Alma Fonda Fina (*, Denver)

I’ve seen a few posts/comments about Alma Fonda Fina on before, ranging from ‘amazing’ to ‘amazingly overrated.’

I am a lifelong mexican cuisine addict, so with a free day in Denver, it was a no brainer for me. I will note that getting a reservation was pretty difficult. I only had a party of two, tried to book like a month in advance and there was no availability all week. Kept trying over the next two weeks, joined the waitlist, no luck. On my layover two days before, I checked again on a whim and managed to get a 4:30 slot at the chef’s counter. Must have been a cancellation, but I never got an email or anything even though I should have been on the waitlist?

Hospitality wise, everything was exceptional. All of the staff was friendly, engaging, helpful, and overall made the entire experience special. Would highly highly recommend sitting at the counter if you go with a small group (1-2).

There is no tasting menu, their dishes are meant to be shared and are grouped in categories – they recommend you get one from each. We did not do that exactly, but came close.

Pics:
1 – We got there in time for happy hour, so we started with Sikil Pak (a pepita-based spread) and classic margaritas. Both good, honestly the standout was the tortilla chips lol we watched them go into the fryer so they were fresh and warm and great

2 – Enmoladas de Pollo; the mole was rich and flavorful, and the chicken tender and flavorful. Really enjoyed it because I love this type of food, but it didn’t feel very unique or creative in any way, just a well executed classic

3 – Pineapple Sour; up there with the best cocktails I’ve ever had. Utterly perfect, with a heat from habanero that lingered very pleasantly

4 – Chef’s recommendation mezcal; Bozal Iberico. I love mezcal, and this was a great recommendation, I loved it

5 – Birria de Borrego; okay let me tell you: I never ever would have guessed lamb could be this good. The most tender, deliciously rich, fatty piece of lamb I’ve ever had by a wide margin, served with some excellent accompaniments in a spicy guacamole and nice white corn puree. They gave us their standard corn tortillas and sourdough flour tortillas (I could have eaten ten of those on their own)

6 – The famed agave-roasted sweet potato; I would say it was worthy of its hype. I like my dessert not too sweet, so I quite enjoyed the complexity of the flavor, and how it was complimented by a nice cool cream.

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience and I would go back if I am in the area again. Just don’t go in expecting wild creativity or groundbreaking flavor profiles. It’s good quality food, executed at a high level by a staff that seriously knows what they’re doing.