<div class="tldr">Marisol Vargas started as executive chef at Alma Bistro in Midtown on June 10. Vargas brings over 20 years of kitchen experience to the restaurant.</div>\n\n<ul class="key-facts">\n <li>Marisol Vargas joined Alma Bistro June 10, 2024.</li>\n <li>Alma Bistro opened in Midtown in 2019.</li>\n <li>Vargas previously led kitchens at El Mercado and Casa Verde.</li>\n</ul>\n\nAlma Bistro has appointed Marisol Vargas as its new executive chef, effective June 10. The restaurant is located on East 46th Street in Manhattan’s Midtown neighborhood. Alma Bistro is known for its Spanish-influenced menu and contemporary atmosphere.\n\nVargas comes to Alma Bistro with more than two decades of culinary experience. She most recently served as executive chef at El Mercado, a Latin American restaurant in Brooklyn, from 2017 to 2023. Before that, Vargas held kitchen leadership roles at Casa Verde and Bar Sol.\n\nAlma Bistro’s owners say the decision to bring Vargas on board reflects a commitment to consistency and gradual evolution. They note that the menu will retain popular core items, with gradual additions reflecting Vargas’s expertise in Spanish and Latin American cuisine.\n\nThe Midtown restaurant has maintained steady traffic since its 2019 opening, serving office workers and local residents. Vargas’s appointment is the first major change to the kitchen since the restaurant’s launch.\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n<h2>Who is Marisol Vargas?</h2>\n<p>Marisol Vargas is a veteran chef with over 20 years of experience in New York City kitchens. She previously led El Mercado in Brooklyn and has worked at multiple Latin American and Spanish restaurants. Vargas is known for her approach to melding traditional and contemporary flavors.</p>\n<h2>What changes are expected at Alma Bistro under Vargas?</h2>\n<p>The owners state that Alma Bistro will keep its main menu items while slowly introducing new dishes inspired by Vargas’s background. No immediate major changes are planned. Vargas will focus on refining existing recipes and seasonal specials.</p>\n<h2>Where is Alma Bistro located and when did it open?</h2>\n<p>Alma Bistro is located at 217 East 46th Street, Midtown Manhattan. The restaurant opened in 2019 and serves Spanish-influenced cuisine to a mix of office workers and neighborhood residents.</p>