The Chart Room (Homer, Alaska)

The Chart Room is located in the Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska, at the end of the famous spit. For reservations or for more information, call (907) 235-2500.

Food: This is certainly the finest dining in Homer, and according to some Alaskans, a destination for special occasions favored by many non-Homer residents. The location on the waterfront at the edge of Homer’s famous spit is probably the biggest reason for this pilgrimage. The food itself was very good.

We dined twice at the Chart Room as it was our hotel’s restaurant, and, as stated above, it offered a good meal. The menu listed beef dishes(like prime rib) and various seafood entrees featuring Alaskan specialties such as salmon, halibut and King crab.

Between the two occasions, we sampled a few different items on the menu. The first night, having spent the entire day at sea deep sea fishing, we voted wholeheartedly on the prime rib! It was prepared a nice medium, served with au jus and creamed horseradish and sides of homey garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli-cauliflower.

On the second visit, we were ready to face seafood again. We tried the King crab legs, 1 lb. worth, served with drawn butter, rice pilaf and a broccoli-cauliflower medley for ($37.50). The crab legs were very tasty, and thoughtfully split down the center to avoid embarrassing tugging, pulling and potential flinging. We also had the grilled halibut with maitre d’ butter, mashed red potatoes and the familiar broccoli-cauliflower. The butter sauce was very subtle, and as a result the taste of fresh-from-the-sea halibut could be enjoyed.

All of the above meals included fresh bread and a garden salad or bowl clam chowder. I added a very tasty bowl of French onion soup with plenty of bubbly Swiss cheese ($6.50) both times.

Wine: A very pleasant Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000

Exceptional Features: The location is key, with its beautiful views of the ocean and mountains not far across from the shores of the Land’s End Resort.

Service: Good, friendly service. Our meals were hot and promptly served.

Décor: The dining room follows a nautical theme and is accessorized with various sea-faring objects. There seems to be lots of space in the airy dining room, but the best seats by far are by the large windows. Be sure to request a window seat upon making dinner reservations as some tables are completely cut off from the beautiful view of shale shore line, ocean waters and snow-capped mountains. The outside view far eclipses the view inside the dining room, and remains the main draw to this restaurant.

Dress Code: We would recommend resort casual. Many people visit The Chart Room for special occasions, and so attire tends to be dressier (although certainly not formal) than in other Alaskan restaurants.

Price: Moderate to expensive, with seafood dishes that can get quite costly (~$40.00) – but portions are generous.

Reservations: Make reservations, if only to ensure that your table is right by the window. Apart from the stunning view of the water and mountains beyond, the dining room is rather unremarkable.

Overall Dining Experience: Very Good!