Palmer Alaska

The first thing that strikes you at Turkey Red is the atmosphere. The lighting is very soft and subtle, mostly coming through wide windows encircling the dining area. This creates a relaxing mood and makes Turkey Red feel very open. On the windowsills and scattered throughout the café are a diverse selection of potted plants and herbs. These combined with the light brown tone of the walls adds an earthy comfort to the place. Decorating the walls are pictures and paintings.

Turkey Red offers a selection of 16 different kinds of teas, including varieties of green and black. This delicious tea is only two dollars for a half-pot, which I found equals about a cup and a half. The tea was the undoubtedly the highlight of my dining experience at Turkey Red. I also had their Mediterranean Salad, which was also quite delicious. All of this was supplemented by very friendly service that left me smiling as I walked out the door.

The owner of Turkey Red is Alex Papasavas, who is one-half Greek and one-half French. I talked with the owner’s partner, Franco Magrini, who is one-half Italian and one-half South American. Franco told me that he and Alex wanted the café’s cuisine to represent their various cultural experiences. This idea has certainly come to fruition in the form of a unique and diverse selection offering everything from Spinach Crespelle to Chicken Pizzaiolo.

At Turkey Red, all of the bread is risen naturally, so little yeast is used. The food is prepared entirely at the café. You’re not getting pre-frozen, reheated food. They also try to incorporate as many organic ingredients as possible. In the summer, Turkey Red purchases most of it’s produce from Arctic Organics, a family operated farm near Palmer. This is a great example of businesses in our community supporting each other. Turkey Red’s organic, natural menu is a fantastic alternative to fast food, if you have the time. It’s well worth it. Excellent tea, great food, and a warm atmosphere makes Turkey Red the perfect place for a multi-cultural experience in the town you love.

The Noisy Goose Cafe, also known as the Colony Kitchen, has some of the best food in town. It’s located just before the fairgrounds on the right side of the Glenn Hwy as you head out of town. Customers range in age from Palmer old timers to young couples with children. The prices are similar to the Valley Hotel’s cafe: $8-$13 per person.

There are senior and children menus, seafood and steaks, soups and baked potatoes with all the

toppings, and of course, burgers and breakfast. Yum! The atmosphere is really great; country music plays in the background, the waitresses are cheery and the decor is entertaining.

Overall, this cafe is a great place to take your family, meet your friends or just enjoy a cup of coffee! Come check it out!

Slack’s isn’t like a boring box-store bakery. They use the recipes your grandma used and fry the donuts in peanut oil. After all, don’t fix what ain’t broke, right? Every delicious product is made right there from scratch. You can find old-fashioned donuts, pastries, cookies, breads, pies, cakes, coffee and other beverages, and can order anything on the menu a day in advance. They don’t offer espresso drinks, but you can get them right next door at the locally owned Purple Moose Espresso.

You can order cakes for special occasions for any theme, including weddings. Ms. Slack will trace photos out by hand with frosting, instead of making an ‘edible image’ out of rice paper.

Not only is Vagabond Blues a great coffeehouse, it is also a well-known musical venue. With concerts ranging in genre from bluegrass to metal, V-Blues does its best to keep the music as diverse as our community. The performances are reasonably priced, some are even free. Many local artists are known to come and play as well as groups from out of state. Want to share your undiscovered talent? Open-Mike nights are on Mondays.

Soups, salads, breads, all made here in Alaska, if not in V-Blues’ own kitchen, are just part of the menu. They use as much local produce as possible, similar to the Red Beet. Like Starbucks’ coffee? This is the place for you.