Alkeme -- A Mediterranean Cafe in Erie
Ahh yes, you are sitting at a table with your coffee, waiting for your meal, while looking at the beautiful blue water that stretches for miles upon miles. Oh wait... you're still in Erie, Pennsylvania, its the middle of winter, and you're just daydreaming of vacationing in a Mediterranean country.
Well, if you need a fix of the feeling of being somewhere in the Mediterranean then right here in downtown Erie, the restaurant and bar Alkeme has just what you need.
In October 2016, Alkeme was opened by Barbara and her partners, and was something that was not on her career path but was more of something on her bucket list. She actually studied analysis and national security, but kept restaurants and cooking in mind while in school since food had such a deep impact on her from her family. Barbara told me that when she was "growing up I was always around food and would cook for friends and family, I always imagined owning my own business." Twenty years before working for the government, she was running a bed and breakfast where she did the cooking, and intended on buying the business, but decided to go back to school where she then accepted a job with the government.
Timing was key for Barbara and opening her own business. She told me that, "At this point in my life, it felt like this was the best time to give it a shot."
Once she decided she was going to open a restaurant, Barbara and her partners had to figure out what kind of food they would serve, and she said that it was a compromise between her and her partners. She wanted Middle Eastern, the other partner wanted Italian, the chef wanted to be able to offer cuisines from around the world, and they all settled on Mediterranean. Next, was figuring out the name which took some brainstorming and a couple hours. They felt that the word alchemy embodied what they were trying to accomplish, and by using simple ingredients they wanted to turn their food to "gold." On their website there is more details about the name if you are interested.
As for her daily schedule, the day begins when she drinks her coffee while reviewing the books, posts, and correspondences. Then, after dropping off her son at school she will run errands for the restaurant which includes doing the banking. Once she gets to the restaurant and checks in with the staff she begins to do the books and her day mostly revolves around that.
When her and her partners were deciding the plans and ideas for the restaurant, they also decided they would be using whole ingredients. The most popular menu item at Alkeme is the risotto, but there are many other dishes that are popular. Her favorite is the gnocchi or anything that Joe makes with lamb. Everything they make and have is made in house even their ketchup, and she told me that they, "take a lot of pride in our product." Along with taking a lot of pride in their product, they also make sure their customer service is at a premium, and have a great reputation for both the quality of their food and service.
Having competitors is what keeps restaurants motivated to perform and serve their best, and for Barbara their biggest competitors are the chains on Peach Street and any restaurants that have just opened. Aside from the competitors, having a busy night go without any problems or hiccups is one her best experiences in the restaurant business.
Alkeme is located at 18 N Park Row Erie, PA 16501
They can be contacted at 814-616-8578
Their hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Well, if you need a fix of the feeling of being somewhere in the Mediterranean then right here in downtown Erie, the restaurant and bar Alkeme has just what you need.
In October 2016, Alkeme was opened by Barbara and her partners, and was something that was not on her career path but was more of something on her bucket list. She actually studied analysis and national security, but kept restaurants and cooking in mind while in school since food had such a deep impact on her from her family. Barbara told me that when she was "growing up I was always around food and would cook for friends and family, I always imagined owning my own business." Twenty years before working for the government, she was running a bed and breakfast where she did the cooking, and intended on buying the business, but decided to go back to school where she then accepted a job with the government.Timing was key for Barbara and opening her own business. She told me that, "At this point in my life, it felt like this was the best time to give it a shot."
Once she decided she was going to open a restaurant, Barbara and her partners had to figure out what kind of food they would serve, and she said that it was a compromise between her and her partners. She wanted Middle Eastern, the other partner wanted Italian, the chef wanted to be able to offer cuisines from around the world, and they all settled on Mediterranean. Next, was figuring out the name which took some brainstorming and a couple hours. They felt that the word alchemy embodied what they were trying to accomplish, and by using simple ingredients they wanted to turn their food to "gold." On their website there is more details about the name if you are interested.
As for her daily schedule, the day begins when she drinks her coffee while reviewing the books, posts, and correspondences. Then, after dropping off her son at school she will run errands for the restaurant which includes doing the banking. Once she gets to the restaurant and checks in with the staff she begins to do the books and her day mostly revolves around that.
Having competitors is what keeps restaurants motivated to perform and serve their best, and for Barbara their biggest competitors are the chains on Peach Street and any restaurants that have just opened. Aside from the competitors, having a busy night go without any problems or hiccups is one her best experiences in the restaurant business.
Alkeme is located at 18 N Park Row Erie, PA 16501
They can be contacted at 814-616-8578
Their hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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