4.25 stars (if possible) Let me get why it's not a FULL BLOWN 5 out of the way first: - my friend and I sat without receiving any service or recognition for a good 10-12 min. We eventually had to flag down a random server to get any form of attention - our original table (where we were ignored) was super dark, off to the side, and wobbly. - my dessert was kind of "meh". It was the chocolate candy bar thing. I was fine except for the large pieces of sea salt. I get that sea salt goes well with dark chocolate, but some of the larger pieces just left an overwhelming salty taste in my mouth, which overpowered the chocolate taste. OK! Now on to the great! **Service and Ambiance**: - we asked to be moved to a better, brighter, less wobbly table and they did - dress code isn't formal, per-say, but I would not go in wearing jeans and flip flops. Let's call it "work casual". - our new server at our new table was SUPER attentive, gave great recommendations, and was very knowledgable about the menu - the restaurant, although packed, didn't feel sardine-packed. I don't know about you, but I hate it when the table next to you can't help but hear your entire conversation, since they're basically dining with you. I get that restaurants want to seat as many people as possible, but I appreciate how Alma didn't make it uncomfortable. - good lighting, simple decor, smaller, more intimate restaurant. GREAT place for a date night. **Food and Drink**: - the way Alma works is this: the menu is table d'hôte, or prix fixe. For $50, you pick one appetizer, a second dish, and a main entrée. For the quality and amount of food, $50 per person is a great deal. - I know nothing about wine, so I went off the recommendation of our server. However, the wine list looked very extensive and the server's suggestion was great (malbec-esque type wine). - my food was AMAZING. I picked the bison carpaccio as an appetizer, the summer squash squid ink agnolotti pasta, and the roast duck. Ho-Lee-Awesome. Sooooo good. Seriously, if I could have licked my plate clean, I would have. Glad we had the bread so it didn't come to that. - the bison carpaccio was ridiculously tender, and with the shallots and green beans and whatever that sauce was...absolutely delicious. My friend who doesn't typically eat red meat even had a taste and was mind blown. My squid ink agnolotti pasta with that delicious squash filling was plate-licking good. That sauce...UGHH!!! (all I can do is make digestive guttural sounds, WORDS CANNOT CONVEY THE AMAZINGNESS). And lastly, the duck. I freaking LOVE duck, but that's an easy bird to mess up. This was *perfect* - the skin was crispy, the duck was a good rare, and the flavor was INTENSE. SOoooo gooooood. So yes. Got a hot date coming up? Want a lovely dinner out with a close friend? Want to treat your parents or in-laws to a swanky night out? This is your place. read more

Came here on the last day of restaurant week with a reservation made about 4 days in advance and couldn't get a table reserved until about 8:45 pm. Even when we arrived, we still had to wait about an extra 20 minutes because it was so darn packed. I've heard so many good things and wanted to try it out so restaurant week seemed like the best time to do so! We were seated and offered still or sparkling water so you know they're fancy. Then we ordered. I got the fried cauliflower, miso glazed salmon, and gingerbread cake. My friend got the chickpea, farro & roasted broccoli salad, spicy turkey burger, and brownie sundae. It took about 15-20 minutes after finishing a course to get the next corse. The cauliflower and salad are both so good so we were excited for the rest of the courses. The salmon was disappointing. Literally just a small-medium slab of salmon of a very small bed of wilted greens. Nothing else. Tasted fair but nothing spectacular. The turkey burger was very tender and had a little kick to it which was nice. Also came with smashed potatoes which were really good and crispy. The brownie sundae was exactly what you'd think. Can't go wrong with it. The gingerbread cake which was only offered during restaurant week was dry and the small scoop of ice cream with a small amount of diced pears wasn't enough to save the dryness. Overall, felt like a fun and fancy dining experience but just slightly disappointing. Would probably give it another shot though and order something else. read more

