I'd put Alma on the list of must try places. It's on the pricey side, but the food is great and the atmosphere is very warm and relaxed. While I do enjoy the high energy feel or over the top feel of some high end restaurants, it's also nice to have a warm, cozy, romantic experience, which Alma provides very well. As far as the food goes, it's gourmet food with a very balanced taste. The mix of flavors is very creative and comes off well.
(4)
Lenny K.
Service is impeccable. Ambience is very nice. Food is executed perfectly. But I never remember what I ate there next day. So it's a great experience overall but the food doesn't stick out as amazing for me. Perhaps that's not as important as the experience though :-)
(4)
Marc O.
My go to place for the last five years when I want to take a special friend out to dinner that enjoys food. Great service, interesting twists on food pairings, while it seems like small portions (sorry this is not a Ponderosa Steak House) but I always leave full and satisfied. Great for foodies, romantics, and a place to get away from the whirlwind of life and unwind with a glass or two of great wine and food.
(5)
Michael L.
I hate to be a wet blanket on what is a perfectly fine and nice restaurant, but I have to say I resisted trying it for a while because the menu looked underwhelming for the price, and I ended up feeling vindicated in that assessment. Maybe I am too spoiled by all the newer, more exciting haute cuisine options around, but this kind of felt like the fanciest restaurant in a college town circa 2000, which perhaps is what it was at that time. There were a lot of white haired folks dining, and I felt like that made sense. Another problem is that there are a lot of not so nice places you may be forced to sit even with a reservation, such as a tiny attic-like second floor that is too cramped, and by the front window where it was very cold and also cramped. The service was not spectacular, things were not explained. There is a large parking lot next to it that looks like you should be able to park there (it's empty), but you can't, but this is not clearly marked. Basically the food was executed well and was good but I guess I just expect more for a dinner that will easily run $100/person. It is food I have had 100 times before, done very well, but nothing exciting, and not in an especially fun environment. In a more remote location this might be kind of awesome but being a stone's throw from the warehouse district, it is underwhelming.
(3)
William C.
Squash. Wild rice soup, Lamb and grouse plus three people had the tasting menu @$52 each. All very very good with wonderful service. This place is always the tops in flavor and presentation.
(5)
Ken H.
We travel & eat out a lot. It was one one of best meals we have enjoyed in the last 8 years. Fresh ingredients. Delightful taste combinations. Very interesting wine list. Excellent service. Make this a must do meal. Exquisite!
I've passed by this restaurant a few times on Thurs, Fri and Sat evenings and noticed how packed and lively it looked. That along with the menu, and reviews made me give it a try with a friend. We went on a Tuesday, which was good given there were far LESS people. My friend and I tried the three course dinner with the wine flight. I got... RABBIT TERRINE- good, but had I known "terrine" equals cold I would have gone for something else. It looked like a slice of spam. MALFATTI DUMPLING - good, but I was expecting more of a dough based dumpling with the malfatti incorporated somehow; not just a ball of malfatti. SAGE ROASTED DUCK- really good. It was a nice way to end the meal. The wines which were paired with each dishes were also good, but unfortunately I can't recall any of their names. What's nice is that my friend was given different wines (based on her meal) so we got to sample each others and in essence had 6 wines. :-) Although I enjoyed everything, I would have certainly tried something other than the first two dishes. Given that their menu changes so frequently; I'm sure I'll get the chance to. BTW- that big parking lot next to them (on University) is not theirs. There's only street parking and a small lot around the corner, which we were told about, but couldn't find.
(4)
Amy J.
Restaurant Alma has always been a favorite. They have a season simple menu that is elegant and the perfect size. You order an appetizer, an entree, and dessert for one price. The service is great, as well as the food. It has grown quite a bit more expensive but the quality of the ingredients and balanced dishes make it worth it. The food and the restaurant portray elegance and grace, and it is always a pleasure to come for a nice dinner.
(5)
Mike S.
I was in school at the U and living right across the street when Alma opened its doors back in 1999. Granted I was a poor college kid back then, but I am ashamed to say it took me 15 years to give it a try. It was anniversary time, so better late then never. First off, the only detriment...the parking blows. So make sure you brush up on your parallel parking skills because, if you can find a spot, you will be on the street. That's where the bad ends. My wife and I were promptly seated at our reservation time and immediately placed a drink order. Their beer selection is a little small, but their wine list is lengthy (not overwhelming), so you shouldn't have a problem if you're a wine drinker. For starters I ordered the egg. THE EGG. So damn good, I ordered another one. I love it when restaurants will let you ad-lib off the menu in the middle of your meal. Then I had the quail. This was my first go at quail and was impressed. Yeah, it tasted like chicken, just a little more oily and gamey. The potato pancake added really nice texture to the dish. The flat iron steak was done perfectly with a tasty-sweet pablano migas. I finished things off with the orange crème brulee. The service was impeccable throughout. Granted, the restaurant wasn't horribly busy, but it really seemed our server went out of her way to make sure we were well taken care of. Questions were answered, thoughtful pairings were given, and dishes arrived promptly. All in all, a great experience at Alma. I will be back.
(5)
Siobhan W.
With so many loyal fans and rave reviews on here...I'm almost afraid to put anything less than 5 stars...but, I'm going to have to be real here folks. Alma is a lot inconspicuous, settled in a very low key building next to Dunn's. I swear, I did not even notice Alma, walked right past it and around the corner of Dunn's to try to find it. If Alma was at a party, she'd be that wallflower girl everyone forgot was even there. Eventually, I retraced my steps and found Alma. Walking in, I immediately felt like I had walked into someone's closet at home. At the small entryway, there was seating, a coat rack, and a tiny host stand. The strangest thing about the restaurant was, it was carpeted! I've never been to a carpeted restaurant before. Really felt like I was dining in someone's suburban home because of that! From the tasting menu, I had the Beets Sheep Milk Cheese, Lamb Migas, and Pan Roasted Duck. My friend had the Spicy Rice Cake Salad, Chickpea Crepe, and Glazed Beef Brisket. The Beets Sheep thing was not good. Very sparse plate of salad. My friend had a taste of it, and said it tasted like farm dirt. lol. I tried her salad, the Spicy Cake thing, which was really good actually, not to mention, much more ample in the amount. The rest of the meal was just okay. Nothing memorable, nothing that stood out, nothing I would come back for, in short, a wallflower. I was expecting better, considering all the rave reviews, but alas, it turns out to be a disappointment. No complaints about the waitress and service though. Excellent, warm and welcoming service. Too bad the food didn't match.
(3)
Emily W.
Ok food, good wine pairings with courses. Nowhere near worth the cost: $220 for two people for three or four good-but-not-great tiny courses and dessert, plus wine flight and coffee. Will not be going back.
(3)
Lauren A.
So beyond impressed with the service, creativity and exceptional quality of the food at Restaurant Alma. I got a 3 course dinner here with the wine pairing. Our server was attentive and even gave us an extra glass of wine because our entree was taking a little longer. I cannot wait to come back!
(5)
E H.
We went here a while ago for a celebratory dinner. The food was uninspiring. If I was on yelp back then, I would've written a more detailed review. All I can remember is that there was a hair in one of our watery, tiny dishes, and the only redeeming part of the whole meal was the 3-tiered chocolate dessert -- and the bottle of champagne. This place is a trap for suckers who don't know what expensive food should taste like. What a rip.
(1)
Lynn M.
This place is a gem for both the food and service. I had an exquisite meal from start to finish...even with a less than wonderful date! My only complaint is that the seating is a bit tight for the price of the restaurant. Definitely a favorite!
(4)
Scott M.
We ate here on 7/13/14 so we were able to enjoy a new menu which had plenty of amazing dishes. My wife and I each did the three course tasting for $52 and we each tried different dishes so we were able to try 6 offerings. I had the smoked rabbit salad (Amazing!), Saffron Tagliatelle with tonato and the grilled pork tenderloin. My wife had the chilled sweet corn soup, grilled bread with pork ragu and the hake with vegetable fricassee. I think the first course offerings were our favorite although everything was super delicious! I will definitely try this place again and look forward to trying another menu as we were super impressed with our first visit. So much flavor!
(5)
Sara P.
I wanted to go somewhere good for dinner just because so I took my boyfriend out last Friday. After reading reviews on Yelp, I knew I had to go here. As other reviewers have said, it is a casual atmosphere so wearing jean capris and a shirt I threw on after work was totally acceptable. The dining room is small so make a reservation! There are a few seats at the bar too, not sure if you can eat there though. The restaurant is a nondescript storefront so make sure you know where you are going. We both had the 3 course tasting menu with wine pairings and a glass of champagne to start. My order was: 1 -Nettle Souffle with coconut-jalapeno sauce, snap peas & curried cashews (apparently this had dairy in it, boo) If you want something a little out of the box you should order this! 2 - Clam & Squid pasta in tomato broth & aioli. Pretty straightforward dish. Since we have started making fresh pasta at home I wasn't wowed by this but still delicious. 3- Grilled Prime Beef Sirloin with garlic, grilled artichoke & zinfandel sauce. Also fairly straightforward but the meat was cooked perfectly medium rare as requested. For dessert they offer gluten free & dairy free options. Bonus points for this! So for our fourth course we shared a poached pear & raspberry sauce with coconut ice cream. Four courses seems like A LOT of food but they adjust the portion sizes so it's manageable. I felt satisfied but not in a food coma. I hope this is where the Minneapolis food scene is headed!
(5)
Colleen O.
