronounce, Weihenstephaner, which I fully recommend if you're looking for something different. The Sockeye IPA is not bad, although don't choose this one if canned beer turns you off. I had a difficult time choosing a lunch plate after watching all the delicious-looking plates my neighbors were being served. A BLT doesn't sound very sexy, but Crush makes it look gourmet with thick slices of toast. The crab sliders also looked fantastic. I finally settled on the smoked pork and black bean empanada. I wasn't disappointed - it was cooked just right and full of flavor. It came with the soup du jour, which was some kind of blue cheese soup. It sounded too strong-tasting for my liking and I was doubtful, but the server cheerfully brought me a sample so I could order with confidence. I was pleasantly surprised - the soup has a blue cheese edge that was assertive but not totally dominant. Overall, a very pleasant afternoon lunch spot with good natural light coming through the front windows.
(5)Loren R.
Great place to take a date My wife and I like going here when we spontaneously want a date night. Great wine flights It's a great way to taste a variety of upscale food nibbles, feel classy About it, enjoy people watching And conversation. It feels very comfortable in here. From blue jeans to slacks. Love it. Didn't give five stars due to pricy food that delivers 85 percent of the time. A few of the nibblets are fancied to death. We couldn't eat the Mac n cheese. Too spiced up.
(4)Casey S.
This is more of a review of Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar wine club. I have experienced several wine clubs around Anchorage and Crush is the best, hands down. They do a great job of bringing in delicious affordable wine from around the world. The staff is very knowledgeable about the wines that they include and do a good job of explaining them. Plus, for every dollar that you spend on non-club purchases, you get 10% back to use in the restaurant!
(5)Lard Belly E.
I really like this place for the nice varied wine list (though small), decor, and ambience. But the main reason I don't frequent this joint, except a couple times a year, is the smell. This place lacks ventilation out of the area, and the small kitchen that opens up to the bar area wafts all the cooking smells in the dining area so I end up smelling like a fry cook when I leave. My friend ordered a goat cheese salad which came with a laughable quarter-sized piece. Don't call it a goat cheese salad ($9) and make it the most minimal ingredient. I ordered the sherried crimini and spinach over polenta salad and I think my goat cheese garnish had a bigger portion ($9). We also ordered the bread pudding for desert, which was divine. For wine I really enjoyed the Alexander Valley CabFran ($12), and the Redwood Zin ($10) was a good second glass. My friend ordered a flight, which one was out so they subsituted with this mouthy refreshing white that my friend loved so much we walked up to the cellar (giggle) and she bought herself a bottle for $24. Great people own and work here, and I like the food and ambience, but again the overbearing cook smells make me less inclined to come here depending on how I'm dressed. FYI, they will do a half pour if you don't want the full glass.
(4)Cristobal C.
Lunch after an hour of spending my hard earned money at Nordstom and enduring the painful experience of shopping for the tweens. The wine list s top notch and Crush is a great addition to the Anchorage food scene. Too bad I only remember this place after shopping at Nordys. The food is awesome.
(5)Anthony R.
Was visiting friom Brooklyn, NY with a crew of friends, one of which was a local. She recommended having lunch her and it did not disappoint; the salmon nicoise (did I spell that right?) was delcious and the service was great.
(4)Diana V.
Good food but horrible service! The server was nice but my salad arrived 30 minutes after my two friends dinner arrived, then toward the end of our dinner we were laughing and joking and a man approached us and said "hey, I'm gonna need you to take it down 4 notches" appalled by what he said, I replied "we wear just laughing at a joke" then he replied again "yeah take it down 4 notches" and walked off. We told our server how we were mistreated and she kindly apologized with embarrassment and said "sorry, he's the owner" I cannot believe he would treat any customer that way. He should've asked us in a more professional manner to quiet down. I will never eat here again. If we weren't minorities he would've treated us completely different.
(1)Brooke O.
In Anchorage for business travel, and this place really hit the spot for a casual lunch. Warm, inviting atmosphere, wonderful wine selection, and helpful, knowledgable server who answered questions about wines (which was much appreciated as I'm not much of a connoisseur). I had the curry cauliflower soup (a daily special) and the baked mac and cheese. Perfect amount of food for a lunch, and both dishes were phenomenal. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for an exceptional meal in a casual, non "fine-dining" atmosphere.
(4)Tammy G.
Went with a group of gals for Girls Night Out. Loved the interior, cute cozy, modern and fun. However, they are not really set up to accommodate groups bigger then 4. The noise level was very high and it was difficult to have a conversation. The wait staff was wonderful and answered all our questions. I ordered the dates for appetizer and was admittedly disappointed there were only 2 on the plate. The other restaurants serve 4 or more. However they were delicious. My dinner was the crab gratin. Presentation was delightful but there was very little flavor. Again portion size was disappointing but I knew this restaurant was known for its tiny portions. Dessert was lovely, a flour less chocolate cake, dollop of ice creme and fresh fruits. Their wine selection was nice. They also had some fun and local beers to try! Upstairs you will find the wine cellar with respectable prices on bottles of the wines we enjoyed downstairs. Overall, we had fun and enjoyed ourselves. Next time, I'll go late and come only for drinks and dessert.
(3)Mary C.
I've been wanting to try this place for quite a while and all I can say is... Why did I wait so long?? Excellent food, excellent service. The day was beautiful so I sat out on their patio, sometimes patio service can be lacking... but not here! Wine & beer selection was extensive, I was able to order an organic apple cider, what a treat! They make a simple house salad seem fit for a king, they dressed up my 'ham & cheese' sandwich with brie and apples, just delish. The prices were even reasonable, My new favorite spot!
(5)Curtis H.
A trendy and delightful place to enjoy a glass of wine. Friendly and knowledgeable staff make this place a safe bet. I didn't try the food, but it looks pretty decent based on what I saw. Their wine selection was refined and delightful.
(4)Jeremy R.
