LA Wine Bar Review: Bodega

814 Broadway Santa Monica, CA. 90401

Image Copyrighted to THEPOPFIX 2010

For my first wine bar review, I chose Bodega partially because their mission statement goes hand in hand with the philosophy of Celebrity Wine Review (one of the sites I host for); “wine for one and wine for all.” This laid back bar aims to remove the snobby element of wine tasting and replace it with fun. The environment is dark and lit with candles, music floating through the background, and well dressed patrons sitting at tables or couches with pillows. Although it would be a great destination for a date, I visited Bodega with a group of friends, some who were very familiar with the menu (always an advantage when you’re a first-timer!). We split a bottle of Terre des Papes, Cotes du Rhone, which was light, delicious and a bit dry. Overall, a choice we were all quite happy with.

After the bottle was empty, a few of us ordered single glasses of different wines we wanted to try. I sampled a Lucky Star Pinot Noir from California, another choice that did not disappoint.

One of my favorite things about Bodega is that all of the wines on the menu are the same price. Although it’s not exactly inexpensive, at $32.00 a bottle, some nights they offer special deals and discounted prices. The night I visited, all bottles were only $20.00, which is clearly a better value than buying single glasses of wine for the price for $9.00 each. The wine selection is okay, but not extensive. However, my friends and I were happy with the wines we tried. Admittedly, we were enjoying the ambience, the company and the conversation too much to be complaining about anything!

Image Copyrighted to THEPOPFIX 2010

From what I heard from friends who frequent Bodega, the food is also delicious. I tried the brie & apple pizza, which is exactly what it sounds like. A decadent, creamy, cheese pizza topped with apple slices and what appeared to be lightly-dressed baby spinach.

Overall, my experience at Bodega was positive. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the wine, the food, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Our waitress even let one of my friends switch a glass of wine he did not like for a better, new one. Although I wasn’t blown away by any of the wines I tasted that night, it wouldn’t deter me from going back to Bodega.