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Jens' Restaurant
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
9 reviews for Jens' Restaurant
If you've ever seen the episode of Family Guy, Chicken Fight number 3, where the Chicken and his wife take Peter out to dinner, the place looks just like Jen's. They even compliment the Halibut! http://www.youtube.com... fast forward to 3:27
You gotta watch it if you've ever been to this place.
Great food, but the place has a weird vibe. I don't know why, I just feel weird. Like I'm in a model apartment or hotel lobby.
We LOVED our meal at Jens. The staff was very attentive - and best yet - didn't give us any attitude because we didn't order alcohol. We were there for our first anniversary and were surprised by the fuss they made over it, but it was good fun (and a cute photo to remember it by).
Our dishes were wonderful, the sauces sublime. The server and bussers were on top of their game. And you can beat the warmth from Jens. Our favorite meal in Anchorage.
I love Jens (the J sounds like a Y). This place has been there for over 18 years now and it's as good as ever. The staff is truly professional, the food reminds me why I pay that much, the decor is tastfull with good artwork and photos and the wine list does not leave you wanting. After 9pm they close the restaurant down and leave open the front for people to chat and mingle. There is occassional dancing and be prepared for loud music, as Jens loves to turn it up and switch out the cd's. Also be reminded that they are closed Sun. and Mon. so you will have to sate your cravings elsewhere during those days.
when you don't mind dropping a wad of cash...
this place is fantastic!
excellent attentive staff
-jalapeno scallops, red deer in blueberry sauce, shrimp pasta-
all tremendously good! but it's a rotating menu so who knows what you're options will be. they're sure to be delicious, tho.
they have always had a mushroom appetizer which is so good!
great selection of wines and ports
someone specials birthday coming up? let Jens or his staff know. they'll make it an extra special evening
This happens to be my parent's favorite restaurant and after years of the talking it up, I finally went. I wasn't disappointed by the food, but the decor was a little odd--it had a very "hotel" feel to it. I think the waitstaff was the most impressive. My date claims that the sign of a nice restaurant is when they replace your ice tea glass instead of refilling it so the liquid to added sugar ratio isn't thrown off. Not being an ice tea drinker, I have no idea if this is true or not, but Jens did replace his glass each time instead of just refilling. This is an often forgotten restaurant for many because of the location and as I said before, the decor may deter some of the younger crowds.
Ok, being from one of the most diverse cities in the world, San Francisco I can't give this place 5 stars but it was pretty darn good considering. The owner/host Jen (pronounced Yhen...I think) is the nicest and warmest host you could ask for, without being overly talkative. Since I was alone he was nice enough to offer me magazines to read.
I started off with the "Chicken liver and pork pate, mousse style with truffles served with braised red cabbage and onion marmalade." This was pretty good. Less gamey than a pre-packaged pate you might buy from the grocery store, but not quite as mousse-esque as I had hoped. I had a chicken liver mousse from Range Restaurant in SF on Valencia and that was TO DIE FOR...but i digress. The most intersting thing about this plate were the items that came with the pate. I received my slice of pate upon a gelee of a fruit preserve of some sort. I don't know if this was done for flavor or to add color but the pairing was intersting nonetheless. It came with braised red cabbage which had a bit of an asian flavor to it, maybe sweet rice vinegar and sesame oil? Caramalized onions (the menu said marmalade) which were very tasty. A green salad atop two endive leaves with sliced AND slivered cucumbers and sliced red onion with a strange and somewhat potent miso/dijon dressing. There were two mini gherkins, which were delicious by the way, because I usually hate anything pickled. It was an interesting grouping by the chef to say the least. I happen to enjoy very intense flavors so this plate suited me fine.
I moved on to a ceasar salad that touted that it was "their" version of the ceasar that uses raw egg. I can tell you that my mother makes a killer ceasar with real coddled egg and this salad came nowhere close to being as good. They used what seemed to be packaged shredded paremsean, and way too much might I add. The croutons were too salty and the dressing looked like a creamy dressing but had absolutely no taste. I was tempted to add salt or ask the waiter for a lemon but I didn't want to insult the owner.
The entree I chose was the "Alaskan Halibut meunier, sauteed with mushrooms and a touch of garlic in a white wine beurre blanc." This made up for everything else!
I have had three dinners since I have been in Alaska, the halibut is fresh right now, so every night I have ordered halibut. This was by far the best prepared halibut of all three nights. The beurre blanc sauce was absolutely devastating. It came with the most perfectly cooked individual stalk of asparagus, yes unfortunately you only get one. Large sauteed slices of carrot that were maybe sauteed in a brandy. A piece of baked camote (sweet yam), a huge chunk of broccoli and a buttered basmati or long grain rice.
Again the collection of items a bit interesting but I like that the chef/owner keeps it exciting. Definitely great for foodies with ADHD.
The place is a bit hard to find because it is in a strip mall. And yes, the interior is a little lackluster but who cares. The dining room is clean and comfortable, has good food and most importantly the bathrooms are spotless. BTW that is a true sign that they run a clean ship, when the bathrooms are kept clean and tidy at all times.
The older waiter is really sweet. Even though he wasn't my server he replaced the candled that ran out of wick, he refilled my water constantly, bussed my plates at times, cleaned my table and offered me dessert. I hope that he got part of the tip because he is great!
Took my Danish in-laws there, it was pretty good.
the decor....well its a teal and mauve palace. the art work isn't my taste, the music not what i prefer, mustang sally 4 times a night. i do like the wooden wine boxes on the wall, but people go to jens for the excellent food, supurb service, and the eclectic and always fun crowd. the wine by the glass is quite good, but a bit pricey. i will continue to spend my hard earned money at jens because he is a fun crazy dane, and he is a damn good chef.
I would give the food here 5 stars but the decor and location bring it down from perfection in my eyes. If you dont mind some cheesy art and some bad music while you eat excellent food then you shouldn't miss this place in Anchorage....The wait staff was perfect and the sauces are really good. A culinary treat!
