I don't think a single restaurant in the city has come more recommended by friends than the dimly lit tapas spot, Alta. It's a popular spot that has earned it's reputation as a reliable and delicious food destination, fortunately that popularity doesn't result in absolutely impossible reservations. But reservations you should make. We were able to get a table for six a week in advance but many people were waiting?in the bar who hadn't booked a table.
The space is dark, and since I don't really like the word sexy to describe a restaurant, let's just go with sultry?with tall ceilings, lots of wood and iron, and a romantic upper level balcony. The staff is friendly, the food is superb and all together this was one near perfect nice night out dining experience.
Everything on the menu looked good so we were really tempted to order the whole menu (which you can get for $350), but I've read you need at least seven people for that if not ten, so we each just chose our top two items and shared.
I'll just give you a run down of the dishes we ordered : Bacon Wrapped Dates & Olives, Fried Goat Cheese with lavender infused honey, Smoked Eggplant And Lebne Dip, Spinach Salad, Crispy Brussels Sprouts (the best!!!), Avocado Relleno, Caramelized Cauliflower, Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Carpaccio Of Beef, Terrine of Foie Gras, Danish Pork Ribs, Grilled Skewer of Yogurt Marinated Lamb. Phew, plus the table had two bottles of wine, I had a lavender, Kool Aid tasting cocktail, and Jim had a Chimay.
Everything, and I mean everything we had was great. The only item not everyone could agree on was the foie gras that came on what looked like it would be a crispy potato cradle, but was soft apple and in a couple of my friends opinions, gross. I actually liked it.
Oh, and dessert: Chocolate Fondue and Brown Butter Crepes with Bananas.
Just listing all the food we ate is enough, because you can just imagine it was as good as it sounds. And the brussel sprouts, when you go you must order the brussel sprouts – even Jim, who hates his greens was smiling and went back to the bowl for seconds. (the moment, as you can see was even captured on film).
But what do you think?