The James Beard Award Foundation released their longlist of semifinalists for their 2018 honors Thursday morning. Minneapolis–St. Paul was well represented, placing seven entries in the regional powerhouse category of Best Chef: Midwest. For national honors, the 2010 Best Chef: Midwest, Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma, nabbed his second consecutive semifinal nod for Outstanding Chef nationwide. … [ Read more]
Get the tasting menu and listen to the whole song
May 8, 2017 by
When someone asks me about the point of a chef’s tasting menu, and why it’s worth ordering, it takes me a while to get beyond “don’t you want to see what they can do when they’re turned loose?” I realize not everyone thinks that way, or that they might blink at a three-hour dinner. So … [ Read more]
Get to know the Minnesota chefs & restaurants up for 2017 James Beard Awards
February 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The James Beard Foundation announced its list of semifinalists for 2017 chef and restaurant categories today, and Minnesota was well-represented with 13 chefs and two restaurants making the cut. The Best Chef: Midwest category, which last year was awarded to The Bachelor Farmer’s Paul Berglund, includes Thomas Boemer of Corner Table, Mike Brown, Bob Gerken, and James … [ Read more]
Photos: Before and after at Hotel & Cafe Alma
December 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The bar and seating area at the new Cafe Alma // Before photo by Aaron Davidson, after photo by Kevin Kramer, The Growler Welcome back, Alma. It’s like you never left. After owner and chef Alex Roberts purchased the entire building Restaurant Alma is located in and closed in August to complete an expansion, Alma is … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
What’s the value of a brewery’s stance on mining? Why be concerned with obscure English apples? What’s so important about a chicken sandwich at a stadium? Why does it matter if a basketball team weighs in on current events? The answer to all those questions is the same: it makes a difference. There are people … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016: Alex Roberts of Alma: Cafe, Hotel, and Restaurant
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
It’s one thing to own a restaurant. It’s one thing to own a restaurant that aspires to the highest levels of plating, flavor, design, and customer service. It’s one thing to own said restaurant while trying to discover new ideas and techniques from the rich food traditions of the region and continent. It’s one thing … [ Read more]
Minnesota Spoon: Smoked brisket recipe from Thomas Boemer of Revival and Corner Table
April 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The brisket hit the smoker at 8am. The whiskey was open by 11am. An early start is important. It’s well established that good barbecue should begin around dawn. It needs the better part of a day to drip, blacken, and break down into tender perfection. That’s why Thomas Boemer, chef at Revival and Corner Table, … [ Read more]
Alex Roberts on the history and unexpected virtue of masa
April 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
By Alex Roberts, as told to John Garland What we do at Alma is try to honor tradition without saying we’re cooking something traditional. Brasa is the same way—I’m not saying I can make rice and pigeon peas like your Puerto Rican grandmother. But I try to learn from tradition what is the best practice. … [ Read more]
Grand Designs: Alma is expanding to make you feel more at home
April 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Have you ever been to Restaurant Alma? The acclaimed restaurant has been quietly sitting on the corner of University and 6th Avenue Southeast in Minneapolis for 17 years now, while Dinkytown was razed and rebuilt with luxury apartments and St. Anthony Main has waxed and waned. It’s not new or hot, and you can’t sum up … [ Read more]
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta Cream Recipe
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Fresh Thyme and Pancetta Cream By Alex Roberts, Restaurant Alma (serves 8) Pancetta Cream 2-1⁄2 cups heavy cream 1 tablespoon good olive oil 1⁄4 pound Red Table Meats pancetta, cut into a 1⁄4″ dice or lardons 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1 shallot, roughly chopped 3 sprigs thyme 1 teaspoon whole … [ Read more]
Holiday Survival Guide
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Need a festive cocktail to shake up for your guests? Not sure how to navigate your holiday office party? Did mom tell you to bring a side dish to dinner? We’ve got you covered. Welcome to The Growler’s Holiday Survival Guide, everything you’ll need to make this year’s holiday season memorable. DRINK There’s a certain type of drinking … [ Read more]
‘Alma Lights’ art installations to open September 16
August 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Restaurant Alma and Northern Lights.mn have announced Alma Lights, an art installation at the Alma building at 528-530 University Ave SE. Alma Lights will feature 12 artist interventions, installations, and activities throughout the Alma building, September 16th through the 26th. Alongside the art at Alma Lights, there will be an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and cocktails inspired by the future Cafe … [ Read more]
Minneapolis City Council Approves Alma Hotel
August 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A unanimous city council vote has cleared the way for a boutique hotel to take shape above the future Cafe Alma. Alex Roberts purchased the two-level space on University Avenue, adjacent to his standard-bearing Restaurant Alma. MinnPost reports plans for a six-room hotel and ground-level cafe inspired by Chicago’s Longman & Eagle.
Dessa Dishes with Chef Alex Roberts
March 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Photos by Stacy Schwartz There are few professions in which a trim physique could be considered a liability. Alex Roberts is a clear-eyed, dark-haired chef who looks like a Crossfit devotee (which he is). During Obama’s first presidential run, Roberts’ soul food restaurant Brasa, was a regular destination for the campaign volunteers. Stately older black … [ Read more]
Marinated Pork Shoulder “Bo Ssam” & Fulton’s Sweet Child of Vine IPA
August 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A Farm to Table Recipe Presented by Dinner on the Farm Recipes by Matt Sprague, Restaurant Alma Marinated Pork Shoulder “Bo Ssam” (or korean style pork lettuce wraps) w/ Bibb Lettuce, Sweet Cucumbers, Kim Chi, and Fried Garlic Generously serves 8-10 adults. Pork: One 8-10 lb. bone-in pork shoulder Marinade Ingredients: 1 c. apple juice 1 … [ Read more]
