Homer, Halibut and the Two Sisters
Trip Start
Oct 16, 2007
1
29
52
Trip End
Dec 16, 2007
Homer,
Alaska,
United States
Monday, April 14, 2008
Three other M Flakes, as we fondly refer to ourselves, and I started out for Homer early on Saturday morning. What should have taken 4 hours turned into an 8 hour drive. Isn't it wonderful when no one complains that you have to stop every 50 miles to use a restroom, every 20 miles for a photo op, 2 or 3 times for coffee and/or food, and endlessly are remarking "AH, OOOH, Oh my God, Unbelievable, BRRRR, etc, etc" What a great travel group.
Imagine our feelings of good fortune as we set out on a crisp, snowless, and sunny day. We stopped at Beluga Point, the Portage Glacier, the Russian River, and various other turn offs too numerous to mention. We even turned around to go back to look at a few we missed only to realize there was more to see ahead of us
Carrie
. Our luck continued as we pulled into Homer and headed to the Two Sisters Bakery and B & B. Thanks to Gary and Susan - who are currently in Hong Kong - we ended up taking the entire upper floor of the bakery. Not only were the views from our windows spectacular (AH, OOH, etc.) but I awoke to see three pheasants strutting around, two eagles in the trees, and a moose outside below my window. I did stick my head and body outside a little after midnight but no northern lights were visible.The next morning we awoke to the sound of activity below and meandered down for a great breakfast of coffee, scones, croissants, quiche, pecan rolls, and other mouth watering delicacies fresh from the oven! A definite advantage to staying above a bakery. Carrie the owner and Kate, featured in front of the wood burning oven, are the perfect proprieters. Thing will start to pick up soon and they only have three rooms so be sure to call in advance for lodging. The Two Sisters Bakery at 233 E. Bunnell is open 7 days a week and I would recommend that you don't miss it! (907) 235-2280 or www.twosistersbakery.net.
We packed up and headed out to the spit where we found eagles, a loon, and Kachemak Bay Seafoods where I had the pleasure of meeting Joe. Joe gave me the skinny on halibut. He whipped one out of the cooler and filled me in on the basics. These flat one sided fish - with both eyes on the same side! - are usually shown weighing in at 180 to 220 pounds in the sport fishing advertisements. Joe explained that 30 pounds is more the average. He used to work the boats for days at a time out on the water but now feels pretty good about servicing customers out of the store. He was telling me that he was featured in a travel film filleting fish
Kate and wood burning oven
! As we talked I asked him about the cheeks of the halibut, a delicacy I have had only twice. The best experience was in the French Restaurant located in the Heathman Hotel in Portland. Joe recognized a foodie when he saw one. He asked if I had a place to cook. When I replied in the affirmative he went back to the cooler, picked up a handful of cheeks and then vaccuum packed them for me. He was even kind enough to include some ice! We discussed preparation, both agreeing that they were such a delicacy that one didn't want to mess them up with any sauce. Joe went on to say that he had the good fortune to have a girlfriend in Maine so on the off days he enjoys the lobster she ships to him. He was astonished that we hadn't been in the Salty Dawg Saloon, the very spot he had met his current partner and he steered us back down the road for a quick visit. Wait until you see this place!
If you ever have the good fortune to be in Homer and have some fish that need filleting and/or shipping please go to KACHMAK BAY SEAFOODS, BOX 4004 HOMER, AK 99603 and ask for Joe or Bill. The number is (907) 299-1551/235-2799. On the way home I offered to cook for the crew and upon our return we settled in for a communal meal of sauteed halibut cheeks with a light lemon-caper sauce, rice pilaf, thyme braised fresh asparagus, and bok choy with mushrooms paired with a crisp Viognier. It was their first experience with halibut cheeks and let me tell you none of us will forget it. A definite 10.
Today we are all about work, dieting, and exercising. Our local storefront representative Bruce says he has never heard of cheeks making it off the fishing boats because they are so valued. We all feel satisfied and smug. He's offering some home caught caribou for next week's dinner.
Enough rhetoric. Enjoy the pictures and I'll see you when I get home in a little less than a week.
Comments
Homer Adventure
Oh my! What a view...and we were just thrilled that the sun came out last weekend! Can't wait to see you and hear moe about your trip!