BY ERIC ROSEN >STAFF WRITER

---

To get the experience of dining at one of the swanky new eateries popping up in Buenos Aires’ trendy Palermo neighborhood, look no farther than the charming, crowded little Malbec on a leafy Pasadena side street, which was recently opened by three Argentinean expats.

Of course, no visit to an Argentinean restaurant would be complete without at least trying the empanadas, and Malbec has three types to choose from: beef, spinach and cheese, and chicken or ham with cheese, mushroom, basil and cherry tomatoes.

There are also several salads including a beet salad with roasted pears, toasted walnuts, arugula, blue cheese and red wine vinaigrette. Feel free to order from the pasta menu, but if you know what’s good for you, skip those in favor of the grilled meats. After all, Argentina is the beef capital of the world, and the meat choices abound.

There is a juicy rib eye steak with roasted garlic sauce, grilled short ribs with roasted salsa, and a skirt steak with tangy chimichurri marinade. For two people, the Argentinean Brochette is a great deal and includes succulent pieces of beef, chicken, sausage and sweetbreads served with three sauces.

Just like in a traditional Argentine parilla or grill, there are a few typical side dishes like the potato salad, the sautéed vegetables, or good old French fries. The wine menu is exclusively from Argentina, so dinner here is a great chance to familiarize yourself with the malbecs from which the restaurant derives its name, and which are becoming ever more popular additions to wine menus the world over. The indoor space is lively and lovely, but try for one of the outside tables and enjoy the evening air.