Anchorage Daily News

At the moment, the Linny Pacillo Parking Garage doesn't look like much. Situated directly across from the downtown Atwood Building, the construction is dusty, noisy and nowhere near finished.

But Friday afternoon, Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer unveiled an artist's rendering of the structure, along with more tantalizing news: Plans for a new downtown restaurant.

Not just any eatery, but one by Anchorage restaurateurs Chris Anderson and Bob Acree, co-owners of the Glacier Brewhouse and Orso Ristorante.

And yes, the new restaurant will have heated toilet seats.

Anderson, decked out in hard hat and construction vest, stood in the mud in front of a makeshift podium Friday beside his soon-to-be restaurant and discussed the menu.

"It will be a celebration of Alaskan cuisine," he said.

Which means seafood. Lots of it. And cooked, or so goes the spiel, for red-blooded Alaskans, not wimpy New York tourists.

According to architect Andrew Weiss, 32, of Koonce Pfeffer Bettis Inc., the parking structure above the restaurant will be similar -- practical yet aesthetically appealing. Wrapped in aluminum louvers to reflect light, it will feature a glass-enclosed staircase and an open feel.

The first floor is slated for retail: Anderson's restaurant and two other businesses, still unnamed as of Friday. Reserved for state employees during the day, the parking garage will open to public use on evenings and weekends.

Anderson's new restaurant, which should open in early winter 2008, will be midsize, done in warm earth tones. As soon as you walk through the door, he promised, you'll be immediately reminded that you're in Alaska.

"You'll think: Where have I seen this before? Smelled this before? Where have I tasted this before?" he said.

Recent blueprints reveal a spacious dining area with convention seating on one side, a large bar on the other. In the center will be the kitchen and exhibition cooking area, with offices and bathrooms (with the heated toilet seats) tucked away in the back.

Anderson is still struggling over the right name for this very Alaska, very seafoodish but very much not like Orso or the Brewhouse, restaurant.

"It will be like Alaska," he said. "Like something never seen before."

Find Cinthia Ritchie online at adn.com/contact/critchie or call 257-4314.

At a glance

Linny Pacillo Parking Garage

• Construction began: Feb. 1, 2007

• Estimated cost: $43.5 million

• Size: 368,830 square feet

• Floors: 10

• Parking spaces: 840

New restaurant

• Dining room: 160 seats

• Bar: 80

• Cuisine: Seafood

• Price: Moderate

• Wine selection: 200 bottles

• Decor: Earthy and natural

• Toilet seats: Heated

• Opening date: Early winter 2008