Not sure why I haven't heard of this place sooner. The food was absolutely wonderful! We had three people and all ordered the tasting menu so we got to try most things on the menu. I know the menu changes seasonally but some highlights from the Christmas season were the venison, pork, and the bison tartar. Our server was the best you could find, she gave the most amazing descriptions of the food and really helped you picture the dish, you can tell she loves and appreciates the food. Would go back here in a heartbeat and hope I get to next time I'm in town.
(5)
Diana R.
One of the very best meals of all time! Perfect portions, fresh ingredients, absolutely outstanding food-- very high quality. Seasonal menu. If I go back and the menu hasn't changed I'm ordering the following (based on the fact that they were the best dishes at our table): 1st shrimp 2nd squid ink pasta 3rd duck 4th panna cotta I also recommend the quail (1st) and the lamb sausage (3rd) warning: don't order the whole wheat pasta with shaved fish... it's bland (someone ordered it but no one at our table was impressed)
(5)
Dan M.
I can say few restaurants I have been to are deserving of a full five stars but Restaurant Alma certainly deserves all of the acclaim it has received thus far and all that it will receive from me. Restaurant Alma is one of those rare establishments that not only sets you at ease when you arrive but maintains a level of comparability throughout the meal that can get lost among other high class venues. To start off our table was treated to glass of champagne which set the stage for the rest of the evening. While there were several options that caught my eye for the first course I had the Marlin Tartare with yam crisps and jalapeno sauce. It was a really well composed dish that maintained a balance of flavors and textural elements throughout. For the second course I had the Lamb and Sticky Rice. The sauce was a red chili sauce with just the right amount of heart, and crispy shallots were sprinkled across the top with paper thin slices of cucumber. Normally I am not a cucumber fan but on some dishes I've learned to just go with the intention of chef and I'm rarely disappointed. My entree was a perfectly roasted Sturgeon seated on a warm potato salad and sprinkled with sliced snap peas, all coated beneath a light chorizo jus. The entire meal featured really unique flavor pairings which were only made more enjoyable by our wine pairings. I would consider this among the best restaurants I've been to, and certainly a shining example for others to emulate both in terms of cuisine and ambiance.
(5)
Anna M.
Holy crap-o-la. This place is seriously amazing. Went here for a small, family dinner to celebrate a graduation. It is right in my neighborhood, but I had never been--only heard tons of raving reviews. The menu is small, seasonal, and changes frequently. There are options for vegetarians & meat eaters. There are options for more daring eaters & ones that like their meat and potatoes (but trust me, these are not just any meat and potatoes). The service was great! Our waitress filled us in on her favorites and how the tasting menu works. We were persuaded to do the tasting menu which is a pretty penny--but you really do get to try more. We were so full doing the tasting menu that we didn't order dessert, but I was a little depressed about... My favorites were the Wild Nettle Souffle, Parmesan Flan, and the Roast Farm Chicken. Everything was really mind blowing. For the quality, the price doesn't look so bad. Great for special occasions! I cannot wait to go back. Like, I keep thinking about a time when I can go back. It was THAT good.
(5)
Jeff G.
I was in Minneapolis for business and read some reviews of Restaurant Alma and was intrigued. WOW! Small portions HUGE flavor. I had the Duck 2 ways and it was outstanding. Cooked perfectly. My co-worker had the chicken, and it had so much flavor I was shocked it was chicken. Very enjoyable laid back meal.
(5)
Stwo B.
Outstanding food quality and preparation. Below average host and wait staff. The chilled corn chowder, pickled shrimp, and saffron tagliatelle were great. Duck 2 ways is outstanding. It's the only constant item on the menu and must be ordered. For $300 including wine and tip it's worth it if you can afford it to enjoy food at the highest quality. Service and host staff were incredibly disappointing. We had an early 6 pm reservation. Plenty of 2 tops and bar seating in a great front room were available. If you were going to spend $300 for dinner, would you want to sit upfront in a great room with plenty of 2 tops open or even the bar? Or would you want to sit in the worst table in a dark gray corner with no light, no view, and worse yet off the beaten path with lack of service? One host said sit them upfront. The other host stated "let's fill it in". For an early 6 pm sitting at 615pm on a Sunday ( no one else was waiting or on time for 6pm) plenty of good spots were available. The other host exercised poor judgement given the situation. It was my first time. Honestly I didn't realize how poor my table would be. You trust the host to make the right call or at least give me options if there is doubt. I think the people who work here have forgotten what experience they would want for themselves and people special in their life if they spent $300 for a single meal. I raised the issue with the other host after my meal and he blamed me for not "speaking up". Blaming the customer for not raising a fuss, for not speaking up is a dangerous way to run a business. If it's packed or peak time that's one thing: fill every table. Given the outstanding world class food, every aspect of service and the customer experience requires world class service. There is more room for improvement and I hope management views this review as constructive feedback and a teachable moment.
(2)
Jess V.
There are 11 Michelin rated restaurants in the U.S.A and, surprisingly, none of them are located in Minneapolis. I have lived and eaten my way through some well known American cities- Boston, Los Angeles, Honolulu- and I am continually impressed with the cuisine in the Twin Cities. I've been to one of the Michelin-rated restaurants in NYC and will soon be eating at another in Las Vegas. Alma chefs- your food should most definitely be awarded a Michelin rating. Parmesan flan- yes, please. Smoked whitefish and arugula- can i have another? Mole braised rabbit?- let's cook peter cottontail! Squash soup with pork belly- the asian side of me is in heaven! Sauteed duck and ricotta gnocchi- tears of joy The best part- the waitstaff is hip and cool and not stuffed in penguin suits.
(5)
Michael V.
My friend and I had a fine evening in this bustling neighborhood fine-dining bistro. Pleasant and very attentive service, excellent wine list from which we picked a well-priced Chinon of remarkable depth and intensity with a long finish to match the fine cuisine. We will definitely return the next time we are in Minneapolis
(5)
Lindsay F.
If there is a place where you want a truly phenomenal dining experience and you are trying new places, go to Restaurant Alma. It is a wee bit pricey if you get more than just entrees, but completely worth it if you want to treat yourself. The website makes it look like it is an extremely upscale, fine dining restaurant. I was surprised to enter and see that it is more casual than that. Think less La Belle Vie and more Meritage. Now about the food. It was one of the best meals I have had and I still think about some of those perfect bites. I went with my family and we split a selection of first and second course dishes, and each got an entree. The two dishes that were favorites at the table were the lemon orzo pasta and the potato in crisp pastry. The potato crisp pastry was phenomenal. What I really liked about the dish was the salad with whitefish. Mmmmm... As for entrees, I got the trout with potatoes two ways and a black truffle dressing. The trout was pan roasted with the skin left on and cooked to beautiful crispiness. It was accompanied by a potato puree on the bottom and crispy freshly fried potato chips on top. The best part of the dish was the rich black truffle sauce. Heavenly. It was not too heavy, just perfectly dressing the fish. But no biggie. My parents both got the chicken, which was a VERY generous portion. Very tender, just fell off the bone. My sister and her hubby got the duck, which was seasoned perfectly and accompanied with a duck confit and chard crepe. Great way to balance the savory duck. For dessert, I got the salted caramel cake. As mentioned in other posts, it was delightful. The salty, sweet combination with the moist texture of the cake was perfect. Top this with the light crunch of the caramel on the outside? Perfection. It was a great meal. Service was good, the atmosphere was great, and the food superb.
(5)
Scott E.
I do not understand how this place gets such raves. I have eaten here three times. Six years ago, three years ago and two months ago. I guess I have a short term memory and forget or I read the reviews and hope that I was wrong. I am not. I have dined wiith different people each time and they concure with my assessment of Restaurant Alma. The place is cold, the tables are crowded, the waiters are average at best in both desire to be there and kindness. This is suppose to be at the level of the other great restaurants in Minneapolis. The food is bland. I have never had a bite of food here and said "wow". The cost for the quality is excessive. I wish I was wrong, I want to be wrong. This is consistently one of the most dissapointing restaurants I have visited. My assumption is the great reviews are farm to table advocates or people hired to place reviews. For $150 you can do much better than this place. Parking is a challenge. - I am not sure anyone will read this review as Restaurant Alma flags all the negative reviews. Now I understand!
(1)
Carter M.
BEST Dining Experience of my LIFE! The food at Alma is AMAZING!!!!!!! I came here once years ago, and remember the food being outstanding. Decided to come again recently and the meal was again, fantastic. The menu changes here every so often, but if you go soon I recommend the Lamb Meatballs and the Pork Milanese! My fiance got the seared scallops - also SUPER TASTY! However, Alma is quite spendy - be prepared to spend a pretty penny here, but it will be WORTH IT.
(5)
David K.
