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Alma has just opened its doors in Junglinster! A warm and modern family-friendly place to discover Portuguese gastronomy, from north to south, bringing you a taste of holidays. Fasten your seatbelts.
João Ramos, a trained chef, is not a first-time restaurant owner. Together with his partners, he has opened Chiggeri, Emilona and the Hyde food truck. But this is the first time that this Portuguese chef, originally from the Aveiro region, has opened a restaurant that honours the cuisine of his native country. “A few years ago, I received a book full of family recipes written by my father, and I wanted to honour my roots, our culinary traditions, by opening Alma, a restaurant that resembles me.” On this project, he is working with his wife, Sandra Totaro, and they also partnered with Tania Mendes and Carlos Cruz, each bringing their expertise in finance and communication. “I like working with my friends, to enjoy being together and to experience a great adventure,” João says with a smile.
“Alma”, which means “soul” in Portuguese, aims to be a warm and cosy place for family and friends to spend a pleasant moment while enjoying dishes from all over Portugal. “We highlight all the regions, from the north to the south, for a real journey”, explains Chef Ramos.
The dishes served by the chef aim to be simple in order to rediscover the traditional aromas and flavours of Portugal, but are nevertheless well prepared and beautifully presented. Fish soup, octopus carpaccio, shrimps with garlic for starters, of course bacalhau or pork “alentejana” style and conclude with a succulent pastry from Tentúgal. All in all, it’s sure to make you drool with happiness!
The interior design is also an invitation to travel. Warm tones with a terracotta interior and touches of pale green for a natural feel. The chandeliers hanging over the wooden tables combine modernity and intimacy and the superb photos on the walls will transport you to a beach in Comporta. Comfortably installed in this setting, all you have to do is let yourself be guided by the staff, most of whom are of Portuguese origin, to discover the various typical dishes. You can even taste 100% local drinks, with a nice selection of wines and beers, but also gins, liqueurs and digestives from Portugal. “Let yourself be tempted by a Ginjinha liqueur, based on morello cherries, which is famous in Lisbon,” suggests Chef Ramos.
Boa viagem !
More information: www.restaurantalma.lu
Pictures: Carlos Cruz for Alma