Alma Cocina — Restaurant in Atlanta

This was an unacceptable experience. Our group of four arrived and were seated without issue. One person stepped away to the restroom, and during that time, the server made a comment that clearly carried racial undertones. It was unnecessary, and it changed the energy immediately.

When our group member returned, she went over to greet some people we knew at a nearby table. The interaction was friendly and brief. Not long after, a different server approached that table and asked, “Are they causing problems? It looks like they were disturbing you.” This was completely unwarranted—and showed a clear assumption that was both inaccurate and inappropriate.

What the staff failed to realize is that we all knew each other. There was no disruption, no issue—just a biased narrative they chose to act on. In a nearly empty restaurant with three occupied tables, it was baffling.

We chose to leave and went to another restaurant down the street where we were treated with professionalism and respect. Between all of us, we spent over $500—money that could’ve just as easily been spent at the original place, had we been treated appropriately.

To be clear: the manager and front host were professional and respectful. The issue came from the two servers involved. Their behavior was unprovoked and told us everything we needed to know.

This review isn’t about playing the victim. It’s about calling out poor conduct and making sure others are aware. If you value respectful service, be mindful before choosing this...

I made a reservation at Alma Cucina for Friday night with friends, hoping for a delightful evening. While I know it’s not Michelin-starred, in Buckhead, I expected at least a basic standard. Boy, was I wrong!Upon arrival, we waited several minutes to be acknowledged by the hard-faced hostess, who acted like locating our reservation was a Herculean task. After finally discovering I booked for 7:15 instead of 7:30, we were assigned a table beside the bar—clearly a “punishment” for our supposed tardiness. With a tone that could chill, she informed us that this was all she could offer since we were late. Four grown adults felt like schoolchildren in trouble!The bartender did offer us a complimentary round of cocktails as a nod to the hostess’s rudeness, but the pretentious dishes that followed were a disaster. The salsa was a pre-made atrocity from three sad little containers, and the Sweet Fried Plantains were neither sweet nor appetizing, smothered in an odd layer of cheese.The beef steak, marinated in coffee, was an experience best left un-repeated, while the Shellfish Ceviche was mostly vegetables swimming in a sea of balsamic vinegar. And those so-called chicken tacos? They crumbled at the touch, requiring forks to eat!This "Mexican" restaurant is a dismal representation of Mexican cuisine and certainly not fit for the Buckhead clientele. One last note: they sneak in a 20% gratuity without telling you. Truly dishonest! If you want good Mexican food and a pleasant dining experience,...

Alma Cocina Buckhead offers a truly intimate and delicious dining experience. The atmosphere is quaint and perfect for a date night. We enjoyed the steak tacos and I ordered the Alambre Steak, which was absolutely fantastic. The Alambre Steak arrived beautifully plated, but I was initially a bit confused because our server had described it as similar to fajitas. The temperature of the meat was much cooler than a typical fajita skillet, which had me questioning the dish. Thankfully, the General Manager, who was incredibly cool and nice, was a great help. We spoke to him on the way out of the restaurant. He was accommodating and explained that the Alambre Steak is actually a deconstructed taco—which makes perfect sense and is a much more accurate description of the dish's delicious preparation. It's a generous portion, and I even had leftovers for lunch! While the food and the general manager were top-notch, the service from our particular server was a bit obtuse and her demeanor inconsistent. She seemed preoccupied, and we often had to flag her down for assistance. We also noticed the chef came out to speak with a celebrity chef at a nearby table but didn't acknowledge other guests, which felt like a missed opportunity for a more consistent experience. All in all, Alma Cocina is a great place for a delicious and intimate meal. I highly recommend the Alambre Steak, and I'll definitely be back to try the guacamole and salsa flute—I just need to make sure I come on a day when I'm...