Came in for an end of the day meal. After all the pricey but mediocre meals we had in Fairbanks before I was a bit skeptical. Being advised by a local visitor center worker that Lavelle's was upscale dining tempered my concern, but I still was not convinced. I was converted when I saw a filet mignon pass by our table. It looked great. Our lobster cakes appetizer for $16 consisted of two good sized cakes which were delicious. The duck salad for $18 had a plentiful portion of crispy skinned duck with a nice pink center. The wait staff was attentive and well trained. They refilled my drink and brought additional bread without asking. An excellent end to a nice day in Fairbanks.
(4)
Jelani A.
Not worth the expense unless you're trying to impress a date or your parents. Who does that anymore?
(3)
Brian S.
OK, So dinner at 11pm ....it is light out. Weird. Anywho, I have not seen lobster cakes on any menu ever. Here they have them. Second on my list of favorite things to eat are cakes ...crab cakes, tuna cakes, salmon cakes, fish cakes, black bean cakes and tamale cakes ...of all cakes, these lobster cakes take the cake! Literally these were the best cakes I have ever had. They were light, flavorful, perfectly seared and delicious. The seared Ahi was equally as enjoyable.
(5)
Borislava I.
May be one of my favourite restaurants in town, since I am not a big fan of the typical American food (sandwiches,burgers, french fries) and prefer healthier menu. There one can find good seafood and variety of salads, as well as great lamb racks and prime rib. In addition they have special menu every month. I really like french onion soup, the halibut,grilled shrimp spinach salad and Teresa salad...The prices are as one can expect for an upscale restaurant. Make sure you DO have reservation as it is always busy, especially for dinner! You will be welcomed with bread and butter :)
(5)
Lloyd W.
Lavells is about as fancy as Fairbanks gets. A great place for a dinner date, bottle of wine, and great food. The steak was cooked very well, and the risotto was very rich and delicious. The only thing keeping it from a 5-star for me was price. It is a bit expensive...but worth it!
(4)
Moira M.
When we want a special night out, we go to Lavelle's! The quality of the food, especially the rack of lamb and the filet mignon, is fantastic. The portions always have me taking some home for the next day...an extra treat:-) And the wine selection is phenomenal, as are the specialty drinks. So happy to have a fine dining establishment in Fairbanks...especially since we are from D.C. & are rather picky about restaurants;-)
(4)
Roger M.
Clearly at the top end of Fairbanks eateries. Our party of six all enjoyed our dinners, which ranged from Halibut, Rib-eye steak, and a pork chop. Toss in a pizza and pot-stickers, and we pretty well stuffed ourselves. Entrees also come with a salad or soup. The restaurant has a modern look, and the vibe is upscale. My three issues with the experience was that the kitchen was quite slow, my salad had a fair amount of wilted lettuce, and pricing is pretty aggressive. On balance Lavelle's is above average.
(4)
Andrew H.
Let's start out with what I liked: Ambiance: wow, fancy! Darkly lit, everyone dressed up (as dressed up as you can be for Fairbanks), feels classy...especially for a hotel restaurant. I'm not usually into places like this, but it's December and there's snow on the ground, it just feels right. The food: was pretty good. I got the rockfish special, it wasn't amazing but it was tasty. A little spendy for around $30. Three-star experience so far... But...the beer. The options weren't all that great on tap, no IPA. No biggie, I can work with that. I asked what IPA's they had in bottles and the bartender rattled off 4. I went with the Widmer IPA (which I've had many times, and enjoy). Something was off. Something was really off. I remember liking Widmer IPA but this beer was just thin. Oh so thin, and metallic. I just don't remember the beer tasting like this. It was like abrasive hop-water. I get the tab and I see "Omission IPA" listed as the beer I got. Huh. I asked the bar tender (different one than the one that poured it for me) about it and he confirmed that it was Omission IPA and that "we don't carry Widmer IPA, they are all the same price though." Me (uncharacteristically brusk): "Yeah, Omission IPA is a gluten-free beer, no wonder it tasted like shit." Bartender: "Yeah, sorry about that, you weren't charged more for it though." Service industry 101: this is the part where you COMP THE BEER. You might be thinking: "What's the big deal?" Well, I'll tell you what the big deal is. This isn't like ordering a Bud Light and someone accidentally brings you a Miller Lite. This is like ordering a pizza and getting a pizza with vegan "cheese". This is like ordering a steak and getting a field roast. This is like ordering chicken curry and getting tofu curry. It's wrong. Beer without gluten tastes odd, it has no soul. If it were just a different brand of IPA I wouldn't have any problem, but this was so much more. I used to think this Gluten-free pseudoscience fad was harmless, but now: it's personal.
(2)
Loren R.
Hmmmm, To review on the national standard. Or the Fairbanks standard. Fairbanks 5 stars. National 3 stars. After two meals on three days, "I thought I'd give them a second chance. " The good: Service, Homemade dressings, Cold beer in chilled glasses. Vegetables crisp yet cooked to perfection. Mixed drinks NOT from a mix. The not so good. I've learned. The best steak is in Omaha I made the mistake of ordering a ribeye here and left 1/2 of the meat chewed to grissle on my plate. Shame on me for violating the rule if distance to hoof. Don't order halibut in Florida. Don't order meat in Fairbanks. Lavelles is no different. I expected a better cut considering the price and got a tough miserable chewey experience. Fool me once..... My salmon , the second day. C'mon it's Alaska...... It had great flavor, sauce was good, but Considering the attempt to keep the salmon from being overcooked by crusting it in potato....FAIL. It was overcooked. Slightly dry and chewy. I expected better from this high end fairbanks place. If you want the best fairbanks has to offer: EAT HERE. I'll come back many times. If you are from out of state and expect the same from other states. Don't! You'll have a better experience if you don't have high star expectations. It's fairbanks. The cows and food travel far. Welcome to our culinary best. Please appreciate it. We try.
(3)
Michelle S.
Seeking some A/C after a day outside at the Midnight Sun festival, we ducked into Lavelle's Bistro. I was surprised to find that it really wasn't all that cool but it was better than sitting outside in the sun. I chose to get the Haddock special which was seared, coriander crusted haddock served with green beans and risotto. The fish was good, seasoned well (if not a bit too much salt) but a bit tough and chewy from the sear. The risotto was stringy and quite bland and the green beans a bit over cooked. My partner got the potato encrusted salmon served with the same green beans. The potato was a hash brown type, shredded potato which we weren't expecting. We both assumed mashed potatoes so it was a bit of a surprise. The very top layer of the potatoes were browned and crunchy but just under that was starchy, dense, crunchy potatoes from that were almost raw. She scraped off the potatoes and ate the salmon but even it had an odd consistency. We both enjoyed the caesar salad served with dinner. We left a bit disappointed for what some said was the best food in Fairbanks.
(2)
Coco K.
Just finished dinner here. According to local, it supposed to be a great restaurant. We ordered king crab legs and it came with a salad, after my Mom ate half of the salad , she found a disgusting fly mixed in with the salad. My poor Mom ran to restroom and empty out her stomach. I showed it to waiter, manager came out after she got the news, she said it's the 2nd time it happened, cause they use local vegetable, even farmer washed it , their kitchen washed it again, it still happens sometimes. Seriously, it was a big fly, not an ant or small bug. I will never eat there again. If you do, make sure check your salad before you take a bite!!!
(1)
Sunshine C.
This is my second time in Fairbanks - and my second time at Lavelles. I am from Southern California and in town for business with Tanana Valley Clinic. The last time I was in town, the CMO took me here for dinner and it was delicious - so with that being said, since i was in town (all alone for my birthday) i wanted to have something delicious - so i came back to Lavelles. It is (in my opinion) the nicest restaurant in Fairbanks... i know i shouldnt type it in that tone - but I travel the nation weekly and I am utterly surprised with the amount of GOOD FOOD i have found in Fairbanks - my experiences with traveling to a smaller, remote town - all you get are fast food joints.... Lavelles is the creme de la creme in Fairbanks. I had the Ribeye with Shallot butter and Gargonzola cheese. It came with a baked potato and green beans. I ordered my Ribeye medium well and it was cooked to perfection. The soup that accompanied my meal was Garlic Chicken and wild rice - that too was delicious. Even their bread and butter was yummy. I ended my meal with a Vanilla Creme Brulee - and told my server it was my birthday... he brought back my creme brulee with a candle. :) Service was superb, and i walked in at 6pm with no reservation and was seated right away. I will return before I leave back to Cali.
(4)
Marissa G.
For the price and appearance at first glance, my expectations were set pretty high. The drink menu was very plain, nothing special; add blue food coloring to my malibu rum and pineapple juice and you have a $9 drink. It took exactly one hour (yes, we actually timed it) for us to get our soup and salad. We sat foodless for a quite some time waiting for someone to remember that we were still eating. Our overpriced and basic dinner sat on the shelf under a heat lamp for some time until our server decided to check if it was his order. The dinner comes with an under baked potato and steamed vegetables which consisted of 6 cauliflower and 1.5 baby carrots. My 36 something dollar prime rib was almost flavorless had I not drowned it in au jus and horseradish. We still can't understand the Nascar cups we got for our drinks, considering the standards this place appears to be attempting. All in all, we were relieved we do not reside in Fairbanks to be stuck with such an overpriced basic meal option. 5 STARS goes to the busser; best guy ever.
(2)
Kashif K.
I've dined at this restaurant innumerable times now, and wish they were open for lunch. Conveniently located inside the Spring Hill Suites, they offer excellent food and service. Here are some of my favorite items: - Potato-crusted sockeye salmon. A filet of the Copper River red salmon baked in a coating of mashed potato, which keeps it moist, tender and flavorful. - Meatloaf. There's something about this meatloaf that I can't put my finger on, but it tastes really good. - Halibut. Fresh from the icy waters, they say. Sounds about right, it does taste very fresh. - Hawaiian sunfish. This is not on their regular menu, but they offer it every now and then as a nightly special. For appetizers (or what they call "prospects"), the lobster cakes, the King crab and artichoke dip and the calamari are great; I think it's really the lemon aioli with the calamari that makes it special for me. The service, both at the bar and regular table service, is courteous and professional. Dining at the bar is often a fun way to interact with the locals. The restaurant is not part of the hotel; they only lease space from the hotel. As such, you cannot charge your meal to your room. Just thought you, dear reader, may want to be aware of that.
(4)
Russell G.
I grew up in Fairbanks, and when Lavelle's Bistro was constructed downtown, I was hoping it would be an excellent restaurant that would give more excitement to the downtown area. It has not disappointed! The challenge of maintaining a five-star restaurant in somewhere like Fairbanks, Alaska is extraordinary. However, the owners of this establishment do a wonderful job. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and displays a breathtaking wine selection. The food is the best, the battered halibut is my favorite. Their is an open line of cooks in front of the dining room, adding to the experience. I highly recommend this place, and no trip to Fairbanks is complete without a visit here.
(5)
Janine P.
The food is amazing and the drinks are really good. I prefer to go to the wine and beer tasting so you get to try a wide variety of their dishes. You pay for the quality you get don't expect a cheap meal here but it's worth the money
(5)
David K.
