Escape Sydney for a taste of Mexico at the beachy bohemian ALMA restaurant.
After a morning at the beach, wander down Old Barrenjoey Road to find the whitewashed rustic ALMA spilling onto the street. Pull up at an outdoor table to catch some sun or take a seat on their breezy deck and get stuck right into their signature margaritas. The selection includes delicious and refreshing alternatives to the classic featuring Australian natives like Davidson plum and wattleseed, perfect to cool down on a warm summers’ day.
The menu is classic Mexican-style in that it’s designed to share and each dish leans towards traditional Mexican cuisine rather than mainstream Tex Mex. Not to miss is the truly authentic handmade Black Bean Tlacoyo ($14) served topped with black beans, cactus salad, pickled onion, salsa verde and pepitas. “The thick masa patties – are traditionally cooked on sidewalk grills in nearly every bustling city and coastal neighbourhoods of Mexico and look like little flattened footballs, puffing with steam,” tells ALMA’s Head Chef, Ricardo Minor.
The team has also created another variation of this pattie by frying it and letting it pop and puff out, then stuffing it with delicate butter poached prawns, serrano chilli & charred corn salsa, served with guachile ($14).
The menu at ALMA features a selection of sashimis if you’re keen for something light amongst the tacos with the standout being the tangy ‘Salmon and Pomegranate’ ($18).
It’s always hard to go past some chips and guac to accompany all of the dishes and this one doesn’t disappoint with a house made spice mix and pressed corn tacos ($14).
No meal could be complete without a selection of tacos (all $7) and here you can choose between spicy chicken pibil, decadent pork belly canita, classic tecate battered fish or tequila soaked agave jackfruit.
After something more substantial? Choose between eight larger sharing style dishes including the sous vide octopus escabeche with a tangy green ceviche sauce ($36), agave short ribs with pickles red onion ($39) or whole deboned snapper with banana leaf, achiote paste and guacachile ($34).
It’s safe to say you will be thoroughly full after all of these delectable dishes but if you do have room, there are a selection of desserts including a churros ice cream bowl filled with coconut ice cream and nuts ($18) which is most certainly worth making room for.
So next time you want to escape Sydney for a beach day followed by a refreshing and tasty lunch, head to Avalon to try the fresh flavours at ALMA.