Review By Janine Daniels
Very few changes occur on the business landscape of Spenard Road just south of Benson. Besides the pawn shops, Alano Club, used car lots, thrift stores, strip joint, and a closed down gas station, there isn’t much to see in this part of town. So it’s no surprise that the newly painted purple restaurant, Yak and Yeti, stood out to me. In fact, when I saw the building, I was driving past so quickly that I nearly missed it, but my curiosity required that I flip my car around to get a second peek.
The sign read “Himalayan Restaurant”. Now I was truly curious. Having spent several months in India travelling throughout the country, some of my fondest memories are of those spent in the Himalayan mountains. Combining history and landscape with India, Tibet and Nepal, the Himalayas are a unique blend of culture, religion, and food. And, although Anchorage has a couple of traditional Indian dining spots, I had yet to find a specifically Himalayan eatery.
And so I determined to try this Yak and Yeti. In that moment, I did not realize how challenging this was going to be. My first attempt was on a Monday night for dinner. I drove straight there, husband in tow, only to discover Yak and Yeti is closed for dinners on Monday nights. This truly is not the only restaurant in town closed on Monday evenings, but I must add that it is always a disappointment. And, so we drove off to find another place to eat. The next Tuesday, just over a week later, I lined up a babysitter and together with my man, we headed off to Yak and Yeti.
Closed again. This time, I was smart enough to check the hours… not smart enough to write them down. Turns out, the restaurant is only open Thursdays - Sundays for dinner. Strange. So, once again, we find another dining place. That Saturday evening, I tuck the kids in and arrange for yet another late evening sitter. Off I go, supportive hubby being dragged along, knowing for certain that this time I will get to try the now overly mysterious Yak and Yeti Himalayan Restaurant. We arrive at 8:45 and to my horror I realized that they are only open until 8:30! At this point, I sat in my car convinced that there was some mean trick being played on me. Clearly, someone did not want me to go to Yak and Yeti! I drove away feeling very defeated and irritated.
Several weeks later, I phoned my hubby during the work day and told him, “Today’s the day! We are going to Yak and Yeti for lunch. I’ve called ahead, I know that they’re open, and I am going to try again!” So with renewed determination, and a hefty chunk of skepticism, we loaded into our car and drove to a side of town I usually try to avoid.
When we pulled up to the building, a pleasant site beheld me - there was no room in their parking lot (not that this would be difficult as only 4 cars can fit, but it was still something I had not yet seen). They were, in fact, open for business! We found off street parking alongside the building, and walked up to the front door. I peered into the windows (yes, I was that patron staring in at others eating), and was delighted to see a packed restaurant.
In fact, upon entering, we found that all of the 12 tables were filled with happy guests basking in the scents and flavors of the Himalayan mountains. The smells were so distinct, I could not help but smile - simmering spices of cardiman, cinnamon, and curry, mixed with roasting lamb, chicken tandoor, and sweet chutneys. Combined with music I remember so well, high pitched singers and a steady drum beat with unusual stringed instruments, the sounds of the region, I forgot for a moment that I was still in Anchorage. Each wall was painted a different deep color and the art was simple and modern mixed with cultural Himalayan fabrics hanging over the doorways. As we waited for a table to clear, I stood there taking it all in. Had I given up on their crazy hours, I would have missed this moment.
When we were seated a few minutes later, water was served in stainless steel cups, keeping with what you would find in India. Even with this simple touch, I was mesmerized. There were only 2 waitresses who did a fantastic job of making sure each dining guest was so pleased they would come back again soon. I can only guess that they were owners of the establishment, so great was their service. If you can imagine having 2 American women open up an adorable and intimate restaurant in Shimla, India, this would fit that image.
One of my most distinct memories of travelling through India was that although the language, fashion and temperatures changed drastically, all Indians love their chai. Not a chai like you would buy in a US coffee shop, but a chai that is a blend of boiled heavy milk, black tea, honey, and rich spices. Sellers of chai walk throughout the streets of India yelling above the noise “Chai! Chai!” in a whiny tone that, try as I may, I simply cannot imitate. On the menu at Yak and Yeti is a Darjeeling chai. To my sheer delight (and my husband’s who stole my drink), this drink is authentic as any chai I’ve ever had. My mug was served as a steaming hot liquid poured to the brim with a thin layer of froth. My first sip was a welcomed blend of sweet milky tea and spicy cinnamon. This drink alone would keep me coming back for more again and again.
For lunch, I ordered a traditional fare of lamb korma and basmati rice with naan, a traditional Indian bread, and my husband ordered a combination plate of lamb curry and dahl with rice. The menu was simple, easy to understand, and well explained both on the actual menu and by our server. Our fare arrived piping hot, well seasoned, and perfectly tender. I always enjoy well cooked lamb, and this is near the top of the list for best cooked lamb tenderloins.
Licking our plates clean, we risked a carrot dessert that I had not heard of before. Served in a coffee cup, shredded carrot pieces were mixed with a sweet milky stew that left a mild flavor in our mouths. Our warm sweet finish was a perfect compliment to our main course.
Dining at Yak and Yeti was more like an experience than just a great place to eat. If it weren’t for the cars driving by the front windows of the restaurant, I may have actually believed that I was in the Himalayas at a quaint home restaurant that would welcome famished hikers and locals alike. And, so that you will not make the same repeat mistake that I made, I am publishing the hours of this must-experience restaurant.
Lunch: Monday - Friday, 11 am - 3:30 pm
Dinner: Thursday - Sunday, 5 pm - 8:30 pm
Very few changes occur on the business landscape of Spenard Road just south of Benson. Besides the pawn shops, Alano Club, used car lots, thrift stores, strip joint, and a closed down gas station, there isn’t much to see in this part of town. So it’s no surprise that the newly painted purple restaurant, Yak and Yeti, stood out to me. In fact, when I saw the building, I was driving past so quickly that I nearly missed it, but my curiosity required that I flip my car around to get a second peek.
The sign read “Himalayan Restaurant”. Now I was truly curious. Having spent several months in India travelling throughout the country, some of my fondest memories are of those spent in the Himalayan mountains. Combining history and landscape with India, Tibet and Nepal, the Himalayas are a unique blend of culture, religion, and food. And, although Anchorage has a couple of traditional Indian dining spots, I had yet to find a specifically Himalayan eatery.
And so I determined to try this Yak and Yeti. In that moment, I did not realize how challenging this was going to be. My first attempt was on a Monday night for dinner. I drove straight there, husband in tow, only to discover Yak and Yeti is closed for dinners on Monday nights. This truly is not the only restaurant in town closed on Monday evenings, but I must add that it is always a disappointment. And, so we drove off to find another place to eat. The next Tuesday, just over a week later, I lined up a babysitter and together with my man, we headed off to Yak and Yeti.
Closed again. This time, I was smart enough to check the hours… not smart enough to write them down. Turns out, the restaurant is only open Thursdays - Sundays for dinner. Strange. So, once again, we find another dining place. That Saturday evening, I tuck the kids in and arrange for yet another late evening sitter. Off I go, supportive hubby being dragged along, knowing for certain that this time I will get to try the now overly mysterious Yak and Yeti Himalayan Restaurant. We arrive at 8:45 and to my horror I realized that they are only open until 8:30! At this point, I sat in my car convinced that there was some mean trick being played on me. Clearly, someone did not want me to go to Yak and Yeti! I drove away feeling very defeated and irritated.
Several weeks later, I phoned my hubby during the work day and told him, “Today’s the day! We are going to Yak and Yeti for lunch. I’ve called ahead, I know that they’re open, and I am going to try again!” So with renewed determination, and a hefty chunk of skepticism, we loaded into our car and drove to a side of town I usually try to avoid.
When we pulled up to the building, a pleasant site beheld me - there was no room in their parking lot (not that this would be difficult as only 4 cars can fit, but it was still something I had not yet seen). They were, in fact, open for business! We found off street parking alongside the building, and walked up to the front door. I peered into the windows (yes, I was that patron staring in at others eating), and was delighted to see a packed restaurant.
In fact, upon entering, we found that all of the 12 tables were filled with happy guests basking in the scents and flavors of the Himalayan mountains. The smells were so distinct, I could not help but smile - simmering spices of cardiman, cinnamon, and curry, mixed with roasting lamb, chicken tandoor, and sweet chutneys. Combined with music I remember so well, high pitched singers and a steady drum beat with unusual stringed instruments, the sounds of the region, I forgot for a moment that I was still in Anchorage. Each wall was painted a different deep color and the art was simple and modern mixed with cultural Himalayan fabrics hanging over the doorways. As we waited for a table to clear, I stood there taking it all in. Had I given up on their crazy hours, I would have missed this moment.
When we were seated a few minutes later, water was served in stainless steel cups, keeping with what you would find in India. Even with this simple touch, I was mesmerized. There were only 2 waitresses who did a fantastic job of making sure each dining guest was so pleased they would come back again soon. I can only guess that they were owners of the establishment, so great was their service. If you can imagine having 2 American women open up an adorable and intimate restaurant in Shimla, India, this would fit that image.
One of my most distinct memories of travelling through India was that although the language, fashion and temperatures changed drastically, all Indians love their chai. Not a chai like you would buy in a US coffee shop, but a chai that is a blend of boiled heavy milk, black tea, honey, and rich spices. Sellers of chai walk throughout the streets of India yelling above the noise “Chai! Chai!” in a whiny tone that, try as I may, I simply cannot imitate. On the menu at Yak and Yeti is a Darjeeling chai. To my sheer delight (and my husband’s who stole my drink), this drink is authentic as any chai I’ve ever had. My mug was served as a steaming hot liquid poured to the brim with a thin layer of froth. My first sip was a welcomed blend of sweet milky tea and spicy cinnamon. This drink alone would keep me coming back for more again and again.
For lunch, I ordered a traditional fare of lamb korma and basmati rice with naan, a traditional Indian bread, and my husband ordered a combination plate of lamb curry and dahl with rice. The menu was simple, easy to understand, and well explained both on the actual menu and by our server. Our fare arrived piping hot, well seasoned, and perfectly tender. I always enjoy well cooked lamb, and this is near the top of the list for best cooked lamb tenderloins.
Licking our plates clean, we risked a carrot dessert that I had not heard of before. Served in a coffee cup, shredded carrot pieces were mixed with a sweet milky stew that left a mild flavor in our mouths. Our warm sweet finish was a perfect compliment to our main course.
Dining at Yak and Yeti was more like an experience than just a great place to eat. If it weren’t for the cars driving by the front windows of the restaurant, I may have actually believed that I was in the Himalayas at a quaint home restaurant that would welcome famished hikers and locals alike. And, so that you will not make the same repeat mistake that I made, I am publishing the hours of this must-experience restaurant.
Lunch: Monday - Friday, 11 am - 3:30 pm
Dinner: Thursday - Sunday, 5 pm - 8:30 pm
