News
If you're looking for a unique dining experience that keeps you on a healthy track, head over to Palisade and check out Palisade Café & Grill.
Margie Latta has been operating it now for two years, and she prides herself on her healthy menu options, delivered in a funky, down-home setting.
But her offerings far exceed the usual fare of a small town café.
For example, I tried the falafel wrap: house-made chickpea (another name for Garbanzo bean) patties on a warm tomato-herb tortilla, with greens, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, and cucumber slices with a tzatziki (yogurt) sauce. I ordered it with a side of gazpacho soup.
But Palisade Café satisfies both the vegetarians and the meat lovers!
A few other lunchtime options include Mediterranean salad; chicken curry salad; a garden veggie sandwich; but also “Tri Tip Dip,” featuring thinly sliced Black Angus beef with grilled onions piled on a French roll and served with horseradish au jus; a Greek gyro; or a cilantro pesto chicken burrito.
You can also order hamburgers and bean burgers with all the trimmings.
If you're planning on enjoying one of their fine desserts afterwards, like a slice of pie or chocolate cake, I suggest you split what you order — either with someone you're dining with, or ask for a take-out box to eat later. The portions are generous!
The same fare is available on the dinner menu, but with added entrees featuring flank steak, chicken, seared Ahi tuna, or spicy penne pasta served with a sauce blending, tomatoes, peppers, Kalamata olives, garlic and Parmesan cheese.
If you're really hungry and want to add an appetizer, you can order a dish of homemade hummus served with warm, grilled pita wedges or a plate of sweet potato fries. Those who want to really indulge also have such choices as potato skins stuffed with bacon and cheddar cheese, deep-fried calamari with spicy chipotle sauce; or green chili cheddar fries, topped with sour cream!
I can't forget to mention that Margie uses local produce whenever it's in season. For example, in celebration of the local Palisade Peach Festival this weekend, various entrees and desserts will showcase the absolutely delicious Palisade peaches in everything from peach chutney toppings to homemade pies!
Something important to remember here — healthy eating doesn't mean you have to dine like a monk.
If you decide you're going to treat yourself to a plate of fried calamari, then go for it! The goal always is to pay attention and maintain balance. The way to do that is to be mindful of building up your internal inventory of healthy nutrients so you can afford that occasional detour.
If you pay attention, your body will let you know how well you're doing. If you feel stuffed and lethargic after a meal, you've probably had way too much of the wrong kind of food.
I can't finish here without mentioning the great breakfast menu at Palisade Café. Salivate while I quote a few items from the menu: classic French toast; garden veggie omelet; Mt. Garfield eggs Benedict (includes grilled mushrooms and fresh basil pesto); chili rellenos; huevos rancheros; and, of course, the standard bacon and eggs.
The days vary for breakfast and dinner, so check Palisade Café's website for that information, along with a complete menu, at www.palisadecafe.com
Another reason to patronize Margie's shop is that she contributes 1% of what her café brings in to the Mesa County Land Trust in the interest of preserving local land for agriculture.
Take a drive east and check out the bounty of all the good food that's served up there! It's located right in the heart of town on West Third Street.
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Paula Anderson is a local writer who now does presentations on Healthy Eating & Our Relationship with Food throughout the Grand Valley community. She is also an owner of Yoga West Collective. She has served as a regular columnist for the Grand Junction Free Press in its early days, and was an award-winning columnist for The Daily Sentinel. Visit her food blog at www.paulaandersonsfoodblog.blogspot.com. Contact Paula at aapma46@bresnan.net.
Margie Latta has been operating it now for two years, and she prides herself on her healthy menu options, delivered in a funky, down-home setting.
But her offerings far exceed the usual fare of a small town café.
For example, I tried the falafel wrap: house-made chickpea (another name for Garbanzo bean) patties on a warm tomato-herb tortilla, with greens, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, and cucumber slices with a tzatziki (yogurt) sauce. I ordered it with a side of gazpacho soup.
But Palisade Café satisfies both the vegetarians and the meat lovers!
A few other lunchtime options include Mediterranean salad; chicken curry salad; a garden veggie sandwich; but also “Tri Tip Dip,” featuring thinly sliced Black Angus beef with grilled onions piled on a French roll and served with horseradish au jus; a Greek gyro; or a cilantro pesto chicken burrito.
You can also order hamburgers and bean burgers with all the trimmings.
If you're planning on enjoying one of their fine desserts afterwards, like a slice of pie or chocolate cake, I suggest you split what you order — either with someone you're dining with, or ask for a take-out box to eat later. The portions are generous!
The same fare is available on the dinner menu, but with added entrees featuring flank steak, chicken, seared Ahi tuna, or spicy penne pasta served with a sauce blending, tomatoes, peppers, Kalamata olives, garlic and Parmesan cheese.
If you're really hungry and want to add an appetizer, you can order a dish of homemade hummus served with warm, grilled pita wedges or a plate of sweet potato fries. Those who want to really indulge also have such choices as potato skins stuffed with bacon and cheddar cheese, deep-fried calamari with spicy chipotle sauce; or green chili cheddar fries, topped with sour cream!
I can't forget to mention that Margie uses local produce whenever it's in season. For example, in celebration of the local Palisade Peach Festival this weekend, various entrees and desserts will showcase the absolutely delicious Palisade peaches in everything from peach chutney toppings to homemade pies!
Something important to remember here — healthy eating doesn't mean you have to dine like a monk.
If you decide you're going to treat yourself to a plate of fried calamari, then go for it! The goal always is to pay attention and maintain balance. The way to do that is to be mindful of building up your internal inventory of healthy nutrients so you can afford that occasional detour.
If you pay attention, your body will let you know how well you're doing. If you feel stuffed and lethargic after a meal, you've probably had way too much of the wrong kind of food.
I can't finish here without mentioning the great breakfast menu at Palisade Café. Salivate while I quote a few items from the menu: classic French toast; garden veggie omelet; Mt. Garfield eggs Benedict (includes grilled mushrooms and fresh basil pesto); chili rellenos; huevos rancheros; and, of course, the standard bacon and eggs.
The days vary for breakfast and dinner, so check Palisade Café's website for that information, along with a complete menu, at www.palisadecafe.com
Another reason to patronize Margie's shop is that she contributes 1% of what her café brings in to the Mesa County Land Trust in the interest of preserving local land for agriculture.
Take a drive east and check out the bounty of all the good food that's served up there! It's located right in the heart of town on West Third Street.
------------------
Paula Anderson is a local writer who now does presentations on Healthy Eating & Our Relationship with Food throughout the Grand Valley community. She is also an owner of Yoga West Collective. She has served as a regular columnist for the Grand Junction Free Press in its early days, and was an award-winning columnist for The Daily Sentinel. Visit her food blog at www.paulaandersonsfoodblog.blogspot.com. Contact Paula at aapma46@bresnan.net.
