"When she worked at Amano, chef Jo Pearson made the churning Britomart location into the reliable dinner stalwart of Auckland. After the sale of the restaurant to Savor group, Pearson has made a new name for herself with Alma, a Spanish-inspired spot with touches of Moorish flavors. From gildas with cucamelons to crispy, ribboned pork skewers tucked into little house-made flatbreads, Alma’s sophisticated Spanish fare rides a delicious line between approachable and interesting. With a wide variety of vermuts and special attention to cocktails, it’s just as great for a drink and a couple bites as it is for a full dinner. — HE" - Hillary Eaton, Leisha Jones