Really enjoyed dinner at Alma. Excellent food, a relaxed atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Thoughtful without being over the top. The Cevapi, roasted carrots, and sautéed mushrooms were great. Would definitely go back. read more

We had such a wonderful experience that I was too busy enjoying every moment to take many pictures of the food! Normally, we don't go out to eat often because we find ourselves spending money and leaving feeling like the experience didn't quite match the cost... but today was completely different. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine smiles and such a welcoming atmosphere. It honestly felt like we already knew the staff. We had a group of 8 adults and 3 babies. At $55 per person for all-you-can-eat (with kids eating free), it was such a fun experience. We ordered a little bit of everything, and enjoyed seconds, thirds, fourths, and fifths! Every dish came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. This is definitely the kind of place you want to visit with a group so you can try a little bit of everything. The service was incredible; we were cared for with so much attentiveness and joy. The owner was amazing, right there alongside his team, serving guests and making sure everyone felt welcomed. The whole experience felt less like eating at a restaurant and more like sitting around a family table: sharing food, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. What a beautiful restaurant and such a memorable experience. We will absolutely be back! read more

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I fear this food has changed me - in a good way! I have been thinking about the ćevapi beef sausages for a week straight and Im not even a beef person (it was my husband's dish I snuck a bite from!) The chef was even kind enough to chat with me about how they are prepared (no gatekeeping here!) Don't get me started on the baklava. Dreamy! The all you can eat is actually a fabulous business model to experience in a cuisine I wasn't exactly familiar with! To be honest I didn't know what Balkan food was and that it is a whole region of multiple cuisines mixed together. I am now obsessed with it and cant wait to go back! After perusing the menu the wait staff can take your order or treat you to a coursed experience of their faves of the menu while you decide what else you would like! It was so fun. Vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, meat lovers alike can all enjoy some truly perfectly executed yet not pretentious food here. Do not sleep on the seafood, the crispy skin on the mackerel was the one of the best fish moments ever for me. Calamari was delicate and crunchy. The food was so flavorful without getting too spicy. Very good breadth on the menu to cover all palates, even the picky non-adventurous can find things here! We ate and ate until full and we still have stuff to try for next time. My eyes are on the Adana kabob, the cockles, and braised beans. Some of the dishes were so good we opted for more of those rather than branching out, and the staff brought out some surprises to try that and I'm glad they did (sautéed mushrooms doesn't sound exciting to me but they seriously were sooooooo good!) a The ingredients in everything were so great! Alas I didn't try the traditional brandy (made locally here) but I am excited for that next time as well! I had a raspberry shrub that was and perfectly tart and sweet! Multiple NA beer offerings were a nice option for my husband and paired well with the food. Finally a nod to the staff: when in Portland I find it's sometimes hard to find amazing food with authentically warm and enthusiastic service, they genuinely seem like they love working here, who wouldn't? The shift meal alone would have me locked in for sure. The decor was also really lovely and there is easy parking right outside in the building's parking lot, something you don't find often in Portland. read more

Alma was such a fantastic experience! It's not everyday you get to enjoy delicious Balkan fare! We were greeted and seated right way, and the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly from start to finish. Everyone made us feel welcome, and the whole evening had an easy energy to eat. Right after we sat down, we ordered our beverages (enjoyed some lovely and unique red wines), and enjoyed an array of three different dips. The Baba Ganoush, Tarator (similar to a Tazizki, but even better) and the Mousaka (spicy and oh so flavorful). It was such a great way to start our meal. The food had some serious standouts. The dips were delicious (don't skimp on the Green Zhoug), the braised beans were incredibly flavorful, and the kale salad was refreshing, crispy, spicy, and sweet in the best way (it's a must to order, and we ordered two of them for the table). We also loved the roasted cauliflower (we had to order 3 plates of it!), all the kababs (one has the most amazing melty cheese on it) and the baklava, which was not too sweet and made for a perfect finish. The pickles, clams, tomato dolma and mushrooms were okay, but not something we would order again. Although we are not vegetarian, there are so many incredible and flavorful options that are a must try! The atmosphere is beautiful and lively, with a cozy back area and a fun, vibrant feel throughout the restaurant. The music brought a lot of energy to the space and made the meal feel even more special. Overall, Alma is beautiful, welcoming, flavorful, and fun. It's the kind of place that makes dinner feel like an occasion, and we can't wait to go back! read more

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The food was uniformly wonderful, and it part of 3 left completely happy and satisfied. But the start of the show was Kayla(Karly? Suddenly I'm not sure. ). But she was SO WONDERFUL not just by checking in on us & making great suggestions. Being that she was so accommodating of a medical diet restriction I have, with kindness and concern. She made sure that the cooks & expediters knew to put stuff on the side so that we didn't get a single dish I couldn't share in. Top-notch service for sure. read more

Beautiful, affordable all you can enjoy Balkan restaurant with a 2 hour time limit and plenty of free parking in the back lot and in the surrounding neighborhoods. Be aware the place is small and there's no way we could have gotten in without a reservation! The occe pea fritters, the bread and dips, and the mackrel were the star dishes. I would order the cauliflower again as wel. The beans and tomato dolma I could have skipped. Service was attentive but not overbearing and made sure we always had food and drink. We could order as many plates at a time as our table could hold, and I just wish there was more table space. No dessert menu but complimentary Turkish delights come with the check. Overall for what you pay for it's a great experience and I would absolutely be back. read more

Alma - Beautiful exterior - Turkish Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great service, tasty food. We ordered from the happy hour menu (4:30 - 5:30 pm) and everything we ordered was super tasty. My favorites were the cauliflower and the cepavi, which are 5 little meat sausages, raw onion, bread and a garlic aioli-like sauce. Also ordered the baba ganoush and fried calamari. Beautiful space. read more

Alma - Happy hour menu 5/1/26 - Turkish Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This spot is worth making a reservation. I had no idea what Balkan food would be like, but I know I love the flavors of the Mediterranean. Great dishes for adventurous eaters who like to share - it's tapas style. The staff were friendly right off the bat, even took our coats - explained the menu. They start you with some delightful Turkish tea. A few thoughts - I really loved the flavors on the lamb kebab. Crudo was refreshing. The snow fungus in the wild mushroom dish was a unique highlight - packs in the flavors. Bread would have been better warm. Beet salad was incredible! Mussels were a favorite for the table. Turkish coffee is a nice finish. Only one dessert, fruit based. I wanted some chocolate... I had a red wine I can't recall - but it was the cheapest red - dry - from somewhere like Croatia - loved it!!! We will go back for more. read more

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Don't have much experience w/ high end fancy Turkish/middle eastern cuisine much but I do think this place is worth treating urself to at least once. It is small portions and higher prices, but very tasty & worth it. The lamb kebab might've been the best or 2nd best lamb ive ever tried: perfectly seasoned and juicy. Served w/ a thin small lavash wrap, pickled onions and a little dollop of garlic sauce for dipping, keeping the other ingredients minimal to really let the meat shine. Yellow rice is tasty but expensive for $6 for a small bowl, however is still a must have side w/ kebab. The grilled octopus was also soft w/ nice char and served on a bed of some fresh chickpea/yogurt/herbs succotash. The lamb shank served on a bed of baba ganoush was very rich & tender tho it was definitely not a full shank if that's what you're expecting, it's just a little bit of the deboned meat. The clams and dessert were ok, nothing really else to say. **InKind has an offer for $30 off bill of $100 or more! I was able to download the app and use the discount in the store. read more

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A very interesting and fun addition to Portland's food scene with its Balkan and Bosnian touch. The host and servers were friendly and offered great recommendations. I loved the chef's pride in his food and the authentic regional touch he brings to each dish. The food feels familiar but with a cultural/regional twist, and everything was more interesting and delicious. All the main dishes were very pretty. I especially enjoyed the octopus dish, which had a variety of flavors and textures. The soup, kebab, other mains, and dessert were all excellent. They provided small plates for the table so we could try and share everything, which I really appreciate. There are also lots of cocktail options and other drink options such as wine, beer, tea, turkish coffee. I am very excited to discover this great new restaurant. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Great way to start your meal with their delicious tea! It was perfect on a cold day and honestly could have visited just for that. Alma is a newer restaurant so it was great to come with a couple friends so we could try multiple items. We almost ordered the whole menu - haha. But it is meant to be a family style place so the amount of items actually was a good mix for a group of 5. + Lamb Kabab + Bean & Frisee Salad + Fried Wings (came during wing week and tried their special) + Grilled Octopus + Manila Clams + Balkan Fish & Chips + Baba Ganoush __________ I enjoy this type of cuisine and I was glad to see some classics but also some new items we've never tried before. The winners for the table were the bean & frisee salad and the balkan fish and chips. Crazy to think it's a WARM salad but the flavors mixed so well together and was a nice surprise. The fish & chips were also unique and not what we expected as each piece of fish blended in with the fresh fries and had a great saltiness to pair with the cocktails. It came off as a great item to pair with beer also. Each bowl was left empty so that has to speak to the flavors! read more

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We ordered the chefs tasting menu and it was really delightful. Everything was beautiful to look at and the tastes and textures were marvelous. The best thing of all was the smoky baba ganoush. This is what we had, pictures here: Portland Dining Month $55/per person (Full table participation required) Bey's Čorba Dried Bosnian okra, root vegetables, chicken thigh Baba Ganoush and Bread VG Charred eggplant dip Roasted Beet Salata VG Beets done 4 ways, blood oranges, burnt citrus vinagrette, watercress, kajmak, rutabega, hot paprika oil, sesame almond crunch Seared Scallops Istrian "Salsa verde", warm fennel salata Endive Grilled endive, trout roe, red and black tobiko, grated travnik cheese, citrus Lamb Shank & Baba Ganoush Tender braised lamb, baba ganoush, green zhoug, herbs, pickled yellow chili, charred scallion oil Rice Pilaf V Dessert Chcolate Cardamom Cake Kajmak cream cheese frosting, chocolate halva crumble V-VEGAN, VG VEGETARIAN read more

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Gah, this place was SO good! While I was initially sad that Masala Lab closed (in this location), its replacement in the space (Alma) is amazing! We walked in on a Friday night around 5:45 p.m. and were able to get a spot at the bar (note that the HH ends at 6:00). I am not super familiar with Balkan food but this place makes me want to learn more and seek it out! Of the Balkan countries, apparently the food most closely reflects the food of Bosnia (per the menu). Fave dish of the night was the Squid Salata (which is actually not a salad in the traditional sense, but more like a squid stew). So many amazing flavors, super tender squid (both fried and sauteed) and the right amount of acidity. I could eat this every day! We enjoyed everything else as well and wish we could have ordered even more of the menu. The lamb soup was tasty but some of the lamb pieces were a bit chewy/hard for my tastes. Cocktails are unique and delicious! Kao was our bartender and he did a great job of helping us navigate the menu, etc. Will definitely be back to discover more Balkan food in the future. This was definitely a highlight of our weekend trip to Portland! read more

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Very likely has become our new favorite restaurant. This place is incredible and a MUST TRY. We were looking for a good new dinner spot and this popped up on Eater as the "new kid on the block" and from the same chef who created Gado Gado and Oma's Hideaway. That being said we had to try it out! Located on MLK, there's no shortage of options to choose from, but Alma stands above the rest. We were warmly greeted and sat. The interior is beautifully decorated with warm colors and huge windows. Like the chef's other concepts, it is best to order a number of different plates and share. Hard to choose from because everything looks so delicious. We started with the Chicken Wings. Amazingly crispy with delicious sauce. Went onto the Lamb Kabop. I dont think I've had lamb that perfectly cooked... wow. Then mixed it up with a deliciously fresh salad, followed by the Lamb Shank Baba Ganoush and Clams. Hands down some of the most amazing dishes we've ever had. Every bite had you coming back for more. Flavors were truly insane!! Given how incredible everything else was, we couldn't say no to dessert which was still very good. Cocktails and the tea were amazing. The service was another standout. Super kind, attentive and incredibly knowledgeable. We will ABSOLUTELY be coming back. read more

