By Paddy Notar
Turnagain Times Correspondent

First things first. Last issue, I said Bob was a great bartender from the Bradley House. There is no Bob at the Bradley house. Scott and Kelly are the other bartenders, and I was mistaken. If Bob the bartender is out there, you're not great. I made a mistake. So, get off your high horse and get back to being just okay.

So I hopped in my car and headed to the Brown Bear. What a great place. It's so refreshing to see Matty walk around as he tries to figure out which person didn't get the drink they ordered while Sarah sits close to her high school sweetheart. It makes no difference, though. It's the Brown Bear where the men are men and the women are welders. Quite possibly the best bar in America. And I've been to 13. The burgers are incredible and affordable. Only $5.25 for fresh ground beef from the best steak guy in town. Sarah's Bloody Mary's are as spicy as she is and a must have after a rough night. The Brown Bear has their summer festival coming up in June and it's always a blast. Don't miss it. I'll let you know the line-up.

I hit the road again and headed home. As I got on Alyeska Highway, I decided to pop into Maxine's and talk to Amara. She told me that on Friday, May 21, Andy Mullen was playing from 8-11 p.m. Saturday, May 22, Nanaka is highlighting from 8-11 p.m. Friday, May 28, is Rick Brooks from 8-11 p.m. Saturday, May 29, David Reynolds plays. Guess what time? You got it. 8-11 p.m.

As Amara instructed me, there is never a cover charge for the 8-11 p.m. shows. By the way, on Thursday, May 27, there's a “Babes in the Woods” fashion show with Shelly Lynn. Sounds interesting. It's from 6-11 p.m. Get there early and try the Korean style short ribs. Just a perfect glaze and the side of kim chi and macaroni salad, yes, macaroni salad is a great compliment. The salad is creamy and goes great with the pickling flavors of the kim chi. It's always nice to see a bartender who is attentive and welcoming.

The quick write up about Spike, from Chair 5, buying the best pepperoni, was lost amongst the accolades that I mentioned for other places. I apologize. Chair 5 isn't just a pizza joint. Spike has incredible Iowa ribeye steaks that are dry aged on the premises. Get it medium rare and blackened. Alex does a great job running the kitchen. I'll be doing a larger write up on Chair 5 in the next issue and getting much deeper into detail about offerings on their menu. Hopefully, by then, Gretchen will have forgiven me.

Back in the car and off to Jack Sprat. They have a new chef. His name is Reuben Gerber and he is the next big thing around here. He hails from Southern California. A man who worked at such places as the St. Regis Hotel and studied in Paris and Italy. Franz, the owner of Sprat, had been talking to Reuben for several months, trying to get him to come up here, but also to make sure the fit was right for everyone. After tasting the Asparagus and Leek soup, I can tell you that it is. The soup is made with all organic vegetables as is just about everything else on the menu. Sprat still has that Mediterranean flair but some new dishes with hints of Reuben's Southern California influence.

Take the short ribs for example. They're simply braised for seven hours in a demi-glaise with accents of cabernet wine. He then puts together a quick, fresh, red cabbage slaw to rest the short rib on and serves with bok choy. The whole dish is very simple, refreshing, and just incredible to eat. It just melts in your mouth.

The menu at Jack Sprat lets the fresh, organic ingredients speak for themselves. Reuben is also very relaxed, in the open kitchen, as he leads the staff in getting out the dishes on a recent busy Friday when I visited. Most places look chaotic during the dinner rush, but Reuben had time to talk with me, as I went over the samplings, while keeping a watchful eye on orders that were going out.

As of June 1, the menu will change. There will be chef tastings that will include three to four different items, whatever is fresh from local farmers. Having had just a tasting of how Jack Sprat has evolved, I can hardly wait to get back there for more. You should too. You won't be disappointed.

I asked Reuben what he'd like his last meal to be and where. He answered, “In Paris and something from my own kitchen.”

I've been to the Silvertip twice and they're selling a lot of sliders. The most recent is the Philly cheese steak for $4.50. A real nice size for the price and just plain tasty. Two of those and you're set for a while. Jud also has a nice selection of wines. Something that gets overlooked by many people. Give one of his reds a try as you chow down on the Philly.

The Silver Tip music venue features on Friday, May 21, Iya Ites, starting at 9 p.m. There's a $5 cover and the party will be in the backyard. This Saturday, May 22, is the Challenge Alaska Benefit featuring Scout and the Harmonica Guy. Jud is also working on getting a few others to join in. The show starts at 8 p.m. Be sure to stop by and show your support.

On Saturday, May 29, it's the Reggae Jump Off Part 2. R&R will be there as well as Ras Jah Real. Special appearances by DJ Dangerous, DJ Papa Leone and DJ Echo. Wow. That's a DJ for every square mile of Girdwood. The show goes from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $5 in advance or $8 at the door.

People have been heading down to the Seaview Café for some great music and good times. Go down early to get a camping spot and kick back on the deck with some food and drink. Renna never disappoints her customers. It's always fun at the Seaview.

On Thursday, May 20, at the Seaview it's Jam Night with Andy Mullen starting at 7 p.m. John Carpenter will perform Friday, May 21, from 7 - 11 p.m. Come by on Saturday, May 22 to check out Ice Jam with Sandy and Woody at 7 p.m. On Thursday, May 27, it's Jam Night again with Andy at 7 p.m. Diane Hall is playing on Friday, May 28 starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 29, will be announced as Renna had a late cancellation. If I need to, I can always go down and jam out with my spoons.

The Sitzmark will feature the Eric McFadden Trio performing this Memorial Day weekend. McFadden, a San Francisco Bay Area musician, has been described as “an absolutely wicked 6-string maestro.” Showtime is at 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30. Tickets are $10.

I can't stop thinking about a medium rare filet at the Double Musky with béarnaise sauce and a loaded mash potato to top it off. It's one of those meals that you think about when you seek complete comfort. Slowly cutting into the filet and smearing the slice into the sauce. And then tasting that incredible char as you bite into it. For dessert, I like to get the lobster tails.

There are a lot of local shops and artisans that I'll need to discuss in the next issue as well as the best burrito and why Casa Del Sol's owns the rights to it. Enjoy the weather, watch your driving, and don't step on any tourists.