This was one of my favorite meals ever! the atmosphere was so cool and the food was exceptional! can't wait to come back Pros: best mojitos in town Cons: parking

This was one of my favorite meals ever! the atmosphere was so cool and the food was exceptional! can't wait to come back Pros: best mojitos in town Cons: parking
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Not the tipical cuban restaurant I'm used to in Miami and North Jersey, I just visited this restaurant on 10/11/09 after reading a review on gophila. Not what I expected at all. The dining room is a... More

Not the tipical cuban restaurant I'm used to in Miami and North Jersey, I just visited this restaurant on 10/11/09 after reading a review on gophila. Not what I expected at all. The dining room is a cocktail lounge with small cocktail tables, the food is not the tipical cuban food I expected. It is over priced for the small food portions they give. Dining room is too dark where one have trouble reading the menu. After filling out their comment card I was approached by the general manager, one Mr. Mark Dombkoski or perhaps DUMBkoski, who after I complaint claimed that the restaurant was not a cuban restaurant. EXCUSED ME. THEY SURE G HAD ME FOOLED. WONT RECOMEND IT TO ANYONE Pros: waitreses are very nice Cons: Dinning room is a cocktail lounge, food sucks
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My husband and I ate at Alma de Cuba this past Saturday. I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant. We made a reservation through Open Table for 8:30PM. Upon our arrival, we were... More

My husband and I ate at Alma de Cuba this past Saturday. I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant. We made a reservation through Open Table for 8:30PM. Upon our arrival, we were seated immediately. As we were being led up the stairs to our table, I overheard the Maitre D' tell another patron that the wait without a reservation was two hours. The atmosphere is incredible and we enjoyed the music being piped through the restaurant. For drinks, I had Sangria any my husband had a dirty martini. We started with the 3 plate ceviche tasting. It was out of this world. For an appetizer, we had the fried oysters. I had the Xim Xim for dinner and my husband ordered the lamb. We also shared a side of asparagus. The food was amazing. I have no complaints about the taste of the food. I will say that the portions are small, but since we knew that beforehand, we ordered enough food so that we left feeling thoroughly satisfied. The service was amazing. Our server was extremely attentive. The busboys cleared our plates immediately after we finished eating. The food runners explained what everything was as they were putting your plate in front of you. Our silverware was changed with each course. Overall, we very much enjoyed our whole dining experience. Pros: the food, service, and ambiance Cons: small portions
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A great place on Rittenhouse Square to meet friends for a drink and a bite to eat. The decor is one feature that makes this place interesting. Stop in for a break from shopping - you won't be... More

A great place on Rittenhouse Square to meet friends for a drink and a bite to eat. The decor is one feature that makes this place interesting. Stop in for a break from shopping - you won't be disappointed.
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It was freezing inside, strange music played and gave me a headache plus i couldn't hear our conversation. Food is tinnnyyyyy so dont come hungry or in attempt to communicate. Its lit too dark as... More

It was freezing inside, strange music played and gave me a headache plus i couldn't hear our conversation. Food is tinnnyyyyy so dont come hungry or in attempt to communicate. Its lit too dark as well. Server was trying very hard and sooo nice. The dessert we ordered was the cigar. It was pretty but too stiff, too dark cocoa/dark chocolate for me, too plain. The whole meal for 2 was over 130 but wasn't impressive. I didnt leave amazed or full with delicious food. Go here if you have money and been everywhere else thats classy.
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This is a great Stephen Starr restaurant. The theme is cuban and latin american. The food is really delicious. There is a bar downstairs and eating upstairs. The bar is somewhat cumbersome to... More

This is a great Stephen Starr restaurant. The theme is cuban and latin american. The food is really delicious. There is a bar downstairs and eating upstairs. The bar is somewhat cumbersome to talk to people. I highly recommend the mojito.
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There are many choices for eating establishments in Philadelphia, however, Alma De Cuba stands out as one of the best. From when you first enter the restaurant, you are pleased by the casual... More

