Wow, I have been going to Simon's for over 25 years and the food has never been worse than very good. The view is one of the best in the city and the dining room is nicely appointed. Yes, it is a little bit pricier than some fine dining places, but it is always worth it. We just went again a couple weeks ago for dinner with my parents and it was a perfect evening. We chose to take advantage of their First Seating option for only $25 per person which is a killer deal. You get coffee, tea or soda, soup, chowder or salad, an entree and a sundae or sorbet. Our group had asiago halibut, cajun fettuccine and baby back ribs and they were all amazing! They also serve Happy Hour drinks in the dining room and their pomegranate margaritas for only $4 are a steal. Here are the food highlights I have discovered over the years: 1) Fresh Sourdough Bread - this is always served before the meal and it's hot and great! 2) Salmon Chowder - best chowder I have had in my life. 3) White King Salmon - Always order this if it's on the menu. It's ridiculously good! 4) Fresh Silver Salmon - This is always a guaranteed great meal. 5) Fresh Raspberry Iced Tea - Probably the best iced tea anywhere unless you don't like your tea sweet. 6) Halibut, Cod, and any other fresh Alaska seafood never disappoints. 7) Artichoke and King Crab Dip - This is a new favorite and during happy hour it's half price. 8) First Seating Menu - This is the best deal in Anchorage for food hands down. We will go back every time we visit Alaska (usually 3 times a year). Also, their waitstaff was exceptional this past time and is rarely off. They are great with special requests too and one time the chefs even whipped up the best meatloaf any of us had ever had when my grandmother came with us and couldn't find anything that she wanted on the menu. She was a picky eater and the Simon's staff didn't blink an eye and went beyond the extra mile to accommodate. Oh, they have also accidentally thrown away leftover containers twice in my 25 years of going here and both times they gave us completely new meals to take with us. Every time we have them wrap up our food in to go containers I secretly hope that they will throw it away so that I can get an entirely new meal. Enjoy Alaska and definitely go here to have Alaskan seafood the right way.
(5)
Courtney R.
Boy oh boy I wanted to LOVE this place, I was ready to get DOWN on some crab. Boy oh boy was I disappointed. The food was ok, the view (which everyone swore by) was ok, the service was good but ultimately overpriced and not good food.
(2)
Jozo Joe Z.
Go for the view. But don't expect any greatness. It's just okay.
(2)
Carol M.
Went here for lunch with 4 others. Everyone's meal was fabulous. The wrap, the soup, salad and fish & chips were all high quality. The tartar sauce had artichoke hearts in it (I think). The strawberry lemonade was great! We didn't have enough room for the keylime pie or cobbler and they looked wonderful. Next time.
(4)
Amber G.
This place really took my breathe away. We had the perfect table with a spectacular view and a super cute waiter, he was just as sweet as can be. I went here on my 16th birthday as a kid and will always remember it. I had the best halibut of my life and the service was devine....from sweet cheeks. I can not remember his name...oh well. The only reason this place did not a perfect score is because they presented me with one of my biggest pet peeves. The butter they served with bread was hard as a rock. As a matter of fact ....it was even served in a silver dish resting on ice...BAD !!!! Never do this....no matter how ritzy it looks. I want my butter soft, whipped, or spreadable.
(4)
Dan N.
Besides smelling like piss from the bathrooms in the hallway entrance to this shore side restaurant, it's a great place to get seafood! They also mailed me a gift certificate! Love em for that! But I much prefer Glacier B-House or even Humpy's(on a good night)
(3)
Celeste C.
The reviews appropriately set my expectations. I ate here on a business trip and I felt that it was a good local experience. The view of the water is great. However, despite some negative review comments, I still had higher expectations of the award winning halibut dish. It was really breaded and I didn't think it had much flavor. The service was good but the general experience was not really a fine dining experience. I am still glad I went but I do not plan on going here again on my trip.
(3)
Dave R.
great food. Service was good. Place was very busy.
(4)
Moira I.
Even with a reservation, this place is still packed on a Friday and you do have to wait to get a table. But never fear, there is a bar, equally packed, where you can distract yourself with a beverage and marvel at the things people in Alaska will wear for a night of fine dining. Velour jogging suits do not count as formal wear, people! I was in gastronome heaven. Excellent seafood, AMAZING duck confit. We stayed until there were only two other tables and that made it a bliss full evening. Comfy and elegant is a difficult combination to pull off, but they do it well. Wait staff are probably the coolest bunch of faux hawk wearing cats ever. I hear they have an early dinner special thingy, where you can get three courses for a steal. Totally worth a shot.
(5)
K S.
Great food, great service, great views. The Crab dip is a must.
(5)
Christie K.
My favorite restaurant in Alaska! My uncle took us out here on our last day in this great state, and it was PERFECTION. Normally, I hate when people order salads in restaurant (what's the point in ordering expensive rabbit food?), but the salad I shared here was amazing~ THE SALAD I HOLD ALL SALADS TO! I also had the filet mignon with crab topping. I remember being in SHOCK when my sister tried to put steak sauce on this MAGNIFICENT creation, and I slapped her hand away from tainting something so perfect. If I'm ever back in Alaska, I'd definitely return~
(5)
Courtney P.
A bit spendy, but yum The boyfriend and I shared a tower appetizer, it was great, terryaki steak bites, sushi rice and crab and artichoke dip. Super disappointed in the prawns, they're a tad bit over done and just a let down to the whole combo, but still decent, I guess. We had: Mango Mojito: yum Raspberry Mojito: yum Pomegranate Lemonade thing: yum The only other complaints are that the waitress was wearing the most fake smile, EVER, she carded me but not the boyfriend and that's insulting to me, everyone should be carded if they're close to the same age in appearance, not just the chick AND the bathrooms need some major updating and cleaning. I'll definitely go back when I have a hundred bucks to blow.
(4)
Niambi M.
This a classic case of: high expectations + beautiful views - obnoxious hostess - frazzled waiter - average bar + lovely setup - long, long wait (even WITH a reservation!) + very good food - long, long wait for said food to arrive --------------------------------------------------Â--- = a very generous 3 stars
(3)
Catherine M.
The restaurant was great, but I feel a little over priced, hence the 4 stars. Went here for our anniversary, and had stuffed halibut and halibut cheeks. They were both delicious! Would have liked them just a little hotter, but very good all the same. Service was good, although not great, and we should have asked for a view, but forgot about that part so that was our fault.
(4)
Mike D.
Wa wa weee waaaaa! I had a fantastic meal here with coworkers on a business trip in Anchorage. Absolutely get the halibut cheeks if they're on the menu. Best fish entree I've had in years. They're pan sauteed with a crispy crust and melt-in-your-mouth interior. The fresh King Salmon grilled with asparagus was beautifully plated and absolutely delicious in its simplicity. Key lime pie was a great dessert choice. Our server was fabulous; knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. Essential, if wallet draining dining.
(5)
Cindy O.
Simon's is hands-down one of my favorite places to eat in Anchorage. The service is always topnotch and the food excellent. The only thing that keeps me from giving it five stars is that it is VERY noisy. If my husband and I want to have a quiet dinner conversation, we tend to go elsewhere. We've always been very happy with the food and service and yes it IS pricey. But so's everything else in Alaska, particularly when it comes to eating out. On a recent trip there we had the chocolate cake with Alaska wild berry ice cream rather than the vanilla. I know to ask for it, it hasn't been on the menu in a few years. Apparently it hadn't been out of the freezer for a few years as well. It had that ice cream that's been in the freezer too long taste. However, when I commented to the waiter that it was a little old tasting so for the sake of the restaurant's rep they might want to do something about that, he immediately offered to bring us another (we refused, it was half gone and not THAT bad). The next thing manager's there and insisting he take it off of our bill. We didn't ask for or expect that, but that's the kind of place it is. So it's still one of my favorite places to eat....
(4)
Scott N.
Our favorite Anchorage restaurant! Consistently very good (just short of excellent- service can sometimes be slow). Be careful with gift cards though. We have had a waiter tell us there was $20 less remaining than what our receipt showed (after a rare case of so-so service; maybe an attempt to inflate the tip?). Nonetheless, highly recommended. The ONE must-visit for visitors!
(4)
Angela S.
We waited for awhile even though we had a reservation but other than that, it was amazing. I had the salmon and my friends had some pretty amazing dishes as well. The service was excellent the view breathtaking. We also ordered some really yummy dessert. Overall, super duper fresh seafood that I wish I could eat everyday.
(4)
Linda B.
Wonderful food! Great ambiance. Spectacular view. Great service! The red king crab was amazing! What more can you say!
(5)
Christopher W.
The view is incredible, and their raw bar is so fresh. I was told they get their oysters right outside their window, and if you're lucky enough to make it for their happy hour, their prices are not too bad. Otherwise, it can be a bit pricey.
(4)
Peter L.
Great fish house. The halibut cheeks were wonderful. All their halibut dishes are excellent. The best key lime pie outside of the Florida keys.
(4)
Hugo A.
Food was great, the service was good, and loved the views and decor! I highly recommend it!
(5)
Valda S.
Our dinner started great. Got a nice table with a good view of Cook Inlet. Server was attentive and our cocktails were nice. The mixed green salad was delicious and included fresh blueberries. I had the halibut cheeks on the recommendation of the manager and was pleased with this choice. We were at the end of a two week trip to Alaska and due to the price of King crab legs my husband avoided ordering them until this night. Unfortunately this was the one bad part of the meal. The dinner was supposed to be 1 pound of legs but this was the smallest King crab cluster he had ever seen. The claw was smaller than Blue Crab claws he had eaten in the past. This was brought up to the server and the manager came over. Instead of offering more crab immediately he attempted to come up with an excuse (according to the manager this crab was from an area north of the Bering Sea and was thus a "smaller crab"). Eventually he did offer an additional 1/2 pound but my husband declined this and we left soon after. Our final recommendation: stick to the fish and avoid the crab!
(3)
A M.
great food, awesome happy hour, and pulchritudinous view of Mount Susitna.
(4)
Amanda B.
Gorgeous, excellent food, get a reservation if you can. It's just like everywhere else downtown: packed for dinner. It's a little spendy. We went here for Thanksgiving, though, and had a great experience. Go for the seafood if you can. Of course! It's Alaska. Always go for the seafood, everything else in AK is pretty much mediocre due to it having to be shipped in.
(4)
Kiki G.
See that great view of the bay? Don't count on it. We booked a table as Open Table VIPs (you can tell from our phone no. we aren't locals) and got a crap table at the back of the restaurant (no view) with all the other tourists. Watched locals with no res who had been waiting get tables iin the part of the restaurant with the glorious view. Service was A+, but for the $$$$ price tag, not worth the money as there are many great places in town that aren't so expensive (with better fried calamari, too). Wouldn't recommend unless you have an "in" with the receptionist. Very bummed.
(1)
Amber B.
This place has the best scratch margaritas and key lime pie. The seafood is good, and the steaks are melt in your mouth. If you make arrangements for a date, you can be picked up in a horse drawn carriage and taken for a tour of downtown anchorage.
(5)
Joe E.
They say the little things count, and Simon's does their best to remember that. Went there for our anniversary and when making reservations they always ask if there is a special occasion you're celebrating. When you arrive and check in with the hostess they will say "happy anniversary" or whatever the occasion calls for and they even inform the waiter. To give it just a little bit more they decorate your table just a tad to make it just that must more special. I am not sure if they try to sit you at a window seat overlooking the inlet or not but so far it has paid off and we had a lovely view and great food and service.
(4)
Leah M.
Happy hour in the bar is a great deal with an awesome view. The food is solidly fantastic. The steaks are cooked perfectly. The service is great too, for a special occasion they make you feel special and for a quiet night, they get you everything you want. Parking is validated at the Captain Cook lot, or grab a spot on the street in the evening.
(4)
Tim H.
We had a great meal. The prime rib is some of the best we have had... The spinach salad with mustard dressing was terrific! Service was really good. Price was high, but in line with the accommodations.
(5)
Rick S.
The service here was very friendly and attentive. I, in fact had 2 meals here in the same day, lunch and dinner. I had the King Crab Legs, Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes and Salmon during my trip to visit. Everything was good, as was the nice view. I didn't know this was part of the Restaurant's Unlimited family and there is an plastic card promotion "Eat, Drink & Earn Rewards Program" which my waitress/server told me about. The parking is a bit confusing for an out of town traveler, and using the Waze GPS made it difficult to get to what is a fairly easy place to find, but I got here and also found free street parking.
(4)
Sophia L.
Simon & Seafort's is a great place to visit if you are out of town. It is located on the water and you will get a great view of the lake for the duration of your dinner. If you don't have a reservation, just head to the bar-- casual seating area that is quite spacious. Service is a little bit slow (about 45 minutes from ordering to receiving), but the wait is well worth it. The seafood is very fresh and it tastes good! I highly recommend getting the Alaskan salmon with risotto. They also have great selection of wine and other spirits. I'm sure the dining room seating would have been lovelier, but even the bar wasn't as rowdy as I had imagined. It's definitely a great place to experience Alaskan seafood. Do not miss it!
So I wasn't blown away with the appetizers, but the salmon and risotto was great. The salmon had a discernable smoky flavor that I loved. It was cooked to a perfect "medium" which was impressive (although I tend to like my salmon a little more on the undercooked side). And the risotto was a perfect compliment. I had forgotten what good risotto tasted like. A more subtle flavor that worked well with the salmon, and overall the dish was quite filling even when it didn't look like much.
(4)
Margarette N.
After being quoted a wait over an hour long for brunch at the cafe across the street, we wandered into Simon's. Don't let the office building entrance through you off. Proceed past the elevators and restrooms and the reception to the restaurant is straight down the hallway, and you'll find Simon's and--If you can--get a seat by the window! SETTING: I'm not sure how much brunch business Simon's does relative to other meals...they look more like a dinner place, with dark panelling, and "saloonish" feel. But that day they opened for brunch at 10am. Of course the most important part to mention is the panoramic views of the water visible from pretty much every table in the place, and many tables directly against the window. SERVICE: Our waiter was attentive and the food was out quickly. He even brought some extra muffins for us after our meal (more on these muffins below). Although again, not many people in the restaurant. FOOD: While technically we were there for brunch, they didn't have extensive breakfast offerings, there was a lot of lunch fare in the mix. Our waiter brought out these white choco macadamia nut muffin / biscuit-like things that were incredible. Idk if they serve them at any other time then brunch, but they totally should. For my entree I ordered the Alaskan seafood scramble--scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, crab, mushrooms, spinach, and green onions. It came decently portioned, the salmon was very fresh and tender, and eggs were light and fluffy. It also came with an English muffin and breakfast potatoes on the side. Good food, great view, would definitely recommend!
(4)
Andrew H.
What can I say other than: it's grown on me. I should specify: I've been back here about 3 times. All 3 times were at brunch. All 3 times they were not very crowded. The brunch here is mostly hit, with a couple misses. Hits: The brunch potatoes that come with almost everything! The frittata: huge, hearty, and delicious! Fantastic breakfast muffins before your brunch arrives! And they are absolutely free, I love this! The halibut: some of the best in town. The view, always the view. Miss: French toast: too sweet for my tastes. The "wrap of the day": is either woefully inspired (ham and cheese...really) or the portions are just too small. 3 stars mainly because, even with the low crowds, the service can be a bit sluggish (it is friendly though). PROTIP: if you plan on coming back here, they have a credit card thingy you can get that takes the place of a punch-card. Highly recommended! I'll be back for dinner and will report my findings. As of right now, I still can't recommend the dinner.
What a pleasant surprise. We would have never known this restaurant was even there if it weren't for the cool people at Pablo's Bikes. It's in the ground floor of a small office building and definitely WORTH going to grab a nice lunch. We sat by the window and were able to enjoy the great view when munching down our lunch. The lunch? AMAZING. I hate to sound so dramatic, but the caesar salad was not over-dressed and was super crunchy. Then the fish and chips were crispy and not oily or overly battered. The service was top shelf. It is clear that they have great training and that they take pride in their work. Don't half step. Come here after you finish your epic bike ride around the Coastal Trail and return your bikes to Pablo's Bike rentals.
(5)
Laura G.
Last night in Anchorage. The restaurant has a nice view and an available stop for my two friends and I. It starts pretty well! Appetizer: crab/artichoke dip. It was good. Good, but not unforgettable. Main course: we all had a dish from the seasonal menu. I had the halibut (stuffed with crab and macadamia nuts) that comes with green beans and mashed potatoes. DELICIOUS!!! Both of my friends had the sockeye salmon with rice and grilled veggies if I remember properly. Their salmon was really tasty too! But the sides were ordinary. Drinks: I had a sip of my friends mojito (mango and raspberry), and 3 berries cosmo. It was all OK. I ordered a scratch margarita and later on, the elderflower martini. Not impressed for any of these drinks. This place is definitely a great spot but I was certainly disappointed by the cocktails.
(4)
Mike H.
Service was not that great. I should of stuck to picking seafood, the prime rib was just ok. The view was very nice, but the food very overpriced, and I think the waitress was just too busy to give decent service.
(3)
Chi L.
We came close to the closing time and we couldn't get a seat in the dining area because we hadn't made a reservation. There were excellent views near the windows, but it's really prime real estate. We found seats near the bar and probably waited for 10 min before someone acknowledged us. That waiter was also new and was confused about what we could order in the bar area. So after some time he came by again with the dinner menu because we could also order from that. We ordered the crab cakes, clams, and the stuffed halibut. The clams were excellent but that was the only thing that was. The crab cakes were not good, a lot of filler (could be the style in Alaska) and not much flavor. The halibut could have been good but it was super, super salty. I don't know if there was confusion and the dish was salted twice or something but it was really salty. I could only eat a little bit of it and my sister finished the rest, she's not as sensitive to salt. They were nice about us splitting that dish and put it on 2 plates for us. We talked to some locals later on and they really recommended this place, so maybe this was just an off-dish for the night.
(2)
Jackie O.
Excellent place for dinner. Salmon was awesome. We ate all the way through desert and enjoyed every bite. My husband had the crab wraps for an appetizer and enjoyed them. I highly recommend this establishment for a high end dinner.
(5)
Donald C.
Tasty and upscale. Oyster Rockefeller were clean and fresh. Crab was a cut above all I sampled here in Anchorage. Service was attentive and sharp. Kudos
(4)
Brianna T.
I don't know what's happened to Simon's. It was one of my parents' go-to spots when they were dating, so I grew up dining at Simons for nearly all special occasions and remembered it fondly. So when I moved back to Anchorage after several years away, it was certainly time for another dinner here. First dinner back - had the halibut cheeks special. Food was pretty good, but there were absolutely no wine options for pairing. EVERY SINGLE wine on their list is New World (with the exception of a few over-priced Champagnes and a handful of dessert wines). When I asked our server about other options, he said they would be willing to order in wine for me if I gave them a heads up, or would waive corkage if I talked to [Manager 1] or [Manager 2]. Decent resolution. I order a glass of port for dessert. They obviously poured the last of the bottle and didn't give a shit, because there was a completely unacceptable amount of sediment in the glass. A while later in planning my parents' anniversary outing, I made a reservation on OpenTable for lunch since I'd waited a little too late to get a dinner reso on a holiday. I called and asked for the aforementioned two managers and was told they were not available to speak with, but that corkage would not be waived for me. Well that's irritating, but not the end of the world. Day of the event, we're running a tiny bit behind so I called ahead to let the restaurant know we would be there 5 - 7 minutes late for our reservation. I was told that the restaurant closed right at 2:30. Huh? Why accept reservations for that time, then? Sure enough, when we showed up a few minutes after 2:30, we were told our only option was to sit in the bar area. The anniversary that was noted in the reservation comments was never acknowledged by anyone at the restaurant. The views, especially for sunset, are pretty. Food here is pretty good, but honestly not all that special. The service is garbage. I won't be back.
(3)
Scott S.
Great place for a nice dinner. A bit $$$, but the food was delicious and fresh.
(5)
James A.
If you've never been to the Bar side of Simon & Seaforts, (even if your not a drinker), your missing out. They have a Great lunch menu. Also Awesome appetizer / bar menu that can make a light meal anytime. Great meeting place in the downtown area. (Can be a little noisy at lunch). The restaurant is still "First Class". But if you have not tried the bar food, your missing the full experience.
(5)
Samantha G.
This is a nice spot. The happy hour deals are pretty good. The view is amazing. Seriously amazing. The staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. It's in a funky location as it's inside an office building, but it's worth finding. The menu options all sounded tasty. The crab legs were fabulous. The lavender cosmo was unique and delicious. The wine offerings and beer offerings are decent. All in all, this is a great Anchorage restaurant.
(4)
Valerie T.
Our favorite restaurant in the city! Always great service, great food and love the view! Their weekend brunch is AMAZING! Their bruch is a must try! Have always left satisfied! Not to mention the bruch is very affordable not spendy like their dinners.
(5)
Sarah F.
Simon Simon Simon.... I assume Simon handles the meat and Seafort has the seafood? My grilled smoke sirloin was amazing! tender smokey as promised and the side of crab legs I got was divine, so Simon you were on point my friend... We need to talk about Seafort... the Kalbi Salmon Special sounded great, a fantastic theoretical dish, but Seafort you really did not execute well. The salmon was so dry we could have flaked it into breakfast cereal!. Somewhere the Kellogg brothers were proud of you, but at our table we were more just disappointed and forced to google 'Kalbi' to see if it was more than a marinade and in fact some way of jerkying your meal. The wine list was good, the service was great, the steak was grand, and the salmon left much to be desired.
(3)
Shay L.
Another wonderful experience! Glad I was able to take my Mom there in town from L.A. to experience it as well. Robbie provided excellent and knowledgeable customer service :-)
We came by this restaurant to pick up some "fish & chips". The Pacific Cod is fresh, but the breading is heavy & oily. Fish & chips at $16.95. Portion size is small, came with fries and coleslaw.
(3)
Brandy K.
Love this place! They have the best scratch Margarita's in town in my humble opinion! They have the most amazing view in town to watch the sunset from too (if you can get a window seat) and while the bar is almost always packed, with the normal hum of folks chatting and drinking, it is a fun place to hang out and have drinks and appetizers. The food is good too. I have never had anything bad here. I love their crab and artichoke dip, it comes with toast points and is very rich, but delish! My favorite meal there is not on the menu anymore but they will make it for you if you ask. It's the cajun chicken pasta. It's a very hot and spicy pasta dish, with chicken in it! I love it! but then I love just about anything spicy! I had a salmon dinner previously too. It was perfectly done! Salmon was tender and very fresh tasting. I hate fish that taste overly fishy or like its been previously frozen. This filet tasted like it was just out of the water, and had tasty, light lemon creme sauce on it. Simon's is kindof an icon and a place you have to try for sure. You won't regret it, they are definitely one of Anchorage's best restaurants.
(4)
Casey H.
You really need to make a reservation to eat here. The place is really nice and if your lucky the ocean can be easily seen from the table. Recommendations - Halibut cheek were awesome! I've never had them before but I highly recommend them. Also for dessert, I would recommend the key lime pie.
(4)
John R.
Had a Prime Rib French Dip in the bar yesterday. Bun was good, sauce was good, home made potato chips were good, coleslaw was good but there wasn't much meat on the sandwich and what there was was dry. No flavor. John R
(2)
Sonoe G.
Very nice restaurant. We ordered Salmon cream bisque, Spinach salad and Famous halibut cheek!!! Sarah was so helpful to explain menu! Love this resturant
(5)
Torri H.
In Anchorage on business. Came here for dinner. Staff was extremely friendly and service was good. Food was okay. I ordered the Citrus Salmon. It was a little dry along with the rice. Seemed a bit overpriced for what it was. The view was spectacular on a beautiful summer evening.
Salty! Greasy! Had horrid stomach ache after eating half my food, ordered macadamia crusted halibut stuffed with crab. Mashed potatoes were cold and greased up. Halibut was soooo salty and greasy. Appetizers crab paste and artichokes==gluey mess and calamari that was mostly greasy coating. Need to heat your plates to keep food warm. Need new chef!!!!
(1)
Jana C.
We got shafted with a horrible experience. Reservation made at 2030: table was definitely not ready. We waited some more. And then the bummer night commenced. Ordered: combo halibut cheeks and crab stuffed halibut with macadamia crust. 2 orders please. Not only was the service exceedingly slow (cresting way over 30 minutes), but in the end, when server came with the dishes, it was not the combo. He claimed the back did not communicate with him, and they ran out of cheeks. If we had known sooner, we would have ordered king or some other seafood. Without a conciliatory offer, I asserted myself and asked him to at least comp a dessert for all of the very bad, bad service. He did do that, and the bourbon pear bread pudding somewhat salvaged the very sour taste from this experience. I didn't even find the fish dish that special, particularly because this is one of the very best restaurants in town, and I am in salmon/halibut capital....Was not impressed with overall and we shrugged our shoulders after a disappointing, long, drawn-out dinner. PS. Summer 2014: HH 3-5,&10-close, in bar
(3)
Donna Blue H.
So worth the price! Great view, great great food, and lovely service. Go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Dustin S.
I'm sad. This placed used to be a legit dining experience, in the 80's and 90's. However, after a long slow demise, Simons is a mediocre chain restaurant and tourist trap with a beautiful view and only so so food. The food is typical chain restaurant fare, with nothing inspiring. Now that Anchorage has a handful of really good higher end restaurants, Simons has been relegated to a place that shouldn't even be considered amongst the top 10 restaurants in Anchorage (notice the only awards hanging in the restaurant are from 15 years ago - at some point that has to be embarrassing to keep up on the wall). I came back here after having left Anchorage 15 years ago. Even then, Simons was on the way down and its peak years were in the mid 90's. After the nostalgia wore off and I was experiencing mediocre food and service, I quickly regretted the fact I'd never be coming back. For anyone in the mood for the same style of food and ambiance, Glacier BrewHouse is on an entirely different level -- it's not even the same ballpark. RIP Simons.
(1)
Gwyneth J.
Anchorage Alaska: Seafood With a View Our last supper in Anchorage was wisely chosen here - Gourmet Dining with a Killer View. Because we had a reservation, we got a prime table with a gorgeous view of the sound - see attached. We started with fried Calamari & Artichoke wedges served with a saucy aioli paired with a lovely and well-priced $35 bottle of Chard from King Estate, Oregon (I've been there! ISTE Board meeting in Eugene!) W00t! The house bread was even outstanding - which was great because we were famished from our travels around the city. Mom & Dad had the King Salmon - a tiny taste proved it was delish, I had a cold seafood salad on a bed of greens which was equally yummy, and my cousin & his roommate got the fish & chips 3 course meal. Everything was just lovely! This was the best seafood meal in Anchorage!
(4)
Ed H.
Nice upscale steak / seafood place. Came here for dinner. We started with the crab dip. A nice tasty dip accompanied with toasted bread. I had a citrus salmon dish with basmati rice. Very tasty. I was just about salmoned out from my Alaska trip but this was a new flavor combination and was well worth ordering. The lady had the halibut and enjoyed it. Good selection of wine and beer. We had some brews on tap. Service was slow and inattentive but friendly when he was there. Would go again.
(4)
Kent H.
After my review of the happy hour clam appetizer, I received a message from the General Manager. He was very apologetic about my experience with the meager serving I received and told me that the serving size had not changed, and it was a "misfire" from the kitchen. I was urged to give it another try, and I did. I went incognito during another happy hour, and I'm happy to report that the serving size was indeed as it should be. This is still the best deal in town for steamer clams! I'm glad that this matter has been cleared up.
(4)
Jennifer M.
Went here back in August 2012 on a Thursday night, with a reservation through OpenTable. This was to be our romantic evening at the end of our AK trip, after having spent a few days in Homer for a friend's wedding festivities. LOCATION/AMBIANCE: Since we were early for our reservation, we decided to grab a cocktail at the bar. It was PACKED and we were lucky to get a seat/table. I later found out from a friend that this was her FAVORITE Happy Hour place when she lived in Anchorage. And my girlfriend enjoys happy hours. =) Now, part of why we booked here was b/c of the view that they provide, however, when we were sat, we were slightly disappointed to be at the back of the restaurant without the view. We were also next to two large parties (8+) and a couple of 4-person parties, so we worried about the noise levels. Luckily, it only went up from there and the lack of view nor the crowds could bring down our pleasure in what was to come. SERVICE: Our server was amazing. Friendly, laughed at all of my husband's cornball jokes, and gave suggestions as we asked for them that were always well appreciated. The additional staff that assisted her were also friendly and attentive. FOOD: Why NOT get seafood in AK? The fish, lobster, calamari, and clam chowder were all amazingly good. And adding in a bottle of vino (can't recall the name now) to pair was perfect, in addition to the perfectly made cocktails from the bar. Bottom line - Our service was impeccable, the food was delicious, and we couldn't have been happier with the experience (minus the table we were sat at). Definitely would return if I'm ever back in AK, though this time I'd make specific requests for the view.
(4)
Arthur A.
Halibut fish and chips? Yes, please! Flaky, good and not-too-heavy batter crust. Delicious. Place is noticeably more expensive for dinner.
(4)
Douglas S.
Had high hopes but can't say that they were fully met. Ordered the halibut cheeks. The kitchen coated them with a mixture of asiago and parmesan cheeses which seemed to overwhelm the halibut flavor for me. The halibut texture didn't seem quite right for fresh halibut so I suspect it may have been previously frozen. The cost of the halibut was well over $30 and for that price it should have been perfect or nearly perfect and it just wasn't, texture-wise or flavor-wise. My wife's King salmon was better than my halibut.
(3)
Deb R.
Halibut Cheeks were so delicious! Melt in your mouth good, definitely a must try while in Alaska. Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were able to get an empty table in the bar and sit right down. The service was great, water served immediately with our drinks following close behind. Water was kept full the entire time and the waiter was able to give great recommendations based on having tried the food. I always hate it when you ask "what's good on the menu" and the answer is everything. Our waiter was totally honest on what he had tried and what he hadn't, and then told us his favorite. I love that! And, better yet...we were not disappointed when our food came out. I ordered the Hailbut Cheeks and my cousin got the Crab stuffed Halibut. Both were absolutely melt in your mouth delicious!
(4)
Nancy H.
I traveled to Anchorage expecting spectacular seafood for obvious reasons. Anchorage residents that were staying with us said this was the best seafood restaurant in Anchorage. It's OK. The hostess was snotty. We checked in having a reservation and were told it'd be 15 more min. 15 min I checked back in, with the same hostess mind you, and was told "oh it will be at least an hour." I told her, "I just checked in... 15 min ago with a reservation, and was told it'd be 15 min, now it's an hour?" She apologized, but seriously, I am one of maybe 2 Asian girls in Anchorage. Our server was actually quite good, the bread is delicious, fresh, warm sourdough and I hate sourdough bread. The drinks were good as well. The fish, I'm sure is as good as it gets in Anchorage, but overall the prices are steep and the food I thought was eh. The server recommended one of the tuna dishes to be ordered rare, which it was. When it was served, it was completely cooked through. We mentioned this to the server and he asked if he wanted a new piece. They did and the manager came by to make sure the new fillet was cooked right. The seafood chowder was good, the crabcakes, OK. The halibut combo was OK as well. I am sure that in Anchorage this is one of the better restaurants, but from my experience of food, and for the prices this place is mediocre.
(3)
Cody G.
This place comes highly reviewed and rated. So I thought I'd walk down and give it a try. I got here at sunset which was phenomenal! The is a great spot to enjoy the scenery over the bay and experience the tremendous light show by Mother Nature. I chose the bar as the main dining area had a 20min wait. The service was fine. Not distracted, and not over bearing. Ambiance was a little strange. Classic, elegant decor with a very modern jazz/pop music playing over the din of conversation. Someone mentioned a "corporate feel" and I think this description fits in a weird way. The lighting feels off. (I am being picky) I ordered the Halibut Cheeks as I've never heard of them, much less tried them. Let me say first that they were fantastic taste wise. A very different texture but a great piece of fish. They were served with a red potato mash and steamed broccoli. The problems were that the fish was almost room temperature. This really detracted from the meal. One other issue is the meal was piled in the center of the plate. Very unattractive presentation. It made me feel like the portions, while already small, were even smaller. The good was literally stacked on the plate. I do have some reservations about giving only three stars because the food was very good, but the little things add up.
(3)
Beth I.
Perhaps one of my favorite places that I visited in anchorage during a 2 week stay. The happy hour is from 430 - 6 and is 50% off apps and $4 for select drinks. I had a delish cranberry mojito! We ordered the sampler which had a shrimp app with mashed potatoes, king crab and spinach dip with bread and tender teriyaki steak served over sushi rice. We also ordered a baked Brie puff pastry that was crusted with mac nuts and drizzled with chocolate and honey! Mmmm... Third choice was the sweet potato fries with a spicy BBQ sauce and mustard sauce for dipping. To top this all off imagine a spectacular view of Cook Inlet from the windows on one side of the bar. Fabulous! Great date option or after work drinks that won't break the bank and is sure to please!
(4)
Dean K.
We've been dining at Simon's for over 30 years and have never once been disappointed. The food is world class and the ambiance is remarkabvle. Whenever we have out of town guests we always take them to Simon's and they never fail to be awestruck by the restaurant. I would say they have 2 signature dishes: prime rib and macadamia stuffed halibut. So whether you're a beef eater or a seafood lover you won't be disappointed. Hands down its the best seafood restaurant in Anchorage (and we love seafood here). Great bar too. If you like single malt scotch you wont' find a wider selection. The bar is in a separate section adjoining the main dining area with their own bar menu, which is great for that after work glass of wine and appetizer. Don't miss this place.
(5)
Rebecca C.
Solid seafood and diversity of other offerings. Especially liked the grilled prawns. Minus an extra star because the strange office building its located in smells like a geriatric facility until you reach the restaurant. Perhaps a one time bad cleaning solution decision, but it really affected my appetite.
(3)
Becca C.
Simon & Seafort's is comparable to Sullivan's; perhaps a little less formal with the added bonus of amazing sunset views of Cook Inlet. The stained glass windows and wood paneling at the bar take me to a different time and place. The steaks are good, they take their work seriously. The other day I stopped by after a bike ride for some happy hour goodness and their king crab dip was creamy and filling. I'm usually picky about bread, and the dip came with the perfect sized, soft bread pieces. (I know that sounds high maintenance, but I'm always hating it at restaurants where the dip is great but the bread is either stale, crusty, or the wrong texture). However, happy hour here wasn't pleasant sitting up high on the stools. It got quite crowded, so you'd probably want a regular table. But the main dining room for dinner is comfortable and spacious. Also, the service was inconsistent; the dinner service was excellent and almost jovial; however, the happy hour lady seemed like she couldn't be bothered with us. Maybe that's why I'm giving 4 stars to here and 5 to Sullivan's.
(4)
Jon S.
The halibut cheeks are amazing. If they have them, get 'em. Caesar salad is good as well. Great place to watch the sunset. Had a cod special with a bacon leek compote on one of my last visits, which was recommended and sounded like a good idea, but ended up being a bit too salty for my taste.
(4)
Alex G.
Sitting by the window on a summer evening is like being a full-on target for the bright sun -- streaming right into your eyes without mercy. Consider yourself warned. As for the menu, I'm going to call it "slightly unfocused." Some of the preparations are a bit too heavy, while others have a strange mix of ingredients (cheese with fish; Thai spices; deviled eggs). Once we sat, the waitress told us the power was off and only recently back on, advising us that it might take a bit longer than usual to get hot items ready. Once we ordered, however, the food was absolutely excellent - a perfectly prepared sockeye salmon with carrot mash; delicious king crab legs; a superbly cooked prime rib of beef; and the most succulent, buttery halibut cheeks you've ever tasted (and you've probably never tasted them before). Despite some imperfections, this experience was much better than I'd expected. Four stars for Anchorage.
(4)
Britt F.
Good food. The waiters and waitresses were sloppy with us. Spilled my cosmopolitan without batting an eye and when my food was served it was slid entirely to one side of the plate because of the way the water was holding it. Kind of odd and almost had sauce spilled on my lap. We were sitting far from the windows, but what we could see was beautiful and the sun was setting. The food tasted great but not necessarily worth another trip.
(3)
Rohit T.
Decent food. There's better value around at Sacks and the Brewhouse though. We sampled 4 places in 5 nights in Anchorage. Sacks Cafe - Our runaway favorite. The Brewhouse - our 2nd favorite. Loved the fish. Simon and Seafort - good view; food was decent; pricey. The crow's nest - Worst one. Good for the view. Food was very very mediocre.
(3)
Kaitie S.
Excellent service, food, and atmosphere. The bar side of the restaurant has a less expensive food menu and it is just as delicious as the regular restaurant menu. I just wish the bar was open later! I went there for brunch once, however, and the food wasn't great. Save Simon's for dinner!
(4)
Joe S.
So I've been in Alaska my whole life, off and on I come to Simons, not anymore. First off, to be fair their bar is awesome, good food, decent drinks, and fair prices for appetizers after work. Dinner is another story. The dining area is dated, carpet is old and moldy, in desperate need of replacing. The whole place smells like its 1975, not in a good way. Came for dinner on my bday and I was really looking forward to the prime rib, I like my cow rare and at 6pm all they had was medium to medium well. Really? The waitress never introduced herself, reaked of cigarette smoke from her break, and the food (I decided on just a salad) was lack luster at best. Won't be back, even if it's free.
(1)
Izak M.
I'm giving this restaurant 4 stars - it's more like 3.5, but service was good and I enjoyed the view. Overall the food was good and it's a great place for large groups. I recommend it without reservation.
(4)
Allie N.
Anchorage was the last of our stops in AK, we started at Denali national Park camping for a few days and being back in a real city was like heaven. After taking a 23 mile bike ride, we were famished and needed some real delicious fresh food. SO glad we went to Simon and Seafort's. We arrived during happy hour and ordered delicious pomegranate mojitos, Simon and Seafort's Classic Sampler which has Oven Roasted Crab & Artichoke Dip, Grilled Teriyaki Tenderloins and Grilled Jumbo Prawns, we also ordered some steamed fresh clams. We were SO happy! The wait staff was kind and super professional. We had a beautiful view from the bar. I will certainly come back to Simon and Seafort's when I am back in Anchorage.
(5)
Jeannette G.
It seems like this is the only classy/upscale eatery in all of Anchorage. I wanted to go to well known low-brow establishment but the concierge at my hotel recommended this place so this is where I had dinner on my day/night stay. Well, I am glad I did. Overlooking the bay, you can eat what's in season. I really wanted King Crab legs but they were not in season so passed for one of their specials - 3/course dinner. Salad app and steak entree were great; their waffle/ice cream dessert was a bit much.
(4)
Emily M.
Delicious. Never disappoints! Great service, great food, good views.
(5)
Sara P.
Love this place!
(5)
Ken H.
This place is located in an ordinary office building. I had to ask a local to find it and was told that this restaurant has won best seafood in town multiple years in a row. Has an amazing view of the water. I had the seafood fettuccine and would have to say that the seafood in it was amazing, super sized shrimp and scallops. I didn't fill the price was bad for what you get. The fettuccine was $28. I would try it again the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Mimi C.
Simon & Seafort is SUPER wallet friendly with TWO happy hours!! One is the normal time .. around 4-6P and the other was at 10PM. It's a little hard to find... as it is located inside what seems to be a corporate building (we were searching for the entrance for a bit until we went into the front glass doors which led to Simon's). We went to the 10PM one cuz we had time to kill before our flight. Went in ... approached by a friendly waitress and quickly got ushered into a lively, homey and rustic looking lounge. It has Alaska written all over it with its stuffed animals. =P Palin would be proud, I guess lol. +Kobe Meatloaf Sliders ($5) ... comes with 3 sliders. They were pretty good and not too salty. Meat was really tender and we loved the jalapeno stuffed olives. =) +Classic Sampler ($17) ... comes with tiger prawns (heart heart heart!!), teriyaki tenderloin & king crab w/ artichoke dip. I was expecting a little more from the dip but didn't find it that unique. It was too salty without it tasting like it had crab in it. I did, however really like their fresh tiger prawns!! +Warm Pear Bread Pudding ($8.50) ... Husband likes to order the most unique items on any menu so we ordered this item even though I'm not a big bread pudding fan. I liked the warm pear and the bread pudding was not bad. Husband disliked the raisins though =P. All in all.. probably one of the more better priced places in DT Anchorage. Totally worth a stop!
(4)
Boyd S.
Service and food was fantastic. The perfect place to take my date for Valentines.
(5)
Jim P.
I have been here before with my work party and had an absolutely wonderful meal. This time I have to say that it just wasn't up to par. The pros: Wonderful martinis The oysters in the half shell best I ever had and the Rockefeller's to die for The salmon was delish Desert was awesome Service was great Cons: I ordered the surf and turf. The fillet was ordered med. rare but was so thin that it came med well. The sauce that accompanied the fillet was so salty that it ruined the steak for me. The mashed potatoes were actually cold. I ate the whole thing and didn't want to be a bummer to the rest of my group and beside... the boss was picking up the tab.
(2)
Douglas S.
Came with high expectations of a great meal. Could not have been more let down. The waiter highly touted the Halibut cheeks and the portion was not only VERY small but also cold and bland. 2 orders of the "salt crusted" prime rib were tough and little to no flavor. Only glad we ordered the smaller $29.99 cut!......had the colossal red king crab legs 1lb which would have been much better if hot, not cold and a reasonable amount of drawn butter.....oh well the bread was good for $220!!!!....try Captain Hook!!
(2)
Chiep P.
First time having brunch there. Started out with a cup of the chicken soup, which was really good. The menu seemed to have a lil' bit of everything from classic breakfast and lunch to there own spin on the dishes. So tried a plate off there eggs benedict, ordered one classic and one made with crab cake both were very good. Also ordered the beef hash it came with scrambled eggs but would request over easy eggs next time. So far top of the list for brunch:)
(5)
Xefirah P.
This Thanksgiving Beloved and I decided to dine out. The online reservation system was easy- we picked the seating time and told them 'how many'. We came very early to sit in the bar- the restaurant was crowded yet had enough seating in the bar area so we were relaxed. Beloved ordered an Old-fashioned cocktail and I had a Moscow Mule served in a custom tin cup. Beautiful!! The staff has this worked out to a science. A card was passed to our server in the bar so we could be escorted for our trip to our table. We ordered Pesca sparkling wine with our salads. Beloved ordered the prawn cocktail. The prawns were fresh and firm with a great seafood taste. The cocktail sauce had the right bite of horseradish- just like my New Jersey mama made!! I had the spinach salad with mustard dressing. Fabulous!! The sweet & sour vinaigrette had a soft mustardy spiciness that was very special. Our dinner was the traditional turkey & stuffing dinner; upscale yet traditional. The portions were plenty big as we put together a doggy dinner to take home to our Alaskan husky. There were many families with young children and they seemed to enjoy this turkey dinner as well. The service was superb. We had time to relax and enjoy our dinner. We ordered a Pino Noir wine with dinner. For dessert we ordered the New York-style cheesecake. Beloved and I are from the East Coast and were very impressed. It was the classic cheesecake whipped very high and light- a good 3 inches high!! The graham crust was the real deal and the strawberry garnish tasted of tangy strawberries- not at all over-sweet. We had a very enjoyable afternoon and then were rewarded with a $20 gift card to be used after the first of the year!!! I guess we will have to go back for my birthday!!!
(5)
Alexandra C.
Everyone thinks I am nuts when I tell them the best restaurants I have been to are in Anchorage. Maybe they are NYC snobs, I don't know but they don't believe me. I had the best bagels in Anchorage, great pizza (okay, maybe not THE best), the best Chinese food, sushi and of course seafood. The chefs here truly know how to cook. Halibut cheeks and....Macadamia crusted halibut...that's all I can say. Oh yeah- top it off with a creme brulee. It's worth the 5,000 mile flight back.
(5)
Jenny C.
I think I would've been better off at Orso's or Glacier Brewhouse. The inside of this restaurant (minus their view) is no better than Denny's or Royal Fork (if they still have that). I was expecting an upscale restaurant, but boy, was I wrong. This place is very overrated. Came here around Christmas time, and can I say that their holiday menu kind of sucked? Crab & artichoke dip was okay. Nothing special about it. I love French onion soup and this soup needs to be really hot for it to taste good with all the gooey cheese. The French onion soup served here was just warm and the cheese was not gooey! =O The macadamia/crab stuffed halibut was okay, but I think it would've tasted better if the stuffing didn't overpower the halibut. It was too strong for my liking. I don't remember what steak was offered on the holiday menu, but it did not look appetizing at all. It's like this big hunk of red meat that takes up 2/3 of your plate. It's safer to just go with the petite filet mignon. Was not satisfied with the service here. Had to wait a long time to be helped. Being here is like playing the waiting game. I understand that during the holidays it gets busy, but our waitress walked past us many times and did not bother to ask how my table was doing. I don't think I'd come back here again.
(2)
Ajay J.
Awesome view, great service, and their food was worth the wait. The server even gave me a $25 voucher for affiliated restaurants to take back home to Hawaii. Would fo sho come back and recommend to others :)
(4)
Scott B.
If you're visiting Alaska and not making a point to eat the seafood then you're doing life wrong. A dazzlingly quick mental cross-reference of recommendations of locals and yelp landed us at Simon and Seafort's and we were not disappointed. Nice place with a great view of the inlet. Our "where is everyone?" question from our drive/walk around town was answered as the atmosphere was quite lively. Next trip we'll check out the bar that was off to the right as it was well stocked with both alcohol and a lively crowd. The oven roasted crab/artichoke dip is a must-get appetizer. Entrees were the grilled jumbo prawns and the halibut cheeks. The prawns must have been great because I wasn't offered a bite... The halibut cheeks were very good, but not rainbow-shooting-out-of-my-mouth good (maybe the server inflated my expectations a bit too much). Highly recommend.
(4)
Scott V.
Have you ever had halibut cheeks? Neither had I or my two friends, but we all ordered them and were thoroughly impressed. I am glad the waiter suggested them! They were buttery, sweet, amazingly tender medallions of goodness. I also has the spinach salad with bacon and egg, which was a really great start. We ate in the bar area, as we didn't have a reservation and didn't want to wait, but I don't feel we were missing out on anything. This place is a slam dunk.
(5)
Mari T.
I was thinking and missing this place, so I had to write what I remember from it. Get the Italian Love Affair cocktail, its not on the menu, its one of those drinks that you hear about from the locals, its so good- peachy, a little bubbly, hint of cranberry, other flavors, on the strong side, mmmm. Also in the summer, if its on the menu, try the Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon. IT's so unbelievably delicious, a true Alaskan upscale meal. Consider yourself lucky if its available.
(4)
michele d.
For a restaurant that prides itself on seafood, that was the worst attempt @ a cioppino I had last night. First off was that broth. It's supposed to be a tomato broth, I had some kind of thick sauce concoction. I should've realized when it came out on a regular plate & not a bowl. That salmon was by far some of the worst salmon I've ever had. I wouldn't feed that to my dog. Way over-done & super fishy tasting. The single, puny crab leg that was provided also had that fishy gross taste to it. Not sure what the deal was, maybe they are trying to get rid of their frozen fish stock? It was bad. The mussels & clams were OK but by then all my taste buds could taste was the salty "broth" & questionable fish. Anyways, on a plus note, the service was excellent & the scallop dish a guest in my party got was delicious. But I'd be hard pressed to return after spending over 300 bucks, definitely did not meet expectations.
(1)
John H.
Happy hour $4 drinks include a delicious pomegranate margarita and Sycamore Lane Cabernet Sauvignon. Apps that can be prepared gluten free: red king crab and artichoke dip (substitute chips for bread), buffalo wings. Oysters too, but not happy hour priced. All very good. Note that my review is of the bar during happy hour, where and when I appreciated the lively atmosphere, prompt service, and good value.
(4)
Andrew K.
this turned out to be a superb restaurant in Anchorage! Truly outstanding, Great menu fo fresh fish local to Anchorage, The meals we ordered were prepared extremely well, served by great wait people. great wine by the glass, Desert was also veery good. if you have a chance try it
(5)
Fana G.
You should go to this restaurant, it was very good. The timing of the kitchen was off though, which made the dining experience rushed, and my main course was cold by the time I ate it, so, this is a hard review...Food was good but all courses came at once. It was expensive too and although I want to give it a higher rating I cannot, because ALL the food in Anchorage was tasty.
(3)
Ryan R.
This place touts itself as a higher-end dining experience. It's decor tries for a vintage rustic feel. It comes across as outdated and overpriced for what you get. I ordered the Halibut and Salmon dish and it was barely enough to satisfy my hunger. At $35, it was a disappointment. My wife ordered the $50 King Crab plate and it came with two legs. It didn't even have a claw! On the redeeming side, it has a great view and the staff is attentive and friendly. I would not recommend it for the true foodie, but it's okay for the average tourist.
(2)
Ruby C.
My husband and I celebrated our Anniversary at Simon & Seafort's on Sunday night and the food was incredible! Upon arrival, our table was strewn with rose petals and a little celebratory note. Our waiter, a fun gal from Wisconsin, made us feel right at home, as this was our first time dining here. The sourdough bread they brought to us had a lighter sour base, and practically melted in my mouth. It reminded me of my favorite sourdough bread at Elliot's Oyster House in Seattle (where we are visiting from). My husband ordered the macadamia crusted melted brie appetizer, which came with slices of french bread, apples and a dollop of fruit jam, probably apricot. It was delicious! My one recommendation here would be to ask for more of the sourdough bread instead of the french it comes with. The french bread pales in comparison to the sourdough. While the sourdough tastes homemade (and fresh), the french bread is mediocre at best. That little detail did not deter us from scooping up every last bite of the brie, though! Next, we enjoyed the fresh spring salad mix, complete with strawberries, blueberries, candied nuts, blue cheese and Alaska wild berry dressing. We savored every bite of this choice as well. I'm now on a mission to find that exact dressing and bring it back to Seattle for all my dinner parties. Our entree (we split) was the macadamia crusted, crab stuffed halibut. Again, I was impressed by the perfect consistency of the buttery sauce paired with the fresh fish, along with the garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed zucchini/squash/onion slices. I've never seen my husband eat so slow! He chewed each bite as if he'd never had something so delicious before (I'll need to learn how to make this dish, obviously). We originally ordered this dish because it reminded me of the macadamia crusted mahi mahi found at Mama's Fish House Restaurant on Maui. I have to say, I was not disappointed. Initially, I was skeptical of a "copycat" type recipe (MFH is the best restaurant I've ever experienced), but this crab stuffed version at Simon & Seafort's is right there with the Mama's Fish House recipe--rich, moist, perfect). After dinner, our waiter then brought us a complimentary creme brulee in celebration of our special occasion. The creamy custard had just the right texture, sweetness and 'wow' factor. My husband scolded me for trying to peel off the hard sugar top to keep for myself. I apologized and went back to sharing. I will highly recommend this place to friends and coworkers who visit Anchorage, since we now live in WA. My parents who live here originally referred us here and I'm surprised it hadn't come up sooner in my google search. Thanks Simon & Seafort's for a great Anniversary dinner!
(5)
Madeline P.
Yeah yeah yeah ... it's a chain restaurant, but I didn't realize that when I ordered. If I had, I probably wouldn't have dined here. Nonetheless, I had the special which was a cinnamon and cardamon filet. Three words: to die for. Friendly service and 'ok' wine list with many of my hometown Willamette Valley bottles on the list. Next trip to Anchorage, I'll be back.
(5)
Kati S.
Our server was very pleasant and attentive but the food was god awful. I have never complained or sent back food before especially when the service is wonderful until now. I ordered the stuffed halibut which swapped between two different flavors 1) bland slimy or 2) bland with a hint of burned macadamia nut. Absolutely unbearable. They were kind and comped my $35 meal and I ended up Stoping elsewhere on the way home. There were six of us at the table and everyone's food was gross. This is the second time I have been here the first time was just as bad but that had awful service. Needless to say I will never return.
(1)
Tracy H.
You just can't go wrong at Simon's. Great food and friendly service. This is the place for a quality meal in Anchorage.
(4)
Ellen G.
The stuffed halibut and halibut cheek dishes were divine. The desserts are delicious. One of the people in our party ordered the lobster tail, which weren't cooked well and didn't seem fresh. She sent it back and the next dish was fresh and cooked to perfection
(4)
Brandon S.
If you come here, make sure you get a spot that has a clear view at the back windows. The view of the water is great. Depending on the time of year you can watch the sun set. The food is solid. The blue cheese & bacon chips was a good way to start the meal. The prime rib was well prepared, and seasoned well. We sat on the bar side so it was a little loud, but the level was what you would expect from a bar. They do get quite busy, so reservations are a good idea.
(4)
Krystle L.
One Sunday morning, I woke up with a mad craving for Snow City's hashbrowns. So, after hauling the husband and kiddos in the car and driving downtown, the host tells us there is an hour long wait. Eh, typical for Snow City but the kids were restless and hungry so we decided to give Simon & Seafort's brunch a try. (I've only had dinner there). I am SOOO glad we did. We were seated immediately and were brought delicious homemade apple muffins. The menu was fantastic! I had bread pudding french toast, my husband had the eggs benedict, and the kids had the biscuits and gravy. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because the biscuits and gravy were cold. This kids loved them anyway. Everything else was very good. At first I thought the portions were going to be too small, but in the end we left with happy and full tummies.
(4)
Martha N.
The BEST restaurant there is in a small town like Anchorage. This is a great place for romantic dates, family dinners, or to just hang out with friends. It's best to come here in the late afternoon where you can enjoy the sunset and get a magnificent view of the Cook Inlet. If you want to enjoy excellent meal of seafood, this place is for you. The crab artichoke dip is a MUST HAVE!!~ If you are planning for a party in groups of 4 or more people, I suggest to call ahead for reservations because this place can get busy.
(5)
Travis R.
Pricey, but the food is excellent. Tip: try to request a table with a view, if possible.
(4)
Inge J.
Good seafood. Had oysters as appetizer and then a combo of halibut cheeks and herb crusted halibut. Fish good but maybe a little dry. Good service.
(3)
Karter C.
Simons has been my favorite place for quite some time now for appetizers and drinks ! They host a dining side and a bar side ! If you go towards the evenings the bar side gets pretty busy and it's self seating. They offer half off appetizers during special hours which are great and the steam clams are a must. They also serve a full bar and have a full menu to choose from. The bar side has many TVs and a really nice view of some mountains in Alaska from there window sided wall. I have had a few of there entrees and I feel they could be better for the price and the environment. Besides the clams the main entrees has yet to wow me in any aspect yet. But besides that it's a nice restaurant to start your night out at.
(4)
John O.
One of the "solid" choices of restaurants in Anchorage. If you are on the company dime or money is not an issue, this is a must on your tour of Anchorage. The macadamia nut encrusted halibut is off the chain DELICIOUS. Seriously...amazing. And so is the price -- roughly $34. Great service -- (and Anchorage is not known for having great service). Located in what appears to be a office/business building, upon entering this establishment you get a view of the arguably beautiful mudflats and Mt Susitna. As far as "views" go in Anchorage, this is as good as it gets. It's expensive, but it's old skool. Although I have only been here once, it was certainly a pleasurable dining experience. Just expect to pay for it.
(4)
Megan J.
Anchorage classic doesn't excuse too much sauce fresh fish manhandled extra point: great view lively atmosphere at night still don't recommend
(2)
Gino H.
This was a unpleasant visit to say the least the power went out and the MOD didn't even wana make eye contact wit me i was very upset the only person of race and it was disrespectful and sad... I thought we were over that type of treatment....
(1)
Jen C.
A bit pricey, but that's par for seafood in Anchorage. If you go at lunch it's more reasonably priced, and if you go a little late (around 1 pm) you can probably get a nice window seat. Love the clams.
(4)
Todd B.
Food was excellent ! Everyone had fish and was all fresh and prepared well. Wine list was very good with a good selection at a high value price point! Service was very good!
(4)
Keshar N.
I'm in a bit of a strange place with this review. You know that place where the food was really good, and the service was really nice, but not great? Yes. That's the place that I am in. Bob and I went here with one of our friends to celebrate an occasion. Now my friend has been her multiple times and sang its praises, so we were definitely game to come! Plus, we got to enjoy the beautiful Tony Knowles coastal trail before dinner. The place is kind of an old school restaurant, it seems updated but not really modern? Does that even make sense? We had made a reservation (highly recommended - we went on a Wednesday night and it was PACKED) and were seated promptly. Our server came by and took our drink menu - we ordered a bottle of wine and off we went! We started our evening with the halibut and artichoke dip - which was delicious! Not overly cheesy or creamy, you could actually taste the halibut, artichoke and spinach - a nice change. And then I had the salmon special (salmon with a blueberry sauce reduction, wild rice and veggies), Bob had the rock salt prime rib and our friend had the halibut cheeks special. Overall, the food was absolutely excellent! The salmon was perfectly cooked, not a bit overdone and the combination of that with the blueberry sauce was divine. Bob's prime rib was also great, cooked really well and served in its own au jus. AND! To make sure that everything didn't get soggy, the veggies were served on a separate place (a nice touch). I have never had halibut cheeks before. This seems to be a huge oversight in my culinary life as they are AMAZING!!! They kind of have the consistency of a scallop mixed with crab? But they taste wonderful and are really delicate. We all shared the bread pudding for dessert (also absolutely fantastic). Now, throughout that meal - our server, brought and poured the wrong wine, forgot items we asked for, dropped our food and then put the wrong price on the wine on the final bill. Now, I have been in food service, I know we all have off nights, but this was a bit much! Regardless, i would happily go back to eat there - those halibut cheeks are worth the clumsy service!
(4)
Joy G.
If anything, the view at Simon's makes it worth a visit, especially if you are tourist. We sat in the bar, and even from pretty far back, we had a breath-taking vista to enjoy. We went for happy hour apps and drinks. Drinks came quickly. The $5 Pomegranite Margarita was very tasty and not skimpy on the tequila; I felt it long before I reached the bottom of my glass. There seemed to be some confusion when I place the order for our $20 app sampler. It took a very long time to come, and was a bit cold when it arrived. Shrimp was good, artichoke dip was great, the steak was sooooooo rare it freaked me out. Some of it was super-tender, but some was really gristly. Gristly and bleeding is GROSS. Kinda killed it for me. Maybe I'll go back for dinner sometime, but given the prices, I expected better service and perfect food. If I had paid full price for what I got, I would have been dissatisfied. All in all, happy hour is a pretty good deal. Like I said, the view alone makes it worth stopping in.
(4)
Jeremy R.
Food was good. Not great, but good. At twenty dollars a plate, this is a real winner. At forty a plate, it was a bit overpriced. The prime rib/shrimp/salmon special was a good sampling of whey they had to offer. Portions were generous and the meal definitely filled me up. But the best flavor on the plate was the mashed potatoes. The food was not bad, by any means. I just expected a little more for a $50 entree. My wife had a baked salmon with blue cheese topping, which was pretty good as well. Alas, her favorite part of the meal was the vegetables on the side. Wait staff was adequate, but we definitely didn't have the amazing service other people note in their reviews. Restaurant didn't sound loud, but my wife had trouble hearing me so it seemed like I had to yell to be heard. As others said, where you are seated in key (we didn't have a view of the bay). We will likely try again based on all the other great reviews, but probably for lunch next time.
(3)
M. J.
Tried this place because Glacier Club had an hour wait for Sunday brunch. Bad sign, this place not busy. tried it anyway and upon arrival, a table by the window needed to be cleaned before we could be seated. The manager stood around like an idiot while we waited for them to locate a sufficiently low level employee to clean a table. No urgency. 10-15 minutes at least but the view looked okay (by the way, the restaurant is difficult to find with a dinky thing out front). Service was really slow. Saw a couple next to us finally get up and leave after not being served and the staff looked baffled. A few days later cannot remember what I had, just the dreadful service headed by a manager who was clueless and different. We did read the NY Times during the ordeal. Don't waste time on this place,
(1)
L W.
Great food in Anchorage! They always have a fresh seafood menu, that has been different each time we've been. AWESOME cocktails and KILLER key lime pie! Plus, the view is magnificent if you are there in the daylight :)
(5)
John S.
Hands down, the best dining experience in Anchorage. Big, bright interior. Top notch food. Excellent happy hour food specials. A vibrant crowd on the weekends. Naturally, pricey. But hey, you're in Anchorage making the big "Alaska" bucks, right? Well, Simon & Seafort's is a place you'll have no choice but to splurge...
(5)
Damien F.
Went for the dessert, both were good if not great. Service is good for a busy bar. A little noisy but otherwise pleasant. Would be awesome to get a window seat and watch the sunset from.
(4)
Heather S.
My husband and I split the oysters and salmon carpaccio for our appetizer. The oysters were just as they should be chilled and fresh but the salmon carpaccio stole the show! Amazing! I had the scallops which were delicious and my husband went with the stuffed halibut which was also great. I really liked the food here and the menu had a wide variety of choices. I wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars actually because my only complaint is the decor and overall ambiance of the restaurant. In need of some updating especially if it's going to compete as a high end restaurant in Anchorage. Other than the decor, highly recommend!
(4)
Kalani C.
2.9 stars. A mainstay in Anchorage. From the looks of the very crowded bar area, I'm guessing this is where many locals like to roam. Although this is a chain, I was very excited to be here as my friend who brought me, ranted and raved about their offerings. I was also looking forward to having great seafood, in particular, salmon. Ambiance: 3.5 stars. I ordered the Wild Alaskan King Salmon that was seared in peppercorns and served in a white dill sauce. I love salmon, so this sounded wonderful to me. Unfortunately, I was only able to eat 25% of it. The peppercorns were so overwhelming that it masked the flavor of the salmon and made me an unhappy camper. I guess I'm more a fan of salmon than pepper: 2 stars. Thankfully, I ordered their soup of the day previously, which was a scallop and bacon bisque (3.5 stars) and enjoyed their complimentary bread that went well with it. So, I didn't leave totally hungry. Other than than, the service was average at best (poor attention and eye contact: 2.5 stars) and we had to ask for our wines after 10 minutes of trying to get our servers attention. I had high hopes for this place, which is probably partially the problem and my friend mentioned that I should have ordered their signature dish, which was the Crab Stuffed Alaskan Halibut. Regardless, I feel everything that is on the menu should be equally as good as their signature items. Otherwise, get it off the menu. Great expectations on my part, but unfortunately disappointing. Tally: Ambiance: 3.5 stars Wild Alaskan King Salmon: 2 stars Bisque: 3.5 stars Service: 2.5 stars 3.5+2+3.5+2.5= 11.5/4= 2.9 stars.
(3)
Jared W.
Great, delicious food! Calamari and tiger shrimp are great appetizers. I liked their French Onion soup more then the Salmon Chowder The two times I came here I ordered the halibut cheeks. DeliciousCreme Brulee for dessert to finish the meal!
(5)
Chi S.
After our wonderful cruise and land tours of Alaska, I read some of the reviews on Yelp and decided to make a dinner out of it. I have to agree with several of the members and state it's over-rated. The steaks were over cooked and tough. Nothing outstanding about the seafood either. The location wasn't impressive either. Save your money and find another local restaurant.
(3)
Patricia H.
I like going to the bar for drinks and appetizers, The scratch margaritas are a must! the crab dip is another must and the steak tips are pretty darn good, in fact, I dont think I have ever had a bad appetizer. go during happy hour for more affordable pricing but worth it even at full price. The restraunt itself is nice, with an upscale feel. Stick with the prime rib though as every time I have been adventurous I was disappointed. the staff are friendly and very proffesional. if it is a special occasion they try to make it extra special. my overall take - enjoy the bar for scratch margaritas and appetizers. the restraunt part is too pricey for the quality of the food.
Best tartar sauce I've ever had in my life! It has artichoke in it. Crazy!
(4)
Doug D.
Actually ate here 2x in a week. Happy hour had reasonable options and Tom in the bar gave excellent suggestions. Location affords spectacular sunsets. Favorite restaurant in Anchorage.
I used to go to Alaska as a kid every few years, and this was my favorite place to go for seafood in Alaska. Glad to see they are still in business after 20 years from when I was last there. The views were amazing, great service, and excellent seafood from what I remember.
(5)
B W.
Macadamia encrusted crab-stuffed halibut and Key lime pie. YUM! Make reservations online and be sure to request a seat by the window- otherwise you can end up with a crappy table without a view, and let's face it, you pay for the view here.
(5)
Adam W.
Simon & Seafort's is an Anchorage institution (although owned by Restaurants Unlimited, which runs restaurants in 11 Western states). It is within waddling distance of both the Inlet and the Captain Cook Hotel, so it is jammed with tourists in the summertime. Among locals there is somewhat of a divide in how to view this place. People who are not "into" food tend to think of this place as Anchorage's "best restaurant," and go there for special occasions. The opposing view is that while Simon's has decent-to-good food in a formal but fun setting with an outstanding view of the inlet, the prices for a sit down meal are out of line with the quality of the food. That being said, if you are OK with paying a little more for the fun atmosphere and great view, then by all means go. But if you are interested in finding the best food in Anchorage, this just ain't it. I do have to say that I enjoy the bar's happy hour. Especially now that the menu and food appear to have been revamped. After being consistently underwhelmed with the bar's offerings, the last time I went I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of every appetizer item we ordered. However, I was disappointed that oysters are no longer on the happy hour menu =( All in all, as long as this restaurant is not wrongly exalted as the "best restaurant" in Anchorage, I'm A-OK with it.
(3)
Craig B.
Outstanding just simply the best place to eat in Anchorage Alaska... Well done sir well done!!
(5)
J J.
Ate the crusted stuffed halibut and it was the best meal I ate the entirety if my two week business trip in Anchorage. The only down side was it was the priciest.
(5)
Cerena G.
Visiting from Seattle. We got seated around 11:30 on a Wednesday being probably the second table there so we were seated at a window. The restaurant has a ok view of the inlet. Bread and whatever spread that wasn't butter brought to us was delicious. Crab wontons were so good - count is 5. Like I said, we were the second table there and we were only a 2-top... we didn't order anything elaborate. We got the wrap of the day, which was a philly cheese steak wrap and the turkey, bacon, avocado, and tomato sandwich. We kind of were looking at the clock wondering where our food was. We kept seeing everyone that came way later with a bigger top get served their entrees before we did and they got sandwiches, as well. It was about 12:15 when we finally got our food. You could tell it had been sitting on the warmer for a bit. :/ The bottom of the wrap was soggy from the juices settling down on the bottom for awhile. Other than that, the flavor was there on the philly cheese steak wrap.. a bit small, but good. The turkey, bacon, avocado, and tomato sandwich was huuuuge! Just an FYI: the sandwich has mayo and maybe dijon mustard? Who knows. The menu said nothing of the such. It was good though. Anyway, the place was decent, but I would go elsewhere again before I come here for a second time. PS - moscow mule is always a good choice.
(3)
Alan M.
If you are looking for value, skip this place. I'm fan because of the friendly service and atmosphere. The food was a bit salty. The appetizers were better
(4)
Casey S.
Yes, Simon's has great service and yes, their food is pretty good. But it's so EXPENSIVE for what you get! Most of their appetizers come out of a box and I'm pretty sure it's the same with their desserts. The redeeming factor is their bar. They have Happy Hour drinks that last all day long. My friends and I took advantage of the $4 Cranberry Mojitos and Bud Lights. Although, the rum in the mojitos was a little on the light side. And if you actually make it to the bar between 4 - 6PM you can take advantage of their half priced appetizers. The view out over the inlet is beautiful and my friends and I always have a good time while in the bar, but the full priced menu items seem ridiculously expensive for what you get.
(3)
Sara W.
happy hour menu is good. the 'pomegranite margaritas' though you might as well skip since the mix is premade and is WEAK! oh it was pure sugar, i wasn't sure there was alcohol in it. came here on vacay since it was next door to the copper whale where we stayed. occupied the bar area til the bar shut down actually. the drinks were ok, the food pretty good, but what gives this place 4 stars was the view...and the service. but first, the view. we got a corner table over looking the water and when the sun started to set, it was breath taking...we all busted out the iphones (granted, it was around 9:15pm lol,) to take a picture of the gorgeous sunset. so that's one reason to check this place out. the service was friendly and prompt, mostly. i think she missed someone's drink order but easily fixable. very accomadating :) the appetizers we did try were pretty darn tootin' tasty. i enjoyed their mac n cheese and the kobe sliders were dynamite (wish it came with more then 3!!) pretty cool spot that sounds to be hit or miss.
(4)
John K.
Came for dinner. Was so good I came back the next day for lunch with my clients! Amazing oysters and the two entrees I had (for dinner and lunch) were excellent. I can't even remember what I had for dinner (but it was really good). For lunch I had the halibut cheeks. Just between us, I had no idea a halibut had a cheek (let alone cheeks--plural. Exactly how many cheeks per halibut?) Anyone know? Excellent Petron margaritas, too. Pricey? Yes ... but the food and service were outstanding and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the diagonal Alaskan sunset--well it tried to set while we were there. Sunset was about 10:45PM and we were long-gone by then. Lower the price a bit and you'll get five stars out of me. I finally joined their chain's dining club while I was there since I've been to their Kincaid's location in Phoenix.
(4)
George L.
Pricy place to dine, came for their happy hour menu 3pm-5pm, 10pm-close. Food was very good, service was good.
(3)
Chich S.
Only went for happy hour, but the food sampling I had of the happy hour specials were delish! I ordered the prawns too and they were big and fresh!
(4)
Mark C.
4.5 rounded up. Food was excellent. Per the server we were fortunate that they were able to get fresh crab - not frozen. Per the server, we were just very lucky. Service was very good. Decor is quite dated, which is the 1/2 star knock.
(5)
Sean G.
One of the best places to get some great seafood downtown. Alaska yes is great for sea food but at S&S you get great service and an amazing view all year round. The special is where it's at for me everything in the menus is 5 stars but the special changes so it keeps me happy trying new things.
(5)
R H.
Going to try some great seafood. Unfortunately my wife ordered very expensive crab legs and received one single crab leg. Never seen a dish more over priced in my entire life.
(2)
Karyn M.
I ate a late dinner here while visiting for the Iditarod. The ambiance is very romantic & the wait staff is super friendly & attentive. They had some great happy hour deals, both drinks & apps, but I went for the king crab. I have to say I wasn't that impressed. It wasn't much bigger than a snow crab cluster & cost twice as much. In Texas we get 3 clusters, so really it's about 6 times the cost. I thought the scalloped potatoes were tasty, once you peeled off the dried up, chewy cheese. The one shining item on my plate was the sourdough bread. I have never liked it, even from San Fran, but this was really good. The salmon aioli that came with it was delicious.
(4)
Michael S.
Simon's is always a solid bet when looking for a nice meal downtown. I dine there about as often as anywhere and service are consistently enjoyable. I highly recomend the calamri appatizer, one of the best I have had anywhere. Their menue is broad enough to please everyone in your party, but I tend to favor their seafood offerings. The only downside I have enciountered is that they are consistently crowded. It is typical to wiat, even with a reservation.
(4)
Maureen F.
Fish is well cooked. Side dishes are awful! Side dishes are greasy! Service is fine. Crab and oysters are perfect. Had hoped for better.
(3)
Christy A.
Good food but service was very slow.
(4)
Fran R.
This was my favorite restaurant in Anchorage. I stayed there almost a week and had some great meals. My favorite dish at Simon and Seaforts was the Halibut cheeks. It was busy so reservations are recommended.
(5)
Jeff S.
Ate here on our first day in Anchorage and the food was outstanding. I asked the waiter if he liked the Crab and Macadamia Stuff Halibut or the Halibut Cheeks better and he offered to do a combo of both. Both were great but I really liked the Parmesan crust on the Halibut Cheeks. The chocolate cake was great too!
(5)
Andy S.
Really an excellent restaurant, with a great view. I have been here twice for meals, and additionally for cocktails, and I have enjoyed each experience greatly. You can find a wide variety of items on the menu, but my focus is always on the fresh seafood. On my recent visit, I had a delicious Alaskan sole dish, and my wife enjoyed a fish and chips meal. The meals were generous but not 'gross' in size, well-seasoned and prepared, and worth every penny. They have a great array of local beers on tap as well. Simon & Seafort's will always be a must-visit for me on any and all future visits to Anchorage. I highly recommend that you give it a try.
(4)
Ginger A.
While vacationing in Anchorage we asked 5-6 people where to go for good seafood, and every person said Simon & Seafort's. They were right! The halibut, clam chowder, and Alaskan King Crab were all delicious! It's definitely an expensive night out, but for a special occasion it was well worth it. Nice ambiance by the water, and the wait staff were all fantastic.
(5)
Caroline G.
Okay so this place already has a gazillion reviews, but here's my 2 cents. I sat in the Saloon (do they always dress up like this?) and had the Alaska IPA which was a big hit with my tastebuds, and then I ordered the raw oysters and the smoked salmon appetizers. This review is literally only going to be about the fat, delicious, juicy, alaskan oysters that soaked up the pacific seawater all summer long. Oh how you enter my belly. I would go again, just for the oysters. GO!
(4)
Gerry R.
Two reasons for the five-star review: 1. Service. We were in Anchorage on the last day of our two-week vacation and hubby wanted crab legs. We went to S&S for lunch and of course, crab legs aren't on the lunch menu, but the dinner menu. No problem says our waiter - and promptly brings over a dinner menu - even though we know they aren't "doing" dinner yet. He was also on top of refills, etc. 2. Food. Those crab legs were perfect..very yummy..according to the hubby. I ate the most awesome Seafood Louise salad. With salmon, crab and shrimp this was, hands down, the best salad I've EVER eaten. Thanks for the great experience!
(5)
Julie S.
My girlfriend took me here to pre party before we went about the small anchor town city night life, around 10pm cause she said they have HH specials... which is the only place for HH since there are so many alcoholics in AK. She was totally WRONG! Drink specials were all day!!! Hello... I could have been here all evening until closing. I wouldn't mind drinking $4 drinks and munch on food with NO SALES TAX! By the way this place is not the only fine dining available in the city...
(3)
Garrett P.
When the menu lists an item for a specific price, that is what a person should pay. When you charge a higher price, despite the menu being placed right in front of your face, that's called stealing from your customer. Horrible.
(1)
Burke S.
Great view, average food, overpriced.
(3)
Matt S.
YOU MUST: call and make a reservation, unless you want to eat in a tightly packed, very loud bar area. This is an expensive meal to eat in that setting, and it would definitely diminish your experience. Fortunately, this was a special dinner (anniversary) and I had actually called ahead and reserved a table. After a short wait in the aforementioned loud bar area, we were shuttled to our table. They had laid out rose petals and a little card for us. Wow, nice touch. The fish was as good as it gets. We both ordered off of the daily special menu--I got a salmon filet and she got a combination of both halibut dishes. All three entrees were top-quality. Easily the best cooked salmon I've ever eaten--perfectly seasoned to maximize the fish. It's easy to see why folks in Alaska say they can't eat fish anywhere else. We shared creme brulee for dessert and it was top-notch as well. The only complaint I had about the meal was the appetizer (baked brie--kinda bland--which came with some very unimpressive white bread) but I would simply get something different for that course next time. Nice service and we were given a table with an absolutely outstanding view of what turned out to be a spectacular sunset. Bottom line: Expensive but worth every single penny. For the quality of the meal, the prices were actually in line with what I've expect to pay in the Lower 48. I'd eat like this all the time if I could afford it. Highly recommended.
(5)
Susan H.
We had to try Simon & Seaforts while in Anchorage. This place was great! We made our reservation on Open Table for about 7:45PM. The place was hopping, but because we made reservations in advance, we were able to get our requested window seat. What a great view. The waiter we had was Mike R. Mike was really helpful in explaining the menu and the specials. He knew the ingredients and how everything was prepared. At his suggestion we ordered the Haibut Combo- crabbed stuffed with asiago almond crust and halibut cheeks in a beurre blanc sause. WOW!!! My partner tried the rock salt prime rib, as prime rib is also one of their specialties. It was also very good. For dessert we split the seasonal fruit cobbler. Another great choice. Next time I will order my own! We highly recommend this place!
(5)
Patrick M.
Thigh we were a few minutes late, we were seated promptly, treated very well, and had a great dining experience. All points of our meal and experience were above par.
(4)
Kim S.
Simon's is one of THE places to eat or drink in Anchorage. They are well known for their selection of seafood, but all the food is great (even the hot wings!). My husband and I make a point to go their in the summer and get a table by the big windows.The views are amazing. The happy hour special is a great deal - I believe the appetizers are half price - and DELICIOUS. Their lunches are fantastic, as well. The open face crab sandwich is to die for. This is where I send all fo my visiting family and friends without hesitation.
(5)
Tara G.
Excellent experience! My boyfriend and I spent a weekend in Anchorage and wanted to enjoy a meal of fresh seafood. Simon & Seafort's delivered! We started with oysters on the half shell, a baker's half dozen (7). They were the sweetest ever - creamy without a hint of grit, the fresh taste of the ocean - enjoyable with noting more than a dash of lemon juice. I'd read the other yelp reviews of the halibut cheeks and had to have them. We asked for and were able to get, an appetizer portion of them. The cheeks were delicately cooked with a crust of parmesan cheese and served in a light butter sauce with chives. The cheeks have a firm texture and a sweet taste. We split a wedge salad with maytag blue cheese. The salads came out seperately with a nice side of extra dressing. I'm always amazed how much I love a wedge - i mean - iceberg lettuce as the base of a salad usually spells - bleh! But the wedge was crisp, soft and salty bacon and perfectly ripened little grape tomatoes. The only down side of this dish for me was teh accomanying deviled eggs. The eggs were perfectly cooked and dressed - but when added to the blue cheese - they were too rich for the dish. For dinner, my boyfriend wanted the appetizer sampler which has teriyaki tenderloin, chili smoked prawns, and the crab and artichoke dip. Again, we asked to change things around and they accomodated the request without a problem. He substituted the mussels instead. The prawns were delightful - perfectly cooked and the smoky flavor of the chili paired with the spicy remoulade sauce was heavenly! The mussels were fresh beyond compare and the bowl was overflowing! I ordered the King Crab legs. The crab was served with asparagus and a wedge of au gratin potatoes. The potatoes were creamy and had a firm bite - not the overwhelming cheesy goo that is so often found in reastaurant au gratins. The only problem? The crab legs! My protion was overcooked and resulted in mealy, dry crab. I told teh waiter and he immediately started a second batch. The manager, Robert, brought out the next plate and these were PERFECT!! Succulent, juicy and firm! Everything you dream of in King Crab. I was impressed with how quickly and completely the error was corrected! Our experience was top notch - having worked in fine dining - I know the small things that can make or break a good service. Our waiter, Matt, made the evening spectacular. He stepped up and took responsbility for every aspect of our meal being extra special - procuring special requests - cheeks app, split wedge, special dinner appetizer combo, and overcoming a bad entree. Too often I see waiters shift responsbility for their guests less then stellar experiences onto the kitchen or management - not Matt. He is a top notch server!! Looking for things to change - I found two - nothing critical - but small tuning to make the experience perfect. One, bring a separate bowl for mussel shells (I know - this is getting pretty picky!). Two, I was suprised to see asparagus as the vegetable accompaniment. Given the amazing fresh produce available in Anchorage right now (we visited the farmer's market on Friday) it seemed silly to serve a vegetable imported from half way around the world! How about some fresh greem beans, sauteed summer squash, broccoli? Something fresh and local would have made a better accentt!! Thank you to the staff and management at Simon & Seafort's for an unforgettable dinner!
(5)
Bill M.
I read some of the Simon & Seafort's reviews on Yelp before traveling to Anchorage and wasn't sure whether I wanted try it or not. After a good recommendation from a friend of my wife's, we gave it try. All I can say is the folks who have given this place bad reviews must have eaten in a different restaurant. Our experience was wonderful. My wife and I ordered entrees from the fresh fish menu and they were excellent. The menu offered online is their regular menu; so, you don't get to see the fresh fish menu except at the restaurant. My wife had the halibut stuffed with crab and macadamia nuts (I tasted it). According to the notation on the menu,that dish has been voted "Best Entree" in Anchorage for 2 years. We can believe it. It was superb. I had grilled sockeye salmom with a light blue cheese sauce served over roasted sweet potato cubes. It was excellent and cooked to perfection. The restaurant provides an unobstructed view of Cook Inlet and the staff is knowlegeable and attentive. If you are in Anchorage and miss this place, then, your trip is incomplete.
(5)
Jimmy J.
Just had the stuffed halibut and my dining companion had the prime rib. The fish was good, not great and was not hot....just...well, warmish. After reading all the reviews here I was expecting better. The service was excellent so I just didn't have the heart to tell him....it was acceptable and I didn't want to cause a fuss. The prime rib portion was also not as large as expected from the reviews which say the portions are large. The crab/artichoke dip was good but the bread was a bit stale compared to the very excellent starting bread that was brought to the table.
(3)
Andrei J.
Simon and Seafort's reminds me of some Dynasty episode from the 80's with the furnishings and general age of customers. But I like it. In fact I go there regularly, when I'm in Anchorage, for their after-work cocktails and appetizers specials.
(3)
Teresa S.
I have been here before for lunch and it was good. However, this is about the Happy Hour experience. We arrived about 4:30 and Happy hour was in full swing. We were lucky to get a table actually. I think we got the last one. Being Friday night it was quite busy. Our waitress was great and i am sorry to say i do not remember her name i need to be better at that. We had Happy hour food which was incredible. Between the 3 of us we had quite the feast going on. Everything was full size and very inexpensive. We all had to work that night so it was hot tea and ice tea for all of us. Great food!
(5)
Mike D.
The only way this place has 4-stars overall is due to old ratings carrying the day. Check out the more recent 2-3 star reviews. Something changed in the last 1-2 years. Thinking about S &S? Extremely overrated (and that includes their Happy Hour)! Go to Sack's Cafe instead. Go to Glacier Brewhouse instead. One would think that a restaurant that highlights the Exec Chef and Sous Chef on the menu would be at least three stars. The crab dip was good - nothing to write home about. The Cod special however was poor. The thin part of the cod was cooked, but the thicker part was raw. I went back to Sack's Cafe twice before I left Anchorage.
(2)
Kayla Z.
I was really torn between 2 and 3 stars for this place. I decided on 2 because I don't want to throw around good ratings for nothing. There was nothing inherently *bad* about S&S, but there wasn't anything that stood out in my mind as particularly amazing either. "Meh, I've had better" pretty much describes my experience to a "T." I am an onion soup conissuer. If I see it on a menu I basically HAVE to order it. It's like in my rule book or something. There was nothing bad about the soup but it was lacking. The cheese was great, but the broth was just...ok. It needed more of a beefy/sherry kick to it. Maybe I just like my onion soup to be particularly punchy. This was not punchy. My boyfriend ordered the crab/artichoke dip which sounded really promising but the only thing I could taste was mayonnaise and green onion. Any crab flavor that might have been in that dip was completely overpowered by the scent and taste of green onion. For the entree I got the petite filet cooked medium and the boyfriend got the stuffed halibut. My filet *was* perfectly cooked, which is a feat in and of itself. It just seems like so many restaurants have a hard time properly cooking a steak, this is one thing that S&S got correct. The steak was not seasoned at all, which is more or less fine as I just salted it myself. The boyfriend was quite happy with the way his fish was cooked but thought the stuffing overpowered the taste of the fish. I agreed. It seems like S&S is covering up their foods real flavor with flavors of additive ingredients (the green onion in the dip, the stuffing in the fish). If your ingredients are fresh enough you don't need to go overboard with additives. Just let the food speak for itself. I've read a lot on this page about the halibut cheeks and the bf said he had the same problem with them in the past. They are heavily crusted with cheese (Parmesan/asiago). He said it's pretty good but *way* too much cheese breading. You have to be sooo careful when you do cheese with seafood. Seafood is normally way too light for a cheesy breading/sauce. I'm not saying I will never go back, but it will definitely not be first on my list.
(2)
Customer S.
Hands Down, the BEST place for a open faced Crab sandwich topped with smoked Cheese and Garden Fresh Tomato. I have eaten here for over 17 years and it just keeps getting better. The Grilled Shrimp with Grilled Veggies is Amazing. ** Special note** It is not on the menu, but their Spicy Cajun Fetuccine is out of sight and pair it with either the best Creme Brulee I've tasted in the United States or their Berry crisp along with some Fireweed icecream. Spectacular. Ohh and don't forget to order an "Italian Love Affair" Oh my goodness You just Cannot go wrong with Simon's
(5)
Sarah M.
Lucky for us they got halibut cheeks in on the day we decided to go in :) Yummmm! We started with the calamari and artichokes which were cooked to perfection. They were soo tender and melt-in-your-mouth. I got the halibut cheeks covered with asiago bread crumbs. It came with mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies.We finished our great meal off with a slice of key lime pie. Not only was the food amazing but the service was equally as impressive. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and had the patience to answer the 21 questions that my father absolutely NEEDED to ask :) What a great experience. I am excited to come back to Anchorage just to eat at Simon and Seaforts.
(5)
T C.
I'm resistant to give a perfect-star rating, because there just can be something "off" about the place. I've gone here a lot; maybe it was spotty service, maybe it was the food or a drink, maybe it's because they change their happy hour for the later in the summer time because of the tourists (thereby, neglecting the locals that keep them open in the winter!) but I'm not really sure. I'm not entirely confident giving the best rating. However, I think 4 stars can adequately cover it. S&S is a pretty great place. I love hitting them up in the saloon for happy hour, and it's nice to just sit back at the window, enjoy a $4 (or $5.50 if you get an extra kick, like I do!) cocktail, some half-priced apps, and have some good conversation. I'm a vegetarian, but their options are great. I love their brie and macadamia nut appetizer, and their fries are tasty. My friends rave about the Kobe sliders. All the other meaty and fishy things they've had; I've heard nothing but great responses. Their liquor selection is vast, and impressive. Nothing like sitting down for a dinner (in the restaurant section) with some good friends, with delicious food, and having a well-educated server explain the different notes, nuances and tastes of a variety of alcohol. That's another plus that they have: their staff actually knows what they're selling/making/slinging. You can't really say that about every classy restaurant. I'm glad S&S makes the effort to provide a good atmosphere, with knowledgeable staff.
(4)
Brigitte L.
Made a reservation but ended up sitting at a table in the lounge, same view, very pleasant atmosphere. Started out with a combo of macadamia and glazed pecans with our drinks, then oysters Rockefeller. The new blue cheese steak on the menu was to die for. The service was top notch. I'll do it all over again very soon.
(5)
Chris M.
Was in ANC for work last year. Came for dinner one night to this fancy place. The prices were quite high so I expected the food to be amazing. Orderd the salmon dish which was quite tasty but a tad overcooked. I expected to be wowed but unfortunately it fell short. At this price range (call me crazy) I expect perfectly executed dishes. Like I said, food was GOOD but not great. Service was very good and waiter very attentive.
(3)
Gesselle C.
I have not had a chance to eat here yet because I did not have a reservation but the view was amazing. TIP: Make a reservation.
(3)
Karen M.
Wonderful char grilled wild salmon with pecan butter. Just the right mix of sweet and savory. Is it just me, or it is WIERD that the lights are sooooo bright in here?
(5)
Brite L.
so many happy memories here over the years. excellent views, ambiance, service and food. a must-do when visiting this beautiful state.
(4)
Kristen B.
I have enjoyed every experience I have had at Simon and Seaforts. The happy hour menu is the best in anchorage in my opinion. Its 9-close every night in the summer and they have 4 dollar drinks which are poured plenty stiff! I had two amazing pomegranite margaritas which gave me a good and heavy buzz just off of the TWO! The appetizers are half off depending on what you order. The calamari and artichokes are about some of the best i've found on the west coast, seriously! Not too chewy or rubbery at all. The breading they use is slightly spicy which is awesome! The aeoli and cocktail dipping sauces are also very tasty. The steak tri tips are also pretty good. Definitely need to work on the texture of the rice but that would be my only complaint. I've eaten dinner here as well and its always good. Its pretty spendy, but the seafood i've had here is good. I'm a hard to please seafood gal since i've grown up here, fished my whole life and am very particular about how my seafood is cooked. Nobody can make seafood taste amazing unless its freshly caught that day and cooked that night with the right ingredients to flavor it. I recommend making a reservation for dinner. If you go to the saloon on the right night at the right time, finding a table is easy. Otherwise be prepared to snipe the first one that comes available or be prepared to stand for a few minutes. Albeit, its not that painful considering you can at least have a drink in the lobby while waiting.
(5)
Jay K.
Halibut cheeks! The star of the show. Can't get 'em in So Cal. In fact, can't get 'em in the whole lower 48. Lightly breaded with a butter garlic sauce, S&S's cheeks melt in your mouth. Accompanied with some awesome mashed potatoes, these are the real thing. We arrived just after 9 PM as Happy hour reconvened and ordered the appetiser sampler - smoked scampi; crab and artichoke dip; and filet morsels with a well balanced sweet & sour sauce. Bravo!
(5)
Naotomo Y.
The king crab is cold! the steak is just ok! I expect better Alaska king crab leg in Alaska, $200 for 3 people, I expect even better!! And no parking!! U have to walk to your car in such cold weather...
(1)
Michael B.
Halibut Cheeks. Remember that. With that in mind, my family and I took a nice stroll around downtown Anchorage and soon arrived upon Simon and Seafort's Grill. Arriving a little past their lunch hours, they had just closed their kitchen. However, letting them know we are from California and not here long, they were able to pull some strings and help us out. That is definitely great quality and quite helpful of them. Props for service. Our sole intention was to fulfill the craving of one thing and one thing only. Halibut Cheeks. Being related to an Alaskan native, they definitely encouraged me to try this wonderful Alaskan delicacies. Deriving from Halibut, these juicy filets were pan-seared paired with potatoes and asparagus and a lovely buttery sauce that compliments the fish with satisfaction. One bite and you will truly understand how it will melt-in-your-mouth and just appreciate fish on a whole another level. Absolutely delicious and a great restaurant to have a great meal with quality service. Be ready to spend a good amount on the bill, but remember the quality of the type of food that revolves around this classy place. Apparently, there are no other places that can serve Halibut Cheeks are good as them. Great taste, every time, all the time.
(5)
Greg F.
Absolutely one of the finest dining establishments in Anchorage. This place has an incredible view and even better seafood. I ordered the halibut cheeks and they were incredible. If they are on the menu, you must order them. The service was excellent and courteous. Try the stuffed halibut too. You won't regret it. Enjoy...
(5)
Thomas G.
They have a great happy hour (430-600pm + 900pm-close). The food was okay but we didn't have any real food: just appetizers. Atmosphere was great, too! Nothing to complain about...5 stars
(5)
Zaphod B.
Have been going here for years as a family Christmas Eve tradition. Service is attentive and helpful. Willing to prepare food to the special dietary needs of my wife. The entree' Macadamia nut encrusted, crab stuffed halibut is a long-time favorite on their menu. The problem is that the preparation is not consistent. This time, the halibut was very over-cooked. I would think that they would have their signature dish spot on, every time; but they don't.. View to the west looking over Cook Inlet is one of the best in Anchorage. Over all a good restaurant, but not a great restaurant.
(3)
Megan O.
Favorite place for dinner! I always take my family here when they visit. The food is wonderful and the view is amazing if you get a booth by a window. The crab stuffed halibut is so good.
(5)
Dustin W.
I really wanted to love this place as its reputation precedes it as the finer dining establishment of Anchorage. The fish was fresh but I wasn't especially impressed with the finish. Overpowering flavors and dated decor. As a tourist, when in AK migrate to the micros for good food and brews.
(3)
Lori O.
Great food, good service! I've had a few great meals here. It's definitely one of the nicer places in Anchorage and also one of the pricier. Dine here, don't eat here. Make reservations and ask for a window!
(4)
Andy W.
Nice place, good food. Pricey even for happy hour. Don't bother with the 4 dollar drink specials. They're pre-made mixed drinks. Otherwise, good selection.
(4)
Alex H.
Great dinner, especially seafood (King crab and salmon) sampler for appetizers is delicious view is great went their in april for a loooong and pretty sunset
(4)
Zachary H.
Halibut cheeks. My God.