Met a friend with my wife for dinner before a show. Great atmosphere, a really good place to chat over wine. Both gals had the beef tips, I had the tomato bisque and lasagna. All the food was excellent, but the portions were really small. Definitely need an appetizer with your entree if you want to get anywhere near full. Wine selection is great, something for everyone. Have been there before, and the wife loves it, so we'll definitely be going back. Just not for dinner.
(4)Jan S.
It is a nice place for Anchorage. Looks like a wine bar you would find in any major US city. The atmosphere is nice, but it was REALLY loud the evening we came in. It was not the noise level I expected. My friend had to sit right next to me instead of across the table from me to hear each other. The wine flights were a nice way to try something new. The appetizers were interesting, but way too small for the prize. The looked fancy, but the ingredients were nothing special...a smear of hummus with white bread, half an avocado with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a bowl of nuts. All things I could make at home for half the price. But the experience is nice and the wine is good. Not a place I would come again for food, just a nice glass of wine with a friend while in downtown Anchorage. Something fun!
(3)Ron F.
So happy we went here after the horror show at "Sea Gulley" (yep I said it). We had the goat cheese salad, penne with vegtables, sage, fennel, sausage, in a very light garlic, olive oil, and cheese (idr the type of cheese). My son had the Pan seared Halibut, forbidden and Jasmine Rice with vegetables. Cranberry bread pudding for desert. Tables were full but the friendly staff encouraged us to sit at the bar. Our bartender and server Jessica was knowledgable about wine, quick to suggest quality pairings, very easy on the eyes, and willing to engage us in conversation. The salad was dressed just right with the goat cheese warmed slightly crispy on the outside warm and creamy through its center. Hazelnut nuts were chopped and roasted fine enough that you could taste every bit of their woodiness without being overwhelmed by a big mouthful of nuts. (Yep I said that too). Pasta was to die for (even if it wasn't fresh pasta), very delicate mix of the sausage, and vegetables carefully cut to small and similar sizes so you could taste the ingredients working together. The reward was at the end when all of the ingredients, cheese, sauce, met at the bottom of the bowl for the most intense bites. Halibut was fresh, cooked perfectly, seasoned so you could taste both the fish and it's plate pairings which complimented each other. Cranberry bread pudding was rich and decadent. Not a big obnoxious slice like we like to do it in SF but dense and moist bursting with tart cranberries capped off a great meal we didn't think we'd find up here. A great experience with great staff and friendly chatty locals. Will be going back, will definitely be recommending to friends traveling here.
(5)James V.
Excellent small plate meals, and wine. Usually crowded, can be a bit noisy, seating at bar is available if all the tables are filled. One of our favorite places in Anchorage. I almost feel guilty giving Crush five stars .... because of being selfish. I'd really rather that YOU did not go there, in order that I would not have to wait longer to get a table! :-) Enjoy!
(5)Andrew G.
My wife and I visited Crush while in Anchorage and were more than pleased with this restaurant. Great food, wine, and service. The waiter made us feel like regulars. Atmosphere was bright and lively Recommend the Beauregard wine. We had the granacha and faux burgundy flights and both were well worth it
(5)Jason Y.
Waited for 15 minutes by the door & was ignored. Then sat down at the bar & waited another 15 minutes and we did not even get water or menus. 30 minutes of my night wasted.
(1)Ana N.
I have had great times here. Awesome spot for foodies - excellent wine selection, helpful staff, EPIC food! Some of my favorites are the Toasted Goat Cheese salad and the Prosciutto Wrapped Sheep's Feta Stuffed Dates. The owners are also fantastic people (they're working sometimes when I've been there) and it feel good to support a business that's run well by quality people. It's my refuge for feeling like I've had a city night out when I've spent too many cold nights in a yurt;) Great for girls' night or date night, and I love going here after the museum on First Friday.
(5)Ruthanne R.
Not at all familiar with food trends here so when I read about Crush I decided to bookmark it for an upcoming trip. Boy was I glad I did. From start to finish the meal was a delight. We shared all plates. Server was asked to split the items ordered and did this without any extra charge. This is a plus as it allows for proper presentation of the food. Some restaurants will split but charge a fee not Crush. Our meal started with a salad of arugula, watermelon, tomato, red wine feta and balsamic reduction Next we shared a salmon dish served over black rice with jullianne veggies. We also ordered the house bread that was served with white bean humus, olive tampanade, and extra virgin olive oil, in addition to sweet cream butter. Oh I must say the wine selections were plentiful and well priced. The restaurant offered wine flights, by the glass (very generous pour) and by the bottle. We finished off our meal with a lovely bread pudding. Moist and not overly sweet. I would suggest one change on the dessert. Instead of the ice cream that came with the bread pudding (it was a bit icy) I would suggest lightly sweetened whipped cream. Other than this minor suggestion I thought the meal was terrific and the service excellent. We definitely will be back.
(4)Karla L.
I love this place. Every time I have ever been here has been wonderful. The service is great, they are always so friendly and helpful with paring wine with food... they love to tell you about their wines. They are always so enthused and passionate about a new or delicious wine; they do a wonderful job with it. The owners have always gone way above anything that is ever expected, and we love coming here every chance we can. The location itself if great, being in downtown makes it very convenient. Its technically a part of the mall, but you cannot access from in the mall, only from their own entrance so I don't really consider it mall-esque. Inside is very warm, and subdued colors, with chill music, and comfortable seating. They don't take reservations, so if its a busy night you might have to wait in the foyer for a bit, but they serve you wine there on the couches so it's never been a problem. The food is always interesting and unique compared to everywhere else in Anchorage. I feel inspired by their creativity and unpretentious approach to their preparation and presentation. I have eaten here many many times now, and they have never had anything less than delicious. I really love getting the evening special along with a recommended glass of wine; and a great dessert followed up with another perfectly paired drink. The wine is easily my favorite part of Crush. They always give solid recommendations for pairings or if you're just there to a glass or two, they take the time to find out what exactly you would like the most, and if they don't have it on the menu they don't hesitate to run upstairs and pull it off the shelf just for you. They really care and it shows in every aspect of the restaurant, from the friendly knowledgeable servers, to the inspired dishes, to the tasty wines... they're doing it right. And I couldn't be happier about having a place of this caliber so close at hand.
