Building fine dining in Sitka: The story of Beak Restaurant
Building a successful small business in Alaska takes vision, resilience, and the right support. For Beak Restaurant, a women-owned, James Beard Award semifinalist restaurant in Sitka, that journey began with a mission — to create a space that serves great food, celebrates community, and provides opportunities for young people in the industry. Beak, powered by GCI, is more than just a restaurant — it’s a gathering place where locals and visitors can experience the best of Alaska’s seafood and hospitality.
A fresh take on fine dining
When Renee Trafton opened Beak in 2017, she saw an opportunity to create something special — a place where fresh, locally sourced ingredients meet creative dishes in an inviting atmosphere.
“I’ve been talking about cooking fish my whole life,” she shared. “Moving to Sitka was a pretty good move for me. But I was surprised there weren’t more seafood restaurants in town. I think people in Sitka are just used to having the best food at their fingertips.”
Beak’s menu is a tribute to Alaska’s rich seafood offerings, featuring dishes like rockfish tacos, seared salmon pita, and a rotating selection of fresh catches.
“Sometimes it’s a guest’s time ever having king salmon, and they say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know fish could taste like this,’” Renee said.
“Something that’s very unique to Alaska is our fisherman,” Renee shared. “My fish guy will just send me a text asking how many king salmon I want, then he shows up in his truck, unloads them, and puts them in my walk-in fridge. It’s special because that fish could have been swimming around earlier that day!”
Sourcing locally is a priority beyond seafood.
“I use Delta Junction barley in my soup and venison sausage from Indian Valley Meats near Anchorage. Thriving within our limits is important. Here, we’re more limited, so we focus on making what we have special through technique and attention to detail,” said Renee.
One standout item is the house-made habanero turmeric hot sauce, a nod to the owner’s Panamanian heritage.
“It’s a little part of my background that I get to share with people,” she said.
Something unique about Beak is that the restaurant is gratuity free and staff wages are built into menu prices.
Renee says, “I want people to feel welcome, have a good time, and not spend an arm and a leg. It takes a lot of pressure off service. I want people to feel like they’re stepping into someone’s living room — cheerful, welcoming, and warm.”
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Building connections through technology
Operating in Sitka means finding ways to stay connected, and technology plays a key role in Beak’s success. The restaurant relies on GCI for its point-of-sale system, social media presence, and guest Wi-Fi.
“It’s an important part of having a smooth service. I’ve had really good service from GCI, and I’m really happy with it,” said Renee.
Beak’s complimentary Wi-Fi is also a big hit with customers.
Renee says, “People want to post their photos, check in for their flights, or just tap into the wider world because we are on an island in rural Alaska.”
Over the years, Beak has expanded its point-of-sale system to meet growing demand.
“We started with one handheld device, and now we have three because we’re just so busy. It helps us keep up with service, especially in the summer,” said Renee.
Every GCI business has an account representative to troubleshoot any problems that arise. Renee has this to say about her account representative:
“I have our GCI rep’s phone number, and when I have a problem, I call him. Fortunately, I don’t have many problems, so I don’t talk to him very often.”
Building a community through food
As Beak continues to grow, Renee remains committed to the vision that started it all — building a business that supports Sitka, celebrates Alaska’s incredible seafood, and creates opportunities for the next generation.
Beak hires locally, including many high school students.
“We’ve been a lot of people’s first jobs, and it’s great to see their energy and optimism for the future,” Renee shared. “They’re a part of the community, and their families will come in, making us all feel more connected.”
Giving back to the community is part of Beak’s values.
“We are gratuity free, but when people leave tips, we gather that money and vote as a staff on a local charity to donate to,” said Renee. “Years ago, there was a fish tank at the elementary school that needed new filters. The younger staff were like, ‘oh my gosh, I love that fish tank, let’s donate to that.’ So, we were a significant contributor to that.”
With a foundation built on hospitality, community, and embracing Alaska culture, Beak Restaurant continues to carve out its place as a must-visit dining destination in Sitka.