Alma Bistro, Cocina Latina — Restaurant in Norwalk

Let’s put this right up front – “Alma Bistro”, in Norwalk Connecticut, may be the best restaurant of any kind in the tri-state area. Including NYC. It certainly elevates Mexican cuisine to a Nuevo-Latino height that I have not experienced anywhere before.

We’ve become accustomed to heading into NYC for top-tier dining. Yesterday we aimed north to Alma, which had been recommended to us. We expected good execution of some staples we’ve come to expect in Latino restaurants – the Three Ts (tacos, tamales and tostones) and some salsa and chips. We had no idea we were about to be blown away by some of the finest food we’ve ever been served.

We should have had an inkling of what was to come as soon as we walked in. The space is bright, clean and modern, with a post-industrial feel. The music (played at a level that makes conversation easy) mixed Latino standards with newer jazz-inflected tunes. We went in the early afternoon but it’s easy to imagine warm, welcoming feel when it fills up on weekends.

But the reason to come here is the food! We started with a black bean hummus. Perfectly spiced with a bit of heat, this is a traditional hummus blended with a puree of black beans served with shatteringly crisp taco strips. A touch of cumin livens the chickpea base but still allows the earthiness of the black beans to come through. We also had the guacamole, de rigueur for Latino cuisine, here brightened with a slightly acidic bite and mild jalapeno heat. Another success.

An agave-jalapeno vinaigrette enhanced the sweetness of the brussels sprouts, grilled to tenderness, while matching the richness of sprinkled queso fresco. The queso fresco also appeared as a garnish to the sweet plantains, rich and sweet, and finished with a touch of crema. A roasted butternut squash could have been ordinary but was raised to a level this humble vegetable rarely achieves with a dressing of spiced maple syrup and a sprinkling of pepitas.

We’re not meat eaters so didn’t try the beef, chicken and pork options available (though the 50-ounce tomahawk steak was tempting) but opted instead for the tuna tostada, gambas con chorizo (prepared at our request without the spicy Mexican sausage) and grilled octopus. The tuna tostada reimagines the presentation of the finest sashimi, served on taco strips and dressed in miso and ginger, topped with avocado and sesame seeds. Paper thin slices of jalapeno serve as the wasabi here, adding a gentle pop of heat. Whatever else you may have at Alma, order this! You will not be disappointed.

The tender shrimp were gently sauteed in garlic and butter, lightly finished with white wine and fresh thyme, and served on a large and perfectly crisp tostone. The impeccable freshness of the fish shone through particularly in this dish.

It is easy to fail at octopus. A few moments too long on the grill will turn tenacles into a rubbery challenge. Here, the octopus was nearly buttery, served in a mild smoked pepper puree, atop small tender chunks of heirloom potatoes and celery. Not only delicious but a wonderful variety of textures and colors.

The owner and head chef, Ulises Jimenez, who we had the pleasure of meeting, has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. His work, and pride he has in his work, show in every delectable dish he and his staff bring to life. Get to this restaurant while it is still...

I can’t say enough great things about this place. I have been a longtime fan of their sister restaurant Don Rene Taqueria in Milford and have been eagerly waiting for Alma’s opening.

Another home run! Alma is more diverse and a bit more upscale. Where Don Rene is primarily Mexican Alma’s is more Latin Fusion. In any event, I was blown away by the flavor and quality of the food. The service by amazing friendly staff. The décor is understated elegance creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Began with Sharing the guacamole and black bean hummus. Both exceptional. The Guacamole was well balanced and leagues above others I have tried. I simply could not get enough of the black bean hummus. It was so good, we asked to take the leftovers home. I would usually never take a side home. If a restaurant gets a staple such as Guac right, which they did, I knew things were looking up.

One dish that will keep me coming back is the Tuna tostada. Well balanced dish of Miso, Ginger and Sesame oil and avocado with fresh Tuna was simply amazing. So good, we ordered a second. Another dish we tried was the Grilled octopus. Octopus is difficult at best to cook well, particularly when it is grilled you can’t hide behind excessive breading. The octopus was cooked perfectly. I would have never thought to serve with onions and celery with heirloom potatoes with smoked pepper puree. It not only works but will be a primary dish whenever I visit. I only wish I had loaf of bread to sop up the puree.

The Kale Caesar with Cotija cheese and sunflowers seeds was another unexpected hit. I am honestly not a big fan of Kale. This was baby Kale which I prefer to the larger and more mature leaves. Again, delicious.

The last dish we ordered was one of my favorites from Don Rene’s which was the Birria Taco. The only difference was Alma served two tacos per portion. The consume dipping sauce is amazing. The dish reminds me of childhood homemade beef stew on Sunday.

I will Definity be back….this week. Can’t wait to try...

Title: A Delightful Culinary Experience at Alma Bistro

Review: I recently had the pleasure of dining at Alma Bistro, and it was a truly delightful experience that left me eager to return. The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the exceptional quality of the food. From the best Tuna tostada I've ever savored to delicious Brussel sprouts, a mouth-watering burger, and exquisite ceviche, each dish was a testament to the chef's remarkable culinary skills. The empanadas and birria tacos, enjoyed by a fellow diner, were also praised for their deliciousness, underscoring the kitchen's consistent excellence.

The owner's presence added a special touch to our experience, as she attentively oversaw the restaurant, ensuring everything ran smoothly. This level of dedication to customer satisfaction was palpable and contributed to the warm atmosphere of Alma Bistro.

While our waitress seemed to be managing the entire dining area on her own, which is commendable, her demeanor was somewhat less welcoming than expected. Despite this minor setback, it was clear she was doing her best under the circumstances, and it didn't detract significantly from our overall experience.

Alma Bistro has proven its worth not just on this visit but in previous experiences as well. Having dined here shortly after its opening, I was impressed to find that the quality of the food has remained exceptional. It's evident that Alma Bistro is dedicated to culinary excellence and customer satisfaction.

I look forward to my next visit and am hopeful for an even more pleasant dining experience with the addition of more trained and enthusiastic waitstaff. Alma Bistro is a gem that continues to shine, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for an outstanding dining...