(5)Chris B.
Very knowledgable wine staff...excellent selection. Plus they have the good to go with it!
(5)Tasha B.
If you are the type to take note of "check-ins" you might have thought to yourself, "A wine bar for lunch, Tasha? You lush!" But I will have you know that although I did go to a wine bar for lunch, I did not partake in the wine, however tempting it may have been. I heard the food was good, and that's what I was there for. I was not disappointed. It is a cozy little spot, and there were quite a few tables, even at lunch time. As I was dining alone and all of the 2 tops were taken, I sat at the bar. I was alone, but not for long as an older gentleman who was apparently a regular came in and started talking to the staff about some amazing oxtail he had there the other night. It wasn't on the menu, but the chef came out and said he had some leftover and would make it for him for dinner that night. Wow, that is really cool! I almost asked if he would make some for me, too! For lunch they have a few delicious sounding salads and quite a few entrees that come with a side of potato salad, house salad, or soup. Although the salads looked really good, being from Texas, the 30 degree weather had me wanting something warm. I chose the Sherried Portabella with Spinach over Polenta with a cup of clam chowder. Both were wonderfully warming and tasty. I'd like to go back to try their other dishes, and of course the wine, but I don't think I'll have time during my stay. Too bad, because Crush is an adorable place with a very friendly vibe. Note: Another reviewer mentioned lack of ventilation and smelling like food afterwards. I have to say I noticed this, too but overall didn't bother me too much.
(4)Joshua H.
Good wine selections, busy/upbeat atmosphere, but at the same time relaxing. Was here from about 7-9pm on a Friday night, and met a girlfriend there. As I sat down at the table and did a quick scan of the whole room, definitely a chick bar, with about 80% of the clientele being women. Eh, oh well it is a wine bar after all. I'd go back next time I'm in anchorage
(4)Brian H.
First, I gotta say this isn't my scene. As I profiled the room upon entry, I noticed at least five turtleneck sweaters, a handful of people holding their wine glass up to the light, and the stench of arrogance from the suits in the room. That being said, I'm open to new things and can enjoy myself anywhere. We were greeted immediately and sat promptly; impressive considering the crowded room. This place is small, and tables are closely spaced around a nice bar, so don't expect a romantic setting. The wine list is extensive, but will be overwhelming if you don't know much about wines. My GF and I just chose a couple whites, but there are knowledgable staff on hand to offer detailed explanations of the selections. The food menu is a little more refined, offering a few selections of cheeses, crackers, and hummus, as well as a little something for everyone. As an app, we got a white bean pate, which was slightly bland; we've made better at home. My girl got the Mediterranean skewers, and again nothing special. They did have a seafood chowder offered as a chef special, and it was amazing. Similar to a bisque, I highly recommend. All in all, food was alright, but if you aren't into wine, go elsewhere.
(3)Stacy B.
Crush has been around for a few years now and I have finally managed to eat a meal there. And I am excited enough about it to write a review. Located in a little two-story building that abuts the 5th Avenue Mall (if you know a little of Anchorage history, then you might remember it being a hair salon and Reeve Aviation in the past), the bottom is the small but nicely appointed bar and dining area and if you follow the stairs to the second floor, you'll walk into a magical land of wine and liquor that most of the other alchohol retailers don't carry. My husband suggested Crush (he had eaten here before) one evening last week when I dragged him out of the house to complete some much needed holiday shopping. Sure, why not? We've tried to go for dinner before, but Crush was always packed with an hour and a half long waiting list, so I would strongly suggest reservations. But that night we were lucky. We were seated right away near the window where we could see people hustling and bustling with their last minute shopping. I didn't have any wine as I was driving that evening, but my husband is pretty well-versed in beer and wine (it's his profession) and so I'm going to take his word that their selection is quite respectable. Now for the food! We ordered the white bean pate for an appetizer and it was a small, simple dish of pate and something between toast points and bruschetta. The pate was a little thicker than I expected, but spread on the bread, it was a delicious, not overpowering starter. For dinner I first ordered the Pear & Stilton Salad. It was a light salad with thin pear slices, toasted and lightly candied pecans, a sprinkling of stilton cheese tossed with tender, baby spinach. Drizzled on top was a delicate vinaigrette. I think this was the best salad I've ever had in my life. I am normally ambivalent about spinach, but this was heavenly. My husband, a lover of caprese, eagerly ordered Crush's Caprese. He believes it was the best caprese he has eaten, as well. My next course was the Baked Mac & Cheese. Wow! They take this comfort food classic to a new level. Creamy, cheesy and wonderful, there is also a little kick of spice to let you know this ain't your momma's mac and cheese. My husband graciously allowed me to taste his Lasagna Bolognese and to tell the truth, it didn't look like much. This was a perfect lesson in 'don't judge a book by its cover". The Lasagna Bolognese was also delicious. The service was a touch slow, but always friendly. We did not mind a bit as we having good conversation. Our bill was a bargain for the good service and excellent food. In all seriousness, their prices are very good for a restaurant of their caliber. After our meal, we hauled ourselves upstairs to take a look around at their retail store. I will just say that if I hadn't already spent most of money on Christmas presents, that a few of those bottles would have been going home with me. I would recommend Crush to anyone and everyone. I am eagerly looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Kalani C.