(4)
Roger E.
Got there during the dinner rush. The place was packed on a Thursday and the wait was 45 min to an hour. I am not much on waiting so they suggested we wait in the lounge where we might find a table. They serve the same menu there. We ordered drinks and 10 minutes later a table vacated and we ordered. Some of the best prime rib I ever had. Glad we stayed. Great service.
(4)
David T.
We came here on the recommendation of a coworker from the area. It was a little tricky to find, and the parking lot where parking can be validated was pretty much impossible to find since there were no clear directions on where exactly to park. However, we managed to find a spot in a nearby lot. We had a reservation, but had to wait about 10 minutes or so for a table to be cleared. So we headed over to the bar and met up with the very friendly bartender who promptly served us our drinks. While we were drinking and waiting for our table, we struck up a conversation with the oyster shucker. While we were conversing and he was shucking, we inquired about the oysters. He offered us each an oyster to try. Yum...I know what I want for my appetizer. We were soon seated, and directed to a window seat with a great view of the water. Our waitress soon came over, and I was immediately impressed with her friendly demeanor, her efficient service, and her comprehensive knowledge of the menu. Anything we asked was answered with a complete and descriptive explanation, whether the question was about the wine, the seafood, or recommendations on what to order. So in addition to my 1/2 dozen oysters, I got the combination halibut and halibut cheeks per our waitress's off-menu recommendation. The food was excellent, but I think the overall service enhanced our meal even further. I wish all servers were like this one, she really made our meal enjoyable.
(4)
Chrizo P.
Do yourself a favor and order the crab dip when you go. Divine!
(4)
J C.
Excellent service, atmosphere (view of the Cook Inlet), food, and drinks. I only come here every now and then because it can get pretty spendy. Make sure you come during happy hour (Sat - Sun 4:30 - 6:00PM) to get half off on appetizers and drink specials. The classic sampler is a triple threat of yumminess, and the bone in rib eye is exceptional. Note** happy hour is only served in the bar area, and the menu is limited because their kitchen isn't equipped to handle all of the items. But if you want something off of the full service menu, ask your server nicely and they can make things happen!
(5)
Sarah V.
The location and ambience of Simon & Seafort's are the best parts about this restaurant; the ambience is lively and you get a great view with your dinner. However, the service needs improvement. I went here for dinner with my boyfriend and we felt like our service was kind of snobby... My dinner was great (I tried the crab-stuffed halibut), but it could have been better, and I was let down by my honey's etouffe- the presentation was really strange (sauce on the side??). Overall, I like this restaurant, but better food and service can be found elsewhere...
(2)
Hilary R.
Two words...HALIBUT CHEEK. During a recent trip to Alaska, I had my fill of Halibut...baked, fried, broiled. Then my dad took us to Simon & Seaforts....where I had one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Asiago encrusted Halibut cheek is a MUST HAVE if you go here. Great views, Great food...:) We also had the seasonal chocolate lavender cake which was scrumptious also.
(5)
Michael W.
I have found myself, as of late, traveling periodically to Anchorage on business. I have discovered this restaurant, and have found it quite nice. It is located in an office building. The decor is dark and wood. There is a nice bar in the back if you are traveling alone and don't want to sit at a table alone. The food is excellent. I would recommend the salmon - and any of the salads with salmon. The oysters are also excellent. They have several good beers on tap - including Alaskan ale. Good solid choice.
(4)
Jim H.
Well, the food, once it was we got it all, was delicious and well cooked. However getting the dinners was a different matter. I ordered a spinach salad and then the Mac Nut Halibut. I asked how it was prepared as I have a food allergy. Based upon the response I was good to go. My friend ordered a combo of the Mac Nut Halibut and Halibut Cheeks. My salad arrived. A minute later the dinners arrived. I was like wow. I have barely had any of the salad. My friend looked at her dinner and asked where the Mac Nut Halibut was (there were only halibut cheeks on the plate). Blank look on the face response. They took it back and got the right dinner. I finished my salad at a quick pace and then started in on my dinner. One look on the inside and I was horrified. Right there in the middle of the stuff was the food to which I am allergic. Oops. So they took it back and then brought me just a piece of grilled halibut, which was delicious. The weird thing was that I was still eating my dinner and my friend had finished. The bus boy cleared everything off the table except my plate. But I mean everything - bread, bread plates, extra silverware, including my knife. Dessert came and we had key lime pie and the fruit cobbler. The key lime part was real good, but way too much whipped cream. The cobbler was one of the best I have had in a while. Then the check came and I looked at the total and got a big surprise. I was charged for four dinners. They did fix the bill and we finished out desserts. Overall the food was very good to excellent. The service, on the other had, had just too many hiccups. I am not sure who is to blame for the allergy issue. But the service timing, table clearing, mix up on the dinner order (combo versus single item) and then the incorrect bill were just a little over the top. I chose this restaurant since it was rated four stars here. I guess I was just a little disappointed.
(2)
Holly P.
An absolutely AMAZING view! If nothing else, I highly recommend having a cocktail or two in the bar to appreciate the view.
(4)
Bob M.
Came here on our one night in Anchorage and were very pleased. Made the reservation on opentable and got a seat right near the window. Our server was fantastic -attentive, super-quick and great with drink recommendations. The cocktails here were probably the best I've ever had at a restaurant. My girlfriend and I both tried 2 different cocktails, and all 4 were amazing. The food was also very good. It isn't the cheapest place but no worse than any nice steak or seafood place in any major city in the lower 48. Overall I thought it was a great place for dinner.
Coming from Seattle, I have a high standard for seafood. This place did not let me down. Not only is the view incredible, but the food is just as good. Had the Crab and Artichoke dip and Fish and Chips. The Dip was delicious and creamy. The halibut was so nice and crispy on the outside and moist and delicious on the inside. Even the fries were good. I can't wait to try the acclaimed Halibut cheeks!
(5)
Katherine D.
We hit this place for the happy hour, and sadly it is not offered during the summer season. We did, however, sit in the bar and were delighted with the drink specials. The cranberry Mojito is the only mojito i've ever enjoyed. We also ordered food here to extend our lovely view. Mom got the carpaccio, which was tender and delicious and I got the mussels which were absolutely divine. The sauce was great sopped up with the fries and the mussels themselves where so tender. I'll be dreaming of these for a long time. The setting is fantastic, the service was great, and the food as phenomenal. It doesn't get much better than this.
(5)
Little O.
Every person we asked while in Anchorage said we had to eat at Simons if were wanted some amazing seafood. They were right! We knew it was expensive so saved it for our last night in town and got a table by the window at sunset- it was beautiful! Our waitress was SO nice and helpful and our food was awesome! We had the crab stuffed halibut and king crab legs, clam chowder to start and a bottle of wine and then the key lime pie as dessert. They also serve sourdough bread with the soup. Everything was so good and the ambiance very nice! Definitely a place to go for a special occasion... we spend around $80 each.
(5)
LINDA R.
Stellar views! Amazing sunset! We were so very lucky to have gotten a corner window table in the bar. Made our whole experience top notch. Ordered a 3- tiered appetizer "buffet' - the presentation was awesome. Had extremely yummy steak bites with rice, halibut, and crab & artichoke spread. There's a fabby little (seemingly unknown fact here in AK) secret in which many establishments have a BYOB - or a corkage fee. (I may have found them all on my trip here, which surprised my host, who lives here, and most all the servers, who who unaware). Little bit of a downside was that our server rarely came back to see how we were doing or check on us and didn't pour our wine. Other than that, it was all good due to the fabby company, views, and ambiance.
(5)
Michael b.
Half price appetizer 4:00 - 6:00. The oysters melt in the mouth. Nice view from bar. Friendly staff with super fast service. Next time I leave Alaska I will stop in for sure.
(5)
Angie B.
ts a staple with Anchorage locals.. so if your not a local go here because this is where WE eat at! . they specialize in Alaska seafood. nothing ive had here has EVER been bad...
(5)
Roman R.
From what I read, this is how the locals do fine dining. I would of given this place 5 stars had it not been for the prices. Attentive service from the wait staff. The stuffed blue cheese steak was rich and flavorful, a nice twist on my favorite indulgence, however, at almost $30 for about 9 oz. with no sides, it was a bit rich for my taste.
(4)
Aaron B.
You want fresh halibut while looking out over the *Cook Inlet and snow covered mountain peaks? Go here.... Probably the nicest restaurant in Anchorage this place is sweet. Heavy on seafood and steaks this menu is huge. Known for their specialties like blue cheese stuffed steak and crab stuffed halibut there are no bad options really. A spectacular old school interior with great views of the ocean from every seat will surprise anyone after entering in through the banal office building it is located in. Great service, a huge wine and cocktail menu, and did I already mention the killer seafood? I loved this place....
(5)
Andria R.
I'm not a seafood fan, but at Simon's I forget that. Start with the sampler, it's fantastic! Caesar salad is great. Mac and cheese is ridiculously good. Prime rib, chophouse burger, kobe meatloaf sliders, scallops, calamari...all amazing.
(5)
Annette M.
Amazing service. Fish and chips were not as good as I had hoped. I will be trying something else next time
(3)
Jay C.
This is THE place to go for date night, pre/post-show at the Performing Arts Center, showing visiting family/friends a great time, or for any sort of birthday/anniversary celebration. Over the last 12 years (since I started going there), the food has been consistently awesome...and the service great. The only (mild) bummer is that they did away with the First Seating option (3 course meal for $25)...but that won't stop me from returning. Totally recommend the place.
(5)
Hilary L.
The Alaskan king crab here (though flash frozen at the point of catch) is the best I've ever had. I've had it fresh and even then it couldn't compare. In fact--I don't even like king crab that much (I usually prefer snow crab), but the king crab at Simon & Seafort's definitely won me over. The wait for this place was pretty bad, but well worth it.
(4)
Jan K.
One of the 10 best meals of my life. Get the halibut cheeks. Everything was very fresh and flavorful. Service was attentive but not cloying.
(5)
Sean E.
This is everybody's favorite restaurant in Anchorage, and is thus very busy every night of the week. The food is nothing novel or outlandish, but they prepare everything competently and have a lot of specials to take advantage of whatever fresh meat or seafood they've been able to score lately (including halibut cheeks, venison, and elk). Service is professional, if not always prompt, and although the prices are high, they aren't any worse than other fancy restaurants in downtown Anchorage. The drinks menu is huge and seems to have gotten bigger over the past few years. Ask your waiter about beer, because it does not appear on the menu (a small but well-rounded selection of Alaskan beer on draft plus the usual bottles). Although only some of the menu is available there, it is usually possible to get a table in the bar even when the restaurant is booked solid. Simon & Seafort's is unlikely to offer any culinary revelations to anyone who's eaten a restaurant meal since 1985. However, the seafood is great and the views are really nice. Order something from the specials menu and you are unlikely to leave unhappy (especially if someone else is paying).
(4)
Stephani C.
Delicious. Top-notch service. A fun menu with many yummy options. And the cocktail menu was something out of Mad Men. Next time I'll have to try an old-fashioned. :) We tried this place shortly after moving here and I fell in love. We were treated to a view of the bay and some of the best seafood I've had in years. It's a bit expensive, but worth every penny.
(5)
Chris N.
Perfect in all ways. Yes it is super busy because it is the nicest spot in town I feel. We did have to park a few blocks away and walk over. Waited in the bar a while because they were packed. Decided to stay in the bar because they had sports on the t.v. It was so crowded another couple asked if they could share our table and we thought sure why not. They turned out to be really fun and we all had drinks and dinner together. The mixed drinks were good. Mainly Seafood on the menu, we are in Alaska duh. Food was generous and delicious. View was great. Atmosphere was packed but I really enjoyed it here. Pretty expensive but worth it, and we needed a treat. Our waitress was pretty good until the last 25 minutes. We could not get the check from her and she was socializing at many tables. She gave us another tables check and we caught it because we were not drinking crown royal and there were 2 on the bill. I guess that is what happenes when all of your tables want to leave at about the same time. Loud but fun overall.
(4)
Sarah S.
Despite our initial confusion as to why we were walking in to an office building in search of a fine-dining establishment, Simon & Seafort's delivered on a nice, upscale-ish lunch spot for our party of 9. Although horrified at the price of crab legs in Alaskan restaurants, the majority of us settled for crab and artichoke sandwiches with french onion soup, which was fantastic. I'd recommend a lunch combo- because even something as simple as the Mac n Cheese was kicked up with some bacon and quite yummy. All in all, I feel like food in Anchorage is outrageously priced, so you might as well get the bang for your buck and take yourself here. I'd also suggest going in a smaller party (2-4) so you can get a table with a view. Oh, and don't make the mistake I made and fill up on the delicious sourdough bread before your meal.
(3)
Christer H.
Great lunch today. The sole on the lunch menu was absolutely superb. Great service.
(4)
Aaron D.
Much like someone else wrote - best Halibut of my life. Amazing. They also have impressive Crab legs. And the Lobster mac and cheese with the truffle oil would be worth going for even if for nothing else. If your in the area - i highly recommend. Also has gorgeous views of the Cook Inlet. The prices are pretty steep here though - but generally a worthy experience.
Another fancy smancy joint in downtown Anchorage. Atmosphere is upscale, amazing views of the water and on certain clear sunset days in the summer you can see the far distant peaks of the Aleutians rising above the horizon. Seafood here is remarkable, but my favorite thing to do at Simon and Seafort's is skip the restaurant and just hang out in the saloon. Happy hour brings you half price appetizers and great cocktails. All this in a classy bar. Mojito's come with very fresh sprigs and they get muddled right in front of you.
(4)
Tim S.
4.5 stars... Simon's is my wife and my favorite 'fancy' Anchorage restaurant. The food is usually always excellent 9/10 as is the service *8/10 (*see below). Be prepared to wait unless you call in for a reservation. The only subpar item IMO is the prime rib. Otherwise nearly everything else on the menu is great. Known for their fresh seafood (halibut, salmon), Simon's steaks are superb as well. Favorites: Red King Crab Dip appetizer - best appetizer in town! Maytag Blue Cheese Salad - one of the best salads in town! Top Sirloin Filet Mignon Any of their fresh fish (halibut, salmon) Ribs and sweet potato fries Bread Pudding dessert The bar is another great lunch or after work option. You can order from the restaurant-side menu or from their great bar menu. My wife an I went last week for dinner and then lunch a couple days later and on both occasions enjoyed: a great view, excellent food and excellent service from the servers. *On a couple of recent occasions the restaurant hostess seemed a bit stressed/overwhelmed with the customer flow/reservations but we took it with a grain of salt that it was so busy. Each dining experience overall was excellent.
(4)
tami g.
Great halibut cheeks, crab legs, great service, view, loved it!
(4)
Timmy L.
This review is for the bar side. Went the at 4pm for happy hour. Sat right next to the window with a view of the inlet. Very nice. Service was great. Food very delicious except the calamari. Average. We got the sampler, n another order of the steak bites. The cheesecake was huge and taste average Great place for happy hour.
(4)
Bob U.
Yeah just keep walking, this place is lame. It's really unfortunate because this place used to be one of the best places in town. It's not that it's terrible, it's just that there are SO many better places to eat in A-rage. Try Sacks, Club Paris or Ginger instead. You wont be disappointed.
(1)
Bob M.
Simon and Seafort's is one of my "go to" restaurants in Anchorage. I have always had consistently good seafood meals here and they have a very nice wine list. It is one of the pricier restaurants in the area, but the food is always good and the view is great. They never rush you, and if you show up early for your reservation, the bar is always a good place to spend the time and get an order of their onion rings as a starter. I have to admit that it is hard for me to not get the Halibut when it is fresh and available and it is always cooked perfectly. But, I've also eaten here in the dead of winter and had pasta and beef entrees and they have also been consistently good.
(4)
Tim F.
Simon and Seaforts is a nice place to go after work for a quick dinner and some drinks. Their fried calamari is delicious!! However their beer selection is absolutely terrible, especially for happy hour. The food makes up for it though.... I suppose. I will most likely return to Simon and Seaforts, but its never my first choice.
(3)
Jenna C.
I've been here many times. Great location and views of Cook Inlet. The food is tasty and good. But the decor bothers me, it is way over due for some updating.
(3)
Kelly S.
I love Simon's. I love the overall atmosphere (overlooks Cook Inlet) and the food is delicious! I always have the Pomegranate Mojito. One of those and you're feeling really good. They are currently $10 a piece so savor it! The bar is a great place to go with the girls (or guys) after a hard day at work. I believe they have 1/2 price appetizers. The wait staff is superb! This is a loud lounge/restaurant. If you want a quiet place to enjoy some 1 on 1 time with your hunny, I wouldn't really recommend it due to the fact that it is quite loud. I always have the Classic Sampler... DELICIOUS! When ordering dinner, you pay extra for a salad so keep that in mind. But the salads are so good and the fresh pepper is yummy. I normally order the macadamia crusted halibut... TO DIE FOR! I signed up for the S&S emails and occasionally get a really cool deal, so that's a plus. I wouldn't recommend bringing small children to this restaurant. For the price people have to pay for their meal, it could be rude to have children that can't control their behavior. For older children, if they have good manners, you could definitely make a nice family night out, but be prepared to pay the price for it. I don't think they have a children's menu. I have seen children there though. If you come to Anchorage, AK... make the time to come to this restaurant. No regrets!
(5)
Jahmekya G.
LOVED the Alaskan King Crab Cakes!
(4)
Andreas H.
By Alaskan standards this is fine dining. The service was good. All the 3 dishes I tried were good. I'd go back there for sure but the food didn't stand out as being particularly creative or memorable. In season seafood is the draw card.
(3)
Tina B.
Awesome bar area (the "Saloon") with phenomenal view's of water and it gets packed in here, because it's also the defacto overflow area for everybody who showed up during peak season with no reservations to get into the main dining area. You have to really watch the table you want and then be prepared to pounce on it as soon as you even begin to see the people start to get up. If you're lucky, this will get you rare window-side seating. If you're not lucky, you'll take any seating you can get, because you'll be so sick of waiting. There are a few misses, but for the most part the food is really, really good, and you can get almost anything in the bar that they also serve in the main restaurant. The big winners - get these: Lobster macaroni and cheese is super fatty and richly decadent Scallop lollipops are scallops wrapped in smoked salmon on a skewer and served with ponzu Seafood corn dogs Really great sweet potato fries Seafood deviled eggs, one with crab, one with salmon and one with shrimp Failed, skip these: Blue cheese chips - so not good compared with how incredible something with the exact same name was at the City Diner. The sauce on the chips was cold and there was a weird salsa-like tomato stuff on top Desserts seemed sort of average and forgettable Since I'm not a millionaire, I'll let you in on the secret to being able to afford so many different plates: S&S has lots of deals, like if you go to the bar late in the evening, all appetizers are half off. They also have some early diner pre fix specials, so call ahead and save a bunch of money. Or, spend the exact same amount of money, but eat twice as much! Mmmmmm
(4)
Amanda B.
Ugh I want to call this place Simon and Salty as heck, dang when I have an older family member say it's too salty you just know it's wrong! Even the table bread is salty. Really wanted to be all about it, but when you need 5 glasses of water to get through a meal you know it's over. 2 stars for fantastic key lime pie, that is all.
(2)
Susan R.
I wish I could remember to take photos before I tear into the food! This is my second visit to Alaska and my second visit to Simon and Seaforts. My server, Josh was very attentive and friendly. He started me off with some fresh sourdough bread and soft butter (super tasty). The salad was pretty darned amazing with Gorgonzola cheese, berries and pecans on a bed of deep greens. I ordered the Alaskan king crab legs, the Barents Sea king crab for $66. It was really good but not outstanding. I wish I would have ordered the smaller version for $48 (Norton sound king crab legs). It's one pound of Norton versus 1.25 pounds of Barents Sea king crab legs. It was not the pile of legs I was expecting for the price. I have no doubt the weight was there, but the taste was not outstanding. Overall, very good and a pleasant dining experience but I think they're a bit overpriced. My side salad was $10 on top of the $66 crab legs. Josh was great tho, he is definitely a five star waiter!!!d
(4)
Rhianna B.
I came back for happy hour and in their informal bar area. The food and service was great, and we also had a wonderful view of the sunset. I'm kind of disappointed that there were TVs in the bar, since it's such a lovely atmosphere. Instead of a full meal, we mainly ordered appetizers and cocktails that were excellent. Will definitely be going back, for sure!
(4)
Gary H.
Had dinner here last night. Caesar salad & french onion soup were delicious. Entrees of citris salmon, crab stuufed halibut and prime rib were flavorful and large. We had no reservation, place was busy but there was no wait @ 8pm on Friday night. Service was excellent. As long as you don't mind the price, this was perfect choice
(5)
Trinity N.
Made reservations for 11 people at 8:15pm. We arrived earlier and got drinks at the bar . The cranberry mojito and pomegranate margarita had a little too much sour mix - but still pretty good. Especially for 6.95. Our table was not ready until past 8:30ish - no big deal. We had a big party. Onto the food: the sourdough bread is delicious. One of the best sourdough I have ever eaten. The butter was whipped also. I ordered the sirloin steak with clam chowder instead of fries . The waiter said there was an up charge for it - it was only like one dollar up charge - great! I wanted my steak medium rare; however when it arrived - it was medium well. My friend wanted medium well but hers was medium when it arrived. She complained to the waiter and he promptly takes it back explaining that the chef messed up the order and that it was now all fixed. My steak still came back medium well , and not only that - it was cold . I also got the Yukon mashed potatoes and that was cold and disgusting . I asked to have my plate heated up - wrong decision because now the steak is extremely overlooked and the potatoes were lukewarm. At this point my patience is already low since it took more than 2 hours for our food to arrive . I also ordered the crab legs - which were good . I just wish the rest of my food was good also. I took one bite of the steak and packed the whole thing home . Very , very disappointing .
(2)
Marilyn M.
This has to be the best restaurant in Anchorage! We had reservations for Saturday dinner. We were seated upon arrival. Must order: the crab & artichoke appetizer - delicious! Very flavorful and filled with crab. I ordered the macadamia, crab-stuffed halibut. Best halibut I have ever had. Cooked perfectly. My husband ordered the halibut cheeks, again, delicious, packed with flavor. Others at the table had the Salmon. Raved about their meals. Happy to give a top recommendation because the chef and team earned it!
(5)
Laura C.
I made our reservation online, and although I told them it was my birthday, they did nothing other than put a few pieces of confetti on our table. Usually fine dining restaurants will give you a dessert with a candle....especially since we weren't skimping on our food and drink tab. However, our server was really sweet and the complimentary bread was amazing. My reindeer and chicken Alfredo was fantastic and my brother loved his chicken and potatoes. We had the bartender create some spicy cocktails for us that were also good...but in the end, I just couldn't get over the fact that I was handed a dessert menu - and did not get any special treatment at all on my birthday. For future reference, a suggestion would be to make your birthday patrons feel special. Ironically, 2 nights later I got a free dessert with a lit candle at a different restaurant and we hadn't even mentioned it was my birthday - because it wasn't anymore. Evidently the waiter was clued in by a gift someone had brought me and took it upon himself to make me feel special. That sever got a 20% tip and a 5 star rating because it made my night.
(3)
Katie K.
Mediocre. The flavor of the food was present for most dishes; however, it tasted like it had been prepared several hours ago. Perhaps the crab had been over-cooked, not sure, but it was bland...tasted like tap water. To be fair, the bread and French onion soup were really good. The service was also adequate, but he never did check on our water glasses.
(3)
Bobb S.
A couple things to know before entering.... 1) It's Alaska. It's expensive. Get over it. 2) Some diners will be wearing some sort of animal bone necklace (beartooth, scrimshaw, etc). It's Alaska. Get over it. 3) The bar has one of the most bizarre paintings of frontier women I have ever seen. Try not to stare too hard or you will be haunted. Try to get over it. Now on to the food. My girlfriend and I went with seafood options. Coming from the Midwest, we couldn't pass up the opportunity. I went with the halibut cheeks and a bowl of clam chowder while she went with the King Crab. As expected, the halibut cheeks were divine. Breaded with parmesan, the halibut really shined and was paired with a rich beurre blanc sauce. The mashed potatoes were average, however, the rapini was undercooked and underseasoned. The clam chowder was good (not great) and on a chilly rainy day, was exactly what I needed. My girlfriend's crab legs came with a side of drawn butter. Once you got to the meat, it was sweet and firm. The only suggestion was to have them cut more than they were when they left the kitchen. A tip for those to don't want to wait for a table in the dining room, the bar area is first come/first-serve (just avoid eye contact with the creepy painting)
(4)
Margaret W.
The best crab and artichoke dip ever! And on top of that, fresh Red King Crab legs (never had fresh ones) and not to mention friendly and great service. We will definitely come back when we have the opportunity to visit Alaska again.
(5)
Victoria S.
I'm big into the attitude of the wait staff. These folks have it together in a big way. The food is extraordinary and the drinks are amazing. If nothing else, please indulge in the Brie. The views are above average, but the dining room could use some updating. I couldn't care less. A Blueberry Crush and Brie plate... I'll sit on the floor. Delish.
Everytime I come to Anchorage, this is one of my first stops for lunch and/or dinner. Monday night a coworker and I stopped into the bar side for dinner, and had an aboslutely awful experience. We showed up around 715pm on Monday night and were there until 845pm. In that time, it took about 10 minutes just to have a server come over. She tried to take our orders without bringing us menus. Then we ordered (1 appetizer and 1 sandwich) and it took 45 minutes to get our food. The place was close to empty, and multiple other groups came, got food, and left in the time it took us to get ours. About 30 minutes after we ordered, our server brought us bread and said that the kitchen had messed my brie up and had to remake it and it would be out shortly. There was never an apology for the delay, and no discounts taken off of our tickets. We ended up going up to the bar to pay our bill because we couldnt' even get the server's attention in order to pay. Especially in a less than full bar on a Monday night, this type of service is not acceptable. A large group of corworkers was planning on going here for the restaurant week deal tonight, and we actually changed our plans because of the negative experience on Monday.
(2)
Christine M.
This is in my Top 10 Eats in Anchorage, AK We mainly go to their bar area for drinks and appetizers...so yummy! Enough of right variety for picky eaters like me!
(4)
Jess S.
The view from our table in the bar area was so pretty :) it was good to be back home and eat and get a view of the ocean. We had delicious calamari for appetizer and I ordered the French dip for my meal. Everything was so good. The French dip was enough to share with someone. Also ordered a bottle of Pinot Gris called king estate from Oregon and it was also delicious. A little pricey so if you come be aware of the prices and know you'll be spending a decent amount
(4)
Jean P.
I was looking forward to eating at this restaurant for their "fresh" seafood. It was the first restaurant we tried after landing in Anchorage. I got the three course meal, and it was quite disappointing. The clam chowder was OK, but I had better chowder in Oregon. As for the main entree (cod), it was average. The best thing was the dessert. The view was also great since we were seated by the windows. Overall, it was average, but I expected better based on the reviews here and the cost.
(2)
Karl S.
DEFINITELY a fan, and not just because they're close to my apartment. The views can't be beat (they could REALLY use a deck for the summers). One of the best happy hours in town, with good drink specials and a nice happy hour food menu with good prices, which is a nice little plus because the main menu isn't the cheapest in town (but you get the quality that goes with it!). It WOULD be nice if the happy hour brew rotated a bit, since "beer monogamy" isn't my style, but that's a pretty small gripe. The staff has always been great every time I go there. Do check their website for hours though, because the ones listed on Yelp aren't always 100% accurate (Yelp often says they're closed earlier than they really are).
(4)
Joni H.
Overall, I like this place. The service was just what it needed to be. Friendly, professional, but for the most part left us alone to enjoy our date night. I don't remember his name, but our server was a rather large guy with a big beard and very long hair. Somehow, he still managed to look clean and classy, though. I got the crab stuffed halibut, and it was very, very good. Flaky, flavorful, and with great texture from the macadamia nut crust. The only thing I can complain about is the potatoes were overworked, so they were kind of gluey. They were also sweeter than I expected, but still not terrible, and definitely better than instant. He got the smoked sirloin. It has a strong liquid smoke flavor to it, and wasn't bad, but also not completely wonderful. While we will return, we both agreed, it's not for this steak. The tomatoes and fries that came with it were very good, though. People say it's pricey, but I think it's reasonable for what you're getting. I mean, if you expect to get quality seafood, steak or prime rib with sides and want it to be under $30/plate and in Anchorage, you're crazy.
(4)
Melanie K.
First experience at Simon's, my date found long hair in his eggs benedict. We were the first and only patrons there on a Sunday morning. He was disappointed that his effort to impress was kinda squelched. A few months later, I wanted something fun to do part time and got a serving job there. They straight up told me it wasn't important for me to know the ingredients of their dishes and I wasn't to waste time learning it. Funny, I thought being able to answer my customers' questions was my job. (In previous serving jobs, we weren't allowed on the floor until we had every single thing memorized back and forth. Customer safety and satisfaction should be the highest priority!) Apparently safety isn't part of their corporate training program. Not to mention, in the three long days I spent there, I never saw even one employee wash their hands. In fact, they don't have hand washing sinks readily accessible to 95% of their staff. There's a sink by the dishwashers, you know, because they need clean hands. So if you don't want to ask any questions and don't mind where the many sets of fingers that have been all up in your food have been, the food can be pretty good (that is, sans hair and a hit rather than the all too common miss). The view is incredible. Enjoy! PS If you'll notice, the manager only responds to the happy yelp reviewers. Counter-intuitive seems to be the theme at Simon's.
(1)
alfred c.
Visited here on a business trip after seeing all the great reviews. Atmosphere was great and they were able to accommodate me as a walk in--I came in a half hour before closing. Just as the others said, the halibut cheeks were delicious. Food was great and service was as well.
(4)
R J.
Beautiful view. This place is crowded and noisy. The service was ok but it was obvious they stress turning tables. Order apps and entrees separately or they will show up simultaneously. Food was ok. Halibut cheeks were over cooked. Fresh oysters were great. Prime rib was requested medium rare but was the far side of medium. Better choices nearby. The captain cook hotel has great choices.
(2)
Carrie P.
This review is for the bar side. Although the happy hour (3-6pm and 9pm to closing) has some good deals, I feel the apps we had just weren't as good as other options in Anchorage. Sweet potato fries were a little dark but otherwise what would be expected. The baked brie was similar to other options. We enjoyed the Granny Smith apple slices and fig jam that accompanied, but there was no "wow" factor. I've eaten in the dining room many times, always did First Seating or brunch, which I've enjoyed every single time.
(3)
Elle S.
My last review is still the place to look. I just needed to let you all know that you can order a Halibut Cheek combination. Yes, for real. You can get a half portion of the Crab & Macadamia Halibut Cheeks and a half portion of the Halibut Cheeks all on one plate together for one person. I overheard this from the waitress at the table next to me and it about blew my mind. You already know what I went for as my entree. I also tried the Clam Chowder on this trip. Skip the chowder. I sent mine back. I much prefer New England style chowder to this one. At the bar: Drinks are done well here. The blueberry crush was very nice.
(5)
Joe S.
OMG SOOO GOOD! We went there for anniversary dinner and with places like this I sometimes fear the experience is more what you get and the food doesn't deliever. But this place had great food and a great experience. Love the halibut cheeks and the server was great. Pricy but a great place to celebrate special occasion.
(5)
Lauren L.
I have been here several times but most recently went in for my anniversary dinner, my husband made a reservation and when we got to our table they had laid out rose peddles on the table and we got seated right next to the window (the restaurant had spectacular views of the inlet and sleeping lady). With our reservation we were seated and quickly and the service was fast and friendly, everyone who waited on us wished is a happy anniversary. We both got the crab stuffed macadamia nut halibut (the halibut was fresh) and it was amazing! We love going to the restaurant we've never had a bad meal or service!
(5)
Aaron S.
Delicious crab and artichoke dip and salads. Didn't need a reservation; sat at the HUGE bar area with full menu! We will revisit in the future.
(4)
Lahela R.
We went to Simon and Seaforts for late night happy hour. We've been a few times before and as always, the service was really good! Our server was prompt and efficient - also very friendly! We had a great time. However, I would like to say that it was somewhat disappointing to get there for 9pm happy hour only for the restaurant to close at 10pm. The food was very good though!! We always get the crab and artichoke dip along with an order of the deep fried calamari. We ordered the sweet potato fries and the wedge salad. Everything was on point and delicious!! The food came out quickly and our drinks were great. Overall, I'd say it's a great atmosphere with awesome service. It would be awesome for them to extend their hours - even if for only an hour more to enjoy more of the late night happy hour. Other than that, tasty food and great place.
(4)
Denise B. K.
Family friendly and busy place. We had ordered an appetizer but did not get it (no charge either). The view was very nice and relaxing.
(4)
Rich T.
Wow a great place with a great view and a friendly staff. We loved the spot. We were lucky enough to come on a sunny evening in Anchorage. Had a chance to do an hour walk along the trail. What an impressive view along there. Then, we headed in for an 815 dinner reservation and a glorious sunset. While there may be a parking lot down there, from the booth seats, the view is just awesome! The halibut cheeks as all have noted are terrific. The cheese and the butter are a great complement to the freshness of the cheeks. The Schaumberg Blanc de Noir is a terrific sparkling to have with the local oysters as well. We loved the surf and turf option of their Prime Rib that was done in rock salt with the local King crab. Just about as sweet as can be. The Copper River salmon was really well done. Medium rare which brought out the fresh flavors. Overall an excellent spot and an excellent view. Nice job!
(5)
Karen M.
Simon and Seaforts is my husband's and my favorite date night restaurant. You get to enjoy the greatest food in town while enjoying Anchorage's greatest views.
(5)
Corey N.
The food is pretty good overall but not worth the price. The view at this place is pretty nice though!
(3)
Jill D.
Alaskans are keeping a delicious secret - Halibut cheek. This is not just another filet is is THE filet from the fresh, local Halibut and it is superb. This restaurant does it up right. Excellent service, views of the water, and validated parking. Tip: the validated parking is the garage attached to the Hertz building.
(5)
Geoff B.
Great service, fresh and delish food, and I like the overall ambiance. This place has some amazing Eggs Benedict plus the view is probably one of the best in anchorage.
(5)
Jon P.
This place has always been one of my favorite higher class restaurants in the Anchorage area. However, the great thing about Alaska is that you can come to Simons dressed up or simply in jeans and a t-shirt. No one would think twice about what you're wearing. Most importantly, though, is the food, and it is phenomenal. Every time I have left this restaurant I've left extremely satisfied. Everything from the warm bread to the wine to the food itself is amazing. Their seafood is especially excellent as it all comes from Alaska (as one would expect). In addition to the food, the service is excellent and the views from the restaurant are great too. Don't expect to see anything at dinner, however, if you come during the winter as it will be pitch black by the time you've arrived. Finally, this place is great, and if you are looking for a classy restaurant to celebrate or simply want amazing food, look no further.
(5)
Thomas C.
Great place to come in for a drink and appetizer but be forewarned. Those that say it is overpriced and mediocre they are dead on. There is nothing more aggravating than spending the C note plus for two and coming out shaking your head going no way, never again. The best thing we had was the steamed clam appetizer even though they were just plain ol cultured manilla clams. Complete fails on our dinners. The sirloin was severely under cooked (asked for medium and got rare), the scallops overcooked and rubber although I did like light asiago batter they were in I'd rather just have them seared without. On one salad we asked for NO blue cheese and it came with and as soon is it did the waitress realized the mistake and came back with the salad with an incomplete picking out of the blu cheese- so low life! and then blue cheese dressing on the side. The spinach salad was incredibly boring and lifeless for the price and venue. I have had many better spinach salads at sandwich shops. There was a reason why I hadn't been here in 15 years, (bad prime rib experience), and they will have to change chefs, name and attitude towards customer service before Id pay money like that for a dinner again. Get there early, get a window seat and enjoy the view and a drink then head somewhere else fir dinner.
(2)
Geoff M.
Yeah this place is great for date nights and business meetings. But, there's nothing like leaving work early to meet your wife for happy hour. This place is awesome for happy hour. (All their other food is great too.) The teriyaki elk bites, crab/artichoke dip and Cajun prawn appetizer is incredible. Pair it with $3 mojitos or $2 glad of wine and your golden. The service is outstanding. Super friendly and fast. The outside may not look like much, but that's par for the course in Anchorage. You have to go inside. The ambiance is relaxed and upscale, but not pretentious. The whole restaurant overlooks the inlet towards the west. No better view in Anchorage for sunsets and food.
(4)
Bao H.
This was my first stop when I traveled to Anchorage. My friend asked me to pick a place and based on Yelp I chose this. First off, I didn't think Anchorage could be so expensive. I guess my perception of the cost of living here is low, but wow the food prices are the same as where I'm from (Scottsdale, AZ). Needless to say, we ordered the Halibut cheeks and crab legs and my first Alaskan Brew drink -- Yah! I'm starting to believe cheeks are my favorite part of an animal to eat. Yeah weird to say. However, it was delicious; nice and tender with a tad bit of crunch from the breading. The sauce atop was nice and sweet. The crab legs were disappointing. For appetizers popping at $12 you'd think I get an entire crab or something. Nope, just 2 legs. In the end, the service was good and the bartender was nice. However, I continue with my next food adventure elsewhere since I was still hungry. Don't get me wrong I'd pay pretty $$ for some damn good a$% food, but I just wasn't blown away here. The ambience is nice and chill with a perfect view of the sea. Nice to enjoy a cigar maybe, but I don't smoke. - Enjoy!
(3)
Jerry N.
I was told that this was the nicest place in Anchorage. I made a reservation. I asked for window, but ended up in back.................very little view. I had the $65 KING king crab, it was okay, but at $65 for a pound, i found it to be very pricey as i can buy such for $15 and cook myself. Thought perhaps it was to be a treat or fresh (not) Our food came out luke warm as our waiter was more interested in the table of 16 he was waiting on next to us (who were loud) Food was good, but not wonderful, our view (although many views are awesome) stunk..................so we paid the high price and got zero deliverables.
(2)
O D.
Excellent, group of 4 plus baby. We had a variety of meals and all were good. The dessert was splendid, burnt vanilla, yum yum. Can be casual or formal. Everyone was welcomed. We had early reservations (baby issue) glad we went there.
(5)
Meghan L.
My family and I came here for dinner on a Friday night. The place was packed! The wait for a regular table was 1 hour so we opted to look for a table at the bar area. FOOD Half dozen oysters on the half shell: I didn't have any, but my family said they were very fresh. Clams: yummy!! I would recommend. There's not that much meat to be honest since most of the dish is shells, but still very good. Comes with fries and garlic bread. Macadamia crusted stuff halibut $35: excellent! Comes with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables (which weren't very exciting). The macadamia give the fish very nice flavor and texture. Halibut cheeks $36: also excellent! Extremely expensive as you only get three cheeks but they are delicious. Also comes with mashed potatoes. Virgin mojito $4.45: mostly ice so not really worth it, but really tasty Margarita: very strong SERVICE Our server was very friendly and prompt. She checked up on us often even though the place was packed at 9pm. AMBIENCE This restaurant has a very eclectic, 1800s feel with a modern twist. Loved the vintage-looking chandlers and fans. The seating at the bar area is very cozy, with up to two parties sharing a single bar table. Super clean and an amazing view! We sat at the bar area and there was a large window that stretched from wall to wall overlooking the Gulf of Alaska. TIP: come here at sunset around 9:30pm (summertime) and sit by the window. The view is breathtaking. OVERALL I would definitely come here again! The food is delicious although on the pricey side. The plating for our entrees was messy but the food made up for it. This place would make a lovely dinner date for any special occasion. They also validate 2hrs of parking at Captain Cooks parking garage across the street.
(5)
Tasha L.
Bummed. Splurged with a gift certificate and got some cocktails, an appetizer, salads, and LOBSTER for dinner. I was super excited for a lavish expensive dinner, but what I got was a really expensive salt lick and rubbery seafood. The asparagus was borderline inedible. The service was okay, but on the slow side. The drinks were good, though. Don't think we'll be back unless it's on someone else's dime.
(2)
Janine N.
We stopped in here for a bloody mary while waiting for a table across the street. We decided to try their breakfast instead of waiting 2 hours for a table at the other place. We were glad we did. The eggs Benedict were perfect. One of the best I have ever had. Great food, great views, great service.
(5)
Barb H.
We had the worst experience at this restaurant in Anchorage on Aug. 6, 2015!!! We arrived in Anchorage because we were starting a cruise the next day out of Seward. We were staying at the Marriott. All of us were in the Marriott Concierge Lounge and asked the server where we could enjoy a good seafood dinner. She suggested Simon & Seafort's Saloon and Grill. She made reservations for us but they only had an 8:30 seating available. Since we were leaving quite early the next morning, we decided to walk over to see if we could get an earlier seating. When we arrived, we were told that the bar had available seating and served the full dinner menu. We went in and seated ourselves. Nate came up and introduced himself. After that, it all went downhill. I am going to make this short since it was a long ongoing horrible experience. Nate did not pay attention to us or our order. For instance. he put in our order but realized he did it wrong but did not do anything about it until I was served incorrectly. He actually said he did that. We asked for things but never received it.....such as bread or another drink. Our dinner took forever since we had such bad service. After a while, a manager came over to us and said, "Nate told me he might have made you unhappy due to his lack of service and mistakes". She had the nerve to ask if we wanted a free dessert!!! So now he knew he messed up and the manager knew he messed up and now we were being offered a dessert???? Don't go to this restaurant unless you wanted to be treated as an out of town tourist who will be gone the next day. By the way, the crab cakes were mushy and salty.....I prefer real lump meat crab cakes! I hope this review helps in making your dinner reservations when traveling through Anchorage.
(1)
Monica B.
I loved this place. First of all, it has an amazing view. From anywhere in the restaurant, you can see the water and the best of Anchorage's breathtaking views. The restaurant itself is simple but in a very beautiful and tasteful way. It has a warm color palette that makes you want to stay for a while and have more drinks. The service is top notch. They have friendly, knowledge waiters who show an impeccable attention to detail. The drink was the deadly combination of super good, super sweet and super strong. Just what I want when I have a drink. The food is good and plenty. I had the steak and was blown away at how juicy and tender and flavorful it was. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The prices are not unreasonable and worth the quality of food and service. This would be a great place for a romantic dinner or any kind of formal celebration. Definitely a "must try" place to eat in Anchorage.
(5)
Nasha W.
I absolutely love eating here. Don't let the weird entrance through an outdated lobby in a building fool you. This places offers a beautiful view of the Cook Inlet at sunset. This place is wonderful for a special ocassion, date night, or a nice evening with friends or family. They had great drinks and were not stingy with the alcohol :-). The food items are delicious here. The menu is a bit pricey, but it is totally worth it. Making a reservation usually helps for a stress-free dining experience. Sometimes they can even get you a table next to a window, although you can still enjoy the view from any seat.
(5)
M B.
Had reservations (in the bar) for Thanksgiving (lunch). Were among first to arrive. Enjoyed an Irish coffee for starters. No complaints. Oysters on half-shell (earning both stars this day) were outstanding. Though there were several menu selections from which to choose, three of us (party of seven) opted for their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Disappointment set in when the food arrived. Gravy skinned over ...food lukewarm. Table service - fair. Not what one expects from one of Anchorage's "top tier" restaurants. Perhaps an anomaly...or we may be exhibiting a bit more "food snobbery" due to recent, multiple, restaurant visits in the Seattle area where random, visits, to a variety of establishments, proved EVERY excellent in value and quality...not so in Anchorage unfortunately...even at our most reputable eateries.
(2)
Emily F.
Kind of spendy, but with the view of sleeping lady and a really cool bar & lounge area, it's not a bad place to find yourself for a nice dinner!
(4)
Daniela L.
I had one night in Anchorage, so I headed down to (Yelp's) best place in town. It was just me, and I planned to have a drink while staring melancholically into the beautiful waters of the Sound from my seat in the Saloon area until a table opened for me in the dining room...but actually, I got to talking to a person sitting almost next to me at the high-table for more than an hour and stayed at the Saloon! I was sad to not see the halibut cheeks everyone raves about on the menu (maybe in the dining room only?) but I had some scallops encrusted with Asiago cheese instead that were super buttery & delicious. A bit heavy of a dish, though, with the mashed potatoes AND fried zucchini strings, too. As an appetizer, I got the jumbo prawn cocktail - yes, the prawns were insanely fresh but I was still surprised to see 5 prawns (not even that "jumbo") for $15.95. Maybe I'm just uneducated on the cost of fresh seafood? First but last (in this review), the classic Mojito was pretty damn good. My server was very nice; she first mistakenly thought me & the person I ended up eating with came together and then I think she was laughing about how her mistake came true... TLDR; good place to go even if you're alone; beautiful views; fresh seafood; be prepared to pay for it, though...duh.
(4)
Karen V.
Growing up I always came here with family for birthdays and special occasions (mothers day, easter, etc). First off....it has an AMAZING view. The food is always amazing as well. We tried the oysters for appetizer, which were delicious. I tried both the cocktail sauce and vinegarette sauce they came with, both paired well. I usually like to choose their fish, the most recent visit i had halibut cheeks and a crab stuffed mac nut halibut, it was paired with yukon potatoes and broccolini. The stuffed halibut was a little overcooked/dry, but still okay, i did enjoy the macadamia nut crust. The halibut cheeks were to die for! I also got a ceasar salad to start with, i really love their ceasar dressing. Each time the service is very nice. The staff is knowledgable about the food and drinks. I usually make reservations or call ahead to check to see if its not too busy. When we come for birthdays they set the table up for you with little pieces of ribbon to celebrate. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Amanda C.
Excellent customer service. First come first serve for best views in the house so make the reservation for an early dinner. The food is delicious. Has a country club vibe. Highly recommend stuffed halibut, and macadamia nut encrusted cod. Very pricey, however it is Worth the money if it is for a fancier night out. For example: Three entrees and six alcoholic beverages was roughly $160 including tip.
(5)
Chris R.
First time in Alaska. Came here for dinner. Started with the clam chowder, which was delicious. Had the macadamia nut and crab stuff halibut. Phenomenal. Tried about 5 bites of the king salmon. Best salmon I've ever had. Overall, excellent experience. Great food. Would definitely recommend.