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If you go to Alma...: Take a best girl friend who is like an older sister and wants high quality food in a comfortable environment. Food: Aubergine (Imam Biyaldi) was perfect - flavorful, tender, and filling. I had a bit of Taboulleh and Baba Ghanoush as well. Service: Sat at the bar, was cared for well and paid attention to. Ambiance: Quiet with beautiful patterns on the wall and delicate lighting. read more

Alma is an incredible restaurant! The ambiance and decor make you feel like you've truly entered a top tier dining experience. Jamie is a great server, and she makes her guests feel welcomed and cared for. The food is of course delicious, and the pacing is well thought out. I've been here for both birthday parties with a large group and a smaller night with friends, and both experiences were lovely. Hats off to the chef! read more

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Enjoyed a dinner here with a friend recently. Staff were friendly and service was quick- the food came out a bit too fast, leaving us without enough room on the table and feeling a bit rushed, would have loved them to be paced a little slower. We liked each dish, with the lamb and potatoes being the standouts. While much of the menu is gluten free, there is only one dessert option and it has gluten. They have several nonalcoholic beverage options. The space is decorated very nicely, with beautiful lamps; the space is rather tight, making it not extremely accessible for those with assistive devices- the bathroom is in the back, and you have to pass through a space between chairs that is only wide enough for one person at a time to walk through, leaving little room for wheelchairs. read more

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Came here last night with a friend to try out the happy hour menu but ended up getting some items from the regular menu as well. Everything we got was tasty and every item that came out was better than the last. We had the eggplant spread [so good!], the kebab, crudo, Balkan fish and chips, clams, and arugula salad. We also got both desserts at the end as well, I loved the pudding! Vedran was there that evening and was able to tell us about the dishes and make conversation with us as we dined. Balkan hospitality is unmatched. I am looking forward to coming back here and bringing friends to try more dishes from the menu! read more

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The experience begins not with a menu, but with a gesture: small cups of strong black tea, a welcome that transports you before a single dish is ordered. The space on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is intimate and warm, a fitting stage for a menu designed for conviviality A Tour Through the Menu: Standout Dishes. Beet Salata: Far from an afterthought, this salad is a masterclass in balance. Earthy beets and peppery arugula are brightened with grapes and creamy feta, but the true star is the kajmak. This labor-intensive, clotted cream-like dairy product, made from layers of boiled milk skin, is a revelation-rich, complex, and a signature of the kitchen's dedication to craft. Manila Clams 'Buzara' Style: A testament to Alma's strength with seafood, a pile of clams arrives in a gloriously soupy, garlic-forward broth that demands to be sopped up with bread. It's a briny, savory dish that encapsulates the maritime spirit of the Dalmatian coast. Imam Bayildi: One taste explains why. A half-roasted eggplant, marinated overnight, is rendered silken and almost meaty Topped with zingy zhoug, crispy fried oyster mushrooms, and a swipe of toum yogurt, it is a stunning, deeply satisfying centerpiece that elevates the vegetable to the sublime. Lamb Shank & Baba Ganoush: This entree is a definitive signature and a flawless pairing. The lamb shank is fall-apart tender, rich and gamey. Its companion, however, steals the show: a baba ganoush smoked until the eggplant is "completely white and ashy," then blended into an impossibly smooth, deeply smoky, and garlic-forward purée. Together, they are a perfect, unmissable harmony. Mtuma: Often a supporting actor, the Mtuma (potatoes) here command attention. Prepared with clear skill, they are a testament to the kitchen's philosophy that every component deserves focus, standing out even among more show-stopping dishes. Alma is not just Portland's first upscale Balkan restaurant; it is one of its most soulful new additions. It executes with the precision of a fine-dining veteran yet radiates the warm, abundant hospitality of a family kitchen. It is a restaurant that feeds you, surprises you, and makes you feel welcomed. In other words, it is a place to return to, again and again. read more

