Perfect small plates sharing experience for a night out with friends. The service was fantastic--our server was knowledgeable about the menu and helpful with explaining portion sizes for sharing. This is an upscale tapas menu, expect small plates and a surprising mix of delightful, seasonal flavors. We enjoyed the trio of dips, our favorite was the muhammara--roasted pepper and walnut with citrus and pomegranate seeds. We added on an extra pita to soak up every bite. Next was the dolma, a delicious combo of flavors and twist on the traditional. The kale salad was perfectly dressed and grilled peach added just the right sweet contrast. The Lake Trout with couscous was outstanding but my favorite part of the plate was the chermoula--a tangy, herby olive oil concoction that I must replicate. The chef came by to talk to us and answer our questions. We each enjoyed a signature cocktail, I highly recommend the Limonada 75, an Italian take on the French 75 with limoncello. We wrapped up our experience sharing the Olive Oil Cake with a rhubarb compote and generous dollop of fresh whipped cream. We will absolutely be back, we have to try the halloumi, which was unavailable, and the pasta at the table next to us looked tasty. There was also plenty of variety for a vegetarian/pescatarian to choose from. Alto Pino is expensive, but worth it. A dinner shared between three people including sharing 4 small plates, dessert, drink, and 20%+ tip came out to about $70 each. You are also paying for the experience of tasting something new and unlike anything else offered in Duluth. Reservations were easy to make online, you should make yours today! PS I'd love to see their twist on traditional Spanish tapas like patatas bravas or pan con tomate on the menu! read more

The vibe is weird. The food is tiny. The prices are high for the amount of food they give you. Go to Saratoga instead!

First and foremost, I'd like to say what an amazing establishment. There is nothing like this that I know of in the Duluth area. Moreover, I hope the denizens of the Duluth area support this establishment because, as much as I enjoy OMC, Grandma's Canal Park Brewing, this kind of restaurant is needed here. The impetus for the above statement revolves around the absence of chef-driven and curated menus that capitalize on locality, creativity, and seasonality. This restaurant is located just on the other side of I-35. Smack-dab on Superior Street, next to North Shore Tattoo. Entering the establishment, you will see a simple and modestly adorned restaurant that is warm, inviting, and adequately lit. The menu is seasonal and robust with wonderful creations. Think of this as a Mediterranean tapas restaurant with a couple of larger entree-sized sharables. Everything we had was an incredible experience of contrasting flavours and textures. Here is what we had 1. Trio of Dips: You should get this so you don't miss out on the experience of each of these. It is hard to pick a favorite, but the Red Pepper Walnut was incredible. The citrus compote livened up this. The Labneh was quite lovely. More moisture should have been removed, but the selection of herbs atop of the labneh made this pop. The hummus was enjoyable, and had a thicker consistency than I usually have, but it was pretty good. 2. Seared Halloumi - Who doesn't like fried cheese?? The ouzo onions were a terrific addition. Get this one for sure. The hummus was enjoyable, and had a thicker consistency than I usually have, but it was pretty good. 3. Pickled and Stuffed Chard - This was a fun twist on dolmades, and I enjoyed this one. I considered this my salad/vegetable intake for the day :) 4. Braised Rabbit - This was the only disappointment of the whole evening. The leg was flavorful, but it was sooo dry, and I regret not getting the pork. The table next to us got the port, and I was jealous. 5. (Desert )Olive Oil Cake - I was full at this point, but ordered it anyway. It was awesome. You've come this far, order it and thank me later. I really hope the folks of Duluth appreciate this gem in your city, and please support this restaurant. read more