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Even though I've lived in Marcy Holmes for several years, the closest I've ever made it to Alma was hanging out in the Dunn Bros next door. I kept thinking I would go there on a date but that never happened. UNTIL NOW. Made reservations on for a Saturday night in May to celebrate our three month anniversary. Normally, I would scoff at doing such a thing but three things: 1. We're super into each other 2. Neither of us have been here, so a three month anniversary is a good excuse as any 3. We're super into each other At first we walked from my place, but just as we crossed the street I realized while I remembered to bring an umbrella I forgot my wallet (d'oh). So walked the seven blocks back, just as the clouds blackened and a faint rumble floated through the air. Ok, driving it is. Luckily, valet is a super steal at $5. We still had to wait a bit for our table but that wasn't an issue. It was surprisingly more casual than I anticipated, but that works better for me. I get nervous when the atmosphere is too hoity toity. Neither of us are wine people but we got a decently priced bottle of Malbec. We also made sure to not order the same thing as each other so we could try more items. For starters, we got Shepherd's Hope Cheese Flan with maple glazed asparagus and black olive puree and the King Salmon Tartare with horseradish two ways, cucumber and dill. The cheese flan was really good, like a savory and rich egg custard with a lot of cheese. The black olive puree was nice with that salty flavor and the asparagus was good enough that my boyfriend didn't mind eating it. The salmon tartare was a bit soft and bland. I prefer a firmer fish but it was really good with the horseradish cream and the cucumber juice, which were in little "beads." Also, there were a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs on top, which added texture. For the middle course, we got the Buttermilk Fried Quail with potato pancake and honey glazed onions and the Saffron Cavatelli with bonito, favas, calabrian chilis and new olive oil. The quail was great, if not super romantic to eat. You really have to dig into the little bird which is not a problem since I'm Asian and we are used to this type of thing. The cavatelli was just okay. The bonito turned out to be bonito flakes but their waving in the heat was cool. It wasn't as good as the quail and maybe too jumbled with all the different flavors in it. Then the server came by and gave us a surprise: Turmeric Roasted Halibut with cashews, rice noodles and their version of nam prik. It was SO GOOD. The halibut was done perfectly, with a great texture. The noodles were a bit soupy but the flavors were excellent. We had wondered about getting it and were so glad to have the chance to try it. For the entree we ordered the Crispy Trout with grilled red potatoes and anchovy-almond sauce and Duck Two Ways with shallot-thyme bread pudding, ramps and sweet wine jus. I don't like getting duck because it is often overcooked or undercooked, but my boyfriend was willing to be brave. I was pretty happy with my trout, the skin was nice and crispy and again perfectly cooked. The duck wasn't too bad either! The bread pudding was pretty delicious. Even though we were getting really full, we decided to get dessert. Praline Gateau with blueberry meringue, graham streusel, and lemon buttermilk ice cream. the lemon buttermilk ice cream was creamy and lemony without being too sweet. The meringue was a bit weird, like blueberry styofoam but the cake itself was not bad. I just don't remember it too much. Overall it was an excellent dinner. Our server was really really awesome, it wasn't too fancy, and the food was delicious. Sorry-not-sorry to all those around us who had to witness us feeding each other and generally being goopy. We'll be back! read more

I love Restaurant Alma and wish I had one in Los Angeles to feast on the variety of locally grown, organic vegetables & herbs. Fresh fish (meat from local farms) and in house baked french breads and delicious desserts. The artisanal honey, butter, cheese and wine selections are a real treat. I was visiting Minneapolis and dined 2 consecutive nights at this minimal dining room with high beam ceilings and large windows. Why so unadventurous? The Glazed Black Cod. It was perfectly baked. PErfectly and delicately dressed. Perfect portion. Perfectly accompanied by a bed of spinach and cucumbers. The taste, texture and each bite, still haunt. For starters: I had the exquisite artichoke salad followed by the crisp mung bean & kimchee pancake. Then the mouthwatering black cod. I had just enough room for the buttermilk panna cotta. All of this with a nice Italian red- barbera la tosa 06 ($11 per glass, total bill with tip $75ish well spent $). The selection of wines by the glass was a bit limited but well rounded. Get a bottle if you've got company to share it with. The 2nd night I had to have the warm, unforgettable artichoke salad (again) and Black Cod (again--sooo goood!). Plus the Garden salad with scrumptious fresh cherries and fennel that was perfectly dressed to allow you to taste all the fresh ingredients with just the right amount of ricotta cheese. Oh and the Trout... it was absolutely delicious. Again, perfectly cooked. I was stuffed but was not going to leave without a complete dining experience. I had their one and only option of goat cheese: a Californian humboldt fog (log :) It was accompanied by local honey and crispy, baked in house, french bread... The tea selections are also locally grown and quite flavorful. I really enjoyed Alex Robert's carefully and lovingly created ambiance, staff and food. Both times I sat and feasted for 2 hours. This is not the place to pop in and out of ...and look forward to my next trip to the Minneapolis. Thank you Alexander Roberts and staff!!!! read more

