Marx brothers cafe
There were olives and some butter on the table when we were moved and an open bottle of, presumptively, water. We were the only Black couple-or people of color-in the restaurant. My initial assumption was there were no tables in the other room, but after we complained and were moved, I noted there were several tables in that room. Ours was in that room, where my husband's back was just off the door and entrance. The photos show the cozy room with a fireplace but there is a room off.
We were initially seated at what I believe was the next to worse table in the restaurant. My husband and I went for the experience of a nice, couples meal. Sadly, I would not return to this restaurant, and would caution others to ensure they did not get that very same table and/or incur the (literal) cold indifference of the staff. It was a big disappointment, and the service level did not match the expectation of the meal and restaurant. We left without so much as a word uttered from the staff. At some point we were clearly labeled as a "problem" table and the staff all but abandoned us, coming by only to provide the bill as we sat in silence, not wanting to disturb the guests next to us. Our requests were met with arguments and questioning indifference. We endured the entire meal having to wear our coats inside, and feeling uncomfortable speaking too loudly as the couple next to us was so close.Īs the meal wound on, we enjoyed the food and wine, but as tables were vacated, we inquired about moving to a better (and warmer) spot. My chair was effectively a conference chair, compared with the more comfortable (and planned) decor of the rest of the restaurant. It was effectively in the server galley, shared a wall with the very loud kitchen, next to an open door overlooking the port, and was uncomfortably close to the table next to us. It was seemingly more of an afterthought. Upon arrival, we were seated at unquestionably the worst table in the house. a reservation as we were only visiting Anchorage for a few days. Unfortunately, the layout, the table arrangement, and (lack of) response to our concerns overshadowed our entire experience. It is historical, the food is excellent, and the wine selection is incredible. There is so much to love about this place. Asian Restaurants for Families in Downtown.Restaurants for Special Occasions in Anchorage.Restaurants for Group Dining in Anchorage.Romantic Seafood Restaurants in Anchorage.Chinese Restaurants for Families in Anchorage.American Restaurants for Lunch in Anchorage.Hotels near (ANC) Anchorage Intl Airport.Hotels near Alaska Native Heritage Center.Hotels near Anchorage City Trolley Tours.Hotels near Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center.Hotels near Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Anchorage.Preferred Hotels & Resorts in Anchorage.Extended Stay America Hotels in Anchorage.Dinner here is a slow, leisurely, expensive affair, and definitely a worthy splurge. The cuisine is, broadly, an Alaskan-Asian-Italian fusion. The other partner, Jack Amon, holds down the kitchen, where meticulously prepared appetizers, such as Neapolitan of seafood mouse (lobster, smoked salmon and halibut with a “yin-yang” of osetra and golden caviar), and main courses like the macadamia nut halibut(with mango chutney, mild coconut curry, and steamed jasmine rice) originate. Two remain, and one, as it turns out, is the maitre d’, who moves from table to table making Caesar salads in a giant wooden bowl. The four original partners, long-haired and bearded, ham it up for the camera. Photos from the madcap early days hang in one the two snug little dinning rooms of the original location, on the ground floor of an early Anchorage home.
It has grown up and settled down to become the standard bearer for fine dining in Alaska, one with such a loyal following it puts out a newsletter.
The 1978 opening of a new restaurant in downtown Anchorage was accompanied by mayhem on the scale of A Night at the Opera (lots of alcohol and cops were involved), which led the owners to name the place the Marx Bros.