This restaurant was recommended highly by local resident. I am visitor to Anchorage from Chicago, a city where we know great food. I had the most impressive dinner I've had in a long time! I started with fresh Alaskan oysters. They were served with horseradish granita and a shot of tabasco. I have never experienced oysters melting in my mouth, as these did. Then I was left with a nice little tingle from the hot sauce. Amazing. My entree was a special: Grilled Salmon. This perfectly seasoned and cooked piece of fresh beautiful salmon sat upon a bed of wild & white rice. There was a wonderful surprise of cubed pickled turnip in salsa verde on top. I didn't recognize the cubes as turnip. The server informed me that the chef goes to the local farmer's market twice weekly and uses local produce in his dishes. Love it! When I read "salsa verde" on the menu, I was concerned that it would have a strong Mexican seasoning. That was not the case! This green sauce (salsa verde) seemed to be made from pureed fresh spinach and maybe a little garlic? It as very understated, which let the salmon shine and pickled turnips add a surprising texture & flavor. The plate was artistically arranged. My server was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. I am here for two more nights. I might dine here both nights. I strongly recommend that you dine at Southside Bistro. Bon appetit!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
I went here with a bridal party of 6 after our David's Bridal appointment. Seated at a nice large round table. Our waiter was a little slow at times. But good. I ordered the halibut cheeks lunch on the specials menu. Absolutely the very best halibut I've ever had. Prepared perfectly. The decor reminds me of Wolfgang Pucks Cafe's.
(5)
Nancy L.
I have been going to the Southside Bistro since it opened years ago. I agree with Cory O., the service and quality has declined somewhat. I still think it deserves 4 stars for Anchorage. If it were in another major market, probably a 3. Having said that, it's very very good. Their salads are inventive and they use all different kinds of greens. The pizzas are very good, as well as their entire lunch menu. If you're crazy hungry you can get a more substantial item. They usually have a pasta dish or two every day. Or if you want something lighter, a salad, or soup and sandwich you can get that too. For dinner I had seafood dishes (their scallops and they were done to perfection) as well as carnivorous offerings and they treat both with great respect. If you ask for something rare, you will get it rare. Unfortunately I was too full for dessert. But I have had many desserts there on other occasions and I haven't hit one I didn't like. I'm fairly certain they only serve beer and wine and they have a nice selection. As far as attire goes, I have seen everything from casual to dressy. It's Alaska, so pretty much anything goes. Heck, you can even wear your bunny boots (if you're lucky enough to have 'em).
(4)
Jim R.
We found this place a few years back. We stayed at a B&B on Upper O'Malley, we asked the owner if he could recommend a restuarant close by (in Alaska 10 miles is considered close by). The B&B onwer suugested that we try Southside Bistro, he highly recommended..he also worked there... We went, and we found the place to be just great. This is a big restuarant hidden in a strip mall. Definelty the most popluar place on this side of Anchorage. Place is large, always busy, but really has a nice atmosphere. We've not been dissapointed and keep going back to this place whenever in Anchorage. You can't miss with the Ceasar Salad.. a real ceaser... with anchovies. I always order the Halibut here because it doesn't get any better than this. Desserts are excellent as well, and Wine list is large and very reasonable for Alaska... Staff is attentive. The owner is a very nice guy and makes the rounds to all of the tables...
(4)
Sally A.
This was an incredible experiance. Even though I was only able to have the lunch menu my food was outstanding! My daughter and I shared the mussels and calamari and split a flatbread pizza. Then the reason for going a bottle of 2009 Col Solare at an amazing price. I absolutely recommend this establishment. Service, pricing, food and even the ambiance was fun and although older it looked loved and fresh.
(5)
Christine D.
The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else.
(3)
Samantha G.
The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again.
(1)
Mike A.
Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back.
(1)
Ronnie H.
The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here!
(5)
Gene M.
Always a wonderful meal with exceptional service. My pasta special was cooked to a perfect al dente and the pepper sauce was delicious. The chocolate creme Brule was wonderful too! Every time we come here we wonder why we don't come here more often.
(5)
Mary C.
I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff.
(4)
Denali V.
Date night with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in so long, was super romantic yet laid back and we love that type of place. They give you this bread to start with that is soo good, all the servers were friendly and we enjoyed our dinners. Definitely will go back :)
(5)
Shannon C.
One of our go to places. I recommend their calamari and scallop appetizers. The Calamari is lightly battered and seasoned perfectly with garlic and salt. The scallop appetizer is accompanied with a crispy delicious risotto cake and sits in a bed of a yummy tomato cream sauce which I recommend you sop up with their crispy delicious bread. I also recommend their salads which you can choose to top off with scallops or prawns. I always leave feeling satisfied.
(4)
Christine M.
Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work.
(3)
Nadia S.
This place had excellent reviews, and rightfully so. I usually make reservations well in advance but I thought that in Anchorage I would not need to which was wrong. After the first day of having to wait around I decided to make reservations at any place that would take them (I have a whole list and Southside was def on it). Driving by you would never know that this gem of a restaurant existed in a regular strip mall. Everything we ordered was delicious, the salmon belly crudo, the soup, special and seasonal sockeye salmon entree and white fish. We topped it off with a dessert we split, a warm brownie with ice cream on top. Such a simple dessert yet so homemade tasting, where the high quality ingredients came through one by one. Don't miss this place while in Anchorage
(4)
Katylyn L.
The restaurant is a pretty basic little bistro but their tomato soup with bread is amazing. The flavor is wonderful, and I'm not normally a soup person. I have had the deserts too, and they're pretty satisfying. Over all, this is a lovely meeting place for lunch :)
(5)
Marc B.
What a gem to find this warm and friendly place in a strip mall! Just had the pear Gorgonzola and pecan salad with grilled shrimp. Yummy! The wait staff is great especially Thomas and Kerry. And Kate the hostess is friendly and helpful.
(5)
K B.
This place was recommended to me because of its wine selection. The selection is actually pretty limited but I ordered a California Cabernet that I was pleased with. For food we ordered crispy calamari as an appetizer and the steak sandwich and shrimp feta salad as our entrees. The calamari was fine. Nothing to write home about. Same with the steak sandwich. The shrimp salad was a big disappointment. There was a lack of flavor. Over all this place is over priced for the quality of food you are getting. The atmosphere is outdated with almost a diner feel; cheap chairs, booths and linoleum floor but with white table clothes which gives it a mixed vibe. In the end I would not recommend this place to my friends. This place may have been the "it" place ten years ago for sophistication in Anchorage but now there are much better options.
(2)
Mike S.
Well I am biased as the owner happens to be Swedish which I am as well. So I have to give them a five star rating :) With that said it is deserved. First inside -- place looks great. You don't expect it from the entrance door, but it was very nice. Greeted and seated promptly (had reservation). The booth was real nice, comfortable and even the tables seems like they were spaced out ok. Service was great -- the guy knew the food and the wines. Extensive wine list from very reasonably priced to yeah way to much for me to spend on a bottle of wine. I wished they had a full service bar, but beer and wine will have to do. The food was prepared just right. Steak was medium and the wife's food came out right as well. Good flavors, good mix on the plate and finally a place that doesn't think every vegetable medley has to be broccoli and cauliflower...... Deserts were really good. We both had the cobbler so can't say much about the other items on the list :) -- it was excellent though Apetizer came out promptly and main course was served a bit later. The spacing on the meals was excellent. I don't know if it just happened or they put more thought than usual into this. I hate getting my appetizer and before I even finish it the main course shows up. This is a nicer restaurant and they know to leave time between the courses. It is different from how you run a lunch place and it was both noted and appreciated. We both loved it and will definately go back. Will probably also try the bistro side another night
(5)
Sally A.
This was an incredible experiance. Even though I was only able to have the lunch menu my food was outstanding! My daughter and I shared the mussels and calamari and split a flatbread pizza. Then the reason for going a bottle of 2009 Col Solare at an amazing price. I absolutely recommend this establishment. Service, pricing, food and even the ambiance was fun and although older it looked loved and fresh.
(5)
Christine D.
The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else.
(3)
Samantha G.
The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again.
(1)
Mike A.
Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back.
(1)
Ronnie H.
The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here!
(5)
S P.
Little pricey, but I think food is well worth it. On my most recent visit I had the Pork Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It's great having a nice quality restaurant on the south side of town instead of having to go all the way downtown for the same quality. The only way I would give them 5 stars is if the prices were just a little lower, then I would be able to go there more often.
(4)
Margaret D.
Southside Bistro is on my way home from work and I stop by several times a week for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. In the 15 years I have been coming here I have ALWAYS had excellent food and service! I had a rude waiter one time in the evening but he was gone the next time I came. The owner is there quite frequently and is very hands on. Everyone on staff is courteous and friendly and wants your dining experience to be special.
(5)
Lard Belly E.
Good service in a welcoming environment. We started with the calamari and Brie flatbread. Flatbread was okay and the calamari tasty, though I prefer aioli to marinara for sauce. Previously I came in and ordered the skirt steak, though prepared well, I found the meat not very appetizing and tough. This time I ordered the filet, and found a steak winner. My mom ordered the skirt and I tried to talk her out of it, and later she later said mine was better. Told you so! Rounded out the meal with a flourless chocolate cake and thought it was nice and dense. I'm not much of a dessert fan but it was my sister's birthday so we all indulged. They decorated her cobbler beautifully. Will come again to indulge.
(4)
Cody G.
The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable.
(1)
Robyn F.
We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work.
(4)
Joe L.
This place is average in every way, except for the pricing. I have visited Southside bistro several times over the years, usually not by choice. I always leave wishing the experience was a little better or the service was a little better or that the portions were larger or that the food was better. Sadly every time I leave under whelmed by everything and always feel like I payed to much. The staff and management don't appear to care much either as the menu is outdated and the waitstaff is very entitled. Glad to see some new places in south anchorage, hopefully my dinning partners will no longer drag me to this place anymore.
(3)
Casey J.
This place will always have special meaning to me. It's one of the first dates I took my fiancee. A perfect place to take a special person. Great food. Great presentation and a warm ambiance. This has become my favorite in Anchorage.
(5)
Joe P.
Poor service. Do not attempt have dinner in a group they will not split your bill, but still take an 18% gratuity. The food is also over price for what they serve.
(1)
Carolyn R.
I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:)
(5)
Kendra F.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it.
(5)
Caleb O.
Server was great. Got in on a Friday night with only a couple of minutes notice. Food was delicious. Big bold flavors. The salmon chowder was good. Not the best I've had, but still quite good. My skirt steak came in a salsa verde and chipotle cream, and it was really nicely flavored. Tried everybody else's food and everything else was really good too. I felt the food was better than similarly priced places downtown, and we didn't have to fight for a table or parking spot.
(5)
Alexa H.
DELICIOUS! Huge juicy burgers and steaks that are to die for and their garlic sauce mussels are legendary. You also should not leave without trying their banana cream puff dessert! the service is always excellent and has a very upscale feeling but you can also grab a burger and fries for lunch without breaking the bank.
Food was great, with quite a variety including several daily specials. Only beer/wine is served for those who are interested in cocktails. Homemade desserts were fantastic, and the options were endless. Waitstaff was friendly and personable. Will definitely return.
(4)
Dina Belle R.
One of our favorites. We've been coming here for nearly 20 yrs. This place has the best mussels as far as I'm concerned; always fresh and always tasty and done just right in a creamy saffron sauce with just the right amount of cilantro and garlic, topped with freshly diced tomatoes. So good, it's a meal in itself when you use their complimentary fresh crusty sourdough bread to sop up the creamy broth. More recently, I had to call to make sure they still had some left since the last time I went they'd run out...how disappointing but understood. I also ordered a simply delicious and fresh seasonal greens and pear salad w/a tangy balsamic dressing, garnished with toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. My husband chose another favorite, their spinach salad assembled with crispy polenta, Prosciutto di Parma, sun dried tomato, gorgonzola & balsamic vinaigrette.Yum! For his entree, he ordered the pork schnitzel which was absolutely done to perfection.Lightly breaded and crisp on the outside, moist and juicy, seasoned just right and served over an herb-grain mustard sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. It was topped, with what reminded me of a chopped eggs salad, which was unsuspected, but still good, on it's own. I'd preferred it over the salad greens served with it. Still no complaints from my husband as he heartily finished his plate clean. For desert we ordered the raspberry-peach cobbler and a chocolate terrine. Both very good but probably ordered too much at this point. Besides the consistent preparation and beautiful presentation of the food, the atmosphere was pleasant, fun and relaxing even when it's busy, and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. Very good service. All in all, this is why we return after all these years.
(5)
Loren R.
What a great first experience. I tend to not weigh ,very much ,service in my reviews. But today I am. My wife and I were served by Linda. She was positive, attentive, gave good recommendations , she didn't waste time trying to be our friend but was there the appropriate amount. I never had to wait for a new glass of wine. She stopped by once per orderve and once per entree. The food. At least tied for anchorages best. The veggies weren't cooked to death. They had crispness left in them. I had lamb. I confess I love lamb and have a hard time getting good lamb. It was....Just o k. I found it noticeably gamey. My wife had rockfish. After having one too many tough rockfish experiences at orso's It was nice to have a fresh fish. She did say she wished it came with more sauce and was going to ask for more sauce next time. We liked all four glasses of wine. We got dessert to go and enjoyed it at home. We are going to go again soon. The price before tip was 135.00 For one One salad Two entrees Four glasses of wine Two desserts So a little spendy yet it was good quality.
(4)
Lauren E.
Amazing food, wonderful service, good atmosphere. I came here for date night based on a recommendation from one of my boyfriend's friends. The server was fabulous and attentive, but never too intrusive. The boyfriend asked him for a recommendation, and was told to try the rack of lamb, which he did. I of course ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent, and we both polished off our plates (there are few places to order schnitzel in Anchorage, so that made it even better). For dessert we had vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce as the perfect sweet ending. Great way to start the night.
(5)
K L.
Sticker shock or surprise? This is a local favorite in the Southside and it makes you feel welcomed to sit with regulars frequenting this place. Jon, behind the counter, is great and attentive. I'm sure he's one of the reasons that draws the regular folks in. They have a nice wine and beer list and won't hesitate to offer tastings or pour generously. Jon let me sample a Palumbo Shiraz, Left Coast white Pinot Noir, and a surprisingly bland Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay and another white that eludes me right now. I love Syrah but opted for the nice crisp Left Coast white to pair with seafood. I got a dozen really fresh Alaskan Raw Oysters but it was too late when I realized the horseradish and Tabasco sauce did not come on the side. The first bite was good and spicy but the Tabasco sauce overpowered and ruined whatever mild delicate flavor the oysters had. It was a relief to have lemon wedges as they came in handy to rinse the rest of the sauce off! I love horseradish and Tabasco but I don't think this was a good match. I'll have them on the side next time. Also it would have been convenient for the diner if they cut the adductor muscles. A little oyster liquor left behind would be nice too, pretty please. Have to say the Fresh Penn Cove Mussels with saffron cream, tomatoes, and cilantro was amazing, with little hints of refreshing cilantro to balance the richness of the dish. Mussels were plump and succulent. I'm glad they offered another basket of bread so I happily sopped up the heavenly saffron sauce. I was surprised their raw oysters were $36 instead of $24 (the menu lists $12 for half a dozen). Well this is Alaska after all and that's pretty much the rate around town but it could be misconstrued as false advertising which I'm sure is not the intention of the establishment.
(3)
Bob B.
Good food but steak under cooked. Service very slow. Dinner for 2 took 2 hrs without wine. Prices a bit high for quality & service. Sure not up to their normal standard. Parking area is inadequate & far more handicapped parking is needed. Had to wait 20 min to find a spot!
(3)
Jenny C.
I am always impressed with the food at south side bistro. I've just simply never been let down. We went there at lunch time for a spur of the moment birthday celebration so we had a fairly large group. We were seated right away our server had good humor -always a plus! I got the fresh chicken rigatoni! Delish! Will go back again and again
(5)
Melissa F.
My husband made special reservations for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed an eggplant appetizer and steamed mussels. The halibut and rib-eye for entrees were also great. The kitchen accommodated my needs to avoid gluten and dairy. The only negative was being seated in a high traffic area and the tables being extremely close which lacked intimacy.
(4)
Christine M.
Excellent food and service! This spot is a bit out of my travel circle, but I wanted to try it anyways. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely make a point to dine here again in the future.
(4)
Kent H.
My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent.
(4)
Tallee W.
I am always thrilled with the staff as well as the excellent and varied menu! I'm thrilled that the Fivine Truffle Shoestring fries are a constant though! Great beer & wine list. The Chefs are creative as well as perfectly executed from seafood to burgers to Calamari & Desserts so pretty you hate to dive in (until you take a bite, then you inhale the bit of Heaven you just discovered). Te atmosphere is wonderful be it for a casual meal or an event! I have never been disappointed and I have MANY allergy restrictions! They have always been very honest with ingredients and been happy to alter where possible. Southside Bistro is a true treasure in South Anchorage!! The only reason it's not 5 stars, is it would be nice to see allergy listings in advance, so we don't feel we are holding up the party or taxing the staff. A few more GF/DF/egg free options would make it a 5 star.
