When Chef Vedran Jordan was growing up in Bosnia, he remembers coming home from school and watching Julia Childs on television.

He was mesmerized by her passion and was inspired to learn how to cook, so he joined his mother and aunties in the kitchen often.

Together, they created traditional Balkan dishes and one by one, he fell in love with the flavors and recipes of his heritage. “I remember saying ‘Mom, I want to be a cook’!,” Chef Jordan shared. “She wanted me to do something like be a doctor, but I never listened to her and I just kept cooking.”

When he and his family moved to the United States, he saw how underrepresented the Balkan region was and he ultimately wanted to use his culinary skills to introduce people to the foods he grew up with. He started gaining experience at different restaurants like Langbaan, Bamboo Sushi,

Gado Gado, and Departure, but his biggest goal was to someday open something of his own.

In June 2025, his dream came true and Alma opened its doors to guests. Today, Chef Jordan is crafting Balkan dishes in a modern way – each infused with his own personality and passion for great food.

He said, “Our food is an amazing melting pot of flavors…it’s the only place where you’ll be able to taste Adriatic, Balkan, Mediterranean, and northern African foods in one place and have them all come together in a cohesive way.”

For culinary enthusiasts looking to try something new, Chef Jordan’s curated rotating tasting menu is served nightly, alongside the regular dining room menu. Happy hour is also offered every night and features special pricing on food and drinks, including a thoughtful beverage program that includes Balkan wines, cocktails, and Rakija.

For guests seeking a true culinary experience, the Alma+ Tuff Talk Rakija Dinner Series is not to be missed. This intimate, ticketed dinner is a multi-course Balkan meal celebrating regional home cooking with modern interpretations, thoughtfully paired with Rakija selections from Tuff Talk. Each course highlights bold, flavors – from braised rabbit and fresh seafood to seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and traditional techniques.

Guided pairings explore how Rakija complements the menu. This dinner series happens every last Sunday of the month and is open to diners over 21. Plan a special evening out and reserve your spot here.   

Alma is located at 5237 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and is open for dinner Thursday through Monday, 5-9pm. Reservations are recommended.