59 Newington Green Road,
Islington,
London,
N1 4QU
0872 148 1239
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
Add a User Review for
The Alma
Add your own review of this
Very unpleasant experience. Served with cloudy and sour beer (actually a nice ale called Redemption). After pointing this out to the barmaid, she changed barrel but failed to pull off the pipe residue and served two more cloudy and undrinkable pints. A simple mistake.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed on her behalf we pointed this out. Rather than receive an apology and two drinkable pints the landlord intervened and subjected us to an unprovoked and aggressive tirade. He point blank refused to replace the pints and threatened to call the police if we continued to protest. Absolutely extraordinary behaviour!
I love this pub. Whatever food I have ordered in this place, it has always been of a high standard. The deserts, although not as good as the mains, are also pretty great and the staff is always happy and able to recommend a complimenting desert wine.
The atmosphere is great, although, I would say it gets quite hectic when it's busy. Go early on a weekend or anytime on a weeknight and the staff are attentive and service is brilliant.
I want to preface this by stating that at the time I went to The Alma they had a large office party dining there along with a handful of other patrons. However I do not see this as an excuse for the service we received.
We booked for a set Christmas meal for 11 people and pre-ordered our meals under the instruction of the pub. We also paid £10 deposit each. So when all but one of our table were given their main we were obviously disappointed. That main then didn't arrive for 10 minutes meaning one of us had to effectively dine alone.
Our waitress was kind enough to discount our drinks, and was generally charming and congenial. However the sour faced maid that assisted her was terse, unhelpful and a buzzkill.
The food was OK, nothing spectacular. I had duck, which was a tad on the chewy side with a sauce that was pleasant but flooded my dish. Portions were generous and the ales they had on selection were great, but my overall impression of the place is poor.
Went for dinner on Sunday 28th March 2010 with wife and friend. Waited till 7pm as this is when they start serving food again. We were seated but it took them a good 10 minutes to bring menus. Then another 15 mins to take our order. 15 minutes after this, we were told there was no more lamb. Odd, since they weren't an hour into service. We waited a further 40 minutes for our starters: 2x pate and 1x prawn cocktail. Waited another half hour for main. None of us were sure what the "sauce" was: it was either reduced gravy, red wine jus or very thin marmite. So it took us about two hours all in and the food was ok, overpriced and slow.
had a really great time at the Alma friday night.
i thought the pork dish was pretty exceptional.
i would definitely be coming with friends.
As a restaurant ...
I can't get enough of the food in this place. I keep convincing friends to try it and they are always instantly converted. The chef is a genius and changes the menu pretty much daily. Expect to pay more than in your avergae pub but it is absolutely worth it. The decor is very relaxed and comfortable and during the summer months they have a nice little beer garden. The waiting staff are usually pretty good. The guys behind the bar can be a bit moody but having been a regular visitor for about a yea rnow I think that's just their demeanour and its nothing personal
As a pub ...
Probably less interesting as a pub. The drinks are expensive and the choice isn't great. You really get the impression that they are mainly interested in food clients. A majority of the tables are laid out for food for instance. However, its not a bad place to meet someone after work. You could certainly do worse.
Food is consistently good and the menu changes every day.
Staff are friendly, always say hello and ask how you are (after seeing them a couple times).
Very relaxed atmosphere with great food at very reasonable prices with good sized servings, the Alma has got the Gastropub down pat.
The Alma is an enigma. The food is a hit and miss affair; I have eaten here on and off for the last year and find some nights it's great and other nights (usually busy ones) the portions small and the flavours lacking.
What lets the place down most is the staff. They are rude and quite often there is simply not enough of them. The Manager today just said to me "I'm going to have to move you". Hello? Where is the, "sorry, could I find you somewhere else to sit?" And this was at 6 in the evening, when they wanted to reserve the table for 7.30. Surely, they could have just said, we need to prepare this table, could we ask you to move for 5 minutes? Courtesy costs nothing!
In addition to this, they have a truly awful selection of draught beer (Guinness excepted).
The place could be great, but only with a serious shift in staff attitude and consistency in the food.
The Alma is a great place. I kept passing The Alma on my way home and didn't realise it had changed from the old boozer it used to be. But what a great change. Very chilled, really good food, and pleasant staff which makes a change. Sunday gets really packed so would suggest booking as they do a mean roast. You can also hire out one side of the bar for private parties. They have a cool sofa area and a really sweet garden at the back. Its definitely my local now.
The views contained in these user reviews are not endorsed by View in any way and are provided by users who wish to publish their independent views of the respective establishment.