By Paddy Notar
Turnagain Times Correspondent

The Acai berry has been around as long as mankind. It’s from Brazil and legend has it that people there stumbled upon it by accident. There was a well in a small town that all of the villagers got their water from. Over the well was a tree that held the Acai berry on its limbs. When the berry was ripe it fell off of the tree and into the well. The people who drank the well water started to realize that they felt better, their hair wasn’t turning gray, and that the entire village’s attitude was more positive and everyone was nice.

Now this berry of positive thinking and wellness can be found in Girdwood courtesy of C.J. von Imhof. You know his dad, Chris, he was the Chief Executive at Alyeska Resort before it was bought out a few years ago.

C.J. opened in Girdwood July 28 behind Jack Sprat and is testing the market for one month to see what kind of response he gets, but it should be a perfect fit for the local crowd and visitors. He opened a location in Anchorage, Acai Alaska, about six months ago, offering shots of Acai juice as well as bowls and smoothies.

His Girdwood location is in a parking area behind Jack Sprat on Olympic Mountain Loop Road in a large tent with Tiki Torches lit out in front to create a nice Hawaiian feel, which is where C.J. discovered the Acai Bowl.

You can enjoy pre-made servings of the Acai Bowl at his Girdwood location. The Acai Bowls are not desserts, but a good, healthy meal that you can have at any time of the day, and they are BIG bowls, loaded with extra good things like chunks of mangos, coconut shavings, dried cranberry, strawberries, whatever you want—there’s a long list of toppings to choose from.

I had the pipleline bowl. The ingredients were banana, hemp seeds, granola, raisins, almond and honey. It all goes on top of the berry and is $5.25. for a small one. The small is big, and I had to share it with another person. At his Anchorage location (750 W. Dimond Blvd.) you can also order wrap sandwiches. The Garden Wrap has fresh spinach, sprouts, cucumber, roasted red pepper and dried tomatoes. That’s a great deal. And it’s only $6 for a Garden Wrap and $6.75 for a Mt Redoubt Wrap.

If you’re not looking for the fountain of youth and, instead, feeling like a brick-oven meal then run to the Firetap Alehouse Restaurant in South Anchorage at the corner of O’Malley and the Old Seward Highway (across from Lowes). Jack Lewis, one of the co-owners, has created a menu that is just delicious. I’ve already talked about the meatball sub in another issue, but I didn’t get to talk about the meat-lovers pizza: sausage, Italian ham, pepperoni, and a few other meats. Wow! Brick-oven pizza, crunchy crust, a great tomato sauce, and high quality cheese and meats. You couldn’t ask for more. The Firetap has a look to it that is very modern. The open, brick oven stove sits nicely behind the bar. Sandwiches and pizzas are shoveled in by the old wood spachela. The Firetap has a great wine selection, full-service bar with a ton of tap beers, and a great selection of microbreweries, and a staff that smiles. Jack and Diane Thompson, the restaurant manager, have put together a very nice grill and pub with some finer foods, especially the Italian part of the menu. South Anchorage is becoming the in-place to go out.

Of course, don’t forget to hit O’Brady’s if you’re in the Carr’s Huffman Plaza. I had no idea they have their own homemade potato chips. Will, the bartender, gave me some with my sandwich. They’re an absolute must with a nice Pilsner. Mo, the owner, has added Brie and baguette to his expanding menu. There’s no place, I know of, that sells top sirloin skewers for under $6. You get three huge pieces of choice beef with onions and peppers, a side of rice, and a tangy dipping sauce for under $6. That’s less than a fast food restaurant meal. And it’s delectable.

Don’t forget to check out the Brown Bear this weekend. It’s reunion Friday. All of the locals and friends come in to enjoy regular priced drinks and food, no music, and an irritable staff. It makes no difference, though. It’s the Brown Bear. The only bar with a floor that’s made from petrified wood. Or it’s just been there that long. Make sure you get the deluxe cheeseburger. They put their own spices on it and cook it to your desired temperature. Really good. The Buffalo Brat is the most affordable hangover food in the world and goes great with a Bloody Mary. Don’t forget to toast Mitchy, the Brown Bear softball coach, who broke his leg and is in recovery. Everyone wishes him well. And remember that the Brown Bear has a nice outdoor venue for any parties or concerts you’re looking to put on. Being outside and listening to music is always a good time.

Speaking of outside, check out Good Daze on Aug. 6 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Silvertip Grill, downtown Girdwood. I missed the Reggae show this past weekend. I’m still upset about it. Jud has a great little backyard in Girdwood to watch events. His sliders are the perfect size. Food in one hand and a beverage in the other. Keep it simple and kick back under the summer sky. I like his thinking.

Hopefully, we can salvage some sort of summer. If not, just hang out at Chair 5 and enjoy a single malt scotch. It goes good with this type of weather. Tell Gretchen Paddy said ‘hello’, and she’ll invite you over to watch Project Runway.

Just so you know, a new Wells Fargo ATM machine has been installed at Alyeska on the first floor of the hotel across from the tram ticket office. Now you can deposit money locally for the first time in the history of Girdwood.