With the summer tourist season still a few months away, some downtown restaurants are looking to lure more locals this winter. To that end, Monday is the first of Anchorage Downtown Partnership's annual 100 Days of Downtown Dining.
"The more people that we can bring to downtown, the better downtown is," said Penny Smythe, director of marketing at the partnership, adding that the idea is also to get local diners to venture outside of their favorite spots and "maybe visit some new places you wouldn't normally go to."
Here's how it works: Diners can get a game card at any of the 21 participating downtown restaurants. Each visit at one of those establishments earns you one stamp on your game card. Six stamps from six different restaurants get you a $10 dining certificate. To redeem your certificate, take your card or mail it to the Anchorage Downtown Partnership office, 333 W. Fourth Ave., and the certificate will be for a restaurant chosen at random, though Smythe said there would be some wiggle room if the restaurant chosen was one you knew you didn't like. Twelve stamps from 12 restaurants equal one $25 certificate, while a sticker from each of the 21 participating business earns two $25 certificates.
If you don't have a calendar handy, 100 days from Monday is April 28, but as long as your stamps were acquired within that 100 day window, you can redeem prizes until May 15.
That's also when they'll announce the winner of the grand prize, which is a downtown get-away that includes a weekend stay at Hotel Captain Cook, an Allure Day Spa package and more incentives that Smythe said are still being ironed out. Every card you redeem also enters you into the grand prize drawing.
You can also "like" the 100 Days of Downtown Dining's Facebook page to keep up to date with daily specials at each restaurant.
Think you'll lose your game card before you can redeem it? New this year is the Perka app, which lets you earn stamps by checking in at each restaurant with your smartphone. After checking in, give your name to your server or cashier who will then confirm it.
Eat. Pay. Repeat. When you earn enough stamps, you can either visit the partnership office or call (279-5650) to redeem your certificate, which they'll send in the mail.
So just where is all this stamp action happening? Details are below.
Brown Bag Sandwich Co. / $$
400 D St.
277-0202
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Meaty sandwiches, both hot and cold, with a couple veggie options, plus a couple free arcade games.
The Bubbly Mermaid Oyster Bar / $$
417 D. St.
(619) 665-2852
Noon-9 p.m. or later daily
As the name suggests, oysters, champagne and sparkling wine are featured. The hours are fairly fluid, with closing time dictated by the bar scene. Look for later hours on the weekend.
Crush Wine Bistro / $$
343 W. Sixth Ave.865-9198
Matt Sullivan
Anchorage Daily News