5/5 - Bodega Understood the Assignment…read more
We tried Bodega for dinner tonight, and this recommendation was an absolute WIN. From the cocktails to the small plates to dessert, this was one of those dinners where we just kept ordering things...and somehow they kept hitting.
We started with drinks, and my dinner date ordered the Rum Old Fashioned--absolutely amazing. Smooth, well-balanced, and exactly the kind of cocktail you sip slowly because you actually want to enjoy it.
I had the Orchard Sangria, and it was delicious! Light, fruity, refreshing, and not overly sweet. The fresh fruit made it even better, and it was one of those drinks that goes down very easily. I would absolutely order it again.
Then we started working our way through the food, and this is where Bodega really shines. The concept is perfect for sharing, ordering a few different things, and letting the table slowly fill up with dishes. Everything was beautifully presented, and there were so many different flavors and textures happening that dinner felt like an experience rather than just a meal.
The potatoes were perfectly crispy and seasoned, and the Peruvian chicken with pita was another standout. But that creamy crab dip with the toasted bread! Dangerous. The kind of dish where everyone keeps saying they're done and then somehow another piece of bread ends up in the dip.
The lamb meatballs were beautifully presented and packed with flavor, with the sauces bringing everything together. Overall, there wasn't a dish on the table that felt like an afterthought.
But apparently we decided we needed to finish STRONG.
I ordered the Crème Brûlée Espressotini, and whoever decided crème brûlée and espresso martini belonged together deserves recognition. Rich, creamy, coffee-forward and indulgent without being too much--it was basically dessert in a cocktail glass.
And then came the **brown butter pecan & pear pie! **
Rich, buttery, nutty, slightly gooey, and served with cream and that drizzle of sweetness around the plate--the pear kept it from becoming overly heavy, and the brown butter and pecan flavors were everything. I would absolutely order it again.
Bodega gave us great cocktails, flavorful shareable dishes, beautiful presentation, and an ending that might have been the best part of the entire meal.
This is definitely a place I'd come back to because there are still things on the menu I need to try.
5 stars. Get the Orchard Sangria, share a few plates, and whatever you do, save room for that pie and a Crème Brûlée Espressotini.
10/10 would recommend.