Out of the gate...fantastic food!! It was a special occasion - 19th anniversary - and Restaurant Alma is a great special occasion restaurant to visit. Open Table makes the RSVP process so easy and we booked it a week ahead of time. Their menu is relatively small; 5 dishes in the Starters, Middle Course, and Entree categories (and a number of vegetarian dishes that weren't on the printed menu.) Some people don't like the smaller number of selections, but I do - it helps you zero in on what to eat and I'm guessing it allows the kitchen to focus on the excellence of each dish. They also have a 3 course fixed price menu for $48 - same options as the regular menu (1 dish from each category) but the waiter said they were about 1/3 smaller than the full course and frankly I liked that a lot! Beer and wine...wine is pretty spendy - looks like they do a 2.5-3 times markup on the less expensive bottles...probably a bit less on the more expensive ones. However, they also offer a paired wine flight - 3 half glasses that are paired with the food selections yiou make - for $15 and that was a great option! I had the Soft Cooked Egg salad as a Starter - there's an art to making a perfect soft cooked egg AND serving it hot and they hit a home run. I opted for the Masa Corn and Bean Cake middle dish which had a little bit of fire in it and left my tongue doing a "happy dance" a few minutes after I'd finished it. The Duck Breast however was surreal - perfect, literally perfect - medium rare in the middle, crispy skin on the outside, and delectable. My food rated a FIVE all the way across. Partner had the Bitter Green Salad for a Starter - it was bitter, but not in a bad way. The flavor of the greens came through the dressing and he said it had an "elegant" feel to it. Middle Course was Farro and Porcini Risotto was devine! Risotto was perfectly cooked and it was full flavored, probably on account of the prosciutto and the fried crisp of cheese on the top. His Entree was the Berkshire Pork which was a bit mixed. This dish was "cooked two ways;" a pulled pork that was wonderfully delicious and savory, and the other part was a small somewhat non-descript loin chop that was actually a bit overcooked - not dry, but no pink inside at all. For dessert we had the Hazelnut Chocolate Torte which was very tasty and decadent - exactly as you'd want it to be. So...why a rating of "4?" This is one of the top few most expensive restaurants in Minneapolis and as I said it was special occasion and in spite of what I say below, I'd strongly encourage anyone to go! When you go to a restaurant like Alma, you expect a perfect experience. We had a very, very good experience...but it wasn't perfect. The issues weren't with the food...they were service related...here's what we experienced: 1.) Ten minutes after we were seated the host approached us and told us that we'd been seated at the wrong table and asked us if we'd move. We were in the upper loft area in the corner overlooking part of the restaurant and just a corner of the kitchen. The table he pointed to was in the corner looking at the wall. We said that we'd prefer not to move and he didn't push it (that's good!) but the experience of being asked to move to another table in such a fine restaurant was odd at best, and rude at worst. 2.) I have coffee with dessert once or twice a year - when we eat truly fine meals out. When we ordered dessert and coffee, the first cup of coffee came out and I drank most of it. The dessert arrived several minutes later and the waiter said he'd bring me more coffee - ten minutes passed and I asked the guy that was serving water for more coffee, and he brought it promptly, but in the end, I ate my dessert without the "luxury" of the coffee with it. Had any of those issues occurred in other very good but less expensive restaurants (Cave Vin, Al Vento for example) I wouldn't have dinged them, but part of what you pay for at Alma is exceptional service and sadly that wasn't what we experienced tonight. Still...the main reason you go to a restaurant is the food, and in that area Alma was very, very good. Not sure when we'd go back, but we won't scratch it from the list in spite of the service issues tonight.
(4)
M G.
What a dining experience! I don't know who was more excited about the meal, Maria, our waitress, who describe each menu item we asked about with such feeling and genuine enthusiasm, or me, who couldn't wait to see what the menu items looked like plated. When I finally decided on my 3 courses, I ate from the farm - rabbit, pig and duck- and enjoyed every single bite. Started with the smoked rabbit salad, a light yet tasty starter to my meal. The dressing and pistachios were the sideshow to the tender smoked rabbit. I followed the salad up with a grilled bread thingy with braised pork. It had a little spice that was offset by the salty olives. Lastly, the duck 2 ways was the main event... pan seared perfection with greens and candied peaches. Each bite was better than the previous, with the last bite of extra seared duck, peach and greens the best. We finished the evening off with the chocolate mouse with a lavender sauce and some butterscotch. This was a fantastic dining experience.
(5)
Kelly C.
After a few attempts to gather my team to test out one of the hottest restaurants in Minneapolis, I finally rounded them up for an evening at Restaurant Alma. We were seated in the intimate upstairs area which is a tucked away loft. The menu changes frequently to ensure freshness of the ingredients, and nothing disappointed us. The food was fantastic - from the fresh green salad with a delightfully fresh dressing, to the earthy orecchiette with lamb sausage to the halibut. I probably loved dessert even more if that's possible. Even though there are only about 6 options for each course, there were so many things that looked good I could go back again a few times before they change the menu again. Our waiter was helpful in description of dishes, had an opinion on what to recommend when asked (which I like), and was honest about wine recommendations regarding what he had tried and liked and what he hadn't. Great place for a small group (definitely fewer than six) whether as a date night, special occasion celebration or with close work colleagues.
(5)
jamie y.
Sometimes it's easy to forget the difference between a really good meal and a great meal, then you stumble onto something as wonderful as Restaurant Alma. I won't go in depth on all the dishes we are specifically but they were all outstanding. The dishes were composed with a deft hand and balanced spice, acidity and fats amazingly. The halibut tar tar and the grits in particular had a subtle layering of flavors that built with each bite. Then came the entrees... There are some dishes/meals that you think about after, some that you may crave later and some that you find yourself fantasizing about. The Duck 2 Ways fills the latter slot for me. The balance of flavors and textures was right on and there was just something magic in it that I can't put my finger on. But amazing. I'm usually fairly lazy on yelp and haven't written a review in years. This meal actually motivated me to...
(5)
Sarah W.
4.5 stars. Alma continues to be a consistent source of creative, fresh, seasonal food. Flavors are balanced and layered. Do not expect a "punch" when eating here--this place is about subtle food executed perfectly. Sophisticated comfort food. It is also not a threatening place--anyone can eat here comfortably, happily. Adventurous food lovers will likely prefer other restaurants, but appreciate the brilliant professionalism, the quality of the ingredients, the thoughtfullness of the food. Three course prix fixe.
(4)
Ken Z.
Haven't dined at Alma in a few years. It is still the top foodie destination in Minneapolis. Small but cozy space. High ceilings so the noise level is fine. We had the best server ever, Maria. Knowledgeable, and very attentive. Now to the food. New 3 course tasting menu. We'll balanced. I can recommend any of the dishes my wife and I are. Roasted squash, and smoked whitefish salad best first courses. Fregola with shrimp and clams one of the best dishes I've ever had. Chicken ravioli rich but good. Last course Lamb and gnocchi and Duck both excellent. Desserts all wonderful. All in all a fantastic dining experience. Both special occasion and casual eating sitting at the bar. I love this place.
(5)
Monica R.
We made reservations here yesterday to celebrate new years a day early on a whim knowing that it was going to be hard to get New Years reservations at our favorite places at last minute. When we arrive for our 5:30 pm seating, there were only 2 parties in the house, but by the time we left (8ish) the place was hopping. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here: I had the (chard souffle, mussels with chorizo and chickpeas, seared sea scallops with braised cabbage) and my date had (bitter greens salad, fried quail, roasted duck) and then we shared the winter chocolate tartlet and the sticky toffee pudding. We weren't able to finish our desserts because we cleaned our plates for (almost) every dish. The highlights were definitely the fried quail, the roasted duck and the mussels with chorizo. The fried quail had all of the qualities that I love about chicken and waffles - the umami of fried poultry, with a touch of sweet from the glazed onions and the savory buttery grain in the polenta. The roasted duck was delicious, period. It was perfectly done. And the mussels were the best mussels I've had in Minnesota - we've ordered them everywhere (W.A. Frost, Sea Change, Sea Salt, Barbette and more that I just can't remember at the moment). They were perfectly cooked - and I saw more than one diner (including myself) take their spoon out and spoon out every last bit of broth in the bowl. Out of the desserts the winter chocolate tart was the winner - the chocolate was bittersweet and even though it was rich it wasn't overwhelming. The wine pairing were solid and our server was the right amount of attentive - answering questions but also giving us enough space to enjoy each other's company.
(4)
Tom E.
I was visiting Minneapolis from San Francisco and Restaurant Alma was recommended twice in one day. I'm awfully glad we decided to give it a try. Coming from SF we usually have lower standards for places in the Midwest but Alma can stand up to any restaurant in San Francisco, New York, or any other major metropolitan city. Everything we ate was delicious, I particularly loved the crepe with morel mushrooms, ricotta, and Zatar. The three course menu for $52 is a deal considering the quality of the ingredients, the sophisticated preparations and the lovely plating. They also have a full vegetarian menu, dairy free menu and gluten free menu! We had a half bottle of champagne to get things started then a half bottle of a really wonderful red (Chateau Musar) from Lebanon of all places! It was a blend of Cab Sav, Cinsault, and Grenache. The desserts were very pretty and delicious as well. If you are in Minneapolis you must eat here!
(5)
Bob B.
A complete treat. An encyclopedic wait staff will steer you through the food and drink menu. The cuisine honors the region. My stinging nettles crepe was iconic for what they try to achieve. Thoroughly enjoyable.
(5)
Jaime S.
We are frequent restaurant goers in Minneapolis, but had never been to Alma. We had heard great things and decided to try Alma for our wedding anniversary. BIG MISTAKE. My husband is dairy free. They brought him a dairy free menu... moments later the waiter told us one of the "dairy free" menu items contained ghee, which is dairy! His allergy is severe enough that this would have been a major problem. However, he avoided that menu item and ordered something else. We were served bread at the table. We were told the wheat bread and the foccaccia bread were dairy free. Nevertheless, when we got home his allergic reaction set in. He has been in severe pain all night. Sure, the food tasted great, the presentation and service was lovely. But there are MANY OTHER RESTAURANTS in Minneapolis that offer the same. The difference? They know the importance of not messing up something as simple as a dairy allergy! It's not an uncommon allergy. It costs $52 for the three course tasting menu... for that price you can go somewhere else that will pay attention to the needs of their customers. It is totally unprofessional to have ghee on a dairy free menu. But it is completely unacceptable to serve someone items that obviously contained dairy when we asked specifically about each menu item he ate. Needless to say our wedding anniversary was ruined. All our other plans had to be canceled due to his allergic reaction. I would highly suggest avoiding this restaurant and taking your money elsewhere.
