Alma de Cuba has always been a firm favourite with Liverpool’s foodies.
Some were shocked when it was recently taken over by Signature Living but no expense has been spared in the decor of the stunning former church.
Once the home of St Peter’s Catholic Church, Alma de Cuba remains the perfect location for a big night out, with leather-clad booths adorning the altar area.
The dining area overlooks the entire bar space and those lucky enough to choose a seat near the balcony can see all the thrills of the dancefloor without leaving their table.
One of the well-thought out choices by the team at Alma de Cuba is their Prosecco offerings, which was both light and highly drinkable.
Starters are also a huge positive with the Sweet Potato and Chorizo Croquettas refusing to disappoint in both their size and cooking.
It is common that chorizo can overpower an entire dish but it blended perfectly to provide a slight kick without ruining the taste of sweet potato. A definite winner.
My dining partner ordered the Pulled Pork Tostada served with a citrus salsa.
The pulled pork was cooked to perfection and perfectly seasoned with a slight kick to it that was also welcomed. The tostadas were delicious, crispy and gave the whole dish an very fancy nacho-style feel to it.
For a main course, the Hanging Chicken dish was served perfectly with two succulent looking skewers hanging above a plate of either rice or Yam fries.
The chicken was seasoned to perfection and cooked so that it was still juicy and succulent while it was colourfully adorned with peppers and red onions.
Ordering chicken when eating out can often be overcooked but it was definitely not the case this time around and well worth a repeat offering.
My dining partner ordered the Argentinian Sirloin Steak, which refreshingly did not come with the traditional sides that most have come to expect.
Instead they came with Yam fries, a sweetcorn fritter and Chipotle butter. The steak itself was cooked very well and obviously was of a very high standard.
The meat itself was succulent and easy to eat with the fries complimenting the dish incredibly well but the overall favourite had to be the fitter.
It is not something you would anticipate pairing with a steak but works wonderfully.
Due to the genuinely huge portion sizes, a break is definitely needed before viewing the dessert menu but the Key Lime Pie is an undoubted winner.
The lime was sharp and contrasted well with the sweetness of the meringue, which did not take much away from the strength for those that prefer a sour pudding.
An accompanying sorbet clearly made fresh in the kitchen was absolutely delicious.
My dining partner opted for the Dulche de Leche and Cocoa tart which came served with whipped cream and coffee ice cream.
This was served very well with a very healthy amount of Dulche de Leche included. Rarely is it seen on a menu anywhere but was very much welcomed.
It’s very clear that Alma De Cuba have really thought about their menu and ensured that the tastedbuds of their diners are left satisfied.
It is refreshing to see alternative sides and a team that clearly think outside the box in the kitchen while offering a similarly high standard of waiting staff.
Many restaurants can be accused of playing it safe and as much as traditional dishes have their place, there is something nice about being introduced to a flavour combination you never normally would have considered.
Alma De Cuba has been a firm stable of the Liverpool restaurant scene for several years and its newest owners will see it through many, many more.