A nice stop for a nightcap after the opera. Had a glass of wine and some snacks: assorted nuts & Sheep's Feta Stuffed Medjool Dates, drizzled in balsamic; very tasty, but only two pieces for literally $2.50 a pop, oh well: 2.5 stars. Wines were nice and staff pleasant (more attentive during our first visit). We returned several days later for a light dinner and had a very tasty bisque (can't remember; 3.5 stars) and their Beef & Hominy Empanada (3 stars). Word of caution: Portion sizes are ridiculously tiny. A decent place to pop in before an event or afterward. But I wouldn't come here for the star attraction. Tally: Medjool Dates: 2.5 stars Bisque: 3.5 stars Beef & Hominy Empanada: 3 stars 2.5+3.5+3= 9/3= 3 stars.
(3)Phil S.
Really sweet spot in Anchorage. First place we landed in. Intelligent wine list. Great bites. Nice atmosphere. A jewel of a bottle shop upstairs. Worth a stop. And if your a fan of the pinks they have an impressive array
(4)Brent A.
this is a nice little wine bar in downtown Anchorage. There is seating inside and 4 small tables outside. It was a beautiful sunny day so we enjoyed sitting on the patio. They offer flights and wine by the glass, and something we thought was unique is that on the second floor is a small retail store that sells bottles of wines they serve downstairs in the wine room. We had 2 different red flights and found several wines that were very good - and added a tasty cheese and charcuterie plate. Crush is a great place to stop and visit for an afternoon break from sightseeing and shopping
(4)T C.
My opinion of Crush has deflated considerably. The accumulated experiences over the years has left me missing the friendlier, more welcoming atmosphere of the early days of the bistro, which have now been replaced by a colder and indifferent attitude that more aligns with the conceit of a big-city, metropolitan wine bar. Big disappointment for what used to be an inviting and fun place to meet strangers or have a flight and dinner with some close girlfriends. The service can be good, if you get a friendly server that isn't flippant or cheeky. The wine selections are always delicious, but sometimes with a short pour. The food is roulette, as you'll sometimes get your money's worth or other times you'll get a surprisingly minuscule or underwhelming portion (as other reviewers have noted). This used to be a favorite place, but not anymore. My last two visits left me disappointed. The earlier visit was to meet another couple; friends of mine I've known awhile, and who always smartly-dressed and sophisticated. I rode my bike there and tried to look somewhat presentable, albeit with helmet-hair. The waitress was atrociously sassy toward me. I don't know if it was because I looked younger and frumpier (I just rode in on what had been an abnormally sunny day) but she was completely dismissive toward me, gave me a very short-handed pour of wine (noticeably less than my female friend's glass), and was cold to me the entire time, no matter how many "pleases" and "thank yous" I gave. I worked in the food industry for ten years. I know how to be polite to waitstaff; I also know how to quickly detect undeserving catty attitudes toward customers. My most recent visit has left an even more sour taste in my mouth -- not from the wine (which was great), but from the attitude of one of the owners. I went one crowded night to meet my work friend, and found him sitting with another friend of his and her two companions, who he had just happened to run into. The place was packed to the gills and I thought how coincidental that he met an old friend and could say hello to her. They invited me to squeeze in and join them, and spent a great 45 minutes talking and laughing and sharing. That's what I always thought was great about this place -- perfect (or near) strangers could meet and end up having a nice time. But apparently, before I had arrived there, one of the owners was sitting at the table, apparently knowing one of the same women my friend knew. He had gotten up from the table and my buddy, assuming the owner was off doing owner-things and working, sat down to talk with his friend. No one said anything, the owner had never come by again, and nothing seemed to be wrong, until right as we were getting ready to pay and leave, the owner approaches my friend and takes him aside. He got really mad at my friend, telling him that he took "his" seat at "his" table and chewed him out before saying he was not allowed back. Maybe I missed something prior to my arrival that night. I don't know. But that to me was really strange and really rude. My family has owned businesses before and I have worked for plenty of mom-and-pop joints. So I understand anyone as an owner has "your" stuff and "your" things you do in your establishment, but I've never accosted a customer or got mad at them in front of other people because of something as trivial as a seat. Maybe it was his night off from work, but it looked like he was working hard with his staff, and besides.. customers are customers, and I would gladly jump up from my spot to give a seat to a customer in an otherwise packed bar or cafe I was working in. I felt so terrible for my friend, because he didn't know why the owner was so mad at him, and my friend used to go to Crush all the time. It was a very confusing and bizarre experience. I don't know if there was already some underlying issue between the owner and my friend (small town, right? Who knows?), but the way it was handled was immature and embarrassing, and it could have been solved in a better manner. I will not be going to Crush again after these last two experiences.
(2)Julie S.
I've been curious about this place since my arrival back to town and walked by the restaurant a bunch of times that I finally had to come here for lunch! I did the right thing it smelled pretty good in there. Nice decor and feels like you're in a winery some where. I'm not so sure about the music, middle eastern? Indian? Didn't go with the restaurant. I can hear jazz, cafe del mar, or buddha bar mixes here. The waitress was bleh, I would have liked a more sociable, friendly waiter/tress. I didn't see any riesling on the menu, maybe I over looked it. But I ordered a pretty tasty pinot gris wine by elk grove. I had the smoked turkey sandwich with gouda cheese and it comes with soup, bottled water without cork, and the price $10, reasonable. I have to come back and try the mac n cheese with a glass of chardonnay. =)
(4)Caroline G.
Went here after dinner to relax and drink some wine. The wine flights are pretty good, I would say they are pretty generous with their 3, 2-oz pours. We ordered the mac & Cheese bite and the sheep cheese prosciutto dates --- AMAZING delicious, super tasty. Both of them. The wine was decent, I wish we were able to pick which 3 wines we wanted in our flight, because the last wine in my Pink Wine flight was super sour and difficult to swallow. The place itself is pretty nice, laidback, a good place to have a conversation, drink some wine, and eat some food. I would recommend this place, as the other places around it are probably more beer-oriented establishments.
(3)Melissa K.
I have a not-so secret, secret. I am totally crushing on Crush's selection of wine ... and the mac and cheese. Service is good even when the place is packed. What a fun place to hang out with friends ... and the wine!! So good. Great location and the food and wine are fabulous.
(4)Adam W.
I have been a frequent Crush customer for a couple of years now and I think it is the best restaurant in the Anchorage area. I have been decidedly lazy in not writing a glowing review until now... but here goes: First and foremost, they make fantastic food that is reasonably priced. Sure, you might end up with a large bill at the end of the night, but you don't have to. I went there the other day and had a few of my favorites: the empanadas ($8) and the nicoise ($15) all washed down with a tasty Stella ($4!) and that's a delicious, filling meal for 27 dollars. Try getting dinner at one of the other best restaurant in the Anchorage area contenders for that price (Sacks, Double Musky). Ain't gonna happen. Further, Crush is constantly pushing the envelope by frequently changing their specials - offering new dishes that are almost always both adventurous and delicious. I appreciate having one restaurant in town that makes food that even I (someone who cooks frequently and enjoys it) find new and exciting. Finally, the service is always spot on. The servers know what they are talking about - instead of regurgitating lines about bouquets and aromas. No, they are into the food too, and that shows and is appreciated. Well done. Keep it up, guys.
(5)Teresa S.
First time i had ever been here. Cute little place with really cool heavy wood tables. The art work is wonderful and all for sale. The menu is lunch and dinner. They have wonderful wines and since i am not a beer drinker , but, i am told great beer as well. Food was wonderful and they had the best Manhattan clam chowder that i have ever tasted. I would certainly go back. Wish i could buy one the paintings as well. It was a little loud at times, with the kitchen all open. It sounded as if they were breaking dishes quite a few times. But, that was the only thing.
(4)Dave R.
Went in for a revisit, and the place is still solid. Thanks Staff
(4)Ange B.
Love the atmosphere. It is small, but that's more my style. Honestly, I wouldn't go there for the meals. The food is, ok. They jazz it up to go with the ambiance of the place, but nothing spectacular. Like I said I love the quaint like atmosphere, so that's the reason why I enjoy it. It can get loud and crowded during the weekend/evening times and that doesn't mix well with the size of the place. I guess it goes to show the likeness of the place. My ideal visit there is to get a spot in the corner drink a glass of wine and just kick back with a good friend. If you're feeling really adventurous they have an in house sommelier that you can chalk up with if you're not too familiar with wine and try out some new varieties. I give it 3 stars because honestly, Anchorage is very limited on these types of things, but if I were to rate it to some of the few I've been to in Seattle & New York it would probably get a 2 since their food menu is kinda... Meh.
(3)Rick N.
Quesdilla. Soup. Wine - what more do you need on a rainy Anchorage day ? Owners were very friendly and helpful - talked food with gusto and knowledge - only wish I was in town for dinner to come back and try that
(4)A S.
Trendy. Overpriced. Too loud. Crowded. Been there twice and the last time I ordered a meat dish with wild mushrooms. The entrée was tiny but expensive. The wild mushrooms were burnt to a crisp. Some of them were actually burnt to nothing but bitter charcoal! I was surprised a chef would let that out of his or her kitchen! It seems to be popular with the 20-somethings, but I won't bother to spend my money on nothing but style and noise again. I'm old enough to know better.
(1)Mulberry S.
Bacon mixed into ground elk? Butter poured over halibut and then buried in a lentil soup? The food has all the hallmarks of lazy, uninspired cooks who think salty or fatty are the only choices. If I eat lean game meat the last thing I want is some cheap industrial pig fat crushing the flavor. And if I eat a fresh fish the last thing I want is to drench it in salty gruel crushed by milk fats. Yuck. Then I couldn't help but notice there were many disheveled lesbian couples coming into the restaurant to slowly sip beer from the bottle. Odd. It was about the same time I noticed that the wine list on the menu is tiny, tiny, tiny. I felt like we barely ate or drank and left unsatisfied, despite having spent into the 100s over just three visits. But I wasn't done yet. Curious about how this place could be such a shallow uninspired version of what it thinks of itself I finally went upstairs to their store. Based on their menu selection I expected to see a couple bottles on an empty shelf. Instead they were well stocked. I started to read the little paper lables they print for every wine. They made no sense and often looked incorrect to me. For example a label would suggest a wine be paired with elk and then say "call up your friends that hunt". This is Alaska, so you might as well say call up your friends that wear shoes. I'm no sommelier but I smelled something rotten in the writing. I asked the woman at the counter for clarification to help me make a selection but she just wanted to talk about dropping out of college. So I asked her if I could talk instead with the person who wrote the labels. She then said 1) it was her and a few other staff who search the Internet for the wine names and then write whatever they find interesting 2) she is only 22 and hasn't had a chance to drink any wine yet. WTF? My reaction must have been obvious because she then called the owner and he came and asked me to leave the store. He literally said to me "you've spent a lot of time here and haven't bought anything so can you leave now?" I felt awful for them. Here I was trying to actually find something to buy and instead I had uncovered their dirty secret -- they don't really know anything about what they are selling or cooking. It's all just a cruel joke on people in Anchorage who haven't traveled much or don't know better. But I wasn't about to give up so easily. I asked the owner if he could just point me to something local/unique to buy and then I would leave. He waved me towards the spirits section and said "about a third of that is only carried by us". Uh, ok, that's not what I meant. I don't want the only bottle in Anchorage of something from Washington state. I want something from Anchorage. Long story short this guy can't actually point to anything local, tasty or unique but he can tell me that his finest tequila (from Mexico) is good in mixed drinks (fail) and a $225 bottle of single-malt should be bought because he had a sip once and it stayed in his mouth for 15 minutes. He walked away from me furiously tapping on his iPhone saying over and over "15 minutes, 15 minutes! 15 minutes!" Asking him how it compared to two other whiskeys from the same part of Scotland resulted in him saying again "15 minutes, it lasts in your mouth". Yeah, so does bad breath. Basically this place lacks integrity to an extreme level of deficiency. It is attempting to recreate the snobbery and exclusivity of a big city restaurant so they play up their imports. They constantly say they have some special friend or a lucky connection but in reality we were unable to find a single reason for anyone to bother coming here. You can find a much bigger wine selection a few blocks away from nicer people and much better food for less money within two blocks. Their service is pathetic and the owner is rude and obnoxious. So you can come here to be treated poorly and try to become one of his "insiders" but I don't see why anyone would bother unless they are so lonely and inexperienced in the world that they just want to join for joining sake.