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Just discovered this awesome Balkan restaurant owned by Chef Vedran Jordan. The food was superb! We ordered the imam bayildi (roasted eggplant), tomato corba, lamb shank and baba ganoush, with a side of tabbouleh and bread. My favorite was the roasted eggplant. It was cooked perfectly and was full of flavor. The lamb shank was melt in your mouth good. Loved the corba and the tabbouleh was satisfying. The inside was pretty spacious and felt apt for a date night out. Cannot recommend this place more. Will be back to try out the kababs and other fare on the menu. read more

Alma - Lamb shank and baba ganoush - Turkish Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Was in Portland a few weeks ago and ate here with my work friend who is from the area & she showed me some of her favorite places. This reminds me a bit of Greece & the two of us are headed to Athens in about 45 days so time to get tuned up on all things Greece I suppose. I'd go again. Food was great. read more

Service was good and the place was cute. Food was pretty good, wouldn't be opposed to dining again. Squid salad was probably my favorite, my friends liked the eggplant. read more

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A totally hidden gem. The food was excellent and the vibe was fantastic. The new all you can eat menu is a steal!

Experienced Alma's new all you can eat Balkan hospitality experience and it was delicious. Every dish was full of flavor and the restaurant was well decorated! read more

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Food was great but the service was bad I don't know if the waitress was having a bad night or what but at some point her attitude flipped

This is a pretty, airy space. Was able to walk in without a reservation on a Saturday night and get bar seating. We got service from the bartender, who was chill but attentive. They recommend 2-3 dishes per person. We ordered 4 for 2 people and it was plenty, as the food is a bit on the heavier side. I really liked the complimentary Turkish tea, a fun surprise to start the meal. I was disappointed they didn't have the kanpachi on the menu, I swear when I checked their website that morning it was still on there! We got: - Mama Alma's squid salata: this is a warm salad, which I wasn't expecting. It is hearty and a little brothy, with potatoes, slices of squid tubes, and crispy tentacles--the best part, I would have liked more of these and willing to have less squid tube in exchange. - Balkan fish & chips: I love smelt, and I love fries! I really enjoyed this dish. The fries are well seasoned, and I liked having the 2 dips. I personally liked the toum better--it was thinner and more tangy with a good kick. The citrus aioli was really thick and not very citrusy, I thought it was too rich, need more acid to go with the fried food - Lamb shank & baba ganoush: the shank is pulled off the bone, so it was easy to eat. It was not gamey. This would be a great winter dish - Yogurt eggplant dip & bread: dip is delicious. You get a generous amount, but only 3 small slices of bread (the crust of which was chewy rather than crunchy). For 2 people, I would have liked at least 4 slices, and I think 8 slices would have been ideal for this dish. We asked for more bread and were given 3 more slices. If I'd known that I was going to be charged $4 for 3 slices of meh bread, I would have taken the dip home and bought some better bread to eat with it. I would have appreciated if they'd told me it costs extra. Finding that out at the end of the meal was a bit of a downer for me. read more

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Delicious food, great ambience, amazing service. Waitresses were very attentive and made sure our experience was memorable and comfortable. For one of our entrees, the chef also personally came out to deliver our dishes and made sure we had a great experience. If you go, get the octopus and scallops! Also would recommend the cardamom cake for dessert. Definitely will be going here again. read more

Not enough good things to say about Alma. Lovely atmosphere, bright and airy; food was incredible, service was amazing, might have to make this a weekly stop!! read more

