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Welcome to Bodega Malbec

Bodega Malbec is a unique blend of Argentine and Italian culinary traditions, located in the heart of Toluca Lake, CA. This Latinx-owned steakhouse celebrates the rich flavors of its heritage, offering a diverse menu that caters to all dietary preferences, including vegan, keto, and pescatarian options. The warm, inviting atmosphere enhances the dining experience, making it ideal for casual dinners or special occasions. Signature dishes like Ojo de Bife and creative starters such as cebiche highlight fresh ingredients and expert preparation. With excellent service and thoughtful accommodations like QR and Braille menus, Bodega Malbec invites everyone to savor unforgettable meals together.

Bodega Malbec: Reviews & Ratings

Saulo P.
Saulo P.

The ambiance, service and specially the food, Is delicious!!!! I would definitely recommend the rib eye steak.

Shanelle S.
Shanelle S.

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.

Isabella D.
Isabella D.

Writing this a bit late--we came here for DineLA on 1/25/25. This review is really a 3.5 star, but I don't have the heart to round down to a three because it wasn't actively BAD. Just...fine. We had a reservation and when we got there the place was a bit busy. We stood in the door awkwardly for a while, despite a waitress seeing us and pretending not to (lol, can't say I haven't done that in my own serving days.) A very kind man who was bussing a table saw us looking around and sat us without even needing to confirm our reservation. Our actual waiter was with us not too long after, and things went smoothly after that. The restaurant was dimly lit and a little loud, and we were seated right next to the kitchen which was a little chaotic but not terrible. For the DineLA dinner ($55 pp), we shared: - Cebiche de Pescado Aji Amarillo--our favorite thing! While not incredibly photogenic, it was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. The corn nuts and sweet potato were nice. - Vieyras Peruanas--fresh scallops with a yuzu vinaigrette. This was refreshing and zippy and delicious. - Branzino Grillado--fish was flaky and lovely. The sauce had sat for a bit so it congealed a little, but still tasted good. The asparagus was my partner's favorite thing on the plate, but the rice that accompanied it was quite bland and just shy of al-dente. - Vacio Argentino--meat was cooked perfectly, and fabulously juicy. The fries were herby and crisp (and stayed crisp!) and the trio of salsas that came with the meat were fine. Nothing special, but good. I think the meat needed a bit of salt, as parts were a little bland, but I can appreciate that they maybe wanted to showcase the meat in its simplicity. Bites with fat were perfectly seasoned, but there were definitely some bland spots. Both entrees went wonderfully with the wine we chose (La Coste de los Andes). - Pannacotta con Salsa de Bayas--creamy and sweet. Nothing standout. - Pears al Malbec--I really liked the pears. The ice cream it came with is touted as "vanilla bean" but there was nary a bean speckle in sight. The service also dragged toward the end. Probably because they had said something about a private party going on? But they were nice enough, and we got our food in a timely fashion, and were able to leave without too much waiting around. For $55 a person, there are plenty of better options to choose from, in my opinion. Especially for DineLA. But this place was decent, and nothing was BAD. Just lots of things that could've been better. Park in the back area. It's free!

Cindy L.
Cindy L.

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.

April C.
April C.

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.

Carly M.
Carly M.

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

Whitney S.
Whitney S.

Super delish Dine LA meal! I ordered the scallops, steak, pear and Malbec along with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc. Really good though the scallops were definitely some of the smallest I've ever seen. Service was great and attentive. I definitely want to come back to try their pastas!

미치광이
미치광이

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

Austin E.
Austin E.

Came here for a New Years dinner with my family and had a great time! The waitress helped us choose some wines to pair with our main selections and I felt that they went well.  Of the food we tried, the pulpo (octopus), paella, tuna tartare and chorizo platter were my personal favorites. My family is used to eating octopus in various forms and they found it toooo tender for their tastes but I believe that is a niche "issue" and loved how tender it was. Likewise the blood sausage that was part of the chorizo platter was rich and a unique taste that some of my family did not like, but if you are a fan of boudin noire or black pudding it is definitely well made here in my opinion.  Some notes were that we got two orders of mushrooms and the flavors were not consistent - the second batch was a lot blander and more watery. Coincidentally we found the steak that we ordered towards the end very underseasoned, though the meat temp/cook itself was good.

Jennifer O.
Jennifer O.

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!

Location

  • Bodega Malbec
    10151 Riverside Dr Toluca Lake, CA 91602 United States Hotline: (818) 762-4860

An Introduction to Bodega Malbec: Where Argentinian Flavors Meet Italian Flair

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Toluca Lake, California, Bodega Malbec stands out as a culinary gem that artfully combines the bold flavors of Argentinian cuisine with the comforting essence of Italian steakhouses. The restaurant is not merely a place to eat; it exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes it ideal for everything from casual family dinners to intimate date nights. The ambiance is a delightful blend of cozy decor and modern touches, perfectly complemented by the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, creating a spirited dining environment.

At Bodega Malbec, the extensive menu showcases a variety of tempting options, including keto, pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian choices, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you are craving a succulent ribeye steak or a flavorful cebiche de pescado, you can expect fresh ingredients and masterful preparation in every dish. Highlights on the tapas bar menu, such as Vieyras con Pancetta and Gambas al Ajillo, invite diners to indulge in bold flavors, while the tantalizing range of special sauces elevates each dish to new heights.

Customer reviews echo the sentiment of satisfaction, with many raving about the quality of the meats, particularly the Ojo de Bife, which is celebrated for its juiciness and depth of flavor. Others have fondly mentioned the calamari and the rich, decadent flan that leaves a lasting impression. The culinary team’s dedication to crafting dishes that reflect authentic Argentinian traditions is evident, making every visit not only a meal but an experience.

Bodega Malbec goes beyond the plate by providing ample services that cater to diverse needs. With options for outdoor seating, happy hour specials, and the convenience of reservations and delivery, the restaurant prioritizes comfort and accessibility. Furthermore, it is a proud Latinx-owned establishment, emphasizing values of inclusivity and community, welcoming all with open arms.

If you’re looking for a place that transforms an ordinary dinner into a cherished memory, Bodega Malbec is the perfect choice. With its rich menu, warm atmosphere, and attentive service, you are sure to leave not only satisfied but eagerly anticipating your next visit.