Dumplings

It's 12:08 AM.....for some reason, I can't sleep.  It may be because of the dumplings I had last night.  Actually, I had the dumplings the last two nights,.

There used to be a dumpling place on State Street in Madison.  Pel' Meni'.  It's closed now, but there are still Pel'Meni's in Seattle, WA, Bellingham, WA and Juneau, AK. Sandy and I were introduced to these dumplings by Gard, first in Madison, when Gard was a student there, then again on a drive from Vancouver, back down to Seattle, where Gard insisted we stop in Bellingham, WA, just to eat at Pel' Meni'.  As I understand it, these dumpling places were started in Madison by a Russian guy and catered to the college crowd.  They were most popular for the "after the bars close" crowd. 

The dumplings are boiled, then served with a red hot sauce on top, then are sprinkled with paprika and curry powder and topped with sour cream. 

There's a real enterprising guy in Talkeetna (I think his name is Lauden) who liked the dumplings so much, he thought he would introduce them here.  However, in order not to infringe on he trademarking of the Russian guys success in WI, WA and Juneau, he decided to put a different twist on the dumplings yet still sell them as pelmeni, which is a true Russian name for the dumplings.  Pel'Meni' (the original with the two 's in the name) boils their dumplings, then puts the other things on top.  Lauden decided they needed something else so he sautes his after boiling and adds ginger to the flavor (kind of Asian that makes them more like pot-stickers).  He also serves them on a bed of raw cabbage, both red and regular, which adds to the taste. They are then finished with the traditional toppings.

I've eaten the dumplings no less than 3 times since I got here and will miss them when I leave.  In the true Talkeetna fashion, the process for ordering and serving is rather casual.  You walk up to the window of My Little Dumpling, place your order, then, if you want a beer with your pelmeni, head a few feet to an outdoor bar (part of another restaurant) which serves 30 different tap beers. When your pelmeni order is done, Lauden, or one of his helpers will come look for you with your bowl of pelmeni, as you sit in another restaurant.  There seems to be a lot of cooperation amongst business owners in this community.

If ever in Talkeetna, you have to try "My Little Dumpling"

Order here and either choose to eat at one of the picnic tables or move up the stairs on the left to another restaurant's bar to eat your pelmeni while enjoying a tap beer (my choice)

You have to get the $8.00 order