Bodega Malbec
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Lovely dineLA dinner at Bodega Malbec. The dineLA menu is definitely great bang for the buck! My steak was delicious, perfectly cooked at medium rare, while my dining companion's may have been a bit overcooked. But best of all was the service, very friendly and attentive. The ambiance is cheeful and fun and thankfully, not too loud for conversation. This neighborhood bistro would be on a regular rotation if I lived nearby. Street parking.
Continuing my foodie tour of the Burbank/Toluca Lake area, I stopped in at Bodega Malbec for happy hour and the spot did not disappoint! The food was excellent, the service impeccable, and the ambience was a whole vibe. We drank and dined on the patio and it was a great spot for people watching. I definitely saw "that one guy in that show" and that "one girl from that commercial". Next time I will try the inside of the restaurant but the patio is where it's at!
We stopped by Bodega Malbec for our 1-year anniversary celebration, and honestly, the experience was delicious overall! The empanadas were definitely the highlight -- the chicken and beef flavors tasted really good. I also tried the potato filling with asparagus and ham, and it was packed with flavor. Everything tasted fresh, savory, and satisfying. And the chimichurri sauce? So delicious! Especially when dipping and mixing it with the empanadas -- it added so much flavor and made everything even better. My partner ordered the steak and said it was tasty, but a little too oily for his preference. The same with the grilled vegetables -- they were literally soaking in oil on the plate. That was probably the only downside for us. The service was friendly and attentive, and the ambience made it feel cozy and perfect for a date night or special occasion. We still left full and happy and enjoyed celebrating our anniversary there.
I had the pleasure of dining here with my Argentinian friend a while ago. It was during a DineLA week. It was the best afternoon we had! The ambience was very jovial yet elegant, I felt like it should become my Argentinian getaway! We chose the special options offered and they were well thought out. I opted for the branzino lunch including a starter of an empanada, a side of rice and broccoli My friend opted for the steak with a caper sauce and with same sides. They were gracious enough to let me take my friend's empanada to go. The food was excellent as were their wine selections, my white wine was crisp, it paired nicely with the meal. My friend's Malbec was perfect with the beef. As we lingered, our server offered to "top off" our wines, I was blown away by this gesture, it alone should garner great acclaim! The dessert was excellent! I thank them for this gem!
I've been to Bodega Malbec twice before and they seem to always change in the most artistic way. This time the main dining area is brighter and very welcoming. There's also a back room as well. We were greeting and sat immediately. The waiter was friendly and took our drink orders. He not only had the main area but also tables in the back room. So they might have not planned on it being busy for Mother's Day. BUT it was a busy Sunday so the place was packed and it was fun to people watch. You can also sit at the bar for food & drink service as well. The food did come out a little staggered as chicken and fish were faster to cook than beef. The only thing that really took forever was a kid's portion of spaghetti we ordered. It came out last. It may have been because we were there on Mother's Day and the kitchen was busy with other orders. We ordered a dessert as a birthday surprise for one of our friends and that was fun. It came with a candle and we sang happy birthday. Very good spot for Argentinian cuisine. I suggest ordering an appetizer or two and a cocktail to tide you over if you go on a holiday.
TL;DR: Awesome food. Tomahawk steak was perfect and the paella was one of the best we've ever had. Bodega Malbec was the place for us. The tomahawk steak was next-level--juicy, tender, and honestly the best we've ever had. It was one of those "close your eyes and savor every bite" kind of moments. And the paella? So good. Packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and the kind of dish that you enjoy until the last bite. Friend had the lamb chops and they were really tender and. It gamey at all. Tender and not too chewy with fat or anything. Between the food, the vibe, and the way everything came together, I'd highly recommend this place.
Overall, this place was pretty average. Nothing really wowed me, though one of the employees--Augustino, I think?--stood out for being especially sweet. Our server was fine, but once our mains arrived, he never really checked on us again. The space itself was clean, though I wasn't a fan of how close the two-top tables were to each other. The biggest downfall of the meal was my steak. I ordered it medium-well, but it came out very undercooked--rare enough that it was bleeding when I cut into the middle. Since our server didn't come back to check on us, I didn't get the chance to ask him to have it cooked a little more and I ended up just eating the edges. On the plus side, the apps were good, they also give you good complimentary bread. Dessert, on the other hand, wasn't memorable and honestly not worth the calories. With so many great restaurants on Riverside, I'd probably try a new spot before coming back here. I think this place has potential, but unfortunately, my experience just didn't leave me wanting to return. I gave 3 stars because it wasn't a horrible experience, but I also left a little disappointed.