(1)Rob C.
Certainly a concept that Anchorage doesn't really offer, but the execution leaves a bit to be desired. Beautiful interior, even if the quasi-mall location is a bit weird. We had some wine flights which were great for $12. Our server was happy to answer questions and explained the flight as she was serving it. Food was less exciting; Mediterranean platter (chicken skewers on the menu) was a bit straight forward and unimaginative, mac and cheese was meh, and stuffed dates were better sounding than they tasted. I never complain about portion size (quality is more important than quantity), but small plates here are indeed small. Ultimately the experience wasn't bad by any means, but I can't say that it was great either. Maybe I need another shot at it to be won over.
(3)Garrett P.
Maybe its just that I've been spoiled with wine bars in Napa, Seattle and New York, but I just don't think Crush cuts it. If memory serves me correctly, there were only about 12 wines on the menu available by the glass and a handful of flights. We had one flight and a couple single glasses and nothing was really impressive. The food is also just "ok." The menu is a somewhat limited, a small, somewhat disconnected offering of small plates, a few salads and a couple nightly specials. I would go back only for the Mac and Cheese or the special artichoke. The rest I can live without. Decent beer selection as well. It's also pretty expensive ($180) for a group of four, with tip. I'd rather have more food, drink and options somewhere else.
(2)Natural N.
La Cana Albariño and Vegetable Nori Roll w/ Maple Ponzu. Next up, Molly Dooker "The Violinist", Chappellet Mountain View Napa Cab '08, Sobon Fiddletown Zinfandel, Plymouth, CA '08
(5)April Q.
I showed up solo and sat at the wine bar - I first notice how cozy and relaxed it was - the atmosphere was great. The wait staff (the girl at the bar) was superb - she was genuinely friendly, and was very informative on the wine selection and food selection. Their special that day was hare and salmon. Now I've never had hare, so I went with that. Let me tell you something - that was the best tasting dish I've had in a VERY long time. It was cooked so perfectly and seasoned so well - it had a great sauce with it that was to die for. She also had recommended a Spanish Red wine flight to accompany, which I did and was loving it, too. They also had a home-made coconut ice cream which was the creamiest, most tasty real coconut ice cream - very gourmet. My bill was around $35 - for all the enjoyment - it was worth it.
(5)Candyce R.
I love this place, GREAT food, great ideas, and great execution. The only reason I gave crush four stars was for the slow service. I would go back any day of the week unless I was in hurry!
(4)Thomas C.
Tried it for the first time as my birthday dinner. I was xtremely impressed. The downsides first, though: As other reviewers have shared I didn't like the noise - don't expect to get in any indepth or romantic conversations with your hunny. The prices - just a bit steep for what you get, but then again, if that's what you have to charge for long-term success making good food, I'm willing to pay for it, from time to time. The Good: the Food . We started with a toasted goat cheese salad and the ciabatta with plugra and tapenade. The salad alone is something to behold in Anchorage and AK. Having spent a lot of time on a very successful organic farm in Ca, I happen to have some knowledge here. The lettuce was as good as I've had anywhere, fresh, succulent, tender, nicely mixed (not too much bitters or sharps). It would have been nice to have a bit more goat cheese. Next the mac & cheese, and empanada. The mac and cheese was great as many have said, rich, creamy deep cheese flavor. The empanda the best I've had. The dough was light and buttery but still had some body, the filling was rich, stewed shredded beef, real hominy, nicely spiced. We also had the Med. chicken skewers, and here for me is the sign of a truly consciencious chef. If a simple chicken skewer can make your taste buds marvel. We had no idea what the spices were, the meat tender and moist. The wine was good, and in the claret flight had one in particular, Valley of the Moon cuvee de la luna, that had me going up stairs to the wine shop for more. Their wines to tend to be heavy on the foreign, which is great really for me, because I don't get too many Portugese, or South American (S. African even) wines while touring Napa, Paso Robles, or Santa Ynez. The Service. Awesome. Right there when she needed to be, willing to anwers questions, and when I asked for another glass, there was no hesitation (like you'll get your glass after I finish busing this table dude). And every table occupied. Our server was the gold standard of servers upon I wish all could learn from.
(4)Laura L.
Come here for the carefully selected wine (also --the store upstairs), the warm and inviting atmosphere, the lovely loose leaf teas and hand crafted espresso, and the unique selection of bottled beers you may not find elsewhere. The food was nice in concept, but left something to be desired in portion size. Salad pieces were huge and had to be cut; pizza crust was almost burnt and could not be cut with a knife and fork, but was too messy to pick up with hands. I ate it all though, but left still hungry. Beautiful decorated, and beautiful selection of art.
(4)Deena E.
Crush is a great little foodie nook catering to yuppies with an appreciation for good wines. You'll enjoy a diverse array of varietals and unique food options. The white bean pate is a tasty amuse-bouche; especially paired with the Chateau de la Roche Sauvignon Blanc. The bartender and wait staff were extremely friendly (as seems to be the case with everyone in Alaska), but still a nice surprise from the lower 48-east coast attitudes most visitors might be accustomed to. Would definitely return.
(4)Andy T.
Finally had the opportunity to take the entire family here to try this out. I had heard so much about the baked mac and cheese and the Ruben sandwich. Well the Mac and cheese was alright but was VERY disappointed in the portion size. Very small. I guess it was supposed to be an appetizer not an entree. My son really enjoyed the Ruben sandwich. My other son had the quesadilla and thought it was of the best he had had but also small portion. The wine selection was OK but if you really want to have the good stuff go upstairs to the cellar. I know it's backwards but the stock they have is not bad. If you are a Cab fan and have $45.00 to drop on a bottle of really good wine then try the Chateau Montelena. You won't be disappointed. Also check out their German wine section probably the best in Anchorage.
