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Orso

(907) 222-3232

Downtown
737 W 5th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
www.orsoalaska.com

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Critic reviews for Orso

3923 Frommer's rated it Very Highly Recommended
This restaurant is unique in Anchorage for serving interesting food even though it is large and oriented to the...  
full review | all Frommer's reviews
3925 Mobil Travel Guide rated it 2 stars
Few, if any, restaurants in Anchorage can rival Ristorante Orso for unique atmosphere and bold continental flair...  
full review | all Mobil Travel Guide reviews

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User reviews of Orso

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Phone mobile review by Thuy (3 reviews)
November 16, 2009 - Likes it - Service wasn't impressive but the food was! Better than the brewhouse for sure.

Recommend this review

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"The Best Italian in ANC" by Scribe (4 reviews)
November 09, 2009 - They claim they're not Italian, but they have the best Italian wine list in town (and they keep their wines temperature controlled- so very few ANC restaurants understand this concept). Food is consistently good. As far as all the complaints below about table waits, they take reservations people. They're even on opentable.com.

Recommend this review

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"Our favorite" by JK0929 (2 reviews)
November 08, 2009 - Likes it - My boyfriend and I always do our date nights here. This place never lets us down.

Recommend this review

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"Cute place.." by KillEmDirty (7 reviews)
October 14, 2009 - Likes it - The food is great but I wasn't a big fan of our waitress.. She seemed kind of snotty and wasn't very personable.

Recommend this review

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Phone mobile review by Mctuffington (38 reviews)
September 05, 2009 - Likes it - Yeah the price is high but the food is great.

Recommend this review

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Phone mobile review by Doug Smith (1 review)
August 30, 2009 - Likes it - Have to allow a lot of time, but had some awesome fresh Local oysters on the half-shell and halibut to die for.

Recommend this review

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"For lunch..." by Jim C. (32 reviews)
August 24, 2009 - Likes it - Only been here a few times for lunch, mostly with a big group, to celebrate some occasion at work. Each time, the service was very accomodating, and the food good. Usually at these events, time is of the essence, and they didn't seem to disappoint, or get the orders wrong.

Recommend this review

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"Great copper river!" by pdxfoodie (27 reviews)
August 18, 2009 - Likes it - Copper river salmon at it's best! tried a number of smaller dishes and was pleased with everything. The only down side was the cost. Dinner for one was $75.

Recommend this review

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"Never been overly exciting" by Liz (12 reviews)
August 15, 2009 - Doesn't like it - It's okay. The food is expensive. The menu can be interesting. I've never suggested going there, but have gone when others were chosing. It's just not that special in my opinion.

Recommend this review

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"Great Deal" by JoannaJones (4 reviews)
July 05, 2009 - Downtown location in Anchorage -see phone-book for address and phone number.
It reminded me of a small restaurant in Italy, with cooking in plain view. I tested it then, was impressed with the quality and low prices. The prices have gone up a bit, but the value is still there, compared to other similar places serving the same food at much higher prices. Pastas are especially good, and unbeatably low-priced.
They use fresh tomatoes and extra-virgin olive oil, garlic & basil in many dishes. Soup of day, cup or mixed salad is a good choice.

Recommend this review

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Phone mobile review by Matthew Schinnell (3 reviews)
June 22, 2009 - Doesn't like it - Service was slow. Food was so-so. Seemed like the chefs and owners spent too much time watching the Food Network.

Recommend this review

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"Consistent food but slow service" by Chocolate Lover AK (7 reviews)
April 29, 2009 - Likes it - This place has been hit and miss for my husband and I. The service has never been stellar. Sometimes acceptable and other times a bit on the slow side. Also, hard water stains and spots on my wine glass. Really? I just paid $9 for a glass of wine that your waiter suggested to me and you give it to me in a glass that has spots on it and smells like wet dog? At least the server was apologetic about it.
The food, however, has really improved lately. I would think that his has something to do with the addition of local superstar chef Rob Kineen (of Noble's Diner fame). Good hire there.
Also, though he won't admit it and tries to hide it, my husband is always gawking at all of the beautiful young ladies that this place manages to round up for employment.
Another plus about this restaurant: Great fresh Alaskan seafood in the summer. Fresh salmon plucked from water and on your plate within 24 hours usually (according to our waiter). Good to see local restaurants capitalizing on regional ingredients. Especially a larger restaurant such as Orso.

