Orso

DOWNTOWN. Orso resembles a giant woodland lodge—the restaurant and bar is a spacious 6,000 square feet of wood posts, fireplaces, and low lighting. Contrary to expectations, the food is pure Old World Italian. Starters consist of marinated olives, mussels in lemon sauce, or fresh salads tossed tableside. Main course pasta dishes are served family style—dig into the wild mushroom ravioli or the spaghetti with oven roasted garlic, lemon herb butter, and giant meatballs. All pastas are made fresh daily by the Alaska Pasta Company. Atkins devotees need not fear, as there are plenty of seafood and meat entrée options. The osso bucco, using a lamb shank rather than the traditional veal, is served with sweet and sour onions, roma tomatoes, and kalamata olives on a bed of creamy polenta. Voted Anchorage's favorite dessert, the molten chocolate cake is too good to pass up. Smart-casual to stylish attire. Reservations suggested.