Alma
Laurel of Who Ate the Big Apple? says, "The real reasons for visiting this place are as follows: the guacamole, the margaritas, and the view." Alma has a second-floor indoor dining room, but the restaurant's rooftop — which is equipped with transparent plastic shades for rainy days and space heaters for the cooler months — is the place to be. Chowhound usbchinita complains that Alma is "pricey and they are cashing out on the view," but fellow 'Hound oolah says that "it's pretty to sit up there and enjoy a few drinks watching the city lights twinkle," even though the food is "just ok."
Time Out New York has kinder things to say about the fare: "The food ranges from old standards (fresh, cilantro-heavy salsa, and creamily addictive guac) to sophisticated dishes like huachinango a la naranja, a red snapper with orange sauce, that are as airy and light as the view." Citysearch's Dana Bowen writes, "The bar mixes fantastic margaritas with house-infused tequilas in vanilla-pineapple and habanero flavors, plus fresh lime juice." And in our experience, their Tex-Mex brunch dishes — like eggs perked up with pico de gallo or poached in tomatillo sauce — are a good deal at $7.50. But do you think the food here is on par with the view?
Reviews (20)
Boerum Hill wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:15 PM
I went to this place twice when it first opened and before it got busy. The food was just ok and the service was indefferent. I'll give a retaurant a pass on one bad expreince, but not two. One of the things that I liked about Brooklyn when I first moved here in 1985, was that the restuarants were generally really informal and friendly places. This place treats everyone like tourists.
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:21 PM
When Alma first opened, if you travelled to that stretch of Columbia, you _were- a tourist!
superslav wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:26 PM
The view is nice, but I'm not too crazy about the plastic 'windbreakers' hanging around the patio. They sort of ruin the effect for me. It feels like you are sitting inside a hazmat zone from some B horror movie. The food is nothing spectacular except the enchiladas en mole. I've eaten them twice and both times the mole was delicious. Great margaritas. I can't remember if I considered it spendy or not, so I'm going to guess not as I usually bank overpriced joints to memory.
Combustiblegirl2 wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:27 PM
I've eaten at Alma many times since it opened. At first it was fantastic. Good food (excellent mole and fabulous margaritas) coupled with a wonderful view. But things have been on a steady decline. First the food went from good to mediocre to pretty awful. And even the margaritas went downhill. It used to be one of my favorite places to go for a special, reasonably priced dinner if I, say, had friends in from out of town. Now I never go there anymore even though I live in the general neighborhood because my last few meals have been so all around bad. It's a real disapointment and I wish they'd get their act together.
pierre wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:28 PM
The view from the roof dinning area is AMAZING, even if the food isn't. And, okay, I did see a dead cockroach on the stairs leading up to the restaurant the last time I was there. Thank goodness for their margaritas - I forgot about that little critter in no time.
Adam Dahill wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:52 PM
I liked this place a lot back in 2002-2003 can't remember exactly when it first opened. The view and roof was much better before they put the plastic cover over the roof.
The food has consistantly gotten worse since then and the staff has become very gruff and rude. I've been back once in the past year and didn't receive the best service or attitude so I'm not sure when I will be back if ever. They also have very strict serving hours and I couldnt even get a taco at the bar because I was btwn lunch and dinner.
They think they are too cool for school.
superslav wrote a review on August 13, 2008 12:54 PM
I agree with Pierre...enough STRONG margaritas will make you forget about everything wrong. It's the same case with Pacifico.
tinarina wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:05 PM
Agree--bad food. And the plastic is no fun either.
BrooklynLove wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:10 PM
Nice spot - I dig this place. Only complaint is the wait.
mshook wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:17 PM
I actually think the service has improved... they seem a bit more together. I don't rate the guacamole, but the New Mexican chile sauce is great. It's nice that they always have 2 vegetarian options - and very unusual. The arros con queso is super yummy. Great view, great margaritas, and pretty good food as far as I'm concerned.
jwald wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:18 PM
I too have only had the enchiladas the few times I went there and they were always yummy. This is the place to go if you want to enjoy a great view with friends and a pitcher of sangria or margaritas.
troll wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:20 PM
Quality of food is not what it used to be. Menu has changed as well. Can't beat the view.
I won't go until the food/menu improve.
pmmtenement wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:32 PM
A stand by in a neighborhood that didn't used to have a lot of options. Food is decent but not great. View and ambience is great. Margaritas are excellent. And I have always found the service to be fine - casual, friendly and competent enough.
bowl of dicks wrote a review on August 13, 2008 1:50 PM
used to go to Alma all the time for margarita's until i caught the bartender making the next batch with powdered margarita mix. never went back. Lobo does it too. only place in the area that doesn't use powder mix is pacifico.
Freckles wrote a review on August 13, 2008 2:27 PM
Margaritas and guacamole used to be great. Now they are mediocre at best. The only reason to go here now is the view.
JIDYT wrote a review on August 13, 2008 2:37 PM
LOVE the enchiladas in new mexican chile sauce.
GWH wrote a review on August 13, 2008 2:40 PM
This place is about one thing only: the view. It's spectacular, unmatched. And they don't gouge you for the view like a lot of other rooftop restaurants do. The food is only ok. But for the view, I'll take it.
oe wrote a review on August 13, 2008 3:12 PM
haven't been in a while, but have fond memories of the place
Steve wrote a review on August 13, 2008 7:01 PM
Food, eh. Margaritas, eh. When is Brooklyn gonna get a real TexMex restaurant? Our Mexican fare is like Denver's "NY Style Pizza".
treehouse wrote a review on August 13, 2008 9:48 PM
It ain't Bonita. The roof is nice, the food is so-so, and the service stinks. I have had many a lazy-arse waiter who forgets the order, water, beer and what not...too many times to forgive. There is nothing worse than wanting your drank and not getting it. I do like that brunch dish that involves tortilla, poached eggs and mucho queso..chilequiles?
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