Sunrise Grill: Eagle Hotel in Palmer to feature a new restaurant

PALMER — The Eagle Hotel has featured a handful of different restaurants in recent years. But an Anchorage man hopes his new restaurant will have long-term success in the Palmer hotel.

Vinny Alimi is days away from opening the Sunrise Grill in the building located on South Colony Way. Alimi said he wants his restaurant to last for years to come, and his business to be part of Palmer’s small town atmosphere.

“We’re planning for a long time. We’re (going) be your next door neighbor,” Alimi said.

Alimi’s crew busily worked late Monday evening. After a month of preparation, he hopes to fire up the Sunrise Grill within the next 10 days.

Alimi’s nephew, Musli Muslio, was amongst the various workers scrubbing tiles and re-upholstering seats on Monday. He is currently a senior at Dimond High School in Anchorage and will regularly help out at restaurant.

Atli Dobrova has owned the Eagle Hotel for six years and is a good friend of Alimi. Alimi said that Dobrova suggested that he should lease out the space and start up his own restaurant. Alimi had a restaurant for two years in Illinois that served American-style food.

Alimi stressed that cleanliness of his restaurant and quality of his food is paramount.

“If I’m not (going to) eat it, we’re not (going to) serve it,” he said. “(We’ve got to) get things right.”

The hours are still pending, but Alimi is aiming toward a 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. schedule, Monday through Saturday, and the restaurant is likely to close early on Sunday. He said Sunday will likely be their deep cleaning day for the week.

“We’re going to try and make it the best as possible… it’s a nice area and there’s very nice people, and hopefully we’ll do great,” Alimi said.

Alimi, who currently lives in Anchorage, said he chose to open a business in Palmer because the community had more of a small-town, tight-knit feel to him.

“It’s where everybody knows everybody,” Alimi said. “I would love to be in this town and support their local economy.”