MenuPages

We had dinner a couple of times at La Bodeguita a few months after it first opened and were quite happy with the prices, food, and service. Over a year passed before we returned for drinks and felt that something had changed. Then we returned again for dinner with friends. It was Saturday night and they had a band with an entertainment priced menu that was 50% higher priced than a night without entertainment. They had a 12 piece band and we sat in the same room with them. We were warned that it would be loud.That would have been alright if the sound was properly equalized for the room, but loud means all the instruments and voices were at such a level that they were all mashed together at top volume. On top of this, they did not play Cuban music save for one Xavier Cougat sounding song that only a Cuban exile from pre-Castro Cuba could appreciate. They played one Cumbia after another, and we became very bored. The menu prices were not worth the extra cost to cover such an unoriginal band. However,this is not unusual for LA where it is very hit and miss for hearing good musicians giving good performances when it comes to world music. The food was not nearly as good as it had been on previous occasions. It made you think the restaurant had definitely changed hands and was no longer worthy of its name.

Just tried this place recently. The bf and I were the only customers there. We were seated at a table. The bf ordered a beer and I ordered a diet coke. We were off to a bad start when my diet coke was brought and it was flat. We ordered the avocado salad. It was 4 slices of tomato, 3 or 4 rings of onion and a small, thinly sliced avocado. That was it, and it cost $7 something. We both got the cuban sandwich and mariquitas. The mariquitas were cold. The bread on the sandwich hadnt been pressed like cuban sandwiches are suppose to be. I would never recommend this place to anyone. I know I won't be going back.

La bodeguita de pico is a overhyped cuban restaurant. The food flavor is good the service is horrible, The maduros are fresh frozen sysco brand pre sliced , not as good a flavor as fresh sliced, the christianos and morros, were dry , the flan was dry and full of holes (no caramel sauce) , I must give credit to the masas de pueco (fried pork morsels) I feel the best I've tried in a restaurant setting, The service overall was just bad and it is unfortunate this restaurant could considered as one of the best but the service does it no justice, we waited 30 minutes before a waiter acknowledged our exisitence, and waited another 25 minutes for the usual bread with butter was served cold. I would be warry about this restaurant if you like going to a restaurant and be ignored have fun , if they could be a bit more organized they would be better. The Maitre 'd was very comical and he is what saved our evening from being so negative at this nice restaurant. Would I return based on service no!!!! Would I return based on food yes!!!! Overall value for service not there, would not reccomend for large parties and would highly reccomend you research the menu on line before going so that if you get bad service you just order everything at one time and save yourself the aggrevation of waiting for staff that disappear and ignore you. Also on the web site it says free valet parking this is not the case it is 4 dollars. In closing this establishment could be better currently I feel it is riding on its hype of a new cuban restaurant and eventually if the service continues the way it is it might tank.

What a treasure! This new spot in LA is bound to be a major hit among those who love to join friends and enjoy a meal around a large table. The vibe is great and the Argentinian wine I tasted was delicate and clean- perfect with my yucca appetizer and shrimp with rum sauce. Get your friends together and have fun... looking forward to their new salsa nights coming soon.