Located in downtown Corvallis along the riverfront, Del Alma offers contemporary Latin Fusion and American cuisine fusing flavors from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. While they draw from sophisticated global cuisines, they primarily use northwest and locally sourced ingredients. Talk about thinking globally but eating locally!
We chose to highlight Del Alma since we often recommend it to our guests due to the delicious food, riverfront location, and gracious service. They may have the best burger in town if you prefer to keep it casual, but their elegant large plates and tapas suit a special occasion, business dinner, date night, or evening out with friends.
According to their website, the name “del Alma means “of the soul.” Owners Carolyn Krueger and Kinn Edward, as well as Chef Jeffrey Kimura, put their hearts and souls into it. We feel privileged that Carolyn took the time to chat with us about the inspiration behind Del Alma.
A Spacious Yet Welcoming Atmosphere
The team at Del Alma aims to provide a “warm and inviting and comfortable atmosphere.” Carolyn explained, “It’s one of those places where you can come in, and it can be casual. But it is also a great place for a special occasion dinner or a business dinner. “
On a sunny day, you can sit at an outside table facing the Riverfront park and multi-use trail. You will have a view of the Willamette River and of people enjoying the multi-use bicycle, jogging, and walking path. If you choose to sit inside, you may be able to choose between the cozy bar area and the more spacious dining room.
Around the corner, Del Alma also has a wine and dessert bar where you can enjoy the same menu items. According to Carolyn, the wine bar has a “little bit more of a casual vibe.” It may be a good option to grab drinks and appetizers with friends or for a more relaxed date night. The wine bar doesn’t take reservations, so your wait may vary.
Del Alma’s Cuisine: “Experience the Vibrant Flavors of Del Alma Restaurant”
“We just wanted to have some really interesting flavors and a lot of vibrant flavors. Just a little bit of spice but not too spicy,” Carolyn explained.
Co-owner Kinn brings years of bar and restaurant experience so the extensive menu of hand-crafted cocktails isn’t surprising. If you know the Willamette Valley, you may know that wine culture is strong here. In keeping with Del Alma’s cuisine, they offer an extensive wine list offering both “old world” and “new world” wines. As Carolyn explained, “We have focused more on Spanish wines and also wines from Latin America”
However, they also sell regionally and locally produced wines. She said, “We also definitely have a good range of local wines including Oregon Pinot. We’re focused on having wines that pair well with food. So they’re very food friendly wines!“
We like to mention a few of the popular dishes as described by Del Alma. We think this information can help you anticipate the kind of food you can expect, just keep in mind there may be seasonal specials or changes in the menu. In case you are curious, some of Del Alma’s popular menu items include:
- Tequila Prawns: These Prawns are sautéed with wild mushrooms, sweet corn, tomatoes, and blackening spice, served with fresh corn tortillas, jalapeño, radish, and cilantro
- Grilled 8 oz. Filet Mignon: Del Alma describes it as Adobo “rubbed and served with Rogue “smokey blue” butter, shiitake mushroom roasted garlic jus, whipped Yukon gold potatoes, and sautéed braising greens.”
- Prawns in Crema: These sautéed prawns are served with Dungeness crab potato taquitos, broccoli, cherry tomato pico de gallo, sweet potato, sweet pea greens, and a crab-scented cream sauce.
- Bacon Guacamole: Start your meal off with fresh guacamole with house-cured bacon, chipotles, hazelnuts, and fresh chips.
If you want a more curated experience, consider opting for their midweek 3-course dinner on Wednesday nights. Since things do change, we encourage you to reach out to Del Alma to check before making a special trip if you are specifically interested in the set meals.
Accommodating Dietary Needs
We understand the challenges of taking care of yourself when traveling. For people with specialized dietary needs, allergies, or even preferences eating out can feel a little like rolling the dice. We asked Carolyn to share her insights into the needs they can easily accommodate.
Whether you are a vegetarian, have gluten sensitivities, or are eating low carb, we encourage you to ask your server about any potentially problematic ingredients or even ask about substitutions.
In Carolyn’s own words, “Most of our menu is already pretty much gluten free. And almost all of the dishes can be prepared gluten free with the exception of maybe with, with the exception of a couple of items.”
“We do have items that can be also prepared dairy free as well, we do have some vegetarian options, both among the tacos and entrees.”
“I think we do a pretty good job accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies, because certainly there are so many people that have different needs. We strive to accommodate people the best we can,” Carolyn said.
Choosing Your Own Experience While Visiting Corvallis
When looking for a place to stay, the easiest option may be to use a booking platform like VRBO or Airbnb. As an Airbnb Superhost and VRBO Premium Host, Alexandra Eder delivers a high-quality guest experience consistently. In addition, she is a licensed property manager, a long-time Corvallis community member, and a seasoned world traveler.
By booking directly through Fernwood Circle Guest Houses, you receive a personalized guest experience and save money on third-party platform booking fees. This also gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have about the community, including specific restaurants or activities you may enjoy.
If you are planning a visit to Corvallis or to the greater Willamette Valley, be sure to check Fernwood Circle Guest Houses for available short stay or extended stay accommodation.
