I came here with a couple of friends for drinks on a Thursday night, so I can't speak to the food. It was surprisingly busy for a Thursday, but it was still easy to get a table. The drink menu is very unique, and our waitress was very informed about the different choices. I decided on the pink negroni, and it was a very tasty drink. Perfectly balanced bittern with sweet and the right strength. My friends really enjoyed theirs as well, and I think I actually liked my friends Green Isaac more than mine. Overall really great experience. The food menu looked great as well, so I would like to stop by on a future trip to Minneapolis. read more

Great location for romantic dinners. The owner sat with us and told us about his journey and how supporting his team is important. We will return for certain. read more

The presentation of the food was great and I had high hopes but my hopes were short lived. The Parmesan flan tasted like something you would put together from a grocery store. I usually like crudos but this was bland! The duck had a gamey smell. Very disappointing mea, especially for the price. read more

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So, very disappointed in what had been a favorite. It's the simple things...the bibb salad was over dressed by 100%. Salad dressing isn't free so in addition to being not tasty, it was wasteful. The gazpacho was more cold tomato soup than gazpacho. Bland and weirdly creamy, 100% pureed. Cheese was not melted on the torta and the potato croquette sandwich was weird. The coleslaw needed more mint, which was advertised. There is no service, including having to fetch my own soup spoon and bus tables. read more

Came here just for a drink and bread and it was outstanding. The restaurant has lots of seating, though you should make a reservation if you are wanting dinner. At the front there is a bakery/coffee shop where we could see customers coming in for a to-go pastry. You MUST order the bread as it is made fresh in-house along with the decadent salted butter. My cocktail was refreshing and well made, though the ice cube took up the vast majority of the glass...The only downside was our server was kind but was slow and inattentive. Perhaps it was because we weren't ordering a full meal...Regardless, the food smelled great and we can't wait to try this place for dinner. read more

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One of the best meals I've had in Minneapolis. Alma has always been on my restaurants list, but have never had a strong desire to check it off my list - my opinion has drastically changed. This is now one of my absolute favorite restaurants next to 112 Eatery and Borough. All dishes were perfectly seasoned - each component of the dish was cooked and seasoned so that it could stand alone on it's own, yet still complemented all of the other components when eaten together. It was truly amazing. The Summer Vegetable & Herb Salad with Burrata was fresh, crisp, and refreshing. The Orecchiette & Fennel Sausage was one of my absolute favorite dishes. The texture of the pasta was al dente, the sweetness of the fennel sausage rounded out the well-balanced acidity and subtle richness of the tomato sauce. The Duck Two Ways was such a well-rounded dish. Duck was tender, moist and paired so well with the sweetness of the cherries. I'll be back and will continue to tote Alma as one of the most amazing meals I've experienced in Minneapolis. read more

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Stopped for a refreshment and got an iced chia tea it was the perfect amount for a quick stop. Also had the roasted mushrooms which were terrific (according to my mom)! Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Tons of spots to sit down. read more

Alma - Cafes Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Let's start with the good--the drinks, the setting, the bartenders are lovely. The food, however, is kinda meh--2.5. In part, this was because our server got our order wrong--we asked that the eggplant confit not be on the lamb burger, and the burger was confit'ed the fuck out. But my saffron rice was surprisingly bland as well. The tahini'ed parts were fine, but otherwise, it was rice and cauliflower. In fairness, I went in with high expectations (from the good, experienced previously), but I was still disappointed. Not Hercules-level "DISAPPOINTED," but enough that I won't return for large plates. read more

This is one of the best dinning experiences I have ever had. Came here for an anniversary and it was perfect. Everything was cooked and prepared beautifully. Save room for dessert too! They were amazing. Very cute and romantic place. I will come back here again without a doubt! read more

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Given how much I love the St. Anthony Main area, I do not understand why it's taken me over a year to check out Cafe Alma. A friend pinged me for a restaurant week dinner, and we uber'ed over for a 7:00 ressie. Greeted superwarmly, escorted to nice large table in the back behind the bar, and settled in to browse the RW menu. In typical fashion, I did not order RW style and ordered off the regular menu. TBH, I don't really eat dessert so ordering non-RW was actually cheaper. The list of small and large plates definitely has something for everyone. I went with the fried cauliflower and the bolognese. Both were unbelieveable. Just NOM. We were also offered (and received) a glass of wine on the house as they thought our courses were going to be delayed due to a large party being served right before us. We had our entrees by the time we received our wines! Just top notch, and so sweet. read more

As long-time Restaurant Alma fans, we were thrilled when the café and hotel were added. And it came as no surprise that Alma has put their elegant signature on brunch. The food is thoughtful, the menu well-edited, and service is always spot on. Forget what you know about turkey burgers...this one will change your life. And who doesn't want to try a carrot Mimosa? Seriously. Love. This. Place. read more

Alma - Cafes Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jumbo croissants are flaky and delicious. The best I've had in the twin cities so far! great atmosphere too. read more

Alma - Cafes Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Absolutely amazing place. Great food and a superb staff. Loved the quality and presentation. Excellent drinks, three course dinner menu offers a wide variety of truly amazing options. A definite YES. My server at the bar was great. I was by myself but didn't even feel it that j was missing company. 10 stars for service. Definitely coming back. read more

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Yesterday lunch, this morning a quick danish and café con leche. Restaurant Alana's forward and adventurous dinner menu translates really well to breakfast and lunch. Yesterday's spicy turkey burger was flavorful and just spicy enough. Served with a bean salad, it was fun and filling. My lunch companion had the brisket corn cake- lusciously slow-roasted brisket on top of a black bean purée and a thin corn cake. A new take on serious comfort food. The side of ridiculously and yummy crispy potatoes rounded out a terrific lunch. Today, a deliciously flaky blueberry danish with a very nice cafe con leche. Prices very fair and not expensive, especially for this quality and innovation. read more

Alma - Cafes Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I really loved this restaurant when they had a menu with options instead of the family style pre fixe situation now. I still enjoy dining here, the food is prepared with a lot of effort and thoughtfulness and the service is outstanding. read more

This is a review of the new cafe and not at all a review of the restaurant next door. They are both good and well worth a visit but they are each a very different experience. I recently went to the New Cafe Alma for a impromptu brunch with ye ole SO. He'd just gotten off a plane and I'm just naturally lazy so we wanted to have our food made for us. The location is very cute. There are flowers in the windowsills and good lighting and solid tables. The beverages are quite good. I had a mocha and a coffee and SO had a Chai. On to the food. I am very very gently disappointed in my food item. I had the fried egg sandwich. It was overwhelming in flavor and proportion. I find it is a hard thing to eat a giant sandwich that is already covered with egg yolk. It gets everywhere and is very drippy. On top of that the combination of mortadella and bacon make it very very salty. To fix it I took off the top bit of bread and ate the bacon after I was done with the sandwich. So had the smoked white fish tartine which was perfectly fine but that he wanted something warm in the end. I would definitely give this place another shot in the future. read more

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Another instagram discovered location, I have been wanting to try this place for sometime. Part coffee/brunch place, part restaurant, and part hotel upstairs, Alma is designed beautifully reminding me of a modernized bed and breakfast. Surprisingly not super far from campus it would be about a 30 minute walk from east bank or a 20min bus ride. I would recommend either option because parking in the area can be tough (plus lots of one way streets) and the parking lot on the side is for hotel guest only. I came on a Saturday at noon for a late brunch and there was an estimated 25-30min wait for a table for 2 people. Possibly shorter if you don't mind sitting at the bar rather than a table. While waiting you can browse the pastries display or order a cup of coffee from the bar in one room and since it was lunch I believe the dinner side was open for people to sit and wait. When seated in a timely manner, you are offered either regular or sparkling water. A waiter will then come by to take drink orders. I ordered a regular latte which I thought was very decent coffee and fit perfectly for brunch. My friend ordered carrot juice which looked good as well. My friend and I shared two dishes which was a perfect amount of food for both of us to clean our plates (I should add a disclaimer though that she and I are both kinda smaller persons, so we may eat less). Back to the food though, it exceeded my expectations! We got the seasonal special - the avocado toast which had peppers, radish slices, and can come with an egg on top (with your choice of how cooked you want the egg). This was so delicious and you got such a large spread of avocado on top of lightly toasted bread. This came with a side of chips which was good to munch on while chatting and dip in the extra avocado. We also got the brioche french toast which came with candied pecans, strawberries, marscapone whipped cream and syrup. This dish had a thick slice of brioche that was cut diagonally so it had 2 triangular slices. I thought this was also super yummy and one of the better french toast I've had. The bread was nicely toasted where the crispy outside was basically caramelized with the sugar but the overall dish was not too sweet which was nice. The balance with the marscapone whipped cream helped. I am really excited to have found a new favorite brunch spot! I can't wait to come back! The service was great, albeit a bit slow. The people were all nice and welcoming. I would even consider having a bigger gathering here because you can make a reservation online for parties of more than 5. Also, I know for the restaurant side, dinner is of the style where you have a 3 course meal with options for each course for about $60. Brunch prices were reasonable at about $8-$15. read more

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I have been to Cafe Alma twice and both times the food was superb. You could probably order anything and love it. I know their menu is different given current take out situation so I'm not going to list out the dishes we tried. Try anything and I'll bet you like it! Don't miss this place, it is a great find in the twin cities. read more

Restaurant Alma is absolutely phenomenal. I had never heard of it until I read about it in a magazine. The staff was extremely nice and helpful. The mixed drinks were very good and the wine pairings were top notch! The food I would say is some of the best I've had for a non-steakhouse restaurant. My highest recommendation for sure! read more

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Food was very disappointing. Very small and didn't taste 5 star worthy like all the reviews have been saying. I was looking forward to eating here because of all the great reviews, but was very disappointed in the end. I thought they would save the best for last when it came to dessert, but dessert turned out to be the worst of the plates. I had complaints from guests that they were left still pretty hungry that some of them ended up eating all the bread (!). Not only that, but the private dining process was awful. When I asked the coordinator a question (Hannah), it would take days or even a week to get a response back, sometimes leaving me wondering if this would even fall through. I had much better experiences at other restaurants for a private dining experience. read more

Still a five star restaurant no doubt. This time we sat at the bar and experienced the tasting menu. Three courses plus dessert. I needed a great night and Alma didn't disappoint. Shout out to James our bartender/server/took care of all our needs. Thank you for making us feel like we were old friends and providing us a great dining experience. read more

I rented a room in the cafe for my sister's bridal shower and we could not have asked for a better experience. From the interior design to the food, everything was perfect for a special event. We were especially impressed with Gabriella, who was an excellent event coordinator. She was organized from start to finish, accommodated our every request, and went above and beyond to make our family feel welcome and prepared for the event, even before the guests arrived. We would do it again! read more

Excellent attentive service , great architecture and wonderful food. We enjoyed the location and the variety of food choices read more

Such a cute cafe, hotel and restaurant just a short walk from the U of M campus. Not only is Alma ascetically pleasing, but the food and staff are awesome. My friend and I both enjoyed lattes that were the perfect balance of sweet and bitter. I also had the Breakfast Classic which featured crispy potatoes, bacon, eggs and toast. Yum! Will definitely be back. read more

Alma - Cafes Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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We made a reservation and were seated right away. The portions are ridiculously small for the price. The food was good but not mind blowing. I think the appetizers shined more than the main courses and desserts. The cauliflower app and the mixed drinks were delicious! Just don't plan on leaving full from the food. I would say this is a drinks and appetizers kind of place. Maybe restaurant Alma is where the good food is at. read more