(1)
Justine L.
I just went to Alma last night, and happened to catch them on a menu change. Once again, my taste buds were in heaven, and it reiterated that Alma still deserves its 5 stars. I had the tasting menu, and splurged the extra $2 for the gnocchi. The gnocchi was out of this world: buttery, not too salty, huge chunks of seafood and citrus... Two thumbs up. Definitely reiterated that this IS the best restaurant in the Twin Cities! PS And, they take reservations! I came in, I sat down, I ate! How satistifed...
Awesome experience. Great food, perfect portions and nice flavor. Our server was outstanding. He made all the right wine choices and nicely balanced his opinion with customer favorites on the menu. I highly recommend Alma.
(5)
Randall D.
It's not everyday that I can afford to go to this incredible restaurant, but when I've saved my scheckels I am so happy to be able to walk over and eat like a king in this otherwise modest neighborhood. Order from a prix fixe menu with three courses. I ate there last night with a good buddy and his friend from Germany who knows his wines and loves good food. Alma is that kind of place -- it's a way to brag about Minneapolis without having to break a sweat. The wine selection was spectacular (I was told) and we decided to order one dish from each of the courses and we shared. Got out of there for $84 for the three of us. But, OH. What tasty goodness. Sit in the back or upstairs in the loft if you want to get away from the too loud music. Typically, you need a reservation far in advance but yesterday (Black Friday), they were "accepting" walk-in traffic. We got there by 5pm at the opening bell. The place was packed by 6pm. Now I know why it's always full: it is worth it.
(5)
Lilo And P.
Upon recommendation from a foodie friend, we went here for a special date night and have been whenever we get the chance. Although it is on the pricier side, it is definitely worth it- the food is locally sourced, where possible, and always seasonal, so the menu is always changing. You must absolutely try the 3 course selection for ~$50, as well as get dessert. Although you might be feeling kinda full, you'll leave satisfied and not overly stuffed after 3 courses. The flavors are amazing and every dish is superb. The atmosphere is nice- there were fresh flowers and subtle interiors: a place you could have a special date or a fancy but low-key place to take your parents. The service is perfect. Extremely professional, welcoming, not pretentious at all, knowledgeable about the food, and totally willing to help out in any way possible. Highly recommended.
(5)
John H.
I have visited here multiple times and enjoyed it. Service was top notch in one and just average in the other. Food quality is generally high but some dishes can be oversalted. Desserts are yummy.
(5)
Trevor W.
One of the best restaurants in the twin cities that not many people know about which makes it even better. Unassuming storefront with a quiet elegance on the inside. Seasonal menu with a bevy of locally grown ingredients. The best advice I can give is go with the tasting menu and take the recommendations of your server. The menu often has an eclectic range of ingredients that I wasn't entirely familiar with and when I strayed from their advice I would often be disappointed that I went the wrong way.
(5)
Glen W.
For the price I have rarely had such an elegant, consistent and beautiful meal. Try the pork belly, grilled bread, agnelloti, quail, pork, trout and plum tart. The candy bar terrine is great too and the wine flight is an amazing deal...they are really full glasses. Not to miss.
(5)
Amy L.
Solid every time. Wish they had more space, and it did get a bit warm, sitting at the bar, near the kitchen, but the food makes up for it. Explosions of flavor in every dish. I'd say it's a tad overpriced, but it really is quite good!
(4)
Abby M.
You know, I really wanted to like Alma. The menu is beautiful but on my particular visit was poorly executed. My husband and I ordered three starters and two entrees, and were disappointed with all but one: the salad. We waited 45 minutes between the arrival of the salad and the rest of the starters. We were not in any sort of hurry, but it became a little ridiculous. The salad was delicious with truffled honey- how can you go wrong with that. The other two were the parmesan flan and the crispy soft boiled egg. The egg arrived sitting in a lukewarm pool of beef broth- unappetizing and not conducive to the runny yolk inside. Once broken it all became one tepid mess of liquid. The flan was tasteless save for a few crispy artichokes scattered on the plate. Definitely not worth the 45 minute wait. Our entrees (pork loin and short rib) were forgettable. I take the blame for ordering pork loin, which sounded great- made with cardamon and orange, but tasted very bland and over salted. The short rib boasted a rhubarb chutney but the two flavors just didn't fuse. Fail. I didn't order dessert because I was annoyed that the dinner was lackluster and I didn't want that sacred course to be ruined as well. Overall, the place feels stuffy, arrogant, and distanced from the food it serves. This city has too many gems to waste time here. Ouch, yes, but think of it as tough love Alma.
(2)
Isabelle J.
I chose this place for the boyfys the birthday dinner after reading the wonderful reviews. I can say that I am not disappointed! I love how the food they start with are local, sustainable, and seasonal. If you are all about that, be sure to try this place! We went for the 3 course tasting menu, of course. We had: Starters: warm lentil salad and rabbit terrine Middle: clam/squid fideo and lamb and chickpea soup Entree: seared sea scallops and sage roasted duck Desert: Agave roasted pear with saffrom gelatto! Favorite: sea scallops! so tender, perfectly seared, perfectly seasoned. that cauliflower 2-ways was a final incredible touch to the dish. Would pass next time: lentil salad, because I find potatoes boring. Staff was super wonderful and friendly. atmosphere was nice and romantic. Great dining experience!
(4)
Shawn S.
Very very good, maybe one of my new favorites and I am a foodie. The menu isn't really as much of a tasting menu as it is a fixe prix create your own. There is no reason to go a la carte. The salmon tartare and the duck were awesome. The Beet Ravioli was funky - stretched my horizons a bit and wasn't my favorite. The lamb could have been a better choice but as I said I had duck for the finale. Just knowing that there are menu options that are VERY unique makes you want to go here vs the other restaurants that don't take chances. But go in knowing that you might have to pick something that you have never tried because of those chances. Oh and I really appreciate that when we booked, we let them know that it was our 5 year anniversary and we'd like the best table they could recommend, and they delivered on that and the overall experience. No freebies, not that we expected any.
(5)
Lindsey W.
This is one of my favorite places to go for a special occasion. For the price, it is usually an extremely special occasion. I've never been disappointed; the food is always spot-on. The servers are knowledgeable and I'm a fan of the wine list. I'll be back!
(4)
Matt M.
Alma's awesome. While it's definitely not "cheap eats," it's well worth the price. I love the set up of the ever-changing menu with five selections under each of three courses. You can order individual items, but I almost always get the tasting menu which allows you to make one selection for each course. Expect to experience unique, but delicious, flavors to come together to create a memorable meal. Whenever I want to celebrate a special occasion, I have Alma on my short-list of venues. It's also a great place for vegetarians as they have many vegetarian dishes. (Just ask for their separate menu.) And, Alma delivers top quality service. The group I usually go with have strong opinions on what they do and don't like. The Servers at Alma have earned our trust based on the guidance they have given us when we make our dinner choices. If you're at all on the fence about Alma, GO... I don't think you'll have any regrets.
(5)
John A.
Incredible dining experience! By far one of the best nights out I have ever had. Reservations ensured we were seated as soon as we arrived. Our table at the front window was very comfortable. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxing and quiet, making conversation easy. The servers are VERY knowledgeable and were eager to offer their advice. We didn't feel rushed or neglected, and were able to enjoy a very laid back evening. We order the tasting menu and I was impressed with the bison or buffalo carpaccio (jalepeno, radish, and the thin sliced bison?). The entire menu was incredible, but the bison needs to be highlighted. This restaurant is on my list of gems that need to be revisited as often as practically possible.
(5)
Rachel W.
I have driven by this place enough times and was saving it for a "special occasion". Well that special occasion finally arrived. This is a nice space and we sat upstairs. Seemed a little quieter on the top floor but my only complaint here was how warm it got. Perhaps they want to think about adding a ceiling fan as we were all anxious to get outside after we finished dinner. Overall a positive experience and possibly some of the best service I've received in a restaurant. Staff "extremely" attentive, friendly and always there to fill your water glass and fold your napkin if you step away. Service is truly 5 stars in my book. As far as food goes my group went for the "Alma experience" as our server described it (the 3 course tasting menu at $48 per person). From the first course we sampled the salmon tartar and grilled bread with asparagus. Both unique combinations and tasty. My husband went with the quail for the middle course and I tried the ricotta gnocchi. This course was the one we both enjoyed the least. I finished the evening with the seared scallops and would have been happy with just that for my meal for the evening. All the items were beautifully prepared and wonderfully presented. The timing between courses was perfect. In retro spec this place was fun to experience but it comes with a "hefty" price tag. Come with deep pockets. Food in my opinion gets 4 stars but not sure it's quite worth the money for the tasting menu.
(4)
Cara M.
We to Alma last month for our anniversary. The food was remarkable, the wine pairings were perfect and most importantly, our server, Andrew was fantastic. Thank you Alma for a wonderful and memorable first wedding anniversary!
(5)
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Address :528 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN, 55414
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jason R.
I'd put Alma on the list of must try places. It's on the pricey side, but the food is great and the atmosphere is very warm and relaxed. While I do enjoy the high energy feel or over the top feel of some high end restaurants, it's also nice to have a warm, cozy, romantic experience, which Alma provides very well. As far as the food goes, it's gourmet food with a very balanced taste. The mix of flavors is very creative and comes off well.
(4)Lenny K.
Service is impeccable. Ambience is very nice. Food is executed perfectly. But I never remember what I ate there next day. So it's a great experience overall but the food doesn't stick out as amazing for me. Perhaps that's not as important as the experience though :-)
(4)Marc O.
My go to place for the last five years when I want to take a special friend out to dinner that enjoys food. Great service, interesting twists on food pairings, while it seems like small portions (sorry this is not a Ponderosa Steak House) but I always leave full and satisfied. Great for foodies, romantics, and a place to get away from the whirlwind of life and unwind with a glass or two of great wine and food.
(5)Michael L.
I hate to be a wet blanket on what is a perfectly fine and nice restaurant, but I have to say I resisted trying it for a while because the menu looked underwhelming for the price, and I ended up feeling vindicated in that assessment. Maybe I am too spoiled by all the newer, more exciting haute cuisine options around, but this kind of felt like the fanciest restaurant in a college town circa 2000, which perhaps is what it was at that time. There were a lot of white haired folks dining, and I felt like that made sense. Another problem is that there are a lot of not so nice places you may be forced to sit even with a reservation, such as a tiny attic-like second floor that is too cramped, and by the front window where it was very cold and also cramped. The service was not spectacular, things were not explained. There is a large parking lot next to it that looks like you should be able to park there (it's empty), but you can't, but this is not clearly marked. Basically the food was executed well and was good but I guess I just expect more for a dinner that will easily run $100/person. It is food I have had 100 times before, done very well, but nothing exciting, and not in an especially fun environment. In a more remote location this might be kind of awesome but being a stone's throw from the warehouse district, it is underwhelming.
(3)William C.
Squash. Wild rice soup, Lamb and grouse plus three people had the tasting menu @$52 each. All very very good with wonderful service. This place is always the tops in flavor and presentation.
(5)Ken H.
We travel & eat out a lot. It was one one of best meals we have enjoyed in the last 8 years. Fresh ingredients. Delightful taste combinations. Very interesting wine list. Excellent service. Make this a must do meal. Exquisite!
(5)Jenny M.
For a restaurant that made a fuss about reservations, it was empty. We had the 3 courses. Nothing was crazy good. The tastes were a bit flat for my pallet. Not enough texture to dishes. Tofu app, needed some herbs and maybe a dash of sesame oil or miso reduced sauce... Polenta was ok, once you broke the yoke, it was a mushy mess... Some fried pork product would have been great! Lamb- first bite was good, but the taste didn't last... Broth was good but rest of ingredients were bland. Lamb was v tender. Brûlée was just ok, a little too sweet for me.
(2)Kimberly C.
I've passed by this restaurant a few times on Thurs, Fri and Sat evenings and noticed how packed and lively it looked. That along with the menu, and reviews made me give it a try with a friend. We went on a Tuesday, which was good given there were far LESS people. My friend and I tried the three course dinner with the wine flight. I got... RABBIT TERRINE- good, but had I known "terrine" equals cold I would have gone for something else. It looked like a slice of spam. MALFATTI DUMPLING - good, but I was expecting more of a dough based dumpling with the malfatti incorporated somehow; not just a ball of malfatti. SAGE ROASTED DUCK- really good. It was a nice way to end the meal. The wines which were paired with each dishes were also good, but unfortunately I can't recall any of their names. What's nice is that my friend was given different wines (based on her meal) so we got to sample each others and in essence had 6 wines. :-) Although I enjoyed everything, I would have certainly tried something other than the first two dishes. Given that their menu changes so frequently; I'm sure I'll get the chance to. BTW- that big parking lot next to them (on University) is not theirs. There's only street parking and a small lot around the corner, which we were told about, but couldn't find.
(4)Amy J.
Restaurant Alma has always been a favorite. They have a season simple menu that is elegant and the perfect size. You order an appetizer, an entree, and dessert for one price. The service is great, as well as the food. It has grown quite a bit more expensive but the quality of the ingredients and balanced dishes make it worth it. The food and the restaurant portray elegance and grace, and it is always a pleasure to come for a nice dinner.
(5)Mike S.
I was in school at the U and living right across the street when Alma opened its doors back in 1999. Granted I was a poor college kid back then, but I am ashamed to say it took me 15 years to give it a try. It was anniversary time, so better late then never. First off, the only detriment...the parking blows. So make sure you brush up on your parallel parking skills because, if you can find a spot, you will be on the street. That's where the bad ends. My wife and I were promptly seated at our reservation time and immediately placed a drink order. Their beer selection is a little small, but their wine list is lengthy (not overwhelming), so you shouldn't have a problem if you're a wine drinker. For starters I ordered the egg. THE EGG. So damn good, I ordered another one. I love it when restaurants will let you ad-lib off the menu in the middle of your meal. Then I had the quail. This was my first go at quail and was impressed. Yeah, it tasted like chicken, just a little more oily and gamey. The potato pancake added really nice texture to the dish. The flat iron steak was done perfectly with a tasty-sweet pablano migas. I finished things off with the orange crème brulee. The service was impeccable throughout. Granted, the restaurant wasn't horribly busy, but it really seemed our server went out of her way to make sure we were well taken care of. Questions were answered, thoughtful pairings were given, and dishes arrived promptly. All in all, a great experience at Alma. I will be back.
(5)Siobhan W.
With so many loyal fans and rave reviews on here...I'm almost afraid to put anything less than 5 stars...but, I'm going to have to be real here folks. Alma is a lot inconspicuous, settled in a very low key building next to Dunn's. I swear, I did not even notice Alma, walked right past it and around the corner of Dunn's to try to find it. If Alma was at a party, she'd be that wallflower girl everyone forgot was even there. Eventually, I retraced my steps and found Alma. Walking in, I immediately felt like I had walked into someone's closet at home. At the small entryway, there was seating, a coat rack, and a tiny host stand. The strangest thing about the restaurant was, it was carpeted! I've never been to a carpeted restaurant before. Really felt like I was dining in someone's suburban home because of that! From the tasting menu, I had the Beets Sheep Milk Cheese, Lamb Migas, and Pan Roasted Duck. My friend had the Spicy Rice Cake Salad, Chickpea Crepe, and Glazed Beef Brisket. The Beets Sheep thing was not good. Very sparse plate of salad. My friend had a taste of it, and said it tasted like farm dirt. lol. I tried her salad, the Spicy Cake thing, which was really good actually, not to mention, much more ample in the amount. The rest of the meal was just okay. Nothing memorable, nothing that stood out, nothing I would come back for, in short, a wallflower. I was expecting better, considering all the rave reviews, but alas, it turns out to be a disappointment. No complaints about the waitress and service though. Excellent, warm and welcoming service. Too bad the food didn't match.
(3)Emily W.
Ok food, good wine pairings with courses. Nowhere near worth the cost: $220 for two people for three or four good-but-not-great tiny courses and dessert, plus wine flight and coffee. Will not be going back.
(3)Lauren A.
So beyond impressed with the service, creativity and exceptional quality of the food at Restaurant Alma. I got a 3 course dinner here with the wine pairing. Our server was attentive and even gave us an extra glass of wine because our entree was taking a little longer. I cannot wait to come back!
(5)E H.
We went here a while ago for a celebratory dinner. The food was uninspiring. If I was on yelp back then, I would've written a more detailed review. All I can remember is that there was a hair in one of our watery, tiny dishes, and the only redeeming part of the whole meal was the 3-tiered chocolate dessert -- and the bottle of champagne. This place is a trap for suckers who don't know what expensive food should taste like. What a rip.
(1)Lynn M.
This place is a gem for both the food and service. I had an exquisite meal from start to finish...even with a less than wonderful date! My only complaint is that the seating is a bit tight for the price of the restaurant. Definitely a favorite!
(4)Scott M.
We ate here on 7/13/14 so we were able to enjoy a new menu which had plenty of amazing dishes. My wife and I each did the three course tasting for $52 and we each tried different dishes so we were able to try 6 offerings. I had the smoked rabbit salad (Amazing!), Saffron Tagliatelle with tonato and the grilled pork tenderloin. My wife had the chilled sweet corn soup, grilled bread with pork ragu and the hake with vegetable fricassee. I think the first course offerings were our favorite although everything was super delicious! I will definitely try this place again and look forward to trying another menu as we were super impressed with our first visit. So much flavor!
(5)Sara P.
I wanted to go somewhere good for dinner just because so I took my boyfriend out last Friday. After reading reviews on Yelp, I knew I had to go here. As other reviewers have said, it is a casual atmosphere so wearing jean capris and a shirt I threw on after work was totally acceptable. The dining room is small so make a reservation! There are a few seats at the bar too, not sure if you can eat there though. The restaurant is a nondescript storefront so make sure you know where you are going. We both had the 3 course tasting menu with wine pairings and a glass of champagne to start. My order was: 1 -Nettle Souffle with coconut-jalapeno sauce, snap peas & curried cashews (apparently this had dairy in it, boo) If you want something a little out of the box you should order this! 2 - Clam & Squid pasta in tomato broth & aioli. Pretty straightforward dish. Since we have started making fresh pasta at home I wasn't wowed by this but still delicious. 3- Grilled Prime Beef Sirloin with garlic, grilled artichoke & zinfandel sauce. Also fairly straightforward but the meat was cooked perfectly medium rare as requested. For dessert they offer gluten free & dairy free options. Bonus points for this! So for our fourth course we shared a poached pear & raspberry sauce with coconut ice cream. Four courses seems like A LOT of food but they adjust the portion sizes so it's manageable. I felt satisfied but not in a food coma. I hope this is where the Minneapolis food scene is headed!
(5)Colleen O.
Not sure why I haven't heard of this place sooner. The food was absolutely wonderful! We had three people and all ordered the tasting menu so we got to try most things on the menu. I know the menu changes seasonally but some highlights from the Christmas season were the venison, pork, and the bison tartar. Our server was the best you could find, she gave the most amazing descriptions of the food and really helped you picture the dish, you can tell she loves and appreciates the food. Would go back here in a heartbeat and hope I get to next time I'm in town.
(5)Diana R.
One of the very best meals of all time! Perfect portions, fresh ingredients, absolutely outstanding food-- very high quality. Seasonal menu. If I go back and the menu hasn't changed I'm ordering the following (based on the fact that they were the best dishes at our table): 1st shrimp 2nd squid ink pasta 3rd duck 4th panna cotta I also recommend the quail (1st) and the lamb sausage (3rd) warning: don't order the whole wheat pasta with shaved fish... it's bland (someone ordered it but no one at our table was impressed)
(5)Dan M.
I can say few restaurants I have been to are deserving of a full five stars but Restaurant Alma certainly deserves all of the acclaim it has received thus far and all that it will receive from me. Restaurant Alma is one of those rare establishments that not only sets you at ease when you arrive but maintains a level of comparability throughout the meal that can get lost among other high class venues. To start off our table was treated to glass of champagne which set the stage for the rest of the evening. While there were several options that caught my eye for the first course I had the Marlin Tartare with yam crisps and jalapeno sauce. It was a really well composed dish that maintained a balance of flavors and textural elements throughout. For the second course I had the Lamb and Sticky Rice. The sauce was a red chili sauce with just the right amount of heart, and crispy shallots were sprinkled across the top with paper thin slices of cucumber. Normally I am not a cucumber fan but on some dishes I've learned to just go with the intention of chef and I'm rarely disappointed. My entree was a perfectly roasted Sturgeon seated on a warm potato salad and sprinkled with sliced snap peas, all coated beneath a light chorizo jus. The entire meal featured really unique flavor pairings which were only made more enjoyable by our wine pairings. I would consider this among the best restaurants I've been to, and certainly a shining example for others to emulate both in terms of cuisine and ambiance.
(5)Anna M.
Holy crap-o-la. This place is seriously amazing. Went here for a small, family dinner to celebrate a graduation. It is right in my neighborhood, but I had never been--only heard tons of raving reviews. The menu is small, seasonal, and changes frequently. There are options for vegetarians & meat eaters. There are options for more daring eaters & ones that like their meat and potatoes (but trust me, these are not just any meat and potatoes). The service was great! Our waitress filled us in on her favorites and how the tasting menu works. We were persuaded to do the tasting menu which is a pretty penny--but you really do get to try more. We were so full doing the tasting menu that we didn't order dessert, but I was a little depressed about... My favorites were the Wild Nettle Souffle, Parmesan Flan, and the Roast Farm Chicken. Everything was really mind blowing. For the quality, the price doesn't look so bad. Great for special occasions! I cannot wait to go back. Like, I keep thinking about a time when I can go back. It was THAT good.
(5)Jeff G.
I was in Minneapolis for business and read some reviews of Restaurant Alma and was intrigued. WOW! Small portions HUGE flavor. I had the Duck 2 ways and it was outstanding. Cooked perfectly. My co-worker had the chicken, and it had so much flavor I was shocked it was chicken. Very enjoyable laid back meal.
(5)Stwo B.
Outstanding food quality and preparation. Below average host and wait staff. The chilled corn chowder, pickled shrimp, and saffron tagliatelle were great. Duck 2 ways is outstanding. It's the only constant item on the menu and must be ordered. For $300 including wine and tip it's worth it if you can afford it to enjoy food at the highest quality. Service and host staff were incredibly disappointing. We had an early 6 pm reservation. Plenty of 2 tops and bar seating in a great front room were available. If you were going to spend $300 for dinner, would you want to sit upfront in a great room with plenty of 2 tops open or even the bar? Or would you want to sit in the worst table in a dark gray corner with no light, no view, and worse yet off the beaten path with lack of service? One host said sit them upfront. The other host stated "let's fill it in". For an early 6 pm sitting at 615pm on a Sunday ( no one else was waiting or on time for 6pm) plenty of good spots were available. The other host exercised poor judgement given the situation. It was my first time. Honestly I didn't realize how poor my table would be. You trust the host to make the right call or at least give me options if there is doubt. I think the people who work here have forgotten what experience they would want for themselves and people special in their life if they spent $300 for a single meal. I raised the issue with the other host after my meal and he blamed me for not "speaking up". Blaming the customer for not raising a fuss, for not speaking up is a dangerous way to run a business. If it's packed or peak time that's one thing: fill every table. Given the outstanding world class food, every aspect of service and the customer experience requires world class service. There is more room for improvement and I hope management views this review as constructive feedback and a teachable moment.
(2)Jess V.
There are 11 Michelin rated restaurants in the U.S.A and, surprisingly, none of them are located in Minneapolis. I have lived and eaten my way through some well known American cities- Boston, Los Angeles, Honolulu- and I am continually impressed with the cuisine in the Twin Cities. I've been to one of the Michelin-rated restaurants in NYC and will soon be eating at another in Las Vegas. Alma chefs- your food should most definitely be awarded a Michelin rating. Parmesan flan- yes, please. Smoked whitefish and arugula- can i have another? Mole braised rabbit?- let's cook peter cottontail! Squash soup with pork belly- the asian side of me is in heaven! Sauteed duck and ricotta gnocchi- tears of joy The best part- the waitstaff is hip and cool and not stuffed in penguin suits.
(5)Michael V.
My friend and I had a fine evening in this bustling neighborhood fine-dining bistro. Pleasant and very attentive service, excellent wine list from which we picked a well-priced Chinon of remarkable depth and intensity with a long finish to match the fine cuisine. We will definitely return the next time we are in Minneapolis
(5)Lindsay F.
If there is a place where you want a truly phenomenal dining experience and you are trying new places, go to Restaurant Alma. It is a wee bit pricey if you get more than just entrees, but completely worth it if you want to treat yourself. The website makes it look like it is an extremely upscale, fine dining restaurant. I was surprised to enter and see that it is more casual than that. Think less La Belle Vie and more Meritage. Now about the food. It was one of the best meals I have had and I still think about some of those perfect bites. I went with my family and we split a selection of first and second course dishes, and each got an entree. The two dishes that were favorites at the table were the lemon orzo pasta and the potato in crisp pastry. The potato crisp pastry was phenomenal. What I really liked about the dish was the salad with whitefish. Mmmmm... As for entrees, I got the trout with potatoes two ways and a black truffle dressing. The trout was pan roasted with the skin left on and cooked to beautiful crispiness. It was accompanied by a potato puree on the bottom and crispy freshly fried potato chips on top. The best part of the dish was the rich black truffle sauce. Heavenly. It was not too heavy, just perfectly dressing the fish. But no biggie. My parents both got the chicken, which was a VERY generous portion. Very tender, just fell off the bone. My sister and her hubby got the duck, which was seasoned perfectly and accompanied with a duck confit and chard crepe. Great way to balance the savory duck. For dessert, I got the salted caramel cake. As mentioned in other posts, it was delightful. The salty, sweet combination with the moist texture of the cake was perfect. Top this with the light crunch of the caramel on the outside? Perfection. It was a great meal. Service was good, the atmosphere was great, and the food superb.
(5)Scott E.
I do not understand how this place gets such raves. I have eaten here three times. Six years ago, three years ago and two months ago. I guess I have a short term memory and forget or I read the reviews and hope that I was wrong. I am not. I have dined wiith different people each time and they concure with my assessment of Restaurant Alma. The place is cold, the tables are crowded, the waiters are average at best in both desire to be there and kindness. This is suppose to be at the level of the other great restaurants in Minneapolis. The food is bland. I have never had a bite of food here and said "wow". The cost for the quality is excessive. I wish I was wrong, I want to be wrong. This is consistently one of the most dissapointing restaurants I have visited. My assumption is the great reviews are farm to table advocates or people hired to place reviews. For $150 you can do much better than this place. Parking is a challenge. - I am not sure anyone will read this review as Restaurant Alma flags all the negative reviews. Now I understand!
(1)Carter M.
BEST Dining Experience of my LIFE! The food at Alma is AMAZING!!!!!!! I came here once years ago, and remember the food being outstanding. Decided to come again recently and the meal was again, fantastic. The menu changes here every so often, but if you go soon I recommend the Lamb Meatballs and the Pork Milanese! My fiance got the seared scallops - also SUPER TASTY! However, Alma is quite spendy - be prepared to spend a pretty penny here, but it will be WORTH IT.
(5)David K.
Out of the gate...fantastic food!! It was a special occasion - 19th anniversary - and Restaurant Alma is a great special occasion restaurant to visit. Open Table makes the RSVP process so easy and we booked it a week ahead of time. Their menu is relatively small; 5 dishes in the Starters, Middle Course, and Entree categories (and a number of vegetarian dishes that weren't on the printed menu.) Some people don't like the smaller number of selections, but I do - it helps you zero in on what to eat and I'm guessing it allows the kitchen to focus on the excellence of each dish. They also have a 3 course fixed price menu for $48 - same options as the regular menu (1 dish from each category) but the waiter said they were about 1/3 smaller than the full course and frankly I liked that a lot! Beer and wine...wine is pretty spendy - looks like they do a 2.5-3 times markup on the less expensive bottles...probably a bit less on the more expensive ones. However, they also offer a paired wine flight - 3 half glasses that are paired with the food selections yiou make - for $15 and that was a great option! I had the Soft Cooked Egg salad as a Starter - there's an art to making a perfect soft cooked egg AND serving it hot and they hit a home run. I opted for the Masa Corn and Bean Cake middle dish which had a little bit of fire in it and left my tongue doing a "happy dance" a few minutes after I'd finished it. The Duck Breast however was surreal - perfect, literally perfect - medium rare in the middle, crispy skin on the outside, and delectable. My food rated a FIVE all the way across. Partner had the Bitter Green Salad for a Starter - it was bitter, but not in a bad way. The flavor of the greens came through the dressing and he said it had an "elegant" feel to it. Middle Course was Farro and Porcini Risotto was devine! Risotto was perfectly cooked and it was full flavored, probably on account of the prosciutto and the fried crisp of cheese on the top. His Entree was the Berkshire Pork which was a bit mixed. This dish was "cooked two ways;" a pulled pork that was wonderfully delicious and savory, and the other part was a small somewhat non-descript loin chop that was actually a bit overcooked - not dry, but no pink inside at all. For dessert we had the Hazelnut Chocolate Torte which was very tasty and decadent - exactly as you'd want it to be. So...why a rating of "4?" This is one of the top few most expensive restaurants in Minneapolis and as I said it was special occasion and in spite of what I say below, I'd strongly encourage anyone to go! When you go to a restaurant like Alma, you expect a perfect experience. We had a very, very good experience...but it wasn't perfect. The issues weren't with the food...they were service related...here's what we experienced: 1.) Ten minutes after we were seated the host approached us and told us that we'd been seated at the wrong table and asked us if we'd move. We were in the upper loft area in the corner overlooking part of the restaurant and just a corner of the kitchen. The table he pointed to was in the corner looking at the wall. We said that we'd prefer not to move and he didn't push it (that's good!) but the experience of being asked to move to another table in such a fine restaurant was odd at best, and rude at worst. 2.) I have coffee with dessert once or twice a year - when we eat truly fine meals out. When we ordered dessert and coffee, the first cup of coffee came out and I drank most of it. The dessert arrived several minutes later and the waiter said he'd bring me more coffee - ten minutes passed and I asked the guy that was serving water for more coffee, and he brought it promptly, but in the end, I ate my dessert without the "luxury" of the coffee with it. Had any of those issues occurred in other very good but less expensive restaurants (Cave Vin, Al Vento for example) I wouldn't have dinged them, but part of what you pay for at Alma is exceptional service and sadly that wasn't what we experienced tonight. Still...the main reason you go to a restaurant is the food, and in that area Alma was very, very good. Not sure when we'd go back, but we won't scratch it from the list in spite of the service issues tonight.
(4)M G.
What a dining experience! I don't know who was more excited about the meal, Maria, our waitress, who describe each menu item we asked about with such feeling and genuine enthusiasm, or me, who couldn't wait to see what the menu items looked like plated. When I finally decided on my 3 courses, I ate from the farm - rabbit, pig and duck- and enjoyed every single bite. Started with the smoked rabbit salad, a light yet tasty starter to my meal. The dressing and pistachios were the sideshow to the tender smoked rabbit. I followed the salad up with a grilled bread thingy with braised pork. It had a little spice that was offset by the salty olives. Lastly, the duck 2 ways was the main event... pan seared perfection with greens and candied peaches. Each bite was better than the previous, with the last bite of extra seared duck, peach and greens the best. We finished the evening off with the chocolate mouse with a lavender sauce and some butterscotch. This was a fantastic dining experience.
(5)Kelly C.
After a few attempts to gather my team to test out one of the hottest restaurants in Minneapolis, I finally rounded them up for an evening at Restaurant Alma. We were seated in the intimate upstairs area which is a tucked away loft. The menu changes frequently to ensure freshness of the ingredients, and nothing disappointed us. The food was fantastic - from the fresh green salad with a delightfully fresh dressing, to the earthy orecchiette with lamb sausage to the halibut. I probably loved dessert even more if that's possible. Even though there are only about 6 options for each course, there were so many things that looked good I could go back again a few times before they change the menu again. Our waiter was helpful in description of dishes, had an opinion on what to recommend when asked (which I like), and was honest about wine recommendations regarding what he had tried and liked and what he hadn't. Great place for a small group (definitely fewer than six) whether as a date night, special occasion celebration or with close work colleagues.
(5)jamie y.
Sometimes it's easy to forget the difference between a really good meal and a great meal, then you stumble onto something as wonderful as Restaurant Alma. I won't go in depth on all the dishes we are specifically but they were all outstanding. The dishes were composed with a deft hand and balanced spice, acidity and fats amazingly. The halibut tar tar and the grits in particular had a subtle layering of flavors that built with each bite. Then came the entrees... There are some dishes/meals that you think about after, some that you may crave later and some that you find yourself fantasizing about. The Duck 2 Ways fills the latter slot for me. The balance of flavors and textures was right on and there was just something magic in it that I can't put my finger on. But amazing. I'm usually fairly lazy on yelp and haven't written a review in years. This meal actually motivated me to...
(5)Sarah W.
4.5 stars. Alma continues to be a consistent source of creative, fresh, seasonal food. Flavors are balanced and layered. Do not expect a "punch" when eating here--this place is about subtle food executed perfectly. Sophisticated comfort food. It is also not a threatening place--anyone can eat here comfortably, happily. Adventurous food lovers will likely prefer other restaurants, but appreciate the brilliant professionalism, the quality of the ingredients, the thoughtfullness of the food. Three course prix fixe.
(4)Ken Z.
Haven't dined at Alma in a few years. It is still the top foodie destination in Minneapolis. Small but cozy space. High ceilings so the noise level is fine. We had the best server ever, Maria. Knowledgeable, and very attentive. Now to the food. New 3 course tasting menu. We'll balanced. I can recommend any of the dishes my wife and I are. Roasted squash, and smoked whitefish salad best first courses. Fregola with shrimp and clams one of the best dishes I've ever had. Chicken ravioli rich but good. Last course Lamb and gnocchi and Duck both excellent. Desserts all wonderful. All in all a fantastic dining experience. Both special occasion and casual eating sitting at the bar. I love this place.
(5)Monica R.
We made reservations here yesterday to celebrate new years a day early on a whim knowing that it was going to be hard to get New Years reservations at our favorite places at last minute. When we arrive for our 5:30 pm seating, there were only 2 parties in the house, but by the time we left (8ish) the place was hopping. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here: I had the (chard souffle, mussels with chorizo and chickpeas, seared sea scallops with braised cabbage) and my date had (bitter greens salad, fried quail, roasted duck) and then we shared the winter chocolate tartlet and the sticky toffee pudding. We weren't able to finish our desserts because we cleaned our plates for (almost) every dish. The highlights were definitely the fried quail, the roasted duck and the mussels with chorizo. The fried quail had all of the qualities that I love about chicken and waffles - the umami of fried poultry, with a touch of sweet from the glazed onions and the savory buttery grain in the polenta. The roasted duck was delicious, period. It was perfectly done. And the mussels were the best mussels I've had in Minnesota - we've ordered them everywhere (W.A. Frost, Sea Change, Sea Salt, Barbette and more that I just can't remember at the moment). They were perfectly cooked - and I saw more than one diner (including myself) take their spoon out and spoon out every last bit of broth in the bowl. Out of the desserts the winter chocolate tart was the winner - the chocolate was bittersweet and even though it was rich it wasn't overwhelming. The wine pairing were solid and our server was the right amount of attentive - answering questions but also giving us enough space to enjoy each other's company.
(4)Tom E.
I was visiting Minneapolis from San Francisco and Restaurant Alma was recommended twice in one day. I'm awfully glad we decided to give it a try. Coming from SF we usually have lower standards for places in the Midwest but Alma can stand up to any restaurant in San Francisco, New York, or any other major metropolitan city. Everything we ate was delicious, I particularly loved the crepe with morel mushrooms, ricotta, and Zatar. The three course menu for $52 is a deal considering the quality of the ingredients, the sophisticated preparations and the lovely plating. They also have a full vegetarian menu, dairy free menu and gluten free menu! We had a half bottle of champagne to get things started then a half bottle of a really wonderful red (Chateau Musar) from Lebanon of all places! It was a blend of Cab Sav, Cinsault, and Grenache. The desserts were very pretty and delicious as well. If you are in Minneapolis you must eat here!
(5)Bob B.
A complete treat. An encyclopedic wait staff will steer you through the food and drink menu. The cuisine honors the region. My stinging nettles crepe was iconic for what they try to achieve. Thoroughly enjoyable.
(5)Jaime S.
We are frequent restaurant goers in Minneapolis, but had never been to Alma. We had heard great things and decided to try Alma for our wedding anniversary. BIG MISTAKE. My husband is dairy free. They brought him a dairy free menu... moments later the waiter told us one of the "dairy free" menu items contained ghee, which is dairy! His allergy is severe enough that this would have been a major problem. However, he avoided that menu item and ordered something else. We were served bread at the table. We were told the wheat bread and the foccaccia bread were dairy free. Nevertheless, when we got home his allergic reaction set in. He has been in severe pain all night. Sure, the food tasted great, the presentation and service was lovely. But there are MANY OTHER RESTAURANTS in Minneapolis that offer the same. The difference? They know the importance of not messing up something as simple as a dairy allergy! It's not an uncommon allergy. It costs $52 for the three course tasting menu... for that price you can go somewhere else that will pay attention to the needs of their customers. It is totally unprofessional to have ghee on a dairy free menu. But it is completely unacceptable to serve someone items that obviously contained dairy when we asked specifically about each menu item he ate. Needless to say our wedding anniversary was ruined. All our other plans had to be canceled due to his allergic reaction. I would highly suggest avoiding this restaurant and taking your money elsewhere.
(1)Justine L.
I just went to Alma last night, and happened to catch them on a menu change. Once again, my taste buds were in heaven, and it reiterated that Alma still deserves its 5 stars. I had the tasting menu, and splurged the extra $2 for the gnocchi. The gnocchi was out of this world: buttery, not too salty, huge chunks of seafood and citrus... Two thumbs up. Definitely reiterated that this IS the best restaurant in the Twin Cities! PS And, they take reservations! I came in, I sat down, I ate! How satistifed...
(5)Titi P.
My friend and I both got the three-course meal with desert and also the wine flight*. I had the hamachi tartar, the masa corn crepe, and the pan roasted duck. She got the grilled bread, the lamb & sticky rice, sautéed pork tenderloin. I was into everything and she thought the same, sans lamb & sticky rice. Basically it tastes like it sounds: bougie and amazing. *FYI, I blacked out bc of the wine flight.
(5)Matthew M.
Awesome experience. Great food, perfect portions and nice flavor. Our server was outstanding. He made all the right wine choices and nicely balanced his opinion with customer favorites on the menu. I highly recommend Alma.
(5)Randall D.
It's not everyday that I can afford to go to this incredible restaurant, but when I've saved my scheckels I am so happy to be able to walk over and eat like a king in this otherwise modest neighborhood. Order from a prix fixe menu with three courses. I ate there last night with a good buddy and his friend from Germany who knows his wines and loves good food. Alma is that kind of place -- it's a way to brag about Minneapolis without having to break a sweat. The wine selection was spectacular (I was told) and we decided to order one dish from each of the courses and we shared. Got out of there for $84 for the three of us. But, OH. What tasty goodness. Sit in the back or upstairs in the loft if you want to get away from the too loud music. Typically, you need a reservation far in advance but yesterday (Black Friday), they were "accepting" walk-in traffic. We got there by 5pm at the opening bell. The place was packed by 6pm. Now I know why it's always full: it is worth it.
(5)Lilo And P.
Upon recommendation from a foodie friend, we went here for a special date night and have been whenever we get the chance. Although it is on the pricier side, it is definitely worth it- the food is locally sourced, where possible, and always seasonal, so the menu is always changing. You must absolutely try the 3 course selection for ~$50, as well as get dessert. Although you might be feeling kinda full, you'll leave satisfied and not overly stuffed after 3 courses. The flavors are amazing and every dish is superb. The atmosphere is nice- there were fresh flowers and subtle interiors: a place you could have a special date or a fancy but low-key place to take your parents. The service is perfect. Extremely professional, welcoming, not pretentious at all, knowledgeable about the food, and totally willing to help out in any way possible. Highly recommended.
(5)John H.
I have visited here multiple times and enjoyed it. Service was top notch in one and just average in the other. Food quality is generally high but some dishes can be oversalted. Desserts are yummy.
(5)Trevor W.
One of the best restaurants in the twin cities that not many people know about which makes it even better. Unassuming storefront with a quiet elegance on the inside. Seasonal menu with a bevy of locally grown ingredients. The best advice I can give is go with the tasting menu and take the recommendations of your server. The menu often has an eclectic range of ingredients that I wasn't entirely familiar with and when I strayed from their advice I would often be disappointed that I went the wrong way.
(5)Glen W.
For the price I have rarely had such an elegant, consistent and beautiful meal. Try the pork belly, grilled bread, agnelloti, quail, pork, trout and plum tart. The candy bar terrine is great too and the wine flight is an amazing deal...they are really full glasses. Not to miss.
(5)Amy L.
Solid every time. Wish they had more space, and it did get a bit warm, sitting at the bar, near the kitchen, but the food makes up for it. Explosions of flavor in every dish. I'd say it's a tad overpriced, but it really is quite good!
(4)Abby M.
You know, I really wanted to like Alma. The menu is beautiful but on my particular visit was poorly executed. My husband and I ordered three starters and two entrees, and were disappointed with all but one: the salad. We waited 45 minutes between the arrival of the salad and the rest of the starters. We were not in any sort of hurry, but it became a little ridiculous. The salad was delicious with truffled honey- how can you go wrong with that. The other two were the parmesan flan and the crispy soft boiled egg. The egg arrived sitting in a lukewarm pool of beef broth- unappetizing and not conducive to the runny yolk inside. Once broken it all became one tepid mess of liquid. The flan was tasteless save for a few crispy artichokes scattered on the plate. Definitely not worth the 45 minute wait. Our entrees (pork loin and short rib) were forgettable. I take the blame for ordering pork loin, which sounded great- made with cardamon and orange, but tasted very bland and over salted. The short rib boasted a rhubarb chutney but the two flavors just didn't fuse. Fail. I didn't order dessert because I was annoyed that the dinner was lackluster and I didn't want that sacred course to be ruined as well. Overall, the place feels stuffy, arrogant, and distanced from the food it serves. This city has too many gems to waste time here. Ouch, yes, but think of it as tough love Alma.
(2)Isabelle J.
I chose this place for the boyfys the birthday dinner after reading the wonderful reviews. I can say that I am not disappointed! I love how the food they start with are local, sustainable, and seasonal. If you are all about that, be sure to try this place! We went for the 3 course tasting menu, of course. We had: Starters: warm lentil salad and rabbit terrine Middle: clam/squid fideo and lamb and chickpea soup Entree: seared sea scallops and sage roasted duck Desert: Agave roasted pear with saffrom gelatto! Favorite: sea scallops! so tender, perfectly seared, perfectly seasoned. that cauliflower 2-ways was a final incredible touch to the dish. Would pass next time: lentil salad, because I find potatoes boring. Staff was super wonderful and friendly. atmosphere was nice and romantic. Great dining experience!
(4)Shawn S.
Very very good, maybe one of my new favorites and I am a foodie. The menu isn't really as much of a tasting menu as it is a fixe prix create your own. There is no reason to go a la carte. The salmon tartare and the duck were awesome. The Beet Ravioli was funky - stretched my horizons a bit and wasn't my favorite. The lamb could have been a better choice but as I said I had duck for the finale. Just knowing that there are menu options that are VERY unique makes you want to go here vs the other restaurants that don't take chances. But go in knowing that you might have to pick something that you have never tried because of those chances. Oh and I really appreciate that when we booked, we let them know that it was our 5 year anniversary and we'd like the best table they could recommend, and they delivered on that and the overall experience. No freebies, not that we expected any.
(5)Lindsey W.
This is one of my favorite places to go for a special occasion. For the price, it is usually an extremely special occasion. I've never been disappointed; the food is always spot-on. The servers are knowledgeable and I'm a fan of the wine list. I'll be back!
(4)Matt M.
Alma's awesome. While it's definitely not "cheap eats," it's well worth the price. I love the set up of the ever-changing menu with five selections under each of three courses. You can order individual items, but I almost always get the tasting menu which allows you to make one selection for each course. Expect to experience unique, but delicious, flavors to come together to create a memorable meal. Whenever I want to celebrate a special occasion, I have Alma on my short-list of venues. It's also a great place for vegetarians as they have many vegetarian dishes. (Just ask for their separate menu.) And, Alma delivers top quality service. The group I usually go with have strong opinions on what they do and don't like. The Servers at Alma have earned our trust based on the guidance they have given us when we make our dinner choices. If you're at all on the fence about Alma, GO... I don't think you'll have any regrets.
(5)John A.
Incredible dining experience! By far one of the best nights out I have ever had. Reservations ensured we were seated as soon as we arrived. Our table at the front window was very comfortable. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxing and quiet, making conversation easy. The servers are VERY knowledgeable and were eager to offer their advice. We didn't feel rushed or neglected, and were able to enjoy a very laid back evening. We order the tasting menu and I was impressed with the bison or buffalo carpaccio (jalepeno, radish, and the thin sliced bison?). The entire menu was incredible, but the bison needs to be highlighted. This restaurant is on my list of gems that need to be revisited as often as practically possible.
(5)Rachel W.
I have driven by this place enough times and was saving it for a "special occasion". Well that special occasion finally arrived. This is a nice space and we sat upstairs. Seemed a little quieter on the top floor but my only complaint here was how warm it got. Perhaps they want to think about adding a ceiling fan as we were all anxious to get outside after we finished dinner. Overall a positive experience and possibly some of the best service I've received in a restaurant. Staff "extremely" attentive, friendly and always there to fill your water glass and fold your napkin if you step away. Service is truly 5 stars in my book. As far as food goes my group went for the "Alma experience" as our server described it (the 3 course tasting menu at $48 per person). From the first course we sampled the salmon tartar and grilled bread with asparagus. Both unique combinations and tasty. My husband went with the quail for the middle course and I tried the ricotta gnocchi. This course was the one we both enjoyed the least. I finished the evening with the seared scallops and would have been happy with just that for my meal for the evening. All the items were beautifully prepared and wonderfully presented. The timing between courses was perfect. In retro spec this place was fun to experience but it comes with a "hefty" price tag. Come with deep pockets. Food in my opinion gets 4 stars but not sure it's quite worth the money for the tasting menu.
(4)Cara M.
We to Alma last month for our anniversary. The food was remarkable, the wine pairings were perfect and most importantly, our server, Andrew was fantastic. Thank you Alma for a wonderful and memorable first wedding anniversary!
(5)