(4)
Robbie S.
Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5.
(5)
Oscar T.
I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food.
(5)
Sherilynn B.
Great South ANC restaurant. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good wine list, delectable eats. Great place to take friends or family.
(4)
MJ S.
I've been here several times. The food is usually good, but inconsistently. The service is usually okay, but this last time I was here, it was awful. We walked in, told the host we were waiting for one more, and asked if we could sit in a booth. He said no, then took us to a table right next to three empty booths, and the table was short one person. We reminded him we were waiting for one more, so he squeezed in another chair, but never brought extra silverware, plate, water, napkin, or menu. The waiter came to take our drink order, and when our 4 year old was deciding, he walked away and said he'd take the kid's order later. There were only 2 other occupied tables, both of whom were already eating, so no other customers were waiting on him. He came back later and we asked for bread. He brought 3 slices. We had 5 people. When we got our salads, the dressing was extremely bland. The soup and rigatoni were both good, the shrimp and scallops were so-so. When we were finishing up, our 4 year old walked to the empty booth right next to us, and picked up a spoon. A lady came running out from the back, snatched it out of his hand, and said, "every one you touch, I have to clean!" And stalked off with the spoon. We were all speechless and very anxious to get out of there. It was a very unwelcoming and hostile atmosphere. We will not be back.
(2)
Paige K.
Food varies from burgers and delicious fries to great mussels or lamb. It is a great menu and a great option on the south side of town.
(3)
Jason T.
Great food and service! very popular so it gets a little loud
(4)
T C.
It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad.
(4)
Sarah V.
Wow- I went here last week with my boyfriend after some friends recommended it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I only wish we had come here sooner. Southside Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in Anchorage now! The ambiance is great, the decor is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is delicious. My boyfriend and I both had the Kodiak scallops and shrimp (which came in a perfectly balanced champagne cream sauce). They were cooked beautifully, and the rice and veggie sides were delicious as well. Good job Southside! You do great things for the food scene in Anchorage.
(4)
Mark K.
Fantastic food! Chef/owner was there, and welcoming. Everything our group had was awesome. I had the ribeye, and it was great. Nice wine list! Beer selection wasn't too bad either.
(5)
Karla L.
I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty.
(5)
Randall F.
A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again.
(4)
Tiffany T.
Meh... I have eaten here 4-5 times over the years. It has a lot of snooty (so they can charge more) but compared to other places in Anchorage they really do not deliver. This last trip I had flank steak... heck I went there for the flank steak. I have lived in South America. I know and love flank steak. I ordered it rare like I always do and always have. The meat was so tough I could not cut it. I could not even pull it apart into two pieces using a fork and a steak knife. I tried repeatedly to the point it became a game at our table. I would have had more luck cutting my shoes into pieces. It had the membrane on the back and was the most sinewy piece of meat I have ever seen. I eat a lot of wild game too. The lack of care in trimming and preparation was pretty astounding. When the server noticed (thumbs up that she did!) she took it away and it was taken off my bill. But then she came to tell me the cook informed her it was tough because I ordered it rare and because it was grass fed. Really??? I am not an idiot. When you leave the silver skin on the back it is inedible no matter how you cook it and it was not even close to the first piece of flank steak I have ordered. I am also pretty sure that the 100+ flank steaks I ate in Argentina and Chile were ALL grass fed. The defense of the inexcusable ruled this place out for any future meals for me.
(2)
Katherine A.
I have only eaten here once but it was definitely not worth the money. I ate here on New Year's Eve and was disappointed. The food sounded creative on the menu but every course was poorly seasoned and over cooked. The food wasn't awful but the price was a deal-breaker. The highlight of the meal was the wine pairings which were thoughtfully done. I would opt for other Anchorage favorites such as Orso, Glacier Brewhouse, or Crush.
(2)
Liane M.
It's not bad, it's just not my cup of tea. Very yuppy atmosphere with prices to match. They do make a good burger, but I prefer the burgers at the Tap Root cafe. For lunch they offer a variety of mainly salads, pastas and pizzas. For dinner there are more options and a decent wine list. Everything is over priced, but if you like small portions nicely displayed on a fancy plate, this is the place for you.
(3)
Skip N.
Consistently rated one of the top 2-3 kitchens in Anchorage. #1 hangout for South Anchorage Foodies. Outstanding wine selection. The Owner/Executive Chef and most of the staff have been together for years and their personal attention adds to the dining experience. We prefer the more informal atmosphere of the "Bistro" wine bar side.
(5)
R B.
Consistently good service and good food. The menu selection is good, and the beer and wine selection is also very good. This, in my opinion, is one of the really good restaurants in Anchorage with a menu a little different than the standard steak, halibut, and salmon places.
(4)
laura i.
I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option).
(5)
Zak L.
Great food and atmosphere, odd location
(4)
Kari R.
the food is amazing. you may not realize it based on the exterior (it is in a strip mall) but they have an amazing chef and decor. Taking one star away because they didn't have a lot of what was on the menu and we were there early in the night
(4)
Val W.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately, despite a packed house. Atmosphere, service, food and wine selection were outstanding! The best duck I've ever had. Dessert was great and I can't wait to go back. This is a place you and several friends could have a wonderful meal over drinks, relax, and catch up. We weren't rushed at all and had a very enjoyable time.
(5)
Sam G.
Great service and excellent food. Got the calamari steak sandwich for lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Highly recommended for those willing to pay a bit more for a great lunch.
(4)
Dave R.
Had a real wondeful lunch. Nice wine. The place needs a update on the interior to match the prices they charge, then it would be 5 stars
(4)
Martin P.
I have dined here about ten times, so I clearly like it or I wouldn't be going back. Great food, great wine list. Killer desserts. Probably the best Creme Brulee I have had. Has slipped a bit since they lost one of their chefs a couple of years ago, imo.
(4)
Cory O.
I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon.
(3)
Robert P.
Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy.
(4)
David H.
Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE!
(5)
Rob Z.
This restaurant was recommended highly by local resident. I am visitor to Anchorage from Chicago, a city where we know great food. I had the most impressive dinner I've had in a long time! I started with fresh Alaskan oysters. They were served with horseradish granita and a shot of tabasco. I have never experienced oysters melting in my mouth, as these did. Then I was left with a nice little tingle from the hot sauce. Amazing. My entree was a special: Grilled Salmon. This perfectly seasoned and cooked piece of fresh beautiful salmon sat upon a bed of wild & white rice. There was a wonderful surprise of cubed pickled turnip in salsa verde on top. I didn't recognize the cubes as turnip. The server informed me that the chef goes to the local farmer's market twice weekly and uses local produce in his dishes. Love it! When I read "salsa verde" on the menu, I was concerned that it would have a strong Mexican seasoning. That was not the case! This green sauce (salsa verde) seemed to be made from pureed fresh spinach and maybe a little garlic? It as very understated, which let the salmon shine and pickled turnips add a surprising texture & flavor. The plate was artistically arranged. My server was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. I am here for two more nights. I might dine here both nights. I strongly recommend that you dine at Southside Bistro. Bon appetit!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
I went here with a bridal party of 6 after our David's Bridal appointment. Seated at a nice large round table. Our waiter was a little slow at times. But good. I ordered the halibut cheeks lunch on the specials menu. Absolutely the very best halibut I've ever had. Prepared perfectly. The decor reminds me of Wolfgang Pucks Cafe's.
(5)
Nancy L.
I have been going to the Southside Bistro since it opened years ago. I agree with Cory O., the service and quality has declined somewhat. I still think it deserves 4 stars for Anchorage. If it were in another major market, probably a 3. Having said that, it's very very good. Their salads are inventive and they use all different kinds of greens. The pizzas are very good, as well as their entire lunch menu. If you're crazy hungry you can get a more substantial item. They usually have a pasta dish or two every day. Or if you want something lighter, a salad, or soup and sandwich you can get that too. For dinner I had seafood dishes (their scallops and they were done to perfection) as well as carnivorous offerings and they treat both with great respect. If you ask for something rare, you will get it rare. Unfortunately I was too full for dessert. But I have had many desserts there on other occasions and I haven't hit one I didn't like. I'm fairly certain they only serve beer and wine and they have a nice selection. As far as attire goes, I have seen everything from casual to dressy. It's Alaska, so pretty much anything goes. Heck, you can even wear your bunny boots (if you're lucky enough to have 'em).
(4)
Jim R.
We found this place a few years back. We stayed at a B&B on Upper O'Malley, we asked the owner if he could recommend a restuarant close by (in Alaska 10 miles is considered close by). The B&B onwer suugested that we try Southside Bistro, he highly recommended..he also worked there... We went, and we found the place to be just great. This is a big restuarant hidden in a strip mall. Definelty the most popluar place on this side of Anchorage. Place is large, always busy, but really has a nice atmosphere. We've not been dissapointed and keep going back to this place whenever in Anchorage. You can't miss with the Ceasar Salad.. a real ceaser... with anchovies. I always order the Halibut here because it doesn't get any better than this. Desserts are excellent as well, and Wine list is large and very reasonable for Alaska... Staff is attentive. The owner is a very nice guy and makes the rounds to all of the tables...
(4)
Tiffany T.
Meh... I have eaten here 4-5 times over the years. It has a lot of snooty (so they can charge more) but compared to other places in Anchorage they really do not deliver. This last trip I had flank steak... heck I went there for the flank steak. I have lived in South America. I know and love flank steak. I ordered it rare like I always do and always have. The meat was so tough I could not cut it. I could not even pull it apart into two pieces using a fork and a steak knife. I tried repeatedly to the point it became a game at our table. I would have had more luck cutting my shoes into pieces. It had the membrane on the back and was the most sinewy piece of meat I have ever seen. I eat a lot of wild game too. The lack of care in trimming and preparation was pretty astounding. When the server noticed (thumbs up that she did!) she took it away and it was taken off my bill. But then she came to tell me the cook informed her it was tough because I ordered it rare and because it was grass fed. Really??? I am not an idiot. When you leave the silver skin on the back it is inedible no matter how you cook it and it was not even close to the first piece of flank steak I have ordered. I am also pretty sure that the 100+ flank steaks I ate in Argentina and Chile were ALL grass fed. The defense of the inexcusable ruled this place out for any future meals for me.
(2)
Katherine A.
I have only eaten here once but it was definitely not worth the money. I ate here on New Year's Eve and was disappointed. The food sounded creative on the menu but every course was poorly seasoned and over cooked. The food wasn't awful but the price was a deal-breaker. The highlight of the meal was the wine pairings which were thoughtfully done. I would opt for other Anchorage favorites such as Orso, Glacier Brewhouse, or Crush.
(2)
Liane M.
It's not bad, it's just not my cup of tea. Very yuppy atmosphere with prices to match. They do make a good burger, but I prefer the burgers at the Tap Root cafe. For lunch they offer a variety of mainly salads, pastas and pizzas. For dinner there are more options and a decent wine list. Everything is over priced, but if you like small portions nicely displayed on a fancy plate, this is the place for you.
(3)
Skip N.
Consistently rated one of the top 2-3 kitchens in Anchorage. #1 hangout for South Anchorage Foodies. Outstanding wine selection. The Owner/Executive Chef and most of the staff have been together for years and their personal attention adds to the dining experience. We prefer the more informal atmosphere of the "Bistro" wine bar side.
(5)
R B.
Consistently good service and good food. The menu selection is good, and the beer and wine selection is also very good. This, in my opinion, is one of the really good restaurants in Anchorage with a menu a little different than the standard steak, halibut, and salmon places.
(4)
Gene M.
Always a wonderful meal with exceptional service. My pasta special was cooked to a perfect al dente and the pepper sauce was delicious. The chocolate creme Brule was wonderful too! Every time we come here we wonder why we don't come here more often.
(5)
Mary C.
I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff.
(4)
Denali V.
Date night with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in so long, was super romantic yet laid back and we love that type of place. They give you this bread to start with that is soo good, all the servers were friendly and we enjoyed our dinners. Definitely will go back :)
(5)
Shannon C.
One of our go to places. I recommend their calamari and scallop appetizers. The Calamari is lightly battered and seasoned perfectly with garlic and salt. The scallop appetizer is accompanied with a crispy delicious risotto cake and sits in a bed of a yummy tomato cream sauce which I recommend you sop up with their crispy delicious bread. I also recommend their salads which you can choose to top off with scallops or prawns. I always leave feeling satisfied.
(4)
Christine M.
Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work.
(3)
Nadia S.
This place had excellent reviews, and rightfully so. I usually make reservations well in advance but I thought that in Anchorage I would not need to which was wrong. After the first day of having to wait around I decided to make reservations at any place that would take them (I have a whole list and Southside was def on it). Driving by you would never know that this gem of a restaurant existed in a regular strip mall. Everything we ordered was delicious, the salmon belly crudo, the soup, special and seasonal sockeye salmon entree and white fish. We topped it off with a dessert we split, a warm brownie with ice cream on top. Such a simple dessert yet so homemade tasting, where the high quality ingredients came through one by one. Don't miss this place while in Anchorage
(4)
Melissa F.
My husband made special reservations for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed an eggplant appetizer and steamed mussels. The halibut and rib-eye for entrees were also great. The kitchen accommodated my needs to avoid gluten and dairy. The only negative was being seated in a high traffic area and the tables being extremely close which lacked intimacy.
(4)
Christine M.
Excellent food and service! This spot is a bit out of my travel circle, but I wanted to try it anyways. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely make a point to dine here again in the future.
(4)
laura i.
I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option).
(5)
Zak L.
Great food and atmosphere, odd location
(4)
Kari R.
the food is amazing. you may not realize it based on the exterior (it is in a strip mall) but they have an amazing chef and decor. Taking one star away because they didn't have a lot of what was on the menu and we were there early in the night
(4)
Val W.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately, despite a packed house. Atmosphere, service, food and wine selection were outstanding! The best duck I've ever had. Dessert was great and I can't wait to go back. This is a place you and several friends could have a wonderful meal over drinks, relax, and catch up. We weren't rushed at all and had a very enjoyable time.
(5)
Sam G.
Great service and excellent food. Got the calamari steak sandwich for lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Highly recommended for those willing to pay a bit more for a great lunch.
(4)
Dave R.
Had a real wondeful lunch. Nice wine. The place needs a update on the interior to match the prices they charge, then it would be 5 stars
(4)
K B.
This place was recommended to me because of its wine selection. The selection is actually pretty limited but I ordered a California Cabernet that I was pleased with. For food we ordered crispy calamari as an appetizer and the steak sandwich and shrimp feta salad as our entrees. The calamari was fine. Nothing to write home about. Same with the steak sandwich. The shrimp salad was a big disappointment. There was a lack of flavor. Over all this place is over priced for the quality of food you are getting. The atmosphere is outdated with almost a diner feel; cheap chairs, booths and linoleum floor but with white table clothes which gives it a mixed vibe. In the end I would not recommend this place to my friends. This place may have been the "it" place ten years ago for sophistication in Anchorage but now there are much better options.
(2)
Robert P.
Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy.
(4)
Mike S.
Well I am biased as the owner happens to be Swedish which I am as well. So I have to give them a five star rating :) With that said it is deserved. First inside -- place looks great. You don't expect it from the entrance door, but it was very nice. Greeted and seated promptly (had reservation). The booth was real nice, comfortable and even the tables seems like they were spaced out ok. Service was great -- the guy knew the food and the wines. Extensive wine list from very reasonably priced to yeah way to much for me to spend on a bottle of wine. I wished they had a full service bar, but beer and wine will have to do. The food was prepared just right. Steak was medium and the wife's food came out right as well. Good flavors, good mix on the plate and finally a place that doesn't think every vegetable medley has to be broccoli and cauliflower...... Deserts were really good. We both had the cobbler so can't say much about the other items on the list :) -- it was excellent though Apetizer came out promptly and main course was served a bit later. The spacing on the meals was excellent. I don't know if it just happened or they put more thought than usual into this. I hate getting my appetizer and before I even finish it the main course shows up. This is a nicer restaurant and they know to leave time between the courses. It is different from how you run a lunch place and it was both noted and appreciated. We both loved it and will definately go back. Will probably also try the bistro side another night
(5)
Martin P.
I have dined here about ten times, so I clearly like it or I wouldn't be going back. Great food, great wine list. Killer desserts. Probably the best Creme Brulee I have had. Has slipped a bit since they lost one of their chefs a couple of years ago, imo.
(4)
Cody G.
The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable.
(1)
Cory O.
I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon.
(3)
David H.
Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE!
(5)
Caleb O.
Server was great. Got in on a Friday night with only a couple of minutes notice. Food was delicious. Big bold flavors. The salmon chowder was good. Not the best I've had, but still quite good. My skirt steak came in a salsa verde and chipotle cream, and it was really nicely flavored. Tried everybody else's food and everything else was really good too. I felt the food was better than similarly priced places downtown, and we didn't have to fight for a table or parking spot.
(5)
Alexa H.