Simply perfect from start to finish. Beautiful decor, stellar service and impeccably crafted food. Plus, an amazing wine list and playful cocktail menu. The crudo and lamb shank were definitely standouts but everything was wonderful. read more

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My wife and I ate at Alma for the first time last night and had a fantastic meal. The unlimited Balkin hospitality menu is a great way to enjoy the tapas experience. With tapas style we usually end up with a big bill and walk out hungry. Not at Alma! For one fixed price, you get all you can eat and are allowed the option of ordering from the entire menu. Standouts included the Sarajevo style sausage, kale and collard greens salad, baba ganoush, carrots, cauliflower and makeral. The staff were super friendly and helpful in explaining the menu and plates just kept on coming! We loved traveling in Croatia and Slovenia and this meal brought back great memories with the wonderful food of the Balkins. read more

I just love Alma so much. We had the pleasure of trying Cevapi, Baba Ghanouj, Calamari, and Mtuma and everything tasted wonderful. The staff is very warm and attentive, it was such a cozy experience. You can tell how much love goes into this place. I thoroughly enjoyed the food, staff, and ambiance. read more

The food was ok we had the Mtuma and lamb shank . The potatoes in Mtuma were very dry and slightly old potato taste and there was not enough yogurt sauce. It had too little crispy anchovies to have it add the flavor, overall very overpriced $15 potatoes. Lamb Shank quite good on the taste and flavors but again too little quantity for a $28 dish and some pieces of lamb were chewy which I think at this price point is not to be expected. We also ordered a side of bread (its a flatbread) and I am not kidding, it came out COLD. We even asked if that was intentional and the server very casually answered - "yes, their kitchen is too busy". !! Needless to say, COLD bread does not taste good , it was unacceptable. Also there was a hair on the side of the bowl of lamb, when we pointed that out, they had a very meh attitude towards it. Overall very disappointed. read more

Wonderful service and very innovative menu! We especially like the lamb kabobs! Amazingly delicious.

The food was excellent! Every dish was full of flavor. The tables are kind of close together and the people sitting to my left had one very loud person in their party that made it somewhat unpleasant. I couldn't hear my friend across the table from me because he was talking so loud. I also like the music that was playing, and the ambience is very comfortable. read more

The food was absolutely incredible and full of flavor. We ordered one of each on the menu and it was fantastic. The service was impeccable. The ambiance of the evening was fabulous. Will absolutely be back. Thank you chef Jordan for an incredible night and very happy to be apart of this soft opening. read more

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Wanted to love this place. Went for Valentines Day and got the tasting menu. Just really unimpressed with the food. Everything seemed just a bit off with regard to flavor, temperature, seasoning and consistency. Service was delightful though. read more

Really enjoyed our dinner last night at Alma! I had noted birthday in the reservation and there was a hand signed card for my mom! We liked everything we tried. So many yummy herb forward fresh combinations. The crudo was fantastic as was the branzino. Our server was kind, informative and attentive. The dessert was served with the most exquisite rose tea. I'd go just for more rose tea;) we'll definitely be back! read more

Went the second night they were open and was able to snag a seat at the bar. The food was amazing and the bar tender was very sweet. Will definitely be back to try more! read more

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Great experience, food and drinks were amazing, great service, nice ambiance and good music

I went to dinner with a friend who had been to Alma a few times, it was my first. He had so many great things to say. When we were half way through the meal he said WTF happened here, the service was so good and the employees seemed happy.. which was not the case last night.. the food came out so fast we couldn't even keep up and at one point I had to put a dish on my lap because there was no space on my table.. I asked the woman bringing out the food to slow it down and basically she said no. That's how we do it here. My friend asked our server, whose name I won't mention, what's going on and was literally told the owners who had been absent for months just showed up changed things and fired the manager, my friend said "Mark", which they confirmed. My friend replied It seemed like he was the life force here I asked my server how they felt about it.. they said look around. Such a shame. read more