Fish is the thing: Alaska restaurants offer fresh seafood that spoils us silly.

• Author: Lavrakas, Dimitra
• Position: Alaska Business Power Lunch - Editorial

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How many times have you been at a restaurant Outside and had a companion exclaim. "Look! They have salmon on the menu." That's right, you know what a real Alaskan does--they turn up their nose.

Where is it from? Is it farmed or wild? What kind? And the coup 'd grace: How fresh is it? The waiter looks perplexed and scurries to the kitchen to find out. We seldom like the answers. If it's farmed--we give them a lecture on the superiority of wild Alaska fish.

We are so spoiled. Once you've caught it, filleted it, turned right around and plunked it into a cast-iron skillet over a wood fire or onto a grill, you are forever a seafood brat. You're in good company, because it's perfectly natural considering what this state gives us. And we manage the resource well enough for it to be around for a long time, unlike the struggling fisheries in Oregon and Washington.

Our personal favorites in Anchorage are Simon and Seafort's Saloon and Grill, Sacks Cafe, Capt. Chuck's Fish and Chips, Momma O's Fish Restaurant, and of course Humpy's is always a fun time. The Bear Tooth Theatrepub and Grill off Spenard has a blackened halibut burrito with a kicky habanero kiwi mango salsa. You can subsitute Kodiak rockfish, if you like.

Simon & Seafort's, with its view of the inlet, has a classic, 19th century atmosphere with the wait staff in old-fashioned aprons anchored to their ankles is just plain classy. If you want to impress a client--take them there.

We go for the fish and chips--always a big favorite. Simons' & Seafort's are light and crispy and the serving is large enough to pack home for an encore tasting.

Right alongside in quality is Sacks Cafe on G Street in Anchorage. We've had consistently excellent meals here, tasting the interesting and imaginative ways dishes are created that spotlight Alaska seafood--shrimp and scallops over pasta, and crab and scallop cakes.

Humpy's Great Alaska Ale House, on Sixth Avenue in Anchorage, draws a lively crowd after work, but is fairly tame during the lunch hour. Humpy's appetizer, Alehouse Halibut, is ale-battered and served with Humpy's distinctive homemade tartar sauce. Bring Outside clients here for an authentic taste of Alaska ambiance and great beer selection.

Tom Doebler, who now owns the The White Spot on Fourth Avenue in Anchorage, took over from Sherri Warnke a year ago, when she opened her dream restaurant, Captain Chuck's Fish and Chips at the Northway Mall.

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