Last night, we decided to go to the Sourdough Mining Co. before the tours start bring people by the busload there. It's a regular stop for some of the tours.
I didn't take any pictures, it's like a lot of uniquely Alaskan places, I just never think of it. It's set up as a replica of an old mill house. Basic food, in big portions, and not a place to bring your favorite vegetarian friend, it's a meat heavy menu. I think the only non-meat salad on the menu is the dinner salad! We don't go there often, but it's a favorite when we do. I called Dad to meet us.
So we all ordered, and I've been forcing myself the last few times I've gone there not to have their barbecued dishes. They do a slow pit cooked brisket that's all shredded with their signature sauce (on the side) for sandwiches that's so good. Instead, I had broiled/blackened salmon. Wow.. it was good, but very very spicy. I had to admit defeat after eating half of one piece. E had the beer battered cod, Mike had chicken, Wm, after much consideration decided on their famous ribs and corn fritters, Dad also thought hard, and finally had brisket. Lots of leftovers for everyone. It's that kind of place. I'm going to make some rice to have the rest of my salmon with later. I swear my tongue is still a little burny feeling.
They are the best place in town for barbecue, but they are also the best place in town for cheese sticks so we got an order of those to share as well. Mike and I shared a locally brewed beer.
At some point I think I want to make a list of "Restaurants in Anchorage that feature dead animals as part of the decor" because.. well.. there are a lot of them. Sourdough Mining Company is my favorite.
After, we walked across the street to Alaska Wildberry and I thought about buying some jam,but the Saturday Market starts next week, so I resisted. E got herself some fudge, and W got himself some salmon jerky. E dragged me over like she always does to see the Willy Wonka framed candy bar/Golden Ticket/autographed photo of the cast (the first movie) and one of the employees smilingly told us about it, and treated us like we were tourists. E was just *thrilled*.
Today, Mike's got to do some coffee related research, so I'm going with him to do that. Apparently his boss asked the execs "Which of you is the coffee fiend?" and Mike said "My wife." I was a little taken aback by that. I don't do 5 dollar cups of coffee often. So when he explained this to Dad and I, I said "I'm not a coffee fiend." and dad said "Yes, you are." and Mike just laughed out loud and said "Uh huh.. why won't you drink Starbucks?" We have a bunch of GOOD local coffee roasters who don't burn the beans. I don't think this makes me a coffee fiend. But good coffee is like good beer or good wine. You can taste notes and flavors in it, but when the beans are burnt, the overwhelming flavor is that burn. You lose the complexity that inherent in a good cup of coffee. Coffee can taste bright, or creamy, have chocolate-y or berry notes, burnt is not the flavor I'm looking for.
But I'm not a *fiend* about it. I've never even gone to a coffee tasting or done any research on it. I just know what I prefer. Fair trade, shade grown, beans drum roasted dark. I like French, Espresso, and Turkish roasts, but I want the beans to be drum roasted to a uniform dark, and still oily to the touch. A good dark roast IS shiny and oily and not dark, matte and dry. Drum roasting helps keep the beans from scorching. Dark roasts also have less caffeine then light roasts so they make good after dinner coffees.
I think today I'm also going to work some on beading, and I wrote a book review for Beaded Chain Mail Jewelry by Dyson Whyte, it's a great book if you have any interest in small scale mail for jewelry.