History, homemade meals make Red Beet distinctive

Frontiersman

PALMER — Fine dining, entertainment and a piece of Palmer history — The Red Beet has it all.

Sally Koppenberg, along with her husband, Jay Erickson, will re-open the doors of The Red Beet on Tuesday — providing a unique blend of café, bakery and catering services for those looking for something fresh and fun in Palmer.

“We hope to bring joy and food to our community,” Koppenberg said.

Koppenberg said the business is somewhat new, but she’s not new to the industry. For more than 13 years, Koppenberg has operated Stonehill Catering in Palmer. Throughout her years in business she’s catered everything from small events with just a handful of guests to week-long events with enough food to feed 5,000 people.

Although she found success with her original catering business, Koppenberg said she always wanted a kitchen she could call her own. Before, she relied on renting kitchens to fit the needs of the catering business.

Raised in Palmer, Koppenberg grew up in a community rich in history. Knowing what the community once was and continues to be, she wanted to work that into her new business.

“We wanted something that had a piece of Palmer history,” she said.

Koppenberg said she looked at many potential locations, but couldn’t find a place that fit her specific needs. That is, until she found the Dahlia Street Market.

Once the Palmer Trading Post, the Dahlia Street Market storefront is far from a facade. Although the building has new paint, windows and a new purpose, it maintains the Matanuska Colony historical appeal.

Stepping through the doorway, customers will be greeted by an elegant arrangement of antique tables, chairs and fixtures. With ample seating and a comfortable feel, the room provides a perfect place to share a meal with friends, family or business associates.

When comes to food, Koppenberg said it’s all about starting from square one.

“We call our food ‘real food,’” she said. “It’s all made from scratch and nothing comes out of a box.”

Koppenberg said she goes the extra mile to provide good quality, fresh food for her customers. In fact, many of the items on the menu start as raw ingredients grown in Alaska. When the winter hits and local produce is somewhat low, she orders fresh ingredients from around the world.

“We use as much local meat and produce as we can get our hands on,” she said.

The Red Beet will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The lunch menu will include three dishes, fresh bread and a pastry. The dishes will include one meat dish and two vegetable dishes. For vegetarians, the chef can substitute meat for another veggie dish.

Although the menu sounds basic, Koppenberg said the simplistic nature of the menu allows her to create fun and tasty meals.

“Our menus are simple, but delicious,” she said.

Unlike traditional restaurants that have the same menu most days of the week, The Red Beet will offer something a little different.

“You can get a different meal 365 days a year,” she said.

In addition to providing something new, customers will have a couple of options to mix up the lunchtime menu. Hungry customers can choose a full portion that will cost $11. Those seeking a smaller meal can select the half portion option, which will cost $5.50.

Those looking for a late afternoon snack between lunch and dinner will find a selection of tasty treats at The Red Beet.

Koppenberg said she plans to serve “nibblies” from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week. A price for the nibbles hasn’t been established, but it will be a small price to pay for delightful deals for delicious mini-meals.

The café will also offer Thursday evening tasting menus beginning in April. Reservations are required. The meals will include eight courses served throughout the evening and will cost $78 a person.

“Tasting menus are not for the light of heart or casual eater,” she said. “A tasting menu is a dining experience.”

If a private gathering is more your style, the owner said The Red Beet is the perfect place. By calling ahead and making reservations, groups, organizations or individuals can set up a private breakfast, lunch or dinner. And with the capacity more than 100 people, the café can cater to events large and small.

“Basically, because of the versatility of our building we can host pretty much anything,” she said.

In fact, The Red Beet also offers entertainment, adding to the fun and friendly dining experience. Live music and theater are just a couple of entertainment options diners may find.

Along with lunch, dinner and entertainment, The Red Beet bakery will provide fresh breads and pastries from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. These delightful treats get special treatment in the old world style stone oven straight from Italy.

The Red Beet is located in the Dahlia Street Market at 320 East Dahlia Ave. in Palmer. For more information about the restaurant or menu listings, call 745-4050.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.