(3)Kalin P.
I am not a winee. I tend to drink wine with cute labels or what is on sale. My night at Crush changed my whole perspective! I love that they have samplers there with a theme. It introduced me to my new favorite wine. The appetizers were AMAZING. The atmosphere is totally laid back, but upscale (an oxymoron perhaps but somehow they were able to accomplish it). You will see you me there again. The only draw back was our waiter did not do the turn of the bottle at the end of the pour like in the movies. I think I can forgive him.
(4)Shopping B.
I have been to Crush now three times, and each visit has been wonderful. The top three factors in that statement are as follows: [01] The wine selection. In a word, awesome. The wines are updated about every week or so, so chances are you will never have the same thing more than once. [02] The service. I cannot say enough how great the service has been every single time I have been in there. That goes a long way in my book. [03] The atmosphere. The owners did a really great job of turning the former cafe into a hip, urban room with eclectic music, an amazing bar, and very comfortable seating no matter where you are in the room. I don't have a lot to say about the food at this point because we have primarily gone there to sample the wines. The few items I have tried, however, have been delicious. I recommend the mac and cheese.
(4)Melissa W.
Closer to 2.5-3. Went here on a Thursday night with a friend. Place was packed but we snagged a table. I found the service a bit abrupt and a little snotty. We ordered 3 items from the menu plus wine. They were out of the entree. The "goat cheese" salad came with about a tablespoon of goat cheese. I ordered dessert which took well over 30 minutes to arrive and it was just bread pudding. Atmosphere is nothing special. They are another restaurant following the trend to bring water to the table with no ice. I came back on Saturday night at about 8:30pm to find plenty of seating. Again, when my friend ordered an appetizer-they were out. We each got flights of red. Waiter didn't pour the middle glass, said he'd be back. After about 20 minutes I flagged him down and asked if he'd forgotten, to which he responded "forgotten what?" in an irritated tone until he realized he still needed to pour the French wine. On the second visit there was an overwhelming meat smell. I felt like I was marinating in it. I like the idea of trying new and interesting wines and the food that was available was good. The value and service are turnoffs for me. Not in a hurry to go back.
(2)Celeste C.
I had a great experience at Crush. My friend and I shared several of the small plates. The Mac and Cheese and crab cake sliders are great! I was prepared to share a few things rather than get one large entree based on other reviews. It is a bit loud so you have to be in the mood for that kind of atmosphere. However, it is still very easy to have clear conversations.
(4)Sarah B.
There is a reason Crush is going up as my first review - I can't believe no one has yelped it yet! The food was absolutely phenomenal. I went for the wine, I went back for the food (and more wine, of course). The place is only about a month or two old, but it's weekend evenings are already a full house. I was in Anchorage for work and sad that I couldn't take this place back to SF with me.
(5)Vive l.
I always enjoy the wine flights here which are interesting, well-priced. Additional bonus: going upstairs to pick up a favorite bottle for friends!
(4)Eric V.
Very good food for what you pay. Good service as well. Would recommend.
(4)Alandsue G.
Great place! Wine list is moderately priced and with a good variety. Had the crab cakes, sirloin steak special, goat cheese salad and blueberry ice cream. All were excellent, as was the service. Will definitely return next time I'm in Anchorage.
(5)Jessica A.
Great food! I had the polenta with mushrooms and spinach.... it was very small but had great flavor, don't get it if your super hungry. its the kind of place u want to go on a date.. you can Gage a mans intentions by the price of the bottle ;) oh, and get the plum torte w/ birch ice cream it comes with these squiggles of lemon n plum sauce that u dip it in it was pretty fanshy.
(5)Eric L.
Great food and great booze! Best service I have received in Anchorage. Feels like a legitimate 4 star experience. In addition, the wine and spirits store upstairs is outstanding with a really knowledgeable owner (Chad) and hard to find options. Style is also very cool urban.
(5)Sara F.
Recently visited Anchorage & tried out this place for a light dinner & was happily satisfied. Good selection of wines, not too pricey & good appetizers. I got a delicious caprese salad & paired it with a yummy Shiraz. Husband got empenadas & beer, (wasn't in the mood for vino oddly at a wine bar lol). Everything was delivered pretty promptly & the waitress was great at helping me pick a couple yummy wines. I tried another tempranillo which I loved & the bill was really reasonable. We'll be going back as this place is really conveniently located near all the shopping but still has a great atmosphere at night once all the businesses shut down. Good spot for date night!
(4)Chris C.
Great food and service , excellent pricing as well.
(5)Virginia A.
Great food great wine great service. The restaurant has small plates on the menu, great for ordering several plates and sharing. Perfect for a date. The cheese plate was to die for.
(5)Margaret N.
Great spot for a bite to eat for lunch while enjoying downtown. I had the garlic carrot soup and goat cheese apple salad and it was just right for lunch. Very tasty, even though this is really not the type of soup I normally have. I especially recommend as a place for girl friends to meet while shopping!
(4)Adam L.
Good, but not great. This is definitely not a place for everyone. They have wonderful food, but for the amount you actually get it takes way too long to get out. It can also get very noisy in there and they don't take 100% care of the place. They have had a big broken window right in the front for as long as I've seen the place! HOWEVER, I will give them props on the wine selection and the incredibly knowledgeable staff. Our waitress knew every little detail about the wines we were served down to exactly what foods it goes good with. The flights are also a pretty good deal, giving you 3 different wines (with slightly less amount) for the price of a glass by itself. Having the cellar upstairs is also good, especially when you liked a particular wine a lot from downstairs, just ask what it was and grab it upstairs! The place is ok for what it is, they could do with bettering their food selection, but even if they did I probably won't be going back because it is not my style of place to go.
