AlMar, Dumbo’s Not-So-Secret Italian Restaurant

Though not a secret for Dumbo locals, AlMar has been quietly serving great Italian food since the summer (July/Aug 2011). The owners of AlMar acquired the restaurant space, formerly Dumbo General Store, owned by Anna Castellani, and have been working hard to tailor a menu that customers have grown to love (including us). A few of our favorites include braised boneless beef short rib (moist and melts in your mouth), linguine with mussels, clams, shrimp & cherry tomato (or with lobster when they have it), spinach fettuccine alla bolognese (the meat sauce is full of rich flavors), or any of the roasted fish dishes.

All Photos by Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com)

But don’t take our word for it. We asked a few diners there for their favorite dishes. Here’s what they had to say:

  • “My favorite dish…it HAS to be Alfredo’s MEATBALLS !! I don’t know what to say except that when I walk into AlMar, I always have to start my meal with an order of the famous meatballs. They are absolutely delicious.”
  • “I love the short ribs and polenta. And their crostinis are delicious – one of them has a buffalo ricotta that is out of this world.”
  • “I had the duck with cranberry and wine reduction sauce and pureed yams – with a fabulous rosé. Very tasty!”

The name AlMar is derived from a combination of the two owner’s names, Alfredo and Marcello. They come from Noodle Pudding in Brooklyn Heights and were very familiar with the area and had many fans before they moved to Dumbo. We spoke with Marcello:

How did Almar get started?

We had talked about opening up a restaurant for years. Unfortunately, the first opportunity that came up wasn’t successful so when we heard about the space in Dumbo we wanted to make sure we didn’t lose it. From then on we’ve just been working to make AlMar a place where customers feel at home and a place they can come to unwind after a hard day at work or bring their families for brunch on the weekend. After coming up with lots of different names, we finally agreed on just putting our two names together: Alfredo and Marcello. It seems a bit silly, but somehow it just really fits.. a labor of love for the both of us.

How would you describe your cuisine?

It’s definitely straight forward Italian food. We felt Dumbo didn’t really have a place that embodied the idea of fresh ingredients, comfortable environment, and just good solid food.

Now that you’ve taken over the space for several months, how have customers reacted to your food?

For the most part the reactions have been extremely positive. We have people say, “I hope you guys don’t leave” and “Dumbo really needed a place like this.” And of course those comments mean a great deal to us.

What do you like about Dumbo?

The locals by far. This neighborhood is filled with wonderful people who work hard and enjoy spending time with their family and friends.

AlMar also provides a full catering service to businesses and homes in the area and their dining area can be rented for events. Check it out and tell Marcello DumboNYC sent you!

All Photos by Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

Hours:
Mon-Thu 8:00am-10:30pm
Fri 8:00am-11:00pm
Sat 9:00am-11:00pm
Sun 10:00am-5:00pm

AlMar (almardumbo.com)
111 Front Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
Tel: 718-855-5288
Email: almardumbo@gmail.com

 

 

13 Comment

  • Very surprised last night when my boyfriend and I tried to have dinner at Almar after Dumbo Arts Festival. We are an interracial couple and the hostess told us we would have to wait 2 hours before we could be seated. We were shocked as the place was half empty. She told us she had not been able to clean all the empty tables yet. Then two Asian girls asked to be seated and my boyfriend heard the hostess tell them it would be 20mins. I asked the Asian girls to confirm and yes they were only given a 20min wait time. I confronted the hostess who started to lose her words as she could not come up with a valid excuse, then I asked to see Mr. Almar himself who basically told us to deal with it. I guess the hostess was following his direction. Don’t seat blacks! For the first time I now know what Josephine Baker felt like when she tried to eat in a NY restaurant that didn’t serve blacks.

  • Very surprised last night when my boyfriend and I tried to have dinner at Almar after Dumbo Arts Festival. We are an interracial couple and the hostess told us we would have to wait 2 hours before we could be seated. We were shocked as the place was half empty. She told us she had not been able to clean all the empty tables yet. Then two Asian girls asked to be seated and my boyfriend heard the hostess tell them it would be 20mins. I asked the Asian girls to confirm and yes they were only given a 20min wait time. I confronted the hostess who started to lose her words as she could not come up with a valid excuse, then I asked to see Mr. Almar himself who basically told us to deal with it. I guess the hostess was following his direction. Don’t seat blacks! For the first time I now know what Josephine Baker felt like when she tried to eat in a NY restaurant that didn’t serve blacks.

  • I don’t post often- once a year perhaps- but I had to respond to “N Sinclair”- whomever she or he might be, assuming such a person actually exists.

