One of our favorite Bodega experiences in Mendoza is definitely Ruca Malen. The setting and scenery is captivating and the restaurant is one of the most memorable for visitors to Mendoza. Last night Mariana Onofri, The Vines sommelier, and I were invited for a special event with a group of local wine providers, sommeliers and tour agencies. Under the expert guidance of chef Lucas Bustos and a visiting chef from Chez Nous, the restaurant located in Algondon Mansion in Buenos Aires, the courses were expertly designed to be paired with delicious wines and we knew we were in for a special treat!!
They created a 7 course, very decadent, meal, showcasing the best local ingredients. They featured trout from nearby winery Atamisque, who has their own trout farm as well as vegetables, cheeses and meats from local growers and providers. I can’t even describe the succulent lamb that was served with braised corn and a coffee reduction foam. The wine pairing were perfect with delicate shrimp with the Ruca Malen Chardonnay, the Yauquen Cabernet Sauvignon balancing the blue cheese croquette and a sweet Malbec paired with a hearty brie.
You can see the passion that comes through these dishes and the innovation and creativity that is infusing the culinary scene here in Mendoza. It is not just pizza, beef and empanadas anymore!
Named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the best restaurants in Mendoza, they say:
“Eating at a winery can be a hit-or-miss experience. But at Ruca Malen, where chef Lucas Bustos turns out delicious five-course prix-fixe meals with wine pairings, the hits win out. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Bustos relies on gourmet takes on classic plates, i.e. mini milanesas (fried veal cutlets) topped with pumpkin terrine, and beet-and-carrot croquettes served with chimichurri.”
So make sure you visit Ruca Malen and their restaurant on your next visit to Mendoza. It is sure to be a highlight!