(3)Elisabeth M.
Good food, faIr wine prices by the glass. Decor, OK but not inspiring. My only issue was the $15 corkage fee for wine that you buy from them! In San Diego it's usually $6 for wine bought on the premises. Not much competition in Anchorage.
(3)Tammy B.
Had another lovely evening at Crush last week. Tried a scallop special with a cauliflower sidedish that was to-die-for (and i normally wouldn't eat califlower, but this was amazing). The place was hopping, and loud, but that added to the energy. Even crowded, I got a spot at the bar and had a really fun night with a friend. Tried a few flights (Islands in the stream was a great summer flight). Left happy. They are still top of my list.
(5)Christopher B.
Very nice wine selection!! Came in here after some shopping in downtown. When we walked in there was an amazing smell of garlic coming for the kitchen. I will deff havta come back for some snacks!!
(4)Devon F.
Visiting Anchorage from Seattle and found this via yelp. The food was good, the waitresses were sexy, and the wine was excellent. A clasy little place. I sat at the bar and was helped by Eli. He suggested many good wines and provided a number of tasters. He was very good at his job. The owner was also behind the bar and made a point of saying hello. Reasonable prices, good laid back classy crowd.... I had great time. Especially if your sitting at the bar.
(5)Yo U.
Good selection of wine by the glass and reasonable grub. Prices are a bit high for both food and drink. I cannot explain why the woman serving me topped up bad wine with good when the first bottle she had me taste was off. Instead of taking away the bad wine in my glass, and getting me a full glass of the good stuff, she simply poured good stuff on top of the bad. A manager/owner sampled the off wine himself and agreed that it had to be poured down the sink, so my judgment was not off. The last third or so of that glass was not very pleasant to drink. Perhaps she wasn't thinking too clearly. She was reasonably pleasant otherwise and it was busy. May have been a bit frazzled, I guess. Also, my food was given in error to another patron and it took a few minutes for the mistake to be realized. Thank heavens that he didn't tuck into it and that I'm neither a fussy nor a difficult patron. Those two service hiccups aside, Crush is a decent place.
(4)Andrea T.
As a wine bar, this place is okay. I wish they had a larger selection. But hey, I just spent two years living by Napa, so take that with a grain of salt. I like to come here with my husband for a nice relaxing evening out. The lunch at Crush is great. You can come here and order off of their ten dollar lunch menu and have an entree and a side dish that will certainly satisfy your hunger and your tastebuds.Their gumbo is pretty darn good. If only you could get okra in Anchorage! I wish they would get rid of their neon signs outside though. Kind of tacky. Does not do the atmosphere inside any justice.
(4)Liz T.
Ate here twice while visiting Anchoarge for the first time and would go back if here again. A nice casual food and drinking ambience with a relatively upscale food and wine alternative to the endless tourist oriented seafood and steak establishments in the area. Interesting wine by the glass selection, tasty "small" plates that are not so small and are filling, e.g., the mac and cheese and the white bean dip. Weather allowing, can sit at the outside sidewalk area. Friendly servers. Bread pudding paired with madera for a dessert selection was heavenly. Across the street from Nordstroms downtown, ten minute walk from the Sheraton Anchorage. Closed Sundays. Looks like solo diners would feel comfortable here too.
(4)Molly B.
I finally paid a visit to Crush this past Friday night before seeing a concert at the PAC. A guy I know said it best when he described what the food is like here -- with your first bite you raise your hands in the air, look at the ceiling and say, "Mmm!" Everything we tried was perfectly seasoned and tasty and flavorful. I had the beef and hominy empanada, my friend had the mushroom and polenta, then we shared the ravioli, which was filled with salmon that day. I tried two wine samplers. The people watching was lively and entertaining because Nordstrom was having their Anniversary Sale and tons of people were out and about. It was nice & sunny so lots of people were dining out on the sidewalk. It's pretty loud inside the restaurant what with being located on a busy street and all those people inside talking. Maybe they need better acoustics or maybe it was just because the doors were open to let the good weather in. If you order a special, be sure to ask the price -- everything else we ordered was eight bucks but the squid ink pasta special we ordered was $23! Can't wait to go back for lunch one of these days.
(4)Amy S.
This place is exactly what you hope it will be. Great wine, wonderful food, small plates, upscale but casual. I travel solo for business a lot and it's very easy to eat at the bar alone. Great veg options but perfectly OK for the meat and potatoes crowd too. Interesting, diverse, and affordable wine list. Love it!
(5)Stacie Y.
I love Crush! Although they do not have a large selection of wine (which I've heard they are getting more), the ones they do have are awesome! I love the fact that it's a "drink and app" place, Anchorage doesn't really have many of those. It would be nice to have a selection of a bigger meal, but maybe a special or something that changes weekly or every few days. The atmosphere is great and service is good. The location is a little inconvenient but still a nice night spot. I recommend Crush to anybody who just wants a nice place to hang out after work or even Friday/Saturday night in a relaxed atmosphere.
(4)e J.
I agree with the other reviewers about Crush; good wine selection, service, decent food, etc. What I don't like is the lack of ventilation in this place. After even a short visit you'll smell like you've been working as a fry cook all day. To some folks this may not matter, but I hate to put on my jacket two days later and it still stinks of fried food. Please get some air flow in here!
(3)Maurice C.
I have a crush on Crush, but it would turn to true love if they would serve some bread with their small plates!
(4)solomon l.
i love crush! the wine list needs to be and is being expanded. i would also like to see a few large ticket items on the menu like filet mignon, even though i know that maybe a large plate like that doesnt fit into the "tapas bar" theme. the music is fun and not the as per usual middle age hot tub sex anthems that are all too often played in this towns restaurants. its great that you can actually get some high quality POLISHED glasses! the bread pudding is perfect, and i had a hard time resisting the urge to ask where crush got some of its cold cuts and cheeses. all the best to crush!
(5)