DELICIOUS! Huge juicy burgers and steaks that are to die for and their garlic sauce mussels are legendary. You also should not leave without trying their banana cream puff dessert! the service is always excellent and has a very upscale feeling but you can also grab a burger and fries for lunch without breaking the bank.
(5)
S P.
Little pricey, but I think food is well worth it. On my most recent visit I had the Pork Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It's great having a nice quality restaurant on the south side of town instead of having to go all the way downtown for the same quality. The only way I would give them 5 stars is if the prices were just a little lower, then I would be able to go there more often.
(4)
Margaret D.
Southside Bistro is on my way home from work and I stop by several times a week for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. In the 15 years I have been coming here I have ALWAYS had excellent food and service! I had a rude waiter one time in the evening but he was gone the next time I came. The owner is there quite frequently and is very hands on. Everyone on staff is courteous and friendly and wants your dining experience to be special.
(5)
Lard Belly E.
Good service in a welcoming environment. We started with the calamari and Brie flatbread. Flatbread was okay and the calamari tasty, though I prefer aioli to marinara for sauce. Previously I came in and ordered the skirt steak, though prepared well, I found the meat not very appetizing and tough. This time I ordered the filet, and found a steak winner. My mom ordered the skirt and I tried to talk her out of it, and later she later said mine was better. Told you so! Rounded out the meal with a flourless chocolate cake and thought it was nice and dense. I'm not much of a dessert fan but it was my sister's birthday so we all indulged. They decorated her cobbler beautifully. Will come again to indulge.
(4)
Robyn F.
We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work.
(4)
Joe L.
This place is average in every way, except for the pricing. I have visited Southside bistro several times over the years, usually not by choice. I always leave wishing the experience was a little better or the service was a little better or that the portions were larger or that the food was better. Sadly every time I leave under whelmed by everything and always feel like I payed to much. The staff and management don't appear to care much either as the menu is outdated and the waitstaff is very entitled. Glad to see some new places in south anchorage, hopefully my dinning partners will no longer drag me to this place anymore.
(3)
Casey J.
This place will always have special meaning to me. It's one of the first dates I took my fiancee. A perfect place to take a special person. Great food. Great presentation and a warm ambiance. This has become my favorite in Anchorage.
(5)
Joe P.
Poor service. Do not attempt have dinner in a group they will not split your bill, but still take an 18% gratuity. The food is also over price for what they serve.
(1)
Carolyn R.
I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:)
(5)
Kendra F.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it.
(5)
Dina Belle R.
One of our favorites. We've been coming here for nearly 20 yrs. This place has the best mussels as far as I'm concerned; always fresh and always tasty and done just right in a creamy saffron sauce with just the right amount of cilantro and garlic, topped with freshly diced tomatoes. So good, it's a meal in itself when you use their complimentary fresh crusty sourdough bread to sop up the creamy broth. More recently, I had to call to make sure they still had some left since the last time I went they'd run out...how disappointing but understood. I also ordered a simply delicious and fresh seasonal greens and pear salad w/a tangy balsamic dressing, garnished with toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. My husband chose another favorite, their spinach salad assembled with crispy polenta, Prosciutto di Parma, sun dried tomato, gorgonzola & balsamic vinaigrette.Yum! For his entree, he ordered the pork schnitzel which was absolutely done to perfection.Lightly breaded and crisp on the outside, moist and juicy, seasoned just right and served over an herb-grain mustard sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. It was topped, with what reminded me of a chopped eggs salad, which was unsuspected, but still good, on it's own. I'd preferred it over the salad greens served with it. Still no complaints from my husband as he heartily finished his plate clean. For desert we ordered the raspberry-peach cobbler and a chocolate terrine. Both very good but probably ordered too much at this point. Besides the consistent preparation and beautiful presentation of the food, the atmosphere was pleasant, fun and relaxing even when it's busy, and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. Very good service. All in all, this is why we return after all these years.
(5)
Bob B.
Good food but steak under cooked. Service very slow. Dinner for 2 took 2 hrs without wine. Prices a bit high for quality & service. Sure not up to their normal standard. Parking area is inadequate & far more handicapped parking is needed. Had to wait 20 min to find a spot!
(3)
Jenny C.
I am always impressed with the food at south side bistro. I've just simply never been let down. We went there at lunch time for a spur of the moment birthday celebration so we had a fairly large group. We were seated right away our server had good humor -always a plus! I got the fresh chicken rigatoni! Delish! Will go back again and again
(5)
Loren R.
What a great first experience. I tend to not weigh ,very much ,service in my reviews. But today I am. My wife and I were served by Linda. She was positive, attentive, gave good recommendations , she didn't waste time trying to be our friend but was there the appropriate amount. I never had to wait for a new glass of wine. She stopped by once per orderve and once per entree. The food. At least tied for anchorages best. The veggies weren't cooked to death. They had crispness left in them. I had lamb. I confess I love lamb and have a hard time getting good lamb. It was....Just o k. I found it noticeably gamey. My wife had rockfish. After having one too many tough rockfish experiences at orso's It was nice to have a fresh fish. She did say she wished it came with more sauce and was going to ask for more sauce next time. We liked all four glasses of wine. We got dessert to go and enjoyed it at home. We are going to go again soon. The price before tip was 135.00 For one One salad Two entrees Four glasses of wine Two desserts So a little spendy yet it was good quality.
(4)
Lauren E.
Amazing food, wonderful service, good atmosphere. I came here for date night based on a recommendation from one of my boyfriend's friends. The server was fabulous and attentive, but never too intrusive. The boyfriend asked him for a recommendation, and was told to try the rack of lamb, which he did. I of course ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent, and we both polished off our plates (there are few places to order schnitzel in Anchorage, so that made it even better). For dessert we had vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce as the perfect sweet ending. Great way to start the night.
(5)
K L.
Sticker shock or surprise? This is a local favorite in the Southside and it makes you feel welcomed to sit with regulars frequenting this place. Jon, behind the counter, is great and attentive. I'm sure he's one of the reasons that draws the regular folks in. They have a nice wine and beer list and won't hesitate to offer tastings or pour generously. Jon let me sample a Palumbo Shiraz, Left Coast white Pinot Noir, and a surprisingly bland Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay and another white that eludes me right now. I love Syrah but opted for the nice crisp Left Coast white to pair with seafood. I got a dozen really fresh Alaskan Raw Oysters but it was too late when I realized the horseradish and Tabasco sauce did not come on the side. The first bite was good and spicy but the Tabasco sauce overpowered and ruined whatever mild delicate flavor the oysters had. It was a relief to have lemon wedges as they came in handy to rinse the rest of the sauce off! I love horseradish and Tabasco but I don't think this was a good match. I'll have them on the side next time. Also it would have been convenient for the diner if they cut the adductor muscles. A little oyster liquor left behind would be nice too, pretty please. Have to say the Fresh Penn Cove Mussels with saffron cream, tomatoes, and cilantro was amazing, with little hints of refreshing cilantro to balance the richness of the dish. Mussels were plump and succulent. I'm glad they offered another basket of bread so I happily sopped up the heavenly saffron sauce. I was surprised their raw oysters were $36 instead of $24 (the menu lists $12 for half a dozen). Well this is Alaska after all and that's pretty much the rate around town but it could be misconstrued as false advertising which I'm sure is not the intention of the establishment.
(3)
Katylyn L.
The restaurant is a pretty basic little bistro but their tomato soup with bread is amazing. The flavor is wonderful, and I'm not normally a soup person. I have had the deserts too, and they're pretty satisfying. Over all, this is a lovely meeting place for lunch :)
(5)
Marc B.
What a gem to find this warm and friendly place in a strip mall! Just had the pear Gorgonzola and pecan salad with grilled shrimp. Yummy! The wait staff is great especially Thomas and Kerry. And Kate the hostess is friendly and helpful.
(5)
Kent H.
My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent.
(4)
Tallee W.
I am always thrilled with the staff as well as the excellent and varied menu! I'm thrilled that the Fivine Truffle Shoestring fries are a constant though! Great beer & wine list. The Chefs are creative as well as perfectly executed from seafood to burgers to Calamari & Desserts so pretty you hate to dive in (until you take a bite, then you inhale the bit of Heaven you just discovered). Te atmosphere is wonderful be it for a casual meal or an event! I have never been disappointed and I have MANY allergy restrictions! They have always been very honest with ingredients and been happy to alter where possible. Southside Bistro is a true treasure in South Anchorage!! The only reason it's not 5 stars, is it would be nice to see allergy listings in advance, so we don't feel we are holding up the party or taxing the staff. A few more GF/DF/egg free options would make it a 5 star.
(4)
Robbie S.
Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5.
(5)
Oscar T.
I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food.
(5)
Sherilynn B.
Great South ANC restaurant. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good wine list, delectable eats. Great place to take friends or family.
(4)
MJ S.
I've been here several times. The food is usually good, but inconsistently. The service is usually okay, but this last time I was here, it was awful. We walked in, told the host we were waiting for one more, and asked if we could sit in a booth. He said no, then took us to a table right next to three empty booths, and the table was short one person. We reminded him we were waiting for one more, so he squeezed in another chair, but never brought extra silverware, plate, water, napkin, or menu. The waiter came to take our drink order, and when our 4 year old was deciding, he walked away and said he'd take the kid's order later. There were only 2 other occupied tables, both of whom were already eating, so no other customers were waiting on him. He came back later and we asked for bread. He brought 3 slices. We had 5 people. When we got our salads, the dressing was extremely bland. The soup and rigatoni were both good, the shrimp and scallops were so-so. When we were finishing up, our 4 year old walked to the empty booth right next to us, and picked up a spoon. A lady came running out from the back, snatched it out of his hand, and said, "every one you touch, I have to clean!" And stalked off with the spoon. We were all speechless and very anxious to get out of there. It was a very unwelcoming and hostile atmosphere. We will not be back.
(2)
Paige K.
Food varies from burgers and delicious fries to great mussels or lamb. It is a great menu and a great option on the south side of town.
(3)
Jason T.
Great food and service! very popular so it gets a little loud
(4)
Mark K.
Fantastic food! Chef/owner was there, and welcoming. Everything our group had was awesome. I had the ribeye, and it was great. Nice wine list! Beer selection wasn't too bad either.
(5)
T C.
It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad.
Food was great, with quite a variety including several daily specials. Only beer/wine is served for those who are interested in cocktails. Homemade desserts were fantastic, and the options were endless. Waitstaff was friendly and personable. Will definitely return.
(4)
Sarah V.
Wow- I went here last week with my boyfriend after some friends recommended it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I only wish we had come here sooner. Southside Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in Anchorage now! The ambiance is great, the decor is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is delicious. My boyfriend and I both had the Kodiak scallops and shrimp (which came in a perfectly balanced champagne cream sauce). They were cooked beautifully, and the rice and veggie sides were delicious as well. Good job Southside! You do great things for the food scene in Anchorage.
(4)
Karla L.
I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty.
(5)
Randall F.
A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again.
(4)
K L.
Sticker shock or surprise? This is a local favorite in the Southside and it makes you feel welcomed to sit with regulars frequenting this place. Jon, behind the counter, is great and attentive. I'm sure he's one of the reasons that draws the regular folks in. They have a nice wine and beer list and won't hesitate to offer tastings or pour generously. Jon let me sample a Palumbo Shiraz, Left Coast white Pinot Noir, and a surprisingly bland Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay and another white that eludes me right now. I love Syrah but opted for the nice crisp Left Coast white to pair with seafood. I got a dozen really fresh Alaskan Raw Oysters but it was too late when I realized the horseradish and Tabasco sauce did not come on the side. The first bite was good and spicy but the Tabasco sauce overpowered and ruined whatever mild delicate flavor the oysters had. It was a relief to have lemon wedges as they came in handy to rinse the rest of the sauce off! I love horseradish and Tabasco but I don't think this was a good match. I'll have them on the side next time. Also it would have been convenient for the diner if they cut the adductor muscles. A little oyster liquor left behind would be nice too, pretty please. Have to say the Fresh Penn Cove Mussels with saffron cream, tomatoes, and cilantro was amazing, with little hints of refreshing cilantro to balance the richness of the dish. Mussels were plump and succulent. I'm glad they offered another basket of bread so I happily sopped up the heavenly saffron sauce. I was surprised their raw oysters were $36 instead of $24 (the menu lists $12 for half a dozen). Well this is Alaska after all and that's pretty much the rate around town but it could be misconstrued as false advertising which I'm sure is not the intention of the establishment.
(3)
Bob B.
Good food but steak under cooked. Service very slow. Dinner for 2 took 2 hrs without wine. Prices a bit high for quality & service. Sure not up to their normal standard. Parking area is inadequate & far more handicapped parking is needed. Had to wait 20 min to find a spot!
(3)
Jenny C.
I am always impressed with the food at south side bistro. I've just simply never been let down. We went there at lunch time for a spur of the moment birthday celebration so we had a fairly large group. We were seated right away our server had good humor -always a plus! I got the fresh chicken rigatoni! Delish! Will go back again and again
(5)
Lauren E.
Amazing food, wonderful service, good atmosphere. I came here for date night based on a recommendation from one of my boyfriend's friends. The server was fabulous and attentive, but never too intrusive. The boyfriend asked him for a recommendation, and was told to try the rack of lamb, which he did. I of course ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent, and we both polished off our plates (there are few places to order schnitzel in Anchorage, so that made it even better). For dessert we had vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce as the perfect sweet ending. Great way to start the night.
(5)
MJ S.
I've been here several times. The food is usually good, but inconsistently. The service is usually okay, but this last time I was here, it was awful. We walked in, told the host we were waiting for one more, and asked if we could sit in a booth. He said no, then took us to a table right next to three empty booths, and the table was short one person. We reminded him we were waiting for one more, so he squeezed in another chair, but never brought extra silverware, plate, water, napkin, or menu. The waiter came to take our drink order, and when our 4 year old was deciding, he walked away and said he'd take the kid's order later. There were only 2 other occupied tables, both of whom were already eating, so no other customers were waiting on him. He came back later and we asked for bread. He brought 3 slices. We had 5 people. When we got our salads, the dressing was extremely bland. The soup and rigatoni were both good, the shrimp and scallops were so-so. When we were finishing up, our 4 year old walked to the empty booth right next to us, and picked up a spoon. A lady came running out from the back, snatched it out of his hand, and said, "every one you touch, I have to clean!" And stalked off with the spoon. We were all speechless and very anxious to get out of there. It was a very unwelcoming and hostile atmosphere. We will not be back.
(2)
Paige K.
Food varies from burgers and delicious fries to great mussels or lamb. It is a great menu and a great option on the south side of town.
(3)
Jason T.
Great food and service! very popular so it gets a little loud
(4)
Mark K.
Fantastic food! Chef/owner was there, and welcoming. Everything our group had was awesome. I had the ribeye, and it was great. Nice wine list! Beer selection wasn't too bad either.
(5)
Nancy L.
I have been going to the Southside Bistro since it opened years ago. I agree with Cory O., the service and quality has declined somewhat. I still think it deserves 4 stars for Anchorage. If it were in another major market, probably a 3. Having said that, it's very very good. Their salads are inventive and they use all different kinds of greens. The pizzas are very good, as well as their entire lunch menu. If you're crazy hungry you can get a more substantial item. They usually have a pasta dish or two every day. Or if you want something lighter, a salad, or soup and sandwich you can get that too. For dinner I had seafood dishes (their scallops and they were done to perfection) as well as carnivorous offerings and they treat both with great respect. If you ask for something rare, you will get it rare. Unfortunately I was too full for dessert. But I have had many desserts there on other occasions and I haven't hit one I didn't like. I'm fairly certain they only serve beer and wine and they have a nice selection. As far as attire goes, I have seen everything from casual to dressy. It's Alaska, so pretty much anything goes. Heck, you can even wear your bunny boots (if you're lucky enough to have 'em).
(4)
Jim R.
We found this place a few years back. We stayed at a B&B on Upper O'Malley, we asked the owner if he could recommend a restuarant close by (in Alaska 10 miles is considered close by). The B&B onwer suugested that we try Southside Bistro, he highly recommended..he also worked there... We went, and we found the place to be just great. This is a big restuarant hidden in a strip mall. Definelty the most popluar place on this side of Anchorage. Place is large, always busy, but really has a nice atmosphere. We've not been dissapointed and keep going back to this place whenever in Anchorage. You can't miss with the Ceasar Salad.. a real ceaser... with anchovies. I always order the Halibut here because it doesn't get any better than this. Desserts are excellent as well, and Wine list is large and very reasonable for Alaska... Staff is attentive. The owner is a very nice guy and makes the rounds to all of the tables...
(4)
Sally A.
This was an incredible experiance. Even though I was only able to have the lunch menu my food was outstanding! My daughter and I shared the mussels and calamari and split a flatbread pizza. Then the reason for going a bottle of 2009 Col Solare at an amazing price. I absolutely recommend this establishment. Service, pricing, food and even the ambiance was fun and although older it looked loved and fresh.
(5)
Christine D.
The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else.
(3)
Samantha G.
The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again.
(1)
Mike A.
Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back.
(1)
Cody G.
The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable.
(1)
Caleb O.
Server was great. Got in on a Friday night with only a couple of minutes notice. Food was delicious. Big bold flavors. The salmon chowder was good. Not the best I've had, but still quite good. My skirt steak came in a salsa verde and chipotle cream, and it was really nicely flavored. Tried everybody else's food and everything else was really good too. I felt the food was better than similarly priced places downtown, and we didn't have to fight for a table or parking spot.
(5)
Alexa H.
DELICIOUS! Huge juicy burgers and steaks that are to die for and their garlic sauce mussels are legendary. You also should not leave without trying their banana cream puff dessert! the service is always excellent and has a very upscale feeling but you can also grab a burger and fries for lunch without breaking the bank.
(5)
Ronnie H.
The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here!
(5)
S P.
Little pricey, but I think food is well worth it. On my most recent visit I had the Pork Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It's great having a nice quality restaurant on the south side of town instead of having to go all the way downtown for the same quality. The only way I would give them 5 stars is if the prices were just a little lower, then I would be able to go there more often.
(4)
Margaret D.
Southside Bistro is on my way home from work and I stop by several times a week for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. In the 15 years I have been coming here I have ALWAYS had excellent food and service! I had a rude waiter one time in the evening but he was gone the next time I came. The owner is there quite frequently and is very hands on. Everyone on staff is courteous and friendly and wants your dining experience to be special.
(5)
Lard Belly E.
Good service in a welcoming environment. We started with the calamari and Brie flatbread. Flatbread was okay and the calamari tasty, though I prefer aioli to marinara for sauce. Previously I came in and ordered the skirt steak, though prepared well, I found the meat not very appetizing and tough. This time I ordered the filet, and found a steak winner. My mom ordered the skirt and I tried to talk her out of it, and later she later said mine was better. Told you so! Rounded out the meal with a flourless chocolate cake and thought it was nice and dense. I'm not much of a dessert fan but it was my sister's birthday so we all indulged. They decorated her cobbler beautifully. Will come again to indulge.
(4)
Robyn F.
We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work.
(4)
Joe L.
This place is average in every way, except for the pricing. I have visited Southside bistro several times over the years, usually not by choice. I always leave wishing the experience was a little better or the service was a little better or that the portions were larger or that the food was better. Sadly every time I leave under whelmed by everything and always feel like I payed to much. The staff and management don't appear to care much either as the menu is outdated and the waitstaff is very entitled. Glad to see some new places in south anchorage, hopefully my dinning partners will no longer drag me to this place anymore.
(3)
Casey J.
This place will always have special meaning to me. It's one of the first dates I took my fiancee. A perfect place to take a special person. Great food. Great presentation and a warm ambiance. This has become my favorite in Anchorage.
(5)
Joe P.
Poor service. Do not attempt have dinner in a group they will not split your bill, but still take an 18% gratuity. The food is also over price for what they serve.
(1)
Carolyn R.
I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:)
(5)
Kendra F.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it.
(5)
Gene M.
Always a wonderful meal with exceptional service. My pasta special was cooked to a perfect al dente and the pepper sauce was delicious. The chocolate creme Brule was wonderful too! Every time we come here we wonder why we don't come here more often.
(5)
Mary C.
I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff.
(4)
Denali V.
Date night with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in so long, was super romantic yet laid back and we love that type of place. They give you this bread to start with that is soo good, all the servers were friendly and we enjoyed our dinners. Definitely will go back :)
(5)
Shannon C.
One of our go to places. I recommend their calamari and scallop appetizers. The Calamari is lightly battered and seasoned perfectly with garlic and salt. The scallop appetizer is accompanied with a crispy delicious risotto cake and sits in a bed of a yummy tomato cream sauce which I recommend you sop up with their crispy delicious bread. I also recommend their salads which you can choose to top off with scallops or prawns. I always leave feeling satisfied.
(4)
Christine M.
Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work.
(3)
Nadia S.
This place had excellent reviews, and rightfully so. I usually make reservations well in advance but I thought that in Anchorage I would not need to which was wrong. After the first day of having to wait around I decided to make reservations at any place that would take them (I have a whole list and Southside was def on it). Driving by you would never know that this gem of a restaurant existed in a regular strip mall. Everything we ordered was delicious, the salmon belly crudo, the soup, special and seasonal sockeye salmon entree and white fish. We topped it off with a dessert we split, a warm brownie with ice cream on top. Such a simple dessert yet so homemade tasting, where the high quality ingredients came through one by one. Don't miss this place while in Anchorage
(4)
Melissa F.
My husband made special reservations for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed an eggplant appetizer and steamed mussels. The halibut and rib-eye for entrees were also great. The kitchen accommodated my needs to avoid gluten and dairy. The only negative was being seated in a high traffic area and the tables being extremely close which lacked intimacy.
(4)
Christine M.
Excellent food and service! This spot is a bit out of my travel circle, but I wanted to try it anyways. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely make a point to dine here again in the future.
(4)
Dina Belle R.
One of our favorites. We've been coming here for nearly 20 yrs. This place has the best mussels as far as I'm concerned; always fresh and always tasty and done just right in a creamy saffron sauce with just the right amount of cilantro and garlic, topped with freshly diced tomatoes. So good, it's a meal in itself when you use their complimentary fresh crusty sourdough bread to sop up the creamy broth. More recently, I had to call to make sure they still had some left since the last time I went they'd run out...how disappointing but understood. I also ordered a simply delicious and fresh seasonal greens and pear salad w/a tangy balsamic dressing, garnished with toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. My husband chose another favorite, their spinach salad assembled with crispy polenta, Prosciutto di Parma, sun dried tomato, gorgonzola & balsamic vinaigrette.Yum! For his entree, he ordered the pork schnitzel which was absolutely done to perfection.Lightly breaded and crisp on the outside, moist and juicy, seasoned just right and served over an herb-grain mustard sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. It was topped, with what reminded me of a chopped eggs salad, which was unsuspected, but still good, on it's own. I'd preferred it over the salad greens served with it. Still no complaints from my husband as he heartily finished his plate clean. For desert we ordered the raspberry-peach cobbler and a chocolate terrine. Both very good but probably ordered too much at this point. Besides the consistent preparation and beautiful presentation of the food, the atmosphere was pleasant, fun and relaxing even when it's busy, and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. Very good service. All in all, this is why we return after all these years.
(5)
Loren R.
What a great first experience. I tend to not weigh ,very much ,service in my reviews. But today I am. My wife and I were served by Linda. She was positive, attentive, gave good recommendations , she didn't waste time trying to be our friend but was there the appropriate amount. I never had to wait for a new glass of wine. She stopped by once per orderve and once per entree. The food. At least tied for anchorages best. The veggies weren't cooked to death. They had crispness left in them. I had lamb. I confess I love lamb and have a hard time getting good lamb. It was....Just o k. I found it noticeably gamey. My wife had rockfish. After having one too many tough rockfish experiences at orso's It was nice to have a fresh fish. She did say she wished it came with more sauce and was going to ask for more sauce next time. We liked all four glasses of wine. We got dessert to go and enjoyed it at home. We are going to go again soon. The price before tip was 135.00 For one One salad Two entrees Four glasses of wine Two desserts So a little spendy yet it was good quality.
(4)
Katylyn L.
The restaurant is a pretty basic little bistro but their tomato soup with bread is amazing. The flavor is wonderful, and I'm not normally a soup person. I have had the deserts too, and they're pretty satisfying. Over all, this is a lovely meeting place for lunch :)
(5)
Marc B.
What a gem to find this warm and friendly place in a strip mall! Just had the pear Gorgonzola and pecan salad with grilled shrimp. Yummy! The wait staff is great especially Thomas and Kerry. And Kate the hostess is friendly and helpful.
(5)
Kent H.
My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent.
(4)
Tallee W.
I am always thrilled with the staff as well as the excellent and varied menu! I'm thrilled that the Fivine Truffle Shoestring fries are a constant though! Great beer & wine list. The Chefs are creative as well as perfectly executed from seafood to burgers to Calamari & Desserts so pretty you hate to dive in (until you take a bite, then you inhale the bit of Heaven you just discovered). Te atmosphere is wonderful be it for a casual meal or an event! I have never been disappointed and I have MANY allergy restrictions! They have always been very honest with ingredients and been happy to alter where possible. Southside Bistro is a true treasure in South Anchorage!! The only reason it's not 5 stars, is it would be nice to see allergy listings in advance, so we don't feel we are holding up the party or taxing the staff. A few more GF/DF/egg free options would make it a 5 star.
(4)
Robbie S.
Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5.
(5)
Oscar T.
I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food.
(5)
Sherilynn B.
Great South ANC restaurant. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good wine list, delectable eats. Great place to take friends or family.
(4)
T C.
It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad.
Food was great, with quite a variety including several daily specials. Only beer/wine is served for those who are interested in cocktails. Homemade desserts were fantastic, and the options were endless. Waitstaff was friendly and personable. Will definitely return.
(4)
Sarah V.
Wow- I went here last week with my boyfriend after some friends recommended it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I only wish we had come here sooner. Southside Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in Anchorage now! The ambiance is great, the decor is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is delicious. My boyfriend and I both had the Kodiak scallops and shrimp (which came in a perfectly balanced champagne cream sauce). They were cooked beautifully, and the rice and veggie sides were delicious as well. Good job Southside! You do great things for the food scene in Anchorage.
(4)
Karla L.
I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty.
(5)
Randall F.
A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again.
(4)
Tiffany T.
Meh... I have eaten here 4-5 times over the years. It has a lot of snooty (so they can charge more) but compared to other places in Anchorage they really do not deliver. This last trip I had flank steak... heck I went there for the flank steak. I have lived in South America. I know and love flank steak. I ordered it rare like I always do and always have. The meat was so tough I could not cut it. I could not even pull it apart into two pieces using a fork and a steak knife. I tried repeatedly to the point it became a game at our table. I would have had more luck cutting my shoes into pieces. It had the membrane on the back and was the most sinewy piece of meat I have ever seen. I eat a lot of wild game too. The lack of care in trimming and preparation was pretty astounding. When the server noticed (thumbs up that she did!) she took it away and it was taken off my bill. But then she came to tell me the cook informed her it was tough because I ordered it rare and because it was grass fed. Really??? I am not an idiot. When you leave the silver skin on the back it is inedible no matter how you cook it and it was not even close to the first piece of flank steak I have ordered. I am also pretty sure that the 100+ flank steaks I ate in Argentina and Chile were ALL grass fed. The defense of the inexcusable ruled this place out for any future meals for me.
(2)
Katherine A.
I have only eaten here once but it was definitely not worth the money. I ate here on New Year's Eve and was disappointed. The food sounded creative on the menu but every course was poorly seasoned and over cooked. The food wasn't awful but the price was a deal-breaker. The highlight of the meal was the wine pairings which were thoughtfully done. I would opt for other Anchorage favorites such as Orso, Glacier Brewhouse, or Crush.
(2)
Liane M.
It's not bad, it's just not my cup of tea. Very yuppy atmosphere with prices to match. They do make a good burger, but I prefer the burgers at the Tap Root cafe. For lunch they offer a variety of mainly salads, pastas and pizzas. For dinner there are more options and a decent wine list. Everything is over priced, but if you like small portions nicely displayed on a fancy plate, this is the place for you.
(3)
Skip N.
Consistently rated one of the top 2-3 kitchens in Anchorage. #1 hangout for South Anchorage Foodies. Outstanding wine selection. The Owner/Executive Chef and most of the staff have been together for years and their personal attention adds to the dining experience. We prefer the more informal atmosphere of the "Bistro" wine bar side.
(5)
R B.
Consistently good service and good food. The menu selection is good, and the beer and wine selection is also very good. This, in my opinion, is one of the really good restaurants in Anchorage with a menu a little different than the standard steak, halibut, and salmon places.
(4)
K B.
This place was recommended to me because of its wine selection. The selection is actually pretty limited but I ordered a California Cabernet that I was pleased with. For food we ordered crispy calamari as an appetizer and the steak sandwich and shrimp feta salad as our entrees. The calamari was fine. Nothing to write home about. Same with the steak sandwich. The shrimp salad was a big disappointment. There was a lack of flavor. Over all this place is over priced for the quality of food you are getting. The atmosphere is outdated with almost a diner feel; cheap chairs, booths and linoleum floor but with white table clothes which gives it a mixed vibe. In the end I would not recommend this place to my friends. This place may have been the "it" place ten years ago for sophistication in Anchorage but now there are much better options.
(2)
laura i.
I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option).
(5)
Zak L.
Great food and atmosphere, odd location
(4)
Kari R.
the food is amazing. you may not realize it based on the exterior (it is in a strip mall) but they have an amazing chef and decor. Taking one star away because they didn't have a lot of what was on the menu and we were there early in the night
(4)
Val W.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately, despite a packed house. Atmosphere, service, food and wine selection were outstanding! The best duck I've ever had. Dessert was great and I can't wait to go back. This is a place you and several friends could have a wonderful meal over drinks, relax, and catch up. We weren't rushed at all and had a very enjoyable time.
(5)
Sam G.
Great service and excellent food. Got the calamari steak sandwich for lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Highly recommended for those willing to pay a bit more for a great lunch.
(4)
Dave R.
Had a real wondeful lunch. Nice wine. The place needs a update on the interior to match the prices they charge, then it would be 5 stars
(4)
Mike S.
Well I am biased as the owner happens to be Swedish which I am as well. So I have to give them a five star rating :) With that said it is deserved. First inside -- place looks great. You don't expect it from the entrance door, but it was very nice. Greeted and seated promptly (had reservation). The booth was real nice, comfortable and even the tables seems like they were spaced out ok. Service was great -- the guy knew the food and the wines. Extensive wine list from very reasonably priced to yeah way to much for me to spend on a bottle of wine. I wished they had a full service bar, but beer and wine will have to do. The food was prepared just right. Steak was medium and the wife's food came out right as well. Good flavors, good mix on the plate and finally a place that doesn't think every vegetable medley has to be broccoli and cauliflower...... Deserts were really good. We both had the cobbler so can't say much about the other items on the list :) -- it was excellent though Apetizer came out promptly and main course was served a bit later. The spacing on the meals was excellent. I don't know if it just happened or they put more thought than usual into this. I hate getting my appetizer and before I even finish it the main course shows up. This is a nicer restaurant and they know to leave time between the courses. It is different from how you run a lunch place and it was both noted and appreciated. We both loved it and will definately go back. Will probably also try the bistro side another night
(5)
Martin P.
I have dined here about ten times, so I clearly like it or I wouldn't be going back. Great food, great wine list. Killer desserts. Probably the best Creme Brulee I have had. Has slipped a bit since they lost one of their chefs a couple of years ago, imo.
(4)
Cory O.
I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon.
(3)
Robert P.
Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy.
(4)
David H.
Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE!
(5)
Rob Z.
This restaurant was recommended highly by local resident. I am visitor to Anchorage from Chicago, a city where we know great food. I had the most impressive dinner I've had in a long time! I started with fresh Alaskan oysters. They were served with horseradish granita and a shot of tabasco. I have never experienced oysters melting in my mouth, as these did. Then I was left with a nice little tingle from the hot sauce. Amazing. My entree was a special: Grilled Salmon. This perfectly seasoned and cooked piece of fresh beautiful salmon sat upon a bed of wild & white rice. There was a wonderful surprise of cubed pickled turnip in salsa verde on top. I didn't recognize the cubes as turnip. The server informed me that the chef goes to the local farmer's market twice weekly and uses local produce in his dishes. Love it! When I read "salsa verde" on the menu, I was concerned that it would have a strong Mexican seasoning. That was not the case! This green sauce (salsa verde) seemed to be made from pureed fresh spinach and maybe a little garlic? It as very understated, which let the salmon shine and pickled turnips add a surprising texture & flavor. The plate was artistically arranged. My server was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. I am here for two more nights. I might dine here both nights. I strongly recommend that you dine at Southside Bistro. Bon appetit!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
I went here with a bridal party of 6 after our David's Bridal appointment. Seated at a nice large round table. Our waiter was a little slow at times. But good. I ordered the halibut cheeks lunch on the specials menu. Absolutely the very best halibut I've ever had. Prepared perfectly. The decor reminds me of Wolfgang Pucks Cafe's.
(5)
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Address :1320 Huffman Park Dr
Anchorage, AK, 99515
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Rob Z.
This restaurant was recommended highly by local resident. I am visitor to Anchorage from Chicago, a city where we know great food. I had the most impressive dinner I've had in a long time! I started with fresh Alaskan oysters. They were served with horseradish granita and a shot of tabasco. I have never experienced oysters melting in my mouth, as these did. Then I was left with a nice little tingle from the hot sauce. Amazing. My entree was a special: Grilled Salmon. This perfectly seasoned and cooked piece of fresh beautiful salmon sat upon a bed of wild & white rice. There was a wonderful surprise of cubed pickled turnip in salsa verde on top. I didn't recognize the cubes as turnip. The server informed me that the chef goes to the local farmer's market twice weekly and uses local produce in his dishes. Love it! When I read "salsa verde" on the menu, I was concerned that it would have a strong Mexican seasoning. That was not the case! This green sauce (salsa verde) seemed to be made from pureed fresh spinach and maybe a little garlic? It as very understated, which let the salmon shine and pickled turnips add a surprising texture & flavor. The plate was artistically arranged. My server was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. I am here for two more nights. I might dine here both nights. I strongly recommend that you dine at Southside Bistro. Bon appetit!
