Alma De CubaOverall A Good ChoiceArrived a few minutes early for my reservation ,the Ladies working the front of the house were polite and showed us to our table on the second level . The dinner was excellent, portions were good , the service was spot on , wasn't rushed and the staff was helpful when we questioned the menu . Dinner for two , (drinks, appetizers main course and desert ) ran about one fifty. Fair price for the quality and service rendered. Overall a good choice,5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMYummyWe love the food at this restaurant. But most importantly for us is that their menu is almost 100% gluten free, they are aware of people's food allergy needs, and the servers know what ingredients are in the dishes.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMI have dined here on manyI have dined here on many occasions and it is always excellen, the lechon assado was delicious. The service was attentive but not intrusive. Save room for dessert, the chocolate cigar is amazing.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMTotal sensory experienceWe were bombarded with a myriad of wonderful taste combinations, especially the ceviche sampler. Wow. So attractive, too, though a bit dark. We were in the middle of the room which was a bit loud. For romance, ask for a table in a corner. A great night.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMInteresting menuSome very nice trend dishes. I had the Shrimp and Grits and felt I hit the jackpot on dinner items for flavor. Nice wine list especially for Spanish and South American wines. Cigar dessert very cool. Coffee and doughnuts a little disappointing.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMCelebration for sixWe got together for a reunion dinner. Everything was terrific: three ceviches, shrimp and grits, duck and some other winners. Alma de Cuba never disappoints: always terrific food with excellent service. My highest recommendation for special occasion like ours and everyday good eats.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful!The ceviche here is outstanding! Service was wonderful and the entrees spectacular.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome ExperienceEvery time I go to this restaurant I have an awesome time! I go alone, with friends, and even with kids. No matter what is happening or who I'm with I always have a great time. The staff members are wonderful and the atmosphere just can not be bet! Thank you!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWill have to comebackThis was our first time at this restaurant and since we only heard good recommendations from our friends, we wanted to try some of the signature dishes at this place. For the appetizers we ordered trio ceviche platter that consisting of sea scallop, thai mixto and striped bass and for dinner we had Vaca Frita (skirt steak) and Sea Scallops. All the dishes we ordered were delicious, especially we loved the refreshing taste of the ceviche.
Ambiance in this place was lovely and service was excellent. They were very knowledgable and on time.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMCubanIf you feel eating caribbean food in PA, this is a very good choice!!!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat spot to celebrateIt was our anniversary and the perfect selection. Food, service and ambience were all off the chart. Ceviche highly recommended!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Restaurant, 'tho darkHad a fantastic time here. Food was spectacular and there was great service. Only defect - it was so dim that one person in our party found it impossible to extract the meat from his roasted pork dish, and had to use the light of his cell phone to accomplish the task. Bring a light source, or don't order anything you'll need to see to eat (e.g. fatty pork, duck, fish with bones..)!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMMaybe the best meal I ever had!My dinner experience at Alma De Cuba may have been the singular most perfect dining experience of my life! Our server, Marie, was so unbelieveable! She was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu & was incredibly helpful since everything on the menu sounded so delicious. Having an outstanding server makes so much of a difference! I had the most delicious suave mojito! The smoked tuna tacos, the ceviche & the app with the dates wrapped in bacon were all off the charts! Entrees were also amazing! My guest enjoyed the duck very much & I loved the skirt steak. Dessert was the beautiful & beyond amazing chocolate cigar. The GM Jonathan Gregory came over to visit with us & was genuinely happy that we were having such a great experience.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Great Food and ServiceThe food and service are consistently good at Alma de Cuba. For the best tour, I recommend starting with a mojito or caipirinha, having any one or two of their fantastic ceviche's, and a main course of the vaca frita which goes well with wine or a Negra Modelo.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways on PointI have been to this restaurant about five times total and EACH experience has been exceptional. The food is absolutely delicious.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing experieince. AmazingAmazing experieince. Amazing food. But what really stand out was the service and attention to detail. I mentioned on my OpenTable reservation that it was my wife's birthday. I never mentioned it to anyone in person. When the hostess pulled out my wife's seat she wished her a happy birsthday. On top of that when our deserts came out, scrawled on her plate was "Happy Birthday." It is the small touches that mean so much and makes Alma de Cuba amazing4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious andThe food was delicious and presented very well. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. My only complaint was that one in our party was a vegetarian and there was only one entre option for her and one or two appetizers. Otherwise a great choice!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there for Dining OutWe were there for Dining Out For Life. I had never eaten there before and found it to be fantastic/rave-worthy!
