Eat Arkansas

I am completely pumped about Alaska -- and enjoying your dispatches very much!

I'm thrilled enough for at least a dozen readers, so I'm doing my part.

Thanks, Kelly. I really appreciate that. I know that pictures never do a place justice, but it really is a wild, special place. And there seem to be few of them left, which is why it matters so very, very much.

Those fish and chips look great! Can you get decent fish and chips in Little Rock?

Somehow you managed to get a photo of something very rare in Alaska from what I hear.....Females! ;)

Food Dude

Here's my answer on fish and chips: There are places that serve fish and chips, yes, like, what's that place I never go to downtown. The Flying Fish. And some other places, I'm sure. Other readers and contributors on this blog would be better to ask.

I don't eat fish, in fact I refuse to, unless I catch it myself- with a couple of exceptions: raw fish (never salmon) from one particular sushi joint. Almost anything Donnie Ferneau has flown in fresh from the Pacific. I don't do catfish, tilapia or anything else that has the slightest detection of being farm-raised. And YES, I know there are places that don't farm-raise catfish, but I don't care. I hate catfish. You're asking the wrong person. I'm ridiculously particular about the businesses and environmental practices I'm supporting by eating fish. Plus, why pay for fish when you've got a deep freezer chock-full of fresh salmon and halibut that you worked your ass off for?

And on the girls? How observant of you. In places, yes, the pickin's are slim, from what I hear. Depends on what kind of gal you're looking for. We met a guide who landed (pun intended) a serious catch. 6 ft tall, blonde, naturally beautiful AND an incredibly successful fishing guide- one of the best in her region. Girls like that will be sought after aggressively. For obvious reasons, of course.

It's hard to be pumped, when my eyes are filled with jealousy.

The more pcitures and stories the better.

I LOVE Alaska!!! We went to AK on our honeymoon - and I could definitly live there in the summer. Looking forward to more from you.

JenJens, I'm sure you're ultimately likable in person, but you come off as such a hard-ass in your posts.

OK, you've got your standards. But you are rarely happy with ANY place in town save Ferneau and 2-3 others. Frankly, it's hard not to sense a heavy tone of condescension in your posts. (Can hardly wait for your reply, knowing you'll talk down to me -- again.)

So ... you never go to Flying Fish? Then you're missing the greatest gumbo I've ever had outside New Orleans. Feasted on a bowl last night. Ink-black roux, plenty of plump, not over-cooked shrimp, spiced just right, not overly okraed. With lots of other good stuff in there, too.

But Flying Fish does NOT serve fish and chips. It serves cornmeal-battered catfish and fries. Fish and chips takes a totally different batter, a totally different fish. And it can be found -- in pretty decent order -- at Creegan's in Argenta.

For those that care, you can get you fix for Halibut Fish & Chips (Malt Vinegar available) and Hot Crab & Artichoke Dip at Mickie's Bluefish Grill in Conway (formerly known as Joey's).

mickiesbluefish.com

Big Fun - -

I stand corrected. About the non-existent fish and chips at Flying Fish. Thank you for pointing that out to me.

And you're right, I have my reasons for rarely eating out, which is why I cook at home. All the time.

I am pretty particular, no- very particular about food. I'm sorry you think I'm a "hard-ass"- and in spite of being born and raised in the south, I find southern fare to be my least favorite of all regional cuisines. That's just an opinion. My opinion. And I am opinionated. About everything. And I think that's okay.

Thus the reason I suggested to Food Dude that as far as fish and chips are concerned, he should be asking someone else ("You're asking the wrong person").

That gumbo sounds great. I like your inky description. That sounds very appropriate for a good gumbo. Cheers to you for being straightforward. I appreciate that in people.

JenJens is an ultimately likable person! I will so attest, Big Fun. A lot of the discussions of restaurants on the blog, though, focus around similar themed restaurants or cuisine. "Comfort food" for me involves pasta and red sauce, but we get a lot of places that do a deep fried comfort food trend. It also may go to a disappointment in finding inventive and new restaurants instead of concepts we have seen so many times before.

I am also not a big fan of catfish, fried or otherwise. Just a preference, but that gumbo sounds fantastic. I will keep that in mind if I head towards The Flying Fish soon.

As for Fish and Chips ... I am still searching for the right one! Creegans was passable, but ultimately not something to write home about. The Bangers and Mash was actually more memorable in my opinion. The Underground Pub has perfectly acceptable Fish & Chips, but they don't seem to be as crisp as they once were.
I am not sure there are any whiz-bang spots for fish and chips in the city right now.

Love the pictures JenJens. The dip does look amazing and Malt Vinegar is a required condiment when I have even mediocre fish and chips! Fast Food fish and chips becomes not only palatable but enjoyable for me with Malt vinegar!

Jennie,

I'm not a meat eater myself, however I'm a definite lover of beautiful places. I've often heard Alaska is stunning and your pictures confirm this rumor as true. Adding it to my list of must visit locations. Plus, I'm nocturnal and AK offers extra night.

PS- these dishes look yummy! If I were a meateater...

Mrs. Down and I stayed at the Land's End a few years ago and ate a couple of meals there. Halibut fush and chups is easy to make with a beer batter.

I've also had King Crab Enchiladas and Halibut Tacos on the Homer Spit.

I'd be willing to share my recipes for halibut and salmon bisque and Squaw Candy smoked salmon.