Managed to stop by summer 2025 to try the DineLA $55 pp, 3 course Dinner Menu. The whole table did not have to participate so could have both DineLA and/or order off the menu. Cebiche de Pescado Aji Amarillo - Appetizer - Now that I have tried Peruvian ceviche on four occasions at different restaurants... I'm a bit convinced that Peruvian ceviche is just typically more sour so brace urselves. The fish does taste fresh. I do, however, like the burrata appetizer most from just a few bites. The cheese was very milky and soft~ Vacio Argentino - Entree - 10oz Argentinean beef flap meat steak, wet aged 45 days. Got it medium well and the meat was tender but had a good bite since it was flap meat. It's lightly salted and served with a chimichurri-like dip; so it could get a little plain but the fries were crispy and salty to help. Nonetheless, based on past reviews and pictures that this item had been served with three different sauces... I think having some more sauce and salsa would have enhanced this dish so somewhat disappointed that the entree stopped included them. Peras al Malbec Zcon Helado de Vanilla - dessert - Pear roasted in Malbec wine with vanilla bean ice cream. It was decent but I would not order this again. The pear was quite tough to cut through and I don't taste the fruit as much... I guess I prefer other ways to cook pear. The second dessert option, which was a puff pastry with quince jam and sweet potatos, was more delicious in comparison. The vanilla ice cream were the same in both dishes and quite good. But pretty melted by the time we got it. Having only tired the DineLA items, I'd have to say the food overall were good quality and alright portions. But it's not so delicious for me that I'd get any of the items I tried again in a separate setting. This is said with consideration of the cost as well. I'd get something different on a reg visit if I end up here again. On top of that, parking is limited. Likely have to find street parking during meal hours.
Just an update to an already positive review I did but now as to the "new" version of Malbec in that the restaurant was sold to new owners, is decidedly more hip and happening, but still serves some of the best Argentinian food in the city... Loved the bread and perfect chimichuri (they should bottle it!), quality Malbec wine, and tasty ribeye steak. The avocado and onion salad was fine but a tad small. All in all this remains a great call for dinner and for date nights!
Liked this more than Lala's. The steak was a bit more tender. Over salted sides but still good. Need to bring out more chimichurri but really good overall.
This is a cute little date night spot. Dimmed lights and cute decor. Parking is tricky..either you get lucky with street parking or good luck getting a spot in the back. It's nestled in between a bar and restaurant in beautiful Toluca Lake and the place can be easily missed. I made reservations but upon getting there, I don't think they were necessary as they weren't busy for a (dinner) night out. The service was okay. The sever wasn't really attentive but the busser was. Now he was way more helpful than our server and nicer. Came here for Dine-LA. I love Dine-LA as it gives us the opportunity to try things (more or less) on a "budget" and it helps you decide whether the restaurant is worth coming back for. You can't go wrong with an appetizer, entree and dessert, right? Especially if restaurants are choosing their top dishes and putting them on their menu. so let's get started... We started with their cebiche (yes, I spelled it correctly haha) which was tasty. If I were to come back I would order this again. 10/10 Their Vacio Argentino is a 10 ounce beef flap meat. It was pretty chewy but taste was there. 8/10. *not sure if this is on their menu* Their chimichurri was a 10/10! Im super picky with chimichurri, since I have Argentinian relatives who make this on the daily..so this says a lot. The Gazpacho tasted like a shrimp cocktail. I've had this before, elsewhere and it just didn't meet my expectations as to what I've had before. 4/10 Now the most disappointing part and the part I think we allll look forward to at the end of a meal...dessert. We had the option between Pannacotta and Pears. Out of their 7 desserts on their menu, unfortunately not one was an option. The Pannacotta was tough and not soft or creamy but their chutney was delicious. Wish they had put a little bit more of that. 6/10 All in all i think I'd come back for the cebiche, glass of wine and try their beef empanadas. It's a nice little spot to chat it up with friends over some drinks.
Came for lunch for their DineLA menu for 35 dollars. I was seated right away. I had the short rib empanada, branzino, and flan. The short rib empanada was the best bite I had. It was warm and flavorful with the most tender slow cooked short rib. The branzino was perfectly cooked and flakey. I thought it was lacking a bit of seasoning but the dill sauce really focused on the flavor of the branzino which I loved. The flan was rich, thick, dense, sweet, and decadent. It was my first time having a thick flan and I loved it, Overall, a great experience and my first time trying Argentinian food.