I really enjoyed the Happy Hour, although I was only there for about 20 minutes, I will be back again and again.
Everyone on staff was pleasant and efficient!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAny criticism I offer mustAny criticism I offer must be taken in light of of the fact that we had an excellent dining experience.
- the young woman who escorted us to our table divulged an excessive amount of information about her personal life that I did not want to hear. Sometimes, silence is golden.
- our waiter, who gave us excellent service, spoke at length about items on the menu. Maybe he has been instructed to do so. I felt like I was listening to a long, boring sermon and about half way through, I just tuned him out.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAlma de Cuba never disappoints.Alma de Cuba never disappoints. The food is delicious and the service excellent. It is an excellent spot for pre-concert or theater dining. The staff respects your time parameters and you finish in plenty of time without feeling rushed.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place!! Staff wasLove this place!! Staff was courteous and knowledgable. Felt safe ordering and eating GFCF.
Fabulous appetizers, especially the almond ruffed dates wrapped in bacon with blue cheese on the side for our other guests,
succulent pork and rice entree, and finished with mango/ginger/lime sorbet. What a treat!!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food, service and sceneThe food, service and scene were all excellent. We tried a variety of dishes and thought they were all excellent - particularly the ceviche!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellentWe have been there many times and it never disapoints - The food is consistantly excellent as is the service. The wait staff is knowledgeable, attentive, proffesional and pleasant.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food! It wasn'tWonderful food! It wasn't exactly what I've seen in Havana--I've never had congri made with red beans, or tostones in a garlic sauce (which made them a bit soggy)--but much worked very well. Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche was exquisite; so too the vaca frita and shrimp and grits. The lechon asada arrived lukewarm, sadly--reheated at my request, it arrived somewhat dried out. The wine list is impressive, with selections from both Latin America and Spain. The decor didn't really suggest Cuba, although the climb to the third floor dining room (there's also a second-level dining room) seemed designed to echo the rooftop dining one finds in Havana. We especially liked the birthday chocolate cigar! All in all, a great visit.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the staff, to the food,From the staff, to the food, and to the presentation, excellent, excellent, excellent.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I love to visitMy husband and I love to visit this restaurant when we get into Philadelphia. Love the table for 2 on the 3rd floor. Food and service are excellent. Love the Mojitos. Definitely one of our favorite restaurants.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was absolutely deliciousThe food was absolutely delicious and the ambience was perfect. I was able to have a conversation with my friends without having to yell at each other. However, the prices are VERY expensive. So I would suggest going here for a special occasion only.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI had not been to Alma forI had not been to Alma for several years, delighted I went back, great meal, great service, and wonderful cocktails. Not to be missed.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was excellent, serviceFood was excellent, service was great as well. Restaurant was a little too dark for my liking, but that's the only minor issue I encountered. I would definitely return!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AM- Great ambiance- Wonderful- Great ambiance- Wonderful service- AMAZING Ceviche- Duck is delicious4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were seated immediatelyWe were seated immediately for a 7pm reservation. The server was prompt and attentive without being a constant presence. The dining room was beautiful.
