Anima Cucina - Bismarck

One of our favorite places to eat in Bismarck when we visit! Excellent coffee drinks, brunch menu on weekends, and lunch sandwiches. They have booths and tables. I wish we lived closer.

We loved the casual but classy environment of Anima. We went for brunch on Saturday and it was counter service and self seating. The food was delicious with the favorites being the adult mac and cheese and the muffaletta. I appreciated the wide wine selection that allowed for 3oz pours so you could try a few.

One of our favorite places to go anytime we come through Bismarck. Great choice of authentic charcuterie and cheese boards, plus nice selection of pastas.

I’ve been here several times and would rate it a little higher based off of those visits but honestly the food is normally just a little above average. The environment/ambiance is a solid 4 stars. Normally the service is decent/good. Pricing is a little high for what it is at dinner time but not beyond reasonable. It’s going during lunch that killed it for me. The place was nearly empty and I can definitely see why. While (unlike many restaurants) the prices and portion sizes don’t allow for any lunch pricing, this would be acceptable if you received the same quality and service at lunch time. First, nobody there to seat you, you go up to the counter and order for yourself and find a seat for yourself and take a number to your table like fast food. I’m not too important to order at a counter or seat myself so it’s ok, but it’s the beginning of the lower customer service experience for which you’re still paying dinner time prices. You pay in advance, and they leave space for a tip just like when you’re receiving service which of course I’m going to tip. I’ve been here before. Once I get to my table the service will surely warrant it I’ve been here before. Carry my (dirty) can of Diet Coke to the table (at the same price as a fountain drink with no glass or ice or anything). The food (I ordered the walleye which I’ve had before and was actually quite good in the past) comes in a reasonable time, but is nowhere near the standard they normally adhere to. The fish is flavorless other than the very distinct burnt flavor. It’s dry and chewy and in general just gross. The food is plopped down on the table while the person gestures vaguely in the direction of the back of the dining room and says, “the silverware and napkins and water (a room temperature container) are over there”. And then resumes post standing around talking to some friends at the counter area. Nothing overtly rude, just a general, I don’t care that you’re spending quite a bit more for lunch here than you could most places and not really getting anything better than McDonald’s service (and to be honest, on this occasion at least less than McDonald’s food). In the end I wasn’t sure what to do with my dishes, due to the lack of service in every other phase of the visit, but there weren’t any other customers to watch to see what to do and they didn’t really say. I decided that since I had tipped in advance about 25% of my bill as I usually do, I’d leave my dishes (neatly) at the table. Long story short I wouldn’t tell anyone not to go at dinner time, it is a better experience then, but don’t blow your cash at lunch. There are several options in very short walking distance and all of them provide a far better service experience, better quality, and a far better value for your money.

Everybody has been so kind. I had a Chocolate croissant French wine. Coffee is made with love!