ALBA — Restaurant in Toulouse

My second visit to Alba, one of the few Greek restaurants in Toulouse, left me with mixed feelings. Compared to last year, the menu had changed significantly, particularly the main dishes, and prices had increased, with some dishes costing up to 6 euros more. Although noticeable was the increase in variety of Greek wine.

As a Greek, I was looking forward to experiencing Greek hospitality and quality. While the Greek salad was the highlight of the evening, it's quite an easy dish to make. The kolokithokeftedes were decent, but the pita bread was nearly raw, which was disappointing. The tyropita wasn’t made with actual “phyllo” and the eggplant sauce was flat in taste.

The ambiance and decor of the restaurant were very pleasant, but the noise level was extremely high due to some very loud guests, making it difficult to have a conversation without shouting.

Despite the Greek words displayed throughout the restaurant, Alba didn't evoke the true essence of Greece for me. In Greece, it would be considered a second-rate restaurant…

Cheers

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Η δεύτερη επίσκεψή μου στο Alba, ένα από τα λίγα ελληνικά εστιατόρια στην Τουλούζη, με άφησε με ανάμεικτα συναισθήματα. Σε σύγκριση με πέρυσι, το μενού είχε αλλάξει σημαντικά, ιδίως τα κύρια πιάτα, και οι τιμές είχαν αυξηθεί, με ορισμένα πιάτα να κοστίζουν έως και 6 ευρώ περισσότερο. Αν και αξιοσημείωτη ήταν η αύξηση της ποικιλίας του ελληνικού κρασιού.

Όντας Έλληνας, ανυπομονούσα να βιώσω την ελληνική φιλοξενία και ποιότητα. Ενώ η ελληνική σαλάτα ήταν το αποκορύφωμα της βραδιάς, είναι ένα αρκετά εύκολο πιάτο για να φτιαχτεί. Οι κολοκυθοκεφτέδες ήταν αξιοπρεπείς, αλλά η πίτα ήταν σχεδόν ωμή, γεγονός που με απογοήτευσε. Η τυρόπιτα δεν ήταν φτιαγμένη με πραγματικό "φύλλο" και η σάλτσα μελιτζάνας είχε επίπεδη στη γεύση.

Η ατμόσφαιρα και η διακόσμηση του εστιατορίου ήταν ευχάριστες, αλλά το επίπεδο θορύβου ήταν εξαιρετικά υψηλό λόγω κάποιων μη διακριτικών πελατών, καθιστώντας δύσκολη τη συζήτηση χωρίς φωνές.

Παρά τις ελληνικές λέξεις που εμφανίζονται σε όλο το εστιατόριο, το Alba δεν μου προκάλεσε την πραγματική ουσία της Ελλάδας. Στην Ελλάδα, θα θεωρούνταν δευτεροκλασάτο...

Great restaurant. Dishes are a rather competent reinvented Greek, more sophisticated and produced by the chef, Adrien, and Jeremy. The menu changes but the lamb? Excellent! Octupus too, as well as the fish in vine leafs and orzo... Extremely good. The mezes are very good, they make their own pita, the fried haloumi and zucchini fritters and other appetizers are quite good. We spent a bit because we ordered way too much; we were curious about the food and went there twice in a one week vacation. First we went with Greek friends, then just as a family. Both times we had excellent meals. Thank you for...

Even having visited gastronomic restaurants in Toulouse, Alba is truly up there as one of the best. As you step in, you are welcomed with a warm and cosy ambience, as well as an open kitchen. This is coupled with delicately prepared, well-presented Greek food. The final touch is the exceptional staff who are friendly, extremely kind and ensure they go above and beyond to make the overall experience one to remember.

Our personal favourites are the feta roti, octopus and baklava.

We have visited more than once and will...