Restaurant Alma

Unique menu dedicated to local foods, sustainability.

by Molly Priesmeyer

Alma’s unique menu is dedicated to local foods, sustainability and good eating. Located in a turn-of-the-century building on University Avenue, the exposed beams, rafters and ducts at this neighborhood bistro give Restaurant Alma a decidedly open and modern feel. A round bar greets diners, who flock to the always-busy Alma for its ever-changing menu of local, organic and sustainable fare. The blonde-wood tables add a laid-back, casual vibe to Alma, but the menu is anything but: A carefully selected tasting menu is dedicated to Minnesota farms and a hard-to-please palate. From farm-fresh produce to grass-fed beef, everything at Alma is focused on quality and sustainability.

09/09/09

Consistently excellent

by xochi74

This place is stupendous!

My Boyfriend and I recently went in for the tasting menu. Brian the sous chef recognized us and sent complimentary champagne.

In addition to the tasting menu, he sent out several other morsels gratis.

In all we paid 80.00 for two glasses of wine and 7 courses!

We love alma and if we could give it a 10 star rating we could.

They really know what they are doing there.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: nothing they take great care of their guests

07/10/09

Really Good, and

by t_artisst

My friend and I were really looking to try someplace outside of downtown that we hadn't been to before that was upscale but not stuffy and Alma was just the right choice. The food was good. The service was thorough and it was just a great meal.

• Pros: Creative, Modern food, Quiet and Lovely decor
• Cons: No parking, A bit pricey

03/31/09

A Amazing Experience

by Machita17

A girlfriend and went to dinner at Alma Recently and had just a great experience. the server had great timing and great suggestions, we each did the tasting menu and had her pick out each course. She did a great job, and the food was wonderful, and we had a beautiful bottle of wine and after you buy a bottle from them they waive the corking fee, which was cool. So we enjoyed another great wine from home. A great night all around!

• Pros: Great Service, Food and Wine
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/05/09

One of the best In the Midwest

by CSMobileUser

immensely satisfying , creative concepts

04/28/08

Amazing food!

by ekoonmen

Service was uneven but the food made up for it - outstanding! We all tried the tasting menu and everything

was superb. There was a snafu w/ my entree (server forgot to place the order?) so the chef sent a salad

so I had something to eat while my companions had their entrees. After my wonderful entree arrived (Atlantic char), we were treated to a cheese course, gratis. Classy move. Highly recommend - some of the best food in Minneapolis!

04/23/08

Poor service and okay food

by DRG78

My wife and I had the tasting tonight. Nothing wowed us at all. Everything seemd to be a touch on the bland side. They use interesting ingredients, but nothing seemed to be seasoned or flavorful. Our server was the worst part of it. She completely was ignoring us. It took 15 minutes for beverages and she was slow.... No suggestions from her either. She did the classic "are you ready to order" as our greeting.

04/07/08

Avoid Avoid Avoid!

by timothy2

I tried Alma last Saturaday evening. I was expecting great things but was left with a very bad taste. The waitress or server was perhaps overworked or did want to be at work. Her lack of a intial greeting down to the filling of the water glasses left much to be desired. We had four entrees with a salad. Salad and bread were fine. The entrees ranged from sea food to pork. We should have sent all four entrees back. It is not that they were cold or overdone. It was because the food was excessively salty. All four entrees tasted as if the salt shaker had been dropped on each of the plates. Perhaps this is just a style of preparation or perhaps the staff just made a mistake this night. We made mention of the situation to the waitress and she indicated it would be brought to the kitchen staff attention. On her return to our table she dropped off the check and did not sat a word to our party. I recommend not to visit. There are way too many restaurants that appreciate your business in the twin cities.

• Pros: Good location
• Cons: No off street parking, overly salty food, very poor service

10/21/07

Excellent food!

by mikestea

Great ingredients, you can really taste it in the dishes....just went in the other night, spectacular. If you are a foodie this is a must, otherwise you may be intimidated.

• Pros: Excellent food
• Cons: Have had a dish I didn't care for before

This simply elegant restaurant is renowned for fresh artisanal ingredients and creative New American preparations.

by Contributor

In Short
Located in an old brick building on a mostly residential block, this place has an understated but chic Scandinavian look. Blond-wood tables, comfy banquettes and flickering candles complement the aromas emanating from the bustling open kitchen. The intimate air of the upstairs seating contrasts with the main-floor dining room, lively with foodies and gatherings of friends. With artisanal ingredients and great attention to detail, the oft-changing menu is seasonally inspired takes on traditional American cuisine.