Alto Pino - Desserts Near Me - Duluth, Minnesota

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We made a reservation for this place after reading the other reviews, and we came in with the expectation of small dishes. The food itself was well prepared, we had 5 dishes, and the flavors were somewhat light, but well rounded and with lingering depth. The food was not the best I have had, with room for growth, but it was not disappointing and I got to try some wonderful new flavors. Unfortunately, I am allergic to tree nuts, so I missed out on some highlights like the Olive oil Cake. The server informed me that that was the only dessert available that evening. Price wise, it was on target for what was expected. The cocktails looked pricey yet somewhat plain, but I did not try as I don't drink. The major issue of the evening was service. The bartender/server we were left with seemed to write us off as soon as we declined drinks. His service was acceptable, he provided everything we needed, but he did not smile, and gave off "I don't want to be serving you". He rushed us in ordering despite having only one other table, and offered little unsolicited advice on the menu. In addition, he brought us the check the second the last bite was picked up. His mannerisms and jokes with other staff showed he clearly did not appreciate his evening, and while that's fine, that's not something I should have to deal with as a paying customer. Despite this, the chef delivered the food, and was extremely redeeming for the experience. She was lively, informative, and helpful. Another lady, who hosted us, was quick on our water, and when the chef was on the floor, we got better service from our server. I liked that some of the cooking was done in an open kitchen. Overall, it was a good experience, but definitely room for growth. The food was lightly seasoned but well crafted, and the ambience was quaint upscale but relaxed. The service was what inspired me to create my review. read more

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Loved everything about this restaurant, especially the great bartender mixing magic! Great vibe.

Good food, good service, but a really limited menu, with small servings and very overpriced. Our server told us that it was a shared meal but the meal portions were not adequate to share. We had a great time with our company but would not go back again. It may be a good place for a cocktail but I would look elsewhere for a meal. The dining area was okay. We picked this restaurant based on the Yelp reviews so we are providing our inThe staff was very friendly. read more

Another visit and new options on the menu! Loved every minute, every bite! The friendly staff looked after our every need! Looking forward to Sipping Sundays!! read more

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Great service and fantastic waiters who kept bringing us clean silverware. Unfortunately the portion sizes are tiny and the prices are large. $150 for 2 people and we are still hungry. Anyone know where we can get a pizza? read more

We had a wonderful experience and appreciated the chef providing her personalized presentation of the menu. Our server, Nicole, was so attentive and made us feel welcome. The Trio Dips were very flavorful and was a great option to sample each. The fresh herbs and spices used in all the dishes were amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed the lamb skewers, Spanish pork and potatoes. We ended our dinner with the wild rice pudding. The bartender also made great cocktails to accompany our dishes. We would recommend this restaurant for small plates to try different flavors. read more

So glad I found this small restaurant! The food I had was amazing. Lots of vegetarian options. Not your standard Duluth fare. Service was also great. I was here by myself this time, but I need to bring my wife here the next time we come to Duluth. read more

This is a new gem in Duluth for anyone looking for wonderful service, tremendous food and lovely ambiance! Being from Minneapolis, we were staying at The Njord (only issue with that place is no sound proofing between units). We were looking for a decent place to have dinner during Christmas week and saw this place on google maps. From the time we were seated we were greeted with warmth. It happened to be 1/2 price wine night so we ordered a sauvignon blanc. The menu perfectly describes the flavors of all the original dishes that sounded mouthwatering and interesting. You could spend a quick 45 min entree experience or spend 2 hours like we did sharing and exploring the starters, entrees and the most delicious olive oil cake we've ever had! Since the menu changes frequently it's wonderful to go back again and again. My husband and I were drawn to stay longer as we found ourselves taking our time with every bite, viewing the artful presentation and talking with the server(s) to ask about the dish and certain ingredients to see if we guessed the flavor correctly. The chef stopped by our table and she is an inspiring woman! Having created the menu and overseeing the kitchen and front of the house, you can see the passion she has for this restaurant. Her and I talked about football and old Cowboys and Vikings players (we weren't just a couple females talking about our latest favorite trend in players). Upon leaving I stopped by the counter to ask her more about the olive oil cake and she happily shared where I could find a decent recipe as she showed me the quality olive oil she uses in cooking and in garnish. We enjoyed our visit from start to finish and this place is on our list every time we return to Duluth - to try out the newest menu! Please support this woman-owned, wonderful restaurant and bring it to the top of the culinary list in town! read more

Such a lovely place! The olive branch drink is so unique and possibly a new obsession. We stopped in on a whim and got the marinated olives which were so refreshing. We will for sure be back for dinner!! read more

Over the moon that we actually have a fine dining option now in Duluth. The Ossobuca Boar was out of this world. As was the duck. If you are looking for great dining in Duluth, this is the best option in town by a long shot. read more