With influences from the kitchens of Latin America, Italy, and Spain, the ingredients that comprise Argentine cuisine make for a dynamic and interesting gastronomic palate. At South Point Argentine Grill in Valencia, this melting pot of cultures and flavors is evident on South Point's vast and eclectic menu.

Echoing the diversity ensconced at South Point Argentine Grill, diners are just as likely to see a futbol match as they are to see a football game on the flat screens above the bar. With the exception of the pictures of gauchos on horseback, and a few framed Argentine soccer jerseys on the walls, there's little in the way of Argentine decor inside the restaurant - not that there's much precedence for Argentine restaurants in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Rather than the requisite bread and butter upon being seated, South Point treats its diners with baguette slices and its own Chimichurri sauce. The sauce is a traditional Argentine condiment of chopped parsley, oregano, garlic, chili flakes, and oil. Diners may want to keep the Chimichurri around for later, or ask for another side of the sauce, as it would be a welcome addition to other dishes.

Diners should be sure to order the Empanadas as the first course ($5.45 for two Empanadas). These traditional Argentine pastries are filled with a choice of beef and spices, spinach and cheese, cream of corn, cheese and onions, or ham and cheese. Each Empanada is lightly fried and crisp, without being greasy. The Spinach and Cheese Empanada is creamy and rich, and the Beef and Spices Empanada is flavorful as well, with beef, raisins, onions, bits of hard-boiled egg, and a hint of cumin. Diners may want to pass on the Rabas Mar del Plata ($7.95) however, as it is just another ordinary version fried calamari.

The Italian influence on Argentine cuisine is greatly reflected in a number of dishes at South Point - even a pasta section is featured on the menu. The Green Raviolis ($10.95) is a decent offering as small raviolis are filled with spinach, cheese, and spices, and served al dente with a light tomato cream sauce. Although the flavors of this dish meld nicely, the raviolis may be a bit too al dente, bordering on chewy rather than tender and firm. A better choice of the Italian ilk on the menu would be the delicious Suprema Napolitana ($13.95). This dish features a breaded chicken breast, lightly fried and topped with tomato sauce, a thin slice of ham, and mozzarella cheese. Mashed potatoes and grilled zucchini accompany this tender and tasty dish.

In spite of its flashy presentation, the most extravagant item on South Point's menu turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. The Parrillada Argentina (Argentine Barbecue, $32.95) features a selection of grilled meats served sizzling on a small, heated grill. Quite the endeavor, this dish can feed two to three diners and features skirt steak, short ribs, a half chicken on the bone, Chorizo Argentine, and Morcilla (blood sausage). While the skirt steak and short ribs were both quite moist and tender, both were bland and had little distinction between them in terms of flavor. The Chimichurri sauce helps a bit in this matter, or diners could even ask for (gasp!) a bottle of steak sauce. The chicken was also less-than-spectacular as it was dry and disappointing. The two sausages were perhaps the most interesting offerings in this dish. The Chorizo Argentine is a milder version of the Spanish sausage but was actually quite tasty compared to the other meats. The Morcilla blood sausage on the other hand, had a strange texture and tasted, well, like pork cooked in its own blood. However, to each his own, as a couple diners at the table for this review enjoyed the Morcilla, while others didn't fancy it. To offset all the grilled meats, french fries and grilled zucchini are served with the Parrillada Argentina.

There are a number of delicious offerings at South Point Argentine Grill, but like all restaurants that boast a large and diverse menu, choosing a completely satisfying meal could prove to be hit or miss with some diners. South Point Argentine Grill is located at 24320 Town Center Drive and can be reached at 263-8488.