I had dinner here two nights ago. The service was great and the food was very good. I had the beer battered Halibut as an appetizer and it was cooked to perfection! I've traveled to 48 states and 2 territories, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Poland, Portugal, The Caribbean, and a host of other places. The Halibut (basically fish and chips) here is easily in the top 3 of any place I've ever been. I also had the potato crusted salmon. That was not perfect. It tasted pretty good, but the outside was dry and slightly overcooked and the inside was almost raw. Not a disaster, but not the best it could have been. That's the reason for 4 stars. I've eaten here many times in the past few years and it's a great place. This is one of my "go to" places to dine when I'm in Fairbanks! P.S. -- The wine selection is awesome.
(4)
Lizzy R.
My husband was going on mission and we wanted to have a "see-you-soon" dinner before he left. Lavelle's made it very clear they didn't want us dining there with our son, who is not yet two. We arrived at about 6pm after a long day of work and the host asked us if we had a reservation. A little taken aback, because there were maybe 5 tables seated and considering that Fairbanks isn't exactly New York or Seattle, we said that we didn't. The host said he was very sorry but he had JUST given away the last free table he had and that the next one wasn't available until 8:30 pm. To make it worse, the staff at the front desk of the hotel made snide remarks as we were leaving. Lavelle's needn't worry, because we will not EVER spend money here, even without our son. We went to Bobby's Downtown instead and had a lovely time with great food, and they didn't turn us away because we had our baby with us.
(1)
Omar B.
Came in late and had the pizza. It was one of the only things that was fairly priced. Everything else is way too expensive. Had good service and good beer.
(4)
Lionel B.
It looks like the best dining place of downtown Fairbanks. Atmosphere is that of a proper restaurant, which is hard to find in this town. Quite lively and busy which suggests it is indeed successful. Food looks quite good as far as I could see, I'd list the restaurant as a gastro pub type of place. Good stuff, somehow innovative, but nothing extravagant either. That being said, likely the best choice in town and worth a stop for dinner.
(4)
Jim P.
Went there a second night. Rib-eye fantastic... Squash soup best I ever had. Ahi, meh. Sesame seed crusted is a good idea but I'm used to seared ahi being warm on the outside, cool inside, this was fairly cool/cold all over. Biggest issue was despite it sitting there uneaten for 35 mins nobody asked about how. I liked it. Night one here was 5 stars. Tonight 4. Still probably a top restaurant in Fairbanks. I'd come back.
(4)
Supriya M.
The food was great but this place was pricey! However, they served the most number of lamb chops I have seen in a $40 lamb chop dish - so they didn't skimp there. The food was great and service was spotty but it was an enjoyable night in Fairbanks. We were also glad that this place existed in an otherwise barren city.
(4)
Jim T.
Great place in downtown Fairbanks adjoining the Marriott hotel. It's hard to find a place that's classy and well kept in Fairbanks, but this place is great inside (the best I saw in Fairbanks period). The service and food were also spot on. My favorite was the shrimp cocktail appetizer.
(4)
Jan S.
Dinner with husband. We shared pork belly appetizer, a new experience and very good. Both had the Alaskan halibut entree (macadamia encrusted w/red thai curry sauce), coconut jasmine rice and mixed veggies. To finish off we shared vanilla creme brulee. Everything was delicious. Service was great. Would definitely recommend. (Note: Our total bill was cheaper than dinner last night at Turtle Club, and MUCH MUCH better!!)
(5)
Janie S.
Went with a group of friends twice and both times I have not been impress with the staff. The food is amazing. The ribeye is a hefty serving and always cook just the way you ask for. Their mystery red wine special is enjoyable. For a place that is advertised as being upscale....i was not impressed. But this is Fairbanks so I'll let you make your opinion. It is pricey, but the food will never disappoint!
(3)
Jessica L.
The food was absolutely amazing and we had an awesome waiter. Great atmosphere! I had the half duck and my husband had the N.Y. Strip and they were cooked amazing. Would definitely recommend for a nice night out!
(5)
Voice Of The People S.
Fantastic food, drinks, ambience & employees! The owners have extensive knowledge of wine so if you're a wino you'll appreciate everything they have to offer. My favorites? Blackened prime rib, rocket/bourbon shrimp, black n bleu salad and a big ol glass of red wine. This is Fairbanks most upscale restaurant but as with all places in this town atleast half the people in there at any given time will be wearing blue jeans, so by all means stop in as you are and don't worry about getting dressed up.
(5)
Shawn Y.
I had half a lamb rack, the honey apple glazed halibut, and I tried some of the New York strip steak. The lamb was really good and I'm a not a big lamb fan. The steak was ridiculously good. The price of the steak is about all three items that was named were around 36 dollars each. The place is extremely dark as well.
For the price I expected better. This place is kind of pricy (well maybe not for Alaska, bur for my tastes) and the food wasn't amazing, instead it was quite average. The service was pretty good, so there was that, but for the price I expected more food or better food. I had the Halibut which was decent, but not amazing. The place tries to be upscale or classy based on the food presentation, but the restaurant itself feels more like a casual/hipster place.
(2)
Dolores W.
The pork chop with cranberries & brie on top was wonderful . Sides were included. Portions were large. I am going back tonight.
The fact that I'm writing this review three years later should say something about the place. I don't eat meat. This is the place I got to eat the best salads I've had in my life in the peak of winter in Alaska. The warm red cabbage salad b with walnuts and chevre was what I remember the most. Would go there again, anytime.
(5)
Angela M.
I LOVE Lavelle's. The X-rated vacation drink is delicious and the elderflower drink (cannot remember the name). The best appetizer is the bourbon shrimp in a cheese and brandy fondue. Lamb chops were average, the meatloaf was nothing spetacular (states 25 ingredients, so I had to try), but the banana rum wontons are really good. Overall, I think certain items make or break this place from the reviews. I love the unique drink specials, appetizers and desserts. They are open late on the weekends, but it is a limited menu.
(4)
Crystal B.
Not sure about this place yet. Nice atmosphere inside although the hostess is a bit stuffy, especially if you don't have a reservation. They have a decent wine list and tapas selection. The Brie and Meatloaf were great, and scallops were just slightly over cooked but not grainy which is important. Halibut had a metallic taste, probably from producer or refrigeration in journey. Didn't eat it but not blaming the restaurant. Unfortunately by the time I got my replacement meal, my husband had already finished his dinner and we were just ready to go. We will give this place another try, it's a nice atmosphere and the food has a lot of potential. The owner seems very nice and pleasant and I really appreciated seeing fresh herbs growing on the patio. It's important knowing that restaurants use fresh ingredients as often as possible.
(4)
LJ H.
Superb ambience, professional service, great wine list and their menu is nice and extensive too, something for everyone. I found it most convenient as it is situated on the ground floor of the Springhill Suites by Marriott where I was staying.
(5)
Shivam D.
Great food and service. Ordered the meatloaf, prime rib and filet mignon. Surprisingly everything tastes great. Very rarely you get to go to a restaurant where everything you consume is delicious.
(5)
Mike H.
Fantastic restaurant!!! Great service--had that perfect balance of being there when you need something but not hovering. Prime rib was a 10. Nicest place I've eaten in Fairbanks.
(4)
Pamm H.
I'm reviewing Lavelle's now, close to 3 years later, because my experience since the original post has been exceedingly better! Couple of things to note: 1) My initial comments about the reservations still stand true. 2) Larry now works at the bar most weeknights and he's phenomenal. Very professional and exactly what this place needs. 3) For locals, you already know that the menu doesn't change so stick to the specials. The chef's pasta is usually great. 4) Their "Wine on Wednesdays" tasting is totally cheap and a great way to taste 3 different wines. Don't miss out! And if you don't go on a Wednesday, that's ok but it's all week. 5) They do very well with small groups (under 4) but seem to struggle with large ones (6 or more). The food never seems to come out on time or together or how you actually wanted it. Beware. Overall I still recommend this restaurant. Their wine list is extensive and worth it!
(4)
Ty K.
I've dined at Lavelle's 4 seperate times so this review is based on multiple visits and gives a good insight into the overall performance of Lavelle's. Let's start with parking. Unless your staying in the hotel you will need to park downtown and at times like most anywhere "downtown" it can be tight. Last night I found a place immediately and it's been like that most every time. I have never made reservations and every time I was seated with minutes if not seconds. I imagine if you show up late without a reservation you might have to wait for a table but I've never experienced a wait. The wait staff is professional and attentive again my review is based on 4 visits. The wait staff is consistently professional, competent and timely. The food is spectacular and that's why Lavelle's earned 5 stars. I really like that you can watch the chef's cook - for me it gives me a sense of security seeing what they are doing and how poised and professional they are in the heat of the battle. I recommend getting the meatloaf - its made with 25 ingredients and superb. Overall, Lavelle's delivers time and time again - they are consistently 5 stars!
(5)
Dulcinea S.
I really like lavelle's but they only get 3 stars because I just feel like they could do so much better. I haven't had a problem with service ever when I go there, it's just their prices are a little bit of a problem. The appatizers are priced like dinners and we don't always get the complimentary bread. If you are like me and want your money's worth of this place since its a bit pricey you sometimes have to ask for bread. They have awesome dessert and I love their pastas and prime rib. I just feel it could be a little better for what they charge.
(3)
Scott S.
Yes, reservations are required, however, that's because it's such a popular place...after more than 15-years! It had been 10 or perhaps 12-years since I had been here, but just as wonderful as I had remembered. I enjoyed the Honey, Apple Halibut and a Colorado Double IPA...fantastic. I guarantee you won't find better cuisine or service anywhere else in Fairbanks. They have a great selection of wine, beer, and specialty cocktails.
Love this place... Great atmosphere, friendly and fun crowd and the food was wonderful. We were in town for just 1 day. A bunch of coworkers took us here for some food and beverages and we all shared several platters of their favorites. All were delicious and the service was really helpful and friendly. I had a great time and looking forward to coming back.
(4)
Monica E.
In our very limited experience...the best place to eat in downtown Fairbanks. We arrived on a busy summer solstice evening, without a reservation...and had no problem getting a table for two. The place is very nicely decorated, lively, and our service was great. My husband had the beer battered halibut, and said it was excellent. I had the blackened salmon, which was a bit dry, but very good. Desserts were the cheesecake with berries and the blueberry creme brulee....get the creme bruleee.
(5)
Dennis H.
They have a HUGE wine selection and the food is amazing! I went on valentines day and had the prime rib special and it was cooked to perfection and my wife got the lobster seafood pasta and that was also extraordinary. It has a very nice ambiance and even has a man who plays a piano in the dinning area. Definitely a must try for a fancy date night.
(5)
Wendi G.
For all the places we tried in Fairbanks this was by far the best. Good wine selection and the service was fair. Went with a group of seven and they had no tables so we ended in the bar area. Tried the tuna and blackened shrimp appetizers and both were good. I had a salmon appetizer special as my meal and it was served in a garlic and roasted tomato broth with sourdough and the flavor was fabulous. Others tried the lamb chops, steak, prime rib and said the food was very good. The three stars are really for service as it seemed that our waiter became very distracted and forgot about our table when we were finished appetizers - no water refills, did not come to check on meals, did not bring clean silverware, etc. Final suggestion, make a reservation. They are busy every night as we saw while staying at the Springhill Suites.
(3)
Howard M.
Whie on business we ate at Lavelle's two nights in a row. (There aren't too many other choices). For Fairbanks, the restaurant was very enjoyable. The food was delicious. The portions were very large. The staff was friendly. The first night I had their meatloaf which was pretty good. The second night I had their pasta w/seafood. Also very enjoyable. If I do make it back to Fairbanks, I would dine there again.
(4)
Sean C.
My favorite restaurant in Fairbanks. The food and service is consistently good, and the staff recognize their regular customers which is always nice. My favorite dish is the rack of lamb, and the dinner salads are always a good way to go. Also, the head bartender is excellent.
(5)
Taylor A.
I wasn't expecting such a wonderful restaurant in the frozen-solid city of Fairbanks, AK, so it made my experience that much better. It's Alaska, so you know it's KING CRAB TIME. Plus I was on per diem, so it's game on! I had half an order or King Crab legs for $22, a $5.50 Alaskan Amber, and a chicken caesar for $17. Higher prices than in the lower 48, but still a decent value for a top restaurant in Alaska. Service was great, menu was extensive, and the wine list looked great. You can't go wrong here!
(4)
Anastasia D.
A decent wine selection. I fell in love with baked brie here...granted once I got back to the lower 48, I encountered much better baked brie. I regularly ordered salads that were greatly overpriced. The ambiance was pleasant, but overall, not worth the check at the end of the meal. I have a feeling this is one of those restaurants you have to be an omnivore to appreciate.
(4)
Melissa K.
Looking for a fabulous evening out with friends? Want to treat yourself to delicious wine and a great atmosphere? Lavelle's is the place! The service is excellent and the wine selection is outstanding. Appetizers look delicious on paper but are overpriced and so-so. I hear that the amazing desserts are house-made except for the cheesecake but that may have changed. Calamari is my favorite go-to appetizer but I have been disappointed on several occasions with the calamari at Lavelles's. If you are a calamari fan, please order something else. The calamari ($9.95) arrives lukewarm, the breading is soggy and limp, and overall it is bland. Perhaps try the Chinese potstickers ($11.95) (note to owner: when potstickers are fried, they are called wontons-- potstickers are boiled dumplings) or the King Crab & Artichoke Dip ($14.95) which is good but not outstanding. The complimentary bread is fine-- it is the standard sliced loaf served at mid-range Italian restaurants. Lavelle's is a fun place to hang out with friends-- go for dessert and wine!
(4)
Jose M.
The food is very pricey, especially the main course. But it's also very very large. That has been said, I'm not going to deduct a star from my review, because the food is really good, the drinks are delicious, and the staffs are very friendly. If you want to save your money (just a bit), order two appetizers or side dishes instead of the main course. That also makes it easier to share it with your date too. Also, that doesn't make you look cheap (since you ordered more than one dish) .
(5)
Melissa G.
On our recent trip to Alaska, Lavelle's was going to be our "fine dining" experience. We actually looked for a place such as this and called to find out if they would be open a month in advance! I can't say that it met our expectations. The food was good, but not great. I can't really remember what I ordered. The atmosphere was okay, but if you are not from Alaska you aren't necessarily accustomed to people wearing jeans and a pullover for "fine dining". I think the thing that bothered us most was our waiter though. We couldn't seem to ask him a question. Asking any question about a menu item beyond what was mentioned on the menu itself would be met with an impatience or annoyed confusion. It was like he couldn't understand why we would be asking any questions at all about items on the menu. I'm not sure if I would go back to this place if I were to return to Fairbanks. Probably not.
(3)
Grant T.
Whenever I'm home (usually for Christmas, yes I insanely come to Fairbanks at Christmas) my parents take the family to Lavelle's for dinner. We always have great service, which is a plus, and they have a great wine list. The food can be hit or miss sometimes, but a lot of it is knowing what to order. My mother always gets the french onion soup, and she raves about it. The last time we went, three of us ordered the crispy duck breast special, and it came out served with a very tasty cranberry sauce. I couldn't really fault it too much (except I would have preferred the skin a bit crispier, but the taste was amazing). My sister has the pork chop, and it was my second favorite thing at the place. My nieces got pizza, and they really enjoyed it. They have a nice selection of dessert wines as well. Four different ages of port. The desserts are usually quite good, I always love the creme brule. My niece got the chocolate mousse, and it was by far one of the chocolatey-ist chocolate mousses I've tried in awhile. I can always recommend it. It's by far one of the best places to eat in Fairbanks.
(4)
Enshane N.
Awesome appetizers, great wine tasting dinners. I love the atmosphere and they have the best staff and service. Have since moved but this is THE SPOT in Fairbanks!
(4)
Stewart S.
Good place to bring your date or wife/husband or just to come if you are by yourself. Beef tips with Demi sauce is good ask for 1/2 the normal amount of sauce or it comes swimming is sauce. Calamari is great, scallop dinner is awesome also the tiger shrimp salad is good. Try the wines of the week any of the reds on multiple visits have been real good. One negative is that it is a little loud at times if the restaurant is full. Overall one of two real good restaurants in Fairbanks
(4)
April Q.
I just got to my hotel room after having eaten here. I was very satisfied with the food and the service .. I wouldn't say 5 stars for a few reasons (not the most original dishes, servers don't go out of their way to make you feel entirely welcome), but definitely 4 stars and something I'd do again. I had the brie appetizer (recommend.. though I wish the had more of the berries in the puff pastry), sweet potato crusted halibut (very tasty, but the sides - veggies - were highly boring), and the banana bread pudding with vanilla ice cream (it was sooo good). I had VERY impressive Pinot Noirs there and that impressed me most.
(4)
Kalani C.
4.1 stars. Sat at the bar for dinner. Had the Alaskan Seared Scallops with spinach in a lemon caper sauce (4 stars). Very succulant morsels of scallop, not overdone, so bravo! My buddy had the Beef Tips (4.5 stars) & we shared the Warm Red Cabbage Salad with Goat Cheese, vinegar, roasted walnuts & bacon (5 stars!) A rather large dish, but rather hearty and oh so delicious! Dessert was a Banana Bread Pudding with caramel (4 stars) & a NY Cheesecake with raspberry sauce (4 stars) Multitude of wines and a great liquor selection (4 stars). Service at the bar was okay, but glazed over (you know, present, but the mind eleswhere sort of vibe): 3 stars. Tally: Alaskan Seared Scallops: 4 stars Beef Tips: 4.5 stars Red Cabbage Salad: 5 stars! Banana Bread Pudding: 4 stars NY Cheesecake: 4 stars Wine selection: 4 stars Service: 3 stars 4+4.5+5+4+4+4+3= 28.5/7= 4.1 stars.
(4)
Greg C.
The menu looks good but the execution does not live up to the promise. For example, the 'tempura' shrimp is not flash-fried with tempura batter but instead came with a thick, soggy coating that was inedible. They do have a very good wine list. The prices are high by lower-48 standards but seem typical for Fairbanks and Alaska in general. When we were there, on a Friday night, their live music was a nice young woman singing, of all things, Doris Day hits. We were too close to the stage to be able to ignore it like just about everyone else did. Not the ambiance we were hoping for.
(3)
Puregold S.
Food was bland and terribly overpriced..even for Fairbanks. I had beef tips (ugh) and spinach prawn salad...fair but hard to screw up. I did take out while staying at Spring Hill Suites (connected) so can't really speak to service except they were pleasant and accomadating. Wouldn't eat here again.
(2)
Kathy O.
Service was great. I had the halibut and it was delicious. Fellow diners had salmon. We all enjoyed it.
(4)
Dusty B.
We stayed at the Springhill Marriott and were told that this was a great spot for dinner, apps or just drinks. I would have to agreee with all of the above. I had the rissoto with fresh seafood. The risotto was average. But, the shrimp, scallops and fish were awesome. Cooked perfectly. The salad was really unique as it came with whole blackberries. For a small town like Fairbanks, this is a must stop if you're in town. The bartender was super-cool and let us shut the place down!
(4)
Em R.
Open late on summer weekends- great for impromptu dates or girl chats that require wine. It's fun to watch the food being prepared. Service can be snobbish at times- it is "upscale" for Fairbanks but it's always annoying to be treated differently because you're young and in jeans/soccer shorts/Carhartts. Let's be real here, Fairbanks doesn't know how to be classy. It's awesome. From what I can tell as a community member, the owner sponsors a lot in the Fairbanks area and really gives back to this awesome community. Try the chocolate creme brulee but share it with a friend, it's very rich!
(4)
Jennifer B.
Hands down the best meal I have had in Fairbanks. Started by ordering the "mystery wine" and was very pleasantly surprised with an amazingly delicious oaky/buttery Chardonnay - so hard to find, and never for $5.50 a glass!!! Calamari appetizer was nice, and followed it up with the Rack of Lamb and 1/2 Duck for my hubby. The mashed potatoes were the highlight of the main course. Ended the dinner with the Banana Bread Pudding - so yummy! Thanks to Jason for great service!! It's the little things in a service that you remember, and those are the things I will take away and remember for the next time we are looking for a delicious meal.
(5)
Susana W.
Really good food, i give it extra points for an open kitchen! and even better ambience. it was bustling with activity, every table was full and of people wining and dining. You should probably make a reservation to have a table (as opposed to bar seating, which serves the full menu), especially if you're a large group.
(4)
Siv L.
Spent some time in Fairbanks and dined at Lavelle's twice. The duck was great (but I didn't love the rasberry sauce -- thought it was a strange pairing). LOVED LOVED LOVED the rack of lamb. It was SO good -- it may be in fact the best I've ever had. I think I would've nibbled the meat off of every bone if I were not with a large party consisting of my friend's boss and colleagues!
(4)
sarah w.
My husband and I went to Lavelle's for an anniversary dinner. We heard many good things about the place and wanted to check it out. First off the hostess must have been new because she had no idea what was going on and asked us how long it would take us to eat our dinner because she had a reservation for the table she was planning on seating us at in about an hour. So that was a really awkward way to start the meal. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very quick with our drinks and service in general. The wine selection was fairly decent and there was a solid choice at different price points. The food was alright. I think if the prices were lower it would have been well worth the trip. We had the chicken, blue cheese pear salad. The blue cheese was actually goat cheese and it was supposed to be warm but came out a bit cold. We also had the prime rib with baked potato. It was ordered medium rare and was cooked appropriately. The steak was a bit smaller than was expected for $35. But overall it was a good dinner. Again I would just say that for the overall price the meal was really expensive for what you get. Also the dining room needs a little sprucing up, the furniture is pretty well worn and there was some food on the floor. Again for the price you pay I would expect just a little better.
(3)
Kelly T.
I've been in town for business for almost a week and went to Lavelle's because of Yelp reviews. The first thing I noticed was how pleased I was that the restaurant was clean, bright and didn't feel old or run down. The artwork on the walls is interesting and a nice touch. I was also impressed with the wine list. It's clear that the owner is a sommelier. I ordered the coriander crusted halibut. It was nicely cooked (good texture and nice cut of fish!). It came with a mango butter that was good, but lacked seasoning (or maybe the whole dish lacked seasoning?). It was served with a mound of bland jasmine rice and some very overcooked snap peas. I would get the fish again, but pass on the side dishes. Oh -- we did start off with some brie wrapped in dough. It was good. It was served with tart cranberries that really balanced the richness of the dough and the brie. My only issue with this was the garnish on the plate. There was a sprinkling of some leaf around the plate -- ala 1980s. Please skip the cheesy garnishes and just let the brie and cranberries shine. I'm a food snob and I would try this place again if I happen to be back in Fairbanks. That's saying something!
(4)
Victoria B.
The fried halibut is excellent. The baked salmon with coconut rice: oooo, noooo. They said NOTHING on the menu regarding the wasabi marinade. Wasabi, to me, is what a dog must feel like when sticking his nose near bleach. Horrid and not something to repeat. When I commented on it, they comped my meal. THAT was impressive.
(5)
Jim J.
The reviews here are mostly accurate. The restaurant is EXTREMELY noisy. Our salads were good but both main courses were very bland. My wife's pasta tasted like tuna casserole and my "chefs special" pasta was flavorless and really bland. The best deal is the house carafe wine. The servers were inattentive at best and rude at worst. All plates and glasses were tossed on the table with a loud thump. Getting the waitress's attention was very difficult. No one asked if our dinners were OK -- and it seems no one cared, either. If this is the best restaurant in Fairbanks, I am sorry for Fairbanks. I've had tastier meals at far lower prices!
(2)
Suzy G.
WHY has it taken me so long to find this place? This is one of the ONLY places in town that actually feels and tastes like fine dining. Great service, reasonably priced dinner menu with seasonal items and vegetarian options. Best wine list in town. My only complaint? I can't decide where to sit- the gorgeous outdoor patio or the beautifully decorated bar area with big screen TVs.
(5)
Danny L.
Pleasantly surprised...excellent food and service.
(5)
Karla L.
I really thought this place was great for Fairbanks. (emphasize: fairbanks) I have not found many places that stand out in service and/or in good food here, but this place was on par with any nice restaurant. Not the best place ive ever eaten, but i was incredibly happy to find this place while looking for something a little more than diners or hole in the wall. I ordered dinner, wine, and dessert and the staff was so friendly and so helpful with suggestions and recommendations. It was not cheap at all, but Im ok with this. I really wanted somewhere nice to go in Fairbanks and so thankful I found it. I think they really raise the bar in the town. I will go back there next time im in fairbanks without a doubt..
(4)
Eric G.
This place is horrible. We have been twice only because we had a gift card to use. The first time we went I had the steak which was nothing special especially for $35 and my wife had chicken caesar salad which she said had barely any dressing on it. Our second trip we took friends to help use up the gift card we had. I got the meat loaf which was alright, but yet again nothing special. I also had the fried calamari for an appetizer which was pretty good, but I've had better. Everyone else got a salad because they didn't find anything else they wanted on the menu which doesn't have very much to choose from either. None of them finished their salads either because they were nasty, or not enough dressing. Also the chicken on their salads was cold and dry. We got a couple deserts also, which were alright yet again nothing special. They seemed to be pre-made and just pulled out of the freezer. On top of the food being disappointing. Our waitress sucked big time. She wouldn't bring us refills or come refill our waters unless we asked for it. I almost went and refilled my own water at one point. This is the place that people in Fairbanks go when they want to feel "fancy"... This place isn't fancy.. maybe in Fairbanks standard but elsewhere it wouldn't be considered fancy. I would advise you to go elsewhere. Try Geraldos or the Silver Gulch.
(1)
Susan H.
This litle gem of a restaurant is inside the Springhill Suites.It seemed a little cosmopolitan in Fairbanks and was quite busy the two evenings we went there. Even though they were busy they seated us quickly and the service was attentive, Kiel was our waiter both evenings. As a previous restaurant owner I am sometimes hard to please & Kiel did a great job both evenings. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer. Probably some of the best calamari we have had anywhwere- really! I had the Lavelle's salad- greens with gorgonzola cheese, carmelized walnuts, seasonal fruits & house dressing. It was good enough I ordered it the second night. By the way- this place also has a great wine list!
(4)
Ssixty F.
Never had the ribs til this last night I went, the sauce is way sweet and sugary and soaked in it, fries were good. French onion soup varies, but I usually enjoy it. It's $11 for a very simple soup they should be ashamed of this. The filet is usually great, this is what I usually get. And the pastas are usually solid. Beers are $5.50 which is rude. Service has been great every time I've been. It's a pricey place, but convenient for my location for a nice dinner downtown.
(3)
A S.
Decent dessert, food is mediocre, but the wait time for the food is outrageous. If you're going there, I hope you blocked out at least 2 hours for dinner!
(3)
Bumble B.
Encountered the rudest bartender ever here. Cancelled my dinner reservation after dealing with him.
(1)
Chris P.
Great place for drinks and dinner. I had the French onion soup and the scallops with spinach. Both were great. It is located in the Marriott but is not apart of the hotel.
(4)
Jesse H.
Lavelle's is the only "classy" establishment in Fairbanks. New American with French influence. The food is consistently good, the service is strong, and the wine list is extensive.
(4)
d c.
Pretty disappointing dinner here. Although they have a big wine selection, the beer tap choices were mediocre especially given that every other place in AK is pretty much local beer heaven. We ordered three apps instead of dinner: Halibut in beer batter was fishsticky, tartar Sauce recipe needs redoing (add some relish and worcestershire), fries were a cooked frozen product, Scallops were overdone, King Crab/Artichoke dip tasted like weird crunchy cardboard. I can forgive the frozen fries considering the location, but everything else - no good. Part of the story is the kind of incredible prices - about 15-19$ per app. Maybe the audience is Hotel/Cruise Ship.
(2)
Ashley S.
One of the very best restaurants in Fairbanks!! If you're wanting a fine dining experience, this is the place to go!! Thoroughly enjoyed everything I tried!! Especially the calamari, scallops and prime rib!! Living in a much larger area now and find myself missing Lavelle's! If I'm ever back in Fairbanks, Lavelle's will be at the top of my list of places to go!
(5)
Paul P.
Second the "not impressed" feeling. First and foremost due to the service. They bring nothing to the table, literally & figuratively. Well at least not until you're ready to get up a get it yourself. It does have a nice atmosphere but beyond that I just forked over $40 for halibut chunks, a facade of french onion soup and two beers, oh and $5 more for the beer I had to go get myself because the server went MIA. I won't be back and it's in the lobby of my hotel.
(2)
Nick F.
stopped in for a glass of wine and an app after I heard that this was the best restaurant in Fairbanks. $14.95 for the fried calamari appetizer (usually a safe bet). Turned out to be calamari strips (not ring or tentacles) with a side of salsa and mayo. Good luck......
(2)
Mandy R.
One of the best restaurants in town. As long as you aren't in a large group, the service is good. Their chicken champignon is to die for, and the baked brie appetizer is fantastic.
(5)
Andrea Z.
It is the only restaurant in Fairbanks which is nicer and where you can go for a nice dinner... However it has nothing special to offer all there food is pretty normal and tastes average and is because of that overpriced... The atmosphere and the that it is the only restaurant like that in fairbanks speaks for it...
(3)
Ian B.
There are very few 'nice' dining options in Fairbanks and Lavelle's purports to be one. They have the atmosphere and wine selection to match, but the food leaves a lot to be desired. My first complaint is that they use what appear to be frozen veggies as a side to entrees. It looked like it came right out of a bag and got plopped onto the plate. Not only was it the 'classic' assortment of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and pea pods, but the carrots were waffle cut. In the same vein the desserts look like they came out of the freezer at Sam's Club. They taste like it too. And is it so difficult to make fresh whipped cream that you have to get it out of a pre-made bag? The rack of lamb was cooked well and tasted great, especially the kiwi dipping sauce that came on the side. Only problem was the dry rub it was seasoned with had some pointy herbs that became sharp splinters when the rack was seared. The chicken caesar was bad. The chicken was dried out, and the lettuce was a mix of dry and tasteless. The shredded carrot and red cabbage don't belong in caeser and they certainly didn't make this one taste any better. The worst dish was the half-duck. The skin wasn't crispy and the meat was tough and mealy. I had the tamarind duck at Lemongrass a few weeks later and it was gourmet in comparison. It would also be nice if they changed the menu occasionally. It's a very boring menu that could use a couple more bistro items since that is what they claim to be. The first time I went I picked the rack of lamb by default since I hadn't had lamb in a while and nothing else interested me. Not that it has to be revamped every few months, but a few new items now and then would be nice. My overall feeling about Lavelle's is disappointment. I want it to be good and if they changed a few things it would be a lot better. Right now though it has boring, poorly executed food.
(2)
Jim W.
Great service and even better food. I'm staying at hotel and food and service was great. This is my second time here and I spoke with hostess about other places and she gave me several but still said this was the best. I already tried one of the recommendations and it was good but nit as good as here.
(5)
Matt M.
I stopped in to this restaurant because it was connected to my hotel and boy am I glad I did... the food, service and wine were amazing! The prices were a little high (well, at least for Fairbanks) but the food made up for it. I sat at the bar and Nicole (bartender) helped me out with the menu and I decided to have the Halibut. It was moist and delicious. I am going back next month and will have to try the Salmon next time. I will update and let you know if I have the same type of experience next time.
(4)
Jesse C.
It may have been a fluke, but we weren't really impressed. The food was good... the service was just ok. If you go on Friday or Saturday night be prepared for a wait and make sure you bring your earplugs. Live music makes it impossible to have a conversation with your table mates. Excellent wine selection.
(2)
Amikam R.
Lavelle's Bistro is located at the Marriott Spring Hills Suites. It is not run by the hotel. We had two dinners and a lunch there and were very happy with the food. Especially when compared to the other places in town. The fish were fresh and nice. The lamb succulent. Desserts were interesting. The wine list is adequate. Lunch seems to be the main income producing meal - hordes of tour people come to order at the bar and then wait at the table for their meal. The sandwiches are good and the salads interesting and large. Service at dinner is uneven. One night we had almost no service and had to beg for water but the next night service was solicitous and unobtrusive. There's no service to speak of at lunch and they include a service charge in the total prepaid price, knowing no one would leave a tip... The four stars are strictly in comparison to the local meager offerings. In Seattle the bistro would barely qualify for three stars.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mark N.
Came in for an end of the day meal. After all the pricey but mediocre meals we had in Fairbanks before I was a bit skeptical. Being advised by a local visitor center worker that Lavelle's was upscale dining tempered my concern, but I still was not convinced. I was converted when I saw a filet mignon pass by our table. It looked great. Our lobster cakes appetizer for $16 consisted of two good sized cakes which were delicious. The duck salad for $18 had a plentiful portion of crispy skinned duck with a nice pink center. The wait staff was attentive and well trained. They refilled my drink and brought additional bread without asking. An excellent end to a nice day in Fairbanks.
(4)Jelani A.
Not worth the expense unless you're trying to impress a date or your parents. Who does that anymore?
(3)Brian S.
OK, So dinner at 11pm ....it is light out. Weird. Anywho, I have not seen lobster cakes on any menu ever. Here they have them. Second on my list of favorite things to eat are cakes ...crab cakes, tuna cakes, salmon cakes, fish cakes, black bean cakes and tamale cakes ...of all cakes, these lobster cakes take the cake! Literally these were the best cakes I have ever had. They were light, flavorful, perfectly seared and delicious. The seared Ahi was equally as enjoyable.
(5)Borislava I.
May be one of my favourite restaurants in town, since I am not a big fan of the typical American food (sandwiches,burgers, french fries) and prefer healthier menu. There one can find good seafood and variety of salads, as well as great lamb racks and prime rib. In addition they have special menu every month. I really like french onion soup, the halibut,grilled shrimp spinach salad and Teresa salad...The prices are as one can expect for an upscale restaurant. Make sure you DO have reservation as it is always busy, especially for dinner! You will be welcomed with bread and butter :)
(5)Lloyd W.
Lavells is about as fancy as Fairbanks gets. A great place for a dinner date, bottle of wine, and great food. The steak was cooked very well, and the risotto was very rich and delicious. The only thing keeping it from a 5-star for me was price. It is a bit expensive...but worth it!
(4)Moira M.
When we want a special night out, we go to Lavelle's! The quality of the food, especially the rack of lamb and the filet mignon, is fantastic. The portions always have me taking some home for the next day...an extra treat:-) And the wine selection is phenomenal, as are the specialty drinks. So happy to have a fine dining establishment in Fairbanks...especially since we are from D.C. & are rather picky about restaurants;-)
(4)Roger M.
Clearly at the top end of Fairbanks eateries. Our party of six all enjoyed our dinners, which ranged from Halibut, Rib-eye steak, and a pork chop. Toss in a pizza and pot-stickers, and we pretty well stuffed ourselves. Entrees also come with a salad or soup. The restaurant has a modern look, and the vibe is upscale. My three issues with the experience was that the kitchen was quite slow, my salad had a fair amount of wilted lettuce, and pricing is pretty aggressive. On balance Lavelle's is above average.
(4)Andrew H.
Let's start out with what I liked: Ambiance: wow, fancy! Darkly lit, everyone dressed up (as dressed up as you can be for Fairbanks), feels classy...especially for a hotel restaurant. I'm not usually into places like this, but it's December and there's snow on the ground, it just feels right. The food: was pretty good. I got the rockfish special, it wasn't amazing but it was tasty. A little spendy for around $30. Three-star experience so far... But...the beer. The options weren't all that great on tap, no IPA. No biggie, I can work with that. I asked what IPA's they had in bottles and the bartender rattled off 4. I went with the Widmer IPA (which I've had many times, and enjoy). Something was off. Something was really off. I remember liking Widmer IPA but this beer was just thin. Oh so thin, and metallic. I just don't remember the beer tasting like this. It was like abrasive hop-water. I get the tab and I see "Omission IPA" listed as the beer I got. Huh. I asked the bar tender (different one than the one that poured it for me) about it and he confirmed that it was Omission IPA and that "we don't carry Widmer IPA, they are all the same price though." Me (uncharacteristically brusk): "Yeah, Omission IPA is a gluten-free beer, no wonder it tasted like shit." Bartender: "Yeah, sorry about that, you weren't charged more for it though." Service industry 101: this is the part where you COMP THE BEER. You might be thinking: "What's the big deal?" Well, I'll tell you what the big deal is. This isn't like ordering a Bud Light and someone accidentally brings you a Miller Lite. This is like ordering a pizza and getting a pizza with vegan "cheese". This is like ordering a steak and getting a field roast. This is like ordering chicken curry and getting tofu curry. It's wrong. Beer without gluten tastes odd, it has no soul. If it were just a different brand of IPA I wouldn't have any problem, but this was so much more. I used to think this Gluten-free pseudoscience fad was harmless, but now: it's personal.
(2)Loren R.
Hmmmm, To review on the national standard. Or the Fairbanks standard. Fairbanks 5 stars. National 3 stars. After two meals on three days, "I thought I'd give them a second chance. " The good: Service, Homemade dressings, Cold beer in chilled glasses. Vegetables crisp yet cooked to perfection. Mixed drinks NOT from a mix. The not so good. I've learned. The best steak is in Omaha I made the mistake of ordering a ribeye here and left 1/2 of the meat chewed to grissle on my plate. Shame on me for violating the rule if distance to hoof. Don't order halibut in Florida. Don't order meat in Fairbanks. Lavelles is no different. I expected a better cut considering the price and got a tough miserable chewey experience. Fool me once..... My salmon , the second day. C'mon it's Alaska...... It had great flavor, sauce was good, but Considering the attempt to keep the salmon from being overcooked by crusting it in potato....FAIL. It was overcooked. Slightly dry and chewy. I expected better from this high end fairbanks place. If you want the best fairbanks has to offer: EAT HERE. I'll come back many times. If you are from out of state and expect the same from other states. Don't! You'll have a better experience if you don't have high star expectations. It's fairbanks. The cows and food travel far. Welcome to our culinary best. Please appreciate it. We try.
(3)Michelle S.
Seeking some A/C after a day outside at the Midnight Sun festival, we ducked into Lavelle's Bistro. I was surprised to find that it really wasn't all that cool but it was better than sitting outside in the sun. I chose to get the Haddock special which was seared, coriander crusted haddock served with green beans and risotto. The fish was good, seasoned well (if not a bit too much salt) but a bit tough and chewy from the sear. The risotto was stringy and quite bland and the green beans a bit over cooked. My partner got the potato encrusted salmon served with the same green beans. The potato was a hash brown type, shredded potato which we weren't expecting. We both assumed mashed potatoes so it was a bit of a surprise. The very top layer of the potatoes were browned and crunchy but just under that was starchy, dense, crunchy potatoes from that were almost raw. She scraped off the potatoes and ate the salmon but even it had an odd consistency. We both enjoyed the caesar salad served with dinner. We left a bit disappointed for what some said was the best food in Fairbanks.
(2)Coco K.
Just finished dinner here. According to local, it supposed to be a great restaurant. We ordered king crab legs and it came with a salad, after my Mom ate half of the salad , she found a disgusting fly mixed in with the salad. My poor Mom ran to restroom and empty out her stomach. I showed it to waiter, manager came out after she got the news, she said it's the 2nd time it happened, cause they use local vegetable, even farmer washed it , their kitchen washed it again, it still happens sometimes. Seriously, it was a big fly, not an ant or small bug. I will never eat there again. If you do, make sure check your salad before you take a bite!!!
(1)Sunshine C.
This is my second time in Fairbanks - and my second time at Lavelles. I am from Southern California and in town for business with Tanana Valley Clinic. The last time I was in town, the CMO took me here for dinner and it was delicious - so with that being said, since i was in town (all alone for my birthday) i wanted to have something delicious - so i came back to Lavelles. It is (in my opinion) the nicest restaurant in Fairbanks... i know i shouldnt type it in that tone - but I travel the nation weekly and I am utterly surprised with the amount of GOOD FOOD i have found in Fairbanks - my experiences with traveling to a smaller, remote town - all you get are fast food joints.... Lavelles is the creme de la creme in Fairbanks. I had the Ribeye with Shallot butter and Gargonzola cheese. It came with a baked potato and green beans. I ordered my Ribeye medium well and it was cooked to perfection. The soup that accompanied my meal was Garlic Chicken and wild rice - that too was delicious. Even their bread and butter was yummy. I ended my meal with a Vanilla Creme Brulee - and told my server it was my birthday... he brought back my creme brulee with a candle. :) Service was superb, and i walked in at 6pm with no reservation and was seated right away. I will return before I leave back to Cali.
(4)Marissa G.
For the price and appearance at first glance, my expectations were set pretty high. The drink menu was very plain, nothing special; add blue food coloring to my malibu rum and pineapple juice and you have a $9 drink. It took exactly one hour (yes, we actually timed it) for us to get our soup and salad. We sat foodless for a quite some time waiting for someone to remember that we were still eating. Our overpriced and basic dinner sat on the shelf under a heat lamp for some time until our server decided to check if it was his order. The dinner comes with an under baked potato and steamed vegetables which consisted of 6 cauliflower and 1.5 baby carrots. My 36 something dollar prime rib was almost flavorless had I not drowned it in au jus and horseradish. We still can't understand the Nascar cups we got for our drinks, considering the standards this place appears to be attempting. All in all, we were relieved we do not reside in Fairbanks to be stuck with such an overpriced basic meal option. 5 STARS goes to the busser; best guy ever.
(2)Kashif K.
I've dined at this restaurant innumerable times now, and wish they were open for lunch. Conveniently located inside the Spring Hill Suites, they offer excellent food and service. Here are some of my favorite items: - Potato-crusted sockeye salmon. A filet of the Copper River red salmon baked in a coating of mashed potato, which keeps it moist, tender and flavorful. - Meatloaf. There's something about this meatloaf that I can't put my finger on, but it tastes really good. - Halibut. Fresh from the icy waters, they say. Sounds about right, it does taste very fresh. - Hawaiian sunfish. This is not on their regular menu, but they offer it every now and then as a nightly special. For appetizers (or what they call "prospects"), the lobster cakes, the King crab and artichoke dip and the calamari are great; I think it's really the lemon aioli with the calamari that makes it special for me. The service, both at the bar and regular table service, is courteous and professional. Dining at the bar is often a fun way to interact with the locals. The restaurant is not part of the hotel; they only lease space from the hotel. As such, you cannot charge your meal to your room. Just thought you, dear reader, may want to be aware of that.
(4)Russell G.
I grew up in Fairbanks, and when Lavelle's Bistro was constructed downtown, I was hoping it would be an excellent restaurant that would give more excitement to the downtown area. It has not disappointed! The challenge of maintaining a five-star restaurant in somewhere like Fairbanks, Alaska is extraordinary. However, the owners of this establishment do a wonderful job. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and displays a breathtaking wine selection. The food is the best, the battered halibut is my favorite. Their is an open line of cooks in front of the dining room, adding to the experience. I highly recommend this place, and no trip to Fairbanks is complete without a visit here.
(5)Janine P.
The food is amazing and the drinks are really good. I prefer to go to the wine and beer tasting so you get to try a wide variety of their dishes. You pay for the quality you get don't expect a cheap meal here but it's worth the money
(5)David K.
I had dinner here two nights ago. The service was great and the food was very good. I had the beer battered Halibut as an appetizer and it was cooked to perfection! I've traveled to 48 states and 2 territories, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Poland, Portugal, The Caribbean, and a host of other places. The Halibut (basically fish and chips) here is easily in the top 3 of any place I've ever been. I also had the potato crusted salmon. That was not perfect. It tasted pretty good, but the outside was dry and slightly overcooked and the inside was almost raw. Not a disaster, but not the best it could have been. That's the reason for 4 stars. I've eaten here many times in the past few years and it's a great place. This is one of my "go to" places to dine when I'm in Fairbanks! P.S. -- The wine selection is awesome.
(4)Lizzy R.
My husband was going on mission and we wanted to have a "see-you-soon" dinner before he left. Lavelle's made it very clear they didn't want us dining there with our son, who is not yet two. We arrived at about 6pm after a long day of work and the host asked us if we had a reservation. A little taken aback, because there were maybe 5 tables seated and considering that Fairbanks isn't exactly New York or Seattle, we said that we didn't. The host said he was very sorry but he had JUST given away the last free table he had and that the next one wasn't available until 8:30 pm. To make it worse, the staff at the front desk of the hotel made snide remarks as we were leaving. Lavelle's needn't worry, because we will not EVER spend money here, even without our son. We went to Bobby's Downtown instead and had a lovely time with great food, and they didn't turn us away because we had our baby with us.
(1)Omar B.
Came in late and had the pizza. It was one of the only things that was fairly priced. Everything else is way too expensive. Had good service and good beer.
(4)Lionel B.
It looks like the best dining place of downtown Fairbanks. Atmosphere is that of a proper restaurant, which is hard to find in this town. Quite lively and busy which suggests it is indeed successful. Food looks quite good as far as I could see, I'd list the restaurant as a gastro pub type of place. Good stuff, somehow innovative, but nothing extravagant either. That being said, likely the best choice in town and worth a stop for dinner.
(4)Jim P.
Went there a second night. Rib-eye fantastic... Squash soup best I ever had. Ahi, meh. Sesame seed crusted is a good idea but I'm used to seared ahi being warm on the outside, cool inside, this was fairly cool/cold all over. Biggest issue was despite it sitting there uneaten for 35 mins nobody asked about how. I liked it. Night one here was 5 stars. Tonight 4. Still probably a top restaurant in Fairbanks. I'd come back.
(4)Supriya M.
The food was great but this place was pricey! However, they served the most number of lamb chops I have seen in a $40 lamb chop dish - so they didn't skimp there. The food was great and service was spotty but it was an enjoyable night in Fairbanks. We were also glad that this place existed in an otherwise barren city.
(4)Jim T.
Great place in downtown Fairbanks adjoining the Marriott hotel. It's hard to find a place that's classy and well kept in Fairbanks, but this place is great inside (the best I saw in Fairbanks period). The service and food were also spot on. My favorite was the shrimp cocktail appetizer.
(4)Jan S.
Dinner with husband. We shared pork belly appetizer, a new experience and very good. Both had the Alaskan halibut entree (macadamia encrusted w/red thai curry sauce), coconut jasmine rice and mixed veggies. To finish off we shared vanilla creme brulee. Everything was delicious. Service was great. Would definitely recommend. (Note: Our total bill was cheaper than dinner last night at Turtle Club, and MUCH MUCH better!!)
(5)Janie S.
Went with a group of friends twice and both times I have not been impress with the staff. The food is amazing. The ribeye is a hefty serving and always cook just the way you ask for. Their mystery red wine special is enjoyable. For a place that is advertised as being upscale....i was not impressed. But this is Fairbanks so I'll let you make your opinion. It is pricey, but the food will never disappoint!
(3)Jessica L.
The food was absolutely amazing and we had an awesome waiter. Great atmosphere! I had the half duck and my husband had the N.Y. Strip and they were cooked amazing. Would definitely recommend for a nice night out!
(5)Voice Of The People S.
Fantastic food, drinks, ambience & employees! The owners have extensive knowledge of wine so if you're a wino you'll appreciate everything they have to offer. My favorites? Blackened prime rib, rocket/bourbon shrimp, black n bleu salad and a big ol glass of red wine. This is Fairbanks most upscale restaurant but as with all places in this town atleast half the people in there at any given time will be wearing blue jeans, so by all means stop in as you are and don't worry about getting dressed up.
(5)Shawn Y.
I had half a lamb rack, the honey apple glazed halibut, and I tried some of the New York strip steak. The lamb was really good and I'm a not a big lamb fan. The steak was ridiculously good. The price of the steak is about all three items that was named were around 36 dollars each. The place is extremely dark as well.
(5)Kaylee L.
Visited earlier this week, both my fiancée and I had the prime rib and enjoyed it very much. The sourdough bread served before was also delicious!
(4)Alan S.
For the price I expected better. This place is kind of pricy (well maybe not for Alaska, bur for my tastes) and the food wasn't amazing, instead it was quite average. The service was pretty good, so there was that, but for the price I expected more food or better food. I had the Halibut which was decent, but not amazing. The place tries to be upscale or classy based on the food presentation, but the restaurant itself feels more like a casual/hipster place.
(2)Dolores W.
The pork chop with cranberries & brie on top was wonderful . Sides were included. Portions were large. I am going back tonight.
(5)Colwyn M.
Being generous, the service was awful, and the food was mediocre. This restaurant is attached to a hotel, it's not some river walk steakhouse. Ridiculously overpriced as well, not paying $45 for a filet mignon. I opted for the potstickers(mistake), I was expecting light and fluffy, not soaked in grease and paired with store bought chili sauce. For a fine dining restaurant, it leaves a lot to be desired. I wasn't going to complain after a long flight though.... I didn't order an entrée but tried the brownie, other than it being soaked in chocolate and caramel, it was okay. The worst area in this restaurant is service. I walked in at about 5:45, and was first asked if I had a reservation. I did not, but he adamantly tried to accommodate my party of two. He acted as though it was full, when in fact there were three other pairs in all. Nearly sixteen open tables. He instructed us to take a seat wherever we'd like. I sat at the bar height tables. After pulling coats, scarves, and hats off, and getting settled with water and bread, he runs over to our table. Without first kindly asking, he demands that we move to the bar. Fine. The kicker, the bartender.... Can I just ask for a simple hello, or a smile. Maybe not to slam glasses and plates in front of me. Not only was he not friendly, he had this air of arrogance. He acted, walked and talked, like he was a waiter at the Ritz. I could not believe they would hire someone with such a personality, honestly the personality of a fish... Simply as that. Would not go back, and would not recommend it to anyone. One last and final complaint, you can't even charge to your room....
(2)Kaushik B.
The fact that I'm writing this review three years later should say something about the place. I don't eat meat. This is the place I got to eat the best salads I've had in my life in the peak of winter in Alaska. The warm red cabbage salad b with walnuts and chevre was what I remember the most. Would go there again, anytime.
(5)Angela M.
I LOVE Lavelle's. The X-rated vacation drink is delicious and the elderflower drink (cannot remember the name). The best appetizer is the bourbon shrimp in a cheese and brandy fondue. Lamb chops were average, the meatloaf was nothing spetacular (states 25 ingredients, so I had to try), but the banana rum wontons are really good. Overall, I think certain items make or break this place from the reviews. I love the unique drink specials, appetizers and desserts. They are open late on the weekends, but it is a limited menu.
(4)Crystal B.
Not sure about this place yet. Nice atmosphere inside although the hostess is a bit stuffy, especially if you don't have a reservation. They have a decent wine list and tapas selection. The Brie and Meatloaf were great, and scallops were just slightly over cooked but not grainy which is important. Halibut had a metallic taste, probably from producer or refrigeration in journey. Didn't eat it but not blaming the restaurant. Unfortunately by the time I got my replacement meal, my husband had already finished his dinner and we were just ready to go. We will give this place another try, it's a nice atmosphere and the food has a lot of potential. The owner seems very nice and pleasant and I really appreciated seeing fresh herbs growing on the patio. It's important knowing that restaurants use fresh ingredients as often as possible.
(4)LJ H.
Superb ambience, professional service, great wine list and their menu is nice and extensive too, something for everyone. I found it most convenient as it is situated on the ground floor of the Springhill Suites by Marriott where I was staying.
(5)Shivam D.
Great food and service. Ordered the meatloaf, prime rib and filet mignon. Surprisingly everything tastes great. Very rarely you get to go to a restaurant where everything you consume is delicious.
(5)Mike H.
Fantastic restaurant!!! Great service--had that perfect balance of being there when you need something but not hovering. Prime rib was a 10. Nicest place I've eaten in Fairbanks.
(4)Pamm H.
I'm reviewing Lavelle's now, close to 3 years later, because my experience since the original post has been exceedingly better! Couple of things to note: 1) My initial comments about the reservations still stand true. 2) Larry now works at the bar most weeknights and he's phenomenal. Very professional and exactly what this place needs. 3) For locals, you already know that the menu doesn't change so stick to the specials. The chef's pasta is usually great. 4) Their "Wine on Wednesdays" tasting is totally cheap and a great way to taste 3 different wines. Don't miss out! And if you don't go on a Wednesday, that's ok but it's all week. 5) They do very well with small groups (under 4) but seem to struggle with large ones (6 or more). The food never seems to come out on time or together or how you actually wanted it. Beware. Overall I still recommend this restaurant. Their wine list is extensive and worth it!
(4)Ty K.
I've dined at Lavelle's 4 seperate times so this review is based on multiple visits and gives a good insight into the overall performance of Lavelle's. Let's start with parking. Unless your staying in the hotel you will need to park downtown and at times like most anywhere "downtown" it can be tight. Last night I found a place immediately and it's been like that most every time. I have never made reservations and every time I was seated with minutes if not seconds. I imagine if you show up late without a reservation you might have to wait for a table but I've never experienced a wait. The wait staff is professional and attentive again my review is based on 4 visits. The wait staff is consistently professional, competent and timely. The food is spectacular and that's why Lavelle's earned 5 stars. I really like that you can watch the chef's cook - for me it gives me a sense of security seeing what they are doing and how poised and professional they are in the heat of the battle. I recommend getting the meatloaf - its made with 25 ingredients and superb. Overall, Lavelle's delivers time and time again - they are consistently 5 stars!
(5)Dulcinea S.
I really like lavelle's but they only get 3 stars because I just feel like they could do so much better. I haven't had a problem with service ever when I go there, it's just their prices are a little bit of a problem. The appatizers are priced like dinners and we don't always get the complimentary bread. If you are like me and want your money's worth of this place since its a bit pricey you sometimes have to ask for bread. They have awesome dessert and I love their pastas and prime rib. I just feel it could be a little better for what they charge.
(3)Scott S.
Yes, reservations are required, however, that's because it's such a popular place...after more than 15-years! It had been 10 or perhaps 12-years since I had been here, but just as wonderful as I had remembered. I enjoyed the Honey, Apple Halibut and a Colorado Double IPA...fantastic. I guarantee you won't find better cuisine or service anywhere else in Fairbanks. They have a great selection of wine, beer, and specialty cocktails.
(4)Nina U.
For Fairbanks? Like any other place in the town, you better make reservations otherwise you'll be waiting 1 to 1 1/2 hours! It's a decent restaurant in the Fairfield Suites but honestly it's a little overpriced. Especially if you order crab legs. The half order that you can add to any dinner entrée is ONE crab leg. For $24? Why don't they say one crab leg. And that means a full order is only TWO crab legs? A grown adult would starve! Granted this is a delicious perfectly cooked crab leg (no plural here) but still. Please note- after eating at all the other crab legs at every other restaurant, this place was the best. So maybe it really is worth the money. The crusted halibut special was good, just not a huge fan of the sauce. Salmon pasta was also good but I would like a little bolder flavors in everything. There is only one bathroom stall for each men and women. Bizarre. And the restaurant is very noisy. The open kitchen and small dining/bar area encourages loud jolly conversations. Since this is the nicest restaurant in town which is in a hotel, it's hard not to give them 5 stars for Fairbanks but they really are like a 3.5/4 stars.
(4)Anja P.
This restaurant is VERY popular, especially on weekends; make a reservation or be prepared to wait. Ambience is nice and service is great. Our waitress was a delight and she knew the wines. After sharing my preferences for flavor, she picked the perfect Pinot for me; five stars for that. The Bourbon Street Shrimp: blackened Louisiana style shrimp sautéed in a brandy cream lobster sauce finished with cheese were absolutely divine - 5 stars here as well. Lavelle's Salad was equally fabulous: tender mixed greens, topped with gorgonzola cheese, caramelized walnuts, dried cranberries and Lavelle's house dressing - another solid 5 stars. After such a stellar start, unfortunately, for the second time in a row, the entrees fell flat. The seafood pasta flavor was good, but the sauce was overwhelmingly heavy and after three or four bites, it felt like too much to handle. The pan seared macadamia crusted Alaskan Halibut with lemon beurre blanc, jasmine rice and vegetables was a disaster. The halibut was dry and overcooked, the beurre blanc tasted less than mediocre and the veggies were bland - steamed to limpness without even a hint of flavor. Thus the 3-star review. Considering the entire experience (and other reviews), we know they can pull this off, but we think we might have hit them on an-off night two times in a row. We are intrigued enough though, to come back!
(3)René F.
Love this place... Great atmosphere, friendly and fun crowd and the food was wonderful. We were in town for just 1 day. A bunch of coworkers took us here for some food and beverages and we all shared several platters of their favorites. All were delicious and the service was really helpful and friendly. I had a great time and looking forward to coming back.
