Our trip starts in Girdwood, an hour away from the Anchorage airport along one of the most beautiful seaside roads in the U.S. After waking up at the Alyeska Resort and spending the day hiking Virgin Falls Trial and then a walk around town, sitting down for a meal at Jack Sprat rounded out an already lovely day with a fantastic meal. Jack Sprat is known for it's “Fat and Lean” menu, offering healthy spins on classic comforts from the East and West. I highly recommend the Bibimbop—the meaty flavor of the shaved pork with the fresh taste of green onion and bean sprouts and the crispness of the kimchi all come together to make a nice warming meal that satisfies after a long day of adventure.

The next morning, from there, we traveled back into Anchorage to get breakfast at South Restaurant + Coffeehouse. South has to be my favorite place to eat in all of Anchorage. Their menu provides nutritious and hearty meals for both the foodie and the health conscious, using the healthiest, freshest ingredients and making everything from scratch. I would recommend the Mediterranean Bowl, a mixed-greens salad complimented with farro, fresh veggies, roasted red pepper, olives, pickled onions, tzatziki, and tahini dressing with two marinated chicken skewers and warmed pita on the side. Saving your morning appetite to swing back into Anchorage for this is beyond worth it, in my book.

After eating, we decided it was time to take the long stretch of our journey out to Valdez, which is about five and a half hours from Anchorage. Since this trip is a long-haul, we decided to also pick up some Death by Bacon sandwiches from South’s Grab-n-Go counter in their coffeehouse on the way out. My husband and I are still talking about these sandwiches! Bacon and eggs are paired with cheddar cheese, arugula, and maple bacon aioli on sourdough to create the perfect on-the-road meal for our trek.

When our beautiful journey on the Richardson Highway was coming to a head in stunning Valdez, we were ready to throw down some food and watch the sun set on the harbor. We decided to do both at the same time at The Fat Mermaid. This place is quaint and filled with character, and being able to enjoy your food with a great view of the harbor and surrounding mountains took our meal to the next level. I highly recommend the Red Salmon Basket to get that classic, comforting Alaskan flavor of grilled salmon, paired with crunchy fresh coleslaw and crispy hot French fries.

My tip: In between Anchorage and Valdez, stop at a local coffee hut like Jitter’s in Eagle River, or Milk + Honey just off the highway in Wasilla. For an energy boost, try a Lotus!

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