If you like meat and sausages try is is a great place for Argentine fare! Cute little restaurant with all the Argentine favorites including all the grilled meats and really good chimichurri. Street parking. Wine and beer menu.
2 years ago
It was our first time dining here and we enjoyed the ambiance and food. The complimentary bread basket was a nice start to the meal. We then got our frito mixto appetizer, as well as skirt steak and salmon entrees. The frito mixto was nicely fried, with thin and crispy breading. The dipping sauces went well with the dish, but I wish we got a lemon to cut some of the richness. The skirt steak was cooked perfectly to a medium rare, but a bit salty. Unfortunately, the salmon was quite overcooked and overly salted as well. Otherwise, a pretty nice meal! read more
Lovely atmosphere celebrating a 25th birthday with family8 in our party. We will order multiple items, everything looks delicious. First time here, server is attentive, I started with a Chardonnay. Will order to start tarter de salmon con mango & avocado, carpaccio, ribeye and NY strip to share... with side of Hongos provenenzal, garlic mashed potatoes ..bruselas con bacon, salads de repello. I can now say the meal was absolutely fabulous, service was impeccable, it was a lovely birthday celebration! read more
7 months ago
We got there right at 5pm and were seated right away without reservations. There was three separate birthdays there so it's obviously a place people pick for nice bday meal. We went for DineLA & love the options. Ordered the scallops appetizer which was fresh and delicious - a surprise we enjoyed. Steak for the main - super yummy and the fries were perfect. The ambience is mellow and laid back but fun. The food was definitely a hit read more
2 years ago
The ambiance, service and specially the food, Is delicious!!!! I would definitely recommend the rib eye steak. read more
8 months ago
We recently celebrated my 62nd birthday at Bodega Malbec and what a celebration for my palate!!! I selected the scallops for my appetizer, linguine for my main course, and the pears for dessert from their prix fixe menu (which, considering the quality of food, was reasonably priced) and was thrilled!! I savored every mouthful and even hummed with delight. Excellent food. Prompt, efficient, friendly service. Highly recommend. -Elaina Ballew read more
4 months ago
delicious and well seasoned. the service was quick the servers were kind, and the ambiance was lovely. read more
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Argentina spot with a cozy vibe. Came here for dinner with my parents prior to catching a show at the Colony Theater and made a reservation online in advance. There's street parking available. Indoor and outdoor seating available. We ordered a few things to split which included the calamari and shrimp, the mollejas, pollo a las hierbas (an extra $2 to make it spicy), and Ojo de Bife. The meat was all fantastic; everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The calamari and shrimp wasn't too oily, and I liked the different sauces they provided for the Ojo. You can pick your choice of two sides, so we were able to try the mash potatoes, roasted vegetables, sautéed spinach, and roasted potatoes. They were all good but mash potatoes were particularly silken and creamy. For dessert, we split a crema catalana which was not too sweet and had an evenly burnt top. The vibes were cute and it's a good spot for a small group or couples. read more
2 years ago
It was delicious and the staff was kind, but it was hard to cut the steak sandwich And the atmosphere of the store was really good. The inside of the store is large, so I think it can accommodate a lot of people read more
Bodega Malbec is an Argentinian bistro in Toluca Lake. It was time to check out another restaurant from the 2023 Fall Dine LA list. There is seating outside as well as inside, with well appointed tables, cloth napkins and pleasant background music. The inside has a relaxing ambiance and I was ready for my first course, the Cebiche de Pescado. A Peruvian style diced mahi-mahi, with ahi amarillo, leche de tigre, soft giant corn, toasted Peruvian corn, sweet potatoes (didn't see this) and thin red onions. This dish was the best part of the meal. The second course, the Brazino Grillado, was not grilled, and did not taste like sea bass. The fish, together with its topped champagne-dill citric sauce was dry. Both the accompanying sautéed broccolini and arborio saffron rice was prepared well. The third and final course was dessert and I chose the Cannoli con Dulce de Leche y Nueces (home made puff pastry dough filled with dulce de leche cream, roasted walnuts and served with Chantilly cream and vanilla ice cream. The ice crem was my favorite part, The cannoli was tough and its filling too sweet. Service was friendly and excellent. read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Thank you Peter for joining us! We appreciate the review and hope…
Excellent lunch spot! I split the ojo de bife with my coworker because it was massive but so delicious. We also started with gazpacho because it was a sweltering day outside (112°F!). The ambiance was great as well. My only recommendation for the server is to be cautious of food allergies - we were told there was no cinnamon in any of the desserts but two of them listed it on the menu. Thankfully we just opted for affogatos so I was safe. read more
One of the best steaks I've ever hard. Very lightly seasoned but very full of flavor. I usually get medium rare but my beau wanted it cooked medium - and it was still very juicy and not tough at all. Would HIGHLY recommend the Vacio de Novillo if it's still a special! I'm sure alot of their dishes rival the steak I had... but I would say if you want a good steak, this is the place to go. Had the fried calamari, mushroom, shrimp appetizer and though it wasn't lightly fried it was definitely delicious. Good service, the waiter and co-pilot were both very friendly and made my boyfriend smile (which isn't easy). Clean place, lovely atmosphere. Great for a date night or a little shindig. Only bummer is the dessert and coffee wasn't very good. So I would just come here for all the savories and not the sweets! read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Wow Kaori! Thank you so much for the amazing images and review! We…
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My friends took me here to celebrate my birthday and it was such a great choice. Be aware that it's street parking here so you'll just have to drive around to find a spot. My friends made reservations beforehand so they had a table ready for us on a Friday night. Once we got seated, our waiter came to introduce himself and took our drinks order. We started off with the empanadas and got 2 orders so we can try all the different option. Our favorite was the meat empanadas because of the taste, the chicken had a more sweeter taste but it was good as well. The ham & chesse was fine but we didn't like the spinach one. They also give complimentary bread for the table as well. For our entrée, we all got the 16oz NY Steak at medium rare and it was delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly to medium rare, it was seasoned perfectly and very tender. I got regular fries for my side, my friends got parsley fries and mashed potatoes. My fries were crispy and my friends enjoyed their sides as well. We finish the night with a ice cream in a cup for me to celebrate my birthday. My score: Food: 5 star, you cannot go wrong with the NY steak here. It was amazing and I would recommend the beef empanadas. Service: 5 star, our server was attentive to our table and he was polite. Parking: 4.5 star, it's basically street parking here so you just have to drive around to find a open spot. Atmosphere: 5 star, the restrauant is nice inside. It's not a big restrauant but it works for them. read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Wow! Peter what an awesome review ! Thank you so much for celebrating…
First off let me sincerely thank the owner, Javier! I called him a few weeks prior to our friends coming into visit from another state and spoke to him on the phone. He was very nice and informative about the option of dishes at his restaurant. After we picked up our friends from the Burbank airport we took them directly to lunch and had a fantastic lunch with flavorful foods along with exceptional service! We look forward to returning to enjoy a nice dinner some evening very soon. It looks like it would be a beautiful place at night when the candles are lit and the low lighting. Thank you Javier from us all!! Carla, David, Ann & Tony read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Thank you so much Carla ! We appreciate you and can’t wait to have…
9 months ago
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The restaurant is adorable! Our waiter was amazing and answered all of our questions. The creamed spinach for me was the star of the show. My skirt steak was cooked to perfection and very delicious! There are quite a few choices for dessert. All of the ones we had at our table were great. The crepes with dulce de leche and the flan were amazing. Definitely worth the trip to Toluca Lake. read more
Hidden gem in Toluca Lake. Intimate setting inside and outdoors in the back patio. High quality all natural meats, no artificial ingredients and no added hormones. Parking: Street parking on Riverside on nearby subdivisions or behind buildings. Customer service: Average - Friendly but not an experience where their staff goes above and beyond. Food: Table De Chorizos + Table Mixta with ojo de bife and bife de chorizo All were amazing minus the blood sausage lol read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Thank you Tim for your wonderful review! We hope to see you again…
3 years ago
Well, we decided to give this local Argentinian restaurant a shot. I've had other Argentinian cuisines before and this one is right around the corner so we thought we'd try it to support local small business. The menu has a wide variety of Argentinian favorites, and by just looking at the menu, I was excited. I was very very disappointed by the food and the amount of oil there was in the sides and appetizers We started with the calamari appetizer as well as the empanadas. Beef and spinach. The beef empanadas were very good flavor wise but oil was dripping everywhere. The spinach cheese was very watery. We also ordered the entraña steak, which is a must at any Argentinian restaurant, and it came with yucca and creamed spinach. We also got papas bravas and mushroom as extra sides The food was a 1 especially for a $50 skirt steak. The steak got cold within 5 minutes of being on the table. It was chewy and a lot of fat strings. The sides were very oily. The yucca had zero flavor even though it came with some type of sauce. Creamed spinach was bland and truly should be taken off the menu. The chimichurri has way more oil than garlic and parsley and that is one thing that should be really good but it definitely needs work I gave it a 3 because it wasn't a horrible experience as the staff was very nice even though our waiter was very slow to get to us in that small little restaurant. To be fair, it looked like a busy weeknight so hence my rating and ease of judgement lol Another plus is that they have Quilmes, which is a delicious Argentinian beer. Overall, for the price you pay versus quality, I would not go back because my stomach is no bueno from all that oily food read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Hi Alex. We apologize for your experience with us and hope that you…