(4)Monica E.
In our very limited experience...the best place to eat in downtown Fairbanks. We arrived on a busy summer solstice evening, without a reservation...and had no problem getting a table for two. The place is very nicely decorated, lively, and our service was great. My husband had the beer battered halibut, and said it was excellent. I had the blackened salmon, which was a bit dry, but very good. Desserts were the cheesecake with berries and the blueberry creme brulee....get the creme bruleee.
(5)Dennis H.
They have a HUGE wine selection and the food is amazing! I went on valentines day and had the prime rib special and it was cooked to perfection and my wife got the lobster seafood pasta and that was also extraordinary. It has a very nice ambiance and even has a man who plays a piano in the dinning area. Definitely a must try for a fancy date night.
(5)Wendi G.
For all the places we tried in Fairbanks this was by far the best. Good wine selection and the service was fair. Went with a group of seven and they had no tables so we ended in the bar area. Tried the tuna and blackened shrimp appetizers and both were good. I had a salmon appetizer special as my meal and it was served in a garlic and roasted tomato broth with sourdough and the flavor was fabulous. Others tried the lamb chops, steak, prime rib and said the food was very good. The three stars are really for service as it seemed that our waiter became very distracted and forgot about our table when we were finished appetizers - no water refills, did not come to check on meals, did not bring clean silverware, etc. Final suggestion, make a reservation. They are busy every night as we saw while staying at the Springhill Suites.
(3)Howard M.
Whie on business we ate at Lavelle's two nights in a row. (There aren't too many other choices). For Fairbanks, the restaurant was very enjoyable. The food was delicious. The portions were very large. The staff was friendly. The first night I had their meatloaf which was pretty good. The second night I had their pasta w/seafood. Also very enjoyable. If I do make it back to Fairbanks, I would dine there again.
(4)Sean C.
My favorite restaurant in Fairbanks. The food and service is consistently good, and the staff recognize their regular customers which is always nice. My favorite dish is the rack of lamb, and the dinner salads are always a good way to go. Also, the head bartender is excellent.
(5)Taylor A.
I wasn't expecting such a wonderful restaurant in the frozen-solid city of Fairbanks, AK, so it made my experience that much better. It's Alaska, so you know it's KING CRAB TIME. Plus I was on per diem, so it's game on! I had half an order or King Crab legs for $22, a $5.50 Alaskan Amber, and a chicken caesar for $17. Higher prices than in the lower 48, but still a decent value for a top restaurant in Alaska. Service was great, menu was extensive, and the wine list looked great. You can't go wrong here!
(4)Anastasia D.
A decent wine selection. I fell in love with baked brie here...granted once I got back to the lower 48, I encountered much better baked brie. I regularly ordered salads that were greatly overpriced. The ambiance was pleasant, but overall, not worth the check at the end of the meal. I have a feeling this is one of those restaurants you have to be an omnivore to appreciate.
(4)Melissa K.
Looking for a fabulous evening out with friends? Want to treat yourself to delicious wine and a great atmosphere? Lavelle's is the place! The service is excellent and the wine selection is outstanding. Appetizers look delicious on paper but are overpriced and so-so. I hear that the amazing desserts are house-made except for the cheesecake but that may have changed. Calamari is my favorite go-to appetizer but I have been disappointed on several occasions with the calamari at Lavelles's. If you are a calamari fan, please order something else. The calamari ($9.95) arrives lukewarm, the breading is soggy and limp, and overall it is bland. Perhaps try the Chinese potstickers ($11.95) (note to owner: when potstickers are fried, they are called wontons-- potstickers are boiled dumplings) or the King Crab & Artichoke Dip ($14.95) which is good but not outstanding. The complimentary bread is fine-- it is the standard sliced loaf served at mid-range Italian restaurants. Lavelle's is a fun place to hang out with friends-- go for dessert and wine!
(4)Jose M.
The food is very pricey, especially the main course. But it's also very very large. That has been said, I'm not going to deduct a star from my review, because the food is really good, the drinks are delicious, and the staffs are very friendly. If you want to save your money (just a bit), order two appetizers or side dishes instead of the main course. That also makes it easier to share it with your date too. Also, that doesn't make you look cheap (since you ordered more than one dish) .
(5)Melissa G.
On our recent trip to Alaska, Lavelle's was going to be our "fine dining" experience. We actually looked for a place such as this and called to find out if they would be open a month in advance! I can't say that it met our expectations. The food was good, but not great. I can't really remember what I ordered. The atmosphere was okay, but if you are not from Alaska you aren't necessarily accustomed to people wearing jeans and a pullover for "fine dining". I think the thing that bothered us most was our waiter though. We couldn't seem to ask him a question. Asking any question about a menu item beyond what was mentioned on the menu itself would be met with an impatience or annoyed confusion. It was like he couldn't understand why we would be asking any questions at all about items on the menu. I'm not sure if I would go back to this place if I were to return to Fairbanks. Probably not.
(3)Grant T.
Whenever I'm home (usually for Christmas, yes I insanely come to Fairbanks at Christmas) my parents take the family to Lavelle's for dinner. We always have great service, which is a plus, and they have a great wine list. The food can be hit or miss sometimes, but a lot of it is knowing what to order. My mother always gets the french onion soup, and she raves about it. The last time we went, three of us ordered the crispy duck breast special, and it came out served with a very tasty cranberry sauce. I couldn't really fault it too much (except I would have preferred the skin a bit crispier, but the taste was amazing). My sister has the pork chop, and it was my second favorite thing at the place. My nieces got pizza, and they really enjoyed it. They have a nice selection of dessert wines as well. Four different ages of port. The desserts are usually quite good, I always love the creme brule. My niece got the chocolate mousse, and it was by far one of the chocolatey-ist chocolate mousses I've tried in awhile. I can always recommend it. It's by far one of the best places to eat in Fairbanks.
(4)Enshane N.
Awesome appetizers, great wine tasting dinners. I love the atmosphere and they have the best staff and service. Have since moved but this is THE SPOT in Fairbanks!
(4)Stewart S.
Good place to bring your date or wife/husband or just to come if you are by yourself. Beef tips with Demi sauce is good ask for 1/2 the normal amount of sauce or it comes swimming is sauce. Calamari is great, scallop dinner is awesome also the tiger shrimp salad is good. Try the wines of the week any of the reds on multiple visits have been real good. One negative is that it is a little loud at times if the restaurant is full. Overall one of two real good restaurants in Fairbanks
(4)April Q.
I just got to my hotel room after having eaten here. I was very satisfied with the food and the service .. I wouldn't say 5 stars for a few reasons (not the most original dishes, servers don't go out of their way to make you feel entirely welcome), but definitely 4 stars and something I'd do again. I had the brie appetizer (recommend.. though I wish the had more of the berries in the puff pastry), sweet potato crusted halibut (very tasty, but the sides - veggies - were highly boring), and the banana bread pudding with vanilla ice cream (it was sooo good). I had VERY impressive Pinot Noirs there and that impressed me most.
(4)Kalani C.
4.1 stars. Sat at the bar for dinner. Had the Alaskan Seared Scallops with spinach in a lemon caper sauce (4 stars). Very succulant morsels of scallop, not overdone, so bravo! My buddy had the Beef Tips (4.5 stars) & we shared the Warm Red Cabbage Salad with Goat Cheese, vinegar, roasted walnuts & bacon (5 stars!) A rather large dish, but rather hearty and oh so delicious! Dessert was a Banana Bread Pudding with caramel (4 stars) & a NY Cheesecake with raspberry sauce (4 stars) Multitude of wines and a great liquor selection (4 stars). Service at the bar was okay, but glazed over (you know, present, but the mind eleswhere sort of vibe): 3 stars. Tally: Alaskan Seared Scallops: 4 stars Beef Tips: 4.5 stars Red Cabbage Salad: 5 stars! Banana Bread Pudding: 4 stars NY Cheesecake: 4 stars Wine selection: 4 stars Service: 3 stars 4+4.5+5+4+4+4+3= 28.5/7= 4.1 stars.
(4)Greg C.
The menu looks good but the execution does not live up to the promise. For example, the 'tempura' shrimp is not flash-fried with tempura batter but instead came with a thick, soggy coating that was inedible. They do have a very good wine list. The prices are high by lower-48 standards but seem typical for Fairbanks and Alaska in general. When we were there, on a Friday night, their live music was a nice young woman singing, of all things, Doris Day hits. We were too close to the stage to be able to ignore it like just about everyone else did. Not the ambiance we were hoping for.
(3)Puregold S.
Food was bland and terribly overpriced..even for Fairbanks. I had beef tips (ugh) and spinach prawn salad...fair but hard to screw up. I did take out while staying at Spring Hill Suites (connected) so can't really speak to service except they were pleasant and accomadating. Wouldn't eat here again.
(2)Kathy O.
Service was great. I had the halibut and it was delicious. Fellow diners had salmon. We all enjoyed it.
(4)Dusty B.
We stayed at the Springhill Marriott and were told that this was a great spot for dinner, apps or just drinks. I would have to agreee with all of the above. I had the rissoto with fresh seafood. The risotto was average. But, the shrimp, scallops and fish were awesome. Cooked perfectly. The salad was really unique as it came with whole blackberries. For a small town like Fairbanks, this is a must stop if you're in town. The bartender was super-cool and let us shut the place down!
(4)Em R.
Open late on summer weekends- great for impromptu dates or girl chats that require wine. It's fun to watch the food being prepared. Service can be snobbish at times- it is "upscale" for Fairbanks but it's always annoying to be treated differently because you're young and in jeans/soccer shorts/Carhartts. Let's be real here, Fairbanks doesn't know how to be classy. It's awesome. From what I can tell as a community member, the owner sponsors a lot in the Fairbanks area and really gives back to this awesome community. Try the chocolate creme brulee but share it with a friend, it's very rich!
(4)Jennifer B.
Hands down the best meal I have had in Fairbanks. Started by ordering the "mystery wine" and was very pleasantly surprised with an amazingly delicious oaky/buttery Chardonnay - so hard to find, and never for $5.50 a glass!!! Calamari appetizer was nice, and followed it up with the Rack of Lamb and 1/2 Duck for my hubby. The mashed potatoes were the highlight of the main course. Ended the dinner with the Banana Bread Pudding - so yummy! Thanks to Jason for great service!! It's the little things in a service that you remember, and those are the things I will take away and remember for the next time we are looking for a delicious meal.
(5)Susana W.
Really good food, i give it extra points for an open kitchen! and even better ambience. it was bustling with activity, every table was full and of people wining and dining. You should probably make a reservation to have a table (as opposed to bar seating, which serves the full menu), especially if you're a large group.
(4)Siv L.
Spent some time in Fairbanks and dined at Lavelle's twice. The duck was great (but I didn't love the rasberry sauce -- thought it was a strange pairing). LOVED LOVED LOVED the rack of lamb. It was SO good -- it may be in fact the best I've ever had. I think I would've nibbled the meat off of every bone if I were not with a large party consisting of my friend's boss and colleagues!
(4)sarah w.
