The Library — Restaurant in Fairbanks

This would have been a five star experience for us had our first two course no been overcooked. We really liked it in here...great design and atmosphere and lots of good options for vegetarians. We came in after a recommendation from our tour director who knew we liked whiskey and that the Library had a peated whiskey brewed by a distiller from another city we had just been in.

We had our shot of peated whiskey as promised and dug it.

We were seated at the bar as the place was packed and we didn't have a reservation. We were happy to have the spot as well as to see not only did they have numerous vegetarian options, but they were all clearly labeled on their menu...so food options for us was not a token afterthought and we felt welcome!

Unfortunately, I guess because it was so busy, the first two items we ordered took a looooong time to get to us and both were overcooked, like maybe the kitchen forgot they were in process which would explain the delay as well. We tried the Tempura Brussels Sprouts...a special menu item...overcooked...the tempura was a dark brown (tempura batter when cooked properly is a nice light golden brown with a nice light texture and taste to it) and the brussels on the inside were long void of any desirable texture.

We also got the regular menu offered Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Flatbread. This was also overdone...gone was any chewiness in the crust leaving us with nothing but hard crunches and a pretty overall rich-tasting dish on top.

Normally that would have been enough food for us, but we were only in town for one night and really wanted to try the cheese board...so we did and this was the saving grace of the meal. Served with cheeses, moosetard ground mustard, seasonal organic jam, house pickles, dried fruit, crackers, house baked italian crostini, house olives, this was plenty of food for us, looked really good, and we realized we could have just ordered this and we would have been indulgently full.

There are many more vegetarian options in all of the menu categories to choose from, especially the "shareables" section, so vegetarians – show up and you will be well taken care of.

We had a great time, also talking with the bartender!

If we were ever in Fairbanks again, we'd definitely come back...

a group of us came out to celebrate two birthdays, and have an amazing time. however, the experience was quickly soured by the actions of the owner. our entire group ordered the tequila mockingbird - which is supposed to be a purple drink - as you can clearly see…our drinks are not purple. we were told that the hibiscus usually transforms the drink, but that did not occur.

our group took ONE SINGULAR SIP of this beverage and quickly spit it out because it was so horrid. we kindly asked our server - who was amazing, so props to her, to ask if it was possible to replace the beverage as none of us could stomach it down. when the server came back, she explained that the owner stated: the drink was made correctly, and he stands by the beverage BUT we could totally order another drink if we wanted to instead…this drink is $18…why would our group order more beverages?

the food was great but we still couldn’t quite understand the logic behind the owners decision so we then asked our server if he would please come speak to us. we were not angry, did not make a scene, and remained calm. instead of coming to speak with us, the owner then sent another women to speak with us even though we could clearly see the owner peeking at our table and our server and this other woman going to speak with him.

they continued to reiterate that they stand by their decision because everything was done correctly…and the reason we didn’t like the drink was because of the mezcal which was not the issue. i’m not sure how a restaurant could stand by their decision that everything was done correctly when we received a brown nasty beverage only for another review to be posted THE SAME DAY and their drink be the purple color it’s supposed to be?

if you don’t like your drink, be prepared to plug your nose and take it like a champ because you won’t be getting your...

This was the first time my wife and I have been to The Library. We made reservations prior to our arrival. The hostess was very nice and seated us promptly at a cosey little table. That's where the problem began. As we sat there enjoying the upscale atmosphere other parties began trickling in. The waiter never made eye contact and proceeded to bring water and take orders from literally everyone around us. We sat there for 30 mins (with no water) watching this. I assume they must be regulars, friends of his or something. When he sat water for the 4th couple that had come in after us that was the final straw. We got up and left. I'd love to leave a review of the service or food, but we never got either. I can't even tell you what beers are on tap or what the water tastes like. I'm not sure if I some how wronged him in a pervious life, he just didn't like the look of me or it was a totally off night for him. At any rate that is the first and last time we will ever go there. PS I had to give 1 stars for food and service because it won't let you leave a...