To Restaurant Alma I roamed as a haj, The menu combed for a six course collage. Bison tartare made tongues yield to slow savor, Fennel and honey braid, lips came to waver, Till pork and monkfish both fell flat in ho hum shame, Mussels and spaetzle shifted our mouths to exclaim-- Is all this, and the pb truffle torte, Worth sitting among the white snooty sort? read more

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. read more

First of all.... Fix your heating AND air conditioning. People complain about being cold here in the winter and it had to be 100 in here this Monday when we dined there. But...it was all worth it. Small menu but such variety and inventiveness. Had the Halibut and it was better than the Halibut I had fresh in Alaska four days ago. New Pastry Chef should especially be praised, we had 4 different deserts on the menu and they were ALL fabulous. This guy/gal has REAL talent. The root beer flavored caramels at the end took us way over the top !!!!! Great job all !! read more

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. read more

Good ambience BUT in some ways they are full of themselves and success has gotten into their head. We celebrated a birthday and ordered cocktails off the menu with a request to make them not on the sweet side....nevertheless the drinks were sweet....upon reordering we asked if they could make them differently or suggest something fun instead....instead the manager shows up and lectures us about how all their drinks are perfectly measured and cannot be adjusted....REALLY??....all of us were stunned especially since we all are in the industry and frequently go to speakeasy mixologists establishments in major cities....hence we left and would kindly suggest for you to be less full of yourself as you may offend more people over time....this is especially a concern as the manager was literally a snobby know it all. There are too many good places to choose from... so please get off your snobby self. read more

I was literally moaning when I ate the 12-hour stew beef(sorry I forgot the official fancy name), it's just purely beyond delicious! It's a must have!!! read more

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Wow. Amazing - from top to bottom. Stayed at the hotel and every detail is impeccable. Dinner and drinks in the cafe far exceeded even the high expectations that we heard from friends. Cannot recommend higher. If yelp had 6 stars, Alma has earned them. read more

I went to this restaurant under the recommendation of a couple of friends. I agree with the other reviewers: the ambiance was fine, the wine list fine, the service was fine, the menu was fine. However, when the portions came out, I was more than a little surpised atthe MINISCULE amount of food they give you. Now, I understand that gourmet restaurants sometimes skim down portions over quality (which by the way, wasn't THAT good), but if I am dropping $13-$15 dollars on ravioli, I'd better get more than three little pods on my plate (and I am not exaggerating). I ordered two other things on the menu and it was the same thing over again. Bottom line, Alma is good, but go someplace else to eat before hand because you'll just be ordering pizza two hours later (and you'll still be $50 broker) read more

I have eaten at Restaurant Alma many times over the last 6 or so years: Attended a private party, dined with friends, dined with my husband, dined in a chef's tasting. Each and every experience has been memorable. The location is quaint and comfortable. You are generally going to have to do street parking which can be a bit of challenge on a Minnesota winter night with a temperature below zero and a wind chill to take it down further. That one block walk can be painful. But once inside, what a lovely vibe and warm hospitality. It is really all about the food here. Creative and interesting concepts, expertly prepared, carefully plated and immediately served. The servers are super positive, knowledgeable guides and professional. It was a tasting menu on my last trip. I had excellent dishes for each course. It will change frequently but my selections were roasted carrots and beets, Mung bean griddle cakes, and Farm Chicken two ways. Each small plate was expertly paired and were truly exceptional tasting experiences. This place is absolutely worth a special night out that will be a lovely evening out. The evening were there recently, the tasting was $55/person without alcohol, a cheese plate starter or dessert. Worth it and then some! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

What a great place. Their bread is top of my list for the best bread I've ever had - raisins, slightly sweet, crusty on the outside and soft inside. For this reason alone I would keep coming back to Alma. The wait staff was great, environment casual but nice and the food outstanding. I highly recommend the basic salad with some of the freshest tomatoes that I've had in a long long time. Put this place on your list of places to go in Minneapolis. it was TERRIFIC read more