I love this place for Argentinian food ! We ordered the spinach salad with bacon and grilled mushrooms. Very light and refreshing. The grilled octopus was so tender with the right amount of smokiness . The skirt steak was amazing! Flavorful and tender , cooked perfectly medium rare served with grilled veggies. I would definitely come back ! read more
I went here because i won a gift certificate and I'm so glad i did! I also went during dine LA, so ofc i had to get that! The place was really lovely, had a good vibe. Also our server was so nice! Very attentive! This is what we got: We got an add on of the empanadas and they were super tasty. Good filling with a solid, flakey crust. We all got the scallop appetizer, which was fresh and came with an amazing sauce. Someone in our party got the burrata that they loved. I got the lamb shank which was super super flavorful, tender and delicious! It came with potatoes and broccolini! Someone in our party got the seafood fetuchines which was rich, and absolutely delicious. It was my favorite dish! Two people got the steak which was super tender and that sauce was to die for!!! It also came with dessert, i got the roasted Malbec pears with ice cream, and everyone else got the crepes and both were great but the crepes are a definite must try! Very delicious read more
This is my third DineLA venture this week, which had no crowds and a beautiful noon time day. The food is Argentine style and a quaint atmosphere filled with music and rustic environment. The 3-course meal was delicious, beginning with an appetizer of empanada and salad truly sharable with your partner. The main course included short ribs and Branzino which seemed to be dinner size and filling. Lastly, desserts included flan and cannoli which so soothing after a nice lunch. The atmosphere was especially interesting, as some patrons were from the film industry and discussing the writer's strike and work conditions. It seems Riverside Drive is the Sunset Boulevard of the Valley... read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Beautiful pictures Stevo! Thank you so much for sharing your…
1 year ago
We ordered a range of plates for DineLA. Food was good, flavors could be better. For example, the Seafood octopus and shrimp app needed a bit of salt to balance out the earthiness of the squid ink toast. The dish looked enticing however. The pasta with mushrooms was very good. I didn't have the filet so I don't know how that was. The desserts were good. Had an issue with hygiene on the plates-some rims were not as clean expected. Service however was excellent. I will come back and try other dishes. End of Yelp. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Mariano M.
This makes us very happy! Your welcome anytime
5 years ago
Nice restaurant. Very clean place. All organized. Hostess, waitress and busboys were very hospitable. The churrasco was made to perfection; sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes were so moist and delicious; the tabla of chorizos was so good: we had the morcillas and chorizos. It was all well-port portioned, it was filling without feeling "sleepy" after a meal. Convenience: it was only a 5 mins away from home, it's great to know that this gem was so close to home. read more
Business owner information
Javier P.
Hi Dilenia! Thank you so much for stopping by and giving us this…
I went there with my girlfriend for the dine la special for dinner. We got the octopus and shrimp appetizer and the buratta. The shrimp and octopus appetizer was on some bread soaked I think with steak juices, but I'm not sure. But this appetizer was spectacular. The buratta was so so. Maybe if you are a buratta fanatic you might really like it but otherwise no big deal. For the main dish, we got the steak and the the pasta. gF wanted it cooked rare which I am not a big fan, but hey. My pasta was pretty good. The desserts were alright. Service was top notch. Overall a solid restaurant. read more
2 years ago
Great place for dinner with some amazing wine selection. Burrata and ceviche are a must try. Love coming here with my family and friends, the staff is knowledgeable and always welcoming. read more
Business owner information
Mariano M.
Thank you for coming!
More info about Bodega Malbec
10151 Riverside Dr
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Toluca Lake
Directions
(747) 277-1798
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https://bodegamalbec.com
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Ask the Community - Bodega Malbec
What's the corkage?
Hello Jack, corkage fee is $25 for 750ml bottles and $35 fee for 1.5liter (magnums)
Do you have a parking lot or valet parking and do you take reservations?
Do they have a happy hour?
What is the average wait time for the food? I have a reservation for Sat evening around 7PM. (trying to plan something after dinner )
25-30 min
Do they offer a menu translated in spanish?
The titles of our dishes are in Spanish. Also, there is always somebody available who speaks spanish.…
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