Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum — Restaurant in Wake Forest

Bodega, in the heart of downtown Wake Forest, brings a high level of sophisticated dining to the area at a fairly high price. This tapas-themed eatery has the feel of a wine cellar. Portions are small (except for the three 'Plates') and intended to be shared. The menu is extensive (22 Tapas options from which to chose), and most of them are noteworthy and unique. It's a great place to celebrate a night out with friends. The seven of us sampled 15 different dishes. Some of our favorites were the Mushroom Ravioli ($13) - Mushrooms, Cauliflower Cream, Pesto and Chioggia Beets - a lot of flavor. The Seared Spiced Tuna with Horseradish Crema ($14) was perfectly rare and delicious, and possibly the best value on the menu. That Tapas standby, Serrano Ham ($11) with Red Wine Poached Pears, Walnuts and Parmesan was a real winner; as was the Salad de Saison ($10) with Blueberries, Goat Cheese and Serge's Grandma's Vinaigrette - so crisp and fresh and light. I also enjoyed the Grilled Broccoli Kimchi Vinaigrette ($13) with Sesame Yogurt Sauce and Cashews (though not everyone appreciated this somewhat off-the-wall concoction). We also enjoyed two change of pace plates: Arancini (Fried Risotto Balls - $11) and Parisienne Gnocchi ($15 - with Bacon, Onions, White Wine, Cream and Raclette Cheese). Another favorite was the Burrata Touille ($13). This Provençal Ratatouille included Burrata Cheese (fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream and means 'buttery' in Italian) and a Savory Granola. The Sauteed Shrimp with Toasted Garlic, Guajillo (moderately hot Mexican Chili), Mango and Chipotle Vinaigrette ($14 for four) and the NC Wagyu Beef Empanada with Cuban Picadillo Style Cilantro Creme ($10) were both delicious. Both of the Dips we tried were very tasty, but quite salty. They included Crab Dip ($15) - Texas Pete, Old Bay, Parmesan with Crostini: and NC Goat Cheese Dip ($14) - Oyster Mushrooms and Holly Grove Goat Cheese. The one item that totally missed the mark with me was the Escargots ($16 for six). Properly cooked Snails swimming in a pool of Lemon, Garlic and Butter are a personal favorite. But the ones served at Bodega had an unusual, somewhat unpleasant flavor. Since this was also the most expensive Tapas item on the menu, it was a double disappointment. Bodega offers a wide assortment of distinctive Liqueurs, Rums and other Spirits. The Red Wines were agreeable and the Orchard Sangria ($13 - White Wine, White Cranberry, Peach Brandy and Triple Sec) was interesting and refreshing. The two specialty cocktails we tried; however, were misfires with us. They were the Bittersweet Cosmopolitan ($14 - Social House Vodka, Lime, Cassis and Cranberry Bitters) and Old Cuban ($14 - Sailor Jerry's Rum, Lime. Mint, Lemongrass...

Quirky downtown Wake Forest restaurant marries the ambiance of a French bistro, a Spanish tapas bar, and a creative spirit-focused bar-driven gastropub. Led by Serge, a friendly, experienced, and warm Frenchman who used to own a restaurant in Paris, Bodega reads like a European fusion spot where you get to try things that will taste amazing - just not what you expected. Instead of American takes on a Peruvian style chicken, or a North Carolinian take on Sicilian Arancini (ah-ran-CHEE-knee), you get what Serge has experienced in Europe, mixed up a touch. The staff is friendly and incredible - they know they're working at a great place and are happy to introduce you to what they have to offer. The spirit list includes a large variety of rums - rare in NC, which of course has its selection limited by the poorly run ABC system (none of the great Foursquare rums from Barbados because why would the ABC know about that?). Cocktails are short, but ask and they'll make you something special. The wine list is excellent, curated by a Frenchman who knows how wine marries to food. And happily it includes local NC wines, because we do have some great ones. The plates are generally small but shareable - tapas, after all, and before you complain that tapas should only be Spanish, recall the wonderful cicchetti in Venice - and allow you to have a little custom tour of delicious options. If you'd prefer a single larger dish there are a few options for that as well. Don't sleep on dessert - there's some great choices there. We opted for the rum soaked cake and pecan pie and they were divine. Highly...

We’ve dined here 3x so far. Great location in “downtown” Wake Forest. Each time the hostess sat us immediately and was very friendly and chit-chatty. The owner is always nearby and visits tables to make sure you are happy. We were able to park on the street right infront of the restaurant but noticed a parking lot to the left. The decor & atmosphere are inviting. My only complaint is the 2 top tables are close together and narrow, so each time we go we sit at the bar or ask for a larger table so my husband and I can sit next to each other.

Our server has always been well trained and the food is piping hot and tasty. We usually start with a margarita w/casamigos & a grand Marnier floater, a glass of Sauvignon blanc, other times we’ve had a Bordeaux, old fashions or martinis. Always yummy cocktails.

We’ve ordered the crab dip, French onion soup, arugula salad, gnocchi in a cream sauce, beef empanadas, the rigatoni w/Wagyu ragout (my favorite), goat cheese dip, and the peruvian chicken which is like a pâté. The food was always plentiful for “Tapas” and high quality. Last night we tried dessert… the chocolate mousse (incredible) and the pear & pecan pie which my husband said was the BEST pecan pie he’s ever ate! (We’ve tried all these over 3 visits, not at once, lol).

Our bill usually runs $110- $140 plus tip. We thought it was underpriced compared to similar...