Exquisite in it's simplicity. Humbling in it's creativity. This is where cooking and fine art are merged. Fresh off the plane in Minneapolis, we drove our rental car straight here (via assist from Yelp & Google maps and a small amount of forsight in the planning stages of our trip). We did not have reservations, but were there for an early dinner on a Monday night and were seated right away. Not knowing much about Minneapolis culture and the people here, we were immediately made comfortable by two factors: friendly and exceedingly competent staff, and being seated near a jovial gay men triad. Where the aforementioned are present, we have found that it will generally be a pleasant evening among reasonable people. We were not disappointed. Now the food . . . good lord the food. Easily the best dinner I've had all year, this was one for the books. We did the three course fixed price option, which I highly recommend. Portion sizes were perfect, and the flavor pairings are simply stunning. The beauty is in the method. Rather than drowning the food you're eating in sauces and spices, the chef here uses the food as the main flavor, then highlights it with elegant splashes of perfectly complementary garnishes and spices. This is subtle, and it is what makes the experience comparable to a viewing of Swan Lake rather than a high school performance of the polka. I gather that the menu changes frequently, so I don't know how helpful it is for me to list the dishes we had. However, I will mention that the lemon orzo with shaved artichoke was astonishing impressive in it's blend of flavors and textures. The ahi tuna was insanely smooth and again, with incredible flavor. And with a nice bottle of Pinot Gris, we were well sated with our three courses (plus dessert). They use locally grown ingredients, organic when available, and with an attention to the details of quality and flavor worthy of a sculptor working on his life's crowning piece. The cost is absurdly reasonable for the quality ($45 for the fixed price). They could easily charge three times that (though maybe would have to be in another city) and still pack the house on a nightly basis with customers who would gladly pay for a memorable dining experience such as this. The dance, the sculpture, the music that is this experience bring a level of skill and art to cooking that is not to be missed. If you are anywhere within a reasonable distance, this is a restaurant that goes on the must try before you die list. read more

Oh, be still my prix fixe, tasting menu-loving heart. Fate: $45 tasting menu, three courses, Friday evening, without a reservation...a window front table awaited us. (This was luck, make a reservation, I implore you). Course 1: Mixed Lettuce & Shaved Apple Salad aged cheddar, cider vinaigrette, crispy fried onions 10. notes: devoured in minutes. Crispy notes of sweet and sour, crispy onions add the perfect bite. Course 2: Saffron & Mozzarella Arancini fennel salami, marinara, spinach, garlic oil 13 notes: it's a gourmet "hot pocket" of sorts. Yes, I realize this conjures up cheap-ass food dreams, but I assure you this was finely created, and beautifully executed. Perfectly portioned, hot, gooey middle full of saffron and cheese....divine. Course 3: Slow Roasted & Lightly Smoked Chicken spice & fruit glazed eggplant, red lentil & yogurt sauces 25 notes: fruit glazed eggplant!? who knew. Seriously. This place made chicken EXCITING. Total: should've been $58, but instead $45 per person. FANTASTIC. A rainy night, empty bellies...Restaurant Alma was an oasis in the chaos. Great, locally-sourced food, evolving menu...a faux frugal-ish foodie's dream come true. Go. read more

