TODOTC.com To Do in the Twin Cities Restaurants Alma: Cafe, Hotel and Restaurant 24 July 2020 New American restaurant 528 University Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 Phone: (612) 379-4909 www.almampls.com

So we are Alma it is a very exclusive restaurant we have been waiting a year to get it in our schedule. It's on University about a block from the Stone Arch Bridge & St Anthony Main. And about 5 blocks from where the 35W bridge collapsed few years ago.
Alma is a interesting place. They change their menu every few months and you get what they setup for you, there are no choices.
We paid $190 two weeks ago when we made reservations and that did NOT include WINE. So this should be an interesting night.
We ordered wine by the glass. Ellen had a WA Cab Sav and I had a German Pinot Noir both under $20.
When we sat down our table was already setup for us including: a plate of 4 olives and a Santory 36 month aged cheese, a basket of mixed ART breads and water.
We have three forks a spoon & knife on the place setting... remember Outside to inside utensil.
The olives were all right the artisan breads including an unleavened bread and a hard bread were very good.
We are ten feet from the 20' square kitchen. The cooks are wearing a clear plastic mask not cloth. And only about 3" x 6" about 1" from their lips. Not a tight cloth mask like the servers.
We had to choose between two main courses and deserts. E had Sautéed Mahi Mahi and I had Duck. Ellen chose roasted Peach Tart and I got the Flourless Chocolate cake.
The rest of the menu is set: olives & Cheese, Artisan breads, a new potato salad, pappardelle & Rabbit Confit being the other courses.
There are only 7 couples in the place probably half the non-Covid numbers. The place is not small it's just a bit exclusive.
They change their menu every two weeks.
We got our salads and it had (new small red cooked potatoes) in the green salad. It was good unusual and fresh as expected.
Don't plan anything else the night you are going to Alma, never have we waited so long between courses and we go to 40 restaurants a year.
We have been here an hour and have only received one course after the course that was on the table when we arrived. This is SLOW EATING!
The pasta course was one of the best we have ever had but we expected course #3 a bit earlier than an hour & ten minutes after we were seated.
Alma offers a five glass wine fight paired with food. The flight looks like about a two ounce generous pour for an additional $50 each or $290 when you make the reservation.
8:04 course four, the main course of Duck & Mahi Mahi arrived. I liked both entrees E did not like the ducks flavor, she felt it was too gamey.
Both deserts were very good.
The bill for three wines was $52 which is standard.
So how do we feel about Alma? If you are looking for a great dining experience and don't care about time nor $ few restaurants can beat it. We just happen to eat in typically less than an hour and we found waiting not our thing. We normally are home on the deck at 8 and we just paid the bill at 8:45.
We normally share an entree and with wine we are at $100, this was $250.
We would come back with friends but not just for us. But you should experience Alma at least once if you are going to the best in the TC

Contact us Dennis@ToDoTC.com