Chloe Y
Google
Went for the Alma Easy lunch experience. This is my 7th time dining at Alma, so the general flavors and quality are familiar to me.
Overall I am very satisfied with the Easy menu. The dishes have a sophistication level that is between upstairs and downstairs, exactly as advertised. You see the familiar flavors from Alma Bodega (such as ajoblanco as a base for a main ingredient, as well as katsuoboshi as a garnish), as well as the techniques and finishing level of the fine dining counterpart.
There is a good balance of creativity and approachability.
A few small critiques:
1. The amuse-bouche was too heavy and greasy. Nobody needs a deep-fried bread ball before having a sip of water. Amuse should be something refreshing the light. And it totally ruined my taste buds that I couldn't enjoy my champagne.
2. The dishes could use a bit more vegetables. Either a a garnish or flavor base. It would provide a more interesting presentation (so that not everything is brown), as well as complex flavors.
3. Lastly, this is my long-time gripe with Alma. The sparkling water is too weak. It tastes like sparking water that has been sitting in the glass for half a day. Not completely flat but not exciting either. Please upgrade your Quokker/Sodastream machine, or buy some plain old Spa Rood.