The food was delicious, the portions were larger than either of us could finish, and I would recommend. The cocktails were great as well.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent food. service wasexcellent food. service was very attentive. a friend and i were looking for a leisurely dinner experience so we could talk and catch up. We never felt rushed by the great wait staff.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond time there. Food wasSecond time there. Food was amazing. Complex and deep flavor profile.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe staff was friendly andThe staff was friendly and attentive. The food was beautifully presented and my salmon entree was delicious. The black bean soup was bland, lacking acidity and spiciness. Also,one should be prepared for a high noise level. A lovely change from common dining fare.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGood and flavorful as alwaysGood and flavorful as always but I did feel like I had to scream just to be heard by my dining companion. A romantic place that's good for it you and someone you already know. If it's a first date or you need to have a talk, go somewhere more quiet and private.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat basics, shaky deliveryFood: great. Bar: great for drinks of all sorts. Decent wine list. Happy Hour: good deal and a nice way to segue into a full meal. Decor: wonderful, always. What's not so hot sometimes is the way the room is run. Early on, a half-empty dining area sees parties placed right next to each other. It's the fashion these days for people to be oblivious to their neighbors and to make as much noise as they feel comfortable making (some people never learned to speak in a low perfectly audible tone of voice). As @ most restos, the staff takes no notice and does nothing about it. Staff are encouraged, reinforced by management, repeatedly to visit a table and ask how it goes. It's annoying and interruptive. Not professional, or confident.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCuban Night SpecialWait staff was courteous and helpful. Cuban food specialties seemed authentic and the sangria tasted like my own recipe from Toledo, Spain. We represented three generations and all of us loved it!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is our go-to restaurantThis is our go-to restaurant in Philadelphia. The atmosphere is great--cool without being too noisy. The service is always friendly and helpful--our waiter steered me away from the pork by being upfront about how fatty it is. And the food is really, really good, from the delicious little breads to a fantastic black bean soup to the mango martini!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant was amazing!!!!FoodThis restaurant was amazing!!!!Food and service first class.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were greeted and seatedWe were greeted and seated immediately for our reservation for 5 on a Friday night. Our server was very helpful on the front end describing the experience to us first-timers. We all ordered mojitos (I added mango puree to mine). The alma sampler was a great appetizer choice with the palm dates, smoked albacore tuna tacos and empanadas. I would not order the empanadas again, though. They also bring warm rolls to the table with a chimichurri dipping sauce. I can easily say it's the best bread/roll I've ever eaten. The sugarcane tuna, cuban shrimp and grits and sea scallops were all amazing entrees and I would highly recommend all of them. The service really slowed down, which was disappointing, especially for the price.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWould be worth a visit justWould be worth a visit just for the date appetizer, stuffed with almonds, wrapped in bacon, on a bed of endive. The menu consistently showcases complex flavors. Our party enjoyed 4 different dishes: seafood, pork, steak and ceviche--all were delicious. Our only "complaint" would be that dinner arrived so quickly after our appetizers that we were done too soon!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAlma de CubaMe and my girlfriend absolutely love this restaraunt. The Lechon Asado is by far my favorite dish. The yuca is GREAT. I always order extra to go. The mojito's are the best. Ambience is amazing. Definitely in my top 3 Philly spots to eat.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were with 8 people celebratingWe were with 8 people celebrating 2 birthdays. Everyone except one loved their meal. The one person ordering tuna said that it was a tough, not very good piece.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Best You'll Ever HaveOh my goodness, what can I say... this was one of the best dining experiences I have had in a while. The ambiance of the restaurant was very inviting; the service was attentive; the drinks were the best I've ever had and the food was WONDERFUL!!!! My friend and I try different restaurants once a month and this turned out to be a treasure. We both tried the Alma Sampler as our appetizer which was simply scrumptious, and our main course (we had the same thing) was the Lechon Asado which was so freaking good as to be unbelievable. We would definitely recommend this restaurant and wlll return again.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was delicious.Everything was delicious. From the mojitos to the appetizer sampler, the tuna and scallops, all were wonderfully prepared. Our waiter was very knowledgable and helpful. I wish I remembered his name. It might have been Kyle??? It was a great dining experience!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time eating Cuban, IFirst time eating Cuban, I had the Cava Fritter and really enjoyed it. The menu was fun everything was great and the staff was very good at explaining everything.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMhave dined here many times...ithave dined here many times...it never fails to impress! The ceviche sampler is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth...how can they create so many delicious versions of this dish?!3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMVery much enjoyed our meal.Very much enjoyed our meal. Our salads were fresh and tasty, our cocktails delicious and our entree of roast pork was fantastic. Have been to Alma on other visits to Philly and will certainly look forward to eating here again.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGoodThe wife and l, was our second stop for my birthday well worth it3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was only our second visitThis was only our second visit here in many years and everything was still fantastic. It was a nice escape atmosphere with low lighting and modern design. The food is just scrumptious and creative. I enjoyed my rum duck and hubby's shrimp and grits. The usual complaints for these type of restaurants remain small portions/high prices and rushed meals. 0ur waitress was pleasant and not pushy which is always nice.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM