Carly Stuart

Sushi & Sushi is a popular destination for Anchorage sushi lovers. Located in a strip mall behind Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, the unremarkable exterior belies an interior that is among the most well appointed in the city. Gleaming granite surfaces, stone columns and artful glass work characterize the space

South Anchorage isn't exactly a dining mecca. Sure, there are a few gems, including some truly excellent Asian eateries, a bar with terrific burgers and two very good fine dining restaurants. But avid foodies will be better served in Midtown or downtown. Considering the lack of options, I was heartened when I heard the building on Abbott Road that previously housed chain restaurant Chili's had reopened under new ownership.

The word "grilling" conjures images of burgers and hot dogs, steak and chicken. I think of sunny days, picnic tables, cold beverages and the unmistakable aroma of charred meat, but I was mostly unfamiliar with yakitori. The Japanese-style grilling involves skewering meat and, like American-style grilling, cooking it over hot coals.

Tasty food, cozy atmosphere and prompt, friendly service make for an ideal lunch spot, and Originale is one of the best in Anchorage. Sergio and Roseli Anzilotti, owners of Anzilotti's Tuscan Market in South Anchorage, recently opened this Midtown eatery. Serving an assortment of sandwiches, antipasti, coffee and desserts, it's the perfect place for a quick bite or to linger over a cup of coffee with friends.

Seafood lovers, rejoice -- Anchorage now has an alternative to greasy fish and chips, dime-a-dozen sushi restaurants and big-ticket items like crab legs.

America is a nation of risk-takers and pioneers, outside-the-box thinkers and cultural trendsetters. This is certainly true from a culinary perspective: We invented chewing gum, instant coffee and corn dogs, and launched the Culinary Revolution in the 1970s.

Ling and Louie's Asian Bar and Grill bills its cuisine as "modern Asian meets American comfort." In other words, this chain restaurant is capitalizing on the Asian fusion trend that began on the West Coast and has since swept nation. With its sizable Filipino, Korean, Chinese and Laotian population, Anchorage seemed a natural fit for such a restaurant: While we love our moose burgers and Valley-grown spuds, we're equally at home dining onadobo, bulgogi and Peking duck.

When it comes to a quick lunch, options for nine-to-fivers are limited. There's the ubiquitous fast food drive-through window or the deli case at the supermarket. For a little more cash (and a lot more calories), diners can opt for a buffet restaurant.

Variety may be the spice of life, but there's something to be said for doing one thing and doing it well. Nane's Pelmenis does not boast an extensive menu or endeavor to be all things to all people. Rather, the no-frills eatery offers pelmeni, Russian dumplings akin to pierogi, in potato and meat versions.

Unlike our West Coast cousins Seattle and Portland, Ore., Anchorage isn't much of a trendsetter. Sure, we boast a number of breweries, an impressive yoga scene and more farmers markets than you can shake a stick at, but we're generally not at the forefront of any sort of cultural movement (hipster or otherwise).

Firetap Alehouse at the Tikahtnu Commons endeavors to be all things to all people. It's a sports bar with a dozen flat-panel TVs and an assortment of beers on tap, or it's a sit-down, family-style restaurant with a dedicated kids' menu. It can also be a convenient place for a quick bite with friends.

Don't get me wrong -- Americanized Mexican food has its place. Authentic Mexican food like that at Rocco's Baja Grill, however, features fresh, regional ingredients, such as chilies, corn, squash, beans, cinnamon and chocolate, and goat, sheep or ostrich may take the place of beef, pork or chicken.

If I could, I'd replace dinner with happy-hour appetizers. Forget the American-style "square meal" -- I'd much prefer bacon-wrapped dates, deep-fried ravioli, hummus with pita chips and maybe a nice salad. The beauty of Korean cuisine is banchan, small dishes of food that accompany any entree. These tasty, healthy little morsels beautifully complement any dish and transform the table into a colorful work of art.