(5)Elizabeth M.
I went here with a bridal party of 6 after our David's Bridal appointment. Seated at a nice large round table. Our waiter was a little slow at times. But good. I ordered the halibut cheeks lunch on the specials menu. Absolutely the very best halibut I've ever had. Prepared perfectly. The decor reminds me of Wolfgang Pucks Cafe's.
(5)Nancy L.
I have been going to the Southside Bistro since it opened years ago. I agree with Cory O., the service and quality has declined somewhat. I still think it deserves 4 stars for Anchorage. If it were in another major market, probably a 3. Having said that, it's very very good. Their salads are inventive and they use all different kinds of greens. The pizzas are very good, as well as their entire lunch menu. If you're crazy hungry you can get a more substantial item. They usually have a pasta dish or two every day. Or if you want something lighter, a salad, or soup and sandwich you can get that too. For dinner I had seafood dishes (their scallops and they were done to perfection) as well as carnivorous offerings and they treat both with great respect. If you ask for something rare, you will get it rare. Unfortunately I was too full for dessert. But I have had many desserts there on other occasions and I haven't hit one I didn't like. I'm fairly certain they only serve beer and wine and they have a nice selection. As far as attire goes, I have seen everything from casual to dressy. It's Alaska, so pretty much anything goes. Heck, you can even wear your bunny boots (if you're lucky enough to have 'em).
(4)Jim R.
We found this place a few years back. We stayed at a B&B on Upper O'Malley, we asked the owner if he could recommend a restuarant close by (in Alaska 10 miles is considered close by). The B&B onwer suugested that we try Southside Bistro, he highly recommended..he also worked there... We went, and we found the place to be just great. This is a big restuarant hidden in a strip mall. Definelty the most popluar place on this side of Anchorage. Place is large, always busy, but really has a nice atmosphere. We've not been dissapointed and keep going back to this place whenever in Anchorage. You can't miss with the Ceasar Salad.. a real ceaser... with anchovies. I always order the Halibut here because it doesn't get any better than this. Desserts are excellent as well, and Wine list is large and very reasonable for Alaska... Staff is attentive. The owner is a very nice guy and makes the rounds to all of the tables...
(4)Sally A.
This was an incredible experiance. Even though I was only able to have the lunch menu my food was outstanding! My daughter and I shared the mussels and calamari and split a flatbread pizza. Then the reason for going a bottle of 2009 Col Solare at an amazing price. I absolutely recommend this establishment. Service, pricing, food and even the ambiance was fun and although older it looked loved and fresh.
(5)Christine D.
The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else.
(3)Samantha G.
The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again.
(1)Mike A.
Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back.
(1)Ronnie H.
The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here!
(5)Gene M.
Always a wonderful meal with exceptional service. My pasta special was cooked to a perfect al dente and the pepper sauce was delicious. The chocolate creme Brule was wonderful too! Every time we come here we wonder why we don't come here more often.
(5)Mary C.
I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff.
(4)Denali V.
Date night with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in so long, was super romantic yet laid back and we love that type of place. They give you this bread to start with that is soo good, all the servers were friendly and we enjoyed our dinners. Definitely will go back :)
(5)Shannon C.
One of our go to places. I recommend their calamari and scallop appetizers. The Calamari is lightly battered and seasoned perfectly with garlic and salt. The scallop appetizer is accompanied with a crispy delicious risotto cake and sits in a bed of a yummy tomato cream sauce which I recommend you sop up with their crispy delicious bread. I also recommend their salads which you can choose to top off with scallops or prawns. I always leave feeling satisfied.
(4)Christine M.
Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work.
(3)Nadia S.
This place had excellent reviews, and rightfully so. I usually make reservations well in advance but I thought that in Anchorage I would not need to which was wrong. After the first day of having to wait around I decided to make reservations at any place that would take them (I have a whole list and Southside was def on it). Driving by you would never know that this gem of a restaurant existed in a regular strip mall. Everything we ordered was delicious, the salmon belly crudo, the soup, special and seasonal sockeye salmon entree and white fish. We topped it off with a dessert we split, a warm brownie with ice cream on top. Such a simple dessert yet so homemade tasting, where the high quality ingredients came through one by one. Don't miss this place while in Anchorage
(4)Katylyn L.
The restaurant is a pretty basic little bistro but their tomato soup with bread is amazing. The flavor is wonderful, and I'm not normally a soup person. I have had the deserts too, and they're pretty satisfying. Over all, this is a lovely meeting place for lunch :)
(5)Marc B.
What a gem to find this warm and friendly place in a strip mall! Just had the pear Gorgonzola and pecan salad with grilled shrimp. Yummy! The wait staff is great especially Thomas and Kerry. And Kate the hostess is friendly and helpful.
(5)K B.
This place was recommended to me because of its wine selection. The selection is actually pretty limited but I ordered a California Cabernet that I was pleased with. For food we ordered crispy calamari as an appetizer and the steak sandwich and shrimp feta salad as our entrees. The calamari was fine. Nothing to write home about. Same with the steak sandwich. The shrimp salad was a big disappointment. There was a lack of flavor. Over all this place is over priced for the quality of food you are getting. The atmosphere is outdated with almost a diner feel; cheap chairs, booths and linoleum floor but with white table clothes which gives it a mixed vibe. In the end I would not recommend this place to my friends. This place may have been the "it" place ten years ago for sophistication in Anchorage but now there are much better options.
(2)Mike S.
Well I am biased as the owner happens to be Swedish which I am as well. So I have to give them a five star rating :) With that said it is deserved. First inside -- place looks great. You don't expect it from the entrance door, but it was very nice. Greeted and seated promptly (had reservation). The booth was real nice, comfortable and even the tables seems like they were spaced out ok. Service was great -- the guy knew the food and the wines. Extensive wine list from very reasonably priced to yeah way to much for me to spend on a bottle of wine. I wished they had a full service bar, but beer and wine will have to do. The food was prepared just right. Steak was medium and the wife's food came out right as well. Good flavors, good mix on the plate and finally a place that doesn't think every vegetable medley has to be broccoli and cauliflower...... Deserts were really good. We both had the cobbler so can't say much about the other items on the list :) -- it was excellent though Apetizer came out promptly and main course was served a bit later. The spacing on the meals was excellent. I don't know if it just happened or they put more thought than usual into this. I hate getting my appetizer and before I even finish it the main course shows up. This is a nicer restaurant and they know to leave time between the courses. It is different from how you run a lunch place and it was both noted and appreciated. We both loved it and will definately go back. Will probably also try the bistro side another night
(5)Sally A.
This was an incredible experiance. Even though I was only able to have the lunch menu my food was outstanding! My daughter and I shared the mussels and calamari and split a flatbread pizza. Then the reason for going a bottle of 2009 Col Solare at an amazing price. I absolutely recommend this establishment. Service, pricing, food and even the ambiance was fun and although older it looked loved and fresh.
(5)Christine D.
The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else.
(3)Samantha G.
The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again.
(1)Mike A.
Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back.
(1)Ronnie H.
The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here!
(5)S P.
Little pricey, but I think food is well worth it. On my most recent visit I had the Pork Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It's great having a nice quality restaurant on the south side of town instead of having to go all the way downtown for the same quality. The only way I would give them 5 stars is if the prices were just a little lower, then I would be able to go there more often.
(4)Margaret D.
Southside Bistro is on my way home from work and I stop by several times a week for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. In the 15 years I have been coming here I have ALWAYS had excellent food and service! I had a rude waiter one time in the evening but he was gone the next time I came. The owner is there quite frequently and is very hands on. Everyone on staff is courteous and friendly and wants your dining experience to be special.
(5)Lard Belly E.
Good service in a welcoming environment. We started with the calamari and Brie flatbread. Flatbread was okay and the calamari tasty, though I prefer aioli to marinara for sauce. Previously I came in and ordered the skirt steak, though prepared well, I found the meat not very appetizing and tough. This time I ordered the filet, and found a steak winner. My mom ordered the skirt and I tried to talk her out of it, and later she later said mine was better. Told you so! Rounded out the meal with a flourless chocolate cake and thought it was nice and dense. I'm not much of a dessert fan but it was my sister's birthday so we all indulged. They decorated her cobbler beautifully. Will come again to indulge.
(4)Cody G.
The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable.
(1)Robyn F.
We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work.
(4)Joe L.
This place is average in every way, except for the pricing. I have visited Southside bistro several times over the years, usually not by choice. I always leave wishing the experience was a little better or the service was a little better or that the portions were larger or that the food was better. Sadly every time I leave under whelmed by everything and always feel like I payed to much. The staff and management don't appear to care much either as the menu is outdated and the waitstaff is very entitled. Glad to see some new places in south anchorage, hopefully my dinning partners will no longer drag me to this place anymore.
(3)Casey J.
This place will always have special meaning to me. It's one of the first dates I took my fiancee. A perfect place to take a special person. Great food. Great presentation and a warm ambiance. This has become my favorite in Anchorage.
(5)Joe P.
Poor service. Do not attempt have dinner in a group they will not split your bill, but still take an 18% gratuity. The food is also over price for what they serve.
(1)Carolyn R.
I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:)
(5)Kendra F.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it.
(5)Caleb O.
Server was great. Got in on a Friday night with only a couple of minutes notice. Food was delicious. Big bold flavors. The salmon chowder was good. Not the best I've had, but still quite good. My skirt steak came in a salsa verde and chipotle cream, and it was really nicely flavored. Tried everybody else's food and everything else was really good too. I felt the food was better than similarly priced places downtown, and we didn't have to fight for a table or parking spot.
(5)Alexa H.
DELICIOUS! Huge juicy burgers and steaks that are to die for and their garlic sauce mussels are legendary. You also should not leave without trying their banana cream puff dessert! the service is always excellent and has a very upscale feeling but you can also grab a burger and fries for lunch without breaking the bank.
(5)Shopping B.
Hands down the best restaurant in the city of Anchorage for many, many reasons: 5 out of 5 for service 5 out of 5 for wine selection 5 out of 5 for general restaurant ambiance 5 out of 5 for menu, especially the always interesting specials 5 out of 5 for beer menu, and 6 out of 5 for the desserts (the sorbets & crème brûlée are THAT good) Don't let the people who live south of Dimond keep this place a secret from the rest of us: make a reservation to go there as soon as possible. In the 13 or 14+ years that I've been going to the Bistro, it has never once let me down.
(5)Darcy R.
Food was great, with quite a variety including several daily specials. Only beer/wine is served for those who are interested in cocktails. Homemade desserts were fantastic, and the options were endless. Waitstaff was friendly and personable. Will definitely return.
(4)Dina Belle R.
One of our favorites. We've been coming here for nearly 20 yrs. This place has the best mussels as far as I'm concerned; always fresh and always tasty and done just right in a creamy saffron sauce with just the right amount of cilantro and garlic, topped with freshly diced tomatoes. So good, it's a meal in itself when you use their complimentary fresh crusty sourdough bread to sop up the creamy broth. More recently, I had to call to make sure they still had some left since the last time I went they'd run out...how disappointing but understood. I also ordered a simply delicious and fresh seasonal greens and pear salad w/a tangy balsamic dressing, garnished with toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. My husband chose another favorite, their spinach salad assembled with crispy polenta, Prosciutto di Parma, sun dried tomato, gorgonzola & balsamic vinaigrette.Yum! For his entree, he ordered the pork schnitzel which was absolutely done to perfection.Lightly breaded and crisp on the outside, moist and juicy, seasoned just right and served over an herb-grain mustard sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. It was topped, with what reminded me of a chopped eggs salad, which was unsuspected, but still good, on it's own. I'd preferred it over the salad greens served with it. Still no complaints from my husband as he heartily finished his plate clean. For desert we ordered the raspberry-peach cobbler and a chocolate terrine. Both very good but probably ordered too much at this point. Besides the consistent preparation and beautiful presentation of the food, the atmosphere was pleasant, fun and relaxing even when it's busy, and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. Very good service. All in all, this is why we return after all these years.
(5)Loren R.
What a great first experience. I tend to not weigh ,very much ,service in my reviews. But today I am. My wife and I were served by Linda. She was positive, attentive, gave good recommendations , she didn't waste time trying to be our friend but was there the appropriate amount. I never had to wait for a new glass of wine. She stopped by once per orderve and once per entree. The food. At least tied for anchorages best. The veggies weren't cooked to death. They had crispness left in them. I had lamb. I confess I love lamb and have a hard time getting good lamb. It was....Just o k. I found it noticeably gamey. My wife had rockfish. After having one too many tough rockfish experiences at orso's It was nice to have a fresh fish. She did say she wished it came with more sauce and was going to ask for more sauce next time. We liked all four glasses of wine. We got dessert to go and enjoyed it at home. We are going to go again soon. The price before tip was 135.00 For one One salad Two entrees Four glasses of wine Two desserts So a little spendy yet it was good quality.
(4)Lauren E.
Amazing food, wonderful service, good atmosphere. I came here for date night based on a recommendation from one of my boyfriend's friends. The server was fabulous and attentive, but never too intrusive. The boyfriend asked him for a recommendation, and was told to try the rack of lamb, which he did. I of course ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent, and we both polished off our plates (there are few places to order schnitzel in Anchorage, so that made it even better). For dessert we had vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce as the perfect sweet ending. Great way to start the night.
(5)K L.
Sticker shock or surprise? This is a local favorite in the Southside and it makes you feel welcomed to sit with regulars frequenting this place. Jon, behind the counter, is great and attentive. I'm sure he's one of the reasons that draws the regular folks in. They have a nice wine and beer list and won't hesitate to offer tastings or pour generously. Jon let me sample a Palumbo Shiraz, Left Coast white Pinot Noir, and a surprisingly bland Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay and another white that eludes me right now. I love Syrah but opted for the nice crisp Left Coast white to pair with seafood. I got a dozen really fresh Alaskan Raw Oysters but it was too late when I realized the horseradish and Tabasco sauce did not come on the side. The first bite was good and spicy but the Tabasco sauce overpowered and ruined whatever mild delicate flavor the oysters had. It was a relief to have lemon wedges as they came in handy to rinse the rest of the sauce off! I love horseradish and Tabasco but I don't think this was a good match. I'll have them on the side next time. Also it would have been convenient for the diner if they cut the adductor muscles. A little oyster liquor left behind would be nice too, pretty please. Have to say the Fresh Penn Cove Mussels with saffron cream, tomatoes, and cilantro was amazing, with little hints of refreshing cilantro to balance the richness of the dish. Mussels were plump and succulent. I'm glad they offered another basket of bread so I happily sopped up the heavenly saffron sauce. I was surprised their raw oysters were $36 instead of $24 (the menu lists $12 for half a dozen). Well this is Alaska after all and that's pretty much the rate around town but it could be misconstrued as false advertising which I'm sure is not the intention of the establishment.
(3)Bob B.
Good food but steak under cooked. Service very slow. Dinner for 2 took 2 hrs without wine. Prices a bit high for quality & service. Sure not up to their normal standard. Parking area is inadequate & far more handicapped parking is needed. Had to wait 20 min to find a spot!
(3)Jenny C.
I am always impressed with the food at south side bistro. I've just simply never been let down. We went there at lunch time for a spur of the moment birthday celebration so we had a fairly large group. We were seated right away our server had good humor -always a plus! I got the fresh chicken rigatoni! Delish! Will go back again and again
(5)Melissa F.
My husband made special reservations for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed an eggplant appetizer and steamed mussels. The halibut and rib-eye for entrees were also great. The kitchen accommodated my needs to avoid gluten and dairy. The only negative was being seated in a high traffic area and the tables being extremely close which lacked intimacy.
(4)Christine M.
Excellent food and service! This spot is a bit out of my travel circle, but I wanted to try it anyways. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely make a point to dine here again in the future.
(4)Kent H.
My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent.
(4)Tallee W.
I am always thrilled with the staff as well as the excellent and varied menu! I'm thrilled that the Fivine Truffle Shoestring fries are a constant though! Great beer & wine list. The Chefs are creative as well as perfectly executed from seafood to burgers to Calamari & Desserts so pretty you hate to dive in (until you take a bite, then you inhale the bit of Heaven you just discovered). Te atmosphere is wonderful be it for a casual meal or an event! I have never been disappointed and I have MANY allergy restrictions! They have always been very honest with ingredients and been happy to alter where possible. Southside Bistro is a true treasure in South Anchorage!! The only reason it's not 5 stars, is it would be nice to see allergy listings in advance, so we don't feel we are holding up the party or taxing the staff. A few more GF/DF/egg free options would make it a 5 star.
