text: I really wanted to like Malabar more I have had my eye on the place since it opened I used to love Coco Osteria but I never managed to make it there til Saturday night The fella and I decided to go for dinner and made reservations for As others have noted it is a pretty small place so reservations are highly recommendednnI usually do not like such cramped quarters because I feel like everyone around me is listening to my conversation but at Malabar the music and people are so lively that I did not mind at all Our service was impeccablennSo why only stars The food Sigh We made it a night of tapas and tried the croquetas ham potato albondigas beet meatballs in tomato sauce vaca frita crispy beef with pickled onion on top and romesco eggplant bruschetta While it was all fine it was all just fine Nothing stood out nothing had much spice it was all just well fine I had hoped that out of four tapas surely one of them would be delicious But no I also got the sangria after reading other reviews of how good it was it was good but can you really mess up sangria OR make it super great It was fine toonnWe did try the tres leches cake for dessert after asking out waitress to pick between that and the churros and it was good small but the perfect size for not gorging moist and creamynnThankfully the atmosphere and service made up for the food but I do not think we will make it a point to stop by Malabar again