Restaurant Alma is fabulous! This review is long overdue as it's one of my absolute favorite places to dine in the Twin Cities. I've chosen this restaurant for my birthday dinner for the past two years and do not regret it. In fact, it may be my new birthday tradition! The food is absolutely fabulous, fresh, and in season. They also have a pretty substantial vegetarian menu (a plus for me because my boyfriend actually has a decent set of options). The service has been great both times I've been here, which is a good sign and speaks to the consistency of the establishment. I also appreciate that this restaurant offers course meals (pay x amount, get 3 courses) - I think that's the way that upscale food is meant to be enjoyed. Honestly, I cant remember now what I got as it's been a month and a half, and the menu changes so I doubt it would be the same, BUT I can say with full confidence that I absolutely loved everything I got. Definitely recommend! read more

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. read more

Snowflakes flirted with the dark night, competing with the wind for our attention as we rushed to our destination: Restaurant Alma. For all the years I spent shuttling back and forth between DC and Minneapolis, I had heard such great things about this place, eaten at Chef Alex Roberts' Brasa countless times, looked at office space next door, but never actually enjoyed the experience of Alma. Pushing through the heavy curtain into the candlelit restaurant we immediately felt the intimacy and warmth Alma feeds its patrons. Without a reservation we landed at the bar which for me was a delight... I am an unrepentant kitchen voyeur. I love watching the symphony of a working kitchen. Barely room to move yet each person is performing an essential function with ultimate economy. When you watch a lot of kitchens like I do, you get a sense of how good a restaurant really is. In this case, with Chef Alex flitting between stations, the cooks unruffled, looking like they were enjoying themselves, we eagerly ordered from the three course, $45 prix fixe menu: http://www.restaurantalma.com/menu.aspx. I started with mixed greens with shredded apples and crispy onions followed by griddled corn cakes and finishing with chicken two ways (smoked and slow roasted). Alma sources local food and crafts its menu to the seasons.The flavors are thus deeper than you'd get from a salad off the sysco truck. I enjoyed my salad and my corn cakes. Portions were just right: heavy on vegetables and light on cake. The highlight of the meal, however, was the chicken. Every mouthful, morsel, bite was incredible. I'm not a chicken fan to begin with, but since I have become increasingly careful about the meat I eat, I tend to go with chicken in Minnesota (and pork, too) because I know there are some amazing sustainable producers here. What can I say, I thank the chicken that gave its life so I could have that experience. It was incredible. We were so stuffed we couldn't manage dessert but I did inhale the aroma of waffle with apple compote the couple next to us had. The gentleman of the couple claimed "this is the very best dessert we have tasted." To this, the bartender James replied "well, we do love making waffles here." As we downed our espressos and savored the tiny chocolate lavender mint truffle that came with the bill, we mused about why this place pleased us so. I think it comes down to love. Like in the movie "Like Water for Chocolate," when love is infused in cooking, the food responds accordingly. Whatever inspires this loving goodness, may it continue apace. I intend to return for many more visits. Maybe next time even making a reservation as recommended. read more

I've known about Restaurant Alma for a long while. For some reason, it always escaped me to check this place out. Recently though I had to find a place with a solid vegetarian menu for my friend so we could celebrate a recent graduation. Restaurant Alma definitely fit that bill after checking it out online. With lofty expectations after reading the yelp reviews, I made a reservation. Wow. As the kids say "this place really knocked my socks off". The atmosphere is sublime. Restaurant Alma is the perfect blend of excellent food, with a low key vibe. This place isn't the least bit pretentious even though they have every reason in the world to be. Our server, Maria, was especially excellent. Not only was she super polite, prompt, friendly, but also great at us giving us recommendations based on our taste and feedback. We went with the 3 course tasting menu. This includes a starter, a middle course, and an entree. My friend had the vegetarian tasting menu and I had the regular one. This was the perfect choice. The portions were perfect for an evening's meal. I left full but definitely not overly stuffed. I had the Parmesan Flan as my starter (anytime you can start a meal with a dessert this good, you know the rest will be great.) This Flan was superb. Sweet and savory, an interesting take on this traditional Mexican dish. For the middle, I had the Sweet Pea Soup. This was an easy choice since it had been raining most of the day. This isn't the same Sweet Pea Soup mom would make for you, this one is much better (no offense to your mom intended). Finally, I went the Gently Cooked Trout for the entree. This was a great choice because I love truffle flavor and that is one of the featured flavors of this delicious dish. The great news is this menu is seasonal, changing to accommodate for the season with the freshest ingredients possible. OK, it sounds like I work here, but I don't! Just a big fan who plans to return on a regular basis. read more