(5)
Stephanie L.
Amazing service! Delicious food! This is definitely our favorite restaurant in Anchorage!
(5)
Stephanie S.
It's my first time in Alaska, and I was excited after hearing all the great things about the seafood. After trying almost every restaurant in Anchorage and even the famous 299 Park in the Denali area, I was beginning to think my stomach was meant to be in NY. Long and behold, the halibut cheeks from Simon and Seafort's. It was so flavorful and kinda reminded me of a juicy chicken if that makes sense. I also had the clams, shrimp cocktail, oysters, seafood chowder and the crabmeat as appetizers...I'm a big eater. I highly recommend the first three appetizers I mentioned. The rest of my party had the filet mignon, the pork ribeye, seafood fettuccine and the scallops. Surprisedly, I loved the filet mignon and the pork ribeye, but did not like the latter two. Still, the real winner for me is still my halibut cheeks with the pork ribeye and filet mignon as close runner-ups. Planning on returning tomorrow for my last day in Alaska!
(4)
Claire S.
Great views and great food. Actually, it's the best food I've had in Anchorage so far. The wait time can be exceedingly long, so make sure to have a reservation. My parents ate here are their anniversary and they went so far as to line their table with rose petals.
A bit overpriced, but all in all, solid food with a beautiful view. In fact, we went two nights in a row! The first evening, we split a salad, mussels, and the salmon. They give you warm bread and we had a great waiter Steve, who gave us all kinds of suggestions for what to do the next day near Anchorage. Steve was nice enough to split our food onto two plates back in the kitchen. The second night, we split the same berry salad, the cioppino, and another fish entree I cannot remember. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Tatyana K.
Dining in Alaska is always a strange experience. This place touts itself for beautiful views and high-end food. Well... the view is of a parking lot. You can see the bay but when it's overcast it's just the parking lot. The food is good -- generous portions with lots of butter. Eat your food fast or the waiter will remove it from the table like he did with our crab legs..
(3)
V J.
Pricey, yet excellent. I had the haddock cheeks which were out of this world. First time having Alaskan king crab, wasn't really any better than anything in the lower 48 and was expensive. Scratch margarita was excellent and so was the view. I look forward to coming back in the future
(4)
Yukiko M.
classis seafood restaurant. food quality does not meet the price.
(2)
Chris E.
This is largely a tourists' destination. I've been here twice over the past 3 years and don't think I'll come again. I found today's meal (again) subpar. There is better (and less expensive) King crap to be had. At $45 per lb, Humpy's was far superior at $40/lb. Also, I ordered a double shot cappuccino and was charged for 2 cappuccinos at $3.50 each. So $7 for my double. Why not charge the $3.50 and maybe a $1 for an add shot? Just felt ripped off today... treated like a one-time tourist. If you are going to pay the price, get a bit more atmosphere with Humpy's, Club Paris, or Marx's as alternatives.
(2)
Kimber A.
This used to be my go-to celebration type place- promotions, Mother's Day, etc. The food is still decent, and the drinks are well made, however the service seems to have gone down hill in the last couple of years. Wait times are quite long, the staff no longer seems knowledgeable about their menu, and mistakes are common. My family has actually received several complimentary gift cards to make up for poor service and quality, but we'll probably just end up giving them away to someone, since none of us really have any desire to go back. Too bad- I used to really, really enjoy this place!
(2)
Joshua T.
Had reservations for 6:30pm..arrived at 5:45 and was seated immediately. Ordered the 14oz chipotle steak cooked medium...it took a little while to receive and once I did it was cooked maybe along the lines of rare. The cilantro corn and potatoes were good. I have adjusted my previous rating to 4 stars from 3 after an unexpected message from Robert. Once we have another dining experience in the future I may change it to 5 stars if the food items I addressed with Robert are fixed during our next visit.
(4)
Ryan N.
Not at all what I expect from this restaurant. I've been here many times, and have always thoroughly enjoyed the food they serve. I'm not sure why it was so bad, must have just been an off night or something. We got a few appetizers, the clams were average and the warm brie was fairly tasty. I had the crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut as my entree. It was very dry. The crab and macadamia nut stuffing was kinda of just a squishy mess. As far as presentation goes, it appeared that it had just been thrown on a plate with some greens and mashed potatoes and some colorful specks of something. The mashed potatoes also happened to be cold. From past experiences and considering the cost of the food, I expect far more than what I was given. I will go back, but if I get a repeat of this I'll be taking my business elsewhere. On a side note, the waiter in the bar area did his job quite well. He was attentive and always around at just about the time you would want.
(2)
James P.
Halibut cheeks are outstanding!! I dine here every time I visit Anchorage - about 4 times a year - and I always get the halibut cheeks. It's something I cannot find in any restaurant where I live in California. Sort of a cross between halibut filet and scallop. More texture and flavor than regular halibut meat. Unfortunately, on my last visit just before Christmas, they had already depleted their stock and will have to wait till late spring to get more. Oh well. But I still enjoyed the recent dinner very much. Raw Alaskan oysters were fresh. Clams in wine-butter broth were plump and tasty! Crab cakes were mostly made of crab meat (unlike many places I have experienced) and moist. Finally, prime rib was juicy and perfectly cooked to the desired temp! Obviously no room for dessert after all that. Good service too. I cannot wait till my next trip to Anchorage!!
(5)
Mailliw S.
Yes. Nuff said next caller.
(4)
Galen L.
Can't beat the view. Food is above average and sometimes memorable. Great place to get halibut cheeks when in season. Crab is very good.
(4)
Erica C.
While visiting Alaska, I came here two nights in a row for their late night happy hour menu (9pm-11pm.) I must say, the oven roasted crab & artichoke dip was hella bomb! We had that on both nights. I was also able to sample some of the sweet potato fries and the classic sampler! The food is definitely amazing for happy hour pricing. They also have a great happy hour drinks menu, all for $4 each. I was definitely amazed with this place, and a bit jealous that Alaska has a great happy hour spot like this with amazing views!
(5)
Jason N.
There are no better crab legs ANYWHERE on the planet. Great Alaskan decor as well. We spent 3 years living in Alaska and went there all the time. Wish we could go back!
(5)
Janice M.
Our waitress was a little slow with drinks and spotty with service. The food was delicious. The chocolate indulgence was divine. Very classy over looking the inlet.
(3)
Lauren S.
Oh boy, this might be one of my favorite meals I've ever been delighted to have! We ordered the famous Halibut cheeks as well as the Seafood Louie salad. The Halibut cheeks were melt in your mouth, pieces of buttery heaven. One of the most incredible things I've ever tasted! The salad was loaded with tons of different seafoods and so fresh. I ended the meal with delicious burnt cream and a cappuccino while overlooking the water-view from the table. Worth every penny.
(5)
Jessica W.
My Husband and I recently moved here from the lower 48. We looked up this location on the web for lunch. The French Dip was amazing! My husband had the sirloin and crab sliders, party in the MOUTH!!! The view is the icing on the cake. Service was friendly, and attentive. We will definitely going back to try the dinner menu!
(4)
Eric L.
Wow... You can't go wrong with a staff recommendation. Yeah...
(4)
Jarod H.
Five stars. During a work visit to Anchorage, AK, visited here for dinner. And oh my, what an excellent dinner and dessert it was! Prices were a bit higher than in the lower 48, BUT, me being from neighboring Hawaii, the prices were right on. The halibut was so ono & the clam chowder really warmed one up on those cold Alaska eves. The fresh berry cobbler was very tasty. Highly recommend!
(5)
Lynn D.
Go for the view and enjoy some terrific food. We usually order halibut or salmon and have never had a bad portion. Reservations are a must, particularly in the summer. The acoustics in the room are not the best and it can be quite noisy. Wait staff is always wonderful. Have hosted large groups there and it's always been fun.
(4)
Lauren G.
Came in for happy hour when I was in town last week. Service was great. Professional, fast, and friendly. We each had a cocktail, the teriyaki tenderloins, and jalapeno cheese curds. All delicious. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Emma C.
I adore Simon & Seafort's. For fine dining, it's a favorite in town. In my mind, it's slightly better than Crow's Nest, but the two are likely held in similar esteem in town for quality of food and type. We dine out often as a family and take clients and guests out. We have a handful of spots we rotate, and CN and S&S are 2. I'm extremely familiar with their menu and ins/outs, so I'll break it down in a variety of ways by comparison (as you MUST try both not just one, if you haven't yet). ----- Customer Service: winner = SS - Both have amazing service. Can't go wrong with either. CN is a bit more uppity, whereas S&S is more down to earth. - You get a bit more 1-1 attention at CN. It helps there are multiple people "assisting" your table. The waitress never forgets or ignores you, they always are in close proximity and attending to you. - BUT If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick S&S. I once ordered strawberry lemonade, and they ran out of strawberry stuff, so they actually sent a waiter running down the street to a nearby shop to purchase some. I wasn't aware until the drink was presented. They said to me, "It's one thing to say, we're out of stock prior to the order, but we took the order, so we were going to make it happen one way or another." I love when restaurants go above and beyond to make your day. In turn, I'll never forget them. Menu Diversity and Size: tie - CN's menu is slightly smaller than S&S's. - CN's menu offers significantly less meat specialties and varieties than S&S's. - For meats, CN's portions are smaller than S&S's on average (unless you're ordering the lamb shank, which is huge everywhere). - For seafoods, CN's portions are slightly larger than S&S's. Appetizers: winner = SS - Both have great appetizers. I'd say for "complimentary breads," CN wins. They bring you a roll basket with 4 different loaf-types. I like the Parmesan, but enjoy the offer a variety. S&S's roll basket is standard. - Now, for bread + dips, S&S wins. Their Crab & Artichoke Dip is to die for. Once I came here and ordered 2 Crab & Artichokes to-go, for my lunch and dinner-at-home appetizer, lol. Yes, it's that good, try it! - For raw oysters, I slightly prefer CN's oysters over S&S's. S&S more specializes in Oyster Rockefellers, so it's hard to compare. CN only serves them as is, without variants. Seafood: winner = SS - Both have equally have emphasis on seafood dishes (perfect for the tourists and visitors). Both very fresh. - If I had to pick a clear winner between the two, it would be S&S, as their LOBSTER is the MOST AMAZING lobster I have ever tried. The seasoning is perfection. I'm crazy for this dish, I've brought every guest here just to try it. I force them to order the lobster, I promise to pick up the tab JUST so they can share in the amazing taste (yes, I'm a good friend, but they're equally good to me, too, in the same ways!). - S&S is amazing at seafood seasoning. Next, meats: winner = CN - As part of S&S's larger menu, they offer a larger assortment of meats. CN offers a smaller list, but prepares them perhaps a margin better (? depends on the chef's day, I guess, it's a close call/toss up). - I've noticed CN often tries to play on traditional Alaska and experiments with traditional meats, such as caribou, elk, etc. This is cool if you're hosting an experiment foodie guest! Last time, they had a prix fixe menu with elk on the list. - The duck is significantly better at CN than S&S. The sauce is a little heavy on honey, but the way it's prepared ad cooked is perfection. Perfect. I used to love S&S's orange duck, but it's been off the menu for years. CN's duck is still prepared better, but S&S's portion is more generous. Atmosphere: personal winner = SS - S&S is more casual, which probably has to do with the fact S&S isn't a sky lounge (it's not shabby either, though). S&S is on 1-floor and has a beautiful view of the ocean. I'd feel comfortable coming here in jeans and a t-shirt (although I'd probably feel better in a sweater)--I'm just saying, it's one of those places you don't feel pressure to dress up in. - CN is a place I feel a bit more pressure to do so (and I am a lazy person, so I actually personally prefer S&S for the atmosphere). It's a sky lounge, and most people dress "up" more than they do for S&S. S&S has a range of people, and some guys in jeans or slacks and button-up shirts that may be wrinkled, but most people at CN look a bit fresher, if that makes sense. Some women are in cocktail dresses here, which isn't the norm at S&S. ----- Ultimately, your preference between the 2 is going to come down to probably your personality meshing with atmosphere. Atmosphere and preference for seafood or meat will be YOUR tie breaker :) Hopefully my review helps those interested in CN and/or S&S!! Go try both, and give me feedback on my recs, suggestions, etc. Let me know what YOUR favorite was and if I was helpful at all!
(5)
Joanna F.
Really nice server but the food was not as good as I thought it would be. The clams tasted dirty and so did the bread that came with it. The steak had frozen butter on top which when it did melt the herbs were way to pungent and ruined it for me. The warm Brie however was very good. It had a macadamia nut crust, with a balsamic glaze on the side, fruit compote and green apples.
(3)
Thomas W.
Loved this place. Had happy hour. And then dinner. Very nice place. Great food. You will not go wrong.
(5)
John M.
Atmosphere, decor, great staff and stellar food.
(4)
Stefanie L.
Great atmosphere, view, food, and bartender! I would come back again and again! I had the halibut cheeks and of course, Loved Them!!! Very impressed!
I think this is a love it or hate it place. I ordered salmon and it was so oversalted, I coudln't even eat it. And they didn't replace it, so I went home hungry and paid for dinner that I couldn't even eat. Second time ordered a steak that took more than 45 minutes and was undercooked (sue me, I ordered medium). I've gone there 3 times, but not overly impressed with cooking. Pretty much just a nice view and fairly attentive waiters, but the food needs improvement.
(3)
Michael C.
On a recent trip to Alaska, we stopped in here for dinner on our last night in Anchorage! Im so glad we did! The food here is awesome! The service was even better. The view is off the hook. Bloody Mary's were tasty. The oysters on the half shell were wonderful, the prime rib was cooked perfect and tender as all hell. The stuffed Halibut was moist, and the side dishes were all cooked to perfection. This place is a little pricy, but well worth it. This should be a must, for your trip to Alaska! This place can be busy, so I would recommend a calling ahead......
(4)
Holly E.
The meal I had here was one of the best meals of my life. We made a reservation online because our anniversary fell on a holiday weekend. We mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary when we made the reservation and when we arrived we were seated right away at a quaint table by the window overlooking the harbor. Our table was decorated with red rose petals and we were treated to a complimentary dessert. They offered to pack our dessert to-go because we were stuffed. Simon and Seaforts may be pricey but they aren't one of those fancy restaurants where you pay a lot and get teeny tiny portions. They provide hearty portion sizes. Their scratch margaritas were the best I've ever had. My husband had the prime rib and he said it was the best meal he'd ever had. I had the red king crab legs (the more expensive type) and it was a plentiful helping of crab. Even the vegetables were remarkable. If you are looking for a classy place to have an excellent meal or celebrate a special occasion, this is the place to go!
(5)
Stephen G.
Food was great. SERVICE WAS SLOW. 45 minutes between my order and appetizer. 30 minutes from there to my meal. 8 of us and a $500 bill yet none of us were happy. Constant dead silences and boredom after a 3 hour experience. FOOD WASNT WORTH IT!!!
(1)
Kira D.
Happy hour basil gimlets. Nuff said.
(4)
Mike S.
Overrated! We were in town to climb Denali, and were looking for some great seafood. We all found Simon and Seafort's to be overpriced for what it offered. Small portions. Pretty disappointed in the Anchorage food scene in general. Hard to find good seafood here (ironic, isn't it?)!!! I would recommend the Glacier Brewing Co. over this place.
(3)
Cathy N.
I am writing another review as it has been a while since we went to Simons! Wow! The prices have GONE UP since we last were there. An average dinner there now is over $30 and many of the menu items including salads are gone. The portions have also decreased. I got a bowl of clam chowder and the bowl was literally about 1/3 full and rest was bowl. About two clams in there. Very good chowder but woah... The salmon serving for $36 was so small, very sad. We were very disappointed with the price increase and serving size decrease! The service was wonderful and attentive - and we enjoyed the atmosphere as always. But I don't think we will be looking to eat there much more unless there are better prices and portions - and this is a place we have frequented for years! Sorry Simons!
(2)
Nicole G.
It has been a while since I have been here but when I have gone it was good food. Beautiful view for sure. The service is good. It is spendy but its higher end. Its a great place to go to before a fancy show in downtown. I need to go back and try them again for sure.
(3)
Jessie L.
You have to try to go there during their happy hour and go early otherwise you won't get a good seat. My friend and I went at 5pm and got the best french dip sliders, teriyaki chicken with rice, and sweet potato french fries. We had the cabernet and it was really good! I definitely will go again during the happy hour. The view is amazing and we really enjoyed the atmosphere there! Check it out!!
(5)
Whitney S.
The view was amazing. The happy hour menu was okay, full menu available at 4:30pm. The margarita was delicious!!! Wonderful oysters.
(3)
Aleida S.
Lovely food, lovely service, great atmosphere. My only regret is that I didn't get to enjoy the view as we visited for dinner.
Any halibut related meal was very good. Raw oysters along with the crab meat with artichoke appetizer are great first choices. If you are looking for a very nice meal, this is a can't miss place
(5)
Sarah D.
I wish I could give this 2.5 stars. This place came highly recommended so I was excited to give it a try. My husband and I arrived about 45 minutes before our reservation and enjoyed a drink in the bar. I had a Moscow Mule and my husband had a Dark 'n Stormy. They were okay. I liked the bar but felt it was just a tad too bright. Good crowd, though. A wide variety of people to watch, which is always fun. We were promptly sat at our reservation time. Again, the dining room was definitely too bright. It felt like a "family dining" establishment, instead of one of Anchorage's premier restaurants. The decor was also very unimpressive. Again, the words that keep coming to mind are "family dining". We started off with the crab and artichoke dip. The bread it was served with was wonderful, as was the dip. I had the pacific cod with anduille sausage served with crispy grits and green beans. The green beans were undercooked. I could barely cut through them. The cod was fine, sausage was very spicy but good, and the crispy grits were yummy. My husband had the halibut cheeks with brocolini. Again, his vegetable was undercooked. Halibut cheeks were great! We both had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and it was fine. Our experience was not bad at all. Most everything was average and unimpressive. I would rather go to the Glacier Brewhouse (which we did for desert) or just about any other pub in town. I will steer visitors to Anchorage elsewhere before recommending Simon & Seafort's for a meal. I would recommend the bar, though.
(2)
Cristobal C.
Great menu and awesome service... We come to Simon's for brunch on Easter. The view of the mountains and Inlet is great and the food is top drawer. The parking is sometimes an issue but there is a pay lot next to the building that charges an arm and a leg. The kids love the waffles.
(5)
Carol K.
Ultimate MaiTai's were fantastic. Brunch was good. Crab cake Benedict was delicious. Got a window table as requested. Service was excellent. Maybe a little overpriced for brunch
(4)
Mehreen V.
I end up at Simons a lot because it is the closest restaurant I can walk to from home. I usually sit on the saloon side which has a more casual atmosphere than the dining side. Also the full menu and bar menu are available on the saloon side. I find the food to be so-so. Some items are great and others are mediocre. Given the pricing, seems the menu should be consistently good! My favorite item on the menu so far has been the grilled steak salad. Last night we had dinner there and ordered the crab cakes as an appetizer which took almost 45 minutes. The waiter did say they were having some problems in the kitchen due to a power outage the previous night when we asked what was taking so long. The crab cakes were a bit dry and could use a side sauce. For entrees, I ordered the macadamia stuffed halibut which I also found to be a bit dry. My friend had the prime rib and thought it was really good. Portion sizes are large! We shared a key lime pie for dessert and it was incredible. I was wishing I didn't have to share it! I also had a few lemon drop martinis which were OK but the glass was sticky and made my hands sticky... annoying! Also the waiter forgot to bring us bread. We didn't really want any so didn't ask for it, but I thought that was weird.
(3)
Steven B.
The food is good, said to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Anchorage, but the service is poor to say the least. My 'server' had to take my order twice and then I sat and waited, and waited. Finally my 'server' went to get my drink as no-one else noticed. I reminded the 'server' that I had ordered oysters. She finally brought them on a large (too large) bed of ice and promptly spilled half the ice on the table and left it there! I flagged down a busboy and got them to clean up the ice. My meal was good, but far too expensive given the quantity. The 'serve' got my dessert fouled up and finally a 'manager' took care of it. Given the price, service, and merely good food I would not go again.
(3)
Noah S.
Simon and Seafort's is a pretty good bet any time you really need some snacks downtown. I think the fact that it is prohibitively expensive and without is actually a plus in my review because you can always get a table at the bar right after work. It's a pretty classic happy hr thing for me to go to orsos...too crowded then brewhouse too crowded then decide between fletchers and simon and seaforts. The thing that really kicks the review up a couple notches is the view. It's a very odd thing that more downtown restaurants do not take advantage of the fact that anchorage is on the waterfront. I love sitting at one of the tables next to the huge picture windows and sipping beers until I get some delicious wings or a nice 25-30 dollar pasta or fish dish. Om nom nom nom nom. What ever though. Simon and seaforts gets the job done but no one has ever been like...OOOOO it's my favorite restaurant nor should they.
(4)
Joe C.
Food... amazing. Drink selection... amazing. Wait time for service... borderline unbearable. If you allocate three hours for dinner, this is your place. If you prefer more expedited dining, keep looking. Otherwise, enjoy food, it could be worth the wait (with enough drinks).
(4)
Hao-Han L.
The view and the food here are ok, but its service is terrible. Our server ordered wrong dish, serve wrong dish, forgot our soup and overcharged on bill. It was the worse dining experience for us in Alaska.
(2)
Brittany R.
We absolutely love this place! We went here for our anniversary and they decorated the table with rose petals and received a free dessert. Our server was extremely nice and we both loved our food! The place is defiantly old fashioned when it comes to decor, but the view from our table was great!
(5)
Flash W.
Been going to this restaurant for years. It is a standby when I don't want to wonder about if the food will be good. Food is great. Service can have its ups and downs but for the most part is good. View is great. If you are visiting get a window seat.
Went to the bar for drinks and the view. Got the Pomegranate Mojito and the Spiced Long Island Iced Tea. Both were very tasty and made with the good stuff. We ended up ordering the Bread Pudding with Bourbon sauce after our drinks and it was amazing. Highly recommend it. Stayed to watch the sunset, which was beautiful from the windows in the bar area. Great view, great drinks, great dessert, and waitress was awesome, too. Can't wait to go back. Appetizer menu in bar also looked super tasty. Great for a date or an adult night out.
(5)
Marly H.
I gave two stars because we really had a light dinner and could have tried more on the menu. This was the first place we ate in Alaska and so was one of the first exposures that we had to food. Based on the reviews, which are why I made the reservation instead of eating at one of the hotel restaurants that had not as good reviews, we ended up at Simon and Seafort's. I was hoping for fresh and local seafood with maybe some other options on the menu. By the time we got there though, we were not hungry for a big dinner, so we were limited in our order. The restaurant was plain and noisy. The tables and chairs were really packed in, and I can't say that there was a very nice view of anything in particular from where we were sitting. We ordered the crab cakes and clam chowder. The crab cakes were completely mediocre. I seem to be using that word a lot about food we ate in Alaska, and it really bums me out. I was looking forward to fresh crab and delicious fish! The crab cake was made with real crab, which is better than the alternative. It lacked flavor though and seemed to have a lot of filling. We didn't like the topping that came with it though. The clam chowder was decent, but we've had far better. It's disappointing because we expected more. For an appetizer and two soups it seemed like we spent kind of a lot of money, which seems to be a theme at Alaska restaurants as well. I'd really love to try some of the places that local people go when we go back to Alaska because I feel like we ended up with a lot of tourist trap, not so great, food. Perhaps less so at Simon and Seafort's, but I really don't see what the rave reviews are about for this place.
Food = 5 Price = 5 (in line for AK... 100.00 for 2 X 3 beer/wine each and apps) Experience = 5 (come here for sunsets... it's AK at it's best) love the great views sampler platter was great for 3 of us...
(4)
Ron C.
For my last night in Anchorage visiting, I am very happy that I had a chance to experience this restaurant. Very nice atmosphere and excellent service from Steve, the seafood cioppino was awesome although a little bit scarce on the seafood portion. Great picturesque views, prices reasonable for a decent restaurant and even close to much more casual places in downtown. You can also dine in the bar area, as the restaurant menu is available there also with great views and you can get discounted appetizers during happy hour time. A little less formal there, and also great if only dining by yourself as I was. Tip: the restaurant has what they call a first seating menu - $30 for a complete dinner with soup or salad, entree, and dessert from 430-530 daily. The offering look really good when I was there but I wanted more hardcore fresh seafood.
(4)
Ketmany S.
I absolutely love Simons! Especially during the holidays when Costco carries the two $50 gift card for $80!! Such a great deal. Simon has never disappointed me. Steaks are always cooked perfectly, food is fresh and service is amazing. I simply cannot complain. And the mojitos are way too amazing!! This place is pricey, undeniable. But, you really get what you pay for. Definitely a place to go to for a special night out, or holidays. Or just happy hour!! They bar area is awesome for a more casual feel. The entire restaurant has such great views of the inlet. Try street parking, or park in the Captain Cook garage. Simons validates parking, so no worries there.
My wife and I went there for dinner our first night in Anchorage. It was really easy to get to, we walked up the Costal Bikeway and then walked back down L Street. The views were amazing! We got seated after about an hour wait (it was a Saturday) at about 9:30pm which was as then sun was going down. The sky was amazing at that time. I got the halibut cheeks and my wife got the alaskan salmon. Both dishes were absolutely delicious and well worth the price and the wait.
(5)
Jessica M.
Excellent brunch menu, amazing view on the bar side of the restaurant and a Bloody Mary bar. Let me be more specific...some of the brunch items our group enjoyed included delicious French Toast, smoked salmon Egg's Benedict,and a prime rib hash. We indulged in the Bloody Mary bar because it included: bacon, green beans, asparagus, homemade Bloody Mary juice, various olive choices, hot and sweet peppers, and many hot sauce options. Service was attentive. Be sure to sit on the bar side to enjoy the view!
(4)
Melissa G.
We went here twice on our visit to Alaska and while the second time wasn't as great as the first, they still made a fan of me. So, what are these halibut cheeks everyone keeps talking about? I didn't know so I asked our waiter. He said they are a local delicacy and, yes, actual cheeks of the halibut. He said they have the flavor and consistency of crab legs (in other words, they are pretty rich). I have to say I did not get the cheeks mainly because I can only handle a few crab legs and they bring you 3 or 4 of these cheeks. BUT, if you love crab legs and can easily handle their rich flavor, then I say go for it!! As for me, I got the salmon both nights. Their menu has 2 "char-grilled salmon" listings. One is more sweet with a brown sugar and pecan butter while the other is more lemony. The lemony version was better, but that might have been because the salmon was not overcooked while it was the second time. Their mixed drinks are wonderul, especially the lavender martini!!! The service is great. On my first visit, I accidently spilled my martini (I only had about 1/4 left in the glass) and our waiter insisted I get a new one on the house! My overcooked salmon on my second visit? I got a new steak of salmon and a free dessert. They really want to please! Reservations are not necessary, but recommended. Also, don't worry about dressing up for this. As was explained by our tour guide, there is "Alaska-time" and an "Alaska dress code". They won't rush you through dinner here (which isn't a bad thing) and you might be done with your entree and the dishes removed from your table before a dessert menu is offered. People dress as they please for this restaurant, so if you only have your fleece and a pair of jeans on hand, then no problem. And if you don't make reservations? Grab a seat in the bar area - the menu is the same.
(4)
Tina J.
This place is good just don't get enough food to me for the price. I had the crab legs the bread is good n my meal was good to. The view is very nice also
(5)
Mimi T.
We came here on our first night in Anchorage - I was suprirsed to find a restaurant inside what seemed like an office building. The service was friendly and the food was pretty good. I had the halibut cheek and it was nicely done. Would visit again when I return to Anchorage!
(4)
Betsy B.
"I've been here a number of times and always enjoy it but it is popular and reservations are highly recommended or you will experience a wait although you can often get into the bar to eat. They have an extensive menu and portions are large. The view of the water is really nice so ask for a window table. The bar is usually crowded and noisy but not overwhelming and there is also a view of the water from there. I have always enjoyed the fish dishes. The halibut is always good and cooked the way it should be. They have a good key lime pie for dessert.
(4)
Giovanni C.
Classic views, classic decor, classic menu and very classy patrons. Too bad the servers seem to have developed an attitude about it. It would be nice to remember that we are after all in 'tough friendly' Alaska, and that, if the salmon special is $44. (one third more than the regular salmon listed in the menu), it would be 'classy' to mention it. Not that it matters when the all dinner experience is in the $100. a head, but it would prevent eyebrows' arching. Mine arched.
(4)
Monica M.
I was expecting more. Definitely 3rd on my list of 3 dining experiences in Anchorage. (1) Yamato Ya (2) Orso (3) S&S. In town on business and my coworkers all agreed.
(3)
D G.
This restaurant was OK, not great. The fish was fried and greasy--too bad.
(2)
Tom S.
I love it here. My favorite place to eat north of Canada. Sit in the bar and find all the oddities in the paintings.... Have a few drinks first!
(5)
Toni M.
Good Food, Great Service, Excellent Views. Not too big of a non-seafood selection.
(4)
Bryce H.
This somewhat pretentious place has ok food and drinks. Too bad they cost so much. I give 3 stars for half price apps during happy hour.
(3)
Mulberry S.
let's face it. people think they pay for the view here but this place has a view you could get from almost anywhere nearby, including the street outside. you're on the ground floor. go figure. the same goes for its food. mammoth portions of cheap ingredients is not what i call value. taste is subpar for the area. i ordered three appetizers (hey, i'd been in the bush a while) and had enough food for an army plus a few bears. i'd gladly take 1/3 the portions in exchange for some quality. i ate as fast as i could but soon i realized the dip was full of preservatives, the cheese was made from soy and the breading...ugh. don't let it get cold if you know what i mean. i had to send it back before it made me ill. to top it off, service was terrible. three waitresses standing near my table yakking about problems in the kitchen. none of them actually watching tables. no training? one waitress parked at the far end of the bar with the bartender as if they were on a private date. hellllooooo, can i interrupt your love-in to get a little refill over here? first question she asked when she finally came back "are you local?" doh! if i show interest it's not because i want to date you, it's because i'm paying for you to wait on me.
(1)
K. L.
Stellar food, stellar service, amazing menu that never leaves me disappointed. It is a bit pricey, but it makes for an amazing night out.
(5)
T. N.
I highly recommend their happy hour. Decent specials and a great atmosphere for a somewhat fancy after-work social hour. But I can't really recommend the restaurant for dinner. The atmosphere is nice and the view is pretty darn good, but the service and food leave quite a bit to be desired for the prices they charge. I've had a couple different entrees here and, while they were nice enough, they didn't justify the price sticker. It's good, not great. Anyway if you are looking for a special atmosphere for a nice dinner and you're willing to pay a premium even though the food won't knock your socks off, then S&S is a good choice. Otherwise you can find better food for a lot less money elsewhere.
(3)
katulka r.
People love this place and I just don't get it. I've had dinner here once and wouldn't go back. Everything, from salad to their signature halibut to dessert, was DRENCHED in sauce. I tend to believe that good food cooked well just doesn't need a ton of sauce to dress it up (or kill all taste in this case). Also, our server brought us the wrong appetizer and then argued that he wasn't wrong. The view is fantastic, and I've had some fun in the bar. But at their prices, forget the restaurant. If you want a nice, spendy meal for a special occasion, try the Corsair, Club Paris, or Ginger.
(2)
Chimena C.
First time here. Its overpriced for what you get. A very standard commercial feeling meal for about $30 a piece. Ehhh there has to be something better around here..Seems busy.
(3)
Andrea T.
Happy Hour Heaven! I went and spent a glorious winter, Friday evening with my hubby and friends at Happy Hour and we had a great time. The food was very delicous and not just because I had three pomegranate maragaritas. (Those were amazing, by the way)Went went early, which was a good idea as this place gets packed. The parking gods smiled upon us, but not the table gods. We didn't get a table along the expansive windows which afford you an incredible view. But don't worry...we will back! Order the TRIO...you will know what I am talking about when you go.
(4)
Geneva H.
Great service, atmosphere, food, and cocktails. Delicious cocktails. So good, my bf proposed there over a plate of king crab.
(5)
Shawn K.
The restaurant to hit up in Anchorage. Nestled on the Cook Inlet with picturesque views of the snow capped mountains. The food is very good albeit a little spendy in the restaurant. The bar is where it is at. half off appetizers from 5 pm to 7 pm and drink specials all day. This one of the places to see and be seen!!!
(4)
Sarah M.
Going for lunch will save you money and going for dinner with get you brownie points. I've never had a bad meal at S&S and the service is consistently attentive and friendly, if a bit slow. Nice view of the inlet and Sleeping Lady. Probably the best (and most expensive) seafood menu in Anchorage. The only issues: the place has a slight sweaty foot odor when you walk in and the parking is abysmal. Other than that, a great place to eat.
(4)
Dawn A.
Highlights of the evening: The Wild Berry Ice cream was a favorite by those with a sweet tooth at the table. It disappeared in seconds . . . which could not be said for the rest of the meal. Synopsis: While we were in Anchorage for the Mayors Marathon, we went to Simon and Seafort's based on the four star rating from Yelp . We were smart enough to get a reservation before hand. . . other wise, we probably would have to have found someplace else to eat as the line was out the door. While the menu was creative, the chef had a heavy hand with the salt. My friend and I ordered the Seafood Cannolli . . . which neither of us were able to finish more than two bites . . . there was at least 300% of the recommended daily allowance of sodium in the the entree. The waiter was very eager to please in a refreshing, boyish kind of way . . .. we were a little confused when he kept apologizing for the delay in getting our appetizers and entrees . . . until we figured out that the prime motivation was table turnover -- to the point of annoyance. At one point, we were so put off by the 'rush' we were getting, we pulled out a deck of Uno cards just to see the reaction on the waiters face. He did a triple take and blanched visibily. We were also surprised at how attentive the wait staff was in refilling our water glasses . . .until we realized that they were coming by our table so they could get an eyefull of the overly exposed cleavage of the women sitting in the table behind us. I'm sure there was a path worn thin in the carpet as a result. Definitly not the experience we were expecting.
(2)
Lana R.
We like to eat in the bar. More casual and less crowded. Half price appetizers after 9pm every night. Mac and cheese with bacon crumbles? YES! Scallop and salmon lollipops? YES! Burger and fries? YES! Buffalo prawns? YES! Pudding trio? YES! Chocolate cake? YES! Bar staff is quite knowledgable and friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Mee-stique K.
The seafood here are sooo fresh it seems as if you just went to catch them yourself. I think you should stick to the local foods there...must better...i had a seafood pasta and it was not the best...but gosh the clams and mussels were sure fresh! now with that comin from a pasta lover, that's not good! But the service was good and the bread...as i have mentioned before...it's all about the bread! For those who have not tried halibut cheeks...this is something you must try! it is amazing! and they prepared it very well!
(4)
John P.
When you make it up here to Anchorage, this is one of the places you MUST eat at. They have a wonderful menu, specializing in Alaskan Fish, on their Seafood Menu. The fish plates are AMAZING, as are their beef dishes. The cost of a Simon/Seaforts can get expensive, however. you will remember this dining experience for a very long time. The Wait Staff are courteous, and professional. The Chef/Cooks/Prep Cooks are the best in the area. A lead chef is in the "dungeon" at all times. Now then the FOOD! I have tried the following: Appetizers: Hot King Crab and Artichoke Dip Colossal Buffalo Prawns Classic Sampler, (Roasted Garlic Prawns,Teriyaki Beef, and the Above Dip) Now let me tell you the negatives of these: NOTHING! THEY ARE GREAT. En tree's: Bison Cowboy Steak Prime Rib Seafood Brochettes (Salmon, Prawns, Scallops,all Alaskan) Seafood Linguine Pan Seared Chicken Breast, with Roasted Mushroom Stuffing. Salads are always fresh, and if you try the soups, (which you should), all I can tell you about their White Chowder, is it is the stuff dreams are made of!!! I have yet not to have any bad experiences here. I tried their Easter Sunday Brunch, and had Prime Rib Hash, unbelievable. By all means go here. BUT watch the wine list, the only bad part of the place are the wine prices. Have water, we have the best!
(5)
Sara F.
Recently tried this place blindly while visiting Anchorage for my first time & was SO happy we found this gem! Amazing seafood is all I can say! We got there right as happy hour was ending & saw the huge wait for a table & decided to hit the bar for a drink but ended up having dinner there as well. We scored a great table with a beautiful view of the harbor at the bar which was nice too. I love a good seafood restaurant that's close to the water, that's a a good sign to me that you'll get fresh seafood! For a starter drink, I ordered a simple cosmo & the husband got a dirty martini, which were both made so well! Really cold, which I love, and the olives in the husbo's martini were stuffed w/cheese so obviously they were stolen. My cosmo was super refreshing & not overly sweet. For our main dishes, we shared the parmasean crusted halibut & seafood loui & clam chowder...all of it was absolutely delicious! I'm drooling thinking about it right now & can't wait to go here again!
(5)
John-Michael C.
A local once told me about this place while I was in town. It was a great spot...nice view of the water and apparently a lot of locals hang out here. Very old school - kind of like Cheers with a restaurant...or did they have on that show too? The food was particularly special - it was good local food. I think what it really was that they had just pulled the fish out of the water and cooked it there and then. It was that fresh tasting. Maybe it was the 22 hours of daylight that got to be and made me chipper, but I just really liked the place. I am looking forward to coming back here during the winter with more darkness....I'm a night person so you could imagine this being some what of a personal hell....it was hard to sleep. ;D
(5)
Vidhya S.
This is one of my favorite spots in Anchorage. My co-workers and I love sitting in the bar... more casual. My favorites are the 'famous' crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut, the lobster mac and cheese, open faced seafood ravioli.. and all the desserts are delicious. I'm sure everything else is delicious, i just love those dishes so much I can't be convinced to try anything else. I would note that this place can be a little pricey.. entrees are from 18-30$. totally worth it though.
(5)
Cory O.
This was the ultimate prom place when I was in high school, so I've had plenty of opportunities to check it out and each time left feeling only so-so about the food. The service is great and the seafood is fresh, but it'll be fresh pretty much everywhere in Anchorage, so why pay the high price tag? There are much better fine dining establishments in the area to eat at, and chain dining is always a second choice for me.
(3)
Bridget F.
This restaurant was the first place we ate when my husband and I arrived in Alaska for our honeymoon. When we got to the table, there were rose petals on it! Even the owner stopped by to welcome us not only to his restaurant, but to Alaska. The food was terrific! Crab stuffed halibut is the best I've ever had! S&S has converted me to a halibut-lover. Great service. Great view. Great first experience for an Alaskan honeymoon!
(4)
Cheryl M.
This might have been our best meal in Alaska. We went early and walked in without a reservation. Great service, great views, and I would definitely recommend the halibut cheeks/ halibut combo dinner. It was outstanding.
(5)
Lily P.
We came here during our vacation and had the BEST CRAB LEGS EVER! Although we were very spoiled because the crab was fresh, not frozen (we went in June). We love crab and had it 4 times during our trip here, this was amazing and is the scale by which all crab is now measured. Sadly due to eating too much appetizer and bread I didn't eat my filet but my sister who got my leftovers said it was fantastic.
(5)
Toonces The Driving Cat K.
Great place for girl's night!!
(4)
Maura P.
if the deer or duck entrees are on the menu when you go, get one! super tasty and tender. if not the fish is usually great. the desserts are good, too
(4)
Brad W.
the view was the best part. just spectactular. the food was good to great but i just don't get the service. i felt rushed. but there was very little interaction with my server. he dropped off the menu and asked what i wanted thats about it. i have higher expectations when im paying these prices. lots of good local alaskan food. they should put the time and effort into the service they do in the food.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
T O.
Wow, I have been going to Simon's for over 25 years and the food has never been worse than very good. The view is one of the best in the city and the dining room is nicely appointed. Yes, it is a little bit pricier than some fine dining places, but it is always worth it. We just went again a couple weeks ago for dinner with my parents and it was a perfect evening. We chose to take advantage of their First Seating option for only $25 per person which is a killer deal. You get coffee, tea or soda, soup, chowder or salad, an entree and a sundae or sorbet. Our group had asiago halibut, cajun fettuccine and baby back ribs and they were all amazing! They also serve Happy Hour drinks in the dining room and their pomegranate margaritas for only $4 are a steal. Here are the food highlights I have discovered over the years: 1) Fresh Sourdough Bread - this is always served before the meal and it's hot and great! 2) Salmon Chowder - best chowder I have had in my life. 3) White King Salmon - Always order this if it's on the menu. It's ridiculously good! 4) Fresh Silver Salmon - This is always a guaranteed great meal. 5) Fresh Raspberry Iced Tea - Probably the best iced tea anywhere unless you don't like your tea sweet. 6) Halibut, Cod, and any other fresh Alaska seafood never disappoints. 7) Artichoke and King Crab Dip - This is a new favorite and during happy hour it's half price. 8) First Seating Menu - This is the best deal in Anchorage for food hands down. We will go back every time we visit Alaska (usually 3 times a year). Also, their waitstaff was exceptional this past time and is rarely off. They are great with special requests too and one time the chefs even whipped up the best meatloaf any of us had ever had when my grandmother came with us and couldn't find anything that she wanted on the menu. She was a picky eater and the Simon's staff didn't blink an eye and went beyond the extra mile to accommodate. Oh, they have also accidentally thrown away leftover containers twice in my 25 years of going here and both times they gave us completely new meals to take with us. Every time we have them wrap up our food in to go containers I secretly hope that they will throw it away so that I can get an entirely new meal. Enjoy Alaska and definitely go here to have Alaskan seafood the right way.
(5)Courtney R.
Boy oh boy I wanted to LOVE this place, I was ready to get DOWN on some crab. Boy oh boy was I disappointed. The food was ok, the view (which everyone swore by) was ok, the service was good but ultimately overpriced and not good food.
(2)Jozo Joe Z.
Go for the view. But don't expect any greatness. It's just okay.
(2)Carol M.
Went here for lunch with 4 others. Everyone's meal was fabulous. The wrap, the soup, salad and fish & chips were all high quality. The tartar sauce had artichoke hearts in it (I think). The strawberry lemonade was great! We didn't have enough room for the keylime pie or cobbler and they looked wonderful. Next time.
(4)Amber G.
This place really took my breathe away. We had the perfect table with a spectacular view and a super cute waiter, he was just as sweet as can be. I went here on my 16th birthday as a kid and will always remember it. I had the best halibut of my life and the service was devine....from sweet cheeks. I can not remember his name...oh well. The only reason this place did not a perfect score is because they presented me with one of my biggest pet peeves. The butter they served with bread was hard as a rock. As a matter of fact ....it was even served in a silver dish resting on ice...BAD !!!! Never do this....no matter how ritzy it looks. I want my butter soft, whipped, or spreadable.
(4)Dan N.
Besides smelling like piss from the bathrooms in the hallway entrance to this shore side restaurant, it's a great place to get seafood! They also mailed me a gift certificate! Love em for that! But I much prefer Glacier B-House or even Humpy's(on a good night)
(3)Celeste C.
The reviews appropriately set my expectations. I ate here on a business trip and I felt that it was a good local experience. The view of the water is great. However, despite some negative review comments, I still had higher expectations of the award winning halibut dish. It was really breaded and I didn't think it had much flavor. The service was good but the general experience was not really a fine dining experience. I am still glad I went but I do not plan on going here again on my trip.
(3)Dave R.
great food. Service was good. Place was very busy.
(4)Moira I.
Even with a reservation, this place is still packed on a Friday and you do have to wait to get a table. But never fear, there is a bar, equally packed, where you can distract yourself with a beverage and marvel at the things people in Alaska will wear for a night of fine dining. Velour jogging suits do not count as formal wear, people! I was in gastronome heaven. Excellent seafood, AMAZING duck confit. We stayed until there were only two other tables and that made it a bliss full evening. Comfy and elegant is a difficult combination to pull off, but they do it well. Wait staff are probably the coolest bunch of faux hawk wearing cats ever. I hear they have an early dinner special thingy, where you can get three courses for a steal. Totally worth a shot.
(5)K S.
Great food, great service, great views. The Crab dip is a must.
(5)Christie K.
My favorite restaurant in Alaska! My uncle took us out here on our last day in this great state, and it was PERFECTION. Normally, I hate when people order salads in restaurant (what's the point in ordering expensive rabbit food?), but the salad I shared here was amazing~ THE SALAD I HOLD ALL SALADS TO! I also had the filet mignon with crab topping. I remember being in SHOCK when my sister tried to put steak sauce on this MAGNIFICENT creation, and I slapped her hand away from tainting something so perfect. If I'm ever back in Alaska, I'd definitely return~
(5)Courtney P.
A bit spendy, but yum The boyfriend and I shared a tower appetizer, it was great, terryaki steak bites, sushi rice and crab and artichoke dip. Super disappointed in the prawns, they're a tad bit over done and just a let down to the whole combo, but still decent, I guess. We had: Mango Mojito: yum Raspberry Mojito: yum Pomegranate Lemonade thing: yum The only other complaints are that the waitress was wearing the most fake smile, EVER, she carded me but not the boyfriend and that's insulting to me, everyone should be carded if they're close to the same age in appearance, not just the chick AND the bathrooms need some major updating and cleaning. I'll definitely go back when I have a hundred bucks to blow.
(4)Niambi M.
This a classic case of: high expectations + beautiful views - obnoxious hostess - frazzled waiter - average bar + lovely setup - long, long wait (even WITH a reservation!) + very good food - long, long wait for said food to arrive --------------------------------------------------Â--- = a very generous 3 stars
(3)Catherine M.
The restaurant was great, but I feel a little over priced, hence the 4 stars. Went here for our anniversary, and had stuffed halibut and halibut cheeks. They were both delicious! Would have liked them just a little hotter, but very good all the same. Service was good, although not great, and we should have asked for a view, but forgot about that part so that was our fault.
(4)Mike D.
Wa wa weee waaaaa! I had a fantastic meal here with coworkers on a business trip in Anchorage. Absolutely get the halibut cheeks if they're on the menu. Best fish entree I've had in years. They're pan sauteed with a crispy crust and melt-in-your-mouth interior. The fresh King Salmon grilled with asparagus was beautifully plated and absolutely delicious in its simplicity. Key lime pie was a great dessert choice. Our server was fabulous; knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. Essential, if wallet draining dining.