1 person likes this review Recommend

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Phone mobile review by Vickie Miller (2 reviews)
April 16, 2009 - Likes it - Best creme brûlée ever. Very different from the usual dull custard. Great seafood and the fried ravioli is divine. Definitely our "go to" date place.

Recommend this review

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"Relaxing atmoshere" by Alaskankingalex (34 reviews)
March 26, 2009 - Likes it - Orso is a nice quite and pleasant place for dinner; good for dates. Menu is selective but a little pricy. The Semolina Crusted Calamari is quite tasty and the Smoke Salmon Chowder is delicious; good for sharing. I highly recommend the Alaska Wild Salmon and the Lamb Osso Buco; both with great flavor.

1 person likes this review Recommend

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"Our favorite couple spot" by James Jones (9 reviews)
March 19, 2009 - Likes it - Our first time we didn't know what type of place it was. The family walked in after a day of exploring D/T and they treated us with excellent service and great food. We've been back several times (just the two of us) and always enjoy the meal and service.

Recommend this review

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"not bad food, but service could be better" by Steve P. (3 reviews)
March 02, 2009 - orso is a decent restaurant and much better than the brewhouse which is apparently owned by the same people. sometimes the service is a little slow but overall is a good place.

Recommend this review

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"Date Night" by Traci Casey (4 reviews)
January 28, 2009 - Likes it - My roommate Mary and I decided to do a nice date night to Orso's on New Year's Eve. It was a great time and we both enjoyed the food and service. I'd recommend them to anyone who wants to have a nice time at a nice place!

2 people like this review Recommend

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"Very nice" by Matthew (3 reviews)
January 16, 2009 - Likes it - I had the Chicken Parmesan once and the Tuscan Chicken Fettuccine the next, I cannot tell you which one is better, they both rocked.

Recommend this review

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"Atmosphere and ???" by Skot (10 reviews)
January 09, 2009 - Doesn't like it - Great setting, too bad staff and owners can't follow through.
3 visits now (1 to bar and 2 to restaurant) and not impressed. Both restaurant visits were marred initially by host's inability to manage customers. We waited over
30 minutes for a table for two when host initially told us less than ten minutes and then kept us going 5 minutes at a time.
Food was good but not worth premium paid for it. Waiter and waitress both seemed saturated with tables and as a result forgot things like appetizer order, drink orders and maybe our dinner order on another occasion. (the restaurant ended up comping our appetizer that visit).
3 visits in 2 years with similar results ends up in no more attempts for me.

6 people like this review Recommend

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"Great Place / Outstanding Bar / Super Ribeye" by Ben (1 review)
December 26, 2008 - Likes it - Found this restaurant on my last visit up to Anchorage, didn't know that it was part of the same company that owns Glacier BrewHouse. Right next to each other, connected by a hallway with a couple of nice gift shops. The bar is outstanding and the food I tried was worth going back for many times. I started with a Caprese salad and the tomatoes were very ripe and flavorful, mozzarella was tasty and the basil/olive oil was just right. Ended up having the Pepper Crusted Rib Eye, ordered medium rare and it came out perfect. What a great steak and what a great place. I was dining alone and had a great time at the bar people watching and chatting with the bartenders.

1 person likes this review Recommend

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"Delicious as Usual" by lmgives (3 reviews)
December 14, 2008 - Likes it - The food and service is fantastic. I love how they change the menu but keep the basics and their wine/bar service is amazing-definitely one of the best in town. The menu offers reasonably priced food as well as high end pricey meals. The bar menu is just as good too!

1 person likes this review Recommend

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"Gave them 2 chances" by brian (3 reviews)
November 12, 2008 - Doesn't like it - My wife and I never found anything very tasty at this place and the prices made it that much more disappointing. Great atmosphere though.

3 people like this review Recommend

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"Great food and wine." by MatRat (8 reviews)
November 11, 2008 - Likes it - Orso provides excellent food combined with one of the better wine selections in Anchorage. Ask for Chad (the wine sommelier) for personalized assistance in making a selection. Of course there is always good beer from Glacier BrewHouse for the beer drinkers, and happy hours (before 6:00pm weekdays) nets you excellent, inexpensive H'ordeuvres in the bar.

Recommend this review

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"Amazing" by Broccoli (39 reviews)
November 06, 2008 - Really likes it - Fresh taste of food in Anchorage.  Mediterranean cuisine at it's finest.  Always a good dining experience.  On my top 5 places for date night.

Recommend this review

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