    Absurd, ridiculous accusation. Show your face. Did you make a complaint with NYC Human Rights Commission?

    I have eaten at Almar perhaps 6-8 times. Black, white, green, polka dot, diverse clientele, who all get served. Absurd to believe that when they were “half-empty” they would turn away business. Nice people run it and work there. There is no “Mr Almar” and neither owner would act that way.

    The problem with a post like this is someone might actually believe it. Look what happened when a couple of losers spread rumors the Presiden’t Hawaiian birth certificate was not authentic. Are you a competitor, someone who didn’t like they way they were treated at Almar once, a mean spirited person playing some kind of mind fuck, or just some kind of psycho?

    And “Josephine Baker”- such high drama added to the bullshit story! Go away and don’t lie.

  • I don’t post often- once a year perhaps- but I had to respond to “N Sinclair”- whomever she or he might be, assuming such a person actually exists.

    Absurd, ridiculous accusation. Show your face. Did you make a complaint with NYC Human Rights Commission?

    I have eaten at Almar perhaps 6-8 times. Black, white, green, polka dot, diverse clientele, who all get served. Absurd to believe that when they were “half-empty” they would turn away business. Nice people run it and work there. There is no “Mr Almar” and neither owner would act that way.

    The problem with a post like this is someone might actually believe it. Look what happened when a couple of losers spread rumors the Presiden’t Hawaiian birth certificate was not authentic. Are you a competitor, someone who didn’t like they way they were treated at Almar once, a mean spirited person playing some kind of mind fuck, or just some kind of psycho?

    And “Josephine Baker”- such high drama added to the bullshit story! Go away and don’t lie.

  • Umm.. I live a block away from Almar.. and i walk by there day and night and see all kinds of ppl eating there.. soooo i dunnoo.. i dunnooo… first I hear of this esp IN DUMBO where everyone always enjoys spending time here..

  • Umm.. I live a block away from Almar.. and i walk by there day and night and see all kinds of ppl eating there.. soooo i dunnoo.. i dunnooo… first I hear of this esp IN DUMBO where everyone always enjoys spending time here..

  • I want to second “old timer.” Almar is a terrific place, owned by very nice people, who would never countenance the sort of run-around described by “N.Sinclair.”

  • I want to second “old timer.” Almar is a terrific place, owned by very nice people, who would never countenance the sort of run-around described by “N.Sinclair.”

  • I arrived at ALMAR just after N.Sinclair that night and was told firsthand of this situation she describes. The restaurant was packed all day/evening. Folks were making reservations and walking away to come back later. When N.Sinclair arrived, there was a 2 hr wait. Suddenly, several tables finished/left at the same time. The folks on the list didn’t return. The 2hr wait list/tables available had to quickly be re-shuffled. It was unfortunate timing for N.Sinclair who would have been seated next, had she understood how busy restaurants work. Sorry she had to verbally berate the hostess and pull the race card. Sorry she had to miss out on a fabulous meal. ALMAR is owned and operated by wonderful people who have a diverse crew and clientele.

  • I arrived at ALMAR just after N.Sinclair that night and was told firsthand of this situation she describes. The restaurant was packed all day/evening. Folks were making reservations and walking away to come back later. When N.Sinclair arrived, there was a 2 hr wait. Suddenly, several tables finished/left at the same time. The folks on the list didn’t return. The 2hr wait list/tables available had to quickly be re-shuffled. It was unfortunate timing for N.Sinclair who would have been seated next, had she understood how busy restaurants work. Sorry she had to verbally berate the hostess and pull the race card. Sorry she had to miss out on a fabulous meal. ALMAR is owned and operated by wonderful people who have a diverse crew and clientele.

  • No way those guys deserve this garbage. Both owners are great guys. Period. N. Sinclair, you need to be much more judicious with your interpretation of situations. This kind of accusation is extremely serious and threatens the livelihood of two very decent and kind hearted people.

  • No way those guys deserve this garbage. Both owners are great guys. Period. N. Sinclair, you need to be much more judicious with your interpretation of situations. This kind of accusation is extremely serious and threatens the livelihood of two very decent and kind hearted people.

  • I stumbled upon Al Mar after I had been looking at property in Brooklyn Heights. Al mar was close to the garage where I was parked and being hungry we walked in. I have eaten there twice and simple LOVE the way the Branzino is prepared! The fish is cooked whole and is excellent! The beet and goat cheese salad is delicious too – as is the pasta. One time I was seated right away the other – last week – I had a longish wait which was a little annoying. But the food was well worth it! More power to this little restaurant as the food is amazing!!
    sincerely
    Meera Gandhi