(4)Robbie S.
Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5.
(5)Oscar T.
I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food.
(5)Sherilynn B.
Great South ANC restaurant. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good wine list, delectable eats. Great place to take friends or family.
(4)MJ S.
I've been here several times. The food is usually good, but inconsistently. The service is usually okay, but this last time I was here, it was awful. We walked in, told the host we were waiting for one more, and asked if we could sit in a booth. He said no, then took us to a table right next to three empty booths, and the table was short one person. We reminded him we were waiting for one more, so he squeezed in another chair, but never brought extra silverware, plate, water, napkin, or menu. The waiter came to take our drink order, and when our 4 year old was deciding, he walked away and said he'd take the kid's order later. There were only 2 other occupied tables, both of whom were already eating, so no other customers were waiting on him. He came back later and we asked for bread. He brought 3 slices. We had 5 people. When we got our salads, the dressing was extremely bland. The soup and rigatoni were both good, the shrimp and scallops were so-so. When we were finishing up, our 4 year old walked to the empty booth right next to us, and picked up a spoon. A lady came running out from the back, snatched it out of his hand, and said, "every one you touch, I have to clean!" And stalked off with the spoon. We were all speechless and very anxious to get out of there. It was a very unwelcoming and hostile atmosphere. We will not be back.
(2)Paige K.
Food varies from burgers and delicious fries to great mussels or lamb. It is a great menu and a great option on the south side of town.
(3)Jason T.
Great food and service! very popular so it gets a little loud
(4)T C.
It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad.
(4)Sarah V.
Wow- I went here last week with my boyfriend after some friends recommended it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I only wish we had come here sooner. Southside Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in Anchorage now! The ambiance is great, the decor is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is delicious. My boyfriend and I both had the Kodiak scallops and shrimp (which came in a perfectly balanced champagne cream sauce). They were cooked beautifully, and the rice and veggie sides were delicious as well. Good job Southside! You do great things for the food scene in Anchorage.
(4)Mark K.
Fantastic food! Chef/owner was there, and welcoming. Everything our group had was awesome. I had the ribeye, and it was great. Nice wine list! Beer selection wasn't too bad either.
(5)Karla L.
I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty.
(5)Randall F.
A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again.
(4)Tiffany T.
Meh... I have eaten here 4-5 times over the years. It has a lot of snooty (so they can charge more) but compared to other places in Anchorage they really do not deliver. This last trip I had flank steak... heck I went there for the flank steak. I have lived in South America. I know and love flank steak. I ordered it rare like I always do and always have. The meat was so tough I could not cut it. I could not even pull it apart into two pieces using a fork and a steak knife. I tried repeatedly to the point it became a game at our table. I would have had more luck cutting my shoes into pieces. It had the membrane on the back and was the most sinewy piece of meat I have ever seen. I eat a lot of wild game too. The lack of care in trimming and preparation was pretty astounding. When the server noticed (thumbs up that she did!) she took it away and it was taken off my bill. But then she came to tell me the cook informed her it was tough because I ordered it rare and because it was grass fed. Really??? I am not an idiot. When you leave the silver skin on the back it is inedible no matter how you cook it and it was not even close to the first piece of flank steak I have ordered. I am also pretty sure that the 100+ flank steaks I ate in Argentina and Chile were ALL grass fed. The defense of the inexcusable ruled this place out for any future meals for me.
(2)Katherine A.
I have only eaten here once but it was definitely not worth the money. I ate here on New Year's Eve and was disappointed. The food sounded creative on the menu but every course was poorly seasoned and over cooked. The food wasn't awful but the price was a deal-breaker. The highlight of the meal was the wine pairings which were thoughtfully done. I would opt for other Anchorage favorites such as Orso, Glacier Brewhouse, or Crush.
(2)Liane M.
It's not bad, it's just not my cup of tea. Very yuppy atmosphere with prices to match. They do make a good burger, but I prefer the burgers at the Tap Root cafe. For lunch they offer a variety of mainly salads, pastas and pizzas. For dinner there are more options and a decent wine list. Everything is over priced, but if you like small portions nicely displayed on a fancy plate, this is the place for you.
(3)Skip N.
Consistently rated one of the top 2-3 kitchens in Anchorage. #1 hangout for South Anchorage Foodies. Outstanding wine selection. The Owner/Executive Chef and most of the staff have been together for years and their personal attention adds to the dining experience. We prefer the more informal atmosphere of the "Bistro" wine bar side.
(5)R B.
Consistently good service and good food. The menu selection is good, and the beer and wine selection is also very good. This, in my opinion, is one of the really good restaurants in Anchorage with a menu a little different than the standard steak, halibut, and salmon places.
(4)laura i.
I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option).
(5)Zak L.
Great food and atmosphere, odd location
(4)Kari R.
the food is amazing. you may not realize it based on the exterior (it is in a strip mall) but they have an amazing chef and decor. Taking one star away because they didn't have a lot of what was on the menu and we were there early in the night
(4)Val W.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately, despite a packed house. Atmosphere, service, food and wine selection were outstanding! The best duck I've ever had. Dessert was great and I can't wait to go back. This is a place you and several friends could have a wonderful meal over drinks, relax, and catch up. We weren't rushed at all and had a very enjoyable time.
(5)Sam G.
Great service and excellent food. Got the calamari steak sandwich for lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Highly recommended for those willing to pay a bit more for a great lunch.
(4)Dave R.
Had a real wondeful lunch. Nice wine. The place needs a update on the interior to match the prices they charge, then it would be 5 stars
(4)Martin P.
I have dined here about ten times, so I clearly like it or I wouldn't be going back. Great food, great wine list. Killer desserts. Probably the best Creme Brulee I have had. Has slipped a bit since they lost one of their chefs a couple of years ago, imo.
(4)Cory O.
I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon.
(3)Robert P.
Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy.
(4)David H.
Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE!
(5)Rob Z.
This restaurant was recommended highly by local resident. I am visitor to Anchorage from Chicago, a city where we know great food. I had the most impressive dinner I've had in a long time! I started with fresh Alaskan oysters. They were served with horseradish granita and a shot of tabasco. I have never experienced oysters melting in my mouth, as these did. Then I was left with a nice little tingle from the hot sauce. Amazing. My entree was a special: Grilled Salmon. This perfectly seasoned and cooked piece of fresh beautiful salmon sat upon a bed of wild & white rice. There was a wonderful surprise of cubed pickled turnip in salsa verde on top. I didn't recognize the cubes as turnip. The server informed me that the chef goes to the local farmer's market twice weekly and uses local produce in his dishes. Love it! When I read "salsa verde" on the menu, I was concerned that it would have a strong Mexican seasoning. That was not the case! This green sauce (salsa verde) seemed to be made from pureed fresh spinach and maybe a little garlic? It as very understated, which let the salmon shine and pickled turnips add a surprising texture & flavor. The plate was artistically arranged. My server was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. I am here for two more nights. I might dine here both nights. I strongly recommend that you dine at Southside Bistro. Bon appetit!
(5)Elizabeth M.
I went here with a bridal party of 6 after our David's Bridal appointment. Seated at a nice large round table. Our waiter was a little slow at times. But good. I ordered the halibut cheeks lunch on the specials menu. Absolutely the very best halibut I've ever had. Prepared perfectly. The decor reminds me of Wolfgang Pucks Cafe's.
(5)Nancy L.
I have been going to the Southside Bistro since it opened years ago. I agree with Cory O., the service and quality has declined somewhat. I still think it deserves 4 stars for Anchorage. If it were in another major market, probably a 3. Having said that, it's very very good. Their salads are inventive and they use all different kinds of greens. The pizzas are very good, as well as their entire lunch menu. If you're crazy hungry you can get a more substantial item. They usually have a pasta dish or two every day. Or if you want something lighter, a salad, or soup and sandwich you can get that too. For dinner I had seafood dishes (their scallops and they were done to perfection) as well as carnivorous offerings and they treat both with great respect. If you ask for something rare, you will get it rare. Unfortunately I was too full for dessert. But I have had many desserts there on other occasions and I haven't hit one I didn't like. I'm fairly certain they only serve beer and wine and they have a nice selection. As far as attire goes, I have seen everything from casual to dressy. It's Alaska, so pretty much anything goes. Heck, you can even wear your bunny boots (if you're lucky enough to have 'em).
(4)Jim R.
We found this place a few years back. We stayed at a B&B on Upper O'Malley, we asked the owner if he could recommend a restuarant close by (in Alaska 10 miles is considered close by). The B&B onwer suugested that we try Southside Bistro, he highly recommended..he also worked there... We went, and we found the place to be just great. This is a big restuarant hidden in a strip mall. Definelty the most popluar place on this side of Anchorage. Place is large, always busy, but really has a nice atmosphere. We've not been dissapointed and keep going back to this place whenever in Anchorage. You can't miss with the Ceasar Salad.. a real ceaser... with anchovies. I always order the Halibut here because it doesn't get any better than this. Desserts are excellent as well, and Wine list is large and very reasonable for Alaska... Staff is attentive. The owner is a very nice guy and makes the rounds to all of the tables...
(4)Tiffany T.
Meh... I have eaten here 4-5 times over the years. It has a lot of snooty (so they can charge more) but compared to other places in Anchorage they really do not deliver. This last trip I had flank steak... heck I went there for the flank steak. I have lived in South America. I know and love flank steak. I ordered it rare like I always do and always have. The meat was so tough I could not cut it. I could not even pull it apart into two pieces using a fork and a steak knife. I tried repeatedly to the point it became a game at our table. I would have had more luck cutting my shoes into pieces. It had the membrane on the back and was the most sinewy piece of meat I have ever seen. I eat a lot of wild game too. The lack of care in trimming and preparation was pretty astounding. When the server noticed (thumbs up that she did!) she took it away and it was taken off my bill. But then she came to tell me the cook informed her it was tough because I ordered it rare and because it was grass fed. Really??? I am not an idiot. When you leave the silver skin on the back it is inedible no matter how you cook it and it was not even close to the first piece of flank steak I have ordered. I am also pretty sure that the 100+ flank steaks I ate in Argentina and Chile were ALL grass fed. The defense of the inexcusable ruled this place out for any future meals for me.
(2)Katherine A.
I have only eaten here once but it was definitely not worth the money. I ate here on New Year's Eve and was disappointed. The food sounded creative on the menu but every course was poorly seasoned and over cooked. The food wasn't awful but the price was a deal-breaker. The highlight of the meal was the wine pairings which were thoughtfully done. I would opt for other Anchorage favorites such as Orso, Glacier Brewhouse, or Crush.
(2)Liane M.
It's not bad, it's just not my cup of tea. Very yuppy atmosphere with prices to match. They do make a good burger, but I prefer the burgers at the Tap Root cafe. For lunch they offer a variety of mainly salads, pastas and pizzas. For dinner there are more options and a decent wine list. Everything is over priced, but if you like small portions nicely displayed on a fancy plate, this is the place for you.
(3)Skip N.
Consistently rated one of the top 2-3 kitchens in Anchorage. #1 hangout for South Anchorage Foodies. Outstanding wine selection. The Owner/Executive Chef and most of the staff have been together for years and their personal attention adds to the dining experience. We prefer the more informal atmosphere of the "Bistro" wine bar side.
(5)R B.
Consistently good service and good food. The menu selection is good, and the beer and wine selection is also very good. This, in my opinion, is one of the really good restaurants in Anchorage with a menu a little different than the standard steak, halibut, and salmon places.
(4)Gene M.
Always a wonderful meal with exceptional service. My pasta special was cooked to a perfect al dente and the pepper sauce was delicious. The chocolate creme Brule was wonderful too! Every time we come here we wonder why we don't come here more often.
(5)Mary C.
I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff.
(4)Denali V.
Date night with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in so long, was super romantic yet laid back and we love that type of place. They give you this bread to start with that is soo good, all the servers were friendly and we enjoyed our dinners. Definitely will go back :)
(5)Shannon C.
One of our go to places. I recommend their calamari and scallop appetizers. The Calamari is lightly battered and seasoned perfectly with garlic and salt. The scallop appetizer is accompanied with a crispy delicious risotto cake and sits in a bed of a yummy tomato cream sauce which I recommend you sop up with their crispy delicious bread. I also recommend their salads which you can choose to top off with scallops or prawns. I always leave feeling satisfied.
(4)Christine M.
Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work.
(3)Nadia S.
This place had excellent reviews, and rightfully so. I usually make reservations well in advance but I thought that in Anchorage I would not need to which was wrong. After the first day of having to wait around I decided to make reservations at any place that would take them (I have a whole list and Southside was def on it). Driving by you would never know that this gem of a restaurant existed in a regular strip mall. Everything we ordered was delicious, the salmon belly crudo, the soup, special and seasonal sockeye salmon entree and white fish. We topped it off with a dessert we split, a warm brownie with ice cream on top. Such a simple dessert yet so homemade tasting, where the high quality ingredients came through one by one. Don't miss this place while in Anchorage
(4)Melissa F.
My husband made special reservations for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed an eggplant appetizer and steamed mussels. The halibut and rib-eye for entrees were also great. The kitchen accommodated my needs to avoid gluten and dairy. The only negative was being seated in a high traffic area and the tables being extremely close which lacked intimacy.
(4)Christine M.
Excellent food and service! This spot is a bit out of my travel circle, but I wanted to try it anyways. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely make a point to dine here again in the future.
(4)laura i.
I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option).
(5)Zak L.
Great food and atmosphere, odd location
(4)Kari R.
the food is amazing. you may not realize it based on the exterior (it is in a strip mall) but they have an amazing chef and decor. Taking one star away because they didn't have a lot of what was on the menu and we were there early in the night
(4)Val W.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately, despite a packed house. Atmosphere, service, food and wine selection were outstanding! The best duck I've ever had. Dessert was great and I can't wait to go back. This is a place you and several friends could have a wonderful meal over drinks, relax, and catch up. We weren't rushed at all and had a very enjoyable time.
(5)Sam G.
Great service and excellent food. Got the calamari steak sandwich for lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Highly recommended for those willing to pay a bit more for a great lunch.
(4)Dave R.
Had a real wondeful lunch. Nice wine. The place needs a update on the interior to match the prices they charge, then it would be 5 stars
(4)K B.
This place was recommended to me because of its wine selection. The selection is actually pretty limited but I ordered a California Cabernet that I was pleased with. For food we ordered crispy calamari as an appetizer and the steak sandwich and shrimp feta salad as our entrees. The calamari was fine. Nothing to write home about. Same with the steak sandwich. The shrimp salad was a big disappointment. There was a lack of flavor. Over all this place is over priced for the quality of food you are getting. The atmosphere is outdated with almost a diner feel; cheap chairs, booths and linoleum floor but with white table clothes which gives it a mixed vibe. In the end I would not recommend this place to my friends. This place may have been the "it" place ten years ago for sophistication in Anchorage but now there are much better options.
(2)Robert P.
Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy.
(4)Mike S.
Well I am biased as the owner happens to be Swedish which I am as well. So I have to give them a five star rating :) With that said it is deserved. First inside -- place looks great. You don't expect it from the entrance door, but it was very nice. Greeted and seated promptly (had reservation). The booth was real nice, comfortable and even the tables seems like they were spaced out ok. Service was great -- the guy knew the food and the wines. Extensive wine list from very reasonably priced to yeah way to much for me to spend on a bottle of wine. I wished they had a full service bar, but beer and wine will have to do. The food was prepared just right. Steak was medium and the wife's food came out right as well. Good flavors, good mix on the plate and finally a place that doesn't think every vegetable medley has to be broccoli and cauliflower...... Deserts were really good. We both had the cobbler so can't say much about the other items on the list :) -- it was excellent though Apetizer came out promptly and main course was served a bit later. The spacing on the meals was excellent. I don't know if it just happened or they put more thought than usual into this. I hate getting my appetizer and before I even finish it the main course shows up. This is a nicer restaurant and they know to leave time between the courses. It is different from how you run a lunch place and it was both noted and appreciated. We both loved it and will definately go back. Will probably also try the bistro side another night
(5)Martin P.
I have dined here about ten times, so I clearly like it or I wouldn't be going back. Great food, great wine list. Killer desserts. Probably the best Creme Brulee I have had. Has slipped a bit since they lost one of their chefs a couple of years ago, imo.
(4)Cody G.
The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable.
(1)Cory O.
I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon.
(3)David H.
Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE!
(5)Caleb O.
Server was great. Got in on a Friday night with only a couple of minutes notice. Food was delicious. Big bold flavors. The salmon chowder was good. Not the best I've had, but still quite good. My skirt steak came in a salsa verde and chipotle cream, and it was really nicely flavored. Tried everybody else's food and everything else was really good too. I felt the food was better than similarly priced places downtown, and we didn't have to fight for a table or parking spot.
(5)Alexa H.
DELICIOUS! Huge juicy burgers and steaks that are to die for and their garlic sauce mussels are legendary. You also should not leave without trying their banana cream puff dessert! the service is always excellent and has a very upscale feeling but you can also grab a burger and fries for lunch without breaking the bank.
(5)S P.
Little pricey, but I think food is well worth it. On my most recent visit I had the Pork Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It's great having a nice quality restaurant on the south side of town instead of having to go all the way downtown for the same quality. The only way I would give them 5 stars is if the prices were just a little lower, then I would be able to go there more often.
(4)Margaret D.
Southside Bistro is on my way home from work and I stop by several times a week for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. In the 15 years I have been coming here I have ALWAYS had excellent food and service! I had a rude waiter one time in the evening but he was gone the next time I came. The owner is there quite frequently and is very hands on. Everyone on staff is courteous and friendly and wants your dining experience to be special.
(5)Lard Belly E.
Good service in a welcoming environment. We started with the calamari and Brie flatbread. Flatbread was okay and the calamari tasty, though I prefer aioli to marinara for sauce. Previously I came in and ordered the skirt steak, though prepared well, I found the meat not very appetizing and tough. This time I ordered the filet, and found a steak winner. My mom ordered the skirt and I tried to talk her out of it, and later she later said mine was better. Told you so! Rounded out the meal with a flourless chocolate cake and thought it was nice and dense. I'm not much of a dessert fan but it was my sister's birthday so we all indulged. They decorated her cobbler beautifully. Will come again to indulge.
(4)Robyn F.
We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work.
(4)Joe L.
This place is average in every way, except for the pricing. I have visited Southside bistro several times over the years, usually not by choice. I always leave wishing the experience was a little better or the service was a little better or that the portions were larger or that the food was better. Sadly every time I leave under whelmed by everything and always feel like I payed to much. The staff and management don't appear to care much either as the menu is outdated and the waitstaff is very entitled. Glad to see some new places in south anchorage, hopefully my dinning partners will no longer drag me to this place anymore.
(3)Casey J.
This place will always have special meaning to me. It's one of the first dates I took my fiancee. A perfect place to take a special person. Great food. Great presentation and a warm ambiance. This has become my favorite in Anchorage.
(5)Joe P.
Poor service. Do not attempt have dinner in a group they will not split your bill, but still take an 18% gratuity. The food is also over price for what they serve.
(1)Carolyn R.
I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:)
(5)Kendra F.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it.
(5)Dina Belle R.
One of our favorites. We've been coming here for nearly 20 yrs. This place has the best mussels as far as I'm concerned; always fresh and always tasty and done just right in a creamy saffron sauce with just the right amount of cilantro and garlic, topped with freshly diced tomatoes. So good, it's a meal in itself when you use their complimentary fresh crusty sourdough bread to sop up the creamy broth. More recently, I had to call to make sure they still had some left since the last time I went they'd run out...how disappointing but understood. I also ordered a simply delicious and fresh seasonal greens and pear salad w/a tangy balsamic dressing, garnished with toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. My husband chose another favorite, their spinach salad assembled with crispy polenta, Prosciutto di Parma, sun dried tomato, gorgonzola & balsamic vinaigrette.Yum! For his entree, he ordered the pork schnitzel which was absolutely done to perfection.Lightly breaded and crisp on the outside, moist and juicy, seasoned just right and served over an herb-grain mustard sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. It was topped, with what reminded me of a chopped eggs salad, which was unsuspected, but still good, on it's own. I'd preferred it over the salad greens served with it. Still no complaints from my husband as he heartily finished his plate clean. For desert we ordered the raspberry-peach cobbler and a chocolate terrine. Both very good but probably ordered too much at this point. Besides the consistent preparation and beautiful presentation of the food, the atmosphere was pleasant, fun and relaxing even when it's busy, and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. Very good service. All in all, this is why we return after all these years.
(5)Bob B.
Good food but steak under cooked. Service very slow. Dinner for 2 took 2 hrs without wine. Prices a bit high for quality & service. Sure not up to their normal standard. Parking area is inadequate & far more handicapped parking is needed. Had to wait 20 min to find a spot!
(3)Jenny C.
I am always impressed with the food at south side bistro. I've just simply never been let down. We went there at lunch time for a spur of the moment birthday celebration so we had a fairly large group. We were seated right away our server had good humor -always a plus! I got the fresh chicken rigatoni! Delish! Will go back again and again
(5)Loren R.
What a great first experience. I tend to not weigh ,very much ,service in my reviews. But today I am. My wife and I were served by Linda. She was positive, attentive, gave good recommendations , she didn't waste time trying to be our friend but was there the appropriate amount. I never had to wait for a new glass of wine. She stopped by once per orderve and once per entree. The food. At least tied for anchorages best. The veggies weren't cooked to death. They had crispness left in them. I had lamb. I confess I love lamb and have a hard time getting good lamb. It was....Just o k. I found it noticeably gamey. My wife had rockfish. After having one too many tough rockfish experiences at orso's It was nice to have a fresh fish. She did say she wished it came with more sauce and was going to ask for more sauce next time. We liked all four glasses of wine. We got dessert to go and enjoyed it at home. We are going to go again soon. The price before tip was 135.00 For one One salad Two entrees Four glasses of wine Two desserts So a little spendy yet it was good quality.
(4)Lauren E.
Amazing food, wonderful service, good atmosphere. I came here for date night based on a recommendation from one of my boyfriend's friends. The server was fabulous and attentive, but never too intrusive. The boyfriend asked him for a recommendation, and was told to try the rack of lamb, which he did. I of course ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent, and we both polished off our plates (there are few places to order schnitzel in Anchorage, so that made it even better). For dessert we had vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce as the perfect sweet ending. Great way to start the night.
(5)K L.
Sticker shock or surprise? This is a local favorite in the Southside and it makes you feel welcomed to sit with regulars frequenting this place. Jon, behind the counter, is great and attentive. I'm sure he's one of the reasons that draws the regular folks in. They have a nice wine and beer list and won't hesitate to offer tastings or pour generously. Jon let me sample a Palumbo Shiraz, Left Coast white Pinot Noir, and a surprisingly bland Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay and another white that eludes me right now. I love Syrah but opted for the nice crisp Left Coast white to pair with seafood. I got a dozen really fresh Alaskan Raw Oysters but it was too late when I realized the horseradish and Tabasco sauce did not come on the side. The first bite was good and spicy but the Tabasco sauce overpowered and ruined whatever mild delicate flavor the oysters had. It was a relief to have lemon wedges as they came in handy to rinse the rest of the sauce off! I love horseradish and Tabasco but I don't think this was a good match. I'll have them on the side next time. Also it would have been convenient for the diner if they cut the adductor muscles. A little oyster liquor left behind would be nice too, pretty please. Have to say the Fresh Penn Cove Mussels with saffron cream, tomatoes, and cilantro was amazing, with little hints of refreshing cilantro to balance the richness of the dish. Mussels were plump and succulent. I'm glad they offered another basket of bread so I happily sopped up the heavenly saffron sauce. I was surprised their raw oysters were $36 instead of $24 (the menu lists $12 for half a dozen). Well this is Alaska after all and that's pretty much the rate around town but it could be misconstrued as false advertising which I'm sure is not the intention of the establishment.
(3)Katylyn L.
The restaurant is a pretty basic little bistro but their tomato soup with bread is amazing. The flavor is wonderful, and I'm not normally a soup person. I have had the deserts too, and they're pretty satisfying. Over all, this is a lovely meeting place for lunch :)
(5)Marc B.
What a gem to find this warm and friendly place in a strip mall! Just had the pear Gorgonzola and pecan salad with grilled shrimp. Yummy! The wait staff is great especially Thomas and Kerry. And Kate the hostess is friendly and helpful.
(5)Kent H.
My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent.
(4)Tallee W.
I am always thrilled with the staff as well as the excellent and varied menu! I'm thrilled that the Fivine Truffle Shoestring fries are a constant though! Great beer & wine list. The Chefs are creative as well as perfectly executed from seafood to burgers to Calamari & Desserts so pretty you hate to dive in (until you take a bite, then you inhale the bit of Heaven you just discovered). Te atmosphere is wonderful be it for a casual meal or an event! I have never been disappointed and I have MANY allergy restrictions! They have always been very honest with ingredients and been happy to alter where possible. Southside Bistro is a true treasure in South Anchorage!! The only reason it's not 5 stars, is it would be nice to see allergy listings in advance, so we don't feel we are holding up the party or taxing the staff. A few more GF/DF/egg free options would make it a 5 star.
(4)Robbie S.
Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5.
(5)Oscar T.
I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food.
(5)Sherilynn B.
Great South ANC restaurant. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good wine list, delectable eats. Great place to take friends or family.
(4)MJ S.
I've been here several times. The food is usually good, but inconsistently. The service is usually okay, but this last time I was here, it was awful. We walked in, told the host we were waiting for one more, and asked if we could sit in a booth. He said no, then took us to a table right next to three empty booths, and the table was short one person. We reminded him we were waiting for one more, so he squeezed in another chair, but never brought extra silverware, plate, water, napkin, or menu. The waiter came to take our drink order, and when our 4 year old was deciding, he walked away and said he'd take the kid's order later. There were only 2 other occupied tables, both of whom were already eating, so no other customers were waiting on him. He came back later and we asked for bread. He brought 3 slices. We had 5 people. When we got our salads, the dressing was extremely bland. The soup and rigatoni were both good, the shrimp and scallops were so-so. When we were finishing up, our 4 year old walked to the empty booth right next to us, and picked up a spoon. A lady came running out from the back, snatched it out of his hand, and said, "every one you touch, I have to clean!" And stalked off with the spoon. We were all speechless and very anxious to get out of there. It was a very unwelcoming and hostile atmosphere. We will not be back.
(2)Paige K.
Food varies from burgers and delicious fries to great mussels or lamb. It is a great menu and a great option on the south side of town.
(3)Jason T.
Great food and service! very popular so it gets a little loud
(4)Mark K.
Fantastic food! Chef/owner was there, and welcoming. Everything our group had was awesome. I had the ribeye, and it was great. Nice wine list! Beer selection wasn't too bad either.
(5)T C.
It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad.
(4)Shopping B.
Hands down the best restaurant in the city of Anchorage for many, many reasons: 5 out of 5 for service 5 out of 5 for wine selection 5 out of 5 for general restaurant ambiance 5 out of 5 for menu, especially the always interesting specials 5 out of 5 for beer menu, and 6 out of 5 for the desserts (the sorbets & crème brûlée are THAT good) Don't let the people who live south of Dimond keep this place a secret from the rest of us: make a reservation to go there as soon as possible. In the 13 or 14+ years that I've been going to the Bistro, it has never once let me down.
(5)Darcy R.
Food was great, with quite a variety including several daily specials. Only beer/wine is served for those who are interested in cocktails. Homemade desserts were fantastic, and the options were endless. Waitstaff was friendly and personable. Will definitely return.
(4)Sarah V.
Wow- I went here last week with my boyfriend after some friends recommended it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I only wish we had come here sooner. Southside Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in Anchorage now! The ambiance is great, the decor is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is delicious. My boyfriend and I both had the Kodiak scallops and shrimp (which came in a perfectly balanced champagne cream sauce). They were cooked beautifully, and the rice and veggie sides were delicious as well. Good job Southside! You do great things for the food scene in Anchorage.
(4)Karla L.
I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty.
(5)Randall F.
A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again.
(4)K L.
Sticker shock or surprise? This is a local favorite in the Southside and it makes you feel welcomed to sit with regulars frequenting this place. Jon, behind the counter, is great and attentive. I'm sure he's one of the reasons that draws the regular folks in. They have a nice wine and beer list and won't hesitate to offer tastings or pour generously. Jon let me sample a Palumbo Shiraz, Left Coast white Pinot Noir, and a surprisingly bland Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay and another white that eludes me right now. I love Syrah but opted for the nice crisp Left Coast white to pair with seafood. I got a dozen really fresh Alaskan Raw Oysters but it was too late when I realized the horseradish and Tabasco sauce did not come on the side. The first bite was good and spicy but the Tabasco sauce overpowered and ruined whatever mild delicate flavor the oysters had. It was a relief to have lemon wedges as they came in handy to rinse the rest of the sauce off! I love horseradish and Tabasco but I don't think this was a good match. I'll have them on the side next time. Also it would have been convenient for the diner if they cut the adductor muscles. A little oyster liquor left behind would be nice too, pretty please. Have to say the Fresh Penn Cove Mussels with saffron cream, tomatoes, and cilantro was amazing, with little hints of refreshing cilantro to balance the richness of the dish. Mussels were plump and succulent. I'm glad they offered another basket of bread so I happily sopped up the heavenly saffron sauce. I was surprised their raw oysters were $36 instead of $24 (the menu lists $12 for half a dozen). Well this is Alaska after all and that's pretty much the rate around town but it could be misconstrued as false advertising which I'm sure is not the intention of the establishment.
(3)Bob B.
Good food but steak under cooked. Service very slow. Dinner for 2 took 2 hrs without wine. Prices a bit high for quality & service. Sure not up to their normal standard. Parking area is inadequate & far more handicapped parking is needed. Had to wait 20 min to find a spot!
(3)Jenny C.
I am always impressed with the food at south side bistro. I've just simply never been let down. We went there at lunch time for a spur of the moment birthday celebration so we had a fairly large group. We were seated right away our server had good humor -always a plus! I got the fresh chicken rigatoni! Delish! Will go back again and again
(5)Lauren E.
Amazing food, wonderful service, good atmosphere. I came here for date night based on a recommendation from one of my boyfriend's friends. The server was fabulous and attentive, but never too intrusive. The boyfriend asked him for a recommendation, and was told to try the rack of lamb, which he did. I of course ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent, and we both polished off our plates (there are few places to order schnitzel in Anchorage, so that made it even better). For dessert we had vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce as the perfect sweet ending. Great way to start the night.
(5)MJ S.
I've been here several times. The food is usually good, but inconsistently. The service is usually okay, but this last time I was here, it was awful. We walked in, told the host we were waiting for one more, and asked if we could sit in a booth. He said no, then took us to a table right next to three empty booths, and the table was short one person. We reminded him we were waiting for one more, so he squeezed in another chair, but never brought extra silverware, plate, water, napkin, or menu. The waiter came to take our drink order, and when our 4 year old was deciding, he walked away and said he'd take the kid's order later. There were only 2 other occupied tables, both of whom were already eating, so no other customers were waiting on him. He came back later and we asked for bread. He brought 3 slices. We had 5 people. When we got our salads, the dressing was extremely bland. The soup and rigatoni were both good, the shrimp and scallops were so-so. When we were finishing up, our 4 year old walked to the empty booth right next to us, and picked up a spoon. A lady came running out from the back, snatched it out of his hand, and said, "every one you touch, I have to clean!" And stalked off with the spoon. We were all speechless and very anxious to get out of there. It was a very unwelcoming and hostile atmosphere. We will not be back.
(2)Paige K.
Food varies from burgers and delicious fries to great mussels or lamb. It is a great menu and a great option on the south side of town.
(3)Jason T.
Great food and service! very popular so it gets a little loud
(4)Mark K.
Fantastic food! Chef/owner was there, and welcoming. Everything our group had was awesome. I had the ribeye, and it was great. Nice wine list! Beer selection wasn't too bad either.
(5)Nancy L.
I have been going to the Southside Bistro since it opened years ago. I agree with Cory O., the service and quality has declined somewhat. I still think it deserves 4 stars for Anchorage. If it were in another major market, probably a 3. Having said that, it's very very good. Their salads are inventive and they use all different kinds of greens. The pizzas are very good, as well as their entire lunch menu. If you're crazy hungry you can get a more substantial item. They usually have a pasta dish or two every day. Or if you want something lighter, a salad, or soup and sandwich you can get that too. For dinner I had seafood dishes (their scallops and they were done to perfection) as well as carnivorous offerings and they treat both with great respect. If you ask for something rare, you will get it rare. Unfortunately I was too full for dessert. But I have had many desserts there on other occasions and I haven't hit one I didn't like. I'm fairly certain they only serve beer and wine and they have a nice selection. As far as attire goes, I have seen everything from casual to dressy. It's Alaska, so pretty much anything goes. Heck, you can even wear your bunny boots (if you're lucky enough to have 'em).
(4)Jim R.
We found this place a few years back. We stayed at a B&B on Upper O'Malley, we asked the owner if he could recommend a restuarant close by (in Alaska 10 miles is considered close by). The B&B onwer suugested that we try Southside Bistro, he highly recommended..he also worked there... We went, and we found the place to be just great. This is a big restuarant hidden in a strip mall. Definelty the most popluar place on this side of Anchorage. Place is large, always busy, but really has a nice atmosphere. We've not been dissapointed and keep going back to this place whenever in Anchorage. You can't miss with the Ceasar Salad.. a real ceaser... with anchovies. I always order the Halibut here because it doesn't get any better than this. Desserts are excellent as well, and Wine list is large and very reasonable for Alaska... Staff is attentive. The owner is a very nice guy and makes the rounds to all of the tables...
(4)Sally A.
This was an incredible experiance. Even though I was only able to have the lunch menu my food was outstanding! My daughter and I shared the mussels and calamari and split a flatbread pizza. Then the reason for going a bottle of 2009 Col Solare at an amazing price. I absolutely recommend this establishment. Service, pricing, food and even the ambiance was fun and although older it looked loved and fresh.
(5)Christine D.
The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else.
(3)Samantha G.
The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again.
(1)Mike A.
Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back.
(1)Cody G.
The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable.
(1)Caleb O.
Server was great. Got in on a Friday night with only a couple of minutes notice. Food was delicious. Big bold flavors. The salmon chowder was good. Not the best I've had, but still quite good. My skirt steak came in a salsa verde and chipotle cream, and it was really nicely flavored. Tried everybody else's food and everything else was really good too. I felt the food was better than similarly priced places downtown, and we didn't have to fight for a table or parking spot.
(5)Alexa H.
DELICIOUS! Huge juicy burgers and steaks that are to die for and their garlic sauce mussels are legendary. You also should not leave without trying their banana cream puff dessert! the service is always excellent and has a very upscale feeling but you can also grab a burger and fries for lunch without breaking the bank.
(5)Ronnie H.
The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here!
(5)S P.
Little pricey, but I think food is well worth it. On my most recent visit I had the Pork Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It's great having a nice quality restaurant on the south side of town instead of having to go all the way downtown for the same quality. The only way I would give them 5 stars is if the prices were just a little lower, then I would be able to go there more often.
(4)Margaret D.
Southside Bistro is on my way home from work and I stop by several times a week for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. In the 15 years I have been coming here I have ALWAYS had excellent food and service! I had a rude waiter one time in the evening but he was gone the next time I came. The owner is there quite frequently and is very hands on. Everyone on staff is courteous and friendly and wants your dining experience to be special.
(5)Lard Belly E.
Good service in a welcoming environment. We started with the calamari and Brie flatbread. Flatbread was okay and the calamari tasty, though I prefer aioli to marinara for sauce. Previously I came in and ordered the skirt steak, though prepared well, I found the meat not very appetizing and tough. This time I ordered the filet, and found a steak winner. My mom ordered the skirt and I tried to talk her out of it, and later she later said mine was better. Told you so! Rounded out the meal with a flourless chocolate cake and thought it was nice and dense. I'm not much of a dessert fan but it was my sister's birthday so we all indulged. They decorated her cobbler beautifully. Will come again to indulge.
(4)Robyn F.
We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work.
(4)Joe L.
This place is average in every way, except for the pricing. I have visited Southside bistro several times over the years, usually not by choice. I always leave wishing the experience was a little better or the service was a little better or that the portions were larger or that the food was better. Sadly every time I leave under whelmed by everything and always feel like I payed to much. The staff and management don't appear to care much either as the menu is outdated and the waitstaff is very entitled. Glad to see some new places in south anchorage, hopefully my dinning partners will no longer drag me to this place anymore.
(3)Casey J.
This place will always have special meaning to me. It's one of the first dates I took my fiancee. A perfect place to take a special person. Great food. Great presentation and a warm ambiance. This has become my favorite in Anchorage.
(5)Joe P.
Poor service. Do not attempt have dinner in a group they will not split your bill, but still take an 18% gratuity. The food is also over price for what they serve.
(1)Carolyn R.
I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:)
(5)Kendra F.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it.
(5)Gene M.
Always a wonderful meal with exceptional service. My pasta special was cooked to a perfect al dente and the pepper sauce was delicious. The chocolate creme Brule was wonderful too! Every time we come here we wonder why we don't come here more often.
(5)Mary C.
I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff.
(4)Denali V.
Date night with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in so long, was super romantic yet laid back and we love that type of place. They give you this bread to start with that is soo good, all the servers were friendly and we enjoyed our dinners. Definitely will go back :)
(5)Shannon C.
One of our go to places. I recommend their calamari and scallop appetizers. The Calamari is lightly battered and seasoned perfectly with garlic and salt. The scallop appetizer is accompanied with a crispy delicious risotto cake and sits in a bed of a yummy tomato cream sauce which I recommend you sop up with their crispy delicious bread. I also recommend their salads which you can choose to top off with scallops or prawns. I always leave feeling satisfied.
(4)Christine M.
Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work.
(3)Nadia S.
This place had excellent reviews, and rightfully so. I usually make reservations well in advance but I thought that in Anchorage I would not need to which was wrong. After the first day of having to wait around I decided to make reservations at any place that would take them (I have a whole list and Southside was def on it). Driving by you would never know that this gem of a restaurant existed in a regular strip mall. Everything we ordered was delicious, the salmon belly crudo, the soup, special and seasonal sockeye salmon entree and white fish. We topped it off with a dessert we split, a warm brownie with ice cream on top. Such a simple dessert yet so homemade tasting, where the high quality ingredients came through one by one. Don't miss this place while in Anchorage
(4)Melissa F.
My husband made special reservations for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We enjoyed an eggplant appetizer and steamed mussels. The halibut and rib-eye for entrees were also great. The kitchen accommodated my needs to avoid gluten and dairy. The only negative was being seated in a high traffic area and the tables being extremely close which lacked intimacy.
(4)Christine M.
Excellent food and service! This spot is a bit out of my travel circle, but I wanted to try it anyways. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely make a point to dine here again in the future.
(4)Dina Belle R.
One of our favorites. We've been coming here for nearly 20 yrs. This place has the best mussels as far as I'm concerned; always fresh and always tasty and done just right in a creamy saffron sauce with just the right amount of cilantro and garlic, topped with freshly diced tomatoes. So good, it's a meal in itself when you use their complimentary fresh crusty sourdough bread to sop up the creamy broth. More recently, I had to call to make sure they still had some left since the last time I went they'd run out...how disappointing but understood. I also ordered a simply delicious and fresh seasonal greens and pear salad w/a tangy balsamic dressing, garnished with toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. My husband chose another favorite, their spinach salad assembled with crispy polenta, Prosciutto di Parma, sun dried tomato, gorgonzola & balsamic vinaigrette.Yum! For his entree, he ordered the pork schnitzel which was absolutely done to perfection.Lightly breaded and crisp on the outside, moist and juicy, seasoned just right and served over an herb-grain mustard sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. It was topped, with what reminded me of a chopped eggs salad, which was unsuspected, but still good, on it's own. I'd preferred it over the salad greens served with it. Still no complaints from my husband as he heartily finished his plate clean. For desert we ordered the raspberry-peach cobbler and a chocolate terrine. Both very good but probably ordered too much at this point. Besides the consistent preparation and beautiful presentation of the food, the atmosphere was pleasant, fun and relaxing even when it's busy, and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. Very good service. All in all, this is why we return after all these years.
(5)Loren R.
What a great first experience. I tend to not weigh ,very much ,service in my reviews. But today I am. My wife and I were served by Linda. She was positive, attentive, gave good recommendations , she didn't waste time trying to be our friend but was there the appropriate amount. I never had to wait for a new glass of wine. She stopped by once per orderve and once per entree. The food. At least tied for anchorages best. The veggies weren't cooked to death. They had crispness left in them. I had lamb. I confess I love lamb and have a hard time getting good lamb. It was....Just o k. I found it noticeably gamey. My wife had rockfish. After having one too many tough rockfish experiences at orso's It was nice to have a fresh fish. She did say she wished it came with more sauce and was going to ask for more sauce next time. We liked all four glasses of wine. We got dessert to go and enjoyed it at home. We are going to go again soon. The price before tip was 135.00 For one One salad Two entrees Four glasses of wine Two desserts So a little spendy yet it was good quality.
(4)Katylyn L.
The restaurant is a pretty basic little bistro but their tomato soup with bread is amazing. The flavor is wonderful, and I'm not normally a soup person. I have had the deserts too, and they're pretty satisfying. Over all, this is a lovely meeting place for lunch :)
(5)Marc B.
What a gem to find this warm and friendly place in a strip mall! Just had the pear Gorgonzola and pecan salad with grilled shrimp. Yummy! The wait staff is great especially Thomas and Kerry. And Kate the hostess is friendly and helpful.
(5)Kent H.
My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent.
(4)Tallee W.
I am always thrilled with the staff as well as the excellent and varied menu! I'm thrilled that the Fivine Truffle Shoestring fries are a constant though! Great beer & wine list. The Chefs are creative as well as perfectly executed from seafood to burgers to Calamari & Desserts so pretty you hate to dive in (until you take a bite, then you inhale the bit of Heaven you just discovered). Te atmosphere is wonderful be it for a casual meal or an event! I have never been disappointed and I have MANY allergy restrictions! They have always been very honest with ingredients and been happy to alter where possible. Southside Bistro is a true treasure in South Anchorage!! The only reason it's not 5 stars, is it would be nice to see allergy listings in advance, so we don't feel we are holding up the party or taxing the staff. A few more GF/DF/egg free options would make it a 5 star.
(4)Robbie S.
Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5.
(5)Oscar T.
I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food.
(5)Sherilynn B.
Great South ANC restaurant. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good wine list, delectable eats. Great place to take friends or family.
(4)T C.
It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad.
(4)Shopping B.
Hands down the best restaurant in the city of Anchorage for many, many reasons: 5 out of 5 for service 5 out of 5 for wine selection 5 out of 5 for general restaurant ambiance 5 out of 5 for menu, especially the always interesting specials 5 out of 5 for beer menu, and 6 out of 5 for the desserts (the sorbets & crème brûlée are THAT good) Don't let the people who live south of Dimond keep this place a secret from the rest of us: make a reservation to go there as soon as possible. In the 13 or 14+ years that I've been going to the Bistro, it has never once let me down.
(5)Darcy R.
Food was great, with quite a variety including several daily specials. Only beer/wine is served for those who are interested in cocktails. Homemade desserts were fantastic, and the options were endless. Waitstaff was friendly and personable. Will definitely return.
(4)Sarah V.
Wow- I went here last week with my boyfriend after some friends recommended it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I only wish we had come here sooner. Southside Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in Anchorage now! The ambiance is great, the decor is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is delicious. My boyfriend and I both had the Kodiak scallops and shrimp (which came in a perfectly balanced champagne cream sauce). They were cooked beautifully, and the rice and veggie sides were delicious as well. Good job Southside! You do great things for the food scene in Anchorage.
(4)Karla L.
I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty.
(5)Randall F.
A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again.
(4)Tiffany T.
Meh... I have eaten here 4-5 times over the years. It has a lot of snooty (so they can charge more) but compared to other places in Anchorage they really do not deliver. This last trip I had flank steak... heck I went there for the flank steak. I have lived in South America. I know and love flank steak. I ordered it rare like I always do and always have. The meat was so tough I could not cut it. I could not even pull it apart into two pieces using a fork and a steak knife. I tried repeatedly to the point it became a game at our table. I would have had more luck cutting my shoes into pieces. It had the membrane on the back and was the most sinewy piece of meat I have ever seen. I eat a lot of wild game too. The lack of care in trimming and preparation was pretty astounding. When the server noticed (thumbs up that she did!) she took it away and it was taken off my bill. But then she came to tell me the cook informed her it was tough because I ordered it rare and because it was grass fed. Really??? I am not an idiot. When you leave the silver skin on the back it is inedible no matter how you cook it and it was not even close to the first piece of flank steak I have ordered. I am also pretty sure that the 100+ flank steaks I ate in Argentina and Chile were ALL grass fed. The defense of the inexcusable ruled this place out for any future meals for me.
(2)Katherine A.
I have only eaten here once but it was definitely not worth the money. I ate here on New Year's Eve and was disappointed. The food sounded creative on the menu but every course was poorly seasoned and over cooked. The food wasn't awful but the price was a deal-breaker. The highlight of the meal was the wine pairings which were thoughtfully done. I would opt for other Anchorage favorites such as Orso, Glacier Brewhouse, or Crush.
(2)Liane M.
It's not bad, it's just not my cup of tea. Very yuppy atmosphere with prices to match. They do make a good burger, but I prefer the burgers at the Tap Root cafe. For lunch they offer a variety of mainly salads, pastas and pizzas. For dinner there are more options and a decent wine list. Everything is over priced, but if you like small portions nicely displayed on a fancy plate, this is the place for you.
(3)Skip N.
Consistently rated one of the top 2-3 kitchens in Anchorage. #1 hangout for South Anchorage Foodies. Outstanding wine selection. The Owner/Executive Chef and most of the staff have been together for years and their personal attention adds to the dining experience. We prefer the more informal atmosphere of the "Bistro" wine bar side.
(5)R B.
Consistently good service and good food. The menu selection is good, and the beer and wine selection is also very good. This, in my opinion, is one of the really good restaurants in Anchorage with a menu a little different than the standard steak, halibut, and salmon places.
(4)K B.
This place was recommended to me because of its wine selection. The selection is actually pretty limited but I ordered a California Cabernet that I was pleased with. For food we ordered crispy calamari as an appetizer and the steak sandwich and shrimp feta salad as our entrees. The calamari was fine. Nothing to write home about. Same with the steak sandwich. The shrimp salad was a big disappointment. There was a lack of flavor. Over all this place is over priced for the quality of food you are getting. The atmosphere is outdated with almost a diner feel; cheap chairs, booths and linoleum floor but with white table clothes which gives it a mixed vibe. In the end I would not recommend this place to my friends. This place may have been the "it" place ten years ago for sophistication in Anchorage but now there are much better options.
(2)laura i.
I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option).
(5)Zak L.
Great food and atmosphere, odd location
(4)Kari R.
the food is amazing. you may not realize it based on the exterior (it is in a strip mall) but they have an amazing chef and decor. Taking one star away because they didn't have a lot of what was on the menu and we were there early in the night
(4)Val W.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately, despite a packed house. Atmosphere, service, food and wine selection were outstanding! The best duck I've ever had. Dessert was great and I can't wait to go back. This is a place you and several friends could have a wonderful meal over drinks, relax, and catch up. We weren't rushed at all and had a very enjoyable time.
(5)Sam G.
Great service and excellent food. Got the calamari steak sandwich for lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Highly recommended for those willing to pay a bit more for a great lunch.
(4)Dave R.
Had a real wondeful lunch. Nice wine. The place needs a update on the interior to match the prices they charge, then it would be 5 stars
(4)Mike S.
Well I am biased as the owner happens to be Swedish which I am as well. So I have to give them a five star rating :) With that said it is deserved. First inside -- place looks great. You don't expect it from the entrance door, but it was very nice. Greeted and seated promptly (had reservation). The booth was real nice, comfortable and even the tables seems like they were spaced out ok. Service was great -- the guy knew the food and the wines. Extensive wine list from very reasonably priced to yeah way to much for me to spend on a bottle of wine. I wished they had a full service bar, but beer and wine will have to do. The food was prepared just right. Steak was medium and the wife's food came out right as well. Good flavors, good mix on the plate and finally a place that doesn't think every vegetable medley has to be broccoli and cauliflower...... Deserts were really good. We both had the cobbler so can't say much about the other items on the list :) -- it was excellent though Apetizer came out promptly and main course was served a bit later. The spacing on the meals was excellent. I don't know if it just happened or they put more thought than usual into this. I hate getting my appetizer and before I even finish it the main course shows up. This is a nicer restaurant and they know to leave time between the courses. It is different from how you run a lunch place and it was both noted and appreciated. We both loved it and will definately go back. Will probably also try the bistro side another night
(5)Martin P.
I have dined here about ten times, so I clearly like it or I wouldn't be going back. Great food, great wine list. Killer desserts. Probably the best Creme Brulee I have had. Has slipped a bit since they lost one of their chefs a couple of years ago, imo.
(4)Cory O.
I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon.
(3)Robert P.
Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy.
(4)David H.
Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE!
(5)Rob Z.
This restaurant was recommended highly by local resident. I am visitor to Anchorage from Chicago, a city where we know great food. I had the most impressive dinner I've had in a long time! I started with fresh Alaskan oysters. They were served with horseradish granita and a shot of tabasco. I have never experienced oysters melting in my mouth, as these did. Then I was left with a nice little tingle from the hot sauce. Amazing. My entree was a special: Grilled Salmon. This perfectly seasoned and cooked piece of fresh beautiful salmon sat upon a bed of wild & white rice. There was a wonderful surprise of cubed pickled turnip in salsa verde on top. I didn't recognize the cubes as turnip. The server informed me that the chef goes to the local farmer's market twice weekly and uses local produce in his dishes. Love it! When I read "salsa verde" on the menu, I was concerned that it would have a strong Mexican seasoning. That was not the case! This green sauce (salsa verde) seemed to be made from pureed fresh spinach and maybe a little garlic? It as very understated, which let the salmon shine and pickled turnips add a surprising texture & flavor. The plate was artistically arranged. My server was knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. I am here for two more nights. I might dine here both nights. I strongly recommend that you dine at Southside Bistro. Bon appetit!
(5)Elizabeth M.
I went here with a bridal party of 6 after our David's Bridal appointment. Seated at a nice large round table. Our waiter was a little slow at times. But good. I ordered the halibut cheeks lunch on the specials menu. Absolutely the very best halibut I've ever had. Prepared perfectly. The decor reminds me of Wolfgang Pucks Cafe's.
(5)