TASTE! Alaska

Explore and learn about all aspects of the local food scene. Together we can see what’s going on at restaurants, the markets and products as well as unique artisan items that make Alaska just a little different. Artwork by Lee Post, used with permission.


Rob Kinneen

Rob Kinneen was born in Petersburg, AK and started his career in culinary classes at the King Career Center by day and bustin' suds at local restaurants by night. He attended the Culinary Institute of America, worked prestigious dining establishments in New Orleans and Durham/Chapel Hill, then returned to Alaska in 2001 as Seven Glaciers chef, Noble's Diner inspiration, and now at Orso.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Alaska grown

Find those cool blue and yellow T-shirts and hoodies here, as well as seasonal market information.

PRODUCTS I USE

Moosetard: gourmet Alaska mustards

Locally produced artisan product with bold Alaska- nspired flavors. I use in spreads, for sandwiches, vinaigrettes and to finish meat sauces.

Alaska Chip Company

Potato chips made only from Alaska potatoes.

Alaska Birch Syrup

Made from birch tree sap and available in four flavors. Medium is the best to cook with.I use it for a birch syrup-brown butter sauce over pastas and incorporate it with crème brulees. Currently I'm using birch syrup to glaze pork belly for a summer dish.

Simple Pleasures of Alaska

Producers of spruce tip syrup, kelp pickles and other unique items out of Sitka.

Alaska Native-made jams, jellies and syrups

For thousands of years Alaskan Natives handpicked plump, sweet, wild berries. Today local and tribal residents continue this tradition, bringing some of these wonderful berries to our modern kitchen.

Alaskan Brewing Co.

Home of eight beers including Alaskan Amber, ESB, IPA and winter and summer ales.

Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Home of year-round, seasonal, X-special and series beers.

Ring of Fire Meadery

In Homer since 2004. Meads and honey ciders produced without sulfites and with local fruits and berries.

Celestial Meads

Produce at least 18 meads, located in Midtown Anchorage.

What's going on... - 2/4/2009 9:12 am

ALASKAN RAISED ELK, FDA Approved, AT ORSO - 1/23/2009 11:33 pm

An Alaskan Elk, FDA inspector and a vegetarian walk into the bar at ORSO! - 1/14/2009 1:29 am

New Years Eve, a recap - 1/8/2009 12:22 am

The Busiest Day of the Year. - 12/29/2008 8:36 am

ORSO Fresh Fare Travels and New Years Eve!!! - 12/22/2008 12:05 am

ORSO Fresh Fare Travels, featuring Spain and Portugal - 11/12/2008 9:14 am

Join us at the ORSO bar for Soiree de la Fee Verte - 10/31/2008 12:54 am

Fresh Fare Travels, Spenard Builders Cooking Series... - 10/17/2008 9:06 am

Blackbird Restaurant, Chicago - 9/29/2008 10:27 pm

TASTE of Mardi Gras Event, TONIGHT - 9/26/2008 1:12 am

Alaskans helping Alaskans - 9/26/2008 12:47 am

A NOLA Rolla going back to his roots - 9/21/2008 12:32 pm

Lunch at Restaurant August in NO,LA - 9/21/2008 12:21 pm

Back from my prolonged "vacation"-Ready to POWER BLOG! - 9/21/2008 11:32 am

Chefs offer domestic, sustainable seafood recipes - 8/23/2008 11:14 pm

Goin' to Chicago!! - 8/14/2008 12:54 am

COCHON, The last grub fest in NO,LA - 8/10/2008 2:19 pm

GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK OFF - 8/6/2008 1:48 am

The LowDown on CELESTIAL MEADERY, and ... - 7/24/2008 12:15 am

All the live long day... - 7/11/2008 4:14 pm

Workin' that RailRoad... - 7/11/2008 3:53 pm

ORSO Fresh Fare Travels, featuring Spain and Portugal

Comments (0) |

Hello, it's been nose to the grindstone for a little while, I have officially taken the reigns as Executive Chef. This has led to some long days recently, not much time left for anything else.... A wintertime program I am responsible for is the Fresh Fare Travels.
We feature a location and produce a four course dinner with wine options.
Ala carte pickled beet salad: Local beets pickled , served with spinach and arugula with an orange vinaigrette topped with manchego cheese and crushed almonds.Ala carte pickled beet salad: Local beets pickled , served with spinach and arugula with an orange vinaigrette topped with manchego cheese and crushed almonds.Smoked Paprika Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Served with a stew of chickpeas, apricots, figs and kale.  Fininshed with a ramesco sauce, paired with   2004 AN/2Smoked Paprika Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Served with a stew of chickpeas, apricots, figs and kale. Fininshed with a ramesco sauce, paired with 2004 AN/2Braised Seafood with Risotto Nero: Braised Calamari accented with Alaskan salmon and halibut in a tomato madiera broth, served over a squid ink risotto cake.  Paired with a 2003 Lorinon ReservaBraised Seafood with Risotto Nero: Braised Calamari accented with Alaskan salmon and halibut in a tomato madiera broth, served over a squid ink risotto cake. Paired with a 2003 Lorinon ReservaAlaskan "Salt Cod" Bacalao: Fresh Alaskan Cod that has been brined and air dried.  A new fangled twist on a classic preserving technique.  Accompanied with fennel, orange and olive.  Paired with a 2007 Marques de Caceres varietal.Alaskan "Salt Cod" Bacalao: Fresh Alaskan Cod that has been brined and air dried. A new fangled twist on a classic preserving technique. Accompanied with fennel, orange and olive. Paired with a 2007 Marques de Caceres varietal.

The dessert is a classic musicians tart served with pumpkin ice cream and an apricot saffron drizzle. Don't miss this.
Late for work, gotta go!! See you at ORSO


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