Rebecca Palsha

I needed something with pizzazz on my palate last week and I found it at Sushi Garden. Cha Kim's parents started the restaurant in 1995, and she now owns it. About a year ago Kim, a graduate of Parsons the New School of Design in New York, redesigned the space. It's hip, urban and best of all, has great food.

I love Easter brunch because it's a chance to show off the best of breakfast and ease into afternoon delights like blackened halibut and prime rib. Churchgoers and late sleepers don't worry. Most restaurants serve until 3 or 4 p.m. Here's some of what local eateries are doing on April 4.

You can see the crown of a Sarah Palin-style hairdo sliding back and fourth behind the counter at Thai House Restaurant. Thai versions of '80s hits play in the background and the tangy smell of curry perfumes the air as Malada Vongsamath works in the kitchen. Head chef and owner, Vongsamath prepares every dish served.

My first bite of moussaka from Sparta Pizza was satisfying and rich. It's impossible to eat an entire slice by yourself, but you'll try anyway.

Chefs and restaurants pull out all the stops to dazzle diners on Valentine's Day. Also almost everyone is offering specials all weekend since the big day falls on a Sunday. Dine out twice and squeeze in smooches between blissful bites.

Winky's Wings is a hot, salty experience most people won't forget -- and neither will their taste buds. Its wings pack the kind of heat that sticks around like a first kiss lingers on your lips.

Last week I went out searching for lunch while my 7-month-old daughter cooed along with Beyonce on the radio. We ended up at Flo's Pancake House, a nondescript diner in Muldoon.

I love fried food and any sandwich experience that could end up with half in my mouth or on my lap. On my first visit to Hot Mama! Pizza & Phillys I stumbled through the ice covered parking lot on the corner of Arctic Boulevard and 36th Avenue drawn by the siren song of the deep fat fryer.

On my first visit to Sushi & Sushi (3337 Fairbanks St.) I was grouchy, cold, tired and covered in snow. The location housed the first incarnation of Peter's Sushi and is now owned by a former Peter's manager, Chong Wick.

When my parents first moved to Alaska, all my dad could talk about was Burger Jim (704 E. Fourth Ave.) His curiosity was not surprising since, well, his name is Jim. It wasn't until this week that I finally stopped in. I've been missing out.

We've already got our first dusting of snow and it feels like it might only be a matter of time before we're in full-blown, snow-to-your-knees winter.

There's no substitute for good Mexican food. I expect, no, I demand refried beans, rice, spicy salsa and great tortillas served hot with melting cheese and spices oozing everywhere.

Listen up big eaters, pregnant women, hockey players and all you growing boys. This is a food review for you. A story about meat and potatoes topped with more meat and potatoes.

I'd heard little about Pi Kitchen + Bar (600 E. Benson) before my first visit. No gossip from fellow foodies. No, "Oh you must stop by for a slice of such-and-such." The only trickles I heard were from bar hoppers in search of a new watering hole. It was odd, since I'm a gal who loves food and loves other people to make it for me.

Fire and Slice looks like a typical pizza joint. There are only three tables in the building. The seats are covered in glittery, yellow and red flames and messy children's artwork covers the bright, red and white walls.