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! read more

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. read more

My girlfriend and I descended on Alma late one saturday night for our final fancy meal of the year. She has been to Alma before, and itching to return; I was a first timer. But enough of the chit-chat, let's get to the main event. The prix fixe three course dinner. I like to think of dining out as a competitive event, so let's see who won round by round. Round 1: salad Me: Belgian endive w/ orange and king crab GF: Bitter green salad with dates, avocado and yogurt dressing Winner: GF, her ingredients played together much better than mine. The endive seemed like flavorless, edible plates delivering citrusy crab to my mouth. Round 2: grains Me: Polenta with egg and bacon GF: Gnochi alla romano, with gorgonzola and fig jam. Winner: Close, but again my GF's gnochi just edged out my polenta. It was a homey delight, but in the end it seemed just a little too basic. Round 3: main course Me: Duck, 2 ways GF: Striped Bass Winner: Not even close. My duck blew away the bass. I'd go even further and say it was the MVP of the evening. The duck breast had a bit of crispy skin, and a wonderfully tender, medium-rare cooked flesh. The duck sausage was freshly made and mesquite smoked. Best duck I've ever had. Bonus round: dessert Me: Chestnut crepe GF: Ginger cake Winner: Tossup. Maybe we shouldn't have ordered dessert at all, neither of us was really hurting for more to eat. The crepe has a very good flavor, but it seemed a little one note. The ginger cake had some interesting flavor combinations, but seemed to bog down in the sheer cakiness of the dish. Feelings were not strong in either direction on the dishes. Decision: Girlfriend wins, 2-1-1, and that's just as well. The evening was supposed to be about her anyway. And of course, in a way I suppose we were all winners. Alma is a classy, understated little restaurant. Some dishes are home runs, some are merely solid base hits. The wait staff could be a little more attentive, and I wish their wine menu had a some less expensive options (as well as some descriptions!), but all in all a fine place to grab a classy meal. read more

I could literally spend all day describing the flavors, platings, ingredients, sourcing, etc that make Alma's food the best in the city, arguably best in the Midwest. A reasonable claim in light of the James Beard Foundation's recognition of Chef Alex Roberts. I could just as easily spend that time describing the absolute brilliance and perfectness that Alma's kitchen executes every dinner service. The kitchen is complemented by the perfectness of their serving and front of house staff. They not only guide diners through the tasting menu but also maintain the right level of formality to keep the 'special occassion' buzz of the place going, but also remain cool enough to make dining at Alma feel laid back in it's excellence. Time could also be spent dwelling on an amazing wine list that the staff will help you pair with the aforementioned tasting menu to create the full-on Alma experience. An experience that should not be missed that's for sure. You get the picture. This place is incredible. All around. But what truly makes Restaurant Alma the head of the class in the Minneapolis dining scene? Alex Roberts, not just Chef Alex Roberts, but Alex Roberts. Before dining at Alma recently I contacted the restaurant in regards to making sure I was understanding and planning my tasting menu safely with respect to avoiding Gluten. I really only hoped for a brief response to be emailed to me. That's not what happend. Instead, I received a call. FROM ALEX ROBERTS. He wanted me to feel comfortable with the menu and did a great job describing not only the ingredients in literally everything on the menu but also in talking about the kitchen's knowledge of cross-contamination and that sort of thing. He was great on the phone being Chef Alex Roberts, James Beard Award Winner Chef Alex Roberts mind you. But moreso he was super considerate and reassuing on the phone as Alex Roberts. Our conversation left me only that much more excited to be dining at Restaurant Alma again. All things aside, it was an amazing meal. Everything about it was spot-on. All awards and accolades are well deserved. The fact that such a celebrated establishment and Chef are willing to go the extra yard to ensure a guests enjoyment prove it and prove it with authority. read more

Yes and yes. This is fuck you good. The tasting menu is a great value. Not as comfortable an environment as Muffeletta in St. Paul which feels more european in the lingering 2 hour meal kinda way, but the food is enough to keep you coming back. I won't bother telling you much about what I ate, as the menu changes seasonally if not more frequently, but I will say this: Waygu. read more

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

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

By far the best restaurant in Minneapolis, if not the state. I have eaten here 30-40 times over the past 14-15 years and have never had a bad dish, ever. Make sure to do the wine pairing with the meal. Not only is Alex Roberts a genius with food, their wine staff goes so far off script with the pairings that it works out so well. read more