Originally written in February 2024
We’re not exactly go-out-on-the-town and stay-out-late kind of people. Dining out is usually reserved as a special treat, something to be savored and enjoyed more than defaulted to out of convenience. But I do enjoy trying out new places, finding favorites, and making an outing feel special. There aren’t as many opportunities, events, or restaurants to explore in Anchorage as there were in Austin, but sometimes having more limited options helps with the indecision paralysis anyway.
Thanks to Broadway Alaska, we’ve had the opportunity to see some off-Broadway productions including Hamilton and Six. Both were fantastic and so fun! I love live theatre productions, especially musicals. When we go to these shows we usually have a quick early dinner at home before heading downtown to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (ACPA). By the end of the show, our hearts are full, but our stomachs are growling. Not a lot of places are open in the later hours in Anchorage, but one of the exceptions is Whisky & Ramen, a popular restaurant in downtown Anchorage that is often booked out for weeks or months with reservations but sometimes has openings for walk-ins late in the evenings for only a short wait. As a bonus, it’s a short walk from the ACPA, so, after a show, we don’t even have to mess with parking. Now going there after our show is our little tradition.
Whisky & Ramen feels open and airy, but also cozy and intimate. With a mix of modern and traditional design details, everything looks intentional and curated. The walls and ceilings are paneled in wood with warm lighting provided by wall sconces and tasteful installations. Seating options include the bar around the kitchen upstairs, the dark and moody whisky lounge around the bar, an open high-ceiling main area in the downstairs center of the restaurant, and some more private rooms tucked away in the back. There are some many designed details to notice and admire from the gold framed art to the gilt airplane wallpaper.
While they’re known for their ramen (which is what my husband always orders), I usually order the pork buns, which are technically an appetizer but the perfect amount of food and flavor to satisfy a late-night snacking urge. On our last visit, I also ordered the most delicious cup of basil mint tea from local tea blender, Felicity Loft. The flavor profile was earthy, refreshing, and deep and was just as tasty resteeped as the first cup.
The food at Whisky & Ramen provides a flavor spectrum from heavy, dark, and deep to delicate, light, and fresh. The dessert menu is a good example of this. On our last visit, we shared the apple gateau, which was sweet, savory, tart, and buttery, with a crunch and flakiness. So many flavor layers and textures in my mouth from such a small plate.
The cozy and elevated atmosphere and food at Whisky & Ramen makes an evening feel special, like we really treated ourselves but without pretension or fussiness. Whether ordering a big meal or small plates, we always leave feeling satisfied with the glow of having really enjoyed ourselves.
Cozy in Alaska 