Entrepreneurial Couple Gives a Tropical Touch to Culinary Scene in Anchorage
by GEORGINA ARIAS AVILA
Diego Romo and Andrea Cuevas are the owners of Palmeira Tropical Fusion Restaurant, which has been operating since 2022, and the Dripping Zebra cafeteria, which opened its doors last February. Behind their success, there is a story of hard work and creativity.
Fate united the lives of Diego Romo and Andrea Cuevas from the beginning. Both are from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Being an architecture student, Diego received an invitation from a friend to visit Alaska. For her part, Andrea had in mind to look for a temporary job in Anchorage, following the example of her father who was a fisherman. In 2019, Diego and Andrea met at Gallo’s Restaurant, as they both worked there. The love for cooking brought them together to form a home and two businesses, Palmeira, and Dripping Zebra.
‘An uncle owns Gallo’s Restaurant where I started as a dishwasher, waiter and then cook. I met Andrea, who was a waitress, there. The opportunity to open our own business presented itself in 2022 while we were working in the industry,” said Romo.
Romo used his creativity in the design of Palmeira’s environment. “We are inspired by Latin American culture; we offer a green and tropical experience. Palmeira is a word in Portuguese, which means Palm Tree. Our menu features traditional Mexican dishes such as ceviche, tostadas, tacos, chilaquiles, and tortas (Mexican sandwiches.) In addition, fruit juices and mimosas,” said Romo.
“At the beginning of Palmeira it was the two of us, family and friends supported us by tasting our dishes. “Now we have 8 employees,” said Andrea, who is a social communicator.
The famous Mexican café de olla became the restaurant’s favorite drink, which led to the creation of the second venture: Dripping Zebra. “Coffee houses use local animals as an image. We wanted a zebra, a character outside the typical Alaskan setting. Being Latino, our presence makes a difference,” said Romo. Café de olla is part of the menu, they also sell coffee roasted by them and offer croissants and various pastries. “Our projects are inspired by Latin American culture, things that we miss, so we express them through our businesses, that is the beautiful thing,” concluded Romo.
Palmeira is located at 323 Barrow Street. Dripping Zebra is located on Government Hill.