My husband and I went to Lavelle's for an anniversary dinner. We heard many good things about the place and wanted to check it out. First off the hostess must have been new because she had no idea what was going on and asked us how long it would take us to eat our dinner because she had a reservation for the table she was planning on seating us at in about an hour. So that was a really awkward way to start the meal. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very quick with our drinks and service in general. The wine selection was fairly decent and there was a solid choice at different price points. The food was alright. I think if the prices were lower it would have been well worth the trip. We had the chicken, blue cheese pear salad. The blue cheese was actually goat cheese and it was supposed to be warm but came out a bit cold. We also had the prime rib with baked potato. It was ordered medium rare and was cooked appropriately. The steak was a bit smaller than was expected for $35. But overall it was a good dinner. Again I would just say that for the overall price the meal was really expensive for what you get. Also the dining room needs a little sprucing up, the furniture is pretty well worn and there was some food on the floor. Again for the price you pay I would expect just a little better.
(3)Kelly T.
I've been in town for business for almost a week and went to Lavelle's because of Yelp reviews. The first thing I noticed was how pleased I was that the restaurant was clean, bright and didn't feel old or run down. The artwork on the walls is interesting and a nice touch. I was also impressed with the wine list. It's clear that the owner is a sommelier. I ordered the coriander crusted halibut. It was nicely cooked (good texture and nice cut of fish!). It came with a mango butter that was good, but lacked seasoning (or maybe the whole dish lacked seasoning?). It was served with a mound of bland jasmine rice and some very overcooked snap peas. I would get the fish again, but pass on the side dishes. Oh -- we did start off with some brie wrapped in dough. It was good. It was served with tart cranberries that really balanced the richness of the dough and the brie. My only issue with this was the garnish on the plate. There was a sprinkling of some leaf around the plate -- ala 1980s. Please skip the cheesy garnishes and just let the brie and cranberries shine. I'm a food snob and I would try this place again if I happen to be back in Fairbanks. That's saying something!
(4)Victoria B.
The fried halibut is excellent. The baked salmon with coconut rice: oooo, noooo. They said NOTHING on the menu regarding the wasabi marinade. Wasabi, to me, is what a dog must feel like when sticking his nose near bleach. Horrid and not something to repeat. When I commented on it, they comped my meal. THAT was impressive.
(5)Jim J.
The reviews here are mostly accurate. The restaurant is EXTREMELY noisy. Our salads were good but both main courses were very bland. My wife's pasta tasted like tuna casserole and my "chefs special" pasta was flavorless and really bland. The best deal is the house carafe wine. The servers were inattentive at best and rude at worst. All plates and glasses were tossed on the table with a loud thump. Getting the waitress's attention was very difficult. No one asked if our dinners were OK -- and it seems no one cared, either. If this is the best restaurant in Fairbanks, I am sorry for Fairbanks. I've had tastier meals at far lower prices!
(2)Suzy G.
WHY has it taken me so long to find this place? This is one of the ONLY places in town that actually feels and tastes like fine dining. Great service, reasonably priced dinner menu with seasonal items and vegetarian options. Best wine list in town. My only complaint? I can't decide where to sit- the gorgeous outdoor patio or the beautifully decorated bar area with big screen TVs.
(5)Danny L.
Pleasantly surprised...excellent food and service.
(5)Karla L.
I really thought this place was great for Fairbanks. (emphasize: fairbanks) I have not found many places that stand out in service and/or in good food here, but this place was on par with any nice restaurant. Not the best place ive ever eaten, but i was incredibly happy to find this place while looking for something a little more than diners or hole in the wall. I ordered dinner, wine, and dessert and the staff was so friendly and so helpful with suggestions and recommendations. It was not cheap at all, but Im ok with this. I really wanted somewhere nice to go in Fairbanks and so thankful I found it. I think they really raise the bar in the town. I will go back there next time im in fairbanks without a doubt..
(4)Eric G.
This place is horrible. We have been twice only because we had a gift card to use. The first time we went I had the steak which was nothing special especially for $35 and my wife had chicken caesar salad which she said had barely any dressing on it. Our second trip we took friends to help use up the gift card we had. I got the meat loaf which was alright, but yet again nothing special. I also had the fried calamari for an appetizer which was pretty good, but I've had better. Everyone else got a salad because they didn't find anything else they wanted on the menu which doesn't have very much to choose from either. None of them finished their salads either because they were nasty, or not enough dressing. Also the chicken on their salads was cold and dry. We got a couple deserts also, which were alright yet again nothing special. They seemed to be pre-made and just pulled out of the freezer. On top of the food being disappointing. Our waitress sucked big time. She wouldn't bring us refills or come refill our waters unless we asked for it. I almost went and refilled my own water at one point. This is the place that people in Fairbanks go when they want to feel "fancy"... This place isn't fancy.. maybe in Fairbanks standard but elsewhere it wouldn't be considered fancy. I would advise you to go elsewhere. Try Geraldos or the Silver Gulch.
(1)Susan H.
This litle gem of a restaurant is inside the Springhill Suites.It seemed a little cosmopolitan in Fairbanks and was quite busy the two evenings we went there. Even though they were busy they seated us quickly and the service was attentive, Kiel was our waiter both evenings. As a previous restaurant owner I am sometimes hard to please & Kiel did a great job both evenings. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer. Probably some of the best calamari we have had anywhwere- really! I had the Lavelle's salad- greens with gorgonzola cheese, carmelized walnuts, seasonal fruits & house dressing. It was good enough I ordered it the second night. By the way- this place also has a great wine list!
(4)Ssixty F.
Never had the ribs til this last night I went, the sauce is way sweet and sugary and soaked in it, fries were good. French onion soup varies, but I usually enjoy it. It's $11 for a very simple soup they should be ashamed of this. The filet is usually great, this is what I usually get. And the pastas are usually solid. Beers are $5.50 which is rude. Service has been great every time I've been. It's a pricey place, but convenient for my location for a nice dinner downtown.
(3)A S.
Decent dessert, food is mediocre, but the wait time for the food is outrageous. If you're going there, I hope you blocked out at least 2 hours for dinner!
(3)Bumble B.
Encountered the rudest bartender ever here. Cancelled my dinner reservation after dealing with him.
(1)Chris P.
Great place for drinks and dinner. I had the French onion soup and the scallops with spinach. Both were great. It is located in the Marriott but is not apart of the hotel.
(4)Jesse H.
Lavelle's is the only "classy" establishment in Fairbanks. New American with French influence. The food is consistently good, the service is strong, and the wine list is extensive.
(4)d c.
Pretty disappointing dinner here. Although they have a big wine selection, the beer tap choices were mediocre especially given that every other place in AK is pretty much local beer heaven. We ordered three apps instead of dinner: Halibut in beer batter was fishsticky, tartar Sauce recipe needs redoing (add some relish and worcestershire), fries were a cooked frozen product, Scallops were overdone, King Crab/Artichoke dip tasted like weird crunchy cardboard. I can forgive the frozen fries considering the location, but everything else - no good. Part of the story is the kind of incredible prices - about 15-19$ per app. Maybe the audience is Hotel/Cruise Ship.
(2)Ashley S.
One of the very best restaurants in Fairbanks!! If you're wanting a fine dining experience, this is the place to go!! Thoroughly enjoyed everything I tried!! Especially the calamari, scallops and prime rib!! Living in a much larger area now and find myself missing Lavelle's! If I'm ever back in Fairbanks, Lavelle's will be at the top of my list of places to go!
(5)Paul P.
Second the "not impressed" feeling. First and foremost due to the service. They bring nothing to the table, literally & figuratively. Well at least not until you're ready to get up a get it yourself. It does have a nice atmosphere but beyond that I just forked over $40 for halibut chunks, a facade of french onion soup and two beers, oh and $5 more for the beer I had to go get myself because the server went MIA. I won't be back and it's in the lobby of my hotel.
(2)Nick F.
stopped in for a glass of wine and an app after I heard that this was the best restaurant in Fairbanks. $14.95 for the fried calamari appetizer (usually a safe bet). Turned out to be calamari strips (not ring or tentacles) with a side of salsa and mayo. Good luck......
(2)Mandy R.
One of the best restaurants in town. As long as you aren't in a large group, the service is good. Their chicken champignon is to die for, and the baked brie appetizer is fantastic.
(5)Andrea Z.
It is the only restaurant in Fairbanks which is nicer and where you can go for a nice dinner... However it has nothing special to offer all there food is pretty normal and tastes average and is because of that overpriced... The atmosphere and the that it is the only restaurant like that in fairbanks speaks for it...
(3)Ian B.
There are very few 'nice' dining options in Fairbanks and Lavelle's purports to be one. They have the atmosphere and wine selection to match, but the food leaves a lot to be desired. My first complaint is that they use what appear to be frozen veggies as a side to entrees. It looked like it came right out of a bag and got plopped onto the plate. Not only was it the 'classic' assortment of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and pea pods, but the carrots were waffle cut. In the same vein the desserts look like they came out of the freezer at Sam's Club. They taste like it too. And is it so difficult to make fresh whipped cream that you have to get it out of a pre-made bag? The rack of lamb was cooked well and tasted great, especially the kiwi dipping sauce that came on the side. Only problem was the dry rub it was seasoned with had some pointy herbs that became sharp splinters when the rack was seared. The chicken caesar was bad. The chicken was dried out, and the lettuce was a mix of dry and tasteless. The shredded carrot and red cabbage don't belong in caeser and they certainly didn't make this one taste any better. The worst dish was the half-duck. The skin wasn't crispy and the meat was tough and mealy. I had the tamarind duck at Lemongrass a few weeks later and it was gourmet in comparison. It would also be nice if they changed the menu occasionally. It's a very boring menu that could use a couple more bistro items since that is what they claim to be. The first time I went I picked the rack of lamb by default since I hadn't had lamb in a while and nothing else interested me. Not that it has to be revamped every few months, but a few new items now and then would be nice. My overall feeling about Lavelle's is disappointment. I want it to be good and if they changed a few things it would be a lot better. Right now though it has boring, poorly executed food.
(2)Jim W.
Great service and even better food. I'm staying at hotel and food and service was great. This is my second time here and I spoke with hostess about other places and she gave me several but still said this was the best. I already tried one of the recommendations and it was good but nit as good as here.
(5)Matt M.
I stopped in to this restaurant because it was connected to my hotel and boy am I glad I did... the food, service and wine were amazing! The prices were a little high (well, at least for Fairbanks) but the food made up for it. I sat at the bar and Nicole (bartender) helped me out with the menu and I decided to have the Halibut. It was moist and delicious. I am going back next month and will have to try the Salmon next time. I will update and let you know if I have the same type of experience next time.
(4)Jesse C.
It may have been a fluke, but we weren't really impressed. The food was good... the service was just ok. If you go on Friday or Saturday night be prepared for a wait and make sure you bring your earplugs. Live music makes it impossible to have a conversation with your table mates. Excellent wine selection.
(2)Amikam R.
Lavelle's Bistro is located at the Marriott Spring Hills Suites. It is not run by the hotel. We had two dinners and a lunch there and were very happy with the food. Especially when compared to the other places in town. The fish were fresh and nice. The lamb succulent. Desserts were interesting. The wine list is adequate. Lunch seems to be the main income producing meal - hordes of tour people come to order at the bar and then wait at the table for their meal. The sandwiches are good and the salads interesting and large. Service at dinner is uneven. One night we had almost no service and had to beg for water but the next night service was solicitous and unobtrusive. There's no service to speak of at lunch and they include a service charge in the total prepaid price, knowing no one would leave a tip... The four stars are strictly in comparison to the local meager offerings. In Seattle the bistro would barely qualify for three stars.
(4)