Alma reopens in north Scottsdale as Southwest steakhouse

Alma has a new home. Chef Sheila Bryson’s Southwest restaurant, which closed its Old Town Scottsdale location earlier this year, has reopened in the former Preston’s Steakhouse space at The Citadel in north Scottsdale.

It’s located right next door to Bryson’s Little Snitch café on the northwest corner of Pima and Pinnacle Peak roads.

This is more than a relocation. Bryson has rebuilt Alma as a Southwest steakhouse drawing on Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico, and she promises it won’t feel stuffy: a taco and a few small plates are fair game.

Upstairs, Copper Club is a rooftop lounge with live music. There’s also a tequila and mezcal tasting bar, and Barbwire Western Couture, the boutique Bryson ran years ago, is back with boots, hats and jewelry.

What’s on the menu

Steaks are grilled over live mesquite, led by a Prescott-raised Copper State Reserve tenderloin ($58 for 6 ounces) and a 22-ounce prime bone-in ribeye ($98).

Groups can share the Ranch Table’s 40-ounce porterhouse ($198, pictured) or Cowboy Mixed Grill ($98), both served with ranch beans, esquites, and warm tortillas.

Start with the gluten-free Breads of the Southwest: chorizo cheddar biscuit, blue cornbread madeleine, and pumpkin scone.

From the bar

$19 Outlaw Old Fashioneds include the Billy the Kid, made with jalapeño-bacon-infused Buffalo Trace, and each $21 margarita comes with a “sidekick” snack.

Bryson’s own pick is the Barbwire Baddie: Tanqueray 10, jalapeño white wine, peach liqueur, and blue-cheese olives.

Hours

3-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 3-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.