(5)Cindy O.
Simon's is hands-down one of my favorite places to eat in Anchorage. The service is always topnotch and the food excellent. The only thing that keeps me from giving it five stars is that it is VERY noisy. If my husband and I want to have a quiet dinner conversation, we tend to go elsewhere. We've always been very happy with the food and service and yes it IS pricey. But so's everything else in Alaska, particularly when it comes to eating out. On a recent trip there we had the chocolate cake with Alaska wild berry ice cream rather than the vanilla. I know to ask for it, it hasn't been on the menu in a few years. Apparently it hadn't been out of the freezer for a few years as well. It had that ice cream that's been in the freezer too long taste. However, when I commented to the waiter that it was a little old tasting so for the sake of the restaurant's rep they might want to do something about that, he immediately offered to bring us another (we refused, it was half gone and not THAT bad). The next thing manager's there and insisting he take it off of our bill. We didn't ask for or expect that, but that's the kind of place it is. So it's still one of my favorite places to eat....
(4)Scott N.
Our favorite Anchorage restaurant! Consistently very good (just short of excellent- service can sometimes be slow). Be careful with gift cards though. We have had a waiter tell us there was $20 less remaining than what our receipt showed (after a rare case of so-so service; maybe an attempt to inflate the tip?). Nonetheless, highly recommended. The ONE must-visit for visitors!
(4)Angela S.
We waited for awhile even though we had a reservation but other than that, it was amazing. I had the salmon and my friends had some pretty amazing dishes as well. The service was excellent the view breathtaking. We also ordered some really yummy dessert. Overall, super duper fresh seafood that I wish I could eat everyday.
(4)Linda B.
Wonderful food! Great ambiance. Spectacular view. Great service! The red king crab was amazing! What more can you say!
(5)Christopher W.
The view is incredible, and their raw bar is so fresh. I was told they get their oysters right outside their window, and if you're lucky enough to make it for their happy hour, their prices are not too bad. Otherwise, it can be a bit pricey.
(4)Peter L.
Great fish house. The halibut cheeks were wonderful. All their halibut dishes are excellent. The best key lime pie outside of the Florida keys.
(4)Hugo A.
Food was great, the service was good, and loved the views and decor! I highly recommend it!
(5)Valda S.
Our dinner started great. Got a nice table with a good view of Cook Inlet. Server was attentive and our cocktails were nice. The mixed green salad was delicious and included fresh blueberries. I had the halibut cheeks on the recommendation of the manager and was pleased with this choice. We were at the end of a two week trip to Alaska and due to the price of King crab legs my husband avoided ordering them until this night. Unfortunately this was the one bad part of the meal. The dinner was supposed to be 1 pound of legs but this was the smallest King crab cluster he had ever seen. The claw was smaller than Blue Crab claws he had eaten in the past. This was brought up to the server and the manager came over. Instead of offering more crab immediately he attempted to come up with an excuse (according to the manager this crab was from an area north of the Bering Sea and was thus a "smaller crab"). Eventually he did offer an additional 1/2 pound but my husband declined this and we left soon after. Our final recommendation: stick to the fish and avoid the crab!
(3)A M.
great food, awesome happy hour, and pulchritudinous view of Mount Susitna.
(4)Amanda B.
Gorgeous, excellent food, get a reservation if you can. It's just like everywhere else downtown: packed for dinner. It's a little spendy. We went here for Thanksgiving, though, and had a great experience. Go for the seafood if you can. Of course! It's Alaska. Always go for the seafood, everything else in AK is pretty much mediocre due to it having to be shipped in.
(4)Kiki G.
See that great view of the bay? Don't count on it. We booked a table as Open Table VIPs (you can tell from our phone no. we aren't locals) and got a crap table at the back of the restaurant (no view) with all the other tourists. Watched locals with no res who had been waiting get tables iin the part of the restaurant with the glorious view. Service was A+, but for the $$$$ price tag, not worth the money as there are many great places in town that aren't so expensive (with better fried calamari, too). Wouldn't recommend unless you have an "in" with the receptionist. Very bummed.
(1)Amber B.
This place has the best scratch margaritas and key lime pie. The seafood is good, and the steaks are melt in your mouth. If you make arrangements for a date, you can be picked up in a horse drawn carriage and taken for a tour of downtown anchorage.
(5)Joe E.
They say the little things count, and Simon's does their best to remember that. Went there for our anniversary and when making reservations they always ask if there is a special occasion you're celebrating. When you arrive and check in with the hostess they will say "happy anniversary" or whatever the occasion calls for and they even inform the waiter. To give it just a little bit more they decorate your table just a tad to make it just that must more special. I am not sure if they try to sit you at a window seat overlooking the inlet or not but so far it has paid off and we had a lovely view and great food and service.
(4)Leah M.
Happy hour in the bar is a great deal with an awesome view. The food is solidly fantastic. The steaks are cooked perfectly. The service is great too, for a special occasion they make you feel special and for a quiet night, they get you everything you want. Parking is validated at the Captain Cook lot, or grab a spot on the street in the evening.
(4)Tim H.
We had a great meal. The prime rib is some of the best we have had... The spinach salad with mustard dressing was terrific! Service was really good. Price was high, but in line with the accommodations.
(5)Rick S.
The service here was very friendly and attentive. I, in fact had 2 meals here in the same day, lunch and dinner. I had the King Crab Legs, Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes and Salmon during my trip to visit. Everything was good, as was the nice view. I didn't know this was part of the Restaurant's Unlimited family and there is an plastic card promotion "Eat, Drink & Earn Rewards Program" which my waitress/server told me about. The parking is a bit confusing for an out of town traveler, and using the Waze GPS made it difficult to get to what is a fairly easy place to find, but I got here and also found free street parking.
(4)Sophia L.
Simon & Seafort's is a great place to visit if you are out of town. It is located on the water and you will get a great view of the lake for the duration of your dinner. If you don't have a reservation, just head to the bar-- casual seating area that is quite spacious. Service is a little bit slow (about 45 minutes from ordering to receiving), but the wait is well worth it. The seafood is very fresh and it tastes good! I highly recommend getting the Alaskan salmon with risotto. They also have great selection of wine and other spirits. I'm sure the dining room seating would have been lovelier, but even the bar wasn't as rowdy as I had imagined. It's definitely a great place to experience Alaskan seafood. Do not miss it!
(4)Laura B.
We ate here in Mid-July. Excellent food and service and nice atmosphere! I had the crab and macadamia stuffed halibut with mashed potatoes and broccolini, which is now one of my favorite halibut dishes ever. Crab & artichoke dip was delicious if a bit small for three to share. Stepmom loved the étouffée (very spicy), and dad liked the seafood fettuccine. Definitely make a reservation! And I would suggest calling them a couple weeks in advance instead of using the online reservation app if you want a seat near the window. (Even though I made my reservation over a week in advance and put in a special note requesting a window table for my first time visiting relatives, we did not get one. We still enjoyed the meal, though.) Pros: Great food, decent wine selection, good service, good atmosphere, casual or business attire both ok Cons: A little loud on a busy night, especially if you are seated near the kitchen
(4)Lily P.
So I wasn't blown away with the appetizers, but the salmon and risotto was great. The salmon had a discernable smoky flavor that I loved. It was cooked to a perfect "medium" which was impressive (although I tend to like my salmon a little more on the undercooked side). And the risotto was a perfect compliment. I had forgotten what good risotto tasted like. A more subtle flavor that worked well with the salmon, and overall the dish was quite filling even when it didn't look like much.
(4)Margarette N.
After being quoted a wait over an hour long for brunch at the cafe across the street, we wandered into Simon's. Don't let the office building entrance through you off. Proceed past the elevators and restrooms and the reception to the restaurant is straight down the hallway, and you'll find Simon's and--If you can--get a seat by the window! SETTING: I'm not sure how much brunch business Simon's does relative to other meals...they look more like a dinner place, with dark panelling, and "saloonish" feel. But that day they opened for brunch at 10am. Of course the most important part to mention is the panoramic views of the water visible from pretty much every table in the place, and many tables directly against the window. SERVICE: Our waiter was attentive and the food was out quickly. He even brought some extra muffins for us after our meal (more on these muffins below). Although again, not many people in the restaurant. FOOD: While technically we were there for brunch, they didn't have extensive breakfast offerings, there was a lot of lunch fare in the mix. Our waiter brought out these white choco macadamia nut muffin / biscuit-like things that were incredible. Idk if they serve them at any other time then brunch, but they totally should. For my entree I ordered the Alaskan seafood scramble--scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, crab, mushrooms, spinach, and green onions. It came decently portioned, the salmon was very fresh and tender, and eggs were light and fluffy. It also came with an English muffin and breakfast potatoes on the side. Good food, great view, would definitely recommend!
(4)Andrew H.
What can I say other than: it's grown on me. I should specify: I've been back here about 3 times. All 3 times were at brunch. All 3 times they were not very crowded. The brunch here is mostly hit, with a couple misses. Hits: The brunch potatoes that come with almost everything! The frittata: huge, hearty, and delicious! Fantastic breakfast muffins before your brunch arrives! And they are absolutely free, I love this! The halibut: some of the best in town. The view, always the view. Miss: French toast: too sweet for my tastes. The "wrap of the day": is either woefully inspired (ham and cheese...really) or the portions are just too small. 3 stars mainly because, even with the low crowds, the service can be a bit sluggish (it is friendly though). PROTIP: if you plan on coming back here, they have a credit card thingy you can get that takes the place of a punch-card. Highly recommended! I'll be back for dinner and will report my findings. As of right now, I still can't recommend the dinner.
(3)Qiaoyi X.
Great views, good ambience and solid food. You can validate your parking in Captain Cook's garage! You can watch the sunset during dinner time. Who can beat that for a date night?! As for me, I'm so happy taking a bunch of photos during the sunset. Try the classic sampler, everything is fantastic, sometimes greater than entrées. Coconut prawn is full of tastes, every bit of the meat is tender and juicy, while crab and artichoke dips are so creamy. My scratch margarita is good too. Our entrees are a little bit bland compare to the appetizer. The coconut cod tastes solid.
(4)Brendon D.
What a pleasant surprise. We would have never known this restaurant was even there if it weren't for the cool people at Pablo's Bikes. It's in the ground floor of a small office building and definitely WORTH going to grab a nice lunch. We sat by the window and were able to enjoy the great view when munching down our lunch. The lunch? AMAZING. I hate to sound so dramatic, but the caesar salad was not over-dressed and was super crunchy. Then the fish and chips were crispy and not oily or overly battered. The service was top shelf. It is clear that they have great training and that they take pride in their work. Don't half step. Come here after you finish your epic bike ride around the Coastal Trail and return your bikes to Pablo's Bike rentals.
(5)Laura G.
Last night in Anchorage. The restaurant has a nice view and an available stop for my two friends and I. It starts pretty well! Appetizer: crab/artichoke dip. It was good. Good, but not unforgettable. Main course: we all had a dish from the seasonal menu. I had the halibut (stuffed with crab and macadamia nuts) that comes with green beans and mashed potatoes. DELICIOUS!!! Both of my friends had the sockeye salmon with rice and grilled veggies if I remember properly. Their salmon was really tasty too! But the sides were ordinary. Drinks: I had a sip of my friends mojito (mango and raspberry), and 3 berries cosmo. It was all OK. I ordered a scratch margarita and later on, the elderflower martini. Not impressed for any of these drinks. This place is definitely a great spot but I was certainly disappointed by the cocktails.
(4)Mike H.
Service was not that great. I should of stuck to picking seafood, the prime rib was just ok. The view was very nice, but the food very overpriced, and I think the waitress was just too busy to give decent service.
(3)Chi L.
We came close to the closing time and we couldn't get a seat in the dining area because we hadn't made a reservation. There were excellent views near the windows, but it's really prime real estate. We found seats near the bar and probably waited for 10 min before someone acknowledged us. That waiter was also new and was confused about what we could order in the bar area. So after some time he came by again with the dinner menu because we could also order from that. We ordered the crab cakes, clams, and the stuffed halibut. The clams were excellent but that was the only thing that was. The crab cakes were not good, a lot of filler (could be the style in Alaska) and not much flavor. The halibut could have been good but it was super, super salty. I don't know if there was confusion and the dish was salted twice or something but it was really salty. I could only eat a little bit of it and my sister finished the rest, she's not as sensitive to salt. They were nice about us splitting that dish and put it on 2 plates for us. We talked to some locals later on and they really recommended this place, so maybe this was just an off-dish for the night.
(2)Jackie O.
Excellent place for dinner. Salmon was awesome. We ate all the way through desert and enjoyed every bite. My husband had the crab wraps for an appetizer and enjoyed them. I highly recommend this establishment for a high end dinner.
(5)Donald C.
Tasty and upscale. Oyster Rockefeller were clean and fresh. Crab was a cut above all I sampled here in Anchorage. Service was attentive and sharp. Kudos
(4)Brianna T.
I don't know what's happened to Simon's. It was one of my parents' go-to spots when they were dating, so I grew up dining at Simons for nearly all special occasions and remembered it fondly. So when I moved back to Anchorage after several years away, it was certainly time for another dinner here. First dinner back - had the halibut cheeks special. Food was pretty good, but there were absolutely no wine options for pairing. EVERY SINGLE wine on their list is New World (with the exception of a few over-priced Champagnes and a handful of dessert wines). When I asked our server about other options, he said they would be willing to order in wine for me if I gave them a heads up, or would waive corkage if I talked to [Manager 1] or [Manager 2]. Decent resolution. I order a glass of port for dessert. They obviously poured the last of the bottle and didn't give a shit, because there was a completely unacceptable amount of sediment in the glass. A while later in planning my parents' anniversary outing, I made a reservation on OpenTable for lunch since I'd waited a little too late to get a dinner reso on a holiday. I called and asked for the aforementioned two managers and was told they were not available to speak with, but that corkage would not be waived for me. Well that's irritating, but not the end of the world. Day of the event, we're running a tiny bit behind so I called ahead to let the restaurant know we would be there 5 - 7 minutes late for our reservation. I was told that the restaurant closed right at 2:30. Huh? Why accept reservations for that time, then? Sure enough, when we showed up a few minutes after 2:30, we were told our only option was to sit in the bar area. The anniversary that was noted in the reservation comments was never acknowledged by anyone at the restaurant. The views, especially for sunset, are pretty. Food here is pretty good, but honestly not all that special. The service is garbage. I won't be back.
(3)Scott S.
Great place for a nice dinner. A bit $$$, but the food was delicious and fresh.
(5)James A.
If you've never been to the Bar side of Simon & Seaforts, (even if your not a drinker), your missing out. They have a Great lunch menu. Also Awesome appetizer / bar menu that can make a light meal anytime. Great meeting place in the downtown area. (Can be a little noisy at lunch). The restaurant is still "First Class". But if you have not tried the bar food, your missing the full experience.
(5)Samantha G.
This is a nice spot. The happy hour deals are pretty good. The view is amazing. Seriously amazing. The staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. It's in a funky location as it's inside an office building, but it's worth finding. The menu options all sounded tasty. The crab legs were fabulous. The lavender cosmo was unique and delicious. The wine offerings and beer offerings are decent. All in all, this is a great Anchorage restaurant.
(4)Valerie T.
Our favorite restaurant in the city! Always great service, great food and love the view! Their weekend brunch is AMAZING! Their bruch is a must try! Have always left satisfied! Not to mention the bruch is very affordable not spendy like their dinners.
(5)Sarah F.
Simon Simon Simon.... I assume Simon handles the meat and Seafort has the seafood? My grilled smoke sirloin was amazing! tender smokey as promised and the side of crab legs I got was divine, so Simon you were on point my friend... We need to talk about Seafort... the Kalbi Salmon Special sounded great, a fantastic theoretical dish, but Seafort you really did not execute well. The salmon was so dry we could have flaked it into breakfast cereal!. Somewhere the Kellogg brothers were proud of you, but at our table we were more just disappointed and forced to google 'Kalbi' to see if it was more than a marinade and in fact some way of jerkying your meal. The wine list was good, the service was great, the steak was grand, and the salmon left much to be desired.
(3)Shay L.
Another wonderful experience! Glad I was able to take my Mom there in town from L.A. to experience it as well. Robbie provided excellent and knowledgeable customer service :-)
(5)Mekhala E.
I have mixed feelings about this one. I want to love it but I can't help but feel meh. Found it on yelp and met a few locals (well people from mainland USA who now live in Alaska, I don't think I ever saw a "local" once during my trip to Alaska) anyhoo, a few locals, told us we must go here. I made reservations and we got there a little earlier, I requested for a table with a view and they obliged. It was packed btw if you are wondering. The place lives up to the saloon in its name in terms of the décor, very charming. Our table overlooked the bay and we got to see the sunset, beautiful! We got drinks at the bar while our table was being dressed up for us. The elderberry martini is very good, if you like elderberry and/or lavender kind of stuff. For appetizers, we got the crab and artichoke dip and that was pure heaven. You could taste the crab and it was so creamy and so rich, served with sourdough, so San Francisco of them, loved it! We were very disappointed with our dinner however, my husband got the crab cakes and I hate to say this but they tasted like they came from Safeway, frozen section. There was no crab or crab taste to them and they just tasted too doughy. They also had a thick layer of breading. I had the halibut cheeks which came with broccolini, mashed potatoes and beurre blanc, btw what's with Alaska and beurre blanc?! Every restaurant at least has one menu item with "beurre blanc". So, the halibut cheeks, fresh like a flower alright, but again, breaded and floating in butter. Fish so fresh does not need fanciness, you just need to let the fish shine and not overpower with butter or breading, very unsettling.
(3)Yonnie Z.
We came by this restaurant to pick up some "fish & chips". The Pacific Cod is fresh, but the breading is heavy & oily. Fish & chips at $16.95. Portion size is small, came with fries and coleslaw.
(3)Brandy K.
Love this place! They have the best scratch Margarita's in town in my humble opinion! They have the most amazing view in town to watch the sunset from too (if you can get a window seat) and while the bar is almost always packed, with the normal hum of folks chatting and drinking, it is a fun place to hang out and have drinks and appetizers. The food is good too. I have never had anything bad here. I love their crab and artichoke dip, it comes with toast points and is very rich, but delish! My favorite meal there is not on the menu anymore but they will make it for you if you ask. It's the cajun chicken pasta. It's a very hot and spicy pasta dish, with chicken in it! I love it! but then I love just about anything spicy! I had a salmon dinner previously too. It was perfectly done! Salmon was tender and very fresh tasting. I hate fish that taste overly fishy or like its been previously frozen. This filet tasted like it was just out of the water, and had tasty, light lemon creme sauce on it. Simon's is kindof an icon and a place you have to try for sure. You won't regret it, they are definitely one of Anchorage's best restaurants.
(4)Casey H.
You really need to make a reservation to eat here. The place is really nice and if your lucky the ocean can be easily seen from the table. Recommendations - Halibut cheek were awesome! I've never had them before but I highly recommend them. Also for dessert, I would recommend the key lime pie.
(4)John R.
Had a Prime Rib French Dip in the bar yesterday. Bun was good, sauce was good, home made potato chips were good, coleslaw was good but there wasn't much meat on the sandwich and what there was was dry. No flavor. John R
(2)Sonoe G.
Very nice restaurant. We ordered Salmon cream bisque, Spinach salad and Famous halibut cheek!!! Sarah was so helpful to explain menu! Love this resturant
(5)Torri H.
In Anchorage on business. Came here for dinner. Staff was extremely friendly and service was good. Food was okay. I ordered the Citrus Salmon. It was a little dry along with the rice. Seemed a bit overpriced for what it was. The view was spectacular on a beautiful summer evening.
(3)Gauri W.
Decent food, obviously very touristy. I had the crab cakes, cousin had the étouffée, and aunt had the halibut. All of the food was very rich and we could barely finish it! Good quality ingredients and well made. The taste could have been better - the étouffée was pretty spicy and I've def had better crab cakes. The halibut was amazing though! Come here more for the view than the food - a good place to impress visitors and as tourists, we loved the water and mountains behind us. Waiter was sweet too!
(4)Patty S.
Salty! Greasy! Had horrid stomach ache after eating half my food, ordered macadamia crusted halibut stuffed with crab. Mashed potatoes were cold and greased up. Halibut was soooo salty and greasy. Appetizers crab paste and artichokes==gluey mess and calamari that was mostly greasy coating. Need to heat your plates to keep food warm. Need new chef!!!!
(1)Jana C.
We got shafted with a horrible experience. Reservation made at 2030: table was definitely not ready. We waited some more. And then the bummer night commenced. Ordered: combo halibut cheeks and crab stuffed halibut with macadamia crust. 2 orders please. Not only was the service exceedingly slow (cresting way over 30 minutes), but in the end, when server came with the dishes, it was not the combo. He claimed the back did not communicate with him, and they ran out of cheeks. If we had known sooner, we would have ordered king or some other seafood. Without a conciliatory offer, I asserted myself and asked him to at least comp a dessert for all of the very bad, bad service. He did do that, and the bourbon pear bread pudding somewhat salvaged the very sour taste from this experience. I didn't even find the fish dish that special, particularly because this is one of the very best restaurants in town, and I am in salmon/halibut capital....Was not impressed with overall and we shrugged our shoulders after a disappointing, long, drawn-out dinner. PS. Summer 2014: HH 3-5,&10-close, in bar
(3)Donna Blue H.
So worth the price! Great view, great great food, and lovely service. Go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Dustin S.
I'm sad. This placed used to be a legit dining experience, in the 80's and 90's. However, after a long slow demise, Simons is a mediocre chain restaurant and tourist trap with a beautiful view and only so so food. The food is typical chain restaurant fare, with nothing inspiring. Now that Anchorage has a handful of really good higher end restaurants, Simons has been relegated to a place that shouldn't even be considered amongst the top 10 restaurants in Anchorage (notice the only awards hanging in the restaurant are from 15 years ago - at some point that has to be embarrassing to keep up on the wall). I came back here after having left Anchorage 15 years ago. Even then, Simons was on the way down and its peak years were in the mid 90's. After the nostalgia wore off and I was experiencing mediocre food and service, I quickly regretted the fact I'd never be coming back. For anyone in the mood for the same style of food and ambiance, Glacier BrewHouse is on an entirely different level -- it's not even the same ballpark. RIP Simons.
(1)Gwyneth J.
Anchorage Alaska: Seafood With a View Our last supper in Anchorage was wisely chosen here - Gourmet Dining with a Killer View. Because we had a reservation, we got a prime table with a gorgeous view of the sound - see attached. We started with fried Calamari & Artichoke wedges served with a saucy aioli paired with a lovely and well-priced $35 bottle of Chard from King Estate, Oregon (I've been there! ISTE Board meeting in Eugene!) W00t! The house bread was even outstanding - which was great because we were famished from our travels around the city. Mom & Dad had the King Salmon - a tiny taste proved it was delish, I had a cold seafood salad on a bed of greens which was equally yummy, and my cousin & his roommate got the fish & chips 3 course meal. Everything was just lovely! This was the best seafood meal in Anchorage!
(4)Ed H.
Nice upscale steak / seafood place. Came here for dinner. We started with the crab dip. A nice tasty dip accompanied with toasted bread. I had a citrus salmon dish with basmati rice. Very tasty. I was just about salmoned out from my Alaska trip but this was a new flavor combination and was well worth ordering. The lady had the halibut and enjoyed it. Good selection of wine and beer. We had some brews on tap. Service was slow and inattentive but friendly when he was there. Would go again.
(4)Kent H.
After my review of the happy hour clam appetizer, I received a message from the General Manager. He was very apologetic about my experience with the meager serving I received and told me that the serving size had not changed, and it was a "misfire" from the kitchen. I was urged to give it another try, and I did. I went incognito during another happy hour, and I'm happy to report that the serving size was indeed as it should be. This is still the best deal in town for steamer clams! I'm glad that this matter has been cleared up.
(4)Jennifer M.
Went here back in August 2012 on a Thursday night, with a reservation through OpenTable. This was to be our romantic evening at the end of our AK trip, after having spent a few days in Homer for a friend's wedding festivities. LOCATION/AMBIANCE: Since we were early for our reservation, we decided to grab a cocktail at the bar. It was PACKED and we were lucky to get a seat/table. I later found out from a friend that this was her FAVORITE Happy Hour place when she lived in Anchorage. And my girlfriend enjoys happy hours. =) Now, part of why we booked here was b/c of the view that they provide, however, when we were sat, we were slightly disappointed to be at the back of the restaurant without the view. We were also next to two large parties (8+) and a couple of 4-person parties, so we worried about the noise levels. Luckily, it only went up from there and the lack of view nor the crowds could bring down our pleasure in what was to come. SERVICE: Our server was amazing. Friendly, laughed at all of my husband's cornball jokes, and gave suggestions as we asked for them that were always well appreciated. The additional staff that assisted her were also friendly and attentive. FOOD: Why NOT get seafood in AK? The fish, lobster, calamari, and clam chowder were all amazingly good. And adding in a bottle of vino (can't recall the name now) to pair was perfect, in addition to the perfectly made cocktails from the bar. Bottom line - Our service was impeccable, the food was delicious, and we couldn't have been happier with the experience (minus the table we were sat at). Definitely would return if I'm ever back in AK, though this time I'd make specific requests for the view.
(4)Arthur A.
Halibut fish and chips? Yes, please! Flaky, good and not-too-heavy batter crust. Delicious. Place is noticeably more expensive for dinner.
(4)Douglas S.
Had high hopes but can't say that they were fully met. Ordered the halibut cheeks. The kitchen coated them with a mixture of asiago and parmesan cheeses which seemed to overwhelm the halibut flavor for me. The halibut texture didn't seem quite right for fresh halibut so I suspect it may have been previously frozen. The cost of the halibut was well over $30 and for that price it should have been perfect or nearly perfect and it just wasn't, texture-wise or flavor-wise. My wife's King salmon was better than my halibut.
(3)Deb R.
Halibut Cheeks were so delicious! Melt in your mouth good, definitely a must try while in Alaska. Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were able to get an empty table in the bar and sit right down. The service was great, water served immediately with our drinks following close behind. Water was kept full the entire time and the waiter was able to give great recommendations based on having tried the food. I always hate it when you ask "what's good on the menu" and the answer is everything. Our waiter was totally honest on what he had tried and what he hadn't, and then told us his favorite. I love that! And, better yet...we were not disappointed when our food came out. I ordered the Hailbut Cheeks and my cousin got the Crab stuffed Halibut. Both were absolutely melt in your mouth delicious!
(4)Nancy H.
I traveled to Anchorage expecting spectacular seafood for obvious reasons. Anchorage residents that were staying with us said this was the best seafood restaurant in Anchorage. It's OK. The hostess was snotty. We checked in having a reservation and were told it'd be 15 more min. 15 min I checked back in, with the same hostess mind you, and was told "oh it will be at least an hour." I told her, "I just checked in... 15 min ago with a reservation, and was told it'd be 15 min, now it's an hour?" She apologized, but seriously, I am one of maybe 2 Asian girls in Anchorage. Our server was actually quite good, the bread is delicious, fresh, warm sourdough and I hate sourdough bread. The drinks were good as well. The fish, I'm sure is as good as it gets in Anchorage, but overall the prices are steep and the food I thought was eh. The server recommended one of the tuna dishes to be ordered rare, which it was. When it was served, it was completely cooked through. We mentioned this to the server and he asked if he wanted a new piece. They did and the manager came by to make sure the new fillet was cooked right. The seafood chowder was good, the crabcakes, OK. The halibut combo was OK as well. I am sure that in Anchorage this is one of the better restaurants, but from my experience of food, and for the prices this place is mediocre.
(3)Cody G.
This place comes highly reviewed and rated. So I thought I'd walk down and give it a try. I got here at sunset which was phenomenal! The is a great spot to enjoy the scenery over the bay and experience the tremendous light show by Mother Nature. I chose the bar as the main dining area had a 20min wait. The service was fine. Not distracted, and not over bearing. Ambiance was a little strange. Classic, elegant decor with a very modern jazz/pop music playing over the din of conversation. Someone mentioned a "corporate feel" and I think this description fits in a weird way. The lighting feels off. (I am being picky) I ordered the Halibut Cheeks as I've never heard of them, much less tried them. Let me say first that they were fantastic taste wise. A very different texture but a great piece of fish. They were served with a red potato mash and steamed broccoli. The problems were that the fish was almost room temperature. This really detracted from the meal. One other issue is the meal was piled in the center of the plate. Very unattractive presentation. It made me feel like the portions, while already small, were even smaller. The good was literally stacked on the plate. I do have some reservations about giving only three stars because the food was very good, but the little things add up.
(3)Beth I.
Perhaps one of my favorite places that I visited in anchorage during a 2 week stay. The happy hour is from 430 - 6 and is 50% off apps and $4 for select drinks. I had a delish cranberry mojito! We ordered the sampler which had a shrimp app with mashed potatoes, king crab and spinach dip with bread and tender teriyaki steak served over sushi rice. We also ordered a baked Brie puff pastry that was crusted with mac nuts and drizzled with chocolate and honey! Mmmm... Third choice was the sweet potato fries with a spicy BBQ sauce and mustard sauce for dipping. To top this all off imagine a spectacular view of Cook Inlet from the windows on one side of the bar. Fabulous! Great date option or after work drinks that won't break the bank and is sure to please!
(4)Dean K.
We've been dining at Simon's for over 30 years and have never once been disappointed. The food is world class and the ambiance is remarkabvle. Whenever we have out of town guests we always take them to Simon's and they never fail to be awestruck by the restaurant. I would say they have 2 signature dishes: prime rib and macadamia stuffed halibut. So whether you're a beef eater or a seafood lover you won't be disappointed. Hands down its the best seafood restaurant in Anchorage (and we love seafood here). Great bar too. If you like single malt scotch you wont' find a wider selection. The bar is in a separate section adjoining the main dining area with their own bar menu, which is great for that after work glass of wine and appetizer. Don't miss this place.
(5)Rebecca C.
Solid seafood and diversity of other offerings. Especially liked the grilled prawns. Minus an extra star because the strange office building its located in smells like a geriatric facility until you reach the restaurant. Perhaps a one time bad cleaning solution decision, but it really affected my appetite.
(3)Becca C.
Simon & Seafort's is comparable to Sullivan's; perhaps a little less formal with the added bonus of amazing sunset views of Cook Inlet. The stained glass windows and wood paneling at the bar take me to a different time and place. The steaks are good, they take their work seriously. The other day I stopped by after a bike ride for some happy hour goodness and their king crab dip was creamy and filling. I'm usually picky about bread, and the dip came with the perfect sized, soft bread pieces. (I know that sounds high maintenance, but I'm always hating it at restaurants where the dip is great but the bread is either stale, crusty, or the wrong texture). However, happy hour here wasn't pleasant sitting up high on the stools. It got quite crowded, so you'd probably want a regular table. But the main dining room for dinner is comfortable and spacious. Also, the service was inconsistent; the dinner service was excellent and almost jovial; however, the happy hour lady seemed like she couldn't be bothered with us. Maybe that's why I'm giving 4 stars to here and 5 to Sullivan's.
(4)Jon S.
The halibut cheeks are amazing. If they have them, get 'em. Caesar salad is good as well. Great place to watch the sunset. Had a cod special with a bacon leek compote on one of my last visits, which was recommended and sounded like a good idea, but ended up being a bit too salty for my taste.
(4)Alex G.
Sitting by the window on a summer evening is like being a full-on target for the bright sun -- streaming right into your eyes without mercy. Consider yourself warned. As for the menu, I'm going to call it "slightly unfocused." Some of the preparations are a bit too heavy, while others have a strange mix of ingredients (cheese with fish; Thai spices; deviled eggs). Once we sat, the waitress told us the power was off and only recently back on, advising us that it might take a bit longer than usual to get hot items ready. Once we ordered, however, the food was absolutely excellent - a perfectly prepared sockeye salmon with carrot mash; delicious king crab legs; a superbly cooked prime rib of beef; and the most succulent, buttery halibut cheeks you've ever tasted (and you've probably never tasted them before). Despite some imperfections, this experience was much better than I'd expected. Four stars for Anchorage.
(4)Britt F.
Good food. The waiters and waitresses were sloppy with us. Spilled my cosmopolitan without batting an eye and when my food was served it was slid entirely to one side of the plate because of the way the water was holding it. Kind of odd and almost had sauce spilled on my lap. We were sitting far from the windows, but what we could see was beautiful and the sun was setting. The food tasted great but not necessarily worth another trip.
(3)Rohit T.
Decent food. There's better value around at Sacks and the Brewhouse though. We sampled 4 places in 5 nights in Anchorage. Sacks Cafe - Our runaway favorite. The Brewhouse - our 2nd favorite. Loved the fish. Simon and Seafort - good view; food was decent; pricey. The crow's nest - Worst one. Good for the view. Food was very very mediocre.
(3)Kaitie S.
Excellent service, food, and atmosphere. The bar side of the restaurant has a less expensive food menu and it is just as delicious as the regular restaurant menu. I just wish the bar was open later! I went there for brunch once, however, and the food wasn't great. Save Simon's for dinner!
(4)Joe S.
So I've been in Alaska my whole life, off and on I come to Simons, not anymore. First off, to be fair their bar is awesome, good food, decent drinks, and fair prices for appetizers after work. Dinner is another story. The dining area is dated, carpet is old and moldy, in desperate need of replacing. The whole place smells like its 1975, not in a good way. Came for dinner on my bday and I was really looking forward to the prime rib, I like my cow rare and at 6pm all they had was medium to medium well. Really? The waitress never introduced herself, reaked of cigarette smoke from her break, and the food (I decided on just a salad) was lack luster at best. Won't be back, even if it's free.
(1)Izak M.
I'm giving this restaurant 4 stars - it's more like 3.5, but service was good and I enjoyed the view. Overall the food was good and it's a great place for large groups. I recommend it without reservation.
(4)Allie N.
Anchorage was the last of our stops in AK, we started at Denali national Park camping for a few days and being back in a real city was like heaven. After taking a 23 mile bike ride, we were famished and needed some real delicious fresh food. SO glad we went to Simon and Seafort's. We arrived during happy hour and ordered delicious pomegranate mojitos, Simon and Seafort's Classic Sampler which has Oven Roasted Crab & Artichoke Dip, Grilled Teriyaki Tenderloins and Grilled Jumbo Prawns, we also ordered some steamed fresh clams. We were SO happy! The wait staff was kind and super professional. We had a beautiful view from the bar. I will certainly come back to Simon and Seafort's when I am back in Anchorage.
(5)Jeannette G.
It seems like this is the only classy/upscale eatery in all of Anchorage. I wanted to go to well known low-brow establishment but the concierge at my hotel recommended this place so this is where I had dinner on my day/night stay. Well, I am glad I did. Overlooking the bay, you can eat what's in season. I really wanted King Crab legs but they were not in season so passed for one of their specials - 3/course dinner. Salad app and steak entree were great; their waffle/ice cream dessert was a bit much.
(4)Emily M.
Delicious. Never disappoints! Great service, great food, good views.
(5)Sara P.
Love this place!
(5)Ken H.
This place is located in an ordinary office building. I had to ask a local to find it and was told that this restaurant has won best seafood in town multiple years in a row. Has an amazing view of the water. I had the seafood fettuccine and would have to say that the seafood in it was amazing, super sized shrimp and scallops. I didn't fill the price was bad for what you get. The fettuccine was $28. I would try it again the next time I'm in town.
(4)Mimi C.
Simon & Seafort is SUPER wallet friendly with TWO happy hours!! One is the normal time .. around 4-6P and the other was at 10PM. It's a little hard to find... as it is located inside what seems to be a corporate building (we were searching for the entrance for a bit until we went into the front glass doors which led to Simon's). We went to the 10PM one cuz we had time to kill before our flight. Went in ... approached by a friendly waitress and quickly got ushered into a lively, homey and rustic looking lounge. It has Alaska written all over it with its stuffed animals. =P Palin would be proud, I guess lol. +Kobe Meatloaf Sliders ($5) ... comes with 3 sliders. They were pretty good and not too salty. Meat was really tender and we loved the jalapeno stuffed olives. =) +Classic Sampler ($17) ... comes with tiger prawns (heart heart heart!!), teriyaki tenderloin & king crab w/ artichoke dip. I was expecting a little more from the dip but didn't find it that unique. It was too salty without it tasting like it had crab in it. I did, however really like their fresh tiger prawns!! +Warm Pear Bread Pudding ($8.50) ... Husband likes to order the most unique items on any menu so we ordered this item even though I'm not a big bread pudding fan. I liked the warm pear and the bread pudding was not bad. Husband disliked the raisins though =P. All in all.. probably one of the more better priced places in DT Anchorage. Totally worth a stop!
(4)Boyd S.
Service and food was fantastic. The perfect place to take my date for Valentines.
(5)Jim P.
I have been here before with my work party and had an absolutely wonderful meal. This time I have to say that it just wasn't up to par. The pros: Wonderful martinis The oysters in the half shell best I ever had and the Rockefeller's to die for The salmon was delish Desert was awesome Service was great Cons: I ordered the surf and turf. The fillet was ordered med. rare but was so thin that it came med well. The sauce that accompanied the fillet was so salty that it ruined the steak for me. The mashed potatoes were actually cold. I ate the whole thing and didn't want to be a bummer to the rest of my group and beside... the boss was picking up the tab.
(2)Douglas S.
Came with high expectations of a great meal. Could not have been more let down. The waiter highly touted the Halibut cheeks and the portion was not only VERY small but also cold and bland. 2 orders of the "salt crusted" prime rib were tough and little to no flavor. Only glad we ordered the smaller $29.99 cut!......had the colossal red king crab legs 1lb which would have been much better if hot, not cold and a reasonable amount of drawn butter.....oh well the bread was good for $220!!!!....try Captain Hook!!
(2)Chiep P.
First time having brunch there. Started out with a cup of the chicken soup, which was really good. The menu seemed to have a lil' bit of everything from classic breakfast and lunch to there own spin on the dishes. So tried a plate off there eggs benedict, ordered one classic and one made with crab cake both were very good. Also ordered the beef hash it came with scrambled eggs but would request over easy eggs next time. So far top of the list for brunch:)
(5)Xefirah P.
This Thanksgiving Beloved and I decided to dine out. The online reservation system was easy- we picked the seating time and told them 'how many'. We came very early to sit in the bar- the restaurant was crowded yet had enough seating in the bar area so we were relaxed. Beloved ordered an Old-fashioned cocktail and I had a Moscow Mule served in a custom tin cup. Beautiful!! The staff has this worked out to a science. A card was passed to our server in the bar so we could be escorted for our trip to our table. We ordered Pesca sparkling wine with our salads. Beloved ordered the prawn cocktail. The prawns were fresh and firm with a great seafood taste. The cocktail sauce had the right bite of horseradish- just like my New Jersey mama made!! I had the spinach salad with mustard dressing. Fabulous!! The sweet & sour vinaigrette had a soft mustardy spiciness that was very special. Our dinner was the traditional turkey & stuffing dinner; upscale yet traditional. The portions were plenty big as we put together a doggy dinner to take home to our Alaskan husky. There were many families with young children and they seemed to enjoy this turkey dinner as well. The service was superb. We had time to relax and enjoy our dinner. We ordered a Pino Noir wine with dinner. For dessert we ordered the New York-style cheesecake. Beloved and I are from the East Coast and were very impressed. It was the classic cheesecake whipped very high and light- a good 3 inches high!! The graham crust was the real deal and the strawberry garnish tasted of tangy strawberries- not at all over-sweet. We had a very enjoyable afternoon and then were rewarded with a $20 gift card to be used after the first of the year!!! I guess we will have to go back for my birthday!!!
(5)Alexandra C.
Everyone thinks I am nuts when I tell them the best restaurants I have been to are in Anchorage. Maybe they are NYC snobs, I don't know but they don't believe me. I had the best bagels in Anchorage, great pizza (okay, maybe not THE best), the best Chinese food, sushi and of course seafood. The chefs here truly know how to cook. Halibut cheeks and....Macadamia crusted halibut...that's all I can say. Oh yeah- top it off with a creme brulee. It's worth the 5,000 mile flight back.
(5)Jenny C.
I think I would've been better off at Orso's or Glacier Brewhouse. The inside of this restaurant (minus their view) is no better than Denny's or Royal Fork (if they still have that). I was expecting an upscale restaurant, but boy, was I wrong. This place is very overrated. Came here around Christmas time, and can I say that their holiday menu kind of sucked? Crab & artichoke dip was okay. Nothing special about it. I love French onion soup and this soup needs to be really hot for it to taste good with all the gooey cheese. The French onion soup served here was just warm and the cheese was not gooey! =O The macadamia/crab stuffed halibut was okay, but I think it would've tasted better if the stuffing didn't overpower the halibut. It was too strong for my liking. I don't remember what steak was offered on the holiday menu, but it did not look appetizing at all. It's like this big hunk of red meat that takes up 2/3 of your plate. It's safer to just go with the petite filet mignon. Was not satisfied with the service here. Had to wait a long time to be helped. Being here is like playing the waiting game. I understand that during the holidays it gets busy, but our waitress walked past us many times and did not bother to ask how my table was doing. I don't think I'd come back here again.
(2)Ajay J.
Awesome view, great service, and their food was worth the wait. The server even gave me a $25 voucher for affiliated restaurants to take back home to Hawaii. Would fo sho come back and recommend to others :)
(4)Scott B.
If you're visiting Alaska and not making a point to eat the seafood then you're doing life wrong. A dazzlingly quick mental cross-reference of recommendations of locals and yelp landed us at Simon and Seafort's and we were not disappointed. Nice place with a great view of the inlet. Our "where is everyone?" question from our drive/walk around town was answered as the atmosphere was quite lively. Next trip we'll check out the bar that was off to the right as it was well stocked with both alcohol and a lively crowd. The oven roasted crab/artichoke dip is a must-get appetizer. Entrees were the grilled jumbo prawns and the halibut cheeks. The prawns must have been great because I wasn't offered a bite... The halibut cheeks were very good, but not rainbow-shooting-out-of-my-mouth good (maybe the server inflated my expectations a bit too much). Highly recommend.
(4)Scott V.
Have you ever had halibut cheeks? Neither had I or my two friends, but we all ordered them and were thoroughly impressed. I am glad the waiter suggested them! They were buttery, sweet, amazingly tender medallions of goodness. I also has the spinach salad with bacon and egg, which was a really great start. We ate in the bar area, as we didn't have a reservation and didn't want to wait, but I don't feel we were missing out on anything. This place is a slam dunk.
(5)Mari T.
I was thinking and missing this place, so I had to write what I remember from it. Get the Italian Love Affair cocktail, its not on the menu, its one of those drinks that you hear about from the locals, its so good- peachy, a little bubbly, hint of cranberry, other flavors, on the strong side, mmmm. Also in the summer, if its on the menu, try the Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon. IT's so unbelievably delicious, a true Alaskan upscale meal. Consider yourself lucky if its available.
(4)michele d.
For a restaurant that prides itself on seafood, that was the worst attempt @ a cioppino I had last night. First off was that broth. It's supposed to be a tomato broth, I had some kind of thick sauce concoction. I should've realized when it came out on a regular plate & not a bowl. That salmon was by far some of the worst salmon I've ever had. I wouldn't feed that to my dog. Way over-done & super fishy tasting. The single, puny crab leg that was provided also had that fishy gross taste to it. Not sure what the deal was, maybe they are trying to get rid of their frozen fish stock? It was bad. The mussels & clams were OK but by then all my taste buds could taste was the salty "broth" & questionable fish. Anyways, on a plus note, the service was excellent & the scallop dish a guest in my party got was delicious. But I'd be hard pressed to return after spending over 300 bucks, definitely did not meet expectations.
(1)John H.
Happy hour $4 drinks include a delicious pomegranate margarita and Sycamore Lane Cabernet Sauvignon. Apps that can be prepared gluten free: red king crab and artichoke dip (substitute chips for bread), buffalo wings. Oysters too, but not happy hour priced. All very good. Note that my review is of the bar during happy hour, where and when I appreciated the lively atmosphere, prompt service, and good value.
(4)Andrew K.
this turned out to be a superb restaurant in Anchorage! Truly outstanding, Great menu fo fresh fish local to Anchorage, The meals we ordered were prepared extremely well, served by great wait people. great wine by the glass, Desert was also veery good. if you have a chance try it
(5)Fana G.
You should go to this restaurant, it was very good. The timing of the kitchen was off though, which made the dining experience rushed, and my main course was cold by the time I ate it, so, this is a hard review...Food was good but all courses came at once. It was expensive too and although I want to give it a higher rating I cannot, because ALL the food in Anchorage was tasty.
(3)Ryan R.
This place touts itself as a higher-end dining experience. It's decor tries for a vintage rustic feel. It comes across as outdated and overpriced for what you get. I ordered the Halibut and Salmon dish and it was barely enough to satisfy my hunger. At $35, it was a disappointment. My wife ordered the $50 King Crab plate and it came with two legs. It didn't even have a claw! On the redeeming side, it has a great view and the staff is attentive and friendly. I would not recommend it for the true foodie, but it's okay for the average tourist.
(2)Ruby C.
My husband and I celebrated our Anniversary at Simon & Seafort's on Sunday night and the food was incredible! Upon arrival, our table was strewn with rose petals and a little celebratory note. Our waiter, a fun gal from Wisconsin, made us feel right at home, as this was our first time dining here. The sourdough bread they brought to us had a lighter sour base, and practically melted in my mouth. It reminded me of my favorite sourdough bread at Elliot's Oyster House in Seattle (where we are visiting from). My husband ordered the macadamia crusted melted brie appetizer, which came with slices of french bread, apples and a dollop of fruit jam, probably apricot. It was delicious! My one recommendation here would be to ask for more of the sourdough bread instead of the french it comes with. The french bread pales in comparison to the sourdough. While the sourdough tastes homemade (and fresh), the french bread is mediocre at best. That little detail did not deter us from scooping up every last bite of the brie, though! Next, we enjoyed the fresh spring salad mix, complete with strawberries, blueberries, candied nuts, blue cheese and Alaska wild berry dressing. We savored every bite of this choice as well. I'm now on a mission to find that exact dressing and bring it back to Seattle for all my dinner parties. Our entree (we split) was the macadamia crusted, crab stuffed halibut. Again, I was impressed by the perfect consistency of the buttery sauce paired with the fresh fish, along with the garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed zucchini/squash/onion slices. I've never seen my husband eat so slow! He chewed each bite as if he'd never had something so delicious before (I'll need to learn how to make this dish, obviously). We originally ordered this dish because it reminded me of the macadamia crusted mahi mahi found at Mama's Fish House Restaurant on Maui. I have to say, I was not disappointed. Initially, I was skeptical of a "copycat" type recipe (MFH is the best restaurant I've ever experienced), but this crab stuffed version at Simon & Seafort's is right there with the Mama's Fish House recipe--rich, moist, perfect). After dinner, our waiter then brought us a complimentary creme brulee in celebration of our special occasion. The creamy custard had just the right texture, sweetness and 'wow' factor. My husband scolded me for trying to peel off the hard sugar top to keep for myself. I apologized and went back to sharing. I will highly recommend this place to friends and coworkers who visit Anchorage, since we now live in WA. My parents who live here originally referred us here and I'm surprised it hadn't come up sooner in my google search. Thanks Simon & Seafort's for a great Anniversary dinner!
(5)Madeline P.
Yeah yeah yeah ... it's a chain restaurant, but I didn't realize that when I ordered. If I had, I probably wouldn't have dined here. Nonetheless, I had the special which was a cinnamon and cardamon filet. Three words: to die for. Friendly service and 'ok' wine list with many of my hometown Willamette Valley bottles on the list. Next trip to Anchorage, I'll be back.
(5)Kati S.
Our server was very pleasant and attentive but the food was god awful. I have never complained or sent back food before especially when the service is wonderful until now. I ordered the stuffed halibut which swapped between two different flavors 1) bland slimy or 2) bland with a hint of burned macadamia nut. Absolutely unbearable. They were kind and comped my $35 meal and I ended up Stoping elsewhere on the way home. There were six of us at the table and everyone's food was gross. This is the second time I have been here the first time was just as bad but that had awful service. Needless to say I will never return.
(1)Tracy H.
You just can't go wrong at Simon's. Great food and friendly service. This is the place for a quality meal in Anchorage.
(4)Ellen G.
The stuffed halibut and halibut cheek dishes were divine. The desserts are delicious. One of the people in our party ordered the lobster tail, which weren't cooked well and didn't seem fresh. She sent it back and the next dish was fresh and cooked to perfection
(4)Brandon S.
If you come here, make sure you get a spot that has a clear view at the back windows. The view of the water is great. Depending on the time of year you can watch the sun set. The food is solid. The blue cheese & bacon chips was a good way to start the meal. The prime rib was well prepared, and seasoned well. We sat on the bar side so it was a little loud, but the level was what you would expect from a bar. They do get quite busy, so reservations are a good idea.
(4)Krystle L.
One Sunday morning, I woke up with a mad craving for Snow City's hashbrowns. So, after hauling the husband and kiddos in the car and driving downtown, the host tells us there is an hour long wait. Eh, typical for Snow City but the kids were restless and hungry so we decided to give Simon & Seafort's brunch a try. (I've only had dinner there). I am SOOO glad we did. We were seated immediately and were brought delicious homemade apple muffins. The menu was fantastic! I had bread pudding french toast, my husband had the eggs benedict, and the kids had the biscuits and gravy. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because the biscuits and gravy were cold. This kids loved them anyway. Everything else was very good. At first I thought the portions were going to be too small, but in the end we left with happy and full tummies.
(4)Martha N.
The BEST restaurant there is in a small town like Anchorage. This is a great place for romantic dates, family dinners, or to just hang out with friends. It's best to come here in the late afternoon where you can enjoy the sunset and get a magnificent view of the Cook Inlet. If you want to enjoy excellent meal of seafood, this place is for you. The crab artichoke dip is a MUST HAVE!!~ If you are planning for a party in groups of 4 or more people, I suggest to call ahead for reservations because this place can get busy.
(5)Travis R.
Pricey, but the food is excellent. Tip: try to request a table with a view, if possible.
(4)Inge J.
Good seafood. Had oysters as appetizer and then a combo of halibut cheeks and herb crusted halibut. Fish good but maybe a little dry. Good service.
(3)Karter C.
Simons has been my favorite place for quite some time now for appetizers and drinks ! They host a dining side and a bar side ! If you go towards the evenings the bar side gets pretty busy and it's self seating. They offer half off appetizers during special hours which are great and the steam clams are a must. They also serve a full bar and have a full menu to choose from. The bar side has many TVs and a really nice view of some mountains in Alaska from there window sided wall. I have had a few of there entrees and I feel they could be better for the price and the environment. Besides the clams the main entrees has yet to wow me in any aspect yet. But besides that it's a nice restaurant to start your night out at.
(4)John O.
One of the "solid" choices of restaurants in Anchorage. If you are on the company dime or money is not an issue, this is a must on your tour of Anchorage. The macadamia nut encrusted halibut is off the chain DELICIOUS. Seriously...amazing. And so is the price -- roughly $34. Great service -- (and Anchorage is not known for having great service). Located in what appears to be a office/business building, upon entering this establishment you get a view of the arguably beautiful mudflats and Mt Susitna. As far as "views" go in Anchorage, this is as good as it gets. It's expensive, but it's old skool. Although I have only been here once, it was certainly a pleasurable dining experience. Just expect to pay for it.
(4)Megan J.
Anchorage classic doesn't excuse too much sauce fresh fish manhandled extra point: great view lively atmosphere at night still don't recommend
(2)Gino H.
This was a unpleasant visit to say the least the power went out and the MOD didn't even wana make eye contact wit me i was very upset the only person of race and it was disrespectful and sad... I thought we were over that type of treatment....
(1)Jen C.
A bit pricey, but that's par for seafood in Anchorage. If you go at lunch it's more reasonably priced, and if you go a little late (around 1 pm) you can probably get a nice window seat. Love the clams.
(4)Todd B.
Food was excellent ! Everyone had fish and was all fresh and prepared well. Wine list was very good with a good selection at a high value price point! Service was very good!
(4)Keshar N.
I'm in a bit of a strange place with this review. You know that place where the food was really good, and the service was really nice, but not great? Yes. That's the place that I am in. Bob and I went here with one of our friends to celebrate an occasion. Now my friend has been her multiple times and sang its praises, so we were definitely game to come! Plus, we got to enjoy the beautiful Tony Knowles coastal trail before dinner. The place is kind of an old school restaurant, it seems updated but not really modern? Does that even make sense? We had made a reservation (highly recommended - we went on a Wednesday night and it was PACKED) and were seated promptly. Our server came by and took our drink menu - we ordered a bottle of wine and off we went! We started our evening with the halibut and artichoke dip - which was delicious! Not overly cheesy or creamy, you could actually taste the halibut, artichoke and spinach - a nice change. And then I had the salmon special (salmon with a blueberry sauce reduction, wild rice and veggies), Bob had the rock salt prime rib and our friend had the halibut cheeks special. Overall, the food was absolutely excellent! The salmon was perfectly cooked, not a bit overdone and the combination of that with the blueberry sauce was divine. Bob's prime rib was also great, cooked really well and served in its own au jus. AND! To make sure that everything didn't get soggy, the veggies were served on a separate place (a nice touch). I have never had halibut cheeks before. This seems to be a huge oversight in my culinary life as they are AMAZING!!! They kind of have the consistency of a scallop mixed with crab? But they taste wonderful and are really delicate. We all shared the bread pudding for dessert (also absolutely fantastic). Now, throughout that meal - our server, brought and poured the wrong wine, forgot items we asked for, dropped our food and then put the wrong price on the wine on the final bill. Now, I have been in food service, I know we all have off nights, but this was a bit much! Regardless, i would happily go back to eat there - those halibut cheeks are worth the clumsy service!
(4)Joy G.
If anything, the view at Simon's makes it worth a visit, especially if you are tourist. We sat in the bar, and even from pretty far back, we had a breath-taking vista to enjoy. We went for happy hour apps and drinks. Drinks came quickly. The $5 Pomegranite Margarita was very tasty and not skimpy on the tequila; I felt it long before I reached the bottom of my glass. There seemed to be some confusion when I place the order for our $20 app sampler. It took a very long time to come, and was a bit cold when it arrived. Shrimp was good, artichoke dip was great, the steak was sooooooo rare it freaked me out. Some of it was super-tender, but some was really gristly. Gristly and bleeding is GROSS. Kinda killed it for me. Maybe I'll go back for dinner sometime, but given the prices, I expected better service and perfect food. If I had paid full price for what I got, I would have been dissatisfied. All in all, happy hour is a pretty good deal. Like I said, the view alone makes it worth stopping in.
(4)Jeremy R.
Food was good. Not great, but good. At twenty dollars a plate, this is a real winner. At forty a plate, it was a bit overpriced. The prime rib/shrimp/salmon special was a good sampling of whey they had to offer. Portions were generous and the meal definitely filled me up. But the best flavor on the plate was the mashed potatoes. The food was not bad, by any means. I just expected a little more for a $50 entree. My wife had a baked salmon with blue cheese topping, which was pretty good as well. Alas, her favorite part of the meal was the vegetables on the side. Wait staff was adequate, but we definitely didn't have the amazing service other people note in their reviews. Restaurant didn't sound loud, but my wife had trouble hearing me so it seemed like I had to yell to be heard. As others said, where you are seated in key (we didn't have a view of the bay). We will likely try again based on all the other great reviews, but probably for lunch next time.
(3)M. J.
Tried this place because Glacier Club had an hour wait for Sunday brunch. Bad sign, this place not busy. tried it anyway and upon arrival, a table by the window needed to be cleaned before we could be seated. The manager stood around like an idiot while we waited for them to locate a sufficiently low level employee to clean a table. No urgency. 10-15 minutes at least but the view looked okay (by the way, the restaurant is difficult to find with a dinky thing out front). Service was really slow. Saw a couple next to us finally get up and leave after not being served and the staff looked baffled. A few days later cannot remember what I had, just the dreadful service headed by a manager who was clueless and different. We did read the NY Times during the ordeal. Don't waste time on this place,
(1)L W.
Great food in Anchorage! They always have a fresh seafood menu, that has been different each time we've been. AWESOME cocktails and KILLER key lime pie! Plus, the view is magnificent if you are there in the daylight :)
(5)John S.
Hands down, the best dining experience in Anchorage. Big, bright interior. Top notch food. Excellent happy hour food specials. A vibrant crowd on the weekends. Naturally, pricey. But hey, you're in Anchorage making the big "Alaska" bucks, right? Well, Simon & Seafort's is a place you'll have no choice but to splurge...
(5)Damien F.
Went for the dessert, both were good if not great. Service is good for a busy bar. A little noisy but otherwise pleasant. Would be awesome to get a window seat and watch the sunset from.
(4)Heather S.
My husband and I split the oysters and salmon carpaccio for our appetizer. The oysters were just as they should be chilled and fresh but the salmon carpaccio stole the show! Amazing! I had the scallops which were delicious and my husband went with the stuffed halibut which was also great. I really liked the food here and the menu had a wide variety of choices. I wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars actually because my only complaint is the decor and overall ambiance of the restaurant. In need of some updating especially if it's going to compete as a high end restaurant in Anchorage. Other than the decor, highly recommend!
(4)Kalani C.
2.9 stars. A mainstay in Anchorage. From the looks of the very crowded bar area, I'm guessing this is where many locals like to roam. Although this is a chain, I was very excited to be here as my friend who brought me, ranted and raved about their offerings. I was also looking forward to having great seafood, in particular, salmon. Ambiance: 3.5 stars. I ordered the Wild Alaskan King Salmon that was seared in peppercorns and served in a white dill sauce. I love salmon, so this sounded wonderful to me. Unfortunately, I was only able to eat 25% of it. The peppercorns were so overwhelming that it masked the flavor of the salmon and made me an unhappy camper. I guess I'm more a fan of salmon than pepper: 2 stars. Thankfully, I ordered their soup of the day previously, which was a scallop and bacon bisque (3.5 stars) and enjoyed their complimentary bread that went well with it. So, I didn't leave totally hungry. Other than than, the service was average at best (poor attention and eye contact: 2.5 stars) and we had to ask for our wines after 10 minutes of trying to get our servers attention. I had high hopes for this place, which is probably partially the problem and my friend mentioned that I should have ordered their signature dish, which was the Crab Stuffed Alaskan Halibut. Regardless, I feel everything that is on the menu should be equally as good as their signature items. Otherwise, get it off the menu. Great expectations on my part, but unfortunately disappointing. Tally: Ambiance: 3.5 stars Wild Alaskan King Salmon: 2 stars Bisque: 3.5 stars Service: 2.5 stars 3.5+2+3.5+2.5= 11.5/4= 2.9 stars.
(3)Jared W.
Great, delicious food! Calamari and tiger shrimp are great appetizers. I liked their French Onion soup more then the Salmon Chowder The two times I came here I ordered the halibut cheeks. DeliciousCreme Brulee for dessert to finish the meal!
(5)Chi S.
After our wonderful cruise and land tours of Alaska, I read some of the reviews on Yelp and decided to make a dinner out of it. I have to agree with several of the members and state it's over-rated. The steaks were over cooked and tough. Nothing outstanding about the seafood either. The location wasn't impressive either. Save your money and find another local restaurant.
(3)Patricia H.
I like going to the bar for drinks and appetizers, The scratch margaritas are a must! the crab dip is another must and the steak tips are pretty darn good, in fact, I dont think I have ever had a bad appetizer. go during happy hour for more affordable pricing but worth it even at full price. The restraunt itself is nice, with an upscale feel. Stick with the prime rib though as every time I have been adventurous I was disappointed. the staff are friendly and very proffesional. if it is a special occasion they try to make it extra special. my overall take - enjoy the bar for scratch margaritas and appetizers. the restraunt part is too pricey for the quality of the food.
(3)Lyssa D.
Our 14th anniversary found us in Anchorage & so while the reviews were mixed for Simon & Seafort, so we took a chance. We got to the restaurant at about 6:40pm, the reservation was for 7 pm on a Tuesday, one might thing that would be unnecessary, it's Tuesday after all, but when we got to Simon & Seafort, it was busy, like really really busy, as in over an hour wait. The bar was hopping & has a great turn of the Century feel to it. It has a wonderful view into the bay & the Whiskey Sour was great. We were seated at about 7:05, which was fine, as I was working my second cocktail & feeling very good. We were set at a table strewn with rose petals for our anniversary, very sweet. We had the calamari & a spinach/crab dip, both were very yummy. The calamari had a mustard aioli & fried artichokes, which is a favorite with me. I had the Haddock Cheeks - a total yum! Michael had an excellent Salmon special. The Cream Brûlée at the end of the meal was heavenly. This restaurant did not disappoint us even a little. The service was stellar & this is a total do over next time we are in Anchorage!
(5)G P.
Best tartar sauce I've ever had in my life! It has artichoke in it. Crazy!
(4)Doug D.
Actually ate here 2x in a week. Happy hour had reasonable options and Tom in the bar gave excellent suggestions. Location affords spectacular sunsets. Favorite restaurant in Anchorage.
(5)Dennis R.
It's has been 12 years since I have eaten here at Simons, and after tonight's performance, it will be another 10 years until I try it again! Seriously the worst case of service and food I have experienced in a very long time! I ordered the Beef Tenderloin Salad with mixed greens and blue cheese... What I got was a small piece of meat, that may have been pink, but was dry with no juice, tough and very gamey in flavor... 2 slices of tomato and a cup of French fries...?? My husband ordered the Asiago Scallops... The breading was dense, had no flavor... Every thing was very greasy and the scallops were over cooked. I ordered a glass of wine before ordering the entrée... But since it took 35 minutes before the food was served, the wine was long gone... When the dinner was served, I requested another glass... That was a no show, and I had to chew my meat dry... Finally, after the meal... We ordered dessert and coffee... After that order was taken... A different server quickly walked by, and casually dropped off the wine I had ordered over 20 minutes earlier... YUMMMM... Red wine and ice cream! :-/ Seriously... It will be a long time before I will try this establishment again... And I'm sorry to everyone I have suggested this place to as one of "Anchorage's Finest Restaurants"!
(1)Baron V.
I used to go to Alaska as a kid every few years, and this was my favorite place to go for seafood in Alaska. Glad to see they are still in business after 20 years from when I was last there. The views were amazing, great service, and excellent seafood from what I remember.
(5)B W.
Macadamia encrusted crab-stuffed halibut and Key lime pie. YUM! Make reservations online and be sure to request a seat by the window- otherwise you can end up with a crappy table without a view, and let's face it, you pay for the view here.
(5)Adam W.
Simon & Seafort's is an Anchorage institution (although owned by Restaurants Unlimited, which runs restaurants in 11 Western states). It is within waddling distance of both the Inlet and the Captain Cook Hotel, so it is jammed with tourists in the summertime. Among locals there is somewhat of a divide in how to view this place. People who are not "into" food tend to think of this place as Anchorage's "best restaurant," and go there for special occasions. The opposing view is that while Simon's has decent-to-good food in a formal but fun setting with an outstanding view of the inlet, the prices for a sit down meal are out of line with the quality of the food. That being said, if you are OK with paying a little more for the fun atmosphere and great view, then by all means go. But if you are interested in finding the best food in Anchorage, this just ain't it. I do have to say that I enjoy the bar's happy hour. Especially now that the menu and food appear to have been revamped. After being consistently underwhelmed with the bar's offerings, the last time I went I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of every appetizer item we ordered. However, I was disappointed that oysters are no longer on the happy hour menu =( All in all, as long as this restaurant is not wrongly exalted as the "best restaurant" in Anchorage, I'm A-OK with it.
(3)Craig B.
Outstanding just simply the best place to eat in Anchorage Alaska... Well done sir well done!!
(5)J J.
Ate the crusted stuffed halibut and it was the best meal I ate the entirety if my two week business trip in Anchorage. The only down side was it was the priciest.
(5)Cerena G.
Visiting from Seattle. We got seated around 11:30 on a Wednesday being probably the second table there so we were seated at a window. The restaurant has a ok view of the inlet. Bread and whatever spread that wasn't butter brought to us was delicious. Crab wontons were so good - count is 5. Like I said, we were the second table there and we were only a 2-top... we didn't order anything elaborate. We got the wrap of the day, which was a philly cheese steak wrap and the turkey, bacon, avocado, and tomato sandwich. We kind of were looking at the clock wondering where our food was. We kept seeing everyone that came way later with a bigger top get served their entrees before we did and they got sandwiches, as well. It was about 12:15 when we finally got our food. You could tell it had been sitting on the warmer for a bit. :/ The bottom of the wrap was soggy from the juices settling down on the bottom for awhile. Other than that, the flavor was there on the philly cheese steak wrap.. a bit small, but good. The turkey, bacon, avocado, and tomato sandwich was huuuuge! Just an FYI: the sandwich has mayo and maybe dijon mustard? Who knows. The menu said nothing of the such. It was good though. Anyway, the place was decent, but I would go elsewhere again before I come here for a second time. PS - moscow mule is always a good choice.
(3)Alan M.
If you are looking for value, skip this place. I'm fan because of the friendly service and atmosphere. The food was a bit salty. The appetizers were better
(4)Casey S.
Yes, Simon's has great service and yes, their food is pretty good. But it's so EXPENSIVE for what you get! Most of their appetizers come out of a box and I'm pretty sure it's the same with their desserts. The redeeming factor is their bar. They have Happy Hour drinks that last all day long. My friends and I took advantage of the $4 Cranberry Mojitos and Bud Lights. Although, the rum in the mojitos was a little on the light side. And if you actually make it to the bar between 4 - 6PM you can take advantage of their half priced appetizers. The view out over the inlet is beautiful and my friends and I always have a good time while in the bar, but the full priced menu items seem ridiculously expensive for what you get.
(3)Sara W.
happy hour menu is good. the 'pomegranite margaritas' though you might as well skip since the mix is premade and is WEAK! oh it was pure sugar, i wasn't sure there was alcohol in it. came here on vacay since it was next door to the copper whale where we stayed. occupied the bar area til the bar shut down actually. the drinks were ok, the food pretty good, but what gives this place 4 stars was the view...and the service. but first, the view. we got a corner table over looking the water and when the sun started to set, it was breath taking...we all busted out the iphones (granted, it was around 9:15pm lol,) to take a picture of the gorgeous sunset. so that's one reason to check this place out. the service was friendly and prompt, mostly. i think she missed someone's drink order but easily fixable. very accomadating :) the appetizers we did try were pretty darn tootin' tasty. i enjoyed their mac n cheese and the kobe sliders were dynamite (wish it came with more then 3!!) pretty cool spot that sounds to be hit or miss.
(4)John K.
Came for dinner. Was so good I came back the next day for lunch with my clients! Amazing oysters and the two entrees I had (for dinner and lunch) were excellent. I can't even remember what I had for dinner (but it was really good). For lunch I had the halibut cheeks. Just between us, I had no idea a halibut had a cheek (let alone cheeks--plural. Exactly how many cheeks per halibut?) Anyone know? Excellent Petron margaritas, too. Pricey? Yes ... but the food and service were outstanding and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the diagonal Alaskan sunset--well it tried to set while we were there. Sunset was about 10:45PM and we were long-gone by then. Lower the price a bit and you'll get five stars out of me. I finally joined their chain's dining club while I was there since I've been to their Kincaid's location in Phoenix.
(4)George L.
Pricy place to dine, came for their happy hour menu 3pm-5pm, 10pm-close. Food was very good, service was good.
(3)Chich S.
Only went for happy hour, but the food sampling I had of the happy hour specials were delish! I ordered the prawns too and they were big and fresh!
(4)Mark C.
4.5 rounded up. Food was excellent. Per the server we were fortunate that they were able to get fresh crab - not frozen. Per the server, we were just very lucky. Service was very good. Decor is quite dated, which is the 1/2 star knock.
(5)Sean G.
One of the best places to get some great seafood downtown. Alaska yes is great for sea food but at S&S you get great service and an amazing view all year round. The special is where it's at for me everything in the menus is 5 stars but the special changes so it keeps me happy trying new things.
(5)R H.
Going to try some great seafood. Unfortunately my wife ordered very expensive crab legs and received one single crab leg. Never seen a dish more over priced in my entire life.
(2)Karyn M.
I ate a late dinner here while visiting for the Iditarod. The ambiance is very romantic & the wait staff is super friendly & attentive. They had some great happy hour deals, both drinks & apps, but I went for the king crab. I have to say I wasn't that impressed. It wasn't much bigger than a snow crab cluster & cost twice as much. In Texas we get 3 clusters, so really it's about 6 times the cost. I thought the scalloped potatoes were tasty, once you peeled off the dried up, chewy cheese. The one shining item on my plate was the sourdough bread. I have never liked it, even from San Fran, but this was really good. The salmon aioli that came with it was delicious.
(4)Michael S.
Simon's is always a solid bet when looking for a nice meal downtown. I dine there about as often as anywhere and service are consistently enjoyable. I highly recomend the calamri appatizer, one of the best I have had anywhere. Their menue is broad enough to please everyone in your party, but I tend to favor their seafood offerings. The only downside I have enciountered is that they are consistently crowded. It is typical to wiat, even with a reservation.
(4)Maureen F.
Fish is well cooked. Side dishes are awful! Side dishes are greasy! Service is fine. Crab and oysters are perfect. Had hoped for better.
(3)Christy A.
Good food but service was very slow.
(4)Fran R.
This was my favorite restaurant in Anchorage. I stayed there almost a week and had some great meals. My favorite dish at Simon and Seaforts was the Halibut cheeks. It was busy so reservations are recommended.
(5)Jeff S.
Ate here on our first day in Anchorage and the food was outstanding. I asked the waiter if he liked the Crab and Macadamia Stuff Halibut or the Halibut Cheeks better and he offered to do a combo of both. Both were great but I really liked the Parmesan crust on the Halibut Cheeks. The chocolate cake was great too!
(5)Andy S.
Really an excellent restaurant, with a great view. I have been here twice for meals, and additionally for cocktails, and I have enjoyed each experience greatly. You can find a wide variety of items on the menu, but my focus is always on the fresh seafood. On my recent visit, I had a delicious Alaskan sole dish, and my wife enjoyed a fish and chips meal. The meals were generous but not 'gross' in size, well-seasoned and prepared, and worth every penny. They have a great array of local beers on tap as well. Simon & Seafort's will always be a must-visit for me on any and all future visits to Anchorage. I highly recommend that you give it a try.
(4)Ginger A.
While vacationing in Anchorage we asked 5-6 people where to go for good seafood, and every person said Simon & Seafort's. They were right! The halibut, clam chowder, and Alaskan King Crab were all delicious! It's definitely an expensive night out, but for a special occasion it was well worth it. Nice ambiance by the water, and the wait staff were all fantastic.
(5)Caroline G.
Okay so this place already has a gazillion reviews, but here's my 2 cents. I sat in the Saloon (do they always dress up like this?) and had the Alaska IPA which was a big hit with my tastebuds, and then I ordered the raw oysters and the smoked salmon appetizers. This review is literally only going to be about the fat, delicious, juicy, alaskan oysters that soaked up the pacific seawater all summer long. Oh how you enter my belly. I would go again, just for the oysters. GO!
(4)Gerry R.
Two reasons for the five-star review: 1. Service. We were in Anchorage on the last day of our two-week vacation and hubby wanted crab legs. We went to S&S for lunch and of course, crab legs aren't on the lunch menu, but the dinner menu. No problem says our waiter - and promptly brings over a dinner menu - even though we know they aren't "doing" dinner yet. He was also on top of refills, etc. 2. Food. Those crab legs were perfect..very yummy..according to the hubby. I ate the most awesome Seafood Louise salad. With salmon, crab and shrimp this was, hands down, the best salad I've EVER eaten. Thanks for the great experience!
(5)Julie S.
My girlfriend took me here to pre party before we went about the small anchor town city night life, around 10pm cause she said they have HH specials... which is the only place for HH since there are so many alcoholics in AK. She was totally WRONG! Drink specials were all day!!! Hello... I could have been here all evening until closing. I wouldn't mind drinking $4 drinks and munch on food with NO SALES TAX! By the way this place is not the only fine dining available in the city...
(3)Garrett P.
When the menu lists an item for a specific price, that is what a person should pay. When you charge a higher price, despite the menu being placed right in front of your face, that's called stealing from your customer. Horrible.
(1)Burke S.
Great view, average food, overpriced.
(3)Matt S.
YOU MUST: call and make a reservation, unless you want to eat in a tightly packed, very loud bar area. This is an expensive meal to eat in that setting, and it would definitely diminish your experience. Fortunately, this was a special dinner (anniversary) and I had actually called ahead and reserved a table. After a short wait in the aforementioned loud bar area, we were shuttled to our table. They had laid out rose petals and a little card for us. Wow, nice touch. The fish was as good as it gets. We both ordered off of the daily special menu--I got a salmon filet and she got a combination of both halibut dishes. All three entrees were top-quality. Easily the best cooked salmon I've ever eaten--perfectly seasoned to maximize the fish. It's easy to see why folks in Alaska say they can't eat fish anywhere else. We shared creme brulee for dessert and it was top-notch as well. The only complaint I had about the meal was the appetizer (baked brie--kinda bland--which came with some very unimpressive white bread) but I would simply get something different for that course next time. Nice service and we were given a table with an absolutely outstanding view of what turned out to be a spectacular sunset. Bottom line: Expensive but worth every single penny. For the quality of the meal, the prices were actually in line with what I've expect to pay in the Lower 48. I'd eat like this all the time if I could afford it. Highly recommended.
(5)Susan H.
We had to try Simon & Seaforts while in Anchorage. This place was great! We made our reservation on Open Table for about 7:45PM. The place was hopping, but because we made reservations in advance, we were able to get our requested window seat. What a great view. The waiter we had was Mike R. Mike was really helpful in explaining the menu and the specials. He knew the ingredients and how everything was prepared. At his suggestion we ordered the Haibut Combo- crabbed stuffed with asiago almond crust and halibut cheeks in a beurre blanc sause. WOW!!! My partner tried the rock salt prime rib, as prime rib is also one of their specialties. It was also very good. For dessert we split the seasonal fruit cobbler. Another great choice. Next time I will order my own! We highly recommend this place!
(5)Patrick M.
Thigh we were a few minutes late, we were seated promptly, treated very well, and had a great dining experience. All points of our meal and experience were above par.
(4)Kim S.
Simon's is one of THE places to eat or drink in Anchorage. They are well known for their selection of seafood, but all the food is great (even the hot wings!). My husband and I make a point to go their in the summer and get a table by the big windows.The views are amazing. The happy hour special is a great deal - I believe the appetizers are half price - and DELICIOUS. Their lunches are fantastic, as well. The open face crab sandwich is to die for. This is where I send all fo my visiting family and friends without hesitation.
(5)Tara G.
Excellent experience! My boyfriend and I spent a weekend in Anchorage and wanted to enjoy a meal of fresh seafood. Simon & Seafort's delivered! We started with oysters on the half shell, a baker's half dozen (7). They were the sweetest ever - creamy without a hint of grit, the fresh taste of the ocean - enjoyable with noting more than a dash of lemon juice. I'd read the other yelp reviews of the halibut cheeks and had to have them. We asked for and were able to get, an appetizer portion of them. The cheeks were delicately cooked with a crust of parmesan cheese and served in a light butter sauce with chives. The cheeks have a firm texture and a sweet taste. We split a wedge salad with maytag blue cheese. The salads came out seperately with a nice side of extra dressing. I'm always amazed how much I love a wedge - i mean - iceberg lettuce as the base of a salad usually spells - bleh! But the wedge was crisp, soft and salty bacon and perfectly ripened little grape tomatoes. The only down side of this dish for me was teh accomanying deviled eggs. The eggs were perfectly cooked and dressed - but when added to the blue cheese - they were too rich for the dish. For dinner, my boyfriend wanted the appetizer sampler which has teriyaki tenderloin, chili smoked prawns, and the crab and artichoke dip. Again, we asked to change things around and they accomodated the request without a problem. He substituted the mussels instead. The prawns were delightful - perfectly cooked and the smoky flavor of the chili paired with the spicy remoulade sauce was heavenly! The mussels were fresh beyond compare and the bowl was overflowing! I ordered the King Crab legs. The crab was served with asparagus and a wedge of au gratin potatoes. The potatoes were creamy and had a firm bite - not the overwhelming cheesy goo that is so often found in reastaurant au gratins. The only problem? The crab legs! My protion was overcooked and resulted in mealy, dry crab. I told teh waiter and he immediately started a second batch. The manager, Robert, brought out the next plate and these were PERFECT!! Succulent, juicy and firm! Everything you dream of in King Crab. I was impressed with how quickly and completely the error was corrected! Our experience was top notch - having worked in fine dining - I know the small things that can make or break a good service. Our waiter, Matt, made the evening spectacular. He stepped up and took responsbility for every aspect of our meal being extra special - procuring special requests - cheeks app, split wedge, special dinner appetizer combo, and overcoming a bad entree. Too often I see waiters shift responsbility for their guests less then stellar experiences onto the kitchen or management - not Matt. He is a top notch server!! Looking for things to change - I found two - nothing critical - but small tuning to make the experience perfect. One, bring a separate bowl for mussel shells (I know - this is getting pretty picky!). Two, I was suprised to see asparagus as the vegetable accompaniment. Given the amazing fresh produce available in Anchorage right now (we visited the farmer's market on Friday) it seemed silly to serve a vegetable imported from half way around the world! How about some fresh greem beans, sauteed summer squash, broccoli? Something fresh and local would have made a better accentt!! Thank you to the staff and management at Simon & Seafort's for an unforgettable dinner!
(5)Bill M.
I read some of the Simon & Seafort's reviews on Yelp before traveling to Anchorage and wasn't sure whether I wanted try it or not. After a good recommendation from a friend of my wife's, we gave it try. All I can say is the folks who have given this place bad reviews must have eaten in a different restaurant. Our experience was wonderful. My wife and I ordered entrees from the fresh fish menu and they were excellent. The menu offered online is their regular menu; so, you don't get to see the fresh fish menu except at the restaurant. My wife had the halibut stuffed with crab and macadamia nuts (I tasted it). According to the notation on the menu,that dish has been voted "Best Entree" in Anchorage for 2 years. We can believe it. It was superb. I had grilled sockeye salmom with a light blue cheese sauce served over roasted sweet potato cubes. It was excellent and cooked to perfection. The restaurant provides an unobstructed view of Cook Inlet and the staff is knowlegeable and attentive. If you are in Anchorage and miss this place, then, your trip is incomplete.
(5)Jimmy J.
Just had the stuffed halibut and my dining companion had the prime rib. The fish was good, not great and was not hot....just...well, warmish. After reading all the reviews here I was expecting better. The service was excellent so I just didn't have the heart to tell him....it was acceptable and I didn't want to cause a fuss. The prime rib portion was also not as large as expected from the reviews which say the portions are large. The crab/artichoke dip was good but the bread was a bit stale compared to the very excellent starting bread that was brought to the table.
(3)Andrei J.
Simon and Seafort's reminds me of some Dynasty episode from the 80's with the furnishings and general age of customers. But I like it. In fact I go there regularly, when I'm in Anchorage, for their after-work cocktails and appetizers specials.
(3)Teresa S.
I have been here before for lunch and it was good. However, this is about the Happy Hour experience. We arrived about 4:30 and Happy hour was in full swing. We were lucky to get a table actually. I think we got the last one. Being Friday night it was quite busy. Our waitress was great and i am sorry to say i do not remember her name i need to be better at that. We had Happy hour food which was incredible. Between the 3 of us we had quite the feast going on. Everything was full size and very inexpensive. We all had to work that night so it was hot tea and ice tea for all of us. Great food!
(5)Mike D.
The only way this place has 4-stars overall is due to old ratings carrying the day. Check out the more recent 2-3 star reviews. Something changed in the last 1-2 years. Thinking about S &S? Extremely overrated (and that includes their Happy Hour)! Go to Sack's Cafe instead. Go to Glacier Brewhouse instead. One would think that a restaurant that highlights the Exec Chef and Sous Chef on the menu would be at least three stars. The crab dip was good - nothing to write home about. The Cod special however was poor. The thin part of the cod was cooked, but the thicker part was raw. I went back to Sack's Cafe twice before I left Anchorage.
(2)Kayla Z.
I was really torn between 2 and 3 stars for this place. I decided on 2 because I don't want to throw around good ratings for nothing. There was nothing inherently *bad* about S&S, but there wasn't anything that stood out in my mind as particularly amazing either. "Meh, I've had better" pretty much describes my experience to a "T." I am an onion soup conissuer. If I see it on a menu I basically HAVE to order it. It's like in my rule book or something. There was nothing bad about the soup but it was lacking. The cheese was great, but the broth was just...ok. It needed more of a beefy/sherry kick to it. Maybe I just like my onion soup to be particularly punchy. This was not punchy. My boyfriend ordered the crab/artichoke dip which sounded really promising but the only thing I could taste was mayonnaise and green onion. Any crab flavor that might have been in that dip was completely overpowered by the scent and taste of green onion. For the entree I got the petite filet cooked medium and the boyfriend got the stuffed halibut. My filet *was* perfectly cooked, which is a feat in and of itself. It just seems like so many restaurants have a hard time properly cooking a steak, this is one thing that S&S got correct. The steak was not seasoned at all, which is more or less fine as I just salted it myself. The boyfriend was quite happy with the way his fish was cooked but thought the stuffing overpowered the taste of the fish. I agreed. It seems like S&S is covering up their foods real flavor with flavors of additive ingredients (the green onion in the dip, the stuffing in the fish). If your ingredients are fresh enough you don't need to go overboard with additives. Just let the food speak for itself. I've read a lot on this page about the halibut cheeks and the bf said he had the same problem with them in the past. They are heavily crusted with cheese (Parmesan/asiago). He said it's pretty good but *way* too much cheese breading. You have to be sooo careful when you do cheese with seafood. Seafood is normally way too light for a cheesy breading/sauce. I'm not saying I will never go back, but it will definitely not be first on my list.
(2)Customer S.
Hands Down, the BEST place for a open faced Crab sandwich topped with smoked Cheese and Garden Fresh Tomato. I have eaten here for over 17 years and it just keeps getting better. The Grilled Shrimp with Grilled Veggies is Amazing. ** Special note** It is not on the menu, but their Spicy Cajun Fetuccine is out of sight and pair it with either the best Creme Brulee I've tasted in the United States or their Berry crisp along with some Fireweed icecream. Spectacular. Ohh and don't forget to order an "Italian Love Affair" Oh my goodness You just Cannot go wrong with Simon's
(5)Sarah M.
Lucky for us they got halibut cheeks in on the day we decided to go in :) Yummmm! We started with the calamari and artichokes which were cooked to perfection. They were soo tender and melt-in-your-mouth. I got the halibut cheeks covered with asiago bread crumbs. It came with mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies.We finished our great meal off with a slice of key lime pie. Not only was the food amazing but the service was equally as impressive. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and had the patience to answer the 21 questions that my father absolutely NEEDED to ask :) What a great experience. I am excited to come back to Anchorage just to eat at Simon and Seaforts.
(5)T C.
I'm resistant to give a perfect-star rating, because there just can be something "off" about the place. I've gone here a lot; maybe it was spotty service, maybe it was the food or a drink, maybe it's because they change their happy hour for the later in the summer time because of the tourists (thereby, neglecting the locals that keep them open in the winter!) but I'm not really sure. I'm not entirely confident giving the best rating. However, I think 4 stars can adequately cover it. S&S is a pretty great place. I love hitting them up in the saloon for happy hour, and it's nice to just sit back at the window, enjoy a $4 (or $5.50 if you get an extra kick, like I do!) cocktail, some half-priced apps, and have some good conversation. I'm a vegetarian, but their options are great. I love their brie and macadamia nut appetizer, and their fries are tasty. My friends rave about the Kobe sliders. All the other meaty and fishy things they've had; I've heard nothing but great responses. Their liquor selection is vast, and impressive. Nothing like sitting down for a dinner (in the restaurant section) with some good friends, with delicious food, and having a well-educated server explain the different notes, nuances and tastes of a variety of alcohol. That's another plus that they have: their staff actually knows what they're selling/making/slinging. You can't really say that about every classy restaurant. I'm glad S&S makes the effort to provide a good atmosphere, with knowledgeable staff.
(4)Brigitte L.
Made a reservation but ended up sitting at a table in the lounge, same view, very pleasant atmosphere. Started out with a combo of macadamia and glazed pecans with our drinks, then oysters Rockefeller. The new blue cheese steak on the menu was to die for. The service was top notch. I'll do it all over again very soon.
(5)Chris M.
Was in ANC for work last year. Came for dinner one night to this fancy place. The prices were quite high so I expected the food to be amazing. Orderd the salmon dish which was quite tasty but a tad overcooked. I expected to be wowed but unfortunately it fell short. At this price range (call me crazy) I expect perfectly executed dishes. Like I said, food was GOOD but not great. Service was very good and waiter very attentive.
(3)Gesselle C.
I have not had a chance to eat here yet because I did not have a reservation but the view was amazing. TIP: Make a reservation.
(3)Karen M.
Wonderful char grilled wild salmon with pecan butter. Just the right mix of sweet and savory. Is it just me, or it is WIERD that the lights are sooooo bright in here?
(5)Brite L.
so many happy memories here over the years. excellent views, ambiance, service and food. a must-do when visiting this beautiful state.
(4)Kristen B.
I have enjoyed every experience I have had at Simon and Seaforts. The happy hour menu is the best in anchorage in my opinion. Its 9-close every night in the summer and they have 4 dollar drinks which are poured plenty stiff! I had two amazing pomegranite margaritas which gave me a good and heavy buzz just off of the TWO! The appetizers are half off depending on what you order. The calamari and artichokes are about some of the best i've found on the west coast, seriously! Not too chewy or rubbery at all. The breading they use is slightly spicy which is awesome! The aeoli and cocktail dipping sauces are also very tasty. The steak tri tips are also pretty good. Definitely need to work on the texture of the rice but that would be my only complaint. I've eaten dinner here as well and its always good. Its pretty spendy, but the seafood i've had here is good. I'm a hard to please seafood gal since i've grown up here, fished my whole life and am very particular about how my seafood is cooked. Nobody can make seafood taste amazing unless its freshly caught that day and cooked that night with the right ingredients to flavor it. I recommend making a reservation for dinner. If you go to the saloon on the right night at the right time, finding a table is easy. Otherwise be prepared to snipe the first one that comes available or be prepared to stand for a few minutes. Albeit, its not that painful considering you can at least have a drink in the lobby while waiting.
(5)Jay K.
Halibut cheeks! The star of the show. Can't get 'em in So Cal. In fact, can't get 'em in the whole lower 48. Lightly breaded with a butter garlic sauce, S&S's cheeks melt in your mouth. Accompanied with some awesome mashed potatoes, these are the real thing. We arrived just after 9 PM as Happy hour reconvened and ordered the appetiser sampler - smoked scampi; crab and artichoke dip; and filet morsels with a well balanced sweet & sour sauce. Bravo!
(5)Naotomo Y.
The king crab is cold! the steak is just ok! I expect better Alaska king crab leg in Alaska, $200 for 3 people, I expect even better!! And no parking!! U have to walk to your car in such cold weather...
(1)Michael B.
Halibut Cheeks. Remember that. With that in mind, my family and I took a nice stroll around downtown Anchorage and soon arrived upon Simon and Seafort's Grill. Arriving a little past their lunch hours, they had just closed their kitchen. However, letting them know we are from California and not here long, they were able to pull some strings and help us out. That is definitely great quality and quite helpful of them. Props for service. Our sole intention was to fulfill the craving of one thing and one thing only. Halibut Cheeks. Being related to an Alaskan native, they definitely encouraged me to try this wonderful Alaskan delicacies. Deriving from Halibut, these juicy filets were pan-seared paired with potatoes and asparagus and a lovely buttery sauce that compliments the fish with satisfaction. One bite and you will truly understand how it will melt-in-your-mouth and just appreciate fish on a whole another level. Absolutely delicious and a great restaurant to have a great meal with quality service. Be ready to spend a good amount on the bill, but remember the quality of the type of food that revolves around this classy place. Apparently, there are no other places that can serve Halibut Cheeks are good as them. Great taste, every time, all the time.
(5)Greg F.
Absolutely one of the finest dining establishments in Anchorage. This place has an incredible view and even better seafood. I ordered the halibut cheeks and they were incredible. If they are on the menu, you must order them. The service was excellent and courteous. Try the stuffed halibut too. You won't regret it. Enjoy...
(5)Thomas G.
They have a great happy hour (430-600pm + 900pm-close). The food was okay but we didn't have any real food: just appetizers. Atmosphere was great, too! Nothing to complain about...5 stars
(5)Zaphod B.
Have been going here for years as a family Christmas Eve tradition. Service is attentive and helpful. Willing to prepare food to the special dietary needs of my wife. The entree' Macadamia nut encrusted, crab stuffed halibut is a long-time favorite on their menu. The problem is that the preparation is not consistent. This time, the halibut was very over-cooked. I would think that they would have their signature dish spot on, every time; but they don't.. View to the west looking over Cook Inlet is one of the best in Anchorage. Over all a good restaurant, but not a great restaurant.
(3)Megan O.
Favorite place for dinner! I always take my family here when they visit. The food is wonderful and the view is amazing if you get a booth by a window. The crab stuffed halibut is so good.
(5)Dustin W.
I really wanted to love this place as its reputation precedes it as the finer dining establishment of Anchorage. The fish was fresh but I wasn't especially impressed with the finish. Overpowering flavors and dated decor. As a tourist, when in AK migrate to the micros for good food and brews.
(3)Lori O.
Great food, good service! I've had a few great meals here. It's definitely one of the nicer places in Anchorage and also one of the pricier. Dine here, don't eat here. Make reservations and ask for a window!
(4)Andy W.
Nice place, good food. Pricey even for happy hour. Don't bother with the 4 dollar drink specials. They're pre-made mixed drinks. Otherwise, good selection.
(4)Alex H.
Great dinner, especially seafood (King crab and salmon) sampler for appetizers is delicious view is great went their in april for a loooong and pretty sunset
(4)Zachary H.
Halibut cheeks. My God.
(4)Roger E.
Got there during the dinner rush. The place was packed on a Thursday and the wait was 45 min to an hour. I am not much on waiting so they suggested we wait in the lounge where we might find a table. They serve the same menu there. We ordered drinks and 10 minutes later a table vacated and we ordered. Some of the best prime rib I ever had. Glad we stayed. Great service.
(4)David T.
We came here on the recommendation of a coworker from the area. It was a little tricky to find, and the parking lot where parking can be validated was pretty much impossible to find since there were no clear directions on where exactly to park. However, we managed to find a spot in a nearby lot. We had a reservation, but had to wait about 10 minutes or so for a table to be cleared. So we headed over to the bar and met up with the very friendly bartender who promptly served us our drinks. While we were drinking and waiting for our table, we struck up a conversation with the oyster shucker. While we were conversing and he was shucking, we inquired about the oysters. He offered us each an oyster to try. Yum...I know what I want for my appetizer. We were soon seated, and directed to a window seat with a great view of the water. Our waitress soon came over, and I was immediately impressed with her friendly demeanor, her efficient service, and her comprehensive knowledge of the menu. Anything we asked was answered with a complete and descriptive explanation, whether the question was about the wine, the seafood, or recommendations on what to order. So in addition to my 1/2 dozen oysters, I got the combination halibut and halibut cheeks per our waitress's off-menu recommendation. The food was excellent, but I think the overall service enhanced our meal even further. I wish all servers were like this one, she really made our meal enjoyable.
(4)Chrizo P.
Do yourself a favor and order the crab dip when you go. Divine!
(4)J C.
Excellent service, atmosphere (view of the Cook Inlet), food, and drinks. I only come here every now and then because it can get pretty spendy. Make sure you come during happy hour (Sat - Sun 4:30 - 6:00PM) to get half off on appetizers and drink specials. The classic sampler is a triple threat of yumminess, and the bone in rib eye is exceptional. Note** happy hour is only served in the bar area, and the menu is limited because their kitchen isn't equipped to handle all of the items. But if you want something off of the full service menu, ask your server nicely and they can make things happen!
(5)Sarah V.
The location and ambience of Simon & Seafort's are the best parts about this restaurant; the ambience is lively and you get a great view with your dinner. However, the service needs improvement. I went here for dinner with my boyfriend and we felt like our service was kind of snobby... My dinner was great (I tried the crab-stuffed halibut), but it could have been better, and I was let down by my honey's etouffe- the presentation was really strange (sauce on the side??). Overall, I like this restaurant, but better food and service can be found elsewhere...
(2)Hilary R.
Two words...HALIBUT CHEEK. During a recent trip to Alaska, I had my fill of Halibut...baked, fried, broiled. Then my dad took us to Simon & Seaforts....where I had one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Asiago encrusted Halibut cheek is a MUST HAVE if you go here. Great views, Great food...:) We also had the seasonal chocolate lavender cake which was scrumptious also.
(5)Michael W.
I have found myself, as of late, traveling periodically to Anchorage on business. I have discovered this restaurant, and have found it quite nice. It is located in an office building. The decor is dark and wood. There is a nice bar in the back if you are traveling alone and don't want to sit at a table alone. The food is excellent. I would recommend the salmon - and any of the salads with salmon. The oysters are also excellent. They have several good beers on tap - including Alaskan ale. Good solid choice.
(4)Jim H.
Well, the food, once it was we got it all, was delicious and well cooked. However getting the dinners was a different matter. I ordered a spinach salad and then the Mac Nut Halibut. I asked how it was prepared as I have a food allergy. Based upon the response I was good to go. My friend ordered a combo of the Mac Nut Halibut and Halibut Cheeks. My salad arrived. A minute later the dinners arrived. I was like wow. I have barely had any of the salad. My friend looked at her dinner and asked where the Mac Nut Halibut was (there were only halibut cheeks on the plate). Blank look on the face response. They took it back and got the right dinner. I finished my salad at a quick pace and then started in on my dinner. One look on the inside and I was horrified. Right there in the middle of the stuff was the food to which I am allergic. Oops. So they took it back and then brought me just a piece of grilled halibut, which was delicious. The weird thing was that I was still eating my dinner and my friend had finished. The bus boy cleared everything off the table except my plate. But I mean everything - bread, bread plates, extra silverware, including my knife. Dessert came and we had key lime pie and the fruit cobbler. The key lime part was real good, but way too much whipped cream. The cobbler was one of the best I have had in a while. Then the check came and I looked at the total and got a big surprise. I was charged for four dinners. They did fix the bill and we finished out desserts. Overall the food was very good to excellent. The service, on the other had, had just too many hiccups. I am not sure who is to blame for the allergy issue. But the service timing, table clearing, mix up on the dinner order (combo versus single item) and then the incorrect bill were just a little over the top. I chose this restaurant since it was rated four stars here. I guess I was just a little disappointed.
(2)Holly P.
An absolutely AMAZING view! If nothing else, I highly recommend having a cocktail or two in the bar to appreciate the view.
(4)Bob M.
Came here on our one night in Anchorage and were very pleased. Made the reservation on opentable and got a seat right near the window. Our server was fantastic -attentive, super-quick and great with drink recommendations. The cocktails here were probably the best I've ever had at a restaurant. My girlfriend and I both tried 2 different cocktails, and all 4 were amazing. The food was also very good. It isn't the cheapest place but no worse than any nice steak or seafood place in any major city in the lower 48. Overall I thought it was a great place for dinner.
(5)Liane C.
Excellent Crab Stuffed Crusted Halibut!
(4)Randy R.
This is an Alaskan 5 star but the competition isn't that great. Having said that this place would still hold it's own in NYC. Somewhat hard to find but worth the hunt. Prices are in line with other nice restaurants in Alaska. That is $49.00 for crab legs. $30 - 35 for most other entrée's.
(4)Jenelle M.
Coming from Seattle, I have a high standard for seafood. This place did not let me down. Not only is the view incredible, but the food is just as good. Had the Crab and Artichoke dip and Fish and Chips. The Dip was delicious and creamy. The halibut was so nice and crispy on the outside and moist and delicious on the inside. Even the fries were good. I can't wait to try the acclaimed Halibut cheeks!
(5)Katherine D.
We hit this place for the happy hour, and sadly it is not offered during the summer season. We did, however, sit in the bar and were delighted with the drink specials. The cranberry Mojito is the only mojito i've ever enjoyed. We also ordered food here to extend our lovely view. Mom got the carpaccio, which was tender and delicious and I got the mussels which were absolutely divine. The sauce was great sopped up with the fries and the mussels themselves where so tender. I'll be dreaming of these for a long time. The setting is fantastic, the service was great, and the food as phenomenal. It doesn't get much better than this.
(5)Little O.
Every person we asked while in Anchorage said we had to eat at Simons if were wanted some amazing seafood. They were right! We knew it was expensive so saved it for our last night in town and got a table by the window at sunset- it was beautiful! Our waitress was SO nice and helpful and our food was awesome! We had the crab stuffed halibut and king crab legs, clam chowder to start and a bottle of wine and then the key lime pie as dessert. They also serve sourdough bread with the soup. Everything was so good and the ambiance very nice! Definitely a place to go for a special occasion... we spend around $80 each.
(5)LINDA R.
Stellar views! Amazing sunset! We were so very lucky to have gotten a corner window table in the bar. Made our whole experience top notch. Ordered a 3- tiered appetizer "buffet' - the presentation was awesome. Had extremely yummy steak bites with rice, halibut, and crab & artichoke spread. There's a fabby little (seemingly unknown fact here in AK) secret in which many establishments have a BYOB - or a corkage fee. (I may have found them all on my trip here, which surprised my host, who lives here, and most all the servers, who who unaware). Little bit of a downside was that our server rarely came back to see how we were doing or check on us and didn't pour our wine. Other than that, it was all good due to the fabby company, views, and ambiance.
(5)Michael b.
Half price appetizer 4:00 - 6:00. The oysters melt in the mouth. Nice view from bar. Friendly staff with super fast service. Next time I leave Alaska I will stop in for sure.
(5)Angie B.
ts a staple with Anchorage locals.. so if your not a local go here because this is where WE eat at! . they specialize in Alaska seafood. nothing ive had here has EVER been bad...
(5)Roman R.
From what I read, this is how the locals do fine dining. I would of given this place 5 stars had it not been for the prices. Attentive service from the wait staff. The stuffed blue cheese steak was rich and flavorful, a nice twist on my favorite indulgence, however, at almost $30 for about 9 oz. with no sides, it was a bit rich for my taste.
(4)Aaron B.
You want fresh halibut while looking out over the *Cook Inlet and snow covered mountain peaks? Go here.... Probably the nicest restaurant in Anchorage this place is sweet. Heavy on seafood and steaks this menu is huge. Known for their specialties like blue cheese stuffed steak and crab stuffed halibut there are no bad options really. A spectacular old school interior with great views of the ocean from every seat will surprise anyone after entering in through the banal office building it is located in. Great service, a huge wine and cocktail menu, and did I already mention the killer seafood? I loved this place....
(5)Andria R.
I'm not a seafood fan, but at Simon's I forget that. Start with the sampler, it's fantastic! Caesar salad is great. Mac and cheese is ridiculously good. Prime rib, chophouse burger, kobe meatloaf sliders, scallops, calamari...all amazing.
(5)Annette M.
Amazing service. Fish and chips were not as good as I had hoped. I will be trying something else next time
(3)Jay C.
This is THE place to go for date night, pre/post-show at the Performing Arts Center, showing visiting family/friends a great time, or for any sort of birthday/anniversary celebration. Over the last 12 years (since I started going there), the food has been consistently awesome...and the service great. The only (mild) bummer is that they did away with the First Seating option (3 course meal for $25)...but that won't stop me from returning. Totally recommend the place.
(5)Hilary L.
The Alaskan king crab here (though flash frozen at the point of catch) is the best I've ever had. I've had it fresh and even then it couldn't compare. In fact--I don't even like king crab that much (I usually prefer snow crab), but the king crab at Simon & Seafort's definitely won me over. The wait for this place was pretty bad, but well worth it.
(4)Jan K.
One of the 10 best meals of my life. Get the halibut cheeks. Everything was very fresh and flavorful. Service was attentive but not cloying.
(5)Sean E.
This is everybody's favorite restaurant in Anchorage, and is thus very busy every night of the week. The food is nothing novel or outlandish, but they prepare everything competently and have a lot of specials to take advantage of whatever fresh meat or seafood they've been able to score lately (including halibut cheeks, venison, and elk). Service is professional, if not always prompt, and although the prices are high, they aren't any worse than other fancy restaurants in downtown Anchorage. The drinks menu is huge and seems to have gotten bigger over the past few years. Ask your waiter about beer, because it does not appear on the menu (a small but well-rounded selection of Alaskan beer on draft plus the usual bottles). Although only some of the menu is available there, it is usually possible to get a table in the bar even when the restaurant is booked solid. Simon & Seafort's is unlikely to offer any culinary revelations to anyone who's eaten a restaurant meal since 1985. However, the seafood is great and the views are really nice. Order something from the specials menu and you are unlikely to leave unhappy (especially if someone else is paying).
(4)Stephani C.
Delicious. Top-notch service. A fun menu with many yummy options. And the cocktail menu was something out of Mad Men. Next time I'll have to try an old-fashioned. :) We tried this place shortly after moving here and I fell in love. We were treated to a view of the bay and some of the best seafood I've had in years. It's a bit expensive, but worth every penny.
(5)Chris N.
Perfect in all ways. Yes it is super busy because it is the nicest spot in town I feel. We did have to park a few blocks away and walk over. Waited in the bar a while because they were packed. Decided to stay in the bar because they had sports on the t.v. It was so crowded another couple asked if they could share our table and we thought sure why not. They turned out to be really fun and we all had drinks and dinner together. The mixed drinks were good. Mainly Seafood on the menu, we are in Alaska duh. Food was generous and delicious. View was great. Atmosphere was packed but I really enjoyed it here. Pretty expensive but worth it, and we needed a treat. Our waitress was pretty good until the last 25 minutes. We could not get the check from her and she was socializing at many tables. She gave us another tables check and we caught it because we were not drinking crown royal and there were 2 on the bill. I guess that is what happenes when all of your tables want to leave at about the same time. Loud but fun overall.
(4)Sarah S.
Despite our initial confusion as to why we were walking in to an office building in search of a fine-dining establishment, Simon & Seafort's delivered on a nice, upscale-ish lunch spot for our party of 9. Although horrified at the price of crab legs in Alaskan restaurants, the majority of us settled for crab and artichoke sandwiches with french onion soup, which was fantastic. I'd recommend a lunch combo- because even something as simple as the Mac n Cheese was kicked up with some bacon and quite yummy. All in all, I feel like food in Anchorage is outrageously priced, so you might as well get the bang for your buck and take yourself here. I'd also suggest going in a smaller party (2-4) so you can get a table with a view. Oh, and don't make the mistake I made and fill up on the delicious sourdough bread before your meal.
(3)Christer H.
Great lunch today. The sole on the lunch menu was absolutely superb. Great service.
(4)Aaron D.
Much like someone else wrote - best Halibut of my life. Amazing. They also have impressive Crab legs. And the Lobster mac and cheese with the truffle oil would be worth going for even if for nothing else. If your in the area - i highly recommend. Also has gorgeous views of the Cook Inlet. The prices are pretty steep here though - but generally a worthy experience.
(5)Christian N.
If you want upscale in Anchorage, this is likely your only choice. Overlooking the Cook Inlet, Simon & Seafort's is the place you'll likely go for an anniversary or birthday dinner. It's pricey for Anchor-town but you won't require a stimulus package to go there. It may be slightly difficult to find as it's in what appears to be an office building. The sign out front isn't very large so you likely won't 'happen' across the place. It's worthy of being a destination on its own. It's got nice tables, nice linens and is not designed for your rug rats. I have kids too...this is slightly more kid-friendly than an after-hours club in Vegas. Call the babysitter or drop them off at the in-laws. Really. They have a dining room and bar area. The bar serves all the same fare as the dining room and is has better atmosphere. It's slightly hipper and younger and you probably won't see grandpa and gramms at the next table...although it could very well happen. You're much more likely to see someone applying fix-a-dent in the dining room! A few of the items deserve special props. First, and I cannot believe I'm saying this, they make an excellent margarita (served in a martini glass). Being from San D, I'm quite familiar with Mr. Patron, Mr. Cuervo and all the little Tequilas. Frankly I was shocked at how good it was. Just didn't expect that here. The Classic Sampler is also good fare. It's a great mix of Teriyaki bites, Crab and Artichoke Dip, and Roasted Garlic Prawns. It's costly at 27 bones, but a mouth-pleaser nonetheless. As Entrées go, I suggest the same thing as most everyone else with a decent pallet: The Macadamia-Encrusted Crab-stuffed Halibut. It's won the best entrée two years in a row and is a lock for a three-peat. You should drop by between 4 and 6 pm to catch the half-price appetizer special in the bar. Half-price starts again after 9 pm so if you can't skate out work that early, drop by for the late show.
(4)Benjamin H.
Another fancy smancy joint in downtown Anchorage. Atmosphere is upscale, amazing views of the water and on certain clear sunset days in the summer you can see the far distant peaks of the Aleutians rising above the horizon. Seafood here is remarkable, but my favorite thing to do at Simon and Seafort's is skip the restaurant and just hang out in the saloon. Happy hour brings you half price appetizers and great cocktails. All this in a classy bar. Mojito's come with very fresh sprigs and they get muddled right in front of you.
(4)Tim S.
4.5 stars... Simon's is my wife and my favorite 'fancy' Anchorage restaurant. The food is usually always excellent 9/10 as is the service *8/10 (*see below). Be prepared to wait unless you call in for a reservation. The only subpar item IMO is the prime rib. Otherwise nearly everything else on the menu is great. Known for their fresh seafood (halibut, salmon), Simon's steaks are superb as well. Favorites: Red King Crab Dip appetizer - best appetizer in town! Maytag Blue Cheese Salad - one of the best salads in town! Top Sirloin Filet Mignon Any of their fresh fish (halibut, salmon) Ribs and sweet potato fries Bread Pudding dessert The bar is another great lunch or after work option. You can order from the restaurant-side menu or from their great bar menu. My wife an I went last week for dinner and then lunch a couple days later and on both occasions enjoyed: a great view, excellent food and excellent service from the servers. *On a couple of recent occasions the restaurant hostess seemed a bit stressed/overwhelmed with the customer flow/reservations but we took it with a grain of salt that it was so busy. Each dining experience overall was excellent.
(4)tami g.
Great halibut cheeks, crab legs, great service, view, loved it!
(4)Timmy L.
This review is for the bar side. Went the at 4pm for happy hour. Sat right next to the window with a view of the inlet. Very nice. Service was great. Food very delicious except the calamari. Average. We got the sampler, n another order of the steak bites. The cheesecake was huge and taste average Great place for happy hour.
(4)Bob U.
Yeah just keep walking, this place is lame. It's really unfortunate because this place used to be one of the best places in town. It's not that it's terrible, it's just that there are SO many better places to eat in A-rage. Try Sacks, Club Paris or Ginger instead. You wont be disappointed.
(1)Bob M.
Simon and Seafort's is one of my "go to" restaurants in Anchorage. I have always had consistently good seafood meals here and they have a very nice wine list. It is one of the pricier restaurants in the area, but the food is always good and the view is great. They never rush you, and if you show up early for your reservation, the bar is always a good place to spend the time and get an order of their onion rings as a starter. I have to admit that it is hard for me to not get the Halibut when it is fresh and available and it is always cooked perfectly. But, I've also eaten here in the dead of winter and had pasta and beef entrees and they have also been consistently good.
(4)Tim F.
Simon and Seaforts is a nice place to go after work for a quick dinner and some drinks. Their fried calamari is delicious!! However their beer selection is absolutely terrible, especially for happy hour. The food makes up for it though.... I suppose. I will most likely return to Simon and Seaforts, but its never my first choice.
(3)Jenna C.
I've been here many times. Great location and views of Cook Inlet. The food is tasty and good. But the decor bothers me, it is way over due for some updating.
(3)Kelly S.
I love Simon's. I love the overall atmosphere (overlooks Cook Inlet) and the food is delicious! I always have the Pomegranate Mojito. One of those and you're feeling really good. They are currently $10 a piece so savor it! The bar is a great place to go with the girls (or guys) after a hard day at work. I believe they have 1/2 price appetizers. The wait staff is superb! This is a loud lounge/restaurant. If you want a quiet place to enjoy some 1 on 1 time with your hunny, I wouldn't really recommend it due to the fact that it is quite loud. I always have the Classic Sampler... DELICIOUS! When ordering dinner, you pay extra for a salad so keep that in mind. But the salads are so good and the fresh pepper is yummy. I normally order the macadamia crusted halibut... TO DIE FOR! I signed up for the S&S emails and occasionally get a really cool deal, so that's a plus. I wouldn't recommend bringing small children to this restaurant. For the price people have to pay for their meal, it could be rude to have children that can't control their behavior. For older children, if they have good manners, you could definitely make a nice family night out, but be prepared to pay the price for it. I don't think they have a children's menu. I have seen children there though. If you come to Anchorage, AK... make the time to come to this restaurant. No regrets!
(5)Jahmekya G.
LOVED the Alaskan King Crab Cakes!
(4)Andreas H.
By Alaskan standards this is fine dining. The service was good. All the 3 dishes I tried were good. I'd go back there for sure but the food didn't stand out as being particularly creative or memorable. In season seafood is the draw card.
(3)Tina B.
Awesome bar area (the "Saloon") with phenomenal view's of water and it gets packed in here, because it's also the defacto overflow area for everybody who showed up during peak season with no reservations to get into the main dining area. You have to really watch the table you want and then be prepared to pounce on it as soon as you even begin to see the people start to get up. If you're lucky, this will get you rare window-side seating. If you're not lucky, you'll take any seating you can get, because you'll be so sick of waiting. There are a few misses, but for the most part the food is really, really good, and you can get almost anything in the bar that they also serve in the main restaurant. The big winners - get these: Lobster macaroni and cheese is super fatty and richly decadent Scallop lollipops are scallops wrapped in smoked salmon on a skewer and served with ponzu Seafood corn dogs Really great sweet potato fries Seafood deviled eggs, one with crab, one with salmon and one with shrimp Failed, skip these: Blue cheese chips - so not good compared with how incredible something with the exact same name was at the City Diner. The sauce on the chips was cold and there was a weird salsa-like tomato stuff on top Desserts seemed sort of average and forgettable Since I'm not a millionaire, I'll let you in on the secret to being able to afford so many different plates: S&S has lots of deals, like if you go to the bar late in the evening, all appetizers are half off. They also have some early diner pre fix specials, so call ahead and save a bunch of money. Or, spend the exact same amount of money, but eat twice as much! Mmmmmm
(4)Amanda B.
Ugh I want to call this place Simon and Salty as heck, dang when I have an older family member say it's too salty you just know it's wrong! Even the table bread is salty. Really wanted to be all about it, but when you need 5 glasses of water to get through a meal you know it's over. 2 stars for fantastic key lime pie, that is all.
(2)Susan R.
I wish I could remember to take photos before I tear into the food! This is my second visit to Alaska and my second visit to Simon and Seaforts. My server, Josh was very attentive and friendly. He started me off with some fresh sourdough bread and soft butter (super tasty). The salad was pretty darned amazing with Gorgonzola cheese, berries and pecans on a bed of deep greens. I ordered the Alaskan king crab legs, the Barents Sea king crab for $66. It was really good but not outstanding. I wish I would have ordered the smaller version for $48 (Norton sound king crab legs). It's one pound of Norton versus 1.25 pounds of Barents Sea king crab legs. It was not the pile of legs I was expecting for the price. I have no doubt the weight was there, but the taste was not outstanding. Overall, very good and a pleasant dining experience but I think they're a bit overpriced. My side salad was $10 on top of the $66 crab legs. Josh was great tho, he is definitely a five star waiter!!!d
(4)Rhianna B.
I came back for happy hour and in their informal bar area. The food and service was great, and we also had a wonderful view of the sunset. I'm kind of disappointed that there were TVs in the bar, since it's such a lovely atmosphere. Instead of a full meal, we mainly ordered appetizers and cocktails that were excellent. Will definitely be going back, for sure!
(4)Gary H.
Had dinner here last night. Caesar salad & french onion soup were delicious. Entrees of citris salmon, crab stuufed halibut and prime rib were flavorful and large. We had no reservation, place was busy but there was no wait @ 8pm on Friday night. Service was excellent. As long as you don't mind the price, this was perfect choice
(5)Trinity N.
Made reservations for 11 people at 8:15pm. We arrived earlier and got drinks at the bar . The cranberry mojito and pomegranate margarita had a little too much sour mix - but still pretty good. Especially for 6.95. Our table was not ready until past 8:30ish - no big deal. We had a big party. Onto the food: the sourdough bread is delicious. One of the best sourdough I have ever eaten. The butter was whipped also. I ordered the sirloin steak with clam chowder instead of fries . The waiter said there was an up charge for it - it was only like one dollar up charge - great! I wanted my steak medium rare; however when it arrived - it was medium well. My friend wanted medium well but hers was medium when it arrived. She complained to the waiter and he promptly takes it back explaining that the chef messed up the order and that it was now all fixed. My steak still came back medium well , and not only that - it was cold . I also got the Yukon mashed potatoes and that was cold and disgusting . I asked to have my plate heated up - wrong decision because now the steak is extremely overlooked and the potatoes were lukewarm. At this point my patience is already low since it took more than 2 hours for our food to arrive . I also ordered the crab legs - which were good . I just wish the rest of my food was good also. I took one bite of the steak and packed the whole thing home . Very , very disappointing .
(2)Marilyn M.
This has to be the best restaurant in Anchorage! We had reservations for Saturday dinner. We were seated upon arrival. Must order: the crab & artichoke appetizer - delicious! Very flavorful and filled with crab. I ordered the macadamia, crab-stuffed halibut. Best halibut I have ever had. Cooked perfectly. My husband ordered the halibut cheeks, again, delicious, packed with flavor. Others at the table had the Salmon. Raved about their meals. Happy to give a top recommendation because the chef and team earned it!
(5)Laura C.
I made our reservation online, and although I told them it was my birthday, they did nothing other than put a few pieces of confetti on our table. Usually fine dining restaurants will give you a dessert with a candle....especially since we weren't skimping on our food and drink tab. However, our server was really sweet and the complimentary bread was amazing. My reindeer and chicken Alfredo was fantastic and my brother loved his chicken and potatoes. We had the bartender create some spicy cocktails for us that were also good...but in the end, I just couldn't get over the fact that I was handed a dessert menu - and did not get any special treatment at all on my birthday. For future reference, a suggestion would be to make your birthday patrons feel special. Ironically, 2 nights later I got a free dessert with a lit candle at a different restaurant and we hadn't even mentioned it was my birthday - because it wasn't anymore. Evidently the waiter was clued in by a gift someone had brought me and took it upon himself to make me feel special. That sever got a 20% tip and a 5 star rating because it made my night.
(3)Katie K.
Mediocre. The flavor of the food was present for most dishes; however, it tasted like it had been prepared several hours ago. Perhaps the crab had been over-cooked, not sure, but it was bland...tasted like tap water. To be fair, the bread and French onion soup were really good. The service was also adequate, but he never did check on our water glasses.
(3)Bobb S.
A couple things to know before entering.... 1) It's Alaska. It's expensive. Get over it. 2) Some diners will be wearing some sort of animal bone necklace (beartooth, scrimshaw, etc). It's Alaska. Get over it. 3) The bar has one of the most bizarre paintings of frontier women I have ever seen. Try not to stare too hard or you will be haunted. Try to get over it. Now on to the food. My girlfriend and I went with seafood options. Coming from the Midwest, we couldn't pass up the opportunity. I went with the halibut cheeks and a bowl of clam chowder while she went with the King Crab. As expected, the halibut cheeks were divine. Breaded with parmesan, the halibut really shined and was paired with a rich beurre blanc sauce. The mashed potatoes were average, however, the rapini was undercooked and underseasoned. The clam chowder was good (not great) and on a chilly rainy day, was exactly what I needed. My girlfriend's crab legs came with a side of drawn butter. Once you got to the meat, it was sweet and firm. The only suggestion was to have them cut more than they were when they left the kitchen. A tip for those to don't want to wait for a table in the dining room, the bar area is first come/first-serve (just avoid eye contact with the creepy painting)
(4)Margaret W.
The best crab and artichoke dip ever! And on top of that, fresh Red King Crab legs (never had fresh ones) and not to mention friendly and great service. We will definitely come back when we have the opportunity to visit Alaska again.
(5)Victoria S.
I'm big into the attitude of the wait staff. These folks have it together in a big way. The food is extraordinary and the drinks are amazing. If nothing else, please indulge in the Brie. The views are above average, but the dining room could use some updating. I couldn't care less. A Blueberry Crush and Brie plate... I'll sit on the floor. Delish.
(5)Heather C.
This place advertises that it is a seafood restaurant, but that's false advertising. The best thing we had was a special tomato soup. The fresh oysters were also good. But three of us had the king crab legs. They were not hot and the shells weren't cut. We struggled to eat them then finally asked them to cut them. When they came back it looked like Helen Keller had cut them. They had sliced right through the delicate meat rather than use scissors to cut the shell. This shows no respect for the product. My son was warned that the salmon would be cooked medium rare but in addition to it being the wrong meal it was way over cooked. My husband had seafood étouffée. The seafood was way over cooked and the cheese grits were like glue. I was generous with 2 stars because gorgeous views, good appetizers and interesting drink menu.
(2)laura c.
Everytime I come to Anchorage, this is one of my first stops for lunch and/or dinner. Monday night a coworker and I stopped into the bar side for dinner, and had an aboslutely awful experience. We showed up around 715pm on Monday night and were there until 845pm. In that time, it took about 10 minutes just to have a server come over. She tried to take our orders without bringing us menus. Then we ordered (1 appetizer and 1 sandwich) and it took 45 minutes to get our food. The place was close to empty, and multiple other groups came, got food, and left in the time it took us to get ours. About 30 minutes after we ordered, our server brought us bread and said that the kitchen had messed my brie up and had to remake it and it would be out shortly. There was never an apology for the delay, and no discounts taken off of our tickets. We ended up going up to the bar to pay our bill because we couldnt' even get the server's attention in order to pay. Especially in a less than full bar on a Monday night, this type of service is not acceptable. A large group of corworkers was planning on going here for the restaurant week deal tonight, and we actually changed our plans because of the negative experience on Monday.
(2)Christine M.
This is in my Top 10 Eats in Anchorage, AK We mainly go to their bar area for drinks and appetizers...so yummy! Enough of right variety for picky eaters like me!
(4)Jess S.
The view from our table in the bar area was so pretty :) it was good to be back home and eat and get a view of the ocean. We had delicious calamari for appetizer and I ordered the French dip for my meal. Everything was so good. The French dip was enough to share with someone. Also ordered a bottle of Pinot Gris called king estate from Oregon and it was also delicious. A little pricey so if you come be aware of the prices and know you'll be spending a decent amount
(4)Jean P.
I was looking forward to eating at this restaurant for their "fresh" seafood. It was the first restaurant we tried after landing in Anchorage. I got the three course meal, and it was quite disappointing. The clam chowder was OK, but I had better chowder in Oregon. As for the main entree (cod), it was average. The best thing was the dessert. The view was also great since we were seated by the windows. Overall, it was average, but I expected better based on the reviews here and the cost.
(2)Karl S.
DEFINITELY a fan, and not just because they're close to my apartment. The views can't be beat (they could REALLY use a deck for the summers). One of the best happy hours in town, with good drink specials and a nice happy hour food menu with good prices, which is a nice little plus because the main menu isn't the cheapest in town (but you get the quality that goes with it!). It WOULD be nice if the happy hour brew rotated a bit, since "beer monogamy" isn't my style, but that's a pretty small gripe. The staff has always been great every time I go there. Do check their website for hours though, because the ones listed on Yelp aren't always 100% accurate (Yelp often says they're closed earlier than they really are).
(4)Joni H.
Overall, I like this place. The service was just what it needed to be. Friendly, professional, but for the most part left us alone to enjoy our date night. I don't remember his name, but our server was a rather large guy with a big beard and very long hair. Somehow, he still managed to look clean and classy, though. I got the crab stuffed halibut, and it was very, very good. Flaky, flavorful, and with great texture from the macadamia nut crust. The only thing I can complain about is the potatoes were overworked, so they were kind of gluey. They were also sweeter than I expected, but still not terrible, and definitely better than instant. He got the smoked sirloin. It has a strong liquid smoke flavor to it, and wasn't bad, but also not completely wonderful. While we will return, we both agreed, it's not for this steak. The tomatoes and fries that came with it were very good, though. People say it's pricey, but I think it's reasonable for what you're getting. I mean, if you expect to get quality seafood, steak or prime rib with sides and want it to be under $30/plate and in Anchorage, you're crazy.
(4)Melanie K.
First experience at Simon's, my date found long hair in his eggs benedict. We were the first and only patrons there on a Sunday morning. He was disappointed that his effort to impress was kinda squelched. A few months later, I wanted something fun to do part time and got a serving job there. They straight up told me it wasn't important for me to know the ingredients of their dishes and I wasn't to waste time learning it. Funny, I thought being able to answer my customers' questions was my job. (In previous serving jobs, we weren't allowed on the floor until we had every single thing memorized back and forth. Customer safety and satisfaction should be the highest priority!) Apparently safety isn't part of their corporate training program. Not to mention, in the three long days I spent there, I never saw even one employee wash their hands. In fact, they don't have hand washing sinks readily accessible to 95% of their staff. There's a sink by the dishwashers, you know, because they need clean hands. So if you don't want to ask any questions and don't mind where the many sets of fingers that have been all up in your food have been, the food can be pretty good (that is, sans hair and a hit rather than the all too common miss). The view is incredible. Enjoy! PS If you'll notice, the manager only responds to the happy yelp reviewers. Counter-intuitive seems to be the theme at Simon's.
(1)alfred c.
Visited here on a business trip after seeing all the great reviews. Atmosphere was great and they were able to accommodate me as a walk in--I came in a half hour before closing. Just as the others said, the halibut cheeks were delicious. Food was great and service was as well.
(4)R J.
Beautiful view. This place is crowded and noisy. The service was ok but it was obvious they stress turning tables. Order apps and entrees separately or they will show up simultaneously. Food was ok. Halibut cheeks were over cooked. Fresh oysters were great. Prime rib was requested medium rare but was the far side of medium. Better choices nearby. The captain cook hotel has great choices.
(2)Carrie P.
This review is for the bar side. Although the happy hour (3-6pm and 9pm to closing) has some good deals, I feel the apps we had just weren't as good as other options in Anchorage. Sweet potato fries were a little dark but otherwise what would be expected. The baked brie was similar to other options. We enjoyed the Granny Smith apple slices and fig jam that accompanied, but there was no "wow" factor. I've eaten in the dining room many times, always did First Seating or brunch, which I've enjoyed every single time.
(3)Elle S.
My last review is still the place to look. I just needed to let you all know that you can order a Halibut Cheek combination. Yes, for real. You can get a half portion of the Crab & Macadamia Halibut Cheeks and a half portion of the Halibut Cheeks all on one plate together for one person. I overheard this from the waitress at the table next to me and it about blew my mind. You already know what I went for as my entree. I also tried the Clam Chowder on this trip. Skip the chowder. I sent mine back. I much prefer New England style chowder to this one. At the bar: Drinks are done well here. The blueberry crush was very nice.
(5)Joe S.
OMG SOOO GOOD! We went there for anniversary dinner and with places like this I sometimes fear the experience is more what you get and the food doesn't deliever. But this place had great food and a great experience. Love the halibut cheeks and the server was great. Pricy but a great place to celebrate special occasion.
(5)Lauren L.
I have been here several times but most recently went in for my anniversary dinner, my husband made a reservation and when we got to our table they had laid out rose peddles on the table and we got seated right next to the window (the restaurant had spectacular views of the inlet and sleeping lady). With our reservation we were seated and quickly and the service was fast and friendly, everyone who waited on us wished is a happy anniversary. We both got the crab stuffed macadamia nut halibut (the halibut was fresh) and it was amazing! We love going to the restaurant we've never had a bad meal or service!
(5)Aaron S.
Delicious crab and artichoke dip and salads. Didn't need a reservation; sat at the HUGE bar area with full menu! We will revisit in the future.
(4)Lahela R.
We went to Simon and Seaforts for late night happy hour. We've been a few times before and as always, the service was really good! Our server was prompt and efficient - also very friendly! We had a great time. However, I would like to say that it was somewhat disappointing to get there for 9pm happy hour only for the restaurant to close at 10pm. The food was very good though!! We always get the crab and artichoke dip along with an order of the deep fried calamari. We ordered the sweet potato fries and the wedge salad. Everything was on point and delicious!! The food came out quickly and our drinks were great. Overall, I'd say it's a great atmosphere with awesome service. It would be awesome for them to extend their hours - even if for only an hour more to enjoy more of the late night happy hour. Other than that, tasty food and great place.
(4)Denise B. K.
Family friendly and busy place. We had ordered an appetizer but did not get it (no charge either). The view was very nice and relaxing.
(4)Rich T.
Wow a great place with a great view and a friendly staff. We loved the spot. We were lucky enough to come on a sunny evening in Anchorage. Had a chance to do an hour walk along the trail. What an impressive view along there. Then, we headed in for an 815 dinner reservation and a glorious sunset. While there may be a parking lot down there, from the booth seats, the view is just awesome! The halibut cheeks as all have noted are terrific. The cheese and the butter are a great complement to the freshness of the cheeks. The Schaumberg Blanc de Noir is a terrific sparkling to have with the local oysters as well. We loved the surf and turf option of their Prime Rib that was done in rock salt with the local King crab. Just about as sweet as can be. The Copper River salmon was really well done. Medium rare which brought out the fresh flavors. Overall an excellent spot and an excellent view. Nice job!
(5)Karen M.
Simon and Seaforts is my husband's and my favorite date night restaurant. You get to enjoy the greatest food in town while enjoying Anchorage's greatest views.
(5)Corey N.
The food is pretty good overall but not worth the price. The view at this place is pretty nice though!
(3)Jill D.
Alaskans are keeping a delicious secret - Halibut cheek. This is not just another filet is is THE filet from the fresh, local Halibut and it is superb. This restaurant does it up right. Excellent service, views of the water, and validated parking. Tip: the validated parking is the garage attached to the Hertz building.
(5)Geoff B.
Great service, fresh and delish food, and I like the overall ambiance. This place has some amazing Eggs Benedict plus the view is probably one of the best in anchorage.
(5)Jon P.
This place has always been one of my favorite higher class restaurants in the Anchorage area. However, the great thing about Alaska is that you can come to Simons dressed up or simply in jeans and a t-shirt. No one would think twice about what you're wearing. Most importantly, though, is the food, and it is phenomenal. Every time I have left this restaurant I've left extremely satisfied. Everything from the warm bread to the wine to the food itself is amazing. Their seafood is especially excellent as it all comes from Alaska (as one would expect). In addition to the food, the service is excellent and the views from the restaurant are great too. Don't expect to see anything at dinner, however, if you come during the winter as it will be pitch black by the time you've arrived. Finally, this place is great, and if you are looking for a classy restaurant to celebrate or simply want amazing food, look no further.
(5)Thomas C.
Great place to come in for a drink and appetizer but be forewarned. Those that say it is overpriced and mediocre they are dead on. There is nothing more aggravating than spending the C note plus for two and coming out shaking your head going no way, never again. The best thing we had was the steamed clam appetizer even though they were just plain ol cultured manilla clams. Complete fails on our dinners. The sirloin was severely under cooked (asked for medium and got rare), the scallops overcooked and rubber although I did like light asiago batter they were in I'd rather just have them seared without. On one salad we asked for NO blue cheese and it came with and as soon is it did the waitress realized the mistake and came back with the salad with an incomplete picking out of the blu cheese- so low life! and then blue cheese dressing on the side. The spinach salad was incredibly boring and lifeless for the price and venue. I have had many better spinach salads at sandwich shops. There was a reason why I hadn't been here in 15 years, (bad prime rib experience), and they will have to change chefs, name and attitude towards customer service before Id pay money like that for a dinner again. Get there early, get a window seat and enjoy the view and a drink then head somewhere else fir dinner.
(2)Geoff M.
Yeah this place is great for date nights and business meetings. But, there's nothing like leaving work early to meet your wife for happy hour. This place is awesome for happy hour. (All their other food is great too.) The teriyaki elk bites, crab/artichoke dip and Cajun prawn appetizer is incredible. Pair it with $3 mojitos or $2 glad of wine and your golden. The service is outstanding. Super friendly and fast. The outside may not look like much, but that's par for the course in Anchorage. You have to go inside. The ambiance is relaxed and upscale, but not pretentious. The whole restaurant overlooks the inlet towards the west. No better view in Anchorage for sunsets and food.
(4)Bao H.
This was my first stop when I traveled to Anchorage. My friend asked me to pick a place and based on Yelp I chose this. First off, I didn't think Anchorage could be so expensive. I guess my perception of the cost of living here is low, but wow the food prices are the same as where I'm from (Scottsdale, AZ). Needless to say, we ordered the Halibut cheeks and crab legs and my first Alaskan Brew drink -- Yah! I'm starting to believe cheeks are my favorite part of an animal to eat. Yeah weird to say. However, it was delicious; nice and tender with a tad bit of crunch from the breading. The sauce atop was nice and sweet. The crab legs were disappointing. For appetizers popping at $12 you'd think I get an entire crab or something. Nope, just 2 legs. In the end, the service was good and the bartender was nice. However, I continue with my next food adventure elsewhere since I was still hungry. Don't get me wrong I'd pay pretty $$ for some damn good a$% food, but I just wasn't blown away here. The ambience is nice and chill with a perfect view of the sea. Nice to enjoy a cigar maybe, but I don't smoke. - Enjoy!
(3)Jerry N.
I was told that this was the nicest place in Anchorage. I made a reservation. I asked for window, but ended up in back.................very little view. I had the $65 KING king crab, it was okay, but at $65 for a pound, i found it to be very pricey as i can buy such for $15 and cook myself. Thought perhaps it was to be a treat or fresh (not) Our food came out luke warm as our waiter was more interested in the table of 16 he was waiting on next to us (who were loud) Food was good, but not wonderful, our view (although many views are awesome) stunk..................so we paid the high price and got zero deliverables.
(2)O D.
Excellent, group of 4 plus baby. We had a variety of meals and all were good. The dessert was splendid, burnt vanilla, yum yum. Can be casual or formal. Everyone was welcomed. We had early reservations (baby issue) glad we went there.
(5)Meghan L.
My family and I came here for dinner on a Friday night. The place was packed! The wait for a regular table was 1 hour so we opted to look for a table at the bar area. FOOD Half dozen oysters on the half shell: I didn't have any, but my family said they were very fresh. Clams: yummy!! I would recommend. There's not that much meat to be honest since most of the dish is shells, but still very good. Comes with fries and garlic bread. Macadamia crusted stuff halibut $35: excellent! Comes with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables (which weren't very exciting). The macadamia give the fish very nice flavor and texture. Halibut cheeks $36: also excellent! Extremely expensive as you only get three cheeks but they are delicious. Also comes with mashed potatoes. Virgin mojito $4.45: mostly ice so not really worth it, but really tasty Margarita: very strong SERVICE Our server was very friendly and prompt. She checked up on us often even though the place was packed at 9pm. AMBIENCE This restaurant has a very eclectic, 1800s feel with a modern twist. Loved the vintage-looking chandlers and fans. The seating at the bar area is very cozy, with up to two parties sharing a single bar table. Super clean and an amazing view! We sat at the bar area and there was a large window that stretched from wall to wall overlooking the Gulf of Alaska. TIP: come here at sunset around 9:30pm (summertime) and sit by the window. The view is breathtaking. OVERALL I would definitely come here again! The food is delicious although on the pricey side. The plating for our entrees was messy but the food made up for it. This place would make a lovely dinner date for any special occasion. They also validate 2hrs of parking at Captain Cooks parking garage across the street.
(5)Tasha L.
Bummed. Splurged with a gift certificate and got some cocktails, an appetizer, salads, and LOBSTER for dinner. I was super excited for a lavish expensive dinner, but what I got was a really expensive salt lick and rubbery seafood. The asparagus was borderline inedible. The service was okay, but on the slow side. The drinks were good, though. Don't think we'll be back unless it's on someone else's dime.
(2)Janine N.
We stopped in here for a bloody mary while waiting for a table across the street. We decided to try their breakfast instead of waiting 2 hours for a table at the other place. We were glad we did. The eggs Benedict were perfect. One of the best I have ever had. Great food, great views, great service.
(5)Barb H.
We had the worst experience at this restaurant in Anchorage on Aug. 6, 2015!!! We arrived in Anchorage because we were starting a cruise the next day out of Seward. We were staying at the Marriott. All of us were in the Marriott Concierge Lounge and asked the server where we could enjoy a good seafood dinner. She suggested Simon & Seafort's Saloon and Grill. She made reservations for us but they only had an 8:30 seating available. Since we were leaving quite early the next morning, we decided to walk over to see if we could get an earlier seating. When we arrived, we were told that the bar had available seating and served the full dinner menu. We went in and seated ourselves. Nate came up and introduced himself. After that, it all went downhill. I am going to make this short since it was a long ongoing horrible experience. Nate did not pay attention to us or our order. For instance. he put in our order but realized he did it wrong but did not do anything about it until I was served incorrectly. He actually said he did that. We asked for things but never received it.....such as bread or another drink. Our dinner took forever since we had such bad service. After a while, a manager came over to us and said, "Nate told me he might have made you unhappy due to his lack of service and mistakes". She had the nerve to ask if we wanted a free dessert!!! So now he knew he messed up and the manager knew he messed up and now we were being offered a dessert???? Don't go to this restaurant unless you wanted to be treated as an out of town tourist who will be gone the next day. By the way, the crab cakes were mushy and salty.....I prefer real lump meat crab cakes! I hope this review helps in making your dinner reservations when traveling through Anchorage.
(1)Monica B.
I loved this place. First of all, it has an amazing view. From anywhere in the restaurant, you can see the water and the best of Anchorage's breathtaking views. The restaurant itself is simple but in a very beautiful and tasteful way. It has a warm color palette that makes you want to stay for a while and have more drinks. The service is top notch. They have friendly, knowledge waiters who show an impeccable attention to detail. The drink was the deadly combination of super good, super sweet and super strong. Just what I want when I have a drink. The food is good and plenty. I had the steak and was blown away at how juicy and tender and flavorful it was. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The prices are not unreasonable and worth the quality of food and service. This would be a great place for a romantic dinner or any kind of formal celebration. Definitely a "must try" place to eat in Anchorage.
(5)Nasha W.
I absolutely love eating here. Don't let the weird entrance through an outdated lobby in a building fool you. This places offers a beautiful view of the Cook Inlet at sunset. This place is wonderful for a special ocassion, date night, or a nice evening with friends or family. They had great drinks and were not stingy with the alcohol :-). The food items are delicious here. The menu is a bit pricey, but it is totally worth it. Making a reservation usually helps for a stress-free dining experience. Sometimes they can even get you a table next to a window, although you can still enjoy the view from any seat.
(5)M B.
Had reservations (in the bar) for Thanksgiving (lunch). Were among first to arrive. Enjoyed an Irish coffee for starters. No complaints. Oysters on half-shell (earning both stars this day) were outstanding. Though there were several menu selections from which to choose, three of us (party of seven) opted for their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Disappointment set in when the food arrived. Gravy skinned over ...food lukewarm. Table service - fair. Not what one expects from one of Anchorage's "top tier" restaurants. Perhaps an anomaly...or we may be exhibiting a bit more "food snobbery" due to recent, multiple, restaurant visits in the Seattle area where random, visits, to a variety of establishments, proved EVERY excellent in value and quality...not so in Anchorage unfortunately...even at our most reputable eateries.
(2)Emily F.
Kind of spendy, but with the view of sleeping lady and a really cool bar & lounge area, it's not a bad place to find yourself for a nice dinner!
(4)Daniela L.
I had one night in Anchorage, so I headed down to (Yelp's) best place in town. It was just me, and I planned to have a drink while staring melancholically into the beautiful waters of the Sound from my seat in the Saloon area until a table opened for me in the dining room...but actually, I got to talking to a person sitting almost next to me at the high-table for more than an hour and stayed at the Saloon! I was sad to not see the halibut cheeks everyone raves about on the menu (maybe in the dining room only?) but I had some scallops encrusted with Asiago cheese instead that were super buttery & delicious. A bit heavy of a dish, though, with the mashed potatoes AND fried zucchini strings, too. As an appetizer, I got the jumbo prawn cocktail - yes, the prawns were insanely fresh but I was still surprised to see 5 prawns (not even that "jumbo") for $15.95. Maybe I'm just uneducated on the cost of fresh seafood? First but last (in this review), the classic Mojito was pretty damn good. My server was very nice; she first mistakenly thought me & the person I ended up eating with came together and then I think she was laughing about how her mistake came true... TLDR; good place to go even if you're alone; beautiful views; fresh seafood; be prepared to pay for it, though...duh.
(4)Karen V.
Growing up I always came here with family for birthdays and special occasions (mothers day, easter, etc). First off....it has an AMAZING view. The food is always amazing as well. We tried the oysters for appetizer, which were delicious. I tried both the cocktail sauce and vinegarette sauce they came with, both paired well. I usually like to choose their fish, the most recent visit i had halibut cheeks and a crab stuffed mac nut halibut, it was paired with yukon potatoes and broccolini. The stuffed halibut was a little overcooked/dry, but still okay, i did enjoy the macadamia nut crust. The halibut cheeks were to die for! I also got a ceasar salad to start with, i really love their ceasar dressing. Each time the service is very nice. The staff is knowledgable about the food and drinks. I usually make reservations or call ahead to check to see if its not too busy. When we come for birthdays they set the table up for you with little pieces of ribbon to celebrate. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Amanda C.
Excellent customer service. First come first serve for best views in the house so make the reservation for an early dinner. The food is delicious. Has a country club vibe. Highly recommend stuffed halibut, and macadamia nut encrusted cod. Very pricey, however it is Worth the money if it is for a fancier night out. For example: Three entrees and six alcoholic beverages was roughly $160 including tip.
(5)Chris R.
First time in Alaska. Came here for dinner. Started with the clam chowder, which was delicious. Had the macadamia nut and crab stuff halibut. Phenomenal. Tried about 5 bites of the king salmon. Best salmon I've ever had. Overall, excellent experience. Great food. Would definitely recommend.
(5)Stephanie L.
Amazing service! Delicious food! This is definitely our favorite restaurant in Anchorage!
(5)Stephanie S.
It's my first time in Alaska, and I was excited after hearing all the great things about the seafood. After trying almost every restaurant in Anchorage and even the famous 299 Park in the Denali area, I was beginning to think my stomach was meant to be in NY. Long and behold, the halibut cheeks from Simon and Seafort's. It was so flavorful and kinda reminded me of a juicy chicken if that makes sense. I also had the clams, shrimp cocktail, oysters, seafood chowder and the crabmeat as appetizers...I'm a big eater. I highly recommend the first three appetizers I mentioned. The rest of my party had the filet mignon, the pork ribeye, seafood fettuccine and the scallops. Surprisedly, I loved the filet mignon and the pork ribeye, but did not like the latter two. Still, the real winner for me is still my halibut cheeks with the pork ribeye and filet mignon as close runner-ups. Planning on returning tomorrow for my last day in Alaska!
(4)Claire S.
Great views and great food. Actually, it's the best food I've had in Anchorage so far. The wait time can be exceedingly long, so make sure to have a reservation. My parents ate here are their anniversary and they went so far as to line their table with rose petals.
(5)MJ S.
We come here about once or twice a year, and are never disappointed. Yes, they are expensive, but the food and service are consistently phenomenal! This time we started off with the macadamia nut crusted brie, served with honey glazed apples and a fresh fruit compote. It was amazing, we finished the whole thing! For entrées we had the crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut (unfortunately they didn't get fresh halibut cheeks in this week, or I get the combo) and the special of the night which was a New York steak with portobello mushroom cap and a bleu cheese sauce. Both plates were absolutely amazing. Cooked to perfection, we each savored every bite. Our server was Eliza, she was wonderful, friendly, and attentive. This restaurant is always clean and has a nice atmosphere. The view of the inlet is breathtaking. I highly recommend this high quality place!
(5)Emma S.
A bit overpriced, but all in all, solid food with a beautiful view. In fact, we went two nights in a row! The first evening, we split a salad, mussels, and the salmon. They give you warm bread and we had a great waiter Steve, who gave us all kinds of suggestions for what to do the next day near Anchorage. Steve was nice enough to split our food onto two plates back in the kitchen. The second night, we split the same berry salad, the cioppino, and another fish entree I cannot remember. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)Tatyana K.
Dining in Alaska is always a strange experience. This place touts itself for beautiful views and high-end food. Well... the view is of a parking lot. You can see the bay but when it's overcast it's just the parking lot. The food is good -- generous portions with lots of butter. Eat your food fast or the waiter will remove it from the table like he did with our crab legs..
(3)V J.
Pricey, yet excellent. I had the haddock cheeks which were out of this world. First time having Alaskan king crab, wasn't really any better than anything in the lower 48 and was expensive. Scratch margarita was excellent and so was the view. I look forward to coming back in the future
(4)Yukiko M.
classis seafood restaurant. food quality does not meet the price.
(2)Chris E.
This is largely a tourists' destination. I've been here twice over the past 3 years and don't think I'll come again. I found today's meal (again) subpar. There is better (and less expensive) King crap to be had. At $45 per lb, Humpy's was far superior at $40/lb. Also, I ordered a double shot cappuccino and was charged for 2 cappuccinos at $3.50 each. So $7 for my double. Why not charge the $3.50 and maybe a $1 for an add shot? Just felt ripped off today... treated like a one-time tourist. If you are going to pay the price, get a bit more atmosphere with Humpy's, Club Paris, or Marx's as alternatives.
(2)Kimber A.
This used to be my go-to celebration type place- promotions, Mother's Day, etc. The food is still decent, and the drinks are well made, however the service seems to have gone down hill in the last couple of years. Wait times are quite long, the staff no longer seems knowledgeable about their menu, and mistakes are common. My family has actually received several complimentary gift cards to make up for poor service and quality, but we'll probably just end up giving them away to someone, since none of us really have any desire to go back. Too bad- I used to really, really enjoy this place!
(2)Joshua T.
Had reservations for 6:30pm..arrived at 5:45 and was seated immediately. Ordered the 14oz chipotle steak cooked medium...it took a little while to receive and once I did it was cooked maybe along the lines of rare. The cilantro corn and potatoes were good. I have adjusted my previous rating to 4 stars from 3 after an unexpected message from Robert. Once we have another dining experience in the future I may change it to 5 stars if the food items I addressed with Robert are fixed during our next visit.
(4)Ryan N.
Not at all what I expect from this restaurant. I've been here many times, and have always thoroughly enjoyed the food they serve. I'm not sure why it was so bad, must have just been an off night or something. We got a few appetizers, the clams were average and the warm brie was fairly tasty. I had the crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut as my entree. It was very dry. The crab and macadamia nut stuffing was kinda of just a squishy mess. As far as presentation goes, it appeared that it had just been thrown on a plate with some greens and mashed potatoes and some colorful specks of something. The mashed potatoes also happened to be cold. From past experiences and considering the cost of the food, I expect far more than what I was given. I will go back, but if I get a repeat of this I'll be taking my business elsewhere. On a side note, the waiter in the bar area did his job quite well. He was attentive and always around at just about the time you would want.
(2)James P.
Halibut cheeks are outstanding!! I dine here every time I visit Anchorage - about 4 times a year - and I always get the halibut cheeks. It's something I cannot find in any restaurant where I live in California. Sort of a cross between halibut filet and scallop. More texture and flavor than regular halibut meat. Unfortunately, on my last visit just before Christmas, they had already depleted their stock and will have to wait till late spring to get more. Oh well. But I still enjoyed the recent dinner very much. Raw Alaskan oysters were fresh. Clams in wine-butter broth were plump and tasty! Crab cakes were mostly made of crab meat (unlike many places I have experienced) and moist. Finally, prime rib was juicy and perfectly cooked to the desired temp! Obviously no room for dessert after all that. Good service too. I cannot wait till my next trip to Anchorage!!
(5)Mailliw S.
Yes. Nuff said next caller.
(4)Galen L.
Can't beat the view. Food is above average and sometimes memorable. Great place to get halibut cheeks when in season. Crab is very good.
(4)Erica C.
While visiting Alaska, I came here two nights in a row for their late night happy hour menu (9pm-11pm.) I must say, the oven roasted crab & artichoke dip was hella bomb! We had that on both nights. I was also able to sample some of the sweet potato fries and the classic sampler! The food is definitely amazing for happy hour pricing. They also have a great happy hour drinks menu, all for $4 each. I was definitely amazed with this place, and a bit jealous that Alaska has a great happy hour spot like this with amazing views!
(5)Jason N.
There are no better crab legs ANYWHERE on the planet. Great Alaskan decor as well. We spent 3 years living in Alaska and went there all the time. Wish we could go back!
(5)Janice M.
Our waitress was a little slow with drinks and spotty with service. The food was delicious. The chocolate indulgence was divine. Very classy over looking the inlet.
(3)Lauren S.
Oh boy, this might be one of my favorite meals I've ever been delighted to have! We ordered the famous Halibut cheeks as well as the Seafood Louie salad. The Halibut cheeks were melt in your mouth, pieces of buttery heaven. One of the most incredible things I've ever tasted! The salad was loaded with tons of different seafoods and so fresh. I ended the meal with delicious burnt cream and a cappuccino while overlooking the water-view from the table. Worth every penny.
(5)Jessica W.
My Husband and I recently moved here from the lower 48. We looked up this location on the web for lunch. The French Dip was amazing! My husband had the sirloin and crab sliders, party in the MOUTH!!! The view is the icing on the cake. Service was friendly, and attentive. We will definitely going back to try the dinner menu!
(4)Eric L.
Wow... You can't go wrong with a staff recommendation. Yeah...
(4)Jarod H.
Five stars. During a work visit to Anchorage, AK, visited here for dinner. And oh my, what an excellent dinner and dessert it was! Prices were a bit higher than in the lower 48, BUT, me being from neighboring Hawaii, the prices were right on. The halibut was so ono & the clam chowder really warmed one up on those cold Alaska eves. The fresh berry cobbler was very tasty. Highly recommend!
(5)Lynn D.
Go for the view and enjoy some terrific food. We usually order halibut or salmon and have never had a bad portion. Reservations are a must, particularly in the summer. The acoustics in the room are not the best and it can be quite noisy. Wait staff is always wonderful. Have hosted large groups there and it's always been fun.
(4)Lauren G.
Came in for happy hour when I was in town last week. Service was great. Professional, fast, and friendly. We each had a cocktail, the teriyaki tenderloins, and jalapeno cheese curds. All delicious. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Emma C.
I adore Simon & Seafort's. For fine dining, it's a favorite in town. In my mind, it's slightly better than Crow's Nest, but the two are likely held in similar esteem in town for quality of food and type. We dine out often as a family and take clients and guests out. We have a handful of spots we rotate, and CN and S&S are 2. I'm extremely familiar with their menu and ins/outs, so I'll break it down in a variety of ways by comparison (as you MUST try both not just one, if you haven't yet). ----- Customer Service: winner = SS - Both have amazing service. Can't go wrong with either. CN is a bit more uppity, whereas S&S is more down to earth. - You get a bit more 1-1 attention at CN. It helps there are multiple people "assisting" your table. The waitress never forgets or ignores you, they always are in close proximity and attending to you. - BUT If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick S&S. I once ordered strawberry lemonade, and they ran out of strawberry stuff, so they actually sent a waiter running down the street to a nearby shop to purchase some. I wasn't aware until the drink was presented. They said to me, "It's one thing to say, we're out of stock prior to the order, but we took the order, so we were going to make it happen one way or another." I love when restaurants go above and beyond to make your day. In turn, I'll never forget them. Menu Diversity and Size: tie - CN's menu is slightly smaller than S&S's. - CN's menu offers significantly less meat specialties and varieties than S&S's. - For meats, CN's portions are smaller than S&S's on average (unless you're ordering the lamb shank, which is huge everywhere). - For seafoods, CN's portions are slightly larger than S&S's. Appetizers: winner = SS - Both have great appetizers. I'd say for "complimentary breads," CN wins. They bring you a roll basket with 4 different loaf-types. I like the Parmesan, but enjoy the offer a variety. S&S's roll basket is standard. - Now, for bread + dips, S&S wins. Their Crab & Artichoke Dip is to die for. Once I came here and ordered 2 Crab & Artichokes to-go, for my lunch and dinner-at-home appetizer, lol. Yes, it's that good, try it! - For raw oysters, I slightly prefer CN's oysters over S&S's. S&S more specializes in Oyster Rockefellers, so it's hard to compare. CN only serves them as is, without variants. Seafood: winner = SS - Both have equally have emphasis on seafood dishes (perfect for the tourists and visitors). Both very fresh. - If I had to pick a clear winner between the two, it would be S&S, as their LOBSTER is the MOST AMAZING lobster I have ever tried. The seasoning is perfection. I'm crazy for this dish, I've brought every guest here just to try it. I force them to order the lobster, I promise to pick up the tab JUST so they can share in the amazing taste (yes, I'm a good friend, but they're equally good to me, too, in the same ways!). - S&S is amazing at seafood seasoning. Next, meats: winner = CN - As part of S&S's larger menu, they offer a larger assortment of meats. CN offers a smaller list, but prepares them perhaps a margin better (? depends on the chef's day, I guess, it's a close call/toss up). - I've noticed CN often tries to play on traditional Alaska and experiments with traditional meats, such as caribou, elk, etc. This is cool if you're hosting an experiment foodie guest! Last time, they had a prix fixe menu with elk on the list. - The duck is significantly better at CN than S&S. The sauce is a little heavy on honey, but the way it's prepared ad cooked is perfection. Perfect. I used to love S&S's orange duck, but it's been off the menu for years. CN's duck is still prepared better, but S&S's portion is more generous. Atmosphere: personal winner = SS - S&S is more casual, which probably has to do with the fact S&S isn't a sky lounge (it's not shabby either, though). S&S is on 1-floor and has a beautiful view of the ocean. I'd feel comfortable coming here in jeans and a t-shirt (although I'd probably feel better in a sweater)--I'm just saying, it's one of those places you don't feel pressure to dress up in. - CN is a place I feel a bit more pressure to do so (and I am a lazy person, so I actually personally prefer S&S for the atmosphere). It's a sky lounge, and most people dress "up" more than they do for S&S. S&S has a range of people, and some guys in jeans or slacks and button-up shirts that may be wrinkled, but most people at CN look a bit fresher, if that makes sense. Some women are in cocktail dresses here, which isn't the norm at S&S. ----- Ultimately, your preference between the 2 is going to come down to probably your personality meshing with atmosphere. Atmosphere and preference for seafood or meat will be YOUR tie breaker :) Hopefully my review helps those interested in CN and/or S&S!! Go try both, and give me feedback on my recs, suggestions, etc. Let me know what YOUR favorite was and if I was helpful at all!
(5)Joanna F.
Really nice server but the food was not as good as I thought it would be. The clams tasted dirty and so did the bread that came with it. The steak had frozen butter on top which when it did melt the herbs were way to pungent and ruined it for me. The warm Brie however was very good. It had a macadamia nut crust, with a balsamic glaze on the side, fruit compote and green apples.
(3)Thomas W.
Loved this place. Had happy hour. And then dinner. Very nice place. Great food. You will not go wrong.
(5)John M.
Atmosphere, decor, great staff and stellar food.
(4)Stefanie L.
Great atmosphere, view, food, and bartender! I would come back again and again! I had the halibut cheeks and of course, Loved Them!!! Very impressed!
(5)Eliza J.
High hopes but a mixed experience. I came with some work colleagues and they were very excited about it so naturally so was I. First the location is very random. It's in an office building with no signs or indication the restaurant is there. Street parking was all full so I had to pay $10 to park. We were seated quickly and our server was very nice and attentive. One of the party had the prime rib and it looked perfect. The other one had dietary restrictions and there was actually only one thing on the menu she could order. She seemed happy once she was finally able to find something which ended up being seafood pasta. I got the filet, medium rare with French onion soup. The French onion soup was ok but the cheese was not cooked on very well and kind of lumpy and mushy. I ordered the filet medium rare and actually asked for it to be closer towards rare (I always do this and good steak places get it). Well it came out more towards medium well. It was way over done, rubbery and tough to cut, worse to chew. Our server did not ask me to cut into it or check it. I chalked it up to them being more of a seafood place and didn't protest. We all had creme brûlée and it was one of the better ones I've ever had. Solid B minus over all.
(3)Grace L.
I think this is a love it or hate it place. I ordered salmon and it was so oversalted, I coudln't even eat it. And they didn't replace it, so I went home hungry and paid for dinner that I couldn't even eat. Second time ordered a steak that took more than 45 minutes and was undercooked (sue me, I ordered medium). I've gone there 3 times, but not overly impressed with cooking. Pretty much just a nice view and fairly attentive waiters, but the food needs improvement.
(3)Michael C.
On a recent trip to Alaska, we stopped in here for dinner on our last night in Anchorage! Im so glad we did! The food here is awesome! The service was even better. The view is off the hook. Bloody Mary's were tasty. The oysters on the half shell were wonderful, the prime rib was cooked perfect and tender as all hell. The stuffed Halibut was moist, and the side dishes were all cooked to perfection. This place is a little pricy, but well worth it. This should be a must, for your trip to Alaska! This place can be busy, so I would recommend a calling ahead......
(4)Holly E.
The meal I had here was one of the best meals of my life. We made a reservation online because our anniversary fell on a holiday weekend. We mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary when we made the reservation and when we arrived we were seated right away at a quaint table by the window overlooking the harbor. Our table was decorated with red rose petals and we were treated to a complimentary dessert. They offered to pack our dessert to-go because we were stuffed. Simon and Seaforts may be pricey but they aren't one of those fancy restaurants where you pay a lot and get teeny tiny portions. They provide hearty portion sizes. Their scratch margaritas were the best I've ever had. My husband had the prime rib and he said it was the best meal he'd ever had. I had the red king crab legs (the more expensive type) and it was a plentiful helping of crab. Even the vegetables were remarkable. If you are looking for a classy place to have an excellent meal or celebrate a special occasion, this is the place to go!
(5)Stephen G.
Food was great. SERVICE WAS SLOW. 45 minutes between my order and appetizer. 30 minutes from there to my meal. 8 of us and a $500 bill yet none of us were happy. Constant dead silences and boredom after a 3 hour experience. FOOD WASNT WORTH IT!!!
(1)Kira D.
Happy hour basil gimlets. Nuff said.
(4)Mike S.
Overrated! We were in town to climb Denali, and were looking for some great seafood. We all found Simon and Seafort's to be overpriced for what it offered. Small portions. Pretty disappointed in the Anchorage food scene in general. Hard to find good seafood here (ironic, isn't it?)!!! I would recommend the Glacier Brewing Co. over this place.
(3)Cathy N.
I am writing another review as it has been a while since we went to Simons! Wow! The prices have GONE UP since we last were there. An average dinner there now is over $30 and many of the menu items including salads are gone. The portions have also decreased. I got a bowl of clam chowder and the bowl was literally about 1/3 full and rest was bowl. About two clams in there. Very good chowder but woah... The salmon serving for $36 was so small, very sad. We were very disappointed with the price increase and serving size decrease! The service was wonderful and attentive - and we enjoyed the atmosphere as always. But I don't think we will be looking to eat there much more unless there are better prices and portions - and this is a place we have frequented for years! Sorry Simons!
(2)Nicole G.
It has been a while since I have been here but when I have gone it was good food. Beautiful view for sure. The service is good. It is spendy but its higher end. Its a great place to go to before a fancy show in downtown. I need to go back and try them again for sure.
(3)Jessie L.
You have to try to go there during their happy hour and go early otherwise you won't get a good seat. My friend and I went at 5pm and got the best french dip sliders, teriyaki chicken with rice, and sweet potato french fries. We had the cabernet and it was really good! I definitely will go again during the happy hour. The view is amazing and we really enjoyed the atmosphere there! Check it out!!
(5)Whitney S.
The view was amazing. The happy hour menu was okay, full menu available at 4:30pm. The margarita was delicious!!! Wonderful oysters.
(3)Aleida S.
Lovely food, lovely service, great atmosphere. My only regret is that I didn't get to enjoy the view as we visited for dinner.
(5)Lily H.
Simon's and Seafort's saloon and grill's food was very good. But it took a VERY long time to get our food. I had the Cajun chicken fettuccine, and it was very good. We also got the clams as an appetizer and they were delicious. We had Creme brûlée and s'mores cake for dessert. The Creme brûlée was very good, but the s'mores cake was very dry. Overall I gave it 4 stars.
(4)mark n.
Any halibut related meal was very good. Raw oysters along with the crab meat with artichoke appetizer are great first choices. If you are looking for a very nice meal, this is a can't miss place
(5)Sarah D.
I wish I could give this 2.5 stars. This place came highly recommended so I was excited to give it a try. My husband and I arrived about 45 minutes before our reservation and enjoyed a drink in the bar. I had a Moscow Mule and my husband had a Dark 'n Stormy. They were okay. I liked the bar but felt it was just a tad too bright. Good crowd, though. A wide variety of people to watch, which is always fun. We were promptly sat at our reservation time. Again, the dining room was definitely too bright. It felt like a "family dining" establishment, instead of one of Anchorage's premier restaurants. The decor was also very unimpressive. Again, the words that keep coming to mind are "family dining". We started off with the crab and artichoke dip. The bread it was served with was wonderful, as was the dip. I had the pacific cod with anduille sausage served with crispy grits and green beans. The green beans were undercooked. I could barely cut through them. The cod was fine, sausage was very spicy but good, and the crispy grits were yummy. My husband had the halibut cheeks with brocolini. Again, his vegetable was undercooked. Halibut cheeks were great! We both had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and it was fine. Our experience was not bad at all. Most everything was average and unimpressive. I would rather go to the Glacier Brewhouse (which we did for desert) or just about any other pub in town. I will steer visitors to Anchorage elsewhere before recommending Simon & Seafort's for a meal. I would recommend the bar, though.
(2)Cristobal C.
Great menu and awesome service... We come to Simon's for brunch on Easter. The view of the mountains and Inlet is great and the food is top drawer. The parking is sometimes an issue but there is a pay lot next to the building that charges an arm and a leg. The kids love the waffles.
(5)Carol K.
Ultimate MaiTai's were fantastic. Brunch was good. Crab cake Benedict was delicious. Got a window table as requested. Service was excellent. Maybe a little overpriced for brunch
(4)Mehreen V.
I end up at Simons a lot because it is the closest restaurant I can walk to from home. I usually sit on the saloon side which has a more casual atmosphere than the dining side. Also the full menu and bar menu are available on the saloon side. I find the food to be so-so. Some items are great and others are mediocre. Given the pricing, seems the menu should be consistently good! My favorite item on the menu so far has been the grilled steak salad. Last night we had dinner there and ordered the crab cakes as an appetizer which took almost 45 minutes. The waiter did say they were having some problems in the kitchen due to a power outage the previous night when we asked what was taking so long. The crab cakes were a bit dry and could use a side sauce. For entrees, I ordered the macadamia stuffed halibut which I also found to be a bit dry. My friend had the prime rib and thought it was really good. Portion sizes are large! We shared a key lime pie for dessert and it was incredible. I was wishing I didn't have to share it! I also had a few lemon drop martinis which were OK but the glass was sticky and made my hands sticky... annoying! Also the waiter forgot to bring us bread. We didn't really want any so didn't ask for it, but I thought that was weird.
(3)Steven B.
The food is good, said to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Anchorage, but the service is poor to say the least. My 'server' had to take my order twice and then I sat and waited, and waited. Finally my 'server' went to get my drink as no-one else noticed. I reminded the 'server' that I had ordered oysters. She finally brought them on a large (too large) bed of ice and promptly spilled half the ice on the table and left it there! I flagged down a busboy and got them to clean up the ice. My meal was good, but far too expensive given the quantity. The 'serve' got my dessert fouled up and finally a 'manager' took care of it. Given the price, service, and merely good food I would not go again.
(3)Noah S.
Simon and Seafort's is a pretty good bet any time you really need some snacks downtown. I think the fact that it is prohibitively expensive and without is actually a plus in my review because you can always get a table at the bar right after work. It's a pretty classic happy hr thing for me to go to orsos...too crowded then brewhouse too crowded then decide between fletchers and simon and seaforts. The thing that really kicks the review up a couple notches is the view. It's a very odd thing that more downtown restaurants do not take advantage of the fact that anchorage is on the waterfront. I love sitting at one of the tables next to the huge picture windows and sipping beers until I get some delicious wings or a nice 25-30 dollar pasta or fish dish. Om nom nom nom nom. What ever though. Simon and seaforts gets the job done but no one has ever been like...OOOOO it's my favorite restaurant nor should they.
(4)Joe C.
Food... amazing. Drink selection... amazing. Wait time for service... borderline unbearable. If you allocate three hours for dinner, this is your place. If you prefer more expedited dining, keep looking. Otherwise, enjoy food, it could be worth the wait (with enough drinks).
(4)Hao-Han L.
The view and the food here are ok, but its service is terrible. Our server ordered wrong dish, serve wrong dish, forgot our soup and overcharged on bill. It was the worse dining experience for us in Alaska.
(2)Brittany R.
We absolutely love this place! We went here for our anniversary and they decorated the table with rose petals and received a free dessert. Our server was extremely nice and we both loved our food! The place is defiantly old fashioned when it comes to decor, but the view from our table was great!
(5)Flash W.
Been going to this restaurant for years. It is a standby when I don't want to wonder about if the food will be good. Food is great. Service can have its ups and downs but for the most part is good. View is great. If you are visiting get a window seat.
(4)Maria A.
I find it interesting how Alaska's upscale means something totally different than the lower 48. So, I was told this would be a fairly fancy upscale kinda place with rather impressive food. First of all, when you see people in there in jeans a t- shirt, a baseball hat and flip flops you kinda think to yourself " am I at the baseball park" or at a "nice" restaurant. First of all it's 34 degrees outside, this is no flip flop kinda weather.. Well second I'm not your mother to tell you that. Third what kind of fashion statement are you trying to pull? That frostbite is sexy? Good try looking tough to your girlfriend, or is it "men"opause? Anyway, Jeans and the such it's not the definition of upscale. Just because you have a rare albino elk's head hanging at the entrance and you offer a pretty view, it's doesn't mean I would call it upscale. So I guess you couldn't turn people away for whatever reason we shall not discuss here ( cause trust me I can go on with speculations... Just saying" The food is not even upscale. When In the world did a piece of prime rib become upscale? Sorry back home I used to go to a place that offered a 40oz prime rib that was far superior to this for 19.99. Sorry I'm not trying to be a cheap ass here. My point is, that I was highly disappointed. My expectations were higher than what I received. How can I describe it...ummm This is like going to a conveyor belt place, where dish after dish is just cooked to standard... Average standard, as in it is what it is and that's about it. Even the creme brûlée has become a tragic victim. Something so simple, so beautiful has been turned into a hard style flan instead of a custardie soft Beauty. Then you wonder why the French bitch and moan about Americans culinary atrocities. -points at the creme brûlée- exhibit one! Ok so this is not just full of negativity I would like to point some good things.,. One "good " thing about the quality of the good... I must say it's consistent...as in consistently average. (Was that positive really?) I guess you are paying for the piece of real estate with the view, but good luck during the sunset, you might get blinded by the reflection. Well there you have it, food and ambience ... Nothing to write home about... Onto better thing...Service is extremely friendly and attentive. The drinks... The dirty martini is amazing but the mojito ( mind you, I'm a mojito aficionado) it's just a tragic murder of a Cuban Classic. Special occasion anyone? Rethink it!
(3)Mary Lynn M.
Went to the bar for drinks and the view. Got the Pomegranate Mojito and the Spiced Long Island Iced Tea. Both were very tasty and made with the good stuff. We ended up ordering the Bread Pudding with Bourbon sauce after our drinks and it was amazing. Highly recommend it. Stayed to watch the sunset, which was beautiful from the windows in the bar area. Great view, great drinks, great dessert, and waitress was awesome, too. Can't wait to go back. Appetizer menu in bar also looked super tasty. Great for a date or an adult night out.
(5)Marly H.
I gave two stars because we really had a light dinner and could have tried more on the menu. This was the first place we ate in Alaska and so was one of the first exposures that we had to food. Based on the reviews, which are why I made the reservation instead of eating at one of the hotel restaurants that had not as good reviews, we ended up at Simon and Seafort's. I was hoping for fresh and local seafood with maybe some other options on the menu. By the time we got there though, we were not hungry for a big dinner, so we were limited in our order. The restaurant was plain and noisy. The tables and chairs were really packed in, and I can't say that there was a very nice view of anything in particular from where we were sitting. We ordered the crab cakes and clam chowder. The crab cakes were completely mediocre. I seem to be using that word a lot about food we ate in Alaska, and it really bums me out. I was looking forward to fresh crab and delicious fish! The crab cake was made with real crab, which is better than the alternative. It lacked flavor though and seemed to have a lot of filling. We didn't like the topping that came with it though. The clam chowder was decent, but we've had far better. It's disappointing because we expected more. For an appetizer and two soups it seemed like we spent kind of a lot of money, which seems to be a theme at Alaska restaurants as well. I'd really love to try some of the places that local people go when we go back to Alaska because I feel like we ended up with a lot of tourist trap, not so great, food. Perhaps less so at Simon and Seafort's, but I really don't see what the rave reviews are about for this place.
(2)Tyler W.
Tonight I took my fiancé out for our anniversary and since she had never eaten at Simon & Seaforts we ended up here. I had been here last year and was quite impressed with the customer service so I thought going again was a good idea. Not so much... We both got the Scratch Margaritas and they were good but nothing special. My fiancé had the Simon's Fresh Berry Salad which was far from fresh. You could tell the strawberry and blueberries were frozen and had been thawed for the salad. There was barely any blue cheese and 4 pecans...yes you heard me right, 4 pecans. And the salad was quite small. I told the waitress that it was unexceptable for me to pay $10 for that salad. She did offer to bring some more blue cheese and pecans. For dinner I had the Halibut Cheeks with a cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli for $35. It was good. But that's it, nothing more. It wasn't great, and in my opinion it should have been for the price. It was also warm, not hot. Like it had been sitting out for awhile. The atmosphere is great though, and the view is spectacular! And last year when I ate there I did have some good rockfish. This place is very overpriced and the food is good but not anything special. I will give this restaurant 2 1/2 stars and round up to 3 because I have had a good experience there last year.
(3)James T.
Food = 5 Price = 5 (in line for AK... 100.00 for 2 X 3 beer/wine each and apps) Experience = 5 (come here for sunsets... it's AK at it's best) love the great views sampler platter was great for 3 of us...
(4)Ron C.
For my last night in Anchorage visiting, I am very happy that I had a chance to experience this restaurant. Very nice atmosphere and excellent service from Steve, the seafood cioppino was awesome although a little bit scarce on the seafood portion. Great picturesque views, prices reasonable for a decent restaurant and even close to much more casual places in downtown. You can also dine in the bar area, as the restaurant menu is available there also with great views and you can get discounted appetizers during happy hour time. A little less formal there, and also great if only dining by yourself as I was. Tip: the restaurant has what they call a first seating menu - $30 for a complete dinner with soup or salad, entree, and dessert from 430-530 daily. The offering look really good when I was there but I wanted more hardcore fresh seafood.
(4)Ketmany S.
I absolutely love Simons! Especially during the holidays when Costco carries the two $50 gift card for $80!! Such a great deal. Simon has never disappointed me. Steaks are always cooked perfectly, food is fresh and service is amazing. I simply cannot complain. And the mojitos are way too amazing!! This place is pricey, undeniable. But, you really get what you pay for. Definitely a place to go to for a special night out, or holidays. Or just happy hour!! They bar area is awesome for a more casual feel. The entire restaurant has such great views of the inlet. Try street parking, or park in the Captain Cook garage. Simons validates parking, so no worries there.
(5)David T.
So this a 4.5 star restaurant. It was a bit of a wait, but we didn't have reservations. We had the brie as well as the jumbo prawn for appetizers. The brie was delicious. My wife had the blackened cod, while I had the stuffed halibut. Both were absolutely delightful. They are kid friendly. In fact the burger my son received was big enough and tasty enough for an adult. The kid meals even come with an ice cream sundae. Everything is made from scratch. For dessert my wife had the fruit sorbet. The flavor for the night was lemon. It was extremely tasty. Our waiter Kyle never left us for more than a few minutes. He was awesome. The rest of the wait staff were not only pleasant to us, but also to each other. Don't expect to get our of here with a full wallet or an empty stomach portions are well sized and about $30-50 a plate depending on the entrée you choose.
(5)Steven G.
My wife and I went there for dinner our first night in Anchorage. It was really easy to get to, we walked up the Costal Bikeway and then walked back down L Street. The views were amazing! We got seated after about an hour wait (it was a Saturday) at about 9:30pm which was as then sun was going down. The sky was amazing at that time. I got the halibut cheeks and my wife got the alaskan salmon. Both dishes were absolutely delicious and well worth the price and the wait.
(5)Jessica M.
Excellent brunch menu, amazing view on the bar side of the restaurant and a Bloody Mary bar. Let me be more specific...some of the brunch items our group enjoyed included delicious French Toast, smoked salmon Egg's Benedict,and a prime rib hash. We indulged in the Bloody Mary bar because it included: bacon, green beans, asparagus, homemade Bloody Mary juice, various olive choices, hot and sweet peppers, and many hot sauce options. Service was attentive. Be sure to sit on the bar side to enjoy the view!
(4)Melissa G.
We went here twice on our visit to Alaska and while the second time wasn't as great as the first, they still made a fan of me. So, what are these halibut cheeks everyone keeps talking about? I didn't know so I asked our waiter. He said they are a local delicacy and, yes, actual cheeks of the halibut. He said they have the flavor and consistency of crab legs (in other words, they are pretty rich). I have to say I did not get the cheeks mainly because I can only handle a few crab legs and they bring you 3 or 4 of these cheeks. BUT, if you love crab legs and can easily handle their rich flavor, then I say go for it!! As for me, I got the salmon both nights. Their menu has 2 "char-grilled salmon" listings. One is more sweet with a brown sugar and pecan butter while the other is more lemony. The lemony version was better, but that might have been because the salmon was not overcooked while it was the second time. Their mixed drinks are wonderul, especially the lavender martini!!! The service is great. On my first visit, I accidently spilled my martini (I only had about 1/4 left in the glass) and our waiter insisted I get a new one on the house! My overcooked salmon on my second visit? I got a new steak of salmon and a free dessert. They really want to please! Reservations are not necessary, but recommended. Also, don't worry about dressing up for this. As was explained by our tour guide, there is "Alaska-time" and an "Alaska dress code". They won't rush you through dinner here (which isn't a bad thing) and you might be done with your entree and the dishes removed from your table before a dessert menu is offered. People dress as they please for this restaurant, so if you only have your fleece and a pair of jeans on hand, then no problem. And if you don't make reservations? Grab a seat in the bar area - the menu is the same.
(4)Tina J.
This place is good just don't get enough food to me for the price. I had the crab legs the bread is good n my meal was good to. The view is very nice also
(5)Mimi T.
We came here on our first night in Anchorage - I was suprirsed to find a restaurant inside what seemed like an office building. The service was friendly and the food was pretty good. I had the halibut cheek and it was nicely done. Would visit again when I return to Anchorage!
(4)Betsy B.
"I've been here a number of times and always enjoy it but it is popular and reservations are highly recommended or you will experience a wait although you can often get into the bar to eat. They have an extensive menu and portions are large. The view of the water is really nice so ask for a window table. The bar is usually crowded and noisy but not overwhelming and there is also a view of the water from there. I have always enjoyed the fish dishes. The halibut is always good and cooked the way it should be. They have a good key lime pie for dessert.
(4)Giovanni C.
Classic views, classic decor, classic menu and very classy patrons. Too bad the servers seem to have developed an attitude about it. It would be nice to remember that we are after all in 'tough friendly' Alaska, and that, if the salmon special is $44. (one third more than the regular salmon listed in the menu), it would be 'classy' to mention it. Not that it matters when the all dinner experience is in the $100. a head, but it would prevent eyebrows' arching. Mine arched.
(4)Monica M.
I was expecting more. Definitely 3rd on my list of 3 dining experiences in Anchorage. (1) Yamato Ya (2) Orso (3) S&S. In town on business and my coworkers all agreed.
(3)D G.
This restaurant was OK, not great. The fish was fried and greasy--too bad.
(2)Tom S.
I love it here. My favorite place to eat north of Canada. Sit in the bar and find all the oddities in the paintings.... Have a few drinks first!
(5)Toni M.
Good Food, Great Service, Excellent Views. Not too big of a non-seafood selection.
(4)Bryce H.
This somewhat pretentious place has ok food and drinks. Too bad they cost so much. I give 3 stars for half price apps during happy hour.
(3)Mulberry S.
let's face it. people think they pay for the view here but this place has a view you could get from almost anywhere nearby, including the street outside. you're on the ground floor. go figure. the same goes for its food. mammoth portions of cheap ingredients is not what i call value. taste is subpar for the area. i ordered three appetizers (hey, i'd been in the bush a while) and had enough food for an army plus a few bears. i'd gladly take 1/3 the portions in exchange for some quality. i ate as fast as i could but soon i realized the dip was full of preservatives, the cheese was made from soy and the breading...ugh. don't let it get cold if you know what i mean. i had to send it back before it made me ill. to top it off, service was terrible. three waitresses standing near my table yakking about problems in the kitchen. none of them actually watching tables. no training? one waitress parked at the far end of the bar with the bartender as if they were on a private date. hellllooooo, can i interrupt your love-in to get a little refill over here? first question she asked when she finally came back "are you local?" doh! if i show interest it's not because i want to date you, it's because i'm paying for you to wait on me.
(1)K. L.
Stellar food, stellar service, amazing menu that never leaves me disappointed. It is a bit pricey, but it makes for an amazing night out.
(5)T. N.
I highly recommend their happy hour. Decent specials and a great atmosphere for a somewhat fancy after-work social hour. But I can't really recommend the restaurant for dinner. The atmosphere is nice and the view is pretty darn good, but the service and food leave quite a bit to be desired for the prices they charge. I've had a couple different entrees here and, while they were nice enough, they didn't justify the price sticker. It's good, not great. Anyway if you are looking for a special atmosphere for a nice dinner and you're willing to pay a premium even though the food won't knock your socks off, then S&S is a good choice. Otherwise you can find better food for a lot less money elsewhere.
(3)katulka r.
People love this place and I just don't get it. I've had dinner here once and wouldn't go back. Everything, from salad to their signature halibut to dessert, was DRENCHED in sauce. I tend to believe that good food cooked well just doesn't need a ton of sauce to dress it up (or kill all taste in this case). Also, our server brought us the wrong appetizer and then argued that he wasn't wrong. The view is fantastic, and I've had some fun in the bar. But at their prices, forget the restaurant. If you want a nice, spendy meal for a special occasion, try the Corsair, Club Paris, or Ginger.
(2)Chimena C.
First time here. Its overpriced for what you get. A very standard commercial feeling meal for about $30 a piece. Ehhh there has to be something better around here..Seems busy.
(3)Andrea T.
Happy Hour Heaven! I went and spent a glorious winter, Friday evening with my hubby and friends at Happy Hour and we had a great time. The food was very delicous and not just because I had three pomegranate maragaritas. (Those were amazing, by the way)Went went early, which was a good idea as this place gets packed. The parking gods smiled upon us, but not the table gods. We didn't get a table along the expansive windows which afford you an incredible view. But don't worry...we will back! Order the TRIO...you will know what I am talking about when you go.
(4)Geneva H.
Great service, atmosphere, food, and cocktails. Delicious cocktails. So good, my bf proposed there over a plate of king crab.
(5)Shawn K.
The restaurant to hit up in Anchorage. Nestled on the Cook Inlet with picturesque views of the snow capped mountains. The food is very good albeit a little spendy in the restaurant. The bar is where it is at. half off appetizers from 5 pm to 7 pm and drink specials all day. This one of the places to see and be seen!!!
(4)Sarah M.
Going for lunch will save you money and going for dinner with get you brownie points. I've never had a bad meal at S&S and the service is consistently attentive and friendly, if a bit slow. Nice view of the inlet and Sleeping Lady. Probably the best (and most expensive) seafood menu in Anchorage. The only issues: the place has a slight sweaty foot odor when you walk in and the parking is abysmal. Other than that, a great place to eat.
(4)Dawn A.
Highlights of the evening: The Wild Berry Ice cream was a favorite by those with a sweet tooth at the table. It disappeared in seconds . . . which could not be said for the rest of the meal. Synopsis: While we were in Anchorage for the Mayors Marathon, we went to Simon and Seafort's based on the four star rating from Yelp . We were smart enough to get a reservation before hand. . . other wise, we probably would have to have found someplace else to eat as the line was out the door. While the menu was creative, the chef had a heavy hand with the salt. My friend and I ordered the Seafood Cannolli . . . which neither of us were able to finish more than two bites . . . there was at least 300% of the recommended daily allowance of sodium in the the entree. The waiter was very eager to please in a refreshing, boyish kind of way . . .. we were a little confused when he kept apologizing for the delay in getting our appetizers and entrees . . . until we figured out that the prime motivation was table turnover -- to the point of annoyance. At one point, we were so put off by the 'rush' we were getting, we pulled out a deck of Uno cards just to see the reaction on the waiters face. He did a triple take and blanched visibily. We were also surprised at how attentive the wait staff was in refilling our water glasses . . .until we realized that they were coming by our table so they could get an eyefull of the overly exposed cleavage of the women sitting in the table behind us. I'm sure there was a path worn thin in the carpet as a result. Definitly not the experience we were expecting.
(2)Lana R.
We like to eat in the bar. More casual and less crowded. Half price appetizers after 9pm every night. Mac and cheese with bacon crumbles? YES! Scallop and salmon lollipops? YES! Burger and fries? YES! Buffalo prawns? YES! Pudding trio? YES! Chocolate cake? YES! Bar staff is quite knowledgable and friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Mee-stique K.
The seafood here are sooo fresh it seems as if you just went to catch them yourself. I think you should stick to the local foods there...must better...i had a seafood pasta and it was not the best...but gosh the clams and mussels were sure fresh! now with that comin from a pasta lover, that's not good! But the service was good and the bread...as i have mentioned before...it's all about the bread! For those who have not tried halibut cheeks...this is something you must try! it is amazing! and they prepared it very well!
(4)John P.
When you make it up here to Anchorage, this is one of the places you MUST eat at. They have a wonderful menu, specializing in Alaskan Fish, on their Seafood Menu. The fish plates are AMAZING, as are their beef dishes. The cost of a Simon/Seaforts can get expensive, however. you will remember this dining experience for a very long time. The Wait Staff are courteous, and professional. The Chef/Cooks/Prep Cooks are the best in the area. A lead chef is in the "dungeon" at all times. Now then the FOOD! I have tried the following: Appetizers: Hot King Crab and Artichoke Dip Colossal Buffalo Prawns Classic Sampler, (Roasted Garlic Prawns,Teriyaki Beef, and the Above Dip) Now let me tell you the negatives of these: NOTHING! THEY ARE GREAT. En tree's: Bison Cowboy Steak Prime Rib Seafood Brochettes (Salmon, Prawns, Scallops,all Alaskan) Seafood Linguine Pan Seared Chicken Breast, with Roasted Mushroom Stuffing. Salads are always fresh, and if you try the soups, (which you should), all I can tell you about their White Chowder, is it is the stuff dreams are made of!!! I have yet not to have any bad experiences here. I tried their Easter Sunday Brunch, and had Prime Rib Hash, unbelievable. By all means go here. BUT watch the wine list, the only bad part of the place are the wine prices. Have water, we have the best!
(5)Sara F.
Recently tried this place blindly while visiting Anchorage for my first time & was SO happy we found this gem! Amazing seafood is all I can say! We got there right as happy hour was ending & saw the huge wait for a table & decided to hit the bar for a drink but ended up having dinner there as well. We scored a great table with a beautiful view of the harbor at the bar which was nice too. I love a good seafood restaurant that's close to the water, that's a a good sign to me that you'll get fresh seafood! For a starter drink, I ordered a simple cosmo & the husband got a dirty martini, which were both made so well! Really cold, which I love, and the olives in the husbo's martini were stuffed w/cheese so obviously they were stolen. My cosmo was super refreshing & not overly sweet. For our main dishes, we shared the parmasean crusted halibut & seafood loui & clam chowder...all of it was absolutely delicious! I'm drooling thinking about it right now & can't wait to go here again!
(5)John-Michael C.
A local once told me about this place while I was in town. It was a great spot...nice view of the water and apparently a lot of locals hang out here. Very old school - kind of like Cheers with a restaurant...or did they have on that show too? The food was particularly special - it was good local food. I think what it really was that they had just pulled the fish out of the water and cooked it there and then. It was that fresh tasting. Maybe it was the 22 hours of daylight that got to be and made me chipper, but I just really liked the place. I am looking forward to coming back here during the winter with more darkness....I'm a night person so you could imagine this being some what of a personal hell....it was hard to sleep. ;D
(5)Vidhya S.
This is one of my favorite spots in Anchorage. My co-workers and I love sitting in the bar... more casual. My favorites are the 'famous' crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut, the lobster mac and cheese, open faced seafood ravioli.. and all the desserts are delicious. I'm sure everything else is delicious, i just love those dishes so much I can't be convinced to try anything else. I would note that this place can be a little pricey.. entrees are from 18-30$. totally worth it though.
(5)Cory O.
This was the ultimate prom place when I was in high school, so I've had plenty of opportunities to check it out and each time left feeling only so-so about the food. The service is great and the seafood is fresh, but it'll be fresh pretty much everywhere in Anchorage, so why pay the high price tag? There are much better fine dining establishments in the area to eat at, and chain dining is always a second choice for me.
(3)Bridget F.
This restaurant was the first place we ate when my husband and I arrived in Alaska for our honeymoon. When we got to the table, there were rose petals on it! Even the owner stopped by to welcome us not only to his restaurant, but to Alaska. The food was terrific! Crab stuffed halibut is the best I've ever had! S&S has converted me to a halibut-lover. Great service. Great view. Great first experience for an Alaskan honeymoon!
(4)Cheryl M.
This might have been our best meal in Alaska. We went early and walked in without a reservation. Great service, great views, and I would definitely recommend the halibut cheeks/ halibut combo dinner. It was outstanding.
(5)Lily P.
We came here during our vacation and had the BEST CRAB LEGS EVER! Although we were very spoiled because the crab was fresh, not frozen (we went in June). We love crab and had it 4 times during our trip here, this was amazing and is the scale by which all crab is now measured. Sadly due to eating too much appetizer and bread I didn't eat my filet but my sister who got my leftovers said it was fantastic.
(5)Toonces The Driving Cat K.
Great place for girl's night!!
(4)Maura P.
if the deer or duck entrees are on the menu when you go, get one! super tasty and tender. if not the fish is usually great. the desserts are good, too
(4)Brad W.
the view was the best part. just spectactular. the food was good to great but i just don't get the service. i felt rushed. but there was very little interaction with my server. he dropped off the menu and asked what i wanted thats about it. i have higher expectations when im paying these prices. lots of good local alaskan food. they should put the time and effort into the service they do in the food.
(2)