There are many choices for eating establishments in Philadelphia, however, Alma De Cuba stands out as one of the best. From when you first enter the restaurant, you are pleased by the casual elegance of the ambience. Although it can get slightly constricting on the first floor during the dinner rush hour, the second floor is adequately spaced and comfortable. The food is outstanding! The Lechon Asado (crispy skinned pork) is wonderfully flavored and succulent. The Fried Sweet Plantains are probably the best I've had and accompany any meal nicely. As any mojito connoisseur can tell you, they are either hit or miss at restaurants, however, I have never had a bad mojito at Alma De Cuba! The service is very good and patrons are attended to diligently. The only reason I did not give all 5 stars is that it is a bit pricey, however, for Philadelphia, it is not horrible.
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I never thought I would write a poor review for a restaurant, but our service tonight was so poor that I don't want another person to waste their money and more importantly, precious time here. We... More

I never thought I would write a poor review for a restaurant, but our service tonight was so poor that I don't want another person to waste their money and more importantly, precious time here. We were ignored from the moment we stepped in the door (yes, we had reservations and had to wait)! We waited for 15 minutes at the table before even being brought menus and water - and these by the host because apparently the waitress was too busy. This continued throughout the meal...received our entrees about an hour later and though my tuna was good, it had a slight chill (its pan-seared tuna not pan-frozen). The 3 shrimp that my companion received for his $30 entree, obviously did not fill him up. I'm fine with paying for smaller or "appropriate" proportions at a fancy restaurant, but 3 shrimp is rediculous. Don't waste your time or money here....the poor service and pricey food for the proportions far outweight the few good items on the menu. Tsk Tsk Steven Starr..maybe you should start taking advice from your former proteje, Jose Garces.
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I recently had the pleasure of having lunch at Alma de Cuba and was very impressed with all facets of my experience. The atmosphere and decor of the restaurant combines rustic beadboard ceilings &... More

I recently had the pleasure of having lunch at Alma de Cuba and was very impressed with all facets of my experience. The atmosphere and decor of the restaurant combines rustic beadboard ceilings & ceiling fans with modern recessed light boxes and contemporary seating. The waiter provided excellent service and was very helpful in describing the ingredients and preparation of the many menu choices. I ordered the hamachi ceviche and the grilled salmon with lentils and horseradish cream. The ceviche was fresh and refreshing with a blend of crushed chili and citrus. The salmon was outstanding. There were many flavors and textures that worked so well together - creme, horseradish, lentils, bananas. I must say that this was the best meal I've had in quite a while. And the prices at lunch are unbelievably reasonable for such a quality meal. Others at the table raved about their grilled steak, crispy braised pork, black bean soup and tapioca (served in a large coconut). I cannot wait to return. Pros: Relaxing atmosphere, great food, great service Cons: none
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Went to Alma de Cuba - several issues: While the wait staff was very pleasant... they just took forever to do everything... to come get our drink orders, to take our appetizer orders, our main... More

Went to Alma de Cuba - several issues: While the wait staff was very pleasant... they just took forever to do everything... to come get our drink orders, to take our appetizer orders, our main orders.... the check... you get the point... I had to get up at one point to go inside to ask them to run my credit card so we could leave. We ordered a black lobster empanada... good filling, revolting outside.... not worth $18. The arugula was not fresh in the salad. Rice and beans were unfortunately quite bland - given that this is a Cuban restaurant, this was really disappointing. I got the Vaca Frita... which was ok... but its like they poured the WHOLE salt shaker on it... it was unbelievably salty (and of course it took forever to get a glass of water)(and the Coke came as our meal was wrapping up). I will say their rolls were excellent - but we had to ask for a few more several times, and the second dose came at the end of the meal.... after we were already feeling sick. I'll spare you the details about the gastro-intestinal issues we experienced afterwards from the food but you can use your imagination. Big disappointment, I will certainly not be eating here again. Pros: Good bread, pleasant staff Cons: Everything else - terrible food, terrible service.
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