Maybe the best in the Midwest, but I ain't from around here. Food was ok; I've had much better (to be fair, duck and dessert are my areas of expertise) and from all the rave reviews, I expected much more. Service was painfully sloowwww; at times decent but also felt disingenuous. Duck two ways - my favorite part was the skin, mostly because it was one of the few flavorful components. I had one bite where the olives complemented the fregola and duck perfectly, but the rest of the time, there weren't enough olives to go around and the duck meat was bland. Not really a fan of the fregola. Flourless chocolate torte: the caramelized minced macademia part was really good. The torte was very rich (creamy), but nothing spectacular. Gimme more chocolate and less butter! Lemon souffle cake: Just had a bite of my tablemate's, but this was really tasty and light. The lemon was not overpowering - just the right amount. read more

I know this place thinks it's high-end and it screams to be exclusive and elitist.. but its VERY lacking. First, I really believe in supporting small business, but the attitude at Alma's makes me grimace. The staff were real nice when it opened but slowly they were replaced by people who seemed to be angry because they have to work for a living. If you can get past that, you have to deal with the coffee and pastries, both of which are AWFUL! The coffee tasted like it was triple filtered through paper grocery bags and the pastries (we tried 4 different ones) we nothing more than sugar, flour and water with a dot of icing or tsp of welches jam. The atmosphere is cold, uninviting and needs updating. Yes, it's an old ugly building, but it doesn't have to look as such inside. Save yourself $$$ and head over to Dennys or Perkins, they've better coffee, pastries and service. read more

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. read more

My husband offered to take me to a fine dining establishment for my birthday and we ended up selecting Restaurant Alma because of the great reviews on Yelp. I'm thrilled to report that the experience met or exceeded every expectation! Husband was super nice and let me taste all of his selections from the 3-course tasting menu so I got a good idea of the variety of flavors available. I started with roasted carrots and beets. This dish was spicier than anticipated and still very satisfying. Husband's starter was smoked ham served in the style of carpaccio; the balance of cheese to meet was right on. The middle item for me was The Salsafied Soup which had flavorful proteins (chorizo, scallops) and a delicious cream sauce poured table side over the salsa base. Husband had the chicken and foi gras ravioli, the highlight of which was the black truffle flavor. At this point we were discussing how smooth the flavors of each dish had been. Then came the entrees. Husband's entree was perfectly cooked venison packed with flavors of horseradish and brown butter. I was starting to get full, but I had try some and I loved it! I ordered the trout which was, like the venison, true to its flavor without gaminess. We also tried the lemon ale for desert (best part was the pine nut crisps!) and the banana choux which I didn't love, but was served with heavenly brandy ice cream. Besides the fantastic food and peacefully inspired ambience, the staff seemed to be very supportive of one another and their service was really excellent. We were looking for a special way to spend an evening together and found it here. Luckily we were prepared for this price point, but be aware that is is not cheap and worth every penny! read more

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In a very unassuming building on University Avenue (next to the Dunn Bros), this restaurant manages to stay busy all the time. It's one of those restaurants where you WILL get good food, but just in smaller portions. so you don't walk away necessarily full. Went on a Saturday night and had reservations (which are recommended on the weekends). The service was good. It's hard to tell whether this restaurant is super formal or informal as the servers were all wearing jeans. But it has a great wine bar. And the chef walked around talking to many of the patrons, checking to make sure their meal was good. Thought that was nice. Expect to pay quite a bit of money, probably no less than $50 for a couple. Food is worth it. read more

This is really a first class restaurant. We had dinner there last night to celebrate my father's birthday. The food and service was outstanding. We could have been in NYC or San Francisco. They have a 3 course menu for 48. Not including dessert. If you order the veggie menu - it's 38 and you get 3 courses and dessert. And whatever you do - don't skip dessert. Their pastry chef is outstanding. Really a delight. The Fall menu just started and they will use it for 6-8 weeks. The pork tenderloin is very special as is the mahi mahi. My sister had the short ribs and they were also delicious. All 5 main course were a hit as well as the 3 desserts we had. I just can't say enough. Oh, Maria was our server and she was lovely. Friendly, not sticky sweet. Attentive but not smothering. I can't wait for their Winter menu! If I had one complaint - it's their bread. Odd to be honest. But then you shouldn't fill up on that crap when you have a lovely meal ahead of you! read more

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. read more

Living right in Dinky Town, I thought I would have came here sooner but I'm glad I finally did! We had reservations for 7 p.m. and got seated closer to 7:10. It's a peeve of mine sometimes to have to wait past my reservation time, but they quickly made up for it, seating us in this little velvet booth tucked into a corner of the bar. It would have been quite romantic if I hadn't been with my mom! We were greeted promptly with an option of still or bubbly water, and we received the dinner menu, the cocktail menu, the wine list and the cheese list. (Yes they have a menu just for cheese!) I didn't know this going into it, but they offer a prix fixe-type menu. For $59 (I believe it was) you can get a three-course meal. Each part of the meal offered quite a few options! I ended up getting the bruschetta-esque appetizer, the Mung Bean and mussels second course, and the lamb rib eye for my final course. They were all DELICIOUS. I also had two glasses of their pinot grigio, which came out pink. I was puzzled until the waitress informed me that it's a special kind of wine, where it was fermented while the grapes still had the skin. Interesting! I will definitely be back and I highly recommend paying the $8 for valet, as Dinky parking can be gruesome. read more

My boyfriend and I went here after hearing rave reviews from his coworker, on our way to the scariest haunted house in Minneapolis at the Soap Factory. The food and service were great. We considered the tasting menu of 3/$45 but instead opted to skip salad and get dessert instead... healthy choice indeed. We split two appetizers of a masa & black bean corn cake and quail with shittake mushrooms. Both were excellent, but the quail presentation was a little disenheartening - it was a whole bird, deboned and splayed open upon a bed of shrooms. While it tasted great, it paled in comparison to the crunchy, spicy masa cake topped with equally spiced shrimp. Keeping with the un-ordinary poultry theme, for dinner I tried the pheasant, which the waitress strangely described as "gamier" than chicken. While I agree that gamey is an adjective, it almost turned me off from the dish which was excellent. The pheasant was lightly fried without batter, giving it a crunchy exterior. It was served with a sweet, buttery sauce that was so lovely I'd enjoy injecting it straight into my veins for a sweet, buttery fix. My dining partner chose the pork tenderloin. It was expertly prepared, and extremely tender... but still pork tenderloin. I wasn't very impressed, but the masa and pheasant had already won me over. Lastly, for dessert we tried the chocolate cake. It was a small volcano-type cake, filled with gooey chocolate inside and topped with a wafter cookie and vanilla ice cream, surrounded by raspberry syrup. The figurative icing on top was the manager stopping by to offer us a complimentary glass of port, which, as intended, complemented the cake perfectly. The service was overall excellent, and it made for a really relaxing meal. The one bad part was that I was facing the permit-only parking lot window, and someone came and temporarily parked with their hazards on... so my date had to watch my face flash orange for about 10 minutes. Obviously not Alma's fault, but seriously people - if you have to turn your hazards on, maybe you should consider finding a parking spot that won't get you towed. (5 stars for my food, 4 stars for boyfriend's... averaging out to about a 4.5, and I'm rounding down due to inconsistency. Still a really great meal.) read more

We tried the three course price fix menu. Everything was quite good and fulfilling except for the duck liver. Liver was too rich and tasted a little too much. Otherwise, I enjoyed the other dishes! read more

Went here a couple of weeks ago for our anniversary and really enjoyed our food experience. We made an early reservation and were seated immediately, probably because we were the only ones there. Ha. Our server was very knowledgeable about the food and attentive in the beginning. After the dining room filled up though, we waited quite awhile for our dessert to come out, and probably another 20 minutes to get noticed and our bill taken care of. No HUGE deal that night, since luckily we weren't in a rush. We each got the 3-course tasting menu, for one meat lover and one vegetarian. I order the roasted butternut squash, curried lentils & cauliflower, and soft polenta. I really enjoyed all my dishes, so I'd highly recommend them. The butternut squash with walnut pesto was a perfect marriage. The curried lentils were perfectly seasoned and the mushrooms so delicately fried that they melted in my mouth. My bf ordered the bison tartare, carnaroli rice & octopus, and smoked mahi mahi. I can't describe how these things tasted to him, but he told me the bison tartare was fine, the rice & octopus was a tad too salty for his liking, but that the mahi mahi was quite delicious. It was nicely seared on one side. OH! AND THE BREAD! The bread they serve is truly delicious. We couldn't stop ourselves from wolfing them down. lol All in all, I'd say this place is definitely worth checking out! I believe they source locally and the food really does just taste so fresh. There is also free street parking nearby, although they do offer valet if that's something you prefer. read more

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... read more

Really attentive staff from hostess to bar to wait staff. The cauliflower side was amazing and the spicy turkey burger was worth the extra calories. The cocktails were flavorful and very aromatic. Brings friends since it is a great place to kick back and break bread. read more

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. read more

Mediocre lunch options. Cocktails during lunch were nothing to make note of. They can only make the cocktails on the menu for lunch. I do not recommend coming here for lunch. Mediocre service. read more

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) read more

Disappointing! The food is good, but this place is way over-priced (vis-a-vis Heidi's for example). The trout and sea bass entrees were both around $27, the trout was great the sea bass just ok, Heidi's has a trout entree for $17 that is just as good. My second problem is with the bread. It should be a rule that restaurants should not make their own bread unless they can do as well as their best supplier, sadly Alma's cannot come close. The bread is better than Cubs "french loaf", yes... but even Rainbow's bakery rustica is better than Alma's... come'on there are plenty of great bakeries in the Twin Cities! (Rustica for example). As for my particular experience, I had reservations for 5:45pm before my Guthrie show, seating looked pretty open, and yet they stuck us by the bathroom and the noisy ventilation system... we had to ask to move. The service was ok, but not even close to the seamless service of Vincents, A restaurant for example. I want to give this place 2 stars, but the food is too good for that. read more

James Beard Award? Time for a visit to Chef Roberts. Now we've been to Brasa before. Super baller food, amazing flavors in a sustainable way. Affordable. Yum. On Brasa alone wouldn't have qualified for a JB. Alma better blow your mind. And hell yea it did. We tried the three course tasting menu paired with the white wine. The local flavors had tremendous chemistry with solid pairings overall. This is a terrific spot for either a well heeled first date or even a dinner out with 2-3 friends. read more

This was a charming dining experience on our weekend getaway to Minneapolis. The atmosphere is nice. It reminded me of a small neighborhood restaurant in San Francisco. The staff was friendly and attentive and seemed to know the menu. I'll go course by course and give my review for each dish: Salad Me - Farro & Chickpea Salad with Squid - Tasty, creamy, light and fresh. This was a nice, well-balanced salad with a light, creamy and lemony dressing. He - Bison Tartar with Butter Lettuce - The Mr. said it well well seasoned and a little spicy. Garnished with radish and mint. Second Me - Poached egg with mushroom broth and proscuitto. This was okay. Egg was a bit overcooked I guess, or had been sitting a bit too long. Flavors were great but it lacked something. He - Grilled quail with vin cotto. OMG. So good. Nicely charred and scrumptious. Probably the second-best dish of the night. Main Me - Grill Strip Loin with Vegetable Fricasse & Truffle Oil - OMG! I absolutely loved this. It was cooked perfectly rare and the vegetables were tender-crisp and fresh tasting. The truffle oil really knocked it out of the park. The best dish of the night, imo. He - Sauteed Surgeon in Chorizo Jus - Lovely firm fish with chorizo broth and chunks of chorizo. Definitely satisfied the Mr... he loved it. Dessert Since none of the sweet desserts really appealed to us, we got the cheeseplate with 4 cheeses. All were very delicious. It was also served with some honeyed apricots, chutney, marcona almonds and crackers. The crackers were plain... just vehicles for the cheese. Our wine was a very tasty Italian red... it managed to work well with all our dishes. Thank you for the wonderful night, Restaurant Alma! read more

$52 3-course tasting menu. Every dish was really, really salty or really, really bland. Kinda worked out cuz you could pair up a salty dish with a bland dish & it evened out but not ideal. It also felt super pretentious-- Also, the chicken course had a weird texture. Felt like fake melted chicken or maybe under cooked chicken? Would not revisit. read more