EXTERIOR: 2-3/5 (in a strip mall)
INTERIOR: 3-4/5 (cozy, very bistro-like)
ATMOSPHERE: 5/5 (true bistro, best customer service, very intimate)
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 5/5 (amazing, you are the most important person to the waiter's universe while at Jens')
QUALITY OF FOOD: 5/5
TASTE OF FOOD: 3.5-4/5 (lunch is a 4-4.5, dinner is a 3.5)
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I eat fairly regularly here. This place is inbetween a 3 and a 4, but I ultimately rounded up, all things considered.
Each restaurant has one cornerstone that stands out and distinguishes them, whether it be positive or negative. For Jens' I truly believe it's their quite amazing customer service and relaxed yet focused aura/vibe. This is a true bistro in the European sense (i.e. as opposed to Southside Bistro, which tastes wonderful, but is not a true European bistro-vibe).
Their food, in particular their lunch menu, is pretty good too. Their lunch is fantastic, it's one of my favorite lunch spots (side note- my old favorite was Southside Bistro, but lunching there every day for 3 years finally tired me out. by the way, Southside Bistro and Jens' food and aura are quite different styles, both with impeccable customer service, though Jens' is far more intimate). I'd say their lunch is superior to their dinner, although I do come for both. Their lunch menu feels decidedly more "Danish." When I do come to Jens' for dinner, it's to relax and finish a meal with a nice Danish dessert.
I think what shows that Jens' cornerstone is ultimately successful is this example:
Although I prefer Simon and Seafort's scallops to Jens' and Crow's Nest's duck to Jens' (Jens' duck breast w/sauce is actually the only atrocious thing I have ever eaten here), I find myself coming back for the atmosphere. And I always tip 20-25%, even when I don't like a certain meal (and no, I don't always tip so generously; I usually tip 15% to start, and it goes up depending on service and regularity). I come back for the customer service and atmosphere.
I'm back for the staff. For being impeccably waited on (the grandfather-figure waiter here is THE best. To him, when he sees you, you are THE MOST important person in the world. Anything you want, he will make it happen). For their Danish-twist on the menu, and their Danish desserts. For the music, for people-viewing other customers always jovial with their dinner group. Sometimes to hear the "goodnight" music or the random "happy birthday" song.
Jens' has atmosphere and customer service down to a T. While I'm always honest, when the grandfather waiter asked me how my food was, I found myself for a first time unable to tell the waitstaff the duck was "just ok" (meaning not ok, meaning never again and not great). And I didn't mind. I think that's the point you realize you're probably regular-ish and have developed a "relationship" with an eatery. I think you should try Jens' for yourself to experience the atmosphere and the Danish twist on the menu. I recommend trying Jens' for lunch for starters. The next time you're back, it's as if you never left. It has a sort of timeless feeling that they've preserved, and it lives on even though Jen has passed. If I was Jen or a restaurant owner, I'd say that's really great.
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A few food notes, since I didn't detail food much above:
- For their lunch menu, I ADORE their lamb chops. Also try any of their meats that are served with "an egg on top" :)
- Their calamari is not breaded. It is served with sourdough bread and in a bed of sauce, which is delicious for bread-dipping. This makes their calamari different than most other Anchorage eateries, as most opt to fry them (for the best fried calamari, try Southside Bistro. they use baby squid, my favorite).
- Their scallops are pretty good, but Simon & Seafort's is better. Simon & Seafort's just has seafood seasoning down to a T! Wish I knew their secrets.
- Their steaks are above average, they could use a little more seasoning. It definitely doesn't come close to Lawry's. But their tenderloins and lamb chops and small-sized meats are great.
- Experiment with their Danish desserts! I usually order this Danish "pudding," which is basically like a berry compote with heavy cream poured on top. I always ask for extra heavy cream and add Splenda. It